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INTRODUCTION TO SEASON FIVE:

Well you wanted it so here it is! Season Five of SatAM Re-Genesis. The season I originally had NO plan to write in the first place. The season where I break my cardinal rule that I stated when I started this project all the way back in February of 2024 and incorporate characters from Archie Comics. Namely ones created by NAME REDACTED. And if you think I wrote this because I am a whore for hits and kudos on AO3, seeing as I made this a stretch goal to see how much the community likes SatAM Re-Gen despite its increasingly unhinged tone (clearly enough as both counters are now more than double what I was initially going for), you're absolutely wrong! Season 5 was pretty much done before I even had an AO3 account. No, the real reason Season Five exists is because... I NEEDED to do it..

Last summer, while working through my outline for seasons three and four, I had an idea: What if there was a way to bridge the gap between SatAM and Archie. Going into this I knew they weren't the same universe. In fact they COULDN'T be due to the apocalyptic reboot inflicted on the planet formerly known as Mobius Prime by Ian Flynn as the result of NAME REDACTED's lawsuit. So I thought about it. I thought about it real hard. And it came to me. What if there was something of Old Archie that survived. What if it could be resurrected in another reality. And what if there was more than one multiverse? A multiverse connected to the world of the video games (including the IDW series which is officially canon to it) that included all the tv shows and the movie franchise which may or may not be canon to the games. This was in direct opposition to a "non-canon" work like Archie whose multiverse was rewritten and ultimately destroyed within its own canon. So naturally if a multiverse survived, it couldn't be connected to Archie's Prime Zone. Therefore...there might be a way from Archie into the world of SatAM.

However, despite having an idea about where I wanted to go with the series, I still wasn't sure I actually wanted to write it.

And...then the election happened. Yeaaaaah.

Like a lot of us, I was not in a good place in December of 2024. In between anticipating the worst and trying to drown out the news (which I'm STILL doing), I needed SOMETHING to DO. And so I went on my computer and looked at my "to do" list. And there they were. The ten episode titles I had come up with in August of 2024 for Season Five. And I looked at them and I said to myself, "Screw it! Lets do this thing!" And so I started writing again, because I wanted to and it felt...so good to do it. I'm not kidding, you can't tell from the scripts, but this season was therapy for me. And...it may have supplanted Season 3 as my personal favorite as a result. Depends on how I feel at the moment.

*takes a deep breath* Ok. Personal moment over. Lets get down to business shall we? First, there is some housekeeping that needs to be addressed, though. Season Five takes place three years after the events of Season Four. It was also meant to take place after some shorter miniseries style works under the collective title of "Chronicles of Mobius" that I have not yet written. I make references to these events and I think I've given enough context that it doesn't really matter if you haven't read them or not. But be advised that these references are literally all I have done for this stuff. I know about as much as you do about how those stories were supposed to go.

Anyway, this just leaves me to thank you for your support since I started publishing this series on AO3 last February. I hope you enjoy these final (at the moment) ten episodes as much as I did writing of them (yeah one of these isn't great even by my low standards, I'm sorry).

Sincerely yours, your SatAM Re-Genesis pal...

--ERIC EMMANUEL

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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: SATAM RE-GENESIS

EPISODE 05X01: "ENDANGERED SPECIES"

Written by

ERIC EMMANUEL

Based on characters from the video game series published by Sega,

the 1993 DIC animated series

"SONIC THE HEDGEHOG"

Developed by Bruce and Reed Shelly, Len Janson, and Chuck Menville

the 1999 DIC animated series

"SONIC UNDERGROUND"

Created by Jean Cheville, Jean Chalopin, Andy Hayward, and Robby London

AND the Archie comic series:

"SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" and "KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA"

(Certain characters originating from the IDW comic series created by Ian Flynn, Tyson Hesse, Evan Stanley, and Adam Bryce Thomas)

(Dr. Finitevus created by Karl Bollers and Jonathan H. Gray)

(Thrash The Devil created by Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley)

(All other Echidnas created by NAME REDACTED, Mike Kanterovich, Art Mawhinney,

Manny Galan, Andrew Pepoy, and Patrick Spaziante)

REVISED THIRD DRAFT: 4/25/25

PREVIOUSLY ON SONIC THE HEDGEHOG:

It is the year 3238 of the Mobian Era. 10,000 years have passed since the Human Race annihilated itself in a war between the Government of Unified Nations and Eastern Conclave to possess the radioactive super metal known as Nibelium. However before their destruction, GUN managed to send three ships into deep space in order to find a new home world for human kind. Failing this task, one of the ships, The Hephaestus, returns to Earth with the mission to rebuild. However, the survivors find it now known as the planet Mobius and ruled by animals mutated by the residual radiation from that war. After an unfortunate encounter in The Veldt of Efrica with VANILLA and her daughter CREAM; two rabbits from the Sol Empire who only speak Japanese, the GUN forces are contacted by the scientist Julian Subotnick, better known as EGGMAN, who offers to build them a machine that will purportedly remove all the Nibelium Radiation and turn the Mobians back into their original animal forms.

Meanwhile in Mobotropolis, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SALLY LYRA ALISIA ACORN have finally consummated their marriage to each other but are puzzled by Sally's sudden and mysterious hair growth. As Sonic and LORD ROTOR GREYBELLY cut the tape to open a recreation of Knothole Village as part of a historical site, Sally comforts AMY ROSE who has been called back home by her parents LORD PARMINDER and LADY MALLORA but is still suffering from the experience of Eggman's murderous rampage through the city of Green Hill the previous year. Sally too suddenly begins to suffer strange headaches of a kind she has not experienced before that are growing in intensity.

A few weeks later, after contact is lost with the city of Billenberg in Downunda, Mobotropolis suddenly finds itself under siege from the humans of GUN and Eggman. In the confused panic, Sally, her adopted son MILES "TAILS" PROWER and family friend and protector BARONESS REBECCA "BUNNIE" MASTERSON are tranquilized and taken by GUN. Meanwhile, Sonic and Sally's daughter, NICOLE ELLIDY, is helped to safety by Rotor, and Sonic himself is rescued by Amy who drags him away back home to the Hedgemony Islands. It is here on Amy's boat, that Sonic finally learns the truth about her: that Amy was actually gay and only using Sonic as a means to get out of her commitments to the Amarabi marriage cycle. And also to consummate her real relationship with her lover, CHLOE BOLLINGER, who ultimately perished saving Amy's life in the Green Hill massacre the year before. Sonic sees Amy is now suffering the effects of Spring Fever and believes it is the result of losing Chloe, but in fact the reason is far worse, for Amy Rose has somehow fallen in love...with Sally.

Elsewhere on a plane heading to the GUN encampment on the coast of the former Mozambique, Sally finally tells Tails the truth of what happened to his father 8 years before and that she kept that shame as a reason to be a good mother to him. To Sally's surprise, Tails not only forgives his mother but also comes to the conclusion that his biological father abandoned him and because of how Sonic helped protect him during their time in Knothole that HE is Miles' real father now. Shortly after Bunnie recovers from the tranquilizers, the plane carrying them is hit by something and crashes.

Meanwhile back in Mobotropolis, Rotor and Nicole find SIR CHARLES HILDYARD (UNCLE CHUCK) and take him back with them to Knothole Federal Monument. It is here that they are also reunited with PETER ENGERT, HAMILTON YAUCH, and CATTER WAHL. After Uncle Chuck collapses, Rotor calls for DR. BIN QUACKENBUSH who discovers Chuck has been injected by Eggman with a deadly poison and does not have long to live, unless treated sooon. Returning to Mobotropolis in 
oon. Returning to Mobotropolis in search of an antivenom, Rotor, Pete, and Ham are surprised to find the city not only empty of humans but also by the presence of LADY LUPE WHITECLAW and her two Wolf Pack subordinates WALDO and MORA who were investigating the sudden loss of contact with the Capitol. After the best antivenom in Mobotropolis fails to do anything for Uncle Chuck, Lupe suggests that the group go to Kar-Leung to seek help from the dragon clerics living there. 

Across the Western Sea, Sonic and Amy return home to The Hedgemony only to find Sonic's siblings SONYA and MANAK AMARABI crashing in the otherwise abandoned, and for sale, Rose House. The four of them then journey to the Amarabi family compound where Sonic's Mother ALEENA TELRU AMARABI, shares with the rest an old video tape from GUN's president talking about the three colonization ships. Sonic then realizes that only one person could have told GUN where to attack: Eggman. His worst fears are confirmed when the GUN forces launch an invasion of The Hedgemony with Sonic's family and Amy in tow forced to flee in a submarine. While on the ground, GUN Lieutenant ANGELA CARTWRIGHT sees the damage done to Green Hill including the infamous Wall of Death. Returning to the GUN beach head in occupied Billenberg, Cartwright shares the photos with her Commander and Eggman only to get strange answers out of the later. While on leave, Cartwright is shot with a tranquilizer dart by HACHIKO "WHISPER" MATSUBARA and is dragged before Downunda Prime Minister WALDEMAR GRUNDY, chief of staff KINGA ROSEWALL, Security Enforcer ROYSTON THRASH, Foreign Minister DAVID PAVEL, and N.A. KNUCKLES. Cartwright is quickly persuaded to switch sides after Kinga and Knuckles share with her the story of Eggman's murderous rampage in Green Hill and his mass junking of Northamer's dragon population over a decade before. 

As the GUN troopers begin to pursue the submarines fleeing The Hedgemony, the one carrying Sonic and company arrives in Edokyo, the capital of the Sol Empire. It is here where Sonic is finally introduced to Amy's long time friend and daughter of the Emperor, MOEYO AKATSUKI (AKA BLAZE) and quickly ends up on the wrong foot too as Blaze is constantly disgusted by Sonic's inability to speak Japanese and lack of clothing other the standard gloves and shoes. It eventually reaches the point where Sonic accidently discovers that Blaze suffers from the Akatsuki Family Curse that gives her the ability to generate and control flames and is nearly killed in the process. Meanwhile Amy is reunited with her parents and sister TANIA ROSE at the Edokyo Rose House. It is here that Amy presses her father, Lord Parminder for the truth about what happened to her grandfather and receives it. That is was actually Amy who was ordered to die by the Hedgemony's Family Services Office after it was discovered that Mallora was pregnant with Tania, and her grandfather Elizer sacrificed himself in Amy's place. Eventually a team of GUN Troopers arrives and storms the Imperial Palace capturing Aleena and Blaze's father, Emperor Akatsuki, in the process. Sonic too is also tranquilized but is rescued by a mysterious hooded man. Upon recovering he discovers that this man is actually his long lost father, JUISAIA GRENADINE.

In front of the flickering hearth of Juisaia's fireplace, Sonic finally learns the truth of why he was left in Northamer. That his mother, whose real name is revealed to be Rachel, realized Northamer would be so weak following the Great War that it would be easy to take over and provide the space for the Hedgehogs of the Hedgemony to freely reproduce without the threat of over population constantly hanging over them. Juisaia refused to go with this planned invasion and set about faking his, Charles', and Sonic's deaths to convince her otherwise. Juisaia also reveals to Sonic why he stayed far away from him. That it was because he also saw Sonic and Sally appear before Charles during the events of their time travel adventure four years before. Because of this, Sonic realizes that his interference in the time line may have saved his father's life from the events of Robotnik's coup against Aristotle Acorn. After being pressed on this further by Juisaia, Sonic finally remembers that Sally's nurse ROSIE CARVER was also lost in the coup originally but was saved by him, creating alterations that have led to this point. Just then, the two are found by Amy via a tracking bracelet Sonic was wearing before the capital was attacked. It is here that Juisaia is introduced to his two other children, and Sonya and Manak finally learn the possible reason as to why their mother never loved them, because they were the product of Aleena sexually assaulting Juisaia the night before he executed his plan. Amy also finally reveals her sexual preferences to Sonya and Manak, causing the later to finally attempt what she dreaded he'd do, suicide. The group is then joined by Juisaia's manservant, whom Sonic is shocked to find is his old enemy, SNIVELY LYDECKER. Snively, whose real name is revealed to be STANDARD LYDECKER, reveals that he lost any desire to conquer Mobius after Juisaia saved him from a pack of hyenas. The subsequent arrival of Blaze causes the group to elect to travel to Kar-Leung to reconnect with Sonic's old friends DULCINA HERRANGER and SABINA WEI LUNG

Meanwhile, after being out cold for several days from the crash, Sally discovers she is in Central Efrica and being held by a resistance movement against the GUN forces. Among their members are NATARE, a cheetah; DIRK HARDHORN, a rhinoceros from Northamer who worked with Sonic and Sally previously during the events of Project Doomsday; and ZOE TANGLE, one of the escapees of LEMUR ISLAND who witnessed Eggman shoot her father in the head and desires revenge for it. Also present is Cream who fled the GUN Troopers after they took her mother and nearly died from exposure. Soon, Sally is reunited with Tails, Bunnie, and BIG THE CAT, and decides to go to the GUN Internment site in the former city of Quelimane to liberate more of their friends. Unfortunately, Bunnie cannot help as one of her roboticized legs was severed in the crash. Upon breaking into the camp, Sally successfully manages to liberate several captured Mobians but the sudden return of her headaches prevents her from doing anything more and she is captured. Upon awaking from the tranquilizers, she is confronted by Eggman who reveals that his machine to remove the Nibelium from their blood is in fact nothing more than a giant Roboticizer. Sally is then dumped in an internment building and reunited with her mother in law Aleena and SIR ANTOINE DEPARDIEU and introduced to Cream's mother Vanilla. While addressing the crowd of interned Mobians and trying to reassure them, Sally becomes quite ill and suddenly vomits. Terrified, Aleena comes to her daughter's side and explains to Sally that her hair growth and headaches are all the result of one thing: that Sally is pregnant with Sonic's child.

