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Chapter Text

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: SATAM RE-GENESIS

EPISODE 05X03: "THE ALBINO"

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, Adam Bryce Thomas, and Evan Stanley)

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

(Julie-Su of the House of Atredis created by NAME REDACTED and Manny Galan)

REVISED FIFTH DRAFT: 6/22/25

TEASER

INT. MEGA CENTRAL, PRESS CONFERENCE

CAPTION: "MEGA CENTRAL, UNITED EFRICA. OCTOBER 25, ME 3231"

A bunch of journalists gathered from various news magazines, such as Mobians Weekly and Mobian Earth Journal, and tv networks await the entry of the chairwoman of the Mobian Earth Allied Nations (MEAN) Supreme Council. A hornbill, her spokesperson, enters.

MEAN SPOKESPERSON: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Chairwoman of the Mobian Earth Allied Nations Supereme Council, Ms. Christina Wilcox.

Everyone rises for the chairwoman who is not a Mobian but a blond woman.

WILCOX: Please be seated. We've invited you here today for a status update on the investigation into the recent crime wave that has stricken Mobian Earth. Multiple thefts in multiple cities across Spagonia, Northern Efrica, and now Northamer. Until recently our enforcers in the Guardian Units of Nations have not been able to gain much traction in this investigation. However that has apparently changed, we now know the identities of several of the hoodlums involved in this crime network, and most important of all...its ringleader. And for that I defer the microphone to the director of the Guardian Units of Nations, Rahm Shearmur. Thank you.

CHRISTINA WILCOX gets up, and RAHM SHEARMUR sits down. Wilcox walks over to where several of the other members of the MEAN Council are standing: PM KINGA ROSEWALL, MEISTRESS DULCINA HERRANGER (DULCY), DUCHESS LISOLETTE MARAIS, MARQUESS HERMIONE OGLETHORPE, PRINCESS ELISE ENTRANZI, VICEROY NATARE ODOGORO, and EMPRESS MOEYO AKATSUKI (BLAZE). Dulcy turns to Wilcox.

DULCY: Why are we having this without Sally?

WILCOX: I'm afraid she's too busy. Northamer is where these guys keep showing up you know.

ELISE: Why is it always Northamer?

LISOLETTE: Something about Sally always seems to attract the worst facets of our world to her.

BLAZE: I'd blame Lord Amarabi, but I'm still eating my words from a couple years ago.

HERMIONE: Speaking of that, how's embracing nudity working, Akatsuki-kou?

Blaze turns to Hermione.

BLAZE: Wonderfully, Marquess. Absolutely wonderfully.

ELISE: Clean mind, clean spirit.

BLAZE: Namaste, Princess.

Shearmur raises his chair and adjusts his microphone.

SHEARMUR: Hello everyone! As you know, since last year we've been investigating reports of this network of criminals led by the one known as The Albino. Until recently the only reported known accomplice was this individual...

ASHURA SURGE's mugshot appears on a display behind Shearmur.

SHEARMUR: Ashura Surge. However in the past few days, more have been identified...

The faces of ARGO BARK, MALGIORE BEAN, JETTO KOROKU, NAMI MATSUDA, and NORIO ARASHIKAGE appear on the screen. Blaze sees the latter three.

BLAZE: Those three...I know them. They attacked Prower-shu and Mina-chan.

DULCY: And I recognize those two! They were with that Fang guy I fought with Sonic and Tails in Chun-Nan a few years ago!

WILCOX: You Mobians really do get around.

NATARE: Not me, everything bad in my life has come to me instead.

Shearmur continues.

SHEARMUR: The first two are Argo Bark and Malgiore Bean. They were still at large after their fellow Hooligan, Erasmus Fang, was arrested in Spagfort trying to steal Blanc Weiss' cache of Chaos Emeralds, which are now in the possession of Downunda. These three here...

The photos of the Babylon Rogues zoom in.

SHEARMUR: ...are Jetto Koroku, Nami Matsuda, and Norio Arashikage. They're better known though as Jet, Wave, and Storm and were formerly employed as low level enforcers for the yakuza organization Anthro Zeed, under the collective name of The Babylon Rogues. They were arrested in Sol about two years ago but released on bail and haven't been seen until now, with the head of Anthro Zeed, Union Lizard, reportedly severing all ties with them.

A journalist, THAD BROMLEY, stands up.

BROMLEY: Director Shearmur! Thad Bromley from Mobians Weekly. How did you figure this out?

SHEARMUR: They slipped up, that's why. We didn't know how they were getting around without tipping off the authorities. Now we do.

A photo of the grey ring appears. Everybody gasps. Dulcy looks at it in surprise.

DULCY: It can't be!

Shearmur continues.

SHEARMUR: They're using rings. Rings that can somehow create portals. We don't know they've figured this out but we were able to follow them to their hideout in the town of Riverside in Northamer's Lakelands. And it was there that was finally received visual confirmation of the identity...of The Albino.

From behind Shearmur appears an artists rendering...of DR. FINITEVUS. Everyone gasps. Natare turns to Kinga.

NATARE: And you knew before we did!

KINGA: Yes, that's why I sent Knuckles to Northamer. That's why he's still there.

Shearmur continues.

SHEARMUR: There are now two confirmed Echidnas alive in the world. N.A. Knuckles is the other. However this one has been identified as male and as such Echidnas are still slated for extinction. We're still in pursuit and this artist's rendering in being issued to all law enforcement agencies besides GUN. Thank you, I won't be taking any more questions.

Shearmur gets up. Wilcox retakes the microphone

WILCOX: Thank you, thank you. One at a time please.

There's a barrage of questions from the press. Shearmur continues to walk away from the podium when an aide walks up to him.

AIDE: Director Shearmur. Call from our Enforcers in the Domain of the Sovereign.

The aide hands Shearmur a cell phone

SHEARMUR: Thank you.

Shearmur puts the phone to his ear.

SHEARMUR: Shearmur here. Yes Enforcer Osgood...

Shearmur expression is flipped upside down.

SHEARMUR: ...A THIRD?!?

TITLES

ACT I

INT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY, WAITING ROOM

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, SALLY LYRA ALISIA ACORN and N.A. KNUCKLES are stunned from the revelation just given to them by PROFESSOR ARMIN ASOBIN. JULIE-SU ATREDIS just stares at the floor.

SALLY: Human?!? How???

Asobin pulls out a lappy and opens it up to an image of a double helix but corrupted. The rungs being marked by spiked balls.

ASOBIN: This is Mobian DNA. You can tell from the prions being spiked.

Asobin taps a key and the Mobian DNA is replaced by a standard double helix.

ASOBIN: This is human dna. No prions. And this...

Asobin taps another key, and a window with the same exact genetic model as the humans appears.

ASOBIN: ...is Julie-Su.

Sally covers her face.

SALLY: Oh my...

SONIC: How is this possible?

ASOBIN: That's what I'd like to know. Miss Atredis.

Julie-Su looks up.

ASOBIN: How did your race come into existence? Or is this just what Echidnas are like in your world?

JULIE-SU: No.

ASOBIN: Well then...tell me.

Julie-Su turns to Asobin.

JULIE-SU: I'll tell you if you tell me first why your blood glows blue.

Asobin nods.

ASOBIN: Radiation.

JULIE-SU: Radiation?

SALLY: Several thousand years ago, the Humans had a war over resources. They wiped themselves out, and the radiation of their weapons blanketed the world.

KNUCKLES: But animals that lived in areas that weren't as heavily populated survived. They adapted to the radiation and learned how to think and speak.

SONIC: And we're their descendants. We inherited the planet Earth and for over 3,000 years we ruled it as the planet Mobius.

