Nightmares of an Absolution

In this roleplay story, Jack Beakton is whisked on a quest to take down a mysterious cult.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

### Episode 1: When Everything You Know Has Come and Gone...

```
We open to a bustling slums. A wretched hive inside the Golden City. There we find Jack with his coat collar turned up to block the wind, tightly clenching his pistol as he walks along.

Jack:
*Jack pulls out his communicator and ducks into an alley.*
“Come on Unc… pick up…”

Eggman:
“Who is this?! What do you want?!”

Jack:
“It’s Jack. Any leads on the location of the Warp Topaz? The sighting here was a dead end…”

Eggman:
“Bah, I’ve got nothing. Goose egg I tell you. I’ve decided to move on to alternative schemes.”

Jack:
“Meh. Might as well. Still, I don’t want that blue menace or his kitsune clown friend of his to get their paws on it…”

Eggman:
“Maybe you should rest. Take a vacation. You’re always welcome in Casino Night Zone.”

Jack:
“That might be a good idea. Thanks Unc. I’ll let you know if anything interesting happens or if I manage to kill Sonic or something.”

Eggman:
“Ohohoho! You know I have dibs on doing that!”

Jack:
*Jack smiles evilly.* “Alright, but I call dibs on the fox. You know how we Kukku Imperials feel about him.”

Eggman:
“Of course. That two-tailed prick has it coming. Anyway, I have schemes that need concocting. Hasta la bye-bye!” *Eggman hangs up.*

Jack:
*Jack pockets his communicator and walks back into the street.*

```

```
Blip:
*A mysterious stranger is standing aloof in a corner.* “Psst. Bird pirate. Come here.”

```

```
Jack:
*Jack looks at the odd man.*
“Listen pal, I don’t have any rings if that’s what yer after. And I’m also not interested in any extended car warranties.”

Blip:
“Rings? No. Car? What is that? I have info, that is what you seek, right?”

Jack:
(Meh, might as well give this clown a second.) “Alright…”

Blip:
“I couldn’t help but overhear that you are looking for a ‘Warp Topaz’. Correct?”

Jack:
“Well, more so wanting to make sure no one else gets it. It could prove… dangerous…”

Blip:
“AH! I compleeeetely understand. There is one TINY CATCH though.”

Jack:
(There it is…)

Blip:
“I require a very, shall we say, ‘specific’ type of compensation.”

Jack:
*Jack stares wide-eyed.*

Blip:
“Doest thou hast any confectionery treats? Or sweets? Or something of the sort? A sweetheart? Oh, no. I wouldn’t take her from you. That would be awful rude.”

Jack:
“...”
“Do you need medical attention? Or an exorcist?”

Blip:
“I have surpassed human potential. That is all. I am fine and dandandandy!”

Jack:
“Wait, is your blood sugar bottoming out?”

Blip:
“Perhaaps…”
*Blip crashes.*

Jack:
“...”
*Jack looks around for witnesses.*

Blip:
*Blip jumps back up.* “AH! Sorrysorrysorrysorry. Very sorry. I tend to do that when I have not had candy in a great while.”

Jack:
“...Uh huh… Well, so far my good sir. I have no reason to believe you have any information of use to me. And also I only have a package of sugar-free gum on me sweets-wise.”

Blip:
“AH! BUT I DO!!! Shall we discuss this somewhere more comfortable? A place where you could buy me pie?” *Blip nudges his head towards a nearby diner.*

Jack:
“...”
*Jack sniffs to check if this guy is a drunken hobo.*
(Huh. Clean…)
“...Alright. I could go for some pie myself… Come on uh… wait what is your name?”

Blip:
“They call me Blip! I don’t know why! Now hurry up and get that pie!”

Jack:
“...I see. Better than some names that come to mind for you…”

Blip:
“Before I faint again.”

Jack:
*Jack walks into the diner and he and Blip sit down awaiting their orders.*

Blip:
“Alrighty. You want to know about the Warp Topaz?”

Jack:
“Sure?”

Blip:
“No you don’t.”

Jack:
“...”

Blip:
“You want a way to change reality, right?”

Jack:
“...Well…”

Blip:
“Tell me I’m right.”

Jack:
“Well, yes actually. I’ve been reading up on instances of multiverse anomalies… Like that whole Infinite mess…”

Blip:
“AH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! I have JUST THE THING YOU NEED! Have you ever heard of…”
*Blip whispers.* “Glitches?”

Jack:
“Like the computer kind?”

Blip:
“NoOoOoOooooo. I mean a rip in space-time! A tear in the very fabric of our existence! AH! They FASCINATE ME!!”

Jack:
“So, anomalies?”

Blip:
“No. Glitches.”

Jack:
“Sounds like the same thing honestly…”

Blip:
“G-L-I-T-C-H-E-S.”

Jack:
“...You are a sad strange little man… and you have my pity.”

Blip:
“I GET THAT a lot, actually. It makes me quite sad.”

Jack:
“Hmm. Well, alright. So what DOES differentiate a glitch from an anomaly?”

Blip:
“Anyway. Glitches are a pain to normal people, they can plant you on the other side of the planet, make you clip through walls, and in rare cases, kill you instantly. But for MEEEEEE… glitches are the THING. What gets me out of bed in the morning! Second only to a good churro! There have been numerous sightings, ALLLLLLLLLLL over the places.”

Jack:
“Ah. So glitches are the cause of anomalies. Gotcha…”

Blip:
“AH! YOU ARE CORRECT!”

Jack:
“Sounds fascinating…”

Random Citizen:
“Keep it down over there! Some of us are trying to eat burgers in peace!”

Blip:
“MY APOLOGIES!!! Back on track. Glitches may or may not have the power to warp time, shift reality… raise the dead? It is worth looking into, yes?”

Jack:
*Jack’s interest is piqued.*
“Alright. Might as well.”

Blip:
“Then you should be on the first flight to the WONDERFUL country of SoLeAnNa!! HOORAY!”

Jack:
“...Sir? You realize I have an airship right?”

Blip:
“Hmm. Okay. There have been a veritable TON of glitch sightings there recently. So have fun!”

Jack:
“Alright…”

Blip:
“Good. Now. Pie.”

The waitress brings the pie they ordered earlier, Jack ordering a single slice of chocolate and Blip ordering the rest of the pie.

Blip:
“FANtastic.” *Blip begins to consume the pie at an alarming and cartoony rate.*
*Blip burps loudly.*

Jack:
“Well, if uh, we’re done here I suppose I should be heading to Soleanna…”

Blip:
“Well, nice meeting you, Bird Pirate! See you around! Oh. One more thing. What is that?!?” *Blip points out the window.*

Jack:
*Jack knows this trick and doesn’t look.*

Blip:
“Okay. Fine. You can see me do my super cool exit.”
*Blip blips away, onomatopoeia and all.* [That is, the word “Blip” visually appears as he blips]

Jack:
“...”
“And I thought that Dimensio guy was weird…”
*Jack gets up and walks out.*

Jack has a new lead. What is he planning? Why does he need to warp reality? And what is up with this strange Blip character? Nightmares of an Absolution continues, next week…