In the Dragon Lands of Yurashia, Sonic is reunited with Rotor, Nicole, and Lupe but is also suddenly hit by the revelation that all attempts to cure Uncle Chuck have failed and he does NOT have long to live. As Uncle Chuck lies on his deathbed, Juisaia asks him why did he allow Sonic and Sally to meet when it would have put Sally's life in terrible danger. To which Chuck responds that Sally was actually dying at the time and bringing the two together was the only way to save her life. Sonic later presses Nicole about this and she shares the terrible story with him. That the young Sally could not cope with Nicole's apparent death at the hands of Eggman (then-Warlord Julian) 15 years ago and became completely catatonic, not sleeping or eating anything and very close to dying from starvation. Sonic was therefore not only brought before her to make friends but also to try to snap Sally out of it before the latter could occur. Following Uncle Chuck's funeral, Rotor shares with ther others what they have learned, that the humans are constructing a large structure on the former Madagascar taking all the captured Mobians there. Snively realizes what this structure is: The Vega Fortress, the original intended version of Project Doomsday. A Roboticizer that has the power to transform the entire planet into metal. Now with the threat of Eggman not only on a global level but also a universal one as well, all agree to travel to Efrica and put an end to the nightmare once and for all.

Arriving in the Efrican Veldt, Sonic joins up with the Efrican Resistance and is reunited with Tails and Bunnie. They are soon joined by the Downunda forces comprising of Grundy, Kinga, Knuckles, the rest of the Chaotix, and Cartwright. After showing Tails how to use a Mark II Ion9 Disperser, Sonic learns from him that now Tails knows what happened to his biological father and now considers Sonic to be his true father. The following day, the Resistance breaks into the GUN camp and Sonic and Sally are finally reunited again. After escaping from Quelimane, Aleena discovers her husband is alive but still hurts from the experience of her assault and refuses to talk to her. Nicole is introduced to Vanilla by Cream and accidently discovers that Sally is pregnant in the process. And Sally learns from Amy that she is the source of Amy's Spring Fever pains and is able to release her from them by giving Amy an actual kiss. Finally, Sonic addresses the Resistance Members and former captives revealing the true nature of the Vega Fortress and that it MUST be destroyed. Everyone is then surprised by the arrival of Sally's friends and allies Hermione Oglethorpe, Lisolette Marais, and Elise Etranzi II and their respective armies.

Later that night Sally remembers what happened to her during the time when Nicole died and she met Sonic. Elsewhere, Aleena attempts to reconcile with Juisaia and shares with him that the only person she hates is herself for her abuse and as a result she projected that hatred onto their other children. With help and prodding, Aleena is finally able to admit the truth to Sonya and Manak and finally gives them the Kiss of the Adored she has long owed them.

The following day, the Mobians return to Quelimane and begin their last stand against Eggman and the humans of GUN. Although Sonic and Sally try their best to create a convincing argument to the Commander of GUN that Eggman is their REAL enemy, it appears to fall on deaf ears...until every GUN trooper has an audio recording fed into their earpiece. A recording of Julian Robotnik outlining his plan for the Vega Fortress and how he will use the roboticized slaves it creates to fight any further returning humans. Horrified by what their hearing, the GUN troopers turn their weapons away from the Mobians and on to Eggman. Celebrations of a peaceful resolution to the conflict turn out to be short lived as Eggman deploys an army of swatbots against the combined forces of Mobians and GUN. As the battle rages, Aleena sees Eggman escaping to Lemur Island and tells Juisiaia to grab Sonic and pursue him.

Arriving at the Vega Fortress, Sonic and Juisaia are confronted by Eggman who trains several Swatbots on them. To Eggman's shock and surprise however, the Swatbots fire not on Sonic and his father but Eggman himself. Eggman is then horrified to see who is controlling them: Snively, the one who provided the tape that convinced GUN to switch sides. Snively reveals that due to Eggman's corner cutting, the Nibelium core of the Vega Fortress is now completely unstable. If switched on, all it will do is explode. Snively sends Sonic and Juisaia away before confronting Eggman one final time. As Eggman begs for mercy, Sonic and Juisaia's boat breaks down in the middle of the strait of Madagascar and the survivors of the Battle of Quelimane prepare for what maybe their imminent demise. Snively switches on the machine, and the Vega Fortress explodes killing him and Eggman in the process. Sonic and his father looked relieved at the sight but their joy is short lived when the explosion produced by the destruction of Madagascar creates a massive tsunami heading their way. With the engine of their boat dead, Sonic activates a power ring given to him from Rotor and uses his own speed to propel the boat towards shore. After a GUN Helicopter appears to rescue the two, Juisaia is brought aboard safely, however Sonic's gloves are now too wet and he cannot get traction. Given one last attempt to save himself, Sonic attempts to jump aboard the helicopter and is mere inches away from it...when he is washed away in the wave. Upon return to shore, Juisaia and the GUN Commander share with Sally and Aleena the sad news. Just then however Sonic's body is found washed up on the beach, barely clinging to life. As the GUN Commander tries to perform CPR on Sonic, Sally prays to The Great Light to prevent yet another tragedy in her life. And while all this is occurring, Sonic finds himself standing at the edge of The Great Light itself, preparing to accept his fate, but he is stopped...by Uncle Chuck. Charles informs Sonic that by choosing to join the Great Light when he could still live, he is failing to atone for his own personal sin: pride. Pride in needing to do everything for everyone and not allowing others to do the same for him. Sonic then realizes that this sin is what distracted him from learning what Sally wanted to tell him: that he is about to become a father of twins. Now knowing that he has a role to play, Sonic is sent back to the world of the living. As he drifts he finally hears the voice of his savior, Sally, and awakens alive on the beach. Getting up he sees his mother, father, sister, and brother finally together and joins with them along with Sally, Tails and Nicole. The Acorn-Amarabi family finally complete.

Looking over the battlefield, the GUN Commander expresses doubt to Sonic and Sally over being able to get over what the humans did and what it cost between the two. Sonic tells him that such doubt will just lead GUN back here again and the only way forward is through mutual acceptance and unity. After accepting their offer to share the planet with the survivors still in space, The GUN Commander, now revealed to be named NATHANIAL MORGAN, suggests renaming the planet MOBIAN EARTH as a sign of their new unity. Over the next few months, humanity returns to Earth and the Mobians begin to rebuild the damage sustained from the Colonization War. In the final days of 3238, Sally successfully gives birth to two healthy children: Alisia, a chipmunk, and Charles, a hedgehog. As Sally's Knothole family gathers around her at the hospital, Tails reveals to Sonic that he is planning to leave Northamer for Sol to find any trace of his family amongst the Kitsunes of that land. The now fully de-roboticized Bunnie shows off her now very long locks to Sally, suggesting she and her new husband Antoine will be expecting soon as well. And to everyone's surprise, Rotor reveals he is now engaged...to Amy Rose, who is now bisexual and developed a relationship with him after they returned home. After Dulcy, now the successor to her stepfather as Meister of Kar-Leung, arrives with Knuckles in tow, everyone poses for a family photo. And they all lived happily ever after...

All of them...except for one...

THIS is his story.

Chapter Text

WRITER'S NOTE: MOST OF THE PROLOGUE OF THIS SCRIPT IS TAKEN FROM ARCHIE COMICS' "SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" ISSUES 244 AND 245. THE DIALOG WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY IAN FLYNN. IT IS REPRINTED HERE NEARLY VERBATIM.

PROLOGUE

CAPTION: "IT IS THE YEAR 3236. AS THE KINGDOM OF ACORN CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH THEIR BELOVED PRINCESS SALLY ALICIA ACORN'S RECENT ROBOTICIZATION AND THE USURPATION OF THE THRONE BY A BRAINWASHED GEOFFREY ST. JOHN UNDER THE CONTROL OF IXIS NAUGUS, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG AND HIS FRIENDS MILES "TAILS" PROWER AND AMY ROSE RECEIVE A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE ECHIDNAS OF ALBION WHO ARE UNDER ATTACK FROM THE NEFARIOUS DARK EGG LEGION. MEANWHILE, KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA PURSUES THE MYSTERIOUS INDIVIDUAL KNOWN AS THRASH THE DEVIL TO PREVENT THE POSSIBLE EXTINCTION OF HIS RACE, STILL HANGING ON BY A THREAD FROM THE EGG GRAPE AND ENERJAK INCIDENTS. BUT TIME IS RUNNING SHORT AND THE FATE OF THE ECHIDNAS LIES IN THE BALLANCE..."

EXT. ALBION RUINS

Thunder crashes the sky as the rain pours of the ruins of Albion. In the center of this town is a large purple creature, THRASH THE DEVIL, standing in front of a gold Warp Ring. He chuckles at what he has done when from behind steps SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA, MILES "TAILS" PROWER, and AMY ROSE.

KNUCKLES-A: THRASH! You are here! You better have some answers!

Sonic comes up to Knuckles.

SONIC-A: Is this the guy you were talking about?

KNUCKLES-A: Yeah. We were in Downunda. He was helping the Freedom Fighters there.

Thrash turns and faces the Freedom Fighters

THRASH: Right-O! And after that bit of business, I took up me old quest, which is now done! Thanks to you Knuckles!

KNUCKLES-A: Thanks to me?!?

THRASH: You let me keep that warp ring I found after our little adventure in Downunda. That helped me take care of those girls you had posted at the Master Emerald...and THAT helped me take care of all the Echidnas in yer homeland.

Knuckles is perplexed.

KNUCKLES-A: All of...What do you...WHERE ARE THEY?!?

THRASH: GONE! Never to trouble this world again!

Thrash snaps his fingers and the Warp Ring closes. He takes it his hands.

THRASH: So thanks! Now we're even!

Knuckles faces erupts in anger.

KNUCKLES-A: BRING THEM BACK!

Knuckles tackles Thrash causing him to drop the Warp Ring. He pins Thrash to the ground and prepares turns his right fist to his head.

KNUCKLES-A: Bring them back NOW!

THRASH: NOOOOOOOOOO!

Thrash's scream creats a blast of sound waves. They repell Knuckles away, smashing him into a wall. Thrash gets up and shakes himself off picking the warp ring up.

THRASH: I'm a just man. So I'm letting YOU live. Remember that.

Just then Sonic Spin Attacks Thrash from behind.

THRASH: Augh!

Thrash turns and faces Sonic.

SONIC-A: Okay, I gave you your little villainous speech. I let Knuckles get the first hit in. Now you're either bring back all his kind or we're gonna tussle!

Thrash coughs from hit he received.

THRASH: I've got no beef with you, and this ain't your fight mate!

SONIC-A: It is now! Last chance before I run you into the ground.

THRASH: Well *cough* in that case, my answer is...

Thrash roars again, blasting Sonic into the air. He turns to Knuckles.

THRASH: Your kind destroyed mine Echidna!

He takes the ring and with his strength as a Tazmanian Devil snaps it in half.

THRASH: Now we're both endangered species!

Thrash drops the shattered ring at Knuckles' feet. Knuckles looks at it and seethes. He jumps on top of Thrash and begins to pummel the stuffing out of him.

KNUCKLES-A: WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOU! WE WERE INNOCENT! MOST OF MY PEOPLE ALREADY DIED AT THE HANDS OF EGGMAN AND YOU REALLY HAVE FINISHED THE JOB! I'll...

TAILS-A: Knuckles! Stop!

Knuckles turns and sees Sonic, Tails, and Amy trying to calm him down.

AMY-A: They're not gone Knuckles! We can find them!

KNUCKLES-A: I don't think so Amy...not this time. This isn't like the Grapes.

SONIC-A: Nothing is impossible Knuckles, you know that.

Knuckles turns back to Thrash. Thrash is just laughing.

THRASH: Come on Echidna! End it! You know you want to!

Knuckles is unaware that its suddenly stopped raining and Sonic and the others behind him are looking at something in terror. He realizes its not worth it anymore and gets up and turns back to the others.

KNUCKLES-A: You're right, we'll find a way Sonic. There's always a chan--wait what's wrong?

Knuckles turns and sees what the other three are seeing. A green wave of energy heading their way.

SONIC-A: It can't be!

TAILS-A: Not another one...

Sonic turns to Knuckles.

SONIC-A: I'm sorry, Knuckles. I don't think we can.

Thrash sees the wave and runs in fear. Knuckles looks at it and cries. It rolls over all of them...and replaces Albion with a bright green field and sunny skies. Sonic gets up and rubs his head as if dazed. Just then, a familiar voice...

SALLY-A: Sonic!

Sonic turns and sees his friend the princess of the Kingdom of Knothole Sally Acorn before him.

SALLY-A: What's wrong?

SONIC-A: I dunno, I've got a headache, and I feel like I've forgotten something...

SALLY-A: Forgotten what? That we're trying to stop Doctors Eggman and Snively from using the Chaos Emeralds to blow up Spagonia?

Sonic looks confused, and then his expression changes.

SONIC-A: Oh...oh yeah!

He runs off with Sally. The camera pans up and we fly into space and into the white of a star.

WHITE OUT.

FADE IN:

EXT. TWILIGHT CAGE

We track in on a slow pan over a pair of pink legs. They belong to the Echidna, JULIE-SU OF THE HOUSE OF ATREDIS. She is fast asleep with her head resting against her upon her left arm (which is covered in metal). Suddenly Julie-Su's eyelids slowly open. She sighs and gets up and looks around to see where she is. Its a field, out in what appears to be space. Julie-Su's eyes widen in horror.

JULIE-SU: No...No it can't be!

Julie-Su notices that every Echidna in Albion appears to be here too and is also waking up from whatever happened to them.

REMINGTON: (O.S.) JULIE-SU!!!

Julie-Su turns to see Albion's constable (and her nephew) REMINGTON OF THE HOUSE OF DIMITRI slowly get up as his wife KOMI-KO shakes herself off to the side.

JULIE-SU: REMINGTON!

The two run over to each other.

REMINGTON: I don't beleive it! It's The Cage! He put us in the Twilight Cage! Who was that purple thing? And why did he do it?

JULIE-SU: His name's Thrash. Thrash the Devil. Knuckles told me he held a vendetta against us. I guess this is how took his revenge. Now has anyone seen the... MATRIARCH!

Julie-Su spots Knuckles' mother, LARA-LE OF THE HOUSE OF ARIAN rubbing her forehead from an apparent headache. Julie-Su runs to her. Lara-Le smiles.

LARA-LE: JULIE-SU!

