Episode 2/Script

INT. CITY HALL - DAY

Jason King, the mayor, stands in awe at the middle of City Hall office. In front of him stands Amy, Rouge, Knuckles, Eggman, Tails, Silver, and most importantly, most shockingly, Sonic the Hedgehog back from the dead.

Except even more surprising than the fact that Sonic is alive is the fact that Sonic is clearly no longer a hedgehog. He has transformed into a human man. As to how either of these things occurred, no one knows why.

JASON

The prophecy has been fulfilled. That was the whole entire point of this plan. You were dead; you're alive. The world has gone to shit.

SONIC

It's gone to heaven compared to what it was, that's for sure.

JASON

What..? How.. What happened to you..?

SONIC

It's a long story. I was brought back to life, though.

AMY

By who? Why would they go through that all that trouble?

SONIC

He did it for one reason. To beat you, Jason King. He said he wouldn't rest until he put an end to you. He brought me back to life so that I could battle you. He put me up to this so none of his kind would have to fight.

AMY

Who did this to you..?

SONIC

Daedalus.

JASON

(Chuckling)

Ha ha... That crazy bastard... I told him to his face that he was crazy.

Sonic maintains a stone-face expression, despite the fact that Jason is laughing at him.

Sonic slowly walks forward.

Sonic grabs hold of the laughing, guffawing mayor.

Sonic leaps into the air.

Sonic brings his knee up.

Sonic, with one swift motion, head-butts the mayor in the nose.

Blood starts trickling down his nose.

Sonic pulls his arms back, and quickly slaps the mayor with both hands.

The mayor stops laughing, and looks at Sonic with a start.

The mayor swiftly backs up, and starts shaking. He's absolutely terrified.

Sonic slowly stands back up, with an extremely dark look in his eyes.

His pupils have transformed into that of a reptilian creature.

EGGMAN

What the fuck...?

SONIC

I'm sorry. I tried so hard to contain it.

Sonic leaps forward, and tackles the mayor.

They both fall down onto the cold stone ground.

The two begin to wrestle.

Sonic clearly has the upper hand, dominating the older man.

He lands a devastating elbow right onto the center of the mayor's face.

KNUCKLES

Sonic, stop! You've made your point!

Sonic doesn't stop.

He picks the mayor up off the ground with two hands, and takes him over his head.

The mayor flies in the air, flipping upside down.

He slams onto the ground, back first.

The mayor starts coughing up blood onto the white flooring.

He gets up, and stares at the blood on the floor.

JASON

(cough cough)

You didn't need to do that.

Sonic pushes him over again.

Sonic leaps onto his chest and starts punching him in the face repeatedly.

Sonic continues to hit him with ferocious intensity. He smashes the mayor's face into a bloody plup.

Sonic suddenly stops.

He jumps off the mayor, and walks away.

JASON

(cough)

You've proved your point. Whatever he did to you, he's paid the price. You can have your city back. You've beaten me.

Sonic doesn't say a word.

Sonic turns around, and looks at the mayor.

Sonic snarls, showing his teeth.

SONIC

No. This isn't over yet.

The mayor looks up at him in fear.

Sonic leaps into the air.

He gains momentum and comes crashing down, slamming his foot into the mayor's chest.

The blow knocks the wind out of him, and causes him to fall into unconsciousness.

Sonic gets up, and starts walking away.

AMY

Wait! What about the...?

SONIC

I'm done here.

Sonic exits the room, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

He leaves City Hall, and looks at the burned-out husk of a town around him.

Sonic smiles for the first time in what feels like years.

The town. It's his.

EXT. THE FOREST - DAY

Shadow the Hedgehog and Princess Elise are sitting side by side on a rock, staring up at the clouds.

ELISE

I didn't know you played an instrument, Shadow.

SHADOW

Yeah. I know how to play the piano. Well, I guess not me specifically, my user did.

ELISE

You're so interesting, you know that?

ELISE

I always felt like we had a lot in common.

SHADOW

I guess we do.

Elise leans over and kisses Shadow on the cheek. Shadow's face is filled with shock. He's blushing and is unsure of what to do.

SHADOW

Um... Was that really necessary?

ELISE

Why not?

SHADOW

Well... Because...

ELISE

C'mon, you're way too serious. Live a little!

SHADOW

I just don't think this is right.

ELISE

Why not?

SHADOW

I dunno. Because... We're not married?

ELISE

What does that have to do with anything?

Suddenly, Shadow's communicator goes off.

VECTOR

(on the communicator)

Shadow, we need you back at the Chaotix building. We got another mission for you. We've been getting a lot of requests for you recently.

SHADOW

I'm not really in the mood right now, Vector. Can't you get someone else?

ELISE

(Getting up)

What kind of mission?

SHADOW

It could be anything. Surveillance, search and rescue, investigating an odd noise, you know the deal.

ELISE

Wow, you must be really good at what you do.

SHADOW

Apparently not, seeing as I'm turning down work.

ELISE

Well, I guess I better get going. It was nice seeing you, even if you were being a downer at first.

ELISE

(Whispering)

And it was nice kissing you too.