```

### Episode 2: You Are at Your Lowest, I Am Rising Higher...

```
We open to some time later, in the streets of Soleanna where we find Jack and Angela standing next to an accordion player.

Jack:
“Very nice sir.”

Citizen:
“Thank you! Tips please!”

Jack:
“Hmm well, do you take requests?”

Citizen:
“Sometimes? I only know this song well enough to perform.”

Jack:
*Jack pulls out a sheet of music and tosses a bag of coins into the man’s tip jar.*

Citizen:
“Oh! This looks interesting!”
*Citizen plays it perfectly.*

Angela:
“...Remind me not to let you pick the music at our wedding…”

Jack:
“Noted.”

Angela:
“So, why exactly are we here?”

Jack:
“That is a very good question. I don’t know the answer.”

Angela:
“...”
“WAT.”

Jack:
“Oh come on Ange, where’s your sense of adventure?!”

Jack steps onto a flight of stairs and begins to defy gravity, whilst shaking violently.

Angela:
“I left it with your common sense, wherever that is–”

Jack:
“What in the–What’s going on?”

Blip:
“That! My! Good! Sir! IS A GLIIIIIIIITCH!!!”

Jack:
“Sweet Chaos man! DON’T SNEAK UP ON ME LIKE THAT. So uh… how do I get down?”

Blip:
“Apologies! I just got excited! This is a ‘Collision Glitch’! Very common, but wonderful nonetheless. And just simply walk like you would off the staircase.”

Jack:
*Jack goes to step off only to clip through the railing and takes off at supersonic speed, and promptly smacks into the ground.*

Blip:
“WELL THEN! That was AH! So exciting to watch! Well, I must be going now. But I leave you with one piece of advice…”

Jack:
*Jack is still lying on the ground.*

Blip:
“Do you want to know what it is?”

Angela:
“...”
“Jack?”
*Angela bends down to check on Jack.*
“You okay?”

Jack:
“Mousetrap.”

Angela:
“What?”

Jack:
“I wanted to play Mousetrap. You roll your dice and you move your mice. Nobody gets hurt…”

Angela:
*Angela helps the delusional Jack up.*

Blip:
*Blip speaks in his best Jaleel White impersonation.* “I’m waaaiting!”

Jack:
“Oh hi you’re still here? And you brought a friend…! Why are you both spinning?”

Blip:
*Blip extends his hand to Jack.*

Jack:
*Jack goes to grab it only to try to grab the wrong one and almost fall again.*

Angela:
“Easy there sailor…”

Blip:
“Tsk… I’m not helping you up… I WANT payment please.”

Angela:
“I’ll give you payment.”

Blip:
“Three macaroons, please!”

Angela:
“I’ll give you three to skedaddle if you want to still have a tongue to taste with.”

Blip:
“Point taken! I’ll be off then!”
“...”
“Beware the black coats.”
*Blip blips away.*

Jack:
“...was he insulting my jacket?”

Angela:
“I have no idea… I do know that this place is starting to give me the creeps.”

A cry is heard from the town square.

Angela:
“I think we better leav–”

Jack:
*Jack quickly runs towards the commotion.*

Angela:
“Son of a biscuit… WAIT UP!”
*Angela runs after Jack.*

In the square, people are cowering as purple swirls spew from the foundation, the ground begins to shift below them. Atop the foundation stands a figure in a black cloak, holding a strange object.

Jack:
“What in the Green Hill…”

Cult Member:
“With the power of the glitch… Reality can be whatever we want.”

Jack:
“...”

Cult Member:
“Look on, true believer. The Phantom Ruby shines!” *Cult Member lifts