JULIE-SU: Matriarch!

LARA-LE: Is Knuckles with you?

JULIE-SU: No. No he wasn't. We got separated when he fought that robot version of him. Who else is here?

LARA-LE: Everyone I think?...Except the Dark Legion I don't see them.

JULIE-SU: That's so strange. How long were we out?

LARA-LE: Just a few moments I think...

WYNMACHER: (O.S.) LARA!

Lara-Le turns to see her husband WYNMACHER OF THE HOUSE OF MACE running to her with a bundle containing their son (Knuckles' half brother) KNEECAPEON MACE.

LARA-LE: Wyn! Is Kneecaps safe?

WYNMACHER: Yes he's fine. I shielded him when we fell in here.

Kneecapeon coos, proving he is indeed alive.

LARA-LE: That's good. Where are we?

Lara-Le looks at Julie-Su who is breaking into tears.

JULIE-SU: We're in the Cage...the Twilight Cage. We're going to die in here.

LARA-LE: No, Julie-Su we're not. Knuckles is out there. He and Sonic will find a way to get us back home.

Julie-Su is overwhelmed by sadness. She tearfully embraces Lara-Le who pats her on the head. Lara-Le turns to the strange stary sky that surrounds the Twilight Cage.

LARA-LE: I hope. Please Knuckles, please don't abandon us.

WE CUT TO A LONG SHOT OF THE LARGE FLOATING ISLAND IN SPACE THAT IS THE TWILIGHT CAGE AS IT ZOOMS AWAY FROM THE SURVIVING ECHIDNAS (AND ONE BEE, SAFFRON) TRAPPED IN IT. AS WE CONTINUE TO ZOOM THE IMAGE CHANGES INTO A STREAK OF YELLOW LIGHT BLAZING THROUGH A CORRIDOR OF SIMILAR LIGHTS. AS THIS HAPPENS THE ASPECT RATIO OF THE IMAGE BEGINS TO SHRINK FROM 1.78:1 TO 2.40:1. ANOTHER LIGHT TRAIL HITS THE CAMERA AND SUDDENLY WE'RE IN SPACE AGAIN, FLYING PAST VARIOUS FAMILIAR PLANETS (SATURN, JUPITER, MARS, ETC.) UNTIL FINALLY ZOOMING INTO THE PLANET EARTH. AND THE CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA...OR AS THEY ARE NOW KNOWN AS MOBIAN EARTH AND NORTHAMER. AS THE CAMERA CRASHES INTO THE PLANET WE SEE THE TEXT:

FADE OUT.

ACT I

SFX: *SOUNDS OF CAR ENGINES GROWING IN INTENSITY*

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, LAKELANDS - NIGHT

Several police cars are in hot pursuit of a van. They drive down the well lit streets of Central Point with furious speed and sound.

CAPTION: "CENTRAL POINT, UFN LAKELANDS. OCTOBER 15, ME. 3241"

One of the police cars seems to firing a laser weapon at the van. The weapon known as "The Pacifier" is being wielded by a red wolf wearing a very high-tech looking face mask standing on top of the car: HACHIKO "WHISPER" MATSUBARA. The driver of the car (and Whisper's fellow GUN Enforcer), the lemur ZOE TANGLE, sticks her head out of the window.

TANGLE: Whisper! Stop! You're just hitting buildings and parked cars!

Whisper turns to Tangle.

WHISPER: I'm trying not to! But they're going too fast for my mask to lock on to them!

Tangle squints her eyes.

TANGLE: Damn Rose Tech. I coulda swore you were a better shot with your old gun!

WHISPER: Tangle! Look out!

Tangle turns and sees an oncoming motorbike rider.

TANGLE: Shit!

CUT TO:

INT. GUN SQUADCAR

Tangle sticks her head back in the car and swerves away from the bike. She turns her head to a red haired human woman in the car with her: MOLLY WILLIS.

TANGLE: Molly! I thought you said GUN and the SF had cleared out all the people in this part of town!?!

MOLLY: I did! But that can't stop people from having a death wish!

TANGLE: Dammit!

From their car's CB radio a voice is heard.

SF FORCEMAN: (V.O.) Enforcer Tangle!

Molly picks up the receiver.

MOLLY: Enforcer JG Willis here, Forceman. What is it?

SF FORCEMAN: (V.O.)We're getting very close to a residential and commerce district. We might have to break pursuit in order to limit potential casualties.

Molly turns to Tangle.

TANGLE: Shit...

Suddenly a idea pops into Tangle's head.

TANGLE: Molly! Take the wheel!

MOLLY: What?!?

Tangle climbs out the window of the car. Molly scrambles to take over as driver. The car swerves as she does this.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, LAKELANDS - NIGHT

Tangle jumps on top of the car. She turns to Whisper.

TANGLE: Whisper, can you shoot at them in a way that makes them go down one of these side streets?

WHISPER: I can try!

Whisper pulls down her mask.

CUT TO:

POV: WHISPER

WE SEE INSIDE WHISPER'S NEW MASK. A HUD OF LASER TARGETING AND DATA. WHISPER FOCUSES IN ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN. SHE LOCKS IN.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, LAKELANDS - NIGHT

Whisper's Pacifier fires at the street causing the van to swerve wildly. It regains its balance but is forced off the main road.

TANGLE: Good shooting Whisper!

Tangle then jumps off the roof of the car and using her incredibly stretchy tail grapples onto a streetlight sending her flying on to the roof of a building parallel to the Van's escape route. Tangle continues to run on roof tops trying outgain the van on foot. She eventually makes it far enough to pass it. Tangle drops back down to the street and sees the van oncoming fast. She grabs a nearby lamp post with her tail and stretches it far enough to become a cordon. The van rams into it and flips over causing its two drivers, a pair of skunks, to crash out of the window and on to the street. The other police cars arrive at the scene. Whisper jumps off of hers and Molly joins them.

MOLLY: Great job, Enforcer Tangle!

TANGLE: Thanks Molly!

The UFN-SF Forcemen and three GUN Enforcers approach the van. Tangle signals them to stay back.

TANGLE: Careful...

Suddenly the rear door of the van explodes off of it, sending it straight at the others.

WHISPER: Take cover!

The SF Forcemen dodge the debris of the van door. Tangle turns and sees who is exiting the van: a green tenrec who is producing an electrical charge from her body, ASHURA SURGE.

SURGE: You again!

WHISPER: Hiya Surge!

TANGLE: You got away from us last time in Wood Oak, Surge. We're not going to let that happen again!

SURGE: Oh yeah? We'll see about that!

Surge uses her electrobolt to blast the side of a building sending rubble flying all over the place.

MOLLY: INCOMING!

WHISPER: Shit!

Everyone hides from the flying debris. After the smoke clears, Tangle notices Surge has ducked down an alley.

TANGLE: She's on foot! After her!

They follow into the same alley and see Surge is entering a building. She snarls as she sees them and quickly enters.

CUT TO:

INT. DISUSED ROOM

Surge enters the room and turns to see two of her accomplices: the polar bear ARGO BARK, and parakeet MALGIORE BEAN. Bark gets up.

BARK: What happened?

SURGE: Someone tipped them off. I'm sorry.

BARK: What about the Merchandise?

SURGE: Its in the middle of the street along with Rough and Tumble. That damn lemur again.

BEAN: The doctor needs it. You know that!

SURGE: I know! Is there anyway to warp it out?

BEAN: We can try.

SURGE: Good. We need to get out of here!

BARK: What about Rough and Tumble?

SURGE: Leave them! They're useless!

Bark nods and Bean pulls out a detonation device and activates it.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. DISUSED ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Tangle kicks down the door only to find no one there. A SF Forceman walks in behind her.

SF FORCEMAN #2: What the...

Tangle suddenly sees the glowing red detonator. Her eyes widen in fear.

TANGLE: EVERYBODY OUT! NOW!

The enforcers flee down the flight of stairs as the building's top floor is blown off.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, LAKELANDS - NIGHT

Tangle and the UFN-SF Forcemen cough and catch their breath out side.

TANGLE: Is everybody alright?

The Forcemen cough but nod and give thumbs up. Tangle nods before hearing a voice in her ear.

MOLLY: (V.O.) Enforcer Tangle!

TANGLE: Yeah Molly?

MOLLY: (V.O.) The van! Its disappeared!

TANGLE: What?!?

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, VAN CRASH SITE

Tangle approaches the area and sees that the van has indeed completely disappeared. Whisper and Molly come over to her.

WHISPER: Tangle!

TANGLE: Whisper! What happened?!?

MOLLY: We don't know! We had our eyes on the van. Everyone's attention was diverted to that explosion, and when we turned back it was gone!

TANGLE: Just like how Surge got away from us last time.

WHISPER: You think its that Albino guy we keep hearing about?

TANGLE: If it is, he's using tricks I've never seen before. Ever!

Just then more cars arrive. From out of one emerges the chief of the UFN-SF, the sheep LANOLIN SHEARMUR and her assistant JEWEL KREUTZER (a white beetle). A SF Forceman approaches them.

LANOLIN: Report!

SF FORCEMAN #3: Target escaped. Moderate collateral damage sustained.

JEWEL: What about casualties, Forceman?

SF FORCEMAN #3: None Secretary Kreutzer. Only some broken bones.

LANOLIN: Thank you Forceman.

Lanolin turns to Tangle, Whisper, and Molly. Tangle rolls her eyes.

LANOLIN: Oh THAT explains it...

TANGLE: Chief...

LANOLIN: Enforcers, I know my brother still cares for me greatly even after leaving for Mega Central to run the Guardian Units, but I'm starting to think otherwise because he keeps sending you two here.

MOLLY: We're here by special arrangement of Her Highness Queen Acorn and the Mobian Earth Allied Nations Supreme Council.

LANOLIN: Why? I thought you were going to Eurish to follow up leads on Starline's organization.

WHISPER: It's not Starline's organization anymore. It's the Albino's.

LANOLIN: The Albino?

TANGLE: Yeah, and our little green friend with the electric personality, the one who managed to escape from that padded jail cell with five guards? She's back.

MOLLY: Ashura Surge is now on GUN's list of most wanted for questioning in connection to The Albino. An informant reported her and her two accomplices would be performing a high leverage heist here.

LANOLIN: So you come here, you borrow one of our rapid response units without asking, dump a lot of rubble on our streets that I'm going to explain to Lord Selwyn, and they STILL got away with it.

Tangle looks down.

TANGLE: ...yes.

LANOLIN: Well that's just wonderful.

Lanolin looks up at Molly.

LANOLIN: And who is this? What happened to your previous human? The one with the glasses?

Whisper sighs.

WHISPER: UFN Security Force Regional Chief Lanolin Shearmur, meet GUN Enforcer Junior Grade Molly Willis.

Willis stomps and salutes

LANOLIN: I see... and this my secretary and second in command Jewel Kreutzer. Jewel, say hello to the war heroes who made that mess in Wood Oak we're still cleaning up.

JEWEL: (FLATLY) Hello.

SF FORCEMAN #2: (O.S.) Enforcers!

The five turn to a pair of SF Forcemen standing by the skunks Rough and Tumble.

SF FORCEMAN #2: What do you want us to do with these two?

TANGLE: Take them into custody, we'll question them later.

SF FORCEMAN #3: Chief?

LANOLIN: Do as the Enforcer says, I want to know what's going on here too.

The two forcemen drag away the skunks.

OSGOOD: (O.S.) ENFORCER TANGLE!

Tangle's attention is diverted to where the voice is coming from.

TANGLE: PAM!

The five walk over to another human in GUN Enforcer Uniform, PAMELA OSGOOD.

MOLLY: Enforcer Osgood!

WHISPER: Pam, did you find anything?

OSGOOD: Not much I'm afraid...except for one thing. It had fallen behind a cabinet and survived the explosion.

TANGLE: What?

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE

The wrecked van lies in the middle of a large warehouse. Bark, Bean, and Surge emerge from it. A voice emerges from somewhere in the room.

FINITEVUS: (O.S.) What happened?

SURGE: I'm sorry sir! They were on to us!

FINITEVUS: (O.S.) And those two other fools?

BARK: Presumably in custody.

Who they are talking to can now be seen: "The Albino" who is in reality a white Echidna with jet black eyes are and a strange mark on his forehead: DR. FINITEVUS.

FINITEVUS: Oh...that's...too bad.

Finitevus looks at the destroyed van.

FINITEVUS: I hope the contents were intact at least.

BEAN: They're fine. Lappies and the equipment you asked for Doctor.

FINITEVUS: Good. And Rough and Tumble didn't know who they were working for correct?

BEAN: Yeah, we should be clean.

FINITEVUS: Good.

Finitevus turns to Surge.

FINITEVUS: Surge, I hope you didn't leave anything behind that could lead them here.

SURGE: We blew up the building. Everything should be gone.

Finitevus turns and thinks.

FINITEVUS: I hope so...for your sake.

Finitevus walks away. Surge turns to Bark and Bean with an uncertain look on her face.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTRAL POINT, LAKELANDS

Tangle, Whisper, Molly, Lanolin, and Jewel look at the object that Osgood has shown them.

MOLLY: What the hell?!?

LANOLIN: Jewel, call Lord Emerick in Stumpton. Tell him its an emergency.

Jewel nods and leaves with a worried expression on her face. We see what it is: a ring. A grey ring.

FADE OUT.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOBISPORT ARRIVAL DOCK - TWO DAYS LATER

A gloved hand is seen struggling with his cellphone. It belongs to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (Age 23).

SONIC: How does anyone expect you to do this?

NICOLE: (O.S.)Daddy you have to slide up.

Sonic turns to his daughter, NICOLE ELLIDY (Age 11) who is trying to help him use it.

SONIC: Oh of course Nikki, you probably know how these worked when the humans designed them in the first place.

Sonic's wife SALLY LYRA ALISIA ACORN (Age 22), is standing next to them.

SALLY: Sonic, they may seem inconvenient but these phones have been very useful compared to the technology we had prior to the Colonization War. Especially now that we've adapted them to use bone conduction.

SONIC: I dunno, I think I prefer the feeling of a dial and our old headsets. They just seemed...real...to me.

SALLY: I know how you feel.