Shadow stares at her as she leaves.

VECTOR

Shadow, did you hear me?

SHADOW

Yeah, I'll be right there.

INT. CHAOTIX BUILDING - DAY

Shadow enters the building, where Vector is waiting for him.

VECTOR

There you are, Shadow. Where were you?

SHADOW

None of your business. What's the job?

VECTOR

Surveillance job. We need you to keep an eye on a potential suspect.

SHADOW

Who?

VECTOR

Some scientist working at a facility called Skygard.

SHADOW

What's he up to?

VECTOR

Who knows? Probably nothing good. Just keep an eye on him. We'll pay you the standard fee for this.

SHADOW

And if I find out he's up to something?

VECTOR

We'll pay you double.

SHADOW

Alright.

VECTOR

But, uh... you realize this is an odd job, right?

SHADOW

What do you mean?

VECTOR

Well, it's an odd job. The main job is you just have to watch this guy. If anything happens, break the window of his car and we'll know you need back-up.

SHADOW

But what if I need back up?

VECTOR

Don't you think if you need back-up, that we'll already know and we'll be there? I mean, we got a satellite over the city, we got drones watching from the sky and we got invisible satellites too.

SHADOW

How do you know they're invisible?

VECTOR

It's easy. Just look for the guy in the tight suit and sunglasses walking around.

SHADOW

Funny.

VECTOR

So, do you accept the job?

SHADOW

Sure, why not? Might be good to get my mind off things.

VECTOR

Glad to hear it.

CHARMY BEE enters the room.

CHARMY

Shadow, I heard you were taking the job.

SHADOW

What are you doing here, Charlemagne?

CHARMY

(Sigh)

I work here.

SHADOW

No you don't.

CHARMY

Yes I do.

SHADOW

No, you don't. You're not smart enough to do any of the stuff that requires a brain.

INT. CITY HALL - EVENING

Amy, Rouge, Knuckles, Eggman, Tails, and Silver gather around the book of prophecies. It is closed on the table.

EGGMAN

We're almost ready for tonight. I just need to do one more check on the book of prophecies to make sure everything is in order. (Turning the pages) Let's see... (Reading) The one known as Shadow will find himself at a crossroads. Will he save the world, or allow it to burn?

Tails turns to Silver.

TAILS

So, did you bring it?

SILVER

I've got it right here.

Silver takes out a black cube with glowing buttons on it.

TAILS

What is that?

SILVER

A PlayStation 2. They don't have them here?

TAILS

I've heard of them, but never seen one. I didn't know they were so small now.

SILVER

It's a lot smaller than the last one.

KNUCKLES

What are you two doing?! We need to focus.

SILVER

I'm focused! And this will help me focus!

Silver puts the PS2 on the table. Tails turns to Knuckles.

TAILS

It's fine, Knuckles. He needs to concentrate. Just keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't break anything.

Tails leaves with Doctor Eggman, Amy, and Rouge. Silver turns to Knuckles.

SILVER

It'll be fine! I just need to... do... this!

SILVER puts in the game, and turns on the PS2. It shows a familiar sight.

SILVER

Ah, here it is!

SILVER grabs a pad of paper and a pen. He begins to sketch the screen.

SILVER

(Murmuring)

Okay... Let's see... The main character is a black hedgehog with red shoes... And there's the logo...

KNUCKLES

Is that who I think it is?

SILVER

Yeah! It's Shadow the Hedgehog!

Knuckles picks up the cube from the table, and stares at it in disbelief.

SILVER

What are you doing?

KNUCKLES

This game... It's non-fiction. You're playing Shadow's life.

SILVER

Knuckles, put that down! That's expensive!

Shadow appears on the screen.

SILVER

Here he is. That's the main character.

Knuckles stares at the screen, and then at Silver.

KNUCKLES

Is this true?

SILVER

I can't lie to you, Knuckles. You deserve the truth.

The camera slowly zooms in on Silver as the screen turns to the Sega logo.

SILVER

I'm Shadow the Hedgehog.

INT. SKYGARD - EVENING

Shadow stands, looking out the window at the city of Acorn in the distance. He walks away from the window and turns to face the door.

SHADOW

I'm Shadow the Hedgehog.

The door opens. Shadow looks to see who it is. He sees...

A small flying robot, about the size of a soccer ball, floats into the room.

Shadow hides so as not to compromise his position. He has to find this scientist he was supposed to keep an eye on. He can't let him leave.

The robot floats around the room, scanning the ground. It stops, scanning the bed Shadow was lying on. The robot looks around the room, confused. It lifts up into the air, flying out of the room. Shadow stays put, waiting to see where it went.

Shadow hears the sounds of electric engines. He steps out of the room and into the small hallway. He looks around. The hallway is empty. He hears the engines again, this time coming from behind a door to the right.

Shadow opens the door. Inside, he finds a robot with a red, circular body and a long, black telescope for a neck. The robot has one large, black eye. The robot is plugged into the wall. Shadow recognizes this robot.

The robot is a Security Android, or "S-Lin" for short. Shadow knows this robot type records everything it sees. The last thing Shadow needs right now is for this robot to see him. He pulls out a Chaos Spear and charges it with dark energy. He enters the room and approaches the robot, ready to destroy it before it can see him.