SALLY: Until humans that fled our planet all those years ago came back. You're familiar with two of them, Dr. Julian Robotnik and his associate Standard Lydecker, better know as Snively. The latter sacrificed himself to kill Robotnik and save us and the other humans. And now we're sharing the world as Mobian Earth.

ASOBIN: Are you satisfied?

Julie-Su nods.

JULIE-SU: Yes I believe I am...Our races came from the Days of Fire. When the continents broke and the Chaos Emeralds were formed. At the time the reason for this passed into legend. However a couple years ago we learned the truth.

SALLY: Go on...

JULIE-SU: Like yours, our Mobius was also the planet Earth, but it wasn't the humans that destroyed themselves. It was an invasion...from space.

SONIC: What?!?

KNUCKLES: An invasion from space???

JULIE-SU: Yes. A race of aliens called the Xorda tried to make diplomatic relations with the humans. What happened to them instead was their ambassadors were captured, considered a threat, and dissected.

The others look at each other in horror.

JULIE-SU: When the Xorda learned what happened, they returned to Earth and launched a war on it. They fired weapons called gene bombs on the populace. The continents shifted and all life was reduced to nothing. The Primordial Soup as they call it. And because we were all in that soup, our genetics crossed, and we began to evolve again, into Mobians and the Overlanders, who are like your humans but shorter, about our height. So that's how we all came to be.

Sally's jaw drops.

SALLY: My word...

KNUCKLES: Aliens...really?!?

JULIE-SU: It is the truth, I swear!

Sonic turns to Knuckles.

SONIC: Knux, Julie-Su's from another dimension, has human DNA, AND toes. I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Knuckles nods.

KNUCKLES: Yeah, what am I thinking?

Knuckles turns to Julie-Su.

KNUCKLES: I'm sorry, Julie-Su.

JULIE-SU: Its nothing. Ultimately the destruction of humanity still created us Mobians. Mine just had some help.

SALLY: Well that brings us to why are you here?

JULIE-SU: I don't know. I'd like to though.

SHEARMUR: (O.S.) So would I!

Everyone turns to see Shearmur standing with ZOE TANGLE, HACHIKO "WHISPER" MATSUBARA, and MAGISTER WILHELMINA LONGCLAW. Sally gets up.

SALLY: Director!

SONIC: Rahm!

SHEARMUR: Hello Sonic! Your Highness! I came as soon as I could. Enforcer Osgood called and I didn't believe it so I came here. And now I see she was right and its a girl.

JULIE-SU: And I don't speak this Panza of yours sir so please don't insult me by calling me an "it".

Rahm's mouth drops. He turns to Sally.

SALLY: Rahm, this is Julie-Su. She's had a very rough week.

SHEARMUR: I suppose she has.

Shearmur extends his hand to Julie-Su.

SHEARMUR: Rahm Shearmur, Chief Director of the Guardian Units of Nations. My apologies.

JULIE-SU: Its fine...

Julie-Su shakes it.

SHEARMUR: And she's REALLY from another universe?

KNUCKLES: That's what we think, Director Shearmur. So is the Albino. He speaks common too.

SHEARMUR: I see. I'm still baffled as to why the Albino thought this was a good idea.

JULIE-SU: Yes, about him... You keep mentioning him. I think I might know who he is.

SHEARMUR: You do?!?

JULIE-SU: Yes but I need a picture of some sort. Anything.

Shearmur signals to Tangle.

SHEARMUR: Tangle...

Tangle pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to Julie-Su.

TANGLE: Latest artist's rendering.

Julie looks at the paper and sees the face of Dr. Finitevus. Her eyes widen.

JULIE-SU: It IS him!

WHISPER: Who? Who is he???

JULIE-SU: His name is Finitevus. He's a scientist. And he's from my world.

KNUCKLES: Finitevus...

SONIC: Was he in the Twilight Cage with you Julie-Su?

JULIE-SU: No. He...he wasn't even in Albion when we were attacked.

SALLY: Attacked by who?

JULIE-SU: An enemy faction of ours known as the Dark Egg Legion.

SONIC: Dark EGG Legion? Did they have anything to do with Robotnik?

JULIE-SU: Yes, but they're not in the Cage with us so perhaps they're still on my Mobius.

SONIC: Whatever you say...

SALLY: So what about Finitevus? Is he a friend of yours?

JULIE-SU: No! Absolutely not! He's an evil man! He's responsible for the death of your father Knu--.

Julie-Su stares at Knuckles who gives her a bewildered expression.

JULIE-SU: No, no I guess he isn't is he?

KNUCKLES: Well why would he bring you here? If he's your enemy?

Sally turns to Knuckles with fear in her eyes.

SALLY: By that logic, why WOULDN'T he?

Knuckles' mouth drops.

KNUCKLES: I see your point.

JULIE-SU: That's another thing! Ever since I got here everyone has been either terrified of me, or threatening me, or asking me strange difficult questions, or almost killing me like your daughter, Sally! Why? What have I possibly done?

KNUCKLES: Its not what you did. Its what we did.

JULIE-SU: "We", Knuckles?

SONIC: Yes. Echidnas.

JULIE-SU: Well, what did we do?

Everyone looks down as if trying to get out of this.

JULIE-SU: Please tell me! I want to know!

Sally sighs.

SALLY: Julie-Su...you have been sent to the worst possible place you could go. A world where every little Mobian boy and girl is told by their parents that if they don't behave or respect their elders...that the Echidna Dominar will come...and kill them in their sleep.

Julie-Su's eyes widen is horror. Her mouth drops.

JULIE-SU: The Echidna...Dom...inar?

KNUCKLES: Yes...

JULIE-SU: Who was he?

SONIC: We don't know. Nobody who ever saw him lived to tell the tale.

JULIE-SU: And...what did he do?

Everyone turns to Sally.

SALLY: He...he and his followers came to this land and massacred us in a Great War based on religious fervor and zealotry. And, my father King Aristotle Acorn.

JULIE-SU: Not Maximillian...

SALLY: No. He was forced to make a deal...with Julian Robotnik to save us. And we won...but it was already too late. 80% of us were already dead because of our Echidnas. Among them were my daughter Nicole's family. All of them.

Julie-Su turns away, looking ill.

JULIE-SU: And she still remembers...

SALLY: Yes, that's why she attacked you. I'm sorry.

JULIE-SU: No. You're not the one who should be apologizing.

SALLY: I suppose not. Anyway, since our country was still in ruin from the Great War, it made it easy for Dr. Robotnik to take over. So in the end, we lost our nation to the Echidnas, and Sonic and mine's childhoods to Dr. Robotnik.

JULIE-SU: So the Great War happened in this world too.

KNUCKLES: Was there a similar war in your world, Julie-Su?

JULIE-SU: Yes, but we weren't involved. Instead it was an invasion of the Kingdom of Acorn by the Overlanders.

SALLY: What did the Overlanders want?

JULIE-SU: Resources. Land. They had the upper hand too as, long ago, one of your great grandfathers had banned firearms of all kinds in Mobotropolis, Sally. That is...until one of their scientists betrayed them. His name was Julian Ivo Kintobor.

SALLY: Kintobor... Robotnik but backwards!

SONIC: So just like ours, he changed his name.

JULIE-SU: Was yours Kintobor too?

KNUCKLES: No. His last name was Subotnick.

JULIE-SU: I see... And what about you Knuckles? What's your story?

KNUCKLES: Julie-Su, I'm an endangered species. And until you and Finitevus showed up, I was the last one left. The Dominar blew up our city. All the Echidnas were in it. They all died, except for me, and I was saved through providence, to atone for what my kind did. And because the scars run that deep, I'll never be able to.