Suddenly a crowd of Mobians surrounds Sally.

MOBIAN #1: Your Highness!

Sally smiles to the crowd.

SALLY: Oh! Hello!

MOBIAN #2: What brings you to Mobisport today?

Sally looks to Sonic and Nicole.

SALLY: My son Miles is coming home today. He's been away in Sol ever since his younger siblings Princess Alisia and Prince Charles were born.

Another Mobian turns to Sonic.

MOBIAN #3: Lord Amarabi!

SONIC: That's me! What's up?

MOBIAN #3: What do you think of the new Mobisport?

SONIC: Well considering it was still a pile of rubble and weeds last time I was here, its pretty impressive!

The Mobians laugh. Sally notices a large boat is arriving from Sol.

SALLY: That's him now. Thank you very much.

Sonic, Sally, and Nicole approach the boat. A gang plank is lowered and several tourists descend it. Sonic and Sally watch as they come down. Sally then spots someone.

SALLY: There he is!

Sally waves to who it is, her son MILES "TAILS" PROWER (Age 15), Miles smiles and heads towards his adopted parents and sister. Sally hugs him and kisses him on the forehead.

SALLY: Happy birthday, Miles! Welcome home!

TAILS: Thanks Mom!

Tails turns to Sonic.

SONIC: Hey Big Man!

TAILS: Hey Dad!

The two hug. Tails then comes over to Nicole.

TAILS: Hey Squirt!

NICOLE: Hey Jerk!

TAILS: Hey Elephant Ears!

NICOLE: Hey Fluffy McFluffface!

TAILS: Hey Brain in a Box!

NICOLE: Hey Two Tailed Freak!

TAILS: Hey Encyclopedia on Legs!

NICOLE: Hey Token Cutey!

TAILS: Hey--

Sally interjects.

SALLY: CHILDREN!

Tails and Nicole just laugh.

TAILS: Hey Sis...

NICOLE: Hey Big Bro, I missed you a lot.

The two hug.

SONIC: Come on, lets take you home.

The First Family of Northamer descends down a flight of stairs.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOBISPORT, DOWNTOWN

The streets of Mobisport bustle with peddlers and tourists. Tails marvels at it all. It's very much NOT the rubble pile he left Northamer from two and a half years ago.

TAILS: Wow its really all different.

SALLY: Yes lots of things are. We've had a lot of help from the humans we've repatriated from GUN.

SONIC: And also the Mobian Earth Allied Nations. You know your Mom is a big mover and shaker in the MEAN Council now right?

TAILS: Mmmhmm. Akatsuki-kou has been very complimentary of you Mom.

SALLY: I hope its not just to be polite.

TAILS: Oh no! She's getting a lot better!

NICOLE: Really?

TAILS: Yeah ever since Quelimane, she's been doing a lot of nude yoga. She thinks its helping her control The Curse.

SONIC: Well that's certainly an interesting way to embrace your inner Knothole Freedom Fighter.

NICOLE: I'll say...

The four approach a Mag-lev train station. There's a private one just for them already there. They board it.

CUT TO:

INT. MAG-LEV TRAIN

Sally and Sonic, and Tails and Nicole sit on opposite sides of the train. Sally looks at Miles with love.

SALLY: How'd it go? Did you find what you were look for?

Tails nods.

TAILS: I did. I know who my dad was now. And I also met someone very important.

SONIC: Who?

TAILS: My grandfather, he's alive.

SONIC: Well of course he is! My dad's running our navy now!

Sally turns to Sonic.

SALLY: Dear, he means his OWN grandfather!

SONIC: Oh! I'm sorry Miles!

TAILS: Oh its nothing, most kids don't claim they have had three sets of grandparents let alone four!

SALLY: And I'm sorry you didn't get to call my father Grandpa, Miles. He wanted you to but I told him no.

TAILS: And I'll never know who my mom was, and who her parents were.

NICOLE: Afraid not, sorry Miles.

TAILS: That's ok, Nikki. You're my real sister and Mom and Dad are my real parents.

NICOLE: Thanks Miles.

TAILS: Well anyway...

Tails pull out a piece of paper.

TAILS: He gave me this note. He wanted you to read it.

Tails hands the note to Sally.

SALLY: Oh!

Sally looks at the note.

SALLY: To the Queen of Northamer.

SONIC: That's you!

Sally opens the letter.

SALLY: Dear Queen Sally, please forgive my handwriting. My common is not the best and I'm being helped by another. Twenty-two years ago I had a disagreement with my son Ya...yasuh-shi over a marriage arrangement. He disappeared into the west and I never saw him again. It wasn't until I met my grandson Miles that I learned what became of him. How he abandoned his son and later met a tragic fate at... your...hands.

Sally pauses as she is reminded of this. Sonic puts his hand on her shoulder. Sally nods and resumes.

SALLY: Nevertheless, I do not blame you for what happened to Yasushi. It was an accident and Miles has told that me that you have already suffered enough for it. And any anger I may hold is calmed by the fact that you have raised a bright young man who has shown...great courage...and resolve...

Sally is beginning to choke up a bit.

SALLY: ...during a crisis that we faced here in the north of Sol. Most important of all he has played a major role in ending the feud...between us and the Akatsuki cats!

Sonic smiles at Tails, and Tails nods. Nicole hugs him. Sally continues.

SALLY: I hope to meet you someday and we can discuss Young Miles' future together. Sincerely yours, Souichiro Purawa...Purawa! That's what your father's name was!

Tails nods.

TAILS: Mmmhmm, but I told him I prefer Prower.

Sonic points to one more line on the letter.

SONIC: Sal, there's a little more there.

SALLY: Oh! P.S. Tell Miles, Mina is coming to your country soon on tour, she really wants to see him...

Sally and Sonic turn to Tails with surprised expressions on their faces.

SONIC: Mina?!? Who's Mina???

Tails is beginning to turn red.

TAILS: Oh no...

Nicole thinks and then realizes who it is.

NICOLE: On tour...wait a minute...Songoose Mina?!?

Tails is trying to hide.

SALLY: Who?!?

NICOLE: Minako Kusagano! She's got like 5 singles on the Mobistrac Top 100 right now!

Nicole takes out her phone and looks at it. Her big Lynx eyes widen.

NICOLE: Oh Great Light! Miles! Are...are you the "N0rth@mer Boi"?!?

Tails is about ready to die. Sally looks at her son with a wry gaze.

SALLY: Miles...

TAILS: Ye--yeah Mom?

SALLY: Is she a nice girl?

Tails shyly nods.

SALLY: I'd like to meet her. I'm sure she's wonderful.

TAILS: She is. There were some bad guys who wanted to hurt her and I got in their way, and because of that we became friends. She followed me north...and we...ended up...falling in love.

Tails smiles.

SONIC: I'm happy for ya, Big Man!

TAILS: Thanks Dad.

SALLY: Oh look! We're here!

Tails and Nicole turn and look out onto the horizon of Mobotropolis as the train approaches the city. Tails' eyes widen at the sight of the newly rebuilt city.

TAILS: Wow! Mobotropolis looks great!

NICOLE: Mmmhmmm, we had a lot of help rebuilding it from the last war.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOBOTROPOLIS

PULL OUT OF THE TRAIN TO THE LARGE CITY OF MOBOTROPOLIS

CAPTION: "MOBOTROPOLIS"

CUT TO:

EXT. MOBOTROPOLIS TRAIN STATION

THE TRAIN COMES TO A STOP. SONIC, SALLY, TAILS, AND NICOLE EXIT THE TRAIN AND PASS BY SEVERAL UFN SECURITY FORCEMEN. THEY SALUTE THE FOUR.

END OF ACT I

Chapter Text

ACT II

INT. ACORN PALACE

Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Nicole enter the main hall of the palace. CHAUNCEY THE BUTLER approaches them.

CHAUNCEY: Your Highness, Lord Amarabi. Young Master Miles! Welcome home!

Tails smiles.

TAILS: Thank you Chauncey!

Chauncey walks off. Tails looks in awe at all the improvements made in the past three years.

TAILS: Wow! It looks so different!

SALLY: We've had a lot of time to finally make those renovations.

SONIC: Yeah! Remember that bathroom from the Casino in Chun-Nan?

TAILS: Mmmhmm?

SONIC: You should see ours now!

TAILS: Wow! So anything NOT change?

NICOLE: Your room Miles. Same old mess.

TAILS: Oh thanks.

SALLY: Nikki has moved out though, she has her own room in the new east wing now.

SONIC: That means its all yours again, Big Man.

TAILS: Wow, I always forget it was just me in there for a while.

NICOLE: Yeah because I was there a few months later. But no offense Miles, I'm older and I need my own space.

TAILS: I understand Nikki. Besides, if I want to call you a stupid poopie head every night I can use my new phone now!

NICOLE: Mommy, take away his minutes.

SALLY: I'll think about it.

CUT TO:

EXT. ACORN PALACE, SWIMMING POOL

Tails is led out to one of the newest additions to Acorn Palace: the pool Sally promised Nicole for her eighth birthday a few years earlier.

TAILS: Wow! You finished it!

SONIC: Mmhmm, your sister kept badgering us about it so we did it.

Tails turns to Nicole who smiles wryly.

NICOLE: Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool dad? Can we have a pool Da--

SALLY: That's enough Nicole, we don't need to be reminded.

Tails sees someone sitting under one of the beach umbrellas next to the pool, his aunt REBECCA "BUNNIE" MASTERSON.

TAILS: Aunt Bunnie!

Bunnie turns to Miles and smiles.

BUNNIE: Double-T!

The two embrace. Bunnie gives Tails a kiss on the cheek.

BUNNIE: Happy birthday Tails.

TAILS: Thanks Aunt Bunnie.

ANTOINE: (O.S.) Vut about me? Eyeyum heah too!

Tails notices ANTOINE MASTERSON-DEPARDIEU is sitting there at the table as well.

TAILS: Oh Uncle Antoine, of course its good to see you too.

The two hug.

TAILS: Are you here for my birthday too?

ANTOINE: Yes but eets a beet of a coeencedeence.

BUNNIE: We're also on a play date!

SALLY: Yes Miles, come here.

Sally and Bunnie lead Sonic, Tails, and Nicole to four small children who are making sand castles. Two rabbits, a chipmunk, and a blue hedgehog. Bunnie leads the two rabbits over to Tails.

BUNNIE: This is Josephine and Francoise. They're the light that really brightened up Cottontail Springs for me and Ant.

Bunnie kneels down and looks at her two daughters.

BUNNIE: Come on, Franny and Josie! Say hello to your Cousin Tails for me.

JOSEPHINE: Hallo.

FRANCOISE: Hi Tears!

Tails smiles.

TAILS: Hi, Josephine and Francoise.

SALLY: And these two I think you know, but they don't know you.

TAILS: No they don't.

SALLY: Alis...Chuck...say hi to your big brother, Miles.

Tails kneels on the ground. ALISIA ACORN-AMARABI comes up to him and gives him a hug.

ALISIA: Hi Mileth!

TAILS: Hi Alis! Its been forever since I've seen you. Chuck?

CHARLES ACORN-AMARABI comes over. Looks at Tails and kicks him in the crotch.

TAILS: AAARGH.

SALLY: CHARLES!

Sally takes away Charles. Sonic comes over to Tails as he slowly gets up.

SONIC: Miles!

TAILS: I'm ok...I'm ok...

NICOLE: I'm sorry Miles, he is a bit of a handful. I have the bruises to show for it.

TAILS: I believe it.

NICOLE: Trying to catch him can be an exercise in cardiovascular aerobics.

TAILS: Just like you dad?

SONIC: He takes after me.

TAILS: How fast is he?

SONIC: Well your grandfather warned me to make sure his crib was properly rubberized. I didn't believe him. One week after you left...I had to call the fire department.

Tails' eyes widen before he breaks into laughter. Sonic and Nicole join with him. Sally returns.

SALLY: I've put him to bed. Trust me, Miles he'll learn to love you.

TAILS: I'm sure he will. So...what's the plan for tonight? Big party?

SALLY: No we're going to have to push that back, your Uncle Rotor and Cousin Amy have invited us over for dinner.

TAILS: Oh no, not sushi again! I just left Sol to get away from that stuff!

NICOLE: Actually Cousin Amy has been broadening her skills now that we have all these old human cookbooks in the capital.

SONIC: Yes, your grandmother is now very annoyed that she's no longer the only Mobian who owns a copy of something called "The Joy of Cooking".

SALLY: A book I wish we really DIDN'T have a copy of...there's some disturbing images in there involving a shoe and one of my distant ancestors.

Sonic turns to Tails.

SONIC: Don't ask...

CUT TO:

EXT. STUMPTON, CASCADIA

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF STUMPTON ON A TYPICALLY RAINY DAY.

CAPTION: "STUMPTON"

CUT TO:

EXT. UFN PARK SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STUMPTON

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE SIGN OF THE PARK SERVICE BUILDING. IT READS "UNITED FEDERATION OF NORTHAMER OFFICE OF PARKS AND RECREATION. EMERICK LLOYD, LORD DIRECTOR"

CUT TO:

INT. PARK SERVICE DEPARTMENT, LLOYD'S OFFICE

LORD EMERICK LLOYD (a moose) looks over a tract of land marked "YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (CIRCA 2150 AD)". He compares it to a similar stretch of land marked "GREAT UNKNOWN".

SFX: *door knock*

Emerick turns to the door.

EMERICK: Come in.

The door opens and Emerick's secretary enters.

SECRETARY: Lord Emerick. Some people from the SF to see you.

EMERICK: Show them in.

The secretary shows in Lanolin and Jewel.

LANOLIN: Hello Your Lordship.

EMERICK: Yes, Chief Shearmur! You wanted to see me. Am I in some sort of trouble?

LANOLIN: You? No absolutely not. Jewel?

Jewel removes an envelope out of a satchel she is carrying.

EMERICK: What is this?

LANOLIN: We and GUN have been perusing a dangerous criminal in the Lakelands area. She apparently keeps finding ways to disappear. However we found this in one of her last known whereabouts.

Emerick removes a photo of the grey ring. Emerick's eyes widen.