Shadow raises his spear, but stops himself. He notices the robot is looking at him, or rather, through him. The robot doesn't see him. He realizes the robot is blind. Shadow feels stupid. He drops the spear and leaves the room.

The robot's voice buzzes through the air.

S-LIN

Threat identified. Unregistered creature detected. Entry denied. Voice authorization required.

A hatch opens in the robot's body, revealing a screen. A keyboard pops out of the screen.

S-LIN

Voice authorization.

A hatch on the opposite wall opens, revealing a red button. Shadow looks at it, wondering what it is.

Shadow presses the button. The screen lights up. The keyboard disappears back into the robot's body.

S-LIN

Received voice authorization. Welcome, Chief.

The robot's eye turns from red to green.

S-LIN

Threat Identified. Unregistered creature detected. Entry denied.

The robot floats into the corner of the room and turns off.

SHADOW

Moron.

Shadow leaves the robot behind and searches the complex. He moves quickly through the hallways, staying alert for anything out of the ordinary. He keeps his distance, never letting anything get too close.

He then hears a familiar voice: It's the scientist he's meant to locate and watch. Shadow follows the sound of the voice. It leads him to a large room filled with scientists working away at computers.

He looks around, trying to find the voice's owner. He looks to the left. He looks to the right. He then sees him in the back of the room.

Dr. Gerald is at a terminal, reading through some files. He doesn't realize his microphone is on, and he's speaking out loud.

GERALD

(muttering)

And those idiots think I'd kill them over some stupid mistakes... You know what? I would!

The man giggles, as if the thought of murder is amusing to him.

GERALD

(muttering)

Ugh, I'm not even supposed to be here.

Gerald closes the file in his hands and gets up from the terminal. He's about to leave, until he spots Shadow hiding in the shadows. His eyes widen in fear.

GERALD

He's here.

Shadow steps out of the darkness and approaches Gerald. Gerald trembles in utter terror.

SHADOW

You were saying?

GERALD

(weakly)

I wasn't saying anything.

Gerald seems to know who Shadow is, why he's here.

SHADOW

Liar.

Shadow steps forward and grabs him by the collar of his coat. He lifts him into the air.

SHADOW

Why did you lie?

Gerald is unable to speak, he can only tremble in fear. Shadow sees a Doctor Wyatt across the room in a similar predicament. She too is in a state of fear, but her expression tells Shadow she'd rather die than show fear. Shadow drops Gerald on the floor. He looks at her.

SHADOW

Why would a doctor thrive around death, but be afraid to die?

He gets an idea.

SHADOW

(muttering)

I'll soon find out.

He walks over to the woman and lifts her into the air. She gasps, too terrified to scream. Shadow takes her over to the tank with the G-Type. Gerald watches in horror, but does nothing to intervene.

SHADOW

(whispering)

Do you know what this is?

He points at the tank. The woman shakes her head.

SHADOW

(muttering)

Liar, liar.

He drops her.

GERALD

Stop. Leave her alone, you monster!

SHADOW

You're the monster. And I'm the hero.

DR. WYATT

(weakly)

The hero does not kill.

The woman struggles to get back up, but upon hearing her words, Shadow drops her again.

SHADOW

What did you say?

DR. WYATT

You heard me.

SHADOW

And what would you know about it? A weakling doctor too cowardly to act.

Suddenly, Shadow's communicator chimes in. It's Vector's voice on the other line.

VECTOR

(over communicator)

Shadow, the mission has been scrubbed. The government is on to us. You're being ordered back to HQ immediately.

SHADOW

Understood. I'll be there shortly.

He looks to Gerald and Dr. Wyatt.

SHADOW

(muttering)

The mission'll just have to wait.

He flips his communicator off and considers his options. He could stun them with a stun gun, knock them out with a gas-bomb, or simply kill them.

Please choose one:

A) Stun gun.

B) Knock-out gas.

C) Kill them.

SHADOW

I'll tear them apart.

As Gerald and Dr. Wyatt wait for their fate, Shadow laughs manically and takes a step towards the two of them. Gerald closes his eyes and braces for impact. Dr. Wyatt does the same. Shadow grabs Gerald with unnatural speed and holds him in the air.

SHADOW

Do you know why your experiment failed?

GERALD

Experiment??? You mean the Ultimate Lifeform?! HAHA, that was no experiment! That was unadulterated forward progress! I mean, just look at what it did to your friend!

Gerald presses a button on a nearby console, a screen lights up with security footage of the battle between Sonic and Ultimate Lifeform. Sonic lies on the floor, taking his final breath.

SHADOW

(muttering)

That wasn't supposed to happen...

GERALD

Maybe not... But it's what made the project so interesting! And it's what gave me the idea.

Shadow drops Gerald.

SHADOW

...idea?

GERALD

(sigh)

Yes. The idea that by creating life, you could avoid death.

SHADOW

Avoid death? You can't avoid death. You can only postpone it.

GERALD

Precisely.

Gerald smiles, as if he's just won an argument.