JULIE-SU: Well if that is the truth of our kind...

Julie-Su looks down.

JULIE-SU: Kill me then.

SALLY: (SHOCKED) What?!?

SONIC: No!

JULIE-SU: Why not? This Dominar already did so much evil here, and so many have died. Like Nicole's family! She had every right to attack me. Why did you stop her? What's one more?!?

SONIC: Because you're not guilty, that's why! And I don't want to see someone die for no giid reason!

Julie-Su's eyes widen.

SONIC: Julie-Su, if there's a way back to your Mobius, I'm going to do everything I can to find it. And when I do, I'll get you back to your Knuckles. I swear it!

KNUCKLES: So do I!

SALLY: And me as well.

Julie-Su sheds tears of joy.

JULIE-SU: Thank you. But I still don't understand why Finitevus is trying to release us if Thrash was the one who put us there?

KNUCKLES: Maybe he wasn't...

JULIE-SU: What do you mean?

KNUCKLES: My Thrash, Royston Thrash, is a very angry and not very bright man. He's been wanting to kill for me a very long time because I'm an Echidna. If your Thrash is like mine then this Finitevus could have used Thrash's anger as a tool.

JULIE-SU: A tool to what?

KNUCKLES: Send you here against your will.

Julie-Su turns and begins to shudder.

SALLY: Well until we know for sure, we need to put Julie-Su somewhere. I don't know if the palace is safe after what happened.

LONGCLAW: She can stay with me. My house is large and I live alone. I could use the company.

Julie-Su turns to Longclaw.

JULIE-SU: Thank you Miss...

LONGCLAW: Longclaw. Wilhelmina Longclaw. I'm the magister of the school here in Academia.

Julie-Su nods.

JULIE-SU: I'm Julie-Su of the House of Atredis. It's a pleasure.

Longclaw nods.

SONIC: Alright, as for the rest of us...Lets go find Finitevus and start getting answers.

END OF ACT I

Chapter Text

ACT II

INT. NICOLE'S ROOM, ACORN PALACE

Tails calmly opens the door to Nicole's room. He sees her on her bed with her back turned towards him.

TAILS: Hey...

NICOLE: Hey.

TAILS: Wanna talk?

Nicole nods. Tails grabs a chair and brings it over to Nicole's bed.

TAILS: What happened?

NICOLE: I...made a mistake. The biggest mistake I've ever made in my life.

TAILS: I heard.

Nicole rolls over and faces her brother.

NICOLE: Miles, I attacked that girl. I almost killed her.

TAILS: Why?

NICOLE: Because I didn't know who she was. I just saw an Echidna. She wasn't like Uncle Knuckles. I thought she was going to kill us, just like...

TAILS: Yeah I know. Nikki, the first time I saw Julie-Su, you know what I did?

NICOLE: What?

TAILS: I tried to hide. I rolled up into a ball and prepared for her to kill me, because like you I thought the same.

Nicole's eyes widen.

TAILS: Some brave little fox I am. I might have been born after The Great War but, as soon as I see an Echidna, I'm back to being a shivering little boy with Aunt Sally patting him on the head.

NICOLE: We really are the last generation that hates and fears Echidnas. Even though there was nothing to fear.

TAILS: Maybe.

Tails turns away.

TAILS: And maybe we need to be the first to change our ways.

Nicole nods.

NICOLE: Miles, I want to apologize to Julie-Su but I'm grounded. I may never leave this room again.

TAILS: You're not grounded with me though sis. Wanna go see her?

Nicole smiles and nods.

TAILS: Then lets go to Academia and put the Great War to bed already.

Nicole jumps off the bed and follows Tails out of her room.

CUT TO:

EXT. OVERPASS, FRANGIS

A large van is parked under a highway underpass.

CAPTION: "FRANGIS"

A car approaches the van. From out of it emerges Jet, Wave, and Storm. A Mobian Bear, Badger, and Tabby Cat exit the van.

JET: Are you the ones?

BEAR: We are if you're the Rogues.

JET: Why did you make us come here? I thought you were based out of Elysium.

BADGER: Too hot for us. You guys set off GUN, now they're all over Mercia.

JET: I see.

TABBY: What's their problem?

The Tabby points at the other two Babylon Rogues.

TABBY: Sol Cat got their tongues?

Jet laughs.

JET: You could say so. We ARE from Sol and my associates only speak Nipogo.

STORM: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) What did he say about us?

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Ignore it Storm.

Jet turns back to the other three.

JET: You have what our boss The Albino wants correct?

BEAR: I think so. Its in the van.

JET: Lets see it!

The six head over to the van. The badger opens the back doors. Jet looks in. Suddenly his eyes widen.

JET: What the..?!?

Jet runs off as several gunshots emerge from the back of the Van. The three from the van pull out GUN rifles and aim them at the Rogues. Wave and Storm duck behind the car and Jet joins them.

WAVE: Nani ga?!?

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) We've been set up!

WAVE: Kuso...

A dozen GUN enforcers pile out of the truck. One of them comes up to the bear.

ENFORCER: Commander!

BEAR: Don't shoot them. We need 'em alive!

ENFORCER: Yes sir!

Jet, Wave, and Storm continue to hide behind the car.

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) We need to get the Gear out! Its the only way we have out of here!

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Can't we just use one of the rings!

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) No! They can be tracked now! Remember?

WAVE: Hai, wakarimasu. STOMU!

STORM: Eh?!?

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Create a distraction!

STORM: Oh! Heh heh heh heh. HAI!

Storm pulls out his Minigun and fires on the van. The GUN Enforcers duck for cover. Jet opens the trunk and grabs three hoverboards (Extreme Gear) out of them. He tosses two of them to Wave and Storm.

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Right! 3...2...1...NOW!

Storm stops firing and the three jump on the hoverboards. They speed off into the sky. The bear looks at them and pulls out his phone.

BEAR: Basecom! The Rogues are leaving. They're on Extreme Gear.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY ABOVE SPAGONIA

The Babylon Rogues continue to fly away on their Extreme Gear. A sound begins to grow in intensity behind them. Wave turns around and sees five GUN Helicopters in pursuit.

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) JET! Incoming!

JET: Na-nani?!?

The helicopters begin to gain on them.

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Split up!

WAVE: Hai!

STORM: Oi!

The three break apart and the helicopters split from formation after them. The helicopters in pursuit of Wave and Storm fire their Vulcans at them. The two Rogues only barely avoiding them. They begin to head towards each other with the copters still in hot pursuit. Just as the helicopters fire on them, they ascend upwards, causing the copters to fire on each other. Wave and Storm rejoin Jet but are immediately stopped by yet ANOTHER helicopter emerging out of a cloud.

JET: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Turn around! Quick!

The three attempt to quicky air break away from the helicopter.

CUT TO:

INT. GUN HELICOPTER

INSIDE THE HELICOPTER, THE PILOT TARGETS THE BABYLON ROGUES AND PREPARES TO LAUNCH A MISSILE.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY ABOVE SPAGONIA

The missile fires and Wave sees it.

WAVE: (JAPANESE, SUBTITLED) Jet! Do something!

JET: Kuso!

Jet pulls out a ring and tosses it into the air. A warp opens and the Bablyon Rogues fly through it followed by the missile.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY

The ring opens and the Babylon Rogues roll on to the ground. Bark, Bean, and several of Finetevus' hired thugs look at them in surprise.

JET: CLOSE IT! QUICK!

The warp ring begins to close but the missile still emerges through it anyway. It crashes into a wall creating a sizeable ammount of damage and debris everywhere. Everyone coughs from the smoke. Finitevus emerges and turns to the Rogues.