EMERICK: What the...

LANOLIN: Lordship, as far as I know there is only one place left on Mobian Earth that can produce these rings. And its in Great Yosemite Federal Forest. Is that true?

EMERICK: Yes but we dredged The Forge out of the lake. It doesn't work anymore.

JEWEL: Are you sure?

Emerick looks uneased by this.

CUT TO:

INT. ROTOR AND AMY'S APARTMENT

ROTOR GREYBELLY opens the door.

ROTOR: HI! Come on in!!!

On the other side of the door are the Acorn-Amarabis and Masterson-Depardieus. They let themselves in. Rotor turns to the kitchen.

ROTOR: Honey! They're here!

From out of the kitchen in a well spotted apron is AMELIA NADESICO ROSE.

AMY: Heeeeey!

Amy walks over and hugs Tails.

AMY: Happy Birthday Miles!

Amy lays a smooch on Tails' muzzle.

TAILS: Thanks Cousin Amy.

ROTOR: How old are you now anyway Tails?

TAILS: 15! I'd just turned twelve when Alis and Chuck were born. And I spent about three years in the Sol Empire. But you know that!

AMY: Of course we do! Blaze-chan's told us a lot about you and Mi-...oh I'm not supposed to mention her aren't I?

Sonic and Sally just smile.

SALLY: Don't worry.

SONIC: We know.

BUNNIE: Well now you're old enough to defeat Robotnik Double-T!

TAILS: That's how old you were at Doomsday right Aunt Bunnie?

ANTOINE: She waz ze youngeest of ze oreegenal faaive of uzz.

NICOLE: The Famous Freedom Fighter Five. The greatest heroes in the history of Mobius.

SALLY: That's what they say about us. But it wasn't just us though. There was also Dulcy and your Aunt Lupe. And all the other ones who did so much with us but who will probably end up as footnotes in the end.

BUNNIE: Cat...

TAILS: Ham...

SONIC: Pete...

ROTOR: Rahm...

ANTOINE: Kroquee.

SALLY: And of course you were there too Nicole.

NICOLE: Mmmhhmm, just pocket sized.

Everyone laughs.

AMY: Well come and sit and make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready soon.

SALLY: Thank you Amy.

Sally turns to Rotor.

SALLY: I'm really happy for you two. She was in such a bad place about five years ago.

ROTOR: I know...Sometime she still is, and when she is I'm there for her.

SALLY: Does she still feel anything for me?

ROTOR: Not like before. I will always respect her sexual preferences, but I think she's decided I'm the one. She may be bi, but we still love each other a lot.

SONIC: Rote, why haven't you started a family yet? Even Lupe and Manak beat you to it.

ROTOR: Its not like we don't want to. I'm just too busy with infrastructure. And she's too busy with Rose Enterprises. And when we do have free time, we're just too tired to think about it. But we have talked about it. It's only a matter of time.

SALLY: Well...when you do find that time, we'll be there to see them.

ROTOR: Thanks Sal. Anyway its been beneficial for both of us in other ways. Rose Tech and I have been doing a lot of good in our rebuilding efforts and Amy wanted to own Rose House in Dream Lake, so her parents gave to her as our wedding present after nobody wanted to buy it. Maybe its where we should step away and finally try.

SONIC: Maybe. It is a nice house!

Everyone sits down and Amy brings out a casserole dish and lays it in the center of the table. She removes the lid to reveal a classic Bolognese Lasagna. Everyone ooohs and awes at it.

SONiC:What is it?

ROTOR: Its called...a lasagna.

SALLY: A lasagna...

AMY: Yes. Back when Soleanna was still Rome, Italy this was a very popular dish there. But...since that kind of cooking was lost in the Nibelium War, noone heard of it in Soleanna.

SALLY: Yes...so many dishes with apples there...

ANTOINE: Eeeteez zere prime exzport.

AMY: Yes, we ship so many of them at RTC. But anyway, now that the humans are here, Italian cooking is making a comeback!

NICOLE: Yeah! I've always wanted to try one of these!

TAILS: That's my sister. Knowing everything about food noone's heard of.

NICOLE: That's ok, I think noone will want to hear of Ramp Stew ever again!

BUNNIE: I'll say!

ANTOINE: Eye yam veddy eentrezted in tryeeng eet. Mon pere may be a deezent shef but he dideent kno too much about Zoleanna cookeeng.

Everyone passes their plates around Amy cuts and serves them a slice of lasagna. After everyone has their piece, Rotor turns to Sally.

ROTOR: Sal, would you mind doing the honors?

Sally nods. Everyone bows their heads.

SALLY: Oh Great Light, we thank thee that you have gathered us altogether and brought Miles home safely from Sol. In many ways...this is the first family meal we've had together in a very long time...not since the war...and not since we lost Uncle Chuck.

Sonic sniffles. Tails puts his hand on his.

SALLY: But we know he's with you now. And he's also with us...in spirit. And he's happy that we're together, living in peace. Praise be.

SONIC: Praise be!

TAILS: Praise be!

NICOLE: Praise be!

ANTOINE: Praize beee.

BUNNIE: Praise be!

ROTOR: Praise be...

AMY: Praise be.

Everyone digs in. Sonic takes a bite of the lasagna and his eyes narrow.

SONIC: Wow!

AMY: Yes, Sonic?

SONIC: This is great. It's kinda like eating five chili dogs one top of each other!

AMY: I thought you'd say that. That's why I made it.

SALLY: Amelia, my dear you have done something I have never been able to accomplish in 18 years.

AMY: What's that Aunt Sally?

SALLY: Make something he'll eat!

Everyone laughs.

AMY: Well what do you think Aunt Sally?

SALLY: Oh its lovely! How about you?

BUNNIE: Its great!

ANTOINE: Deelishioso!

Amy smiles.

AMY: Thank you guys.

SFX: *door knock*

SONIC: Rote, were you expecting someone else?

ROTOR: No! I'll go get that.

Rotor gets up and walks over to the front door. Rotor opens the front door and is surprised to see who is there.

ROTOR: Oh...hello!

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. ROTOR AND AMY'S APARTMENT, DINING ROOM

Everyone is still eating when Rotor reenters the room.

SALLY: Who was it Rotor?...oh!

Sally can now see that it was Tangle and Whisper who are now with Rotor. Sonic looks up and sees them too.

SONIC: Oh hey! Its our old friends, GUN Enforcers Tangle and Matsubarbecue!

Whisper opens one of her usually closed eyes and glares at Sonic.

SONIC: I'm just kidding Whisper!

WHISPER: Uh-huh.

SALLY: Is this a social call Enforcers or is it something important?

TANGLE: It is something important but we can come back later.

SONIC: No it's fine!

WHISPER: Lord Greybelly, would you join us?

ROTOR: Certainly!

Rotor leaves with the other four.

CUT TO:

INT. AMY AND ROTOR'S APARTMENT, STUDY

Rotor's study is covered in building diagrams and zoning permits. Sally takes a seat. Sonic and Rotor stand by her.

ROTOR: I assume this isn't about The Pacifier.

TANGLE: Its not.

ROTOR: How's it handling anyway, Whisper?

WHISPER: The Pacifier's fine. My mask, however, has been having trouble calibrating.

ROTOR: I'll have the team at Rose Tech take a look at it.

WHISPER: Thanks Lord Greybelly.

SALLY: Well since this isn't a social call, would you mind telling us what this is all about.

Whisper pulls out a file and hands to Sally. Sally opens it and sees the face of Surge.

TANGLE: This is Ashura Surge. She's a Tenrec, originally from Lemur Island, about 14 years old. Like me, she was an orphaned refugee, until she was found by this man...

Sally flips the page to see the mugshot of a duckbill platypus.

TANGLE: William Wechnia Starline. A scientist specializing in cybernetic enhancements.

SONIC: What? You mean like Robotnik?

WHISPER: No! Not like a roboticizer at all.

TANGLE: Starline was experimenting with Mobians by bonding them with biomechanical machines giving them special powers. Surge here was his first successful test case. Now she can generate and control electricity.

SALLY: Well do you need our help capturing this Starline character?

WHISPER: No. We already did in Wood Oak.

TANGLE: Starline's serving a 20 year sentence at Steel Harbor. We also arrested Surge too but then...she disappeared.

ROTOR: Disappeared?

WHISPER: Into thin air. She was there one minute then gone the next.

Sonic looks at Sally in disbelief.

WHISPER: A few weeks later she turned up again, now employed by a character we in the Guardian Units of Nations only know as The Albino.

SONIC: The Albino?

SALLY: Yes. It's some major crime figure. Has its fingers in all sorts of underworld activity. We've heard about him in MEAN and have given GUN carte blanche to investigate.

WHISPER: And Director Shearmur believes Starline and The Albino were connected thanks to Surge. That's why we're here.

SALLY: I See...

TANGLE: The problem is The Albino's a complete ghost. We don't know what it looks like. It may not even be an albino.

ROTOR: Yeah, I was about to say...

Rotor picks up the photo of Starline.

ROTOR: Your Starline's an albino too.

TANGLE: Yes, we've considered that. But if The Albino IS Starline then his organization seems to be running perfectly fine without him.

SONIC: Ok fine, but what does this have to do with us?

WHISPER: A couple days ago Surge and two accomplices were seen in Central Point. They hit a computer factory, stealing several lappys and a lot of metal working equipment.

TANGLE: Someone tipped off Mega Central that they were going to do this so Director Shearmur sent us there to apprehend her. We were able to prevent her and her two associates from getting away but...

SALLY: But...?

WHISPER: In the end Surge disappeared yet again. And so did the van carrying the stolen property. Right under everyone's nose.

SALLY: Disappeared?!?

TANGLE: Yeah, We don't know how either. And neither did her accomplices: two skunks by the name of Rough and Tumble. They claim they were just hired goons. No other connections to the Albino's organization.

ROTOR: I still don't know what this has anything to do with us.

TANGLE: Surge blew up a building to try to distract us. After we put out the fire, one of our fellow enforcers found something.

Whisper takes out a briefcase.

TANGLE: Something I've been told you will recognize.

Whisper opens the case and reveals the grey ring to Sonic, Sally, and Rotor. Their mouths drop.

ROTOR: That's impossible!

SALLY: Enforcers, is that Nibelium?

TANGLE: We don't know.

ROTOR: And how is it still here?

WHISPER: What do you mean?

SONIC: Every time I used a ring, it turned to sand as soon it went grey like this.

TANGLE: Well we didn't know about that. So that's why we came to you.

WHISPER: Yeah you used these rings so many times, Queen Acorn and Lord Amarabi. We figured you'd be experts on them.

SALLY: You're right about that.

ROTOR: The thing is Enforcers, there's only one thing that can make these rings, and we've turned it off.

TANGLE: I've heard that too. Nevertheless, I'd like to see it. In the event something has happened to it.

SALLY: Very well. I would suggest sending this to Armin Asobin in Academia. He's our best scientist, now that Charles Hildyard has passed. They'll try to figure out what it is.

TANGLE: That sounds like a plan.

SALLY: Come to Acorn Palace tomorrow. We'll see you in the morning.

WHISPER: Thank you Your Highness. We'll show ourselves the way out.

The two GUN Enforcers leave. Sonic, Sally, and Rotor look at each other.

ROTOR: Power rings?!? How???

SALLY: I don't know Rote, and I have a very bad feeling about all of this.

END OF ACT II

Chapter Text

ACT III

EXT. GREAT YOSEMITE FEDERAL FOREST - THE NEXT DAY

SEVERAL UFN VEHICLES DRIVE PAST A SIGN READING "WELCOME TO GREAT YOSEMITE FEDERAL FOREST, SALLY LYRA ALISIA ACORN, QUEEN REGENT, EMERICK LLOYD, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION"

CUT TO:

EXT. KNOTHOLE VILLAGE FEDERAL MONUMENT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF KNOTHOLE VILLAGE FEDERAL MONUMENT, THE CAMERA PANS TO THE NEWLY BUILT VISITOR'S CENTER

CUT TO:

INT. KNOTHOLE VILLAGE FEDERAL MONUMENT, VISITOR'S CENTER

Sonic looks around at various dioramas depicting him, Sally, Rotor, Bunnie, Antoine, and the rest. Tangle comes up to him.

TANGLE: Bring back any memories?

SONIC: A lot. Some good. Some bad...

TANGLE: I know how that must feel. I still see Robotnik shooting my Papa in the head sometimes. It reminds me I've done some bad things too. Things I should never have done out of a desire for revenge and self-preservation.

SONIC: Sometimes good people do bad things too Tangle.

Sonic points to a display reading Ion9.

SONIC: That was ours.

TANGLE: Tails' Dad...

SONIC: Mmmhhmm.

Sonic turns and points to a picture of the wizard Ixis Naugus.

SONIC: And that was mine.

TANGLE: That's that wizard you killed isn't it?

SONIC: Yeah. A villain and a monster. And I still feel bad about it.

TANGLE: Well anyway, trying to make up for what I did in the Colonization War is the reason I joined up when the MEAN Council reformed GUN as the Guardian Units. Maybe I could make a difference from what I did wrong.

SONIC: And Whisper showed up too. Why?

Tangle gives an unsure look.

TANGLE: Hachi...had a falling out with Knuckles. That's all I know. She didn't want to talk about it.

SONIC: I see...

Rotor enters the room.

ROTOR: Sorry I'm late. Traffic. Lets go!

Rotor leads Sonic and Tangle to another room.

CUT TO:

INT. RING FORGE DISPLAY

Sonic, Rotor, and Tangle enter the room containing the Knothole Ring Forge. A Yellow Ring floats above it.

SONIC: Really weird seeing it like this.

ROTOR: I know...

Tangle climbs up the forge. She sticks her hand inside to feel the Nibelium stone contained within...only to grab nothing but air. Tangle turns to Rotor and Sonic.

TANGLE: There's nothing in here!

ROTOR: Of course there isn't! That rock and the floating ring are just holographic projections. A Mobian Era update to what the humans used to call a Pepper's Ghost.

TANGLE: Well if this is just an illusion then where is the real Nibelium stone?

LANOLIN: (O.S.) I'd like to know that too.

