WI05 Part 2

**What If Espio Was Trained By Master Zik? Part 2** is the second episode of the *What If Espio Was Trained By Master Zik?* series and eighteenth overall episode of *Sonic: What If?*. It contains Espio's final trial under Master Zik's tutelage, the Champion's Road.

## Description

*They say "today is victory over yourself of yesterday" - none know this better than Espio. Having spent a toilsome four years in the company of monsters, the stalwart shinobi has attained strength he otherwise thought impossible.*

*Embracing his thirst but reinforcing his own sense of right, Espio reached the final decisive stages of Zik's tutoring in a one-on-one with Zavok. A battle to the death; to claim leadership of the Deadly Seven. Espio prevailed, but defied corruption in what became a hollow victory for the red devil.*

*The passing weeks have turned into months as Espio continues to quietly hone his skills. But now, Zik sets his conclusive trial into motion. This phase of training may yet prove the most taxing for the young reptile to endure.. as Espio not only faces the adversity of this deadly decathlon, but also, a moral entanglement.. enabling a vixenish harasser to exploit and derail him. For the sake of the innocent, it's time for Espio to face his demons.*

## Cast

* Espio the Chameleon (WI05) / Hex Espio
* Master Zik (WI05)
* Baby Jade Wisp (WI05)
* Zeena (WI05)
* Zavok (WI05)
* Doctor Eggman (WI05)
* Orbot (WI05)
* Cubot (WI05)

## Major Events

* At least two months have passed since the ending of Part 1.
	+ In this time, the events of "Envy" occured.
* Zavok has been absent for several days to investigate 'invaders' on the Lost Hex.
	+ These invaders are later revealed to be Wisps, having settled on Earth and Lost Hex after the events of *Sonic Colors*, confirming that the events of the regular Sonic timeline have progressed past that point.
* Espio attempts the 'Champion's Road', a pre-charted gauntlet across the Lost Hex.
	+ He discovers the Baby Jade Wisp along the way, and attempts to protect it from harm.
	+ Zeena discovers his attempted subterfuge, but after a back-and-forth exchange that includes a brief skirmish, Espio shatters her ego and attempts to convince her to seek self-improvement.
	+ Espio rescues the Baby Jade Wisp from a pack of Yeti, but is unable to fend them off due to his body weakening in the cold of Frozen Frontier. To save him, the Baby Jade Wisp shares it's energy to grant Espio the Jade Ghost Color Power. After expending the power to reach the border of the Silent Jungle, Espio falls unconscious.
* Espio returns to Master Zik's dojo, and Zeena covers for his attempt to protect the Wisps.
* The Baby Jade Wisp is revealed to have followed Espio back to the Dojo, and though Master Zik wishes to exterminate it, Espio is able to fashion an elaborate lie to convince Zik to spare it's life and allow Espio to cultivate it's power for his own. Zik agrees.
* Zeena outlines a debt to be paid by Espio for her role in saving the Baby Jade Wisp.
* Zavok encounters Doctor Eggman in Windy Hill and is able to control his Badniks, but ultimately submits to the anti-Zeti properties of Eggman's Cacaphonic Conch.

## Gallery

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