FINITEVUS: What happened?!?

JET: It...It was a setup. The van was filled with nothing but GUN troopers.

FINITEVUS: And you had to use a ring to get away huh?

Jet nods.

FINITEVUS: Get out of my face. We'll discuss your latest failure later.

Jet signals to Wave and Storm. They leave the room. Fintevus signals to some more of his goons.

FINITEVUS: Clean up this mess!

They nod. Bark walks over to Finitevus.

BARK: Doctor, what do you want us to do?

Finitevus smiles.

FINITEVUS: Nothing. This will probably work to our advantage anyway.

BARK: What do you mean?

FINITEVUS: By now Julie-Su will have told Sonic, Sally, and Knuckles who I am. And that means we can fully bring our operation into play.

BARK: Yes Doctor.

FINITEVUS: Bark...prepare Surge. The one she's been waiting for is probably going to be paying us another visit.

BARK: At once.

CUT TO:

EXT. FRONT DOOR, LONGCLAW'S HOUSE, ACADEMIA

A gloved hand, Tails', presses the door bell button.

SFX: *DING DONG*

The door opens and Longclaw appears seeing Tails and Nicole.

LONGCLAW: Oh...hello!

TAILS: Hello Magister Longclaw! My sister and I heard Julie-Su was staying with you and we wanted to...

Nicole steps forward cutting off Tails.

NICOLE: I wanted to apologize for my actions. I did something terrible and I...

LONGCLAW: I understand. Come in.

The two enter.

CUT TO:

INT. STUDY, LONGCLAW'S HOUSE

Julie-Su sits in an easy chair. The sound of the door opening diverts her attention to it. Longclaw enters.

LONGCLAW: Miss Atredis. Her Highness' children to see you.

Julie-Su nods. Tails and Nicole are led in.

JULIE-SU: Nicole...I...

NICOLE: No. Don't say anything, its my fault and I apologize.

JULIE-SU: You really shouldn't. I didn't know what happened to you until your mother told me.

NICOLE: You didn't?

JULIE-SU: No. This might be hard to believe, but there was also a Great War in my world...but we Echidnas were not involved in it.

TAILS: You weren't?

JULIE-SU: No. It was a war between Mobians and our version of your humans, we call them Overlanders.

TAILS: Overlanders...like the one we just had a couple years ago?

JULIE-SU: I...suppose...was that the... Colonization War?

NICOLE: Yes. Eggman manipulated us into fighting each other but we allied against him before it was too late.

JULIE-SU: I see...

NICOLE: So these Overlanders...they're the ones who...killed my family?

JULIE-SU: No they didn't.

NICOLE: What do you mean?

Julie-Su looks around and thinks of how she's going to explain this.

JULIE-SU: You...had no parents. You were made by someone I know named Rotor.

TAILS: Lord Greybelly?

JULIE-SU: Yes I assume so.

Nicole looks down.

NICOLE: So I was just the computer. There was no Nicole Ellidy. It was just it.

JULIE-SU: You were the computer too?

NICOLE: Uh huh. When my family was killed along with almost everyone else in my hometown, I was put into state custody. That meant I could be used for anything. And since I have a genius level IQ, that made me highly desirable for a project that Dr. Robotnik, back when he was still Warlord Julian, planned to use against our country. Basically He put my brain patterns into a satellite and he was going to use the computer to brainwash everyone with it. But I fought back and turned myself into the NICOLE computer that he gave to Sally. And I was like that for thirteen years. Until Daddy found me and got my body back. I know I look like a little girl...but I'm actually 24 years old.

TAILS: She's my little sister who's my big sister.

JULIE-SU: I'm so sorry, Nicole. What was the name of the place you lived in? The place the Dominar attacked.

NICOLE: Furville.

JULIE-SU: Furville...that was a nice big city the last time I saw it.

TAILS: Ours isn't. There's nothing there. Just a graveyard.

NICOLE: Everyone they killed that wasn't burned in the city. They're buried there. Including my mother, Teresa Ellidy, and brother Francis. We call it Slaughter Hill because of what happened.

JULIE-SU: I'd like to see it before I leave. Your parents and Uncle Knuckles are trying to get me and the others back home. But before then I would like to pay my respects to your real mother and brother.

NICOLE: Thank you Miss Atredis.

JULIE-SU: Julie-Su.

Julie-Su smiles. Nicole nods.

NICOLE: Nikki.

CUT TO:

INT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY, COMPUTER ANALYSIS

Director Shearmur enters the computer room flanked by MOLLY WILLIS and PAMELA OSGOOD. Asobin, Tangle, MIKE WATKINS, and CHARLES THORNDYKE are already there.

TANGLE: Director!

SHEARMUR: Enforcer Tangle...

TANGLE: What did we learn? Did your operation to intercept the Rogues pan out?

SHEARMUR: Yes AND no. Unfortunately they got away. However.

Molly brings over a box. Tangle opens it to find another grey ring.

SHEARMUR: Enforcer Osgood has told me you have figured out a way to track their destinations from these rings.

WATKINS: Yeah the act of opening a portal apparently leaves an imprint on the rings. We can triangulate them.

TANGLE: That's how we found them in the first place. Surge slipped up and failed to destroy one.

OSGOOD: Speaking of Surge...Zoe, we got this from Sol's department of corrections.

Osgood hands Tangle a photo. Tangle sees a certain white duckbilled platypus escorting the Babylon Rogues out of prison. Her eyes widen.

TANGLE: I don't believe it...

OSGOOD: Starline was the one who paid their bail. We completely missed it because none of them were on our radar at the time.

SHEARMUR: We now believe he was connected with the Albino all along.

TANGLE: A public front, and after we busted Starline, Finitevus cut him off...

SHEARMUR: Precisely.

TANGLE: Thanks Director.

CUT TO:

INT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY, LOUNGE

Sonic and Sally sit in chairs. Sally is reading an issue of Mobians Weekly and Sonic drinks coffee from a mug. Julie-Su enters.

JULIE-SU: I hope I'm not intruding.

SALLY: Julie-Su, what are you doing here?

JULIE-SU: Bringing your children over so you can send them home.

Tails and Nicole enter. Sonic gets up and stiffens his brow at Nicole.

SONIC: You got out!

TAILS: I let her out.

SALLY: You did?!?

NICOLE: I wanted to apologize. I felt really bad about what I did.

Sonic turns to Julie-Su.

SONIC: Did she?

JULIE-SU: Yes. I think we understand each other better now.

Sonic turns to Nicole.

SONIC: Oh alright you're not grounded anymore.

NICOLE: Thanks Daddy...

SONIC: But next time I say stay out of it, listen to me, okay?

NICOLE: I know, I should have.

Sally comes up to Sonic.

SALLY: I'll take them home with me.

SONIC: Thanks Sal.

The two kiss. Whisper enters.

WHISPER: Your Highness, Lord Amarabi...

SALLY: Yes Enforcer?

WHISPER: We've found 'em.

CUT TO:

INT. HILDYARD MEMORIAL LABORATORY, COMPUTER ANALYSIS

On a giant screen is a map of Northamer. Asobin enters the data from the ring into it. Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Julie-Su Shearmur, Tangle, Whisper, Osgood, and Molly watch as the map zooms into the former Florida coast.

SALLY: The Baronies?

ASOBIN: Yes, Sunshine Coast.

SONIC: Oh great...Ileana's going to be so thrilled there's an Echidna doing things in her city.

KNUCKLES: Lady Octavia?

SALLY: Yes, there are now only two survivors of Furville alive. She's the other one.

JULIE-SU: Oh dear...