The three turn to see Lanolin and Emerick have arrived.

ROTOR: Oh brother...

LANOLIN: Still have your temper don't you Greybelly?

SONIC: Lanolin, what are you doing here?

LANOLIN: Conducting my own investigation. I went to see Lord Emerick here in Stumpton to ask what he knew about these rings. He told me to come here.

EMERICK: And as you can see, nothing's been changed.

LANOLIN: So where is the stone, Lord Amarabi?

SONIC: Great Forest, Lanolin...

LANOLIN: Oh...yes...Sonic...

SONIC: First you tell me why you didn't inform me as the Lord Protector about this?

LANOLIN: We were planning to but not until we had all the available facts.

Lanolin turns to Tangle who rolls her eyes.

LANOLIN: I see GUN decided to step over us, again.

SONIC: Very well.

LANOLIN: Now where's the stone?

SONIC: Under lock and key in Rock Ridge.

ROTOR: Aside from what's inside of all of us, Its the last surviving bit of Nibelium in the world. We don't want someone trying to turn it blue again.

LANOLIN: Well that means one of two things then. Either someone has stolen it or...

TANGLE: It wasn't the last after all...

Sonic and Rotor look at each other with an ominous look.

CUT TO:

EXT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY.

CAPTION: "ACADEMIA"

CUT TO:

INT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY, MAIN HALL

Sally and Whisper are led down the hall by PROFESSOR ARMIN ASOBIN.

SALLY: Its a very nice new facility you have here Professor.

ASOBIN: Yes. We needed something new because all of the humans we have on staff now kept banging their heads on the ceilings in the main campus.

WHISPER: That's got to hurt.

ASOBIN: It hurt Longclaw the most. That's why she decided to invest in this new science lab for us instead of an endless supply of caulk!

CUT TO:

INT. ASOBIN'S LABORATORY

Asobin opens the door and leads Sally and Whisper into the lab.

ASOBIN: Come in have a seat!

Sally and Whisper sit on a couch near a cardtable. Asobin takes a chair.

ASOBIN: Now...what can I do for you, Your Highness.

Sally turns to Whisper.

SALLY: Enforcer?

Whisper takes out the case containing the ring and opens it. Asobin sees the ring inside.

ASOBIN: Well its just an old used up ring.

SALLY: Yes. It is.

ASOBIN: But usually they turn to dust don't they?

SALLY: Yes. They do.

ASOBIN: Well then, why would Sonic need rings again? Has the Ring Forge been switched back on?

SALLY: He doesn't, and no it hasn't.

WHISPER: We found this ring in a room previously occupied by a known criminal.

SALLY: Either someone's making rings again or this is a forgery.

ASOBIN: How long does it take for these to disintegrate?

SALLY: Only a few seconds.

WHISPER: We found this ring three days ago.

ASOBIN: Interesting...

Asobin walks over to an intercom on the other side of the room and presses a button.

SFX: *INTERCOM BEEP*

WATKINS: (V.O.) Yes, Professor!

ASOBIN: Mike! Come to the lab, I need you and Chuck to see something.

WATKINS: (V.O.) We'll be right over.

JUMP CUT TO:

INT. ASOBIN'S LABORATORY

The door opens and into the lab enter PROFESSORS MIKE WATKINS (formerly of the GUN Expeditionary Force) and CHARLES THORNDYKE (last seen in Sonic X).

ASOBIN: Your Highness, Enforcer Matsubara, allow me to introduce you to my associates. Michael Watkins, MIT biological studies, later GUN Expeditionary Corps.

WATKINS: Hi! I think we fought together at Quelimane.

Sally nods.

SALLY: We did.

WATKINS: I still regret everything that happened you know.

WHISPER: It could have been a lot worse. At least we're all friends now.

Watkins nods.

ASOBIN: And this...is Charles Thorndyke, formerly of Cal Tech, later department of energy research at Lawrence Livermore.

THORNDYKE: Hello!

Thorndyke sees the grey ring.

THORNDYKE: My word...

He gets closer and touches the ring.

THORNDYKE:I've never seen them like this before.

SALLY: Yes, I assume in your day they were blue.

THORNDYKE: Indeed!

ASOBIN: Mike, Chuck, we're going to have to do tests on this ring. It shouldn't be intact in this state.

WATKINS: We'll get right on it.

CUT TO:

EXT. ACORN FAMILY TREASURY, ROCK RIDGE - AFTERNOON

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE ACORN FAMILY TREASURY COMPLEX.

CAPTION: "ROCK RIDGE"

CUT TO:

INT. ACORN TREASURY, ELEVATOR

SOMEONE PULLS A SWITCH AND AN ELEVATOR DESCENDS INTO THE HEART OF THE TREASURY. ON BOARD ARE SONIC, LANOLIN, TANGLE, AND A SECURITY GUARD. THE ELEVATOR COMES TO A STOP AND THE THREE ARE LET OUT AND ESCORTED BY THE GUARD.

CUT TO:

INT. ACORN TREASURY, VAULT.

The security guard opens the vault door and leads Sonic and his group inside. Inside the vault amongst many bars of Northamer gold is a tiny safe. The guard opens the safe and Sonic, Lanolin, and Tangle look in. The stone is there.

SECURITY GUARD: As you can see...still there.

SONIC: Thank you Forceman.

LANOLIN: I don't understand...

TANGLE: Apparently the Albino found something else.

SONIC: Apparently...

CUT TO:

INT. ACORN PALACE, SALLY'S CHAMBER

Sally sits in her chair, studying photos of Surge.

SFX: *CELL PHONE RINGTONE*

Sally picks up her phone, sees who's calling, and answers it.

SALLY: Yes professor?

Sally's eyes widen.

SALLY: What?!?

CUT TO:

INT. ASOBIN'S LABORATORY

Asobin is flanked by Watkins and Thorndyke. Sally, Sonic, Tangle, Whisper, and Lanolin sit and stand across from him.

SALLY: So let me get this straight...This is real.

ASOBIN: Yes...

Everyone looks a little scared from hearing that.

ASOBIN: ...and no!

SONiC: Huh???

WATKINS: All the chemical properties within Nibelium exist in this but...

TANGLE: But what?

WATKINS: They're all out of order.

THORNDYKE: Everything's scrambled. The proportions of various ions and peptides are all out of order.

ASOBIN: And yet...even though its all scrambled up...it still adds up to Nibelium.

LANOLIN: Well is it pure strain or not?

THORNDYKE: Not. The atomic weight matches the sample produced after it decayed.

SONIC: Well at least this Albino isn't trying to start a new arms race.

THORNDYKE: Thank god for that. My former employers were partially responsible for developing this stuff. Looking at it makes me feel like Robert Oppenheimer in a way!

SONIC: Who?

WATKINS: Ancient history, Lord Amarabi.

SONIC: I guess it is.

ASOBIN: Anyway, that's not the really interesting part.

SALLY: What?

ASOBIN: When we were testing the ring. Our scanners somehow picked something up...Coordinates.

WHISPER: Coordinates?

WATKINS: Longitude and latitude.

SALLY: Longitude and latitude...from a ring?!?

ASOBIN: Indeed.

LANOLIN: But to where?!?

Asobin signals to Thorndyke.

ASOBIN: Chuck?

Thorndyke pulls out a remote and turns on a display containg a map of Northamer. Watkins enters the coordinates and the map zooms to...

THORNDYKE: Riverside.

SALLY: Riverside?!?

LANOLIN: That's Rahm and I's old hometown.

SALLY: Professor...do you know exactly where those coordinates lead to in Riverside?

ASOBIN: Yes. Its a warehouse district on the outskirts of town.

TANGLE: Good.

Tangle pulls her phone out.

TANGLE: Molly, its Tangle. We think we know what happened to Surge and that van. They may be using those rings as some sort of transportation device. Yes you heard me correctly. Riverside. A warehouse. Put some surveillance on any of them. Over and out.

Tangle hangs up.

TANGLE: For what its worth...

Sonic turns to Sally.

SONIC: Sal, I'm gonna go out there.

SALLY: Why don't you take Miles along? He's old enough now to be out of his Mom's shadow.

SONIC: Alright.

CUT TO:

INT. ACORN PALACE, TAILS' ROOM - AN HOUR LATER

Tails is reading. Sonic slowly opens his door.

SONIC: Knock, knock.

TAILS: Hey! What's up?

SONIC: Well, you know your Mom delayed your birthday...

TAILS: Mmmhmm.

SONIC: And I was wondering if...you wanted to have a birthday party anyway? A kind of boy's night out?

TAILS: What do you mean?

SONIC: Lets just say there's some bad guys in Riverside and they need to be beaten up.

Tails' eyes widen and a smile grows on his face.

TAILS: Lets do it to it!

CUT TO:

EXT. ELDORAN AIR BASE, YELLOW SANDS

SONIC AND TAILS ARRIVE AT AN AIR BASE AND ARE MET BY TANGLE, WHISPER, OSGOOD, AND MOLLY. THEY BOARD A COPTER AND HEAD OFF INTO THE EAST.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX - NIGHT

CAPTION: "RIVERSIDE"

A SF TROOPER MONITORS SEVERAL CRATES BEING MOVED INTO THE WAREHOUSE FROM A DISTANCE. HE PHONES IN THE INFORMATION.

CUT TO:

INT. GUN PLANE

TANGLE IS ON THE OTHER END OF THE CALL. SHE HANGS UP AND TURNS AND NODS TO SONIC.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX - NIGHT

SEVERAL SF TROOPERS SNEAK INTO THE COMPLEX FOLLOWED BY SONIC, TAILS, TANGLE, AND WHISPER. TANGLE SPOTS A LOOKOUT HIGH ABOVE THEM, AND KNOCKS HIM OUT WITH HER EXTREMELY LONG TAIL. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COMPLEX, WHISPER SPOTS TWO GUARDS IN FRONT OF THE TARGET WAREHOUSE. SHE TAKES COVER, PULLS DOWN HER MASK, AND SHOOTS THEM WITH NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER. SHE SNEAKS OVER TO THE WAREHOUSE'S GATE AND DRAGS THE TWO GUARDS' BODIES AWAY.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, MAIN FLOOR

BARK WATCHES SEVERAL CRATES BEING UNLOADED. HE OPENS ONE AND FINDS SEVERAL PARTS FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A STAMPING PRESS. TURNING AWAY, HE SPOTS THE THREE WHO ARE APPARENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HEIST. THREE LARGE BIRDS DRESSED AS JAPANESE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS: THE BABYLON ROGUES (JETTO "JET" KORUKU THE HAWK, NAMI "WAVE" MATSUDA THE SWALLOW, AND NORIO "STORM" ARASHIKAGE THE ALBATROSS). JET SEEMS PARTICULARLY PLEASED WITH HOW IT WENT. BARK HEADS TO A SECOND FLOOR OFFICE OVERLOOKING THE WAREHOUSE.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, OFFICE

Bark enters the office.

BARK: Doctor Fini--

Finitevus who is sitting in an office chair swivels around to face Bark.

FINITEVUS: Do not say my name out loud!

BARK: Sorry Doctor.

FINITEVUS: What is it Bark?

BARK: Rogues just brought in the crate from Spagonia Autowerke. There's enough parts to manufacture five more of the presses.

FINITEVUS: Very good. The more rings we have the better.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX - NIGHT

SONIC. TAILS. TANGLE, AND THE REST OF THE SF TROOPERS ARRIVE AT THE GATE AND ARE JOINED BY WHISPER. A SF TROOPER PULLS OUT AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE AND ATTACHES IT TO THE GATE. EVERYONE GETS CLEAR AS THE GATE EXPLODES.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, MAIN FLOOR

Everyone is surprised by the explosion. Tangle enters and pulls out a bullhorn.

TANGLE: Now hear this! By order of the Guardian Units of Nations, you're all under arrest!

Sonic, Tails, and the rest enter the warehouse.

SONIC: And that includes us too! You pull this shit in Northamer, you get me!

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, OFFICE

Bark turns to Finitevus in shock.

BARK: How did they find us.

FINITEVUS: Bark! Deal with them!

BARK: Right.

Bark pulls out a cellphone.

BARK: Jet! Get'em.

JET: (V.O.) Hai!

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, MAIN FLOOR

Storm kicks down a door and the Babylon Rogues file into the warehouse. Jet turns to the Forcemen and GUN Enforcers.

JET: I don't think so! We've got big plans for this stuff and that doesn't include...

Jet stops as he sees Tails in the room. His rage grows.

JET: YOOOOOOU!

Tails begins to back away.

TAILS: Oh crap...

Sonic turns to Tails.

SONIC: Miles, what did you do!?!

TAILS: Uhhh...

WAVE: Oi! Stomu!

STORM: Hai?

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Wanna get some revenge on the little yellow shit?

STORM: HEH, HEH, HEH!

Storm pulls out a very long minigun and cocks it. Tangle's eyes widen at the sight.

TANGLE: Everyone! Take cover!

The SF Forcemen and Tangle and Whisper dive behind crates. Sonic and Tails race towards a forklift as Storm starts firing at everything. Sonic turns to Tails.

SONIC: Who are these guys?!? Friends of yours from Sol?

TAILS: No! Remember those bad guys who wanted to hurt Mina?

SONIC: Yeah?

TAILS: These are them! The Babylon Rogues! A trio of Extreme Gear riders who double as thugs for Anthro Zeed!

SONIC: Anthro...Zeed?

TAILS: Its a long story!

SONIC: Greaaaat. You really DO take after me!

Storm keeps firing. Jet comes over to him.

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Storm, you're damaging the crates! Slow down!

STORM: Eh?

Storm sees the damage he's caused.

STORM: Oh...

Storm stops firing.

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Come out, Kitsune! We still owe you for the year we spent in lockup!

TAILS: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Well maybe you should have stayed in school and been honor students then!

Sonic is surprised.

SONIC: Wait you speak Nipogo now?!?

TAILS: Of course, how would I do anything in Sol expecting someone to translate for me?!?

SONIC: Well good thing the green one speaks common! Its about time they met with your old man!

Sonic gets up and walks towards the Rogues.