GERALD

I'm so smart.

Vector chimes in again on the communicator.

VECTOR

Shadow, please tell me you're on your way.

SHADOW

I just got done telling you I was.

GERALD

(muttering)

Lying asshole.

Shadow glares at Gerald and uses Chaos Control to teleport out of the room. Gerald sighs in disappointment.

GERALD

No more fun.

The video cuts to static, then goes back to the news report. The anchor is standing in front of the ruins of Station Square.

REPORTER

-but among the rubble and carnage, remaining citizens of Station Square just have one question-- WHO was behind this destruction? And what happens when they return, hungry for more?

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY

Sonic the Human struts down the streets, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. His clothes are heavily gothic, and his hair is died an obnoxious shade of red.

SONIC

My town! Bad guys better watch out, I'm gonna kick their asses!

He laughs at his own terrible joke.

SONIC

So, where to?

Sonic spies a trio of figures sitting on a park bench. They're heavily damaged, and they seem to be covered in scales. As he gets closer, he realizes they're robots!

SONIC

What the hell?

Sonic looks around. There are dozens of the figures, all similar to the three at the bench. He walks over.

Sonic leans over and squints, trying to read what is left of the plaque at the base of the bench. He manages to be able to make out one word: "Friends."

The robots are littered throughout the city. All that's left is their exoskeletons, broken beyond repair.

As he returns back to the bench, his communicator begins to beep. He flips it open.

VECTOR

(over communicator)

Shadow. Why aren't you at the base?

SONIC

Not Shadow! You got the wrong number. Screw off!

VECTOR

Actually, I don't think I have.

The camera pans out, revealing dozens of robots scattered throughout the city.

SONIC

Vector, it's Sonic. Shadow is on a different line. Is there something I can help you with?

VECTOR

Actually, yes. I'm sending you a video of what we saw on the news. We need your help identifying it.

The video footage begins to playa on the small screen of the communicator. It shows hundreds of these robots, identical to the ones that litter the streets of this forsaken city.

VECTOR

So what do you think?

SONIC

This is definitely the work of the--

A tremor shakes the earth, knocking the communicator from Sonic's hand. He scrambles to recover it.

SONIC

Shit! What the hell was that?

VECTOR

An aftershock, probably. We're on the outskirts of Station Square. You still at that bench?

SONIC

Yeah.

VECTOR

Stay there. We'll come to you.

The communicator line closes. Sonic pockets the device and sits down on the bench.
From out of view, we hear Amy's voice call out to Sonic. She runs up to his side, panting.

AMY

Please, stay here. This is no place for someone like you.

Her voice trembles. It's clear she's terrified of what lies ahead, but feels obligated to see it through.

Sonic sighs. He feels he has no choice but to help the girl.

He takes her hand in his, not knowing whether or not she'll accept his assistance.

SONIC

(softly)

Amy what are you talking about? Of course I'll help.

AMY

(gasp)

You will?

Sonic nods, smiling at her. She gives him a hug.

AMY

Thank you! I promise, I'll do everything I can to help you, too.

He chuckles to himself, amused by her naivete. If she only knew the things he's see, the monsters he's fought.

The two walk towards the wreckage of the train station. On the way, they pass another bench with another plaque on it.

The plaque reads "Daedalus" in large, fancy letters.

AMY

What does this say?

She points to the plaque.

Sonic looks at it, squinting in an effort to read it.

SONIC

"Daedalus." Strange... that's the same name as I heard during my... transformation...

AMY

What's it mean?

He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.

SONIC

No, I'm sure about this--it was the name of the scientist who did this to me.

He takes a few steps, then turns back around.

SONIC

This city's layout is very simple. A road leads into the center, where the train station is located. All the other roads branch off from it, creating a perfect grid. Let's start there.

They continue walking. The sun beats down on them, and soon they find themselves drenched in sweat.

As they walk, strange noises sound in the distance. Occasionally, a strange person walks by, staring at them with dead eyes. There's something very strange about this city. It's as if it's not quite real, as if the inhabitants are all nothing more than ghosts.

They reach the train station, and the end of the road. In front of them is a short wall, and then the tracks beyond it. Nothing else is in sight.

AMY

This is it.

She sighs, and wipes her forehead with the back of her sleeve. A moment of silence passes between them.

AMY

I have to leave now.

Sonic nods. He doesn't try to convince her to stay, or even say goodbye. He knows it's for the best.

AMY

I just want to thank you for all your help.

She wraps her arms around him in a hug.

AMY

I'll never forget you.

Sonic wraps his arms around her, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
He closes his eyes. As if thinking "God, I wish I could come with you."

AMY

Goodbye.

She turns, and begins to walk away. He opens his eyes and releases her from his grasp, watching as she disappears into the city streets.

Sonic turns back around. He looks down at a plaque on a bench, the same bench he is sitting on.

AMY

(from really far away)
This bench has been abandoned.

He picks up the plaque, and reads it.

AMY

(very far away)
It says "Daedalus" on it.

He looks back at the bench. The plaque is gone now. He rubs his eyes. and looks again, but it's still gone.