LANOLIN SHEARMUR and JEWEL KREUTZER enter. Lanolin sees the map.

LANOLIN: Sunshine Coast...

SHEARMUR: I know that voice!

Shearmur turns, sees his sister, and smiles. Lanolin's eyes widen.

LANOLIN: Rahm!

SHEARMUR: Hey Lani!

The two embrace. Lanolin signals for Jewel to come over.

LANOLIN: Rahm, this is my second, Jewel Kreutzer. Jewel? My brother Rahm.

JEWEL: Director Shearmur...

SHEARMUR: Pleaure to meet you. How's the SF treating you

LANOLIN: I'm doing the best I can. At times I have to wonder if we would be having this many problems if you were still regional chief.

SHEARMUR: You're doing fine Lani. And trust me, running GUN isn't any easier.

LANOLIN: I'll say...

Lanolin gives the stink eye to Tangle, Whisper, Osgood, and Molly who just roll theirs in return. Lanolin turns to Julie-Su.

LANOLIN: And you must be this "Julie-Su" who came out of that ring in Yellow Sands.

JULIE-SU: I suppose I am. I don't think I've had the pleasure of your acquaintance Miss...

LANOLIN: Lanolin Shearmur.

Lanolin turns to Sonic.

LANOLIN: Pete already briefed me, Lord Protector. I realize that the situation with her is very delicate considering her species but please don't shut me out again in favor of your old Freedom Fighter comrades. If I hadn't had to sacrifice myself to help him escape...

Lanolin points to Shearmur.

LANOLIN: I would have been there along aside you instead of doing slave labor as a brainwashed robot for 11 years, remember?!?

SHEARMUR: She's right.

Sonic sighs.

SONIC: Yeah, you would. I'm sorry, Lani, we were going to tell you eventually, but things got crazy.

LANOLIN: Water under the bridge, Lord Protector. So is that where they are?

SONIC: Apparently, yeah.

LANOLIN: Well then Lord Protector, the SF is at your command.

SONIC: Thanks Chief.

SHEARMUR: Professor!

Asobin looks up.

ASOBIN: Yes Director?

SHEARMUR: Is there a way to make this ring detection thing portable? I feel like we're losing valuable time bringing the rings back here.

ASOBIN: All you would need is some wires and our scanning software.

SHEARMUR: Can you provide those to my Enforcers?

ASOBIN: No problem.

Sonic turns to Julie-Su.

SONIC: Julie-Su...

JULIE-SU: Yes?

SONIC: If he's there, we're going to try to get him send you back. Alright?

JULIE-SU: I understand.

The door to the computer room opens and ROTOR GREYBELLY enters. Sally gets up.

SALLY: Lord Greybelly!

Julie-Su turns and sees Rotor.

JULIE-SU: Rotor!

Rotor stops and sees Julie-Su. His mouth drops.

ROTOR: Uhhhh...

JULIE-SU: You...you're not purple!

ROTOR: Uhhh no! No I'm not. That's why I'm Rotor Greybelly, not Rotor Purplebelly!

JULIE-SU: You know I never knew your last name. Hmmm.

Rotor walks over to Sonic and Sally.

ROTOR: Wh--who is...H--how...does she...?

SALLY: Its a long story. I'll tell you on the way back to Mobotropolis.

SONIC: Rote, what are you doing here?

ROTOR: Oh...

Rotor pulls out a satchel. From it he removes a Power Ring.

ROTOR: I went down to the archives. I remembered we saved the last few rings made by the forge when it was still in the lake, and I thought...well...if they got rings they might use them for something other than jumping through space so...

Rotor hands Sonic the ring.

ROTOR: Might as well make it a fair fight.

Sonic nods.

SONIC: Makes sense. Thanks Rote.

Julie-Su eyes the ring.

JULIE-SU: So you have a lake of Rings too!

Sally and Sonic exchange glances.

SONIC: We do. Or at least we used to.

JULIE-SU: Do they make you go faster like ours did?

SONIC: Mmmhmm.

SALLY: But, Julie-Su, based on what we've learned about you, I don't think these are like the ones from your world.

JULIE-SU: Really? In what way.

Asobin walks over.

ASOBIN: Because this, Miss Atredis, is the reason our blood burns blue.

Julie-Su's mouth drops.

JULIE-SU: It is?!?

ASOBIN: Yes! This is called Nibelium. Its a metal developed by the humans about 10,000 years ago as a new clean energy source.

SONIC: It should have saved the Planet Earth from that fuel crisis they were having. But the humans ended up weaponizing and destroying themselves with it instead.

MOLLY: It was only because some of us were chosen to colonize a new homeworld that our race managed to survive by the skin of its teeth.

JULIE-SU: I see. I guess that's another thing we have in common then.

KNUCKLES: What's that, Julie-Su?

JULIE-SU: Your humans invented power rings. An overlander invented ours. I think his name was Nate...Mor...gan?

Sonic's eyes widen.

SONIC: Nate Morgan?!?

Osgood comes over to them.

OSGOOD: Nathanial Morgan? My old CO?!?

Julie-Su shakes her head.

JULIE-SU: You know what? Forget it. It's just a coincidence I'm sure.

Sonic, Sally, Osgood, and Molly exchange glances. Shearmur gets up to leave.

SHEARMUR: Alright, I'm heading back to Mega Central. Tangle...Whisper...you have command here.

TANGLE: Yes Director.

Lanolin groans. Shearmur cocks his eye at her.

SHEARMUR: Lani...

LANOLIN: Ffff-fine.

Sonic and Shearmur look at each other and laugh.

END OF ACT II

Chapter Text

ACT III

EXT. SKY ABOVE SUNSHINE COAST - EVENING

FIVE GUN HELICOPTERS FLY THROUGH THE EVENING SKY TOWARDS THE CITY OF SUNSHINE COAST.

CUT TO:

INT. GUN HELICOPTER

Sonic and Knuckles are handed earpieces by Tangle.

SONIC: What are these?

TANGLE: Latest conduction earbuds. You can stick em anywhere on your head and hear us.

SONIC: Great, the old ones never worked for me.

KNUCKLES: That's because your ears are in the wrong place, Hedgehog.

TANGLE: These are already tuned to our frequency. We'll hang back about five miles. If it gets hairy out there, just tap the bud and we'll hear it.

SONIC: You mean like this?

Sonic taps the bud. However the fact that he's close to all the other mics causes massive feedback that causes Osgood and Whisper to remove their headsets in pain. Whisper turns to Sonic.

WHISPER: Dammit Lord Amarabi!

SONIC: Sorry Matsuburger!

Knuckles turns to Sonic.

KNUCKLES: Guess its time.

SONIC: Yeah.

Sonic turns to the others.

SONIC: Its been a privilege hanging out with you girls but talk about a low budget flight! No food or movies, I'm outta here! I like running better!

Knuckles just rolls his eyes.

KNUCKLES: Every time we get in a plane...

TANGLE: Good luck you two!

KNUCKLES: Thanks Tangle...

Knuckles turns to Whisper.

KNUCKLES: Whisper...

Whisper looks at Knuckles through the corner of her eye then turns away.

WHISPER: Knux.

The doors to the helicopter open and Sonic and Knuckles base jump out of it.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUNSHINE COAST - EVENING

CAPTION: "SUNSHINE COAST"

SONIC AND KNUCKLES DESCEND FROM THE HELICOPTER TOWARDS THE CITY OF SUNSHINE COAST.