SONIC: I don't know who you are, but its one thing to mess with my son. Its another thing to threaten the girl who might be my daughter in law someday!

Tails rolls his eyes from that.

JET: Who are you!

SONIC: I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Lord Protector of Northamer! And you've royally pissed me off!

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, OFFICE

Finitevus spots Sonic. A grin begins to widen on his face.

FINITEVUS: Its him! He's here!

BARK: Knuckles?!?

Bark runs over and sees Sonic through the window.

BARK: Wait...Lord Amarabi?!?

FINITEVUS: Bark, get everyone out! I want a conversation with the Hero... in private.

BARK: But wouldn't that blow your cover? I thought we were waiting for The Red Hunter.

FINITEVUS: Oh that's the beauty of it! If The Hero sees me, the world sees me, and if the world sees me, Downunda sees me, and when Downunda sees me...HE will come.

Bark nods.

BARK: Understood, Doctor.

Bark pulls out his phone.

BARK: Bean! Get everyone out! We're leaving!

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, MAIN FLOOR

Sonic prepares to unleash a beatdown on the Rogues. Before he can do that though, a black bomb falls from above. Sonic looks at it and turns his attention upward to see Malgiore Bean hanging from the roof.

BEAN: HEY SONIC! REMEMBER ME?!?

SONIC: Bean!

The bomb explodes and everyone flees the debris. As Tangle and Whisper shake themselves off, Tangle sees several warp rings open and various unsavory looking characters quickly roll the crates into them. Whisper's mouth drops.

WHISPER: So THAT's how they're doing it!

The Babylon Rogues flee out one door and Bark and Bean exit through the other. Tangle and Whisper spot them.

TANGLE: Argo Bark!

WHISPER: Guess he and Bean got a new boss after Fang ended up in the slammer again.

Tangle signals to the SF Forcemen.

TANGLE: You go after the birds. We'll take Argo and Malgiore. Whisper come with me.

Tails turns to Sonic.

TAILS: Dad?

SONIC: You go with Tangle and Whisper Miles, I've got a bit of a headache but I'll be there soon.

TAILS: Right!

Tails follows Tangle and Whisper. Sonic slowly gets up and is about to go out the same way when he hears...

SFX: *DOOR SLAM*

Sonic turns and sees another door. He heads for it and opens it.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, SIDE ROOM

Sonic enters the darkened room. He does not know that Finitevus is standing behind me. Finitevus quickly closes the door behind Sonic and locks it.

SONIC: Hello? Is there anybody in here?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED)Of course there is!

Sonic looks around in the dark for the source of the voice.

SONIC: Who is there?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Just someone who wants to play with you for a little while, Hero of Mobius.

SONIC: Why do I know that language?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Because its one you don't understand. And it makes it very for me to make you look like a fool.

SONIC: Panza...that's Panza! Are...are you a drood?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Drood? Oh no! But if it helps you to know who I am, then here!

Finitevus flips on the lights and Sonic sees him finally.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Welcome!

SONIC: Impossible!

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Indeed!

Fintivus grabs Sonic and punches him in the gut.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) I'm afraid I can't give you the beating I've owed you for many years Hedgehog because I need you alive to deliver the Red Hunter to me. But at least I can have a little fun with you until then!

Sonic gasps for air...

SONIC: How?!? How are you alive?!? Did you escape from Echin-dor?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Echin-dor? Never been. My homeland is Echidnaopolis and I helped burn it to the ground. But that was in another life!

Sonic tries to spin dash Finitevus from behind but something grabs HIMSELF from behind. Finitevus' hand reaching out through a warp ring he is holding.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) These warp rings are very useful aren't they? Unfortunately they do leave a trail. I suppose Surge didn't destroy the one in Central Point after all.

Finitevus roundhouse kicks Sonic in the head. Sonic gets sent flying into a bunch of unused crates.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX

Tails follows Tangle and Whisper but then hears a loud bang coming from the Warehouse.

TAILS: Dad?!?

He runs back to the warehouse.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, SIDE ROOM

Finitevus is basically manhandling Sonic at this point. Successive blow after successive blow into his back and stomach. Then Finitevus grins even further. He tosses rings at the top, bottom, and sides of the room. They all open warps and Finitevus pushes Sonic through the bottom one. However of falling back from the roof, Sonic goes sideways instead and then from the roof in an endless cycle.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) You have to understand how amusing this is for me. Watching you fall to your death but never find the ground. There are some many things I could say to you right now Hedgehog. I could call your mother a whore! I could chastise you for being a useless failure that needed to depend on a short bald man to defeat his greatest enemy. I can even say I don't see what Sally ever saw in you. There was so much better out there in Spagonia she just hadn't met yet. And you would just take it, because you don't understand a word I'm saying. But again...you're not important. He is. So I'll have to cut this short and give you one lasting memento.

Fintevus grabs Sonic and snaps his fingers. The warp rings close. Finitevus prepares to punch Sonic in the jaw.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Farewell.

Finitevus is about to punch when a flash of light goes off. Finitevus has to shield his face from it. He turns and sees where its coming from: Tails with his cell phone's built in camera.

TAILS: Let go of my Dad!

Finitevus smiles.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Oh good! That's exactly what I wanted to happen!

Finitevus drops Sonic on the ground.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Bye bye Hedgehog! Next time bring the Red Hunter along.

Fintivus opens another warp and jumps through it. The warp immediately closes leaving a ring that turns from gold to grey. Tails looks and it and then rushes to Sonic's side.

TAILS: Dad! I'll go get help!

SONIC: Ffff-anks Mmmmilles. I.I.I.havent been hiit that haaaard since Knux iiiin Chun-naaan.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX

UFN-SF Cars arrive at the scene. Sonic is with Tails being treated in an ambulance. Lanolin and Jewel exit one of the cars.

JEWEL: Lord Amarabi!

The two rush over to Sonic.

LANOLIN: Your Lordship! What happened?!?

SONIC: I...got beat up.

LANOLIN: I can see that!

Tangle and Whisper walk over from the side of the Ambulance.

WHISPER: Chief Shearmur, the Albino was here!

LANOLIN: The Albino?!?

TANGLE: He used his other associates to drive us away so he could beat up Sonic by himself.

LANOLIN: Great Light...who is he?

SONIC: Miles...why don't you show her...

Miles hands Lanolin his phone. Lanolin sees the photo and gasps. Jewel cups her hace with her hand.

LANOLIN: Jewel, contact MEAN. Tell them we have visual proof that the Albino is an Echidna.

JEWEL: Yes Chief.

Jewel walks away. Lanolin turns to Tangle and Whisper.

LANOLIN: As much as it pains me to say it, this is out of my jurisdiction now. I can support you but you and GUN have control.

TANGLE: We know.

SONIC: Miles did you send this photo to anyone else?

TAILS: Just one person...Aunt Kinga.

SONIC: Good. We're going to need him.

Whisper turns away. She knows who is coming. Somebody she doesn't want to see again.

END OF ACT III

Chapter Text

ACT IV

EXT. CHAOTIX INVESTIGATIONS, WALLAMALOO

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE CHAOTIX INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE.

CAPTION: "WALLAMALOO"

CUT TO:

INT. CHAOTIX INVESTIGATIONS, KNUCKLES' OFFICE

VECTOR DERK and DARIO ESPIONOLA are looking at something.

KNUCKLES: (O.S.) EEEEEEEuuughhh.

ESPIO: Vec, I don't know how long I can stand watching him this way.

They're looking at N.A. KNUCKLES sleeping on the floor. Apparently after having a very bad night.

VECTOR: I know. With what happened with Whisper and then Mighty and Ray leaving.

ESPIO: They made their choice to be together. Whisper, on the other hand...

VECTOR: That's still for her to figure out. The Boss tried to explain and she just wouldn't understand and it hurt her.

ESPIO: And its hurting him too. That's why I don't want to see him like this. Destroying himself over rejecting a love he knew he couldn't have.

VECTOR: Yeah...

ESPIO: And now its just us four...

VECTOR: And I don't know how long Charmy has left.

There's a crash coming from another room presumably made by CHARMINGTON BHEE.

CHARMY: (O.S.) La-la-la-la-la! BWWWWEEEW!

ESPIO: Its getting worse.

VECTOR: I know...

Knuckles gets off the floor clutching his head.

VECTOR: Hey Knux! You were in the office all night, we found you asleep on the floor. You want a cup of coffee or something?

KNUCKLES: No Vec, I'm fine. Were there any messages?

ESPIO: I'll check.

Espio pulls out his cellphone. He sees a message from King Rosewall marked "URGENT". He opens it and sees Tails' photo of Finitevus. His eyes widen and he quickly turns to Knuckles.

ESPIO: Knux!

KNUCKLES: Yeah Espio?

ESPIO: You...gotta see this.

Knuckles gets up and walks over to Espio. He sees the phone and immediately runs for the bathroom shutting the door. Vector and Espio hear the sounds of Knuckles vomiting from behind the door.

VECTOR: Well THAT'S a hell of a way to cure a hang over!

CUT TO:

EXT. OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DOWNUNDA - MORNING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DOWNUNDA'S PARLIAMENT.

CAPTION: "BILLENBERG"

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Knuckles, Vector, and Espio stand before PRIME MINISTER KINGA ROSEWALL.

KINGA: I received this image from Tails early this morning. MEAN already has a copy of it.

KNUCKLES: So its real.

KINGA: Yes. You're now no longer the last surviving Echidna on Mobian Earth Knuckles. However as this one was apparently male, you're still Endangered.

KNUCKLES: Wonderful.

VECTOR: So who IS this anyway?

KINGA: This is apparently The Albino. The head of one the biggest criminal syndicates in all of Mobian Earth.

ESPIO: Does it know Common like Knux?

KINGA: We don't know. Sonic claims it only spoke Panza to him.

VECTOR: That doesn't make sense. How could you do anything these days only knowing a dead language!

KNUCKLES: Maybe it knows some other form of communication.

KINGA: Perhaps.

ESPIO: So what do you want us to do?

KINGA: Find out how much of a threat this is and eliminate it.

KNUCKLES: Can't you send Thrash? Killing the last Echidna has been the lifelong dream he's had since you slapped Protected Status on me.

KINGA: The Parliament is probably going to force me to anyway. But I also won't get any information out of him if Thrash is the one that catches him. That's why I'm sending you to Northamer, Knux.

KNUCKLES: Because I speak Panza and am friends with Lord Amarabi and Queen Acorn.

KINGA: Exactly.

KNUCKLES: Fine.

VECTOR: What do you want us to do Knux?

KNUCKLES: Stay home, somebody's got to look after Charmy.

VECTOR: Yeah, we're basically his dads now.

KINGA: What's wrong with Charmy?

ESPIO: Dementia.

KINGA: Dementia?!?

KNUCKLES: Yes, Charmy is getting very old.

KINGA: But he's only 10!

ESPIO: In regular Mobian years, yeah. But Charmy's a bee. Bee's age quicker on the inside. He may look like a kid...but he's actually in his late 70s...

KNUCKLES: And his mental decline has been becoming rapidly worse.

Kinga covers her face in horror.

KINGA: Oh Great Light, I'm so sorry.

VECTOR: Its been a hard year for us. Even though we're all happy for Mighty and Ray.

KNUCKLES: This might be our last job, Rosewall.

KINGA: Well then...let the Chaotix go out with a bang.

Knuckles nods.

CUT TO:

EXT. BILLENBERG AIRPORT

A large jet stands on the tarmac ready to take Knuckles to Northamer. Knuckles, Vector, Espio, and Kinga approach it. Charmy is also there, sleeping cradled in Vector's arms. Kinga turns to Knuckles.

KINGA: I've informed the UFN Security Forces of your arrival. They will meet you in Riverside. That's where Sonic and Tails are right now.

KNUCKLES: Very well.

KINGA: Good luck Knuckles. Come back safely.

KNUCKLES: Thank you Prime Minister.

Knuckles enters the jet and waves to his fellow Chaotix members. Charmy is jostled awake and sorta waves albeit woozily. The door is shut. Espio turns to Kinga.

ESPIO: I imagine she's going to be there too.

KINGA: Who?

ESPIO: Whisper.

KINGA: I believe Enforcer Matsubara is there, yes.

Kinga turns to the others.

KINGA: What happened between them?

Espio and Vector look at each other and sigh.

VECTOR: Whisper got hit by Spring Fever. She tried to mate with Knux and then learned the hard way that Echidnas can only be with Echidnas.

KINGA: Why's that?

ESPIO: Beta Tau.

KINGA: Beta Tau?!?

ESPIO: Yeah. That's why he's going to go extinct.

Kinga looks at the plane with a sad look on her face.

CUT TO:

INT. JET

KNUCKLES SITS AND LOOKS AROUND UNEASY ABOUT WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO DO.

CUT TO:

EXT. BILLENBERG AIRPORT

THE PLANE TAKES OFF FOR NORTHAMER. FROM BEHIND WE SEE THE THREE REMAINING CHAOTIX MEMBERS AND KINGA AS THEY WATCH THE PLANE DISAPPEAR INTO THE HORIZON.

CUT TO:

INT. UFN-SF STATION - THE NEXT DAY

Knuckles enters the station. Looking around he sees Sonic reclining in an office chair and Tails reading a newspaper. The two notice him and their expressions brighten.

SONIC: Hey, hey, hey!

KNUCKLES: Hedgehog!

Tails comes over and hugs Knuckles.

TAILS: Hey Knux!

KNUCKLES: Hey Prower! I almost didn't recognize you without the second tail!

TAILS: Well it has been three years...

KNUCKLES: I guess it has.

SONIC: Did MEAN send you Knux?

KNUCKLES: No. Kinga. Since this doesn't pertain to Chaos Emeralds as far as we know, I'm kinda working off the books.

LANOLIN: (O.S.) Yes but he's also working under us in the SF.

Knuckles walks over to Lanolin who is also with Jewel.

KNUCKLES: You must be Shearmur's sister. The annoying one.

LANOLIN: Who told you that? Lord Greybelly?

KNUCKLES: Possibly?

LANOLIN: Heh.