SONIC

Daedalus... who was he? Why did he do this to me?.

Sonic tries to recall the night he transformed into what he is now. He tries to recall where this name, Daedalus, came from and how it entered his mind. How it became the key to his confusion.

Nothing's there. It's all black.

Darkness.

It's maddening, trying to remember.

Shadow.... how did he remember, all those years ago? He was once lost, too. He must know some secret to remembering.

Sonic had to get in contact with Shadow, fast. He would know what to do. He always did. Perhaps, with his help, this mystery could be solved.

Sonic takes off down the road, following it through the city streets.

INT. CITY HALL - EVENING

Silver and Knuckles sit in front of the PlayStation 2 screen. Knuckles is in awe at the information he just learned, it makes no sense to him.

KNUCKLES

Wait a minute... YOU'RE Shadow? That can't be right. I've seen Shadow, and I've seen you, and you two are nothing alike.

SILVER

That's because Shadow is a creature of darkness and negative energy.
He's pure evil.

KNUCKLES

No, that's not what evil is.

SILVER

Trust me, he is. But I'm getting off topic. Shadow was once a normal hedgehog, until one fateful day when Doctor Eggman attacked our village. He killed my mother and destroyed our home. But it wasn't just any village; it was a place called Soleanna, a haven for hedgehogs, and a place of great magical power. As most fairy tales do, this one starts with a princess. Her name was Elise, and she was the princess of Soleanna. She was beloved by all, especially my father, King Gerald. She was... beautiful. Soleanna was a small kingdom, but it was rich with magic and the land was very fertile. The people there were happy, and my family ruled them well. I was an only child, and one day I hoped to rule at my father's side. That was until Doctor Eggman came and burned it all to the ground. When the attack began, I wasn't in Soleanna. I was at an off-shore paradise Kingdom called Epirus, on a school trip. Epirus was a very rich kingdom, and the school wanted us to see how the upper class lived. I remember it was a Friday.

KNUCKLES

(interrupting Silver's story)
Look, I get it. Sad past and all that. This still doesn't explain how you and Shadow can be the same person.

SILVER

I'm getting to that! As I said, it was a Friday. The day wasn't over though. We were having a picnic. The teachers wanted us to stay the weekend, but I really wanted to go home; it was my dad's birthday on Sunday. I remember I was feeling down that day. Everyone at school was friends, but I had no one at home. I just wanted to go back to Soleanna. The adults started arguing amongst themselves. I wasn't really paying attention, but it was something about maintaining a low profile and not wanting to start any trouble. I didn't want to get in trouble, so I quietly packed up my stuff. I left the school and was riding home on my hover board when I saw something heading for the surface...It was a meteorite. I rubbed my eyes, but it didn't go away. I saw a glimpse of something shiny falling from the meteorite, and then it exploded. The King and Queen of Epirus were in that meteor. They died upon impact. That's how I remember it. I didn't get in trouble though. The teachers put two and two together when I didn't show up the next day. They looked for me for days, but they never found me. I changed too much.

KNUCKLES

Silver-

SILVER

I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's just get back to Shadow.

KNUCKLES
...Okay.

Tails and Eggman enter the room again.

Tails is carrying some sort of toolbox, and the doctor is carrying a big, metal briefcase. They put them on the table and open them up.

TAILS

I'm done, are you.

EGGMAN

Yes, I'm done. Let's see if this does the trick.
Tails and Doctor Eggman take two electrodes each and attach them to their heads. They make sure they're secure, then flip a few switches on the briefcase.

EGGMAN

(to Knuckles)
Don't worry, it's perfectly safe.

KNUCKLES

I wasn't worried.

EGGMAN

You were thinking it.

KNUCKLES

Nope.

EGGMAN

(annoyed)
Well, stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking, then.

He flips another switch. Electricity begins to course through each of their bodies, but they don't scream or make any indication of pain. Instead, they close their eyes and tilt their heads back.

SILVER

(shouting)
Doctor.

EGGMAN

(shouting)
What.

SILVER

(shouting)
What if this doesn't work.

EGGMAN

(shouting)
It'll work.

SILVER

(shouting)
But what if it doesn't.

TAILS

(shouting)
It will work.

SILVER

(shouting)
Can you at least give us a percentage on whether or not it'll work.

TAILS

(shouting)
No.

EGGMAN

(shouting)
Let's try to get along, shall we.

He flips the switch again, and soon, they all fall unconscious.

INT. CHAOTIX BUILDING NIGHT

Rouge steps into the main headquarters of the Chaotix, book of prophecies in hand. She sees Shadow, Vector, and Charmy all excitedly discussing plans for their next mission. She walks up to the group and slaps the book down in front of them.

ROUGE

Daedalus.

The three chuckle.

SHADOW

So you went and read it then.

ROUGE

You know damn well I did.
What's this.

SHADOW

That is the ancient journal of an ancient mage. He made lots of predictions, most of which have already come true.

ROUGE

Big whoop.

VECTOR

Who's Daedalus.

SHADOW

I told you about him. He's the guy I got these powers from.

ROUGE

You never told us his name, let alone that he had a journal of prophecy or that he intended to turn our friend into a weird human
Man!