CUT TO:

POV. JET

SONIC AND KNUCKLES' DESCENT IS SEEN THROUGH BINOCULARS.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP, SUNSHINE COAST - NIGHT

THE BINOCULARS ARE BEING HELD BY JET WHO QUICKLY PUTS THEM DOWN AND HEADS INTO A STAIRWELL ENTRANCE.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, MACHINE ROOM

A large machine is making something. Finitevus, Bark, and Bean monitor it as Jet enters.

JET: The Yellow Shit's father and The Red Hunter. They're here!

Finitevus smiles.

FINITEVUS: Good. Clear out you three. The time has come to begin the next phase.

BARK: Doctor! What about the press?

FINITEVUS: Don't worry about it. We have so many already and have capacity to build another.

BARK: Very well.

Bark pulls out a ring and opens a warp. He, Bean, and Jet jump into. Bark turns to Finitevus before it closes.

FINITEVUS: I'll see you shortly.

Finitevus snaps his fingers and the warp closes.

CUT TO:

EXT. FACTORY, SUNSHINE COAST - NIGHT

Sonic and Knuckles face Finitevus' factory.

SONIC: Mr. Knuckles...

KNUCKLES: Mr. Hedgehog...

SONIC: Lets do it to it!

Sonic offer his fist to Knuckles.

KNUCKLES: Way past cool.

Knuckles bumps Sonic's fist. The two enter the building.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, MAIN FLOOR

Sonic and Knuckles enter the factory and look around.

KNUCKLES: Something doesn't seem right.

SONIC: You're telling me.

Just then, several of Finitevus' hired goons step out from behind cover and open fire on the two with rifles. Sonic and Knuckles take cover.

KNUCKLES: Small fry?

SONIC: Seems like it. You take left, I'll take right.

KNUCKLES: You're on!

Sonic speeds off and spin dashes in the thugs. As the others are distracted by the sight Knuckles sneaks up on them and piledrives the others into the various crates. Within seconds, the goons are taken care of. Sonic and Knuckles nod at each other and proceed into the next room.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY, MACHINE ROOM

Sonic and Knuckles enter and see the large machine.

SONIC: What on Mobian Earth is that?

KNUCKLES: Careful Hedgehog...

Sonic nods and approaches the machine. He looks and sees that it is making something. Yellow energy is being fed through its conduits, being smelted and formed. Sonic follows it to the end of machine. And there, he sees the final product. A gold ring much like the ones produced by the Ring Forge in Knothole. Sonic's eyes widen.

SONIC: Impossible...

FINITEVUS: (O.S.) I know. Impressive isn't it?

Sonic and Knuckles turn to see Finitevus standing behind them.

FINITEVUS: Think of all the rings I've made with this machine and the others like it.

SONIC: And you used some fake Nibelium to do it too.

FINITEVUS: Who says it was Nibelium? There are other metals in this vast multiverse of ours that can produce rings that work exactly like yours. But, of course, you never thought of that because, until you met me and her, you thought you were the one and only Sonic and Knuckles, didn't you?

Sonic and Knuckles exchange glances.

SONIC: I...suppose.

KNUCKLES: So they're something like Nibelium but from somewhere else, that's why they don't turn to dust?

Finitevus nods.

FINITEVUS: Yes, indeed. A rather unfortunate side effect that has allowed many the perfect crime to go spoiled. Nevertheless they do work and serve their function.

SONIC: How DO they work anyway?

FINITEVUS: I'm afraid I can't tell you that just yet.

KNUCKLES: Why not? We just want to send Julie-Su back home.

FINITEVUS: Home? But why Knuckles? Don't you appreciate the gift I've given you?

KNUCKLES: Gift?

FINITEVUS: Yes. I was hoping you were enjoying her company. You see Julie-Su loves you very much. Or more precisely...she loves him.

KNUCKLES: The one from her world.

FINITEVUS: Yes.

SONIC: If Julie-Su loves her Knuckles so much, why can't they be together again?

FINITEVUS: I'm afraid I can't tell you that Sonic.

SONIC: I'm Lord Amarabi asshole.

FINITEVUS: Not from where I'm from. You're just a commoner named Ogilvie Maurice Hedgehog, although you hated your first name so much you changed it to Sonic.

Sonic smirks.

SONIC: Well there's ONE thing we have in common...

FINITEVUS: That's really the only thing. Your parents are named Jules and Bernadette and your dear departed Charles Hildyard actually WAS your Uncle Chuck. You're an only child too. No Sonya, no Manak, no Aleena.

KNUCKLES: So why not tell me then?

FINITEVUS: Because that's a conversation for another time and another place. You on the other hand have a pressing engagement with someone else.

SONIC: Someone else?

FINITEVUS: Yes!

Finitevus pulls out a remote with a red button. He presses is and an door in the back of the room slowly slides open. Sonic and Knuckles look at it. Stepping out from it...is ASHURA SURGE.

FINITEVUS: Allow me to introduce you to the result of my great collaboration with the bioengineer Starline: Ashura Surge. She's an improvement and refinement of a creature from my world known as SCOURGE. And she's been waiting for this day for a VERY long time!

SONIC: Knux...

KNUCKLES: Yeah.

The two jump Surge but are immediately blasted away by her electroshock.

SONIC: Aaack.

KNUCKLES: *Coughs*

FINITEVUS: Now listen here Knuckles. I have another warehouse in Old Town at the corner of E-street and Clotho Avenue. You want answers, you meet me there in 30 minutes. Understood?

Knuckles grunts.

FINITEVUS: Good! I'll see you then. Bye bye for now!

Finitevus tosses another ring and jumps through its warp. Sonic and Knuckles attempt to follow him but are blocked by Surge as the portal closes.

SURGE: Its just you and me now. We're going to have so much fun together!

Sonic turns to Knuckles.

SONIC: Knux...Go...just go!

Knuckles nods and runs off.

SONIC: Oh look! Now you can't beat us both up!

SURGE: I don't even care about him! The Doctors designed me for one purpose and one purpose only...to kill you!

Surge shoots Sonic with another electrobolt smashing him against the wall. He is slow to regain his breath from the attack. Just as he is about to however, Surge kicks him in the head sending him flying to the other side of the room. She looks at him with a sneer of contempt.

SURGE: Maybe they made me too well. I didn't expect you to be this pathetic.

Sonic slowly gets up, coughing up blood in the process.

SONIC: Pathetic? I'm just getting warmed up! I can go all night with ya!

SURGE: Sure you can!

Surge blasts Sonic again. Sonic begins to breath heavily as Surge stands over him about ready to lay the finishing blow.

SURGE: Game over!

Sonic opens his eyes and looks at Surge.

SONIC: Oh hey...

SURGE: What?

SONIC: Look behind you!

SURGE: Huh?

Surge turns around and sees nothing. This allows Sonic to jump and kick her in the head. Sonic runs out of the room.

CUT TO:

EXT. FACTORY, SUNSHINE COAST - NIGHT

Sonic quickly exits the building. He puts his hand to the earpiece on his head.

SONIC: Tangle! Do you copy? Over!

TANGLE: (V.O.) Loud and clear Lord Amarabi! What happened?

SONIC: Your Tenrec! She's here!

TANGLE: (V.O.) What?!?

CUT TO:

INT. GUN HELICOPTER

Tangle, Whisper, and Osgood are terrified by what they hear.

SONIC: (V.O.) She says Finitevus and Starline did whatever they did to her to create something that would kill me! Is that true???

Whisper puts on her headset.

WHISPER: Lord Amarabi, its Whisper. Unfortunately, it is.

CUT TO:

EXT. FACTORY, SUNSHINE COAST - NIGHT

Sonic continues to walk away gingerly from the factory.

SONIC: Well that's just greaaat!

TANGLE: (V.O.) Stay there Sonic we'll get a squad out there to help.