KNUCKLES: Anyway MEAN and the Parliament are probably going to send Thrash. But Kinga wants actual answers and Thrash will just give her this Albino's head instead.

SONIC: I see...

TAILS: So how long before MEAN gets involved?

SALLY: Too late they already are.

Everyone in the station that isn't Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles turns and salutes Sally who has arrived with LORD SELWYN REEVE, Tangle and Whisper.

LANOLIN: LONG LIVE QUEEN SALLY! OUR LIVES ARE HERE TO SERVE HER WILL! HAIL!

ALL SF: HAIL!

SALLY: At ease...

Everyone sits down.

SONIC: Sal, what are you doing here?

SALLY: Well now that this is an international crisis, I have to be as I'm this nation's member of the Supreme Council. So GUN brought me here.

SONIC: I guess that makes sense.

SALLY: Enforcers Tangle and Matsubara, I believe you know N.A. Knuckles.

Tangle's expression brightens.

TANGLE: Yes! We were at Quelimane together. Isn't that right Whisper?

Whisper says nothing. She just looks at the floor and walks past the other three. As she passes Knuckles, Knuckles turns his head to her.

KNUCKLES: Hello Whisper.

WHISPER: Knux...

She walks away. Sonic turns to Knuckles with a confused expression. Knuckles just looks down.

KNUCKLES: I don't want to talk about it.

Tangle looks a little worried by that. Sally just tries to regain her composure.

SALLY: Well anyway, we got the results from the ring The Albino jumped into here.

SONIC: Where are they now?

TANGLE: Tai-Shan.

KNUCKLES: Tai-Shan?!? Well why would I come here if this Albino just left Northamer for the Dragon Lands?

TANGLE: I realize that Knuckles. That's why we already sent enforcers to the location the ring gave us.

TAILS: Whatcha find Tangle?

Tangle looks down.

TANGLE: A...another ring.

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles look at each other.

TANGLE: So...we took another reading, and we got...Frangis.

SONIC: Lemme guess...you want to Frangis and found...

TANGLE: Another ring. I think the Albino has figured out how we were able to find him here.

KNUCKLES: And he's leaving you a trail of bread crumbs.

TANGLE: We're just gonna have to follow them. Might take a while though.

SONIC: I hope there is an end though. None of us want to be going around in circles.

SALLY: I understand that. Sonic...Selwyn here has invited us to stay with him in Central Point.

SELWYN: But not you Echidna.

KNUCKLES: Why? Because of The War?

SELWYN: Yes. I don't care if you're a friend of Her Highness and Lord Amarabi. My people remember how you used those Chaos Emerald things of yours to incinerate Green River.

KNUCKLES: Fine.

SONIC: I think I'll pass then. He can stay with me at the hotel.

SALLY: Miles?

Tails shakes his head

TAILS: No I think I want to be with Dad and Knuckles too.

SELWYN: Your Highness?

SALLY: This man isn't just a friend, he's part of my family. And I rather be with my family then apart from them. Good day Selwyn.

The four leave the station together. Selwyn looks at them. Lanolin steps by him and gives him a dirty look.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL SUITE, RIVERSIDE - THE NEXT DAY

Tails opens the door to the Acorn-Amarabis' room.

TAILS: Come on in Tangle!

TANGLE: Thanks Tails.

Tangle enters the room. Sonic is lounging on a bed, Sally is checking something on her phone, and Knuckles is sitting in a chair.

SALLY: What is it Enforcer?

TANGLE: Good news we think. After visiting fifteen other cities all over the world, including, surprisingly Billenberg...

KNUCKLES: Billenberg?!? He must have just popped in and popped out.

TANGLE: Possibly. Anyway...the trail eventually led back to Northamer.

SONIC: It did?!? Where???

TANGLE: Sandblast.

SALLY: Sandblast?!? That's Lupe's region!

SONIC: Sal, get in contact with her, and keep it quiet. If this guy is there, we don't want to tip him or any of his goons like those birds from Sol.

SALLY: Birds from Sol?!?

SONIC: Yes apparently our little Miles met some new friends in Edokyo and the Albino hired them on the rebound.

TAILS: Yeah, the Babylon Rogues. They used to work for Anthro Zeed.

SALLY: Anthro Zeed... Oh yes... Union Lizard's organization. Director Shearmur's mentioned him to us in the council a few times.

TAILS: Yeah, they came after Mina because her brother owed Union Lizard money. And I got involved by accident leading to them getting tossed in jail. I guess the Rogues are still a little ticked off at me.

SALLY: Oh wonderful...

KNUCKLES: Well I'm going too. If the Albino hasn't split again, me or Janacek or whatever Droods are around are the only ones who can speak to him directly.

SALLY: Indeed.

SONIC: Alright. Lets go west.

TANGLE: I'll have Willis and Osgood meet us there.

SALLY: Thank you Tangle.

CUT TO:

EXT. SANDBLAST CITY - EVENING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF SANDBLAST CITY

CAPTION: "SANDBLAST"

CUT TO:

INT. SAFE HOUSE

Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Knuckles sit waiting in an sparsely decorated room. A UFN-SF Forceman opens the door from the outside and shows in LADY LUPE WHITECLAW.

LUPE: Sally! I came as fast as I could.

SONIC: Hey Loup!

Sonic walks over and kisses Lupe on the muzzle.

SONIC: How's my big sister?

LUPE: Still getting used to being called that.

SALLY: Is Manak ok?

LUPE: Oh yes! He's probably sitting on our couch watching this newfangled "television" of yours with our two girls sleeping in his lap.

SALLY: They're wonderful children. I'm so happy to be their Aunt.

LUPE: I wish their Grandmother would come see them. I'm beginning to think she's deliberately avoiding me and Manak.

Sonic and Sally look at each other worriedly.

LUPE: Well enough of my family baggage, what are you four doing here?

KNUCKLES: A major criminal element is currently hiding here in Sandblast.

TAILS: We're here to stop it.

LUPE: Do you need my help?

SALLY: No I just wanted to see my sister in law and nieces.

LUPE: Very well! I'll take you home with me, guest bedroom should be clean.

SALLY: Thank you Lupe.

The door opens again and Whisper enters.

WHISPER: Its official. They're here.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, STOREROOM

Finitevus enters a room with Bark, Bean, and Jet.

FINITEVUS: Are we ready to begin? I've bought us a lot of time giving GUN a wild goose chase these past few days.

Bark smiles and flips around a lappy. Its screen shows a ring that has been divided into four quadrants. The words on screen read "TWILIGHT CAGE POSITION 100% TRIANGULATED". Finitevus smiles.

JET: Wave spotted the Red Hunter too.

FINITEVUS: Excellent! Prepare to clear out!

BEAN: What about Surge?

FINITEVUS: We're saving her for the grand finale! At this point I need privacy! Now...move!

BARK: Yes, Doctor!

Finitevus opens a port and Bark, Bean, and Jet jump through it. Now all alone, Finitevus stares about the lappy screen showing the Twilight Cage and begins to grin.

CUT TO:

EXT. FACTORY

The factory is in a rough part of town. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Tangle, Whisper, Molly, and Osgood approach it.

SONIC: Knuckles and I will go in first. Miles, you stay with the Enforcers. If we don't come out in 15 minutes, you enter.

OSGOOD: Understood, Your Lordship.

TAILS: Ok, Dad.

Sonic turns to Knuckles.

SONIC: You ready?

KNUCKLES: About as ready as I'll ever be.

SONIC: Good. We're going in.

Sonic and Knuckles head over to a sidedoor into the factory and are surprised that it is unlocked. They enter.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, HALL

SONIC AND KNUCKLES RUSH DOWN A LONG HALLWAY. THEY EXIT FROM A PAIR OF DOUBLE DOORS AT THE END,

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, STOREROOM.

Sonic and Knuckles find themselves in a large empty storeroom. Suddenly a voice echoes through.

FINITEVUS: (O.S.) (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Welcome back!

A spotlight switches on and Sonic and Knuckles can now see Finitevus standing above them.

KNUCKLES: So that's him...

SONIC: Yeah.

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED)Who are you?

Finitevus jumps down.

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Someone's who's been waiting for this day for a very long time.

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) I'm sure you have, but that doesn't answer the question!

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Oh but Red Hunter! Surely my identity doesn't matter does it?

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) I think it does! I need to know why you survived Echin-Dor!

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Maybe I was elsewhere at the time.

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) I bet you were!

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Why would you assume that? Perhaps I'm bluffing!

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) No I don't think so! There's something wrong with you!

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) What do you mean wrong with me?

KNUCKLES: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Its very simple...

A wry smirk appears on Knuckles' face.

KNUCKLES: You don't actually speak Panza, do you?!?

Both Sonic and Finitevus are shocked.

SONIC: What!?

FINITEVUS: (PANZA, SUBTITLED) Why would you think that?!?

Knuckles continues to grin.

KNUCKLES: Your pronunciation! Its terrible!

Finitevus smiles.

FINITEVUS: Well...I guess the cat's out of the bag isn't it? And I spent so much time learning that bloody awful language just to impress you.

SONIC: I don't believe it! You actually understood every single word I said to you last time!

FINITEVUS: Yes I did! And it was quite amusing carrying out a completely one sided conversation with you Lord Amarabi!

Knuckles comes forward.

KNUCKLES: I'm going to ask you again in common now, who are you?

FINITEVUS: Lets just say I'm not from around here. Or at least...I'm from a place that was a lot like this once.

SONIC: What? You're from Spagonia and not Echin-Dor?

FINITEVUS: No Lord Amarabi, I'm not even from this world. This planet.

SONIC: You're an alien like Robotnik claimed he was?

FINITEVUS: Not...exactly.

KNUCKLES: I fail to understand what that means.

FINITEVUS: I come from a world where our society thrived Knuckles. Until terrible misfortune struck us.

SONIC: And what are you doing here?

FINITEVUS: To find safety, security, salvation...

KNUCKLES: Well you didn't have to commit all those acts of larceny to do it!

FINITEVUS: Oh but I did. I'm not a criminal by trade, Knuckles. I'm a scientist. And unfortunately being a scientist who also happens to be an Echidna is asking for trouble in this world.

SONIC: And what do you want with him?

FINITEVUS: Nothing really other than help.

KNUCKLES: Help to do what?

FINITEVUS: Experience something you never thought possible. You believe you live in a world where hatred is skin deep, Knuckles. I can show you one where the exact opposite is the case!

KNUCKLES: I don't believe you!

FINITEVUS: You don't? Well here it is...

Finitevus throws a warp ring at the wall. The portal opens and Sonic and Knuckles look at it in awe and terror.

FINITEVUS: In there!

Sonic and Knuckles cautiously approach the portal. Behind them, Finitevus sneaks out through another warp ring.

SONIC: What's in it?

KNUCKLES: Hedgehog, I don't even know what this is!

Just then something emerges from the portal. Knuckles walks over to it and sees that it appears to be a pink Echidna. It is breathing heavily and touching the ground and itself.

JULIE-SU: Air...I can breathe! I can feel again!

Julie-Su looks up and sees Knuckles and Sonic before her.

JULIE-SU: KNUCKLES!

Julie-Su embraces her lover (or at least one who she THINKS is her love).

JULIE-SU: Its been so long! I was worried I'd never see you again! Why did you not come for us? Were you waiting for us to find a way back out of the Cage?

All Knuckles can do is back away from Julie-Su with a confused look on his face.

JULIE-SU: Knuckles! What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!

KNUCKLES: Who are you? What are you talking about? What is going on here?

Julie-Su looks baffled.

JULIE-SU: Knuckles, its me! Its your Julie-Su!

KNUCKLES: My...my what?!?

JULIE-SU: Yes! Don't you remember me? You've been trying to get us out right?

Julie-Su turns to Sonic.

JULIE-SU: Sonic! You recognize me right? Tell him who I am!

SONIC: (CONFUSED) I...

JULIE-SU: Please don't tell me you've forgotten me too! We fought the Egg Fleet and the dingoes together! Don't you remember?

Sonic's mouth drops.

SONIC: I...don't know who you are. I've never seen you before in my life!

Just then Tails enters.

TAILS: Ok, Dad! Here I a--

Tails sees Julie-Su, gasps, and hides on the floor behind his two Kitsune tails.

JULIE-SU: Tails! What are you doing? Its me! I'm not going to hurt you!

Julie-Su reaches out to Tails, but Sonic gets in the way.

SONIC: You lay a single finger on him, his mother will hear about it. You lay one on either of us, you won't get out of this room alive!

Julie-Su covers her face in fear.

JULIE-SU: What's happened? Why doesn't anyone remember me?

Julie-Su is grabbed by Knuckles on the shoulders.

KNUCKLES: Who are you?!? WHO. ARE. YOU?!?

All Julie-Su can do is cry. She collapses to the floor. Sonic and Knuckles watch as the Warp Ring closes stranding Julie-Su in their world.

CREDITS (A-HA: “THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON TV”)

PREVIEW

JULIE-SU: Mobotropolis! Please Sonic. Please take me there. I'm begging you!

SONIC: Uhhh...

CAPTION: "WHO IS JULIE-SU?"

SONIC: Sal...this might be a little disturbing.

SALLY: *gasps*

CAPTION: "HOW DID SHE GET HERE?"

SALLY: Who is she?

SONIC: Her name is Julie-Su. She's just a very confused girl.

CAPTION: "WHAT IS THE TWILIGHT CAGE?"

KNUCKLES: Who are you and where did you come from? Please Julie-Su! Tell me! If you don't I can't help you!

JULIE-SU: The Twilight Cage. The world I was born in. The world I and the others were banished to.

KNUCKLES: Others? What others?!?

CAPTION: "WHO SENT HER TO MOBIAN EARTH?"

KNUCKLES: I know now who put her in that Twilight Cage in the first place.

SONIC: Who?

KNUCKLES: Thrash!

SALLY: Royston?!?

CAPTION: "WHAT IS THE GENESIS WAVE?"

SALLY: Did something happen to me before you went into this cage?

JULIE-SU: Sally, I don't think you want to...

SALLY: TELL ME!

SONIC: (V.O.) Next time! On Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM Re-Genesis! "Fallen Angel!" Welcome back my friends to the story that never ends!