SHADOW

I never met him, so how would I know.

CHARMY

(annoyed)
Stop talking in circles and explain!

SHADOW

(sigh)
Fine.

He opens the book, turning to a page that has symbols and letters written in blood red ink.

SHADOW

You guys ever heard of the Harbingers?

ROUGE

Never.

VECTOR

Nope.

CHARMY

Doesn't ring a bell.

SHADOW

They were some sort of cult that worshipped Dark Gaia, around the time
of the Middle Ages.

ROUGE

And?

SHADOW

I dunno, that's all it says.

Rouge snatches the book and reads the passage for herself.

ROUGE

You're lying, I literally just read this a few hours ago...

SHADOW

I'm not lying, and what's the point of all this, anyway?

ROUGE

The point is that we're in a whole heap of trouble. If this Daedalus has it out for you, then he's probably not going to be the only one.

SHADOW

Hell if I care. By the way, what's all this about someone turning into a human? You seemed keen to skip the details of that part.

ROUGE

(sigh)
You're not going to like it.

SHADOW

I already don't like it, just tell me.

ROUGE

Sonic the Hedgehog has been transformed, seemingly by Daedalus, into a human being. No one knows how it happened, but he was killed and resurrected in that form. Once he came to, he met with us at City Hall and beat the shit out of Mayor King.

SHADOW

And you let him get away with that?

ROUGE

He's the fastest thing in existence, he's not getting caught by a bunch of fucks like us.

VECTOR

(sigh)
Damn kids today, getting' all the powers.

SHADOW

(annoyed)
We're back to that again?

CHARMY

Maybe we should just focus on our next move.

SHADOW

Good idea. We need to find Daedalus and bring him down.

ROUGE

How exactly do you expect us to do that? He's probably hiding out in some abandoned castle where nobody dares to go.

SHADOW

Good thing we don't fear the impossible then. We'll just camp out there and wait for him, and when he arrives, we take him out and bring him back here as prisoner.

VECTOR

What if he's got some sort of magical protection?

CHARMY

What if he's got a lot of magical protection?

ROUGE

What if he's got all the magical protection? I swear to god, I will not be the one to fall to some mage.

SHADOW

I don't think he's likely to have protection against us. He's probably expecting the military to come after him, not a bunch of super powered animals.

VECTOR

So where are we going to search?

Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by the door to the office slamming open. On the other side stands, speak of the devil, Sonic the Human. He locks eyes with Shadow pleadingly.

Sonic begins to speak, Shadow shuts him down immediately.

SHADOW

Don't even try to plead your case. You know damn well what you did.

Sonic nods, looking defeated.

SONIC

Shadow, I understand you're pissed. I mean, you have every right to be, but I'm begging you, hear me out. I need help and it's something only you can help me with.

SHADOW

(sigh)
Make it quick, I haven't got all day.
Sonic nods, breathing deeply. He looks at his friends nervously.

SONIC

I... can't remember anything. Nothing after our talk in the hotel. room, or before waking up like....
(gestures to his newly human body)
this. Shadow, I know you of all hedgehogs understand what it's like to have a piece of you missing. I need to know how this happened, what happened to the city. Why I feel... almost joyful, when I look at the
state it's in. I need to know.

SHADOW

So that's your plea then? You're just going to shamelessly appeal to my sense of loss, for a time before I had my memories taken from me? Well I have a plea of my own, a warning, to you and your little friends. Cross me, and I'll do worse than take your memories.

Shadow turns away from the trio, before stopping.

SHADOW

Shit.

SONIC

YOU did this to me?!

SHADOW

(sigh)
Not exactly, I just didn't stop my subordinate. He strictly follows orders, that's how he became a commander in the first place.

He points to a nearby soldier.

SHADOW

Get rid of these assholes.

The soldier salutes, before a bunch of them restrain Shadow's friends.

CHARMY

Let me go! Let me go you stupid--

The soldier knocks out a protesting Charmy easily. Shadow shakes his head, before turning to the rest of the group.

SHADOW

What a terrible waste of resources.

ROUGE

They're children!

SHADOW

So were the soldiers that died under my command. We all make sacrifices in the name of victory.

VECTOR

What the hell are you playing at, Shadow?

SONIC

What would Elise think of this?! Killing children, even if they are monsters... it's not what she would want.

SHADOW

I thought you were smart, yet you still haven't learned anything. Fine. I'll assist you this once.

SHADOW waves his hand over his face, and suddenly it's as if an illusion begins to fade away. His figure morphing away from the familiar and revealing something new, something sinister, and something unexpected.

The transformation completes and in front of them, where Shadow once stood, stands DAEDALUS.

Daedalus begins to chuckle, a low rumbling emanating from his throat.

SONIC

Daedalus, what the hell--?

DAEDALUS

(Laugh)
What, you never suspected me?

VECTOR

Shadow said you were dead!

ROUGE

No he didn't?

DAEDALUS

He didn't know! I used my power over the mind to make him think I was
dead.

VECTOR

Why?

ROUGE

No one said you were dead?