Just then the steel door to the factory blows off. Sonic turns and sees Surge step through it.

SONIC: On second thought, you might have to catch me.

TANGLE: (V.O.) Catch you?!?

Sonic speeds off. Surge licks her lips and sets off in pursuit.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUNSHINE COAST, STREET - NIGHT

Sonic speeds down the street. Just then another electrobolt strikes a building his right sending debris flying all over the place. Sonic narrowly avoids it and turns to his back seeing Surge running after him and gaining in speed. Sonic's eyes widen and he taps his earpiece.

SONIC: Tangle! You didn't tell me she could run as fast as me!

TANGLE: (V.O.) Oh yeah! Forgot about that.

Another electrobolt sends more debris flying at Sonic. He spin attacks his way around them.

SONIC: There's got to be something I can do... Something I can...

Suddenly Sonic has an idea.

SONIC: Wait a minute.

From behind him, Sonic pulls out the Power Ring given to him by Rotor. He graps it in his hands and...

SFX: *RING CHIME*

The ring activates and Sonic creates a massive amount of space between him and Surge. Surge just smiles at the sight. As Sonic goes faster he begins to breath a little bit unaware that Surge...has actually caught up with him. Sonic turns and sees Surge who waves to him.

SURGE: Hiiiiii!

Surge then pulls out something Sonic was totally not expecting to see...another Power Ring. Sonic's eyes widen.

SONIC: Oh shit!

Surge fires again and Sonic has to jump out of the way. The momentum from the jump and the force produced by the explosion pushes him forward and gaining distance in the progress. Sonic taps his earpiece.

SONIC: Tangle! She can use rings!

TANGLE: (V.O.) WHAT?!?

CUT TO:

INT. GUN HELICOPTER

Tangle's jaw hangs low from that reply.

SONIC: (V.O.) SHE CAN USE RINGS! SHE REALLY IS JUST AS FAST AS ME!

Tangle turns to Whisper's whose expression is equally terrified.

WHISPER: An exact copy in every detail...

Tangle looks at a screen displaying a map of Sunshine Coast.

TANGLE: Sonic where are you at now?

SONIC: (V.O.) I'm coming out of this industrial part of town. Oh crap...

TANGLE: What is it?

CUT TO:

EXT. SUNSHINE COAST, DOWNTOWN - NIGHT

Sonic is now running into a very well lit part of Sunshine Coast with lots of innocent bystanders.

SONIC: I think I'm in downtown! There are lot of shoppers here!

TANGLE: (V.O.) Just keep running and avoid contact. There's a marina nearby that should have less people around.

SONIC: Alright.

Another bolt goes off in the direction of a department store. Part of its facade comes off and swings towards a mother Mobian and its child. Sonic rushes over and pushes them to safety. The incident is enough for Surge to gain on him.

SURGE: Now look what you made me do!

SONIC: I didn't make you do anything! You're the one threatening the lives of these people!

SURGE: Not my fault you're not paying attention to where you're going, Mr. Gotta Go Fast!

As Surge continues her pursuit, the GUN helicopter flies over their heads.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUNSHINE COAST, MARINA

SONIC APPROACHES THE MARINA. HE RUNS ONTO A DOCK AND STARTS DOING A SERIES OF HAIR PIN TURNS AROUND ITS MANY BENDS. SURGE FIRES ON HIM AGAIN BUT ONLY MANAGES TO SINK A COUPLE SMALL YACHTS. AFTER GETTING OFF OF THE PIER, SONIC HEADS TO A LESS POPULATED SECTION OF THE CITY.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUNSHINE COAST, SLUM - NIGHT

Sonic continues to run. He sees that Surge has lost a lot energy in the Marina and is falling behind. He taps his earpiece.

SONIC: Tangle! She's lost a lot of momentum. Is there anywhere I can go!?!

TANGLE: (V.O.) There's an old building with a flat roof top on your left and a fire escape. Can you get up there?

SONIC: I can try!

Sonic jumps on to the fire escape and ascends up its rickety stairs to the roof.

CUT TO:

EXT. OLD TOWN - NIGHT

KNUCKLES ARRIVES AT ANOTHER OLD WAREHOUSE. HE LOOKS AROUND TO SEE WHERE THE LOCATION OF IT IS AND SEES THAT IS E-STREET AND CLOTHO AVENUE. HE HEADS OVER AND ENTERS. NOT NOTICING THAT WAVE SLAMS A METAL GATE OVER THE EXIT BEHIND HIM.

CUT TO:

EXT. BUILDING, ROOF - NIGHT

Sonic reaches the top of the building and catches his breath again. Unfortunately he doesn't have much time to as Surge crashes onto its top using her electroshock as a vault. Surge shakes herself off and turns to Sonic.

SURGE: Nowhere to hide now!

Sonic steps back.

SONIC: What happened to you? You don't seem like a bad girl, did Starline cause this?

SURGE: Doesn't matter. This is how I want to be from now on! The only problem is I don't get to beat you up anymore.

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

SURGE: I know! So say goodbye!

Surge prepares to shoot again, but is suddenly shot herself! Sonic turns and sees Whisper standing on the exit of the roof with her Pacifier. Sonic smiles.

SONIC: Thanks Whisper!

Whisper smiles in return.

WHISPER: Don't mention it Lord Amarabi.

Surge wipes her face off and turns to Sonic and Whisper.

SURGE: YOU! ITS ALWAYS YOU TWO!

Surge begins to fire on the pair when something attaches itself to her kneck, causing her electroshock to go dead. Surge looks up and sees its Tangle who caused it.

TANGLE: GUN had to develop something to neutralize that electroshock of yours. Looks like it just worked!

Surge struggles to get up but is shot with a restrainer by Molly.

MOLLY: Ashura Surge, you're under arrest for escaping from detention in Steel Harbor on top of all the other original charges of larceny.

SURGE: Grrrrrr.

Sonic turns to the three Enforcers.

SONIC: Thanks girls, I really owe ya.

WHISPER: Director Shearmur still keeps a tab of all the times he saved your butt in Knothole. We'll make sure he adds it.

SONIC: Oh swell...

TANGLE: Sonic, what happened to Knuckles?

SONIC: Knuckles...Oh crap! He's in Old Town!

MOLLY: Go after him! We'll follow!

SONIC: Right!

Sonic jumps off the building and onto the street.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE, OLD TOWN

Finitevus sits in a chair in the room, calmly waiting. Just then Knuckles kicks down the door.

FINITEVUS: You've come! Good! At last we can talk without the great Hero of Mobius interrupting us.

KNUCKLES: Why's that so important, Finitevus? Why force Sonic to deal with your little toy, Surge?

FINITEVUS: Ashura Surge has her purpose and lets just say her purpose right now involves allowing me to have this conversation just with you.

KNUCKLES: Fine, I'll play your little game. Now, why come here? What happened to your world? Why couldn't you just stay there?

Finitevus gets out of his chair and approaches Knuckles.

FINITEVUS: Because we couldn't. That's why.

KNUCKLES: Is this all because of Royston Thrash? You're afraid your kind will be slaughtered by him if he realizes you deceived him?

FINITEVUS: Oh no Thrash was nothing more than a useful fool. The fate of our world is far worse then you could possible imagine.

Knuckles' expression turns quizzical.

KNUCKLES: What?

FINITEVUS: Eggman...

KNUCKLES: Robotnik?!?

FINITEVUS: Yes.

Finitevus turns away from Knuckles.

FINITEVUS: Not long after the incident with Thrash, Eggman made an attempt to erase Sonic The Hedgehog from history. He completely failed to do so as usual but he did manage to do one thing.

KNUCKLES: What?