DAEDALUS

(Laugh)
I needed time to plan, after that fool Doctor Eggman attacked my home. He calls us monsters now, but he's the one that unleashed horrors upon this world. Me? I'm just using my gifts to better the world.

VECTOR

That's bullshit and you know it!

DAEDALUS

(sigh)
Sadly, few see it that way.

SONIC

You're right about one thing, this world does need help. But it doesn't need help from someone like you.

DAEDALUS

And what exactly is that supposed to mean?

SHADOW

To you, nothing is ever enough. You can never be happy with what you
have.

VECTOR

Exactly, you're slowly going insane and don't even realize it.

SONIC

Now where is the real Shadow?

ROUGE

Yeah, I'd like to get back to my mission.

DAEDALUS

The real Shadow is dead! He has been for years! You just didn't want to accept it. Soon, even you will abandon your mission... And join me.

The trio look at each other, concern evident on their faces. Shadow the Hedgehog... dead?

INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT
A beaten up and broken Jason King, the mayor of Station Square, limps into his office. Sonic the Human beat him within an inch of his life, and now it's time to take his revenge. For the good of the city that monster has to go. He approaches his desk.

Suddenly, the door slams shut.

UNKNOWN VOICE

You don't mind if I turn on the lights, do you?

A sinister and eerie laugh then follows.

Jason turns toward the voice, and is petrified with fear when he sees who it is: Gerald Robotnik.

GERALD

Not who you expected? Don't worry, most don't.

JASON

(Whimpering)
What do you want from me?

GERALD

Just a chat.

The room is illuminated, revealing the devious smirk on Gerald's face. He sits in a chair, with two more behind Jason.

GERALD

Please, have a seat.

JASON

(Sits)
What... what do you want?

GERALD

I want to talk to you about Eggman.

JASON

(Cautious)
Oh?

GERALD

You helped him once, didn't you? When he was framed for the murder of dozens of people, you defended him.

JASON

What do you mean "framed"? Everyone knows he did it.

GERALD

(Sigh)
Idiot. The man was too smart to do something so stupid. He didn't actually attack that village. To think otherwise is either naivety or simple revisionism.

JASON

...what are you getting at?

GERALD

You're more intelligent than that, King. I'm saying that the government, specifically the military, framed him. For what purpose, I can't say. Honestly, I don't have proof.

JASON

... go on.

GERALD

Only theories. However, I can safely say that this is no simple conspiracy. You may be familiar with Project Shadow.

JASON

The government project from over a decade ago? You're saying that it actually existed?

GERALD

It did. And it still does.

JASON

I don't believe you. If this was the case, the public would have been made aware of it a long time ago.

GERALD

Of course they wouldn't! That's the whole point of a secret project!

JASON

But the Shadow we have now doesn't even remotely resemble the project specifications. I've seen him with my own eyes. He can't even change into a human.

GERALD

Not without extensive surgery. However, that was never the intent of the project. He was to operate alongside the so-called "good guys" as a double agent.

JASON

Hah! Look how well that went! He helps them on a daily basis! Some double agent he turned out to be!

GERALD

All the better, as far as I'm concerned. At least this way, I can keep an eye on him.

JASON

What?!

GERALD

Please, Mr. King. As head of the anti-rebel government task force, I'd be a poor excuse for a spy if I couldn't tell when one of them had
gone rogue.

JASON

...you're saying there's a mole in the group?

GERALD

It would appear so.

Jason looks out of his office to the foyer of City Hall, where there on the floor lies Tails, Knuckles, Eggman, and Silver.

JASON

So... is it Eggman?

Gerald stands up from his chair and heads over to the door.

GERALD

That's a very intelligent guess, but I'm afraid I can't tell you that. Goodbye, Mr. King.

Jason stands and grabs his sleeve to hold him back.

JASON

No, wait! Tell me what's going on!

Gerald closes his eyes and sighs loudly. He then turns to the mayor and looks him square in the eye.

GERALD

(Sigh)
Very well. If I tell you, you must swear to me that you will never reveal the contents of this conversation to anyone, ever.

JASON

I swear.

Gerald takes a deep breath and begins his tale.

GERALD

The public story is that the project was discontinued due to it being inefficient, overly expensive, and ultimately unsuccessful, but that's only because that's what the government wants you to think.
Gerald turns and heads back to his seat. He sits down and looks at the floor, reminiscing about the past.

GERALD

The truth is, we had a success... of sorts. The problem with it was, we couldn't control it.

He pauses again.

GERALD

Surely you remember the Daedalus Initiative?

JASON

Oh yes. Forgot the public wasn't supposed to know about that.

GERALD

It was a joint military-civilian experiment, developed right here in the capital. It was meant to create a new form of super-soldier, one that would benefit the US no end.

JASON

But something went wrong... as it always does.

Gerald hesitates to answer.

GERALD

That's putting it lightly. One day, the project just... disappeared. All funding was cut off, all research was destroyed, all staff... was
Missing.

JASON

What happened to it?

GERALD

No one knows. One day it was there, and the next it was gone. Literally. The only remaining evidence…

Gerald looks on the glowing PlayStation 2 console on the table outside the room.

GERALD

...was the game that it was apparently based on.

JASON

...what game?

GERALD

A game called "Shadow the Hedgehog". A game, developed by the research team themselves, based on the exploits of one of the candidates.

JASON

The government made a game about one of their experiments?
Gerald nods.

GERALD

...seems silly, doesn't it? But yes, they did. And it's classified as one of the US military's most embarrassing secrets.

JASON

Why?

GERALD

Because the final product doesn't look anything LIKE the genuine article! The government spent millions of dollars on that project, and all they got in return was a fucking joke.

JASON

The game is a joke?

GERALD

Far from it. The game was the blueprint. The joke... is the final
Build.

Gerald once again glances outside to the bodies on the floor.

JASON

What did the final product look like?

GERALD

Imagine a creature that shares the strong build and intelligence of a human, but with the speed, reflexes, durability, and appearance of a… Hedgehog.

JASON

A... a hedgehog?

GERALD

A hedgehog. And not just any hedgehog, but the incarnation of Satan himself. That's what the project ultimately yielded.
Gerald points outside to the unconscious body of Silver the Hedgehog.

GERALD

That monster out there is the final version of the Daedalus Initiative. He's the only surviving prototype. The others were either killed in containment breach that happened about a decade ago, or they vanished with the rest of the project, to unknown whereabouts.

JASON

Why was a hedgehog chosen to be the candidate?

GERALD

That I do not know. The files on that were among the few that were destroyed before the government pulled the plug on the project.

Gerald gets up from his seat once more.

GERALD

But, of course, that's all the context I have for you. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. Meeting's over.

Gerald heads to the door and opens it.

JASON

Wait, that's it? Meeting over?

GERALD

I have nothing more to say on this matter, Mr. King.

JASON

Well what about me? What am I supposed to do about Silver?

GERALD

That's your problem, not mine.

Gerald exits the room without another word. Jason's eyes nervously follow him out the door, but then dart over to Silver once again. Lying there, no motion. Jason slowly gets up from his seat, and starts heading over to him. He's still nervous. He doesn't know what the hedgehog is capable of.

JASON

(To Silver)
Hey, asshole. You're not dead yet.

He gives Silver a push with his foot. He groans, but doesn't open his eyes.

JASON

Hey! When you wake up, I'm gonna kill you! Slowly!

He gives him another kick. He groans once again, and this time his eyes open a crack.

SILVER

Ugh... fuck…

He groggily sits up, clutching his head.

SILVER

Ugh... fuck, my head feels like shit.

He looks over and sees that it's Jason standing nearby.

SILVER

Hey, dipshit.

JASON

Hello, devil.

SILVER

Glad to see you again. So... what's new?

JASON

A lot's new, actually. But I'm sure you don't care about that.

Following suit, Eggman, Knuckles, and Tails all slowly come to.

EGGMAN
(Speaking slowly)
Wh... where are we?

Tails and Knuckles look over and, based on the look in their eyes, see each other for seemingly the first time.

KNUCKLES

You! What the hell are you doing here?!

TAILS

Me? You're one to talk! What are you doing here?!

JASON

Wait wait wait, what's going on?

EGGMAN

Yes, what is the meaning of this?

Tails and Knuckles immediately go to barking at each other, not answering any questions that are directed at them.

SILVER

Oh dear...
(glances at the PlayStation 2 and the headgear lying on the table near
them)
...I am not sure if this machine worked like it was supposed to...

JASON

What? What's going on here?!

SILVER

(Looks at the headgear)
It would appear
(points at the headgear)
that the virtual reality systems worked as planned. We got into the game alright and were able to look around for intel. All standard, except I think something may have gone wrong as we... exited the
simulation.

EGGMAN

Thank God for that! (Looks at the group) Did anyone catch any sight of the damn Egg Carrier or the missing Chaos Emerald?

SILVER

No.
(gestures to Tails and Knuckles)
But our friends here may have lost their memory.

EGGMAN

What?

Tails and Knuckles don't answer. Instead, they just continue to look at each other with a mixture of fear and anger.

EGGMAN

(Speaking to Tails)
What's wrong, little one?

Tails seems to be struggling to form words. Eventually, he settles on growling at Knuckles in anger.

EGGMAN

(Speaking to Knuckles)
And you, big guy?

Knuckles' response is to bark at Tails, but not in anger. It's more like he's trying to provoke him.

EGGMAN

Yeah, they're fucked.
(Speaking to the group)
Alright, well, I guess we're moving on!
(Sighs)
I don't know who the fuck decided that this group would be more effective if we were split up, but they're an idiot.

Eggman exits the room without another word. Jason shrugs, and begins to follow. Silver watches the three leave.

He too exits the room.

SILVER

(Whispering to himself)
The group's falling apart…

As all members exit the room in sequence, the camera hangs behind. Ominously, we begin to slowly pan over to the screen displaying the PlayStation 2 on the table.

As we draw closer and closer, we see that the screen is displaying the first level of Sonic Adventure 2. After a moment, a hand enters from the side of the screen and changes the channel.

UNKNOWN

(off-screen)
What the hell is this shit?