FINITEVUS: He erased us. Our Knuckles' whole family, his whole race. Or at least...he thought he did.

KNUCKLES: Thought he did?

FINITEVUS: Yes. You see Knuckles, somebody saw it coming, me. A long time ago, I had a vision. A vision of our planet being consumed in a green flame. That flame...was Eggman's history eraser. He called it the Super Genesis Wave.

KNUCKLES: The Super Genesis Wave?

FINITEVUS: Yes, and because I knew it was coming, I also knew we would not make it. So I created a way for our kind to survive. I had planned to put them in the Twilight Cage but it was too tethered to my Mobius to be able to survive the effects of the wave. So I made a perfect replica of it. Albeit one completely disconnected from our dimension that would shield our race from its effects. However I also knew our kind would not accept my attempt to "save" us, so I manipulated Thrash into doing the work for me. I allowed him to have a ring, I gave him notes on how to turn it into a warp ring, and then I told him precisely where to put the Echidnas of Albion.

KNUCKLES: And that Dark Egg Legion of yours too...

Finitevus is surprised.

FINITEVUS: Oh you're familiar with them as well?

KNUCKLES: Only in that Julie-Su said they also got sucked into Thrash's Warp Ring but had gone missing.

Finitevus' mouth drops in surprise.

FINITEVUS: Really! That's...odd. Probably for the best anyway. They would have killed each other if I kept them in the same place. Also I've had a bit of a falling out with The Dark Legion's leadership and they'd probably try to kill me next.

KNUCKLES: I see.

FINITEVUS: Anyway, I spent an eternity leaping through dimensions to find a world suitable for our kind to return to. But...

KNUCKLES: But what?

FINITEVUS: What Eggman did to my Mobius caused major damage to the core of the planet. That damage in turn caused my multiverse to collapse upon itself. Thousands of Zones ceasing to exist. It was only through the efforts of your Lord Amarabi that his world and a few others were spared. Luckily for me, I found myself on one of those worlds.

KNUCKLES: Well if your Mobius somehow survived all of that, AND the Cage existed outside reality, then why not go back home and start all over again?

Finitevus' expression turns darker.

FINITEVUS: That's the thing. I did return to my Mobius, Mobius Prime. I was running out of Warp Rings and didn't have much of a choice. So I came back, and I was shocked by what I found.

KNUCKLES: What?

Finitevus turns and faces Knuckles.

FINITEVUS: I'm sure your familiar with the process of Roboticization correct?

KNUCKLES: Yes. Its what Robotnik used to conquer Northamer here. Apparently he roboticized Sally with a previous Genesis Wave.

FINITEVUS: Indeed he did. Well after he erased history, Eggman learned he had also erased all development of Roboticization made by Charles Hedgehog in our world. As a result Sally was fine again. So Robotnik came up with another plan. Roboticization through a biological contaminate. A Metal Virus.

KNUCKLES: A Metal Virus?!?

FINITEVUS: Yes. One communicated through touch. It turned those it came in contact into robotic zombies. And, as usual, Eggman completely misjudged its effectiveness. Unlike the roboticized Mobians of the Pre-Super Genesis Wave, he couldn't control them. And with everyone infecting themselves with the virus, there was nothing he could do but run away. As such, the virus went out of control and consumed the whole planet. Its a wasteland now of mindless metal creatures praying on the small handful of survivors. I saw the horror with my own eyes and was told the story by one of those survivors before I fled too. In desperation I went to a place where I could find more rings. And when I woke up I found myself in an unfamiliar world, Earth-S. It was then I discovered that it was the hub world of another multiverse. So I began to explore again, traveling through multiple realities until I found this world, Earth-H. A world very similar to ours. The same people, the same date, but free from Eggman, and with some glaring differences as well.

KNUCKLES: The Dominar instead of those humans of yours.

FINITEVUS: Yes, the Overlanders. And because of the Dominar, it seemed to be a bit of a challenge to reintegrate us into society, but then I realized I had the perfect olive branch. You, my boy, the last survivor, the one whose proven to be a hero in a world that hates him.

KNUCKLES: Sorry Finitevus but I don't think I can help. The well's too poisoned and we've had difficulty getting Julie-Su around the Domain even if she's not like me.

FINITEVUS: Yes...no blue stuff in our blood. Has she told you what happened?

KNUCKLES: Something about some alien race destroying humanity on a genetic level and our DNA getting mixed up with humans.

FINITEVUS: Yes, the Xorda.

KNUCKLES: It still doesn't change what people think of our kind though.

FINITEVUS: They're suffering in there though. You saw how Julie-Su reacted when I let her out.

KNUCKLES: Doesn't matter. They're safer in there.

FINITEVUS: Are they really?

Finitevus pulls out a warp ring and tosses it at the wall. The portal opens.

FINITEVUS: Why don't you tell it to their faces then? How the great race of Echidnas is doomed to live a lifetime of misery in a dimension of eternal agony.

KNUCKLES: You know I can't do that!

FINITEVUS: Well you're going to have to Knuckles.

Finitevus pulls out a tube with a flashing button which he presses.

FINITEVUS: Because there's a bomb in this building.

KNUCKLES: What?!?

FINITEVUS: It will explode in 15 seconds and all the exits are now sealed. The only way out is through that gate. You better hurry.

Finitevus drops a warp ring on the ground.

FINITEVUS: Ta-ta!

Finitevus jumps down the Warp Ring which immediately closes. Knuckles grits his teeth and runs for the portal. He jumps through...

MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. TWILIGHT CAGE

THIS SEQUENCE IS IN 1.78:1

...and falls right into the main green of a village that has been built in the Twilight Cage. Several Echidnas come to his side.

ECHIDNA #1: I don't believe it! Its him!

ECHIDNA #2: Quick somebody get the Matriarch!

CUT TO:

EXT. OLD TOWN, SUNSHINE COAST

SONIC RUSHES TO THE WAREHOUSE THAT FINITEVUS ESCAPED TO. HE PREPARES TO BREAK IN WHEN THE WHOLE WAREHOUSE EXPLODES FROM FINITEVUS' BOMB. THE CONCUSSIVE FORCE PUSHES SONIC BACK. HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SEES THE WARP RING STILL ACTIVE. BEFORE HE CAN APPROACH IT THOUGH, IT CLOSES. SONIC RUNS OVER AND SEES THE NOW EXPIRED WARP RING ON THE GROUND. HE PICKS IT UP AND LOOKS UP TO THE SKY.

CREDITS

PREVIEW

LARA-LE: It's alright...I'm here now.

KNUCKLES: Miss, I don't know anything about you. I don't even know where I am.

LARA-LE: Don't you recognize me? Don't you recognize your own mother?!?

KNUCKLES: Mo-mother?!?

CAPTION: "TRAPPED IN THE TWILIGHT CAGE..."

KNUCKLES: Are you...supposed to be my...father?

WYNMACHER: No Knuckles, your father is dead. I'm your stepfather.

CAPTION: "UNABLE TO SAVE ANY OF THEM..."

KNUCKLES: Listen. I have not lost my memory. I am simply not the man you think I am.

LARA-LE: You may think that...But I know my blood...and you have it.

KNUCKLES: Do I? Do I really?

CAPTION: "ONLY ONE OPTION..."

LARA-LE: You really aren't my son are you?

KNUCKLES: No. I'm a Knuckles from another world. Another reality. Not yours.

LARA-LE: So why are you here? Why isn't it my Knuckles?

CAPTION: "THE TRUTH!"

KNUCKLES: Because...your son is dead.

LARA-LE: What?!?

KNUCKLES: (V.O.) Next episode: "The Twilight Cage". Two worlds are about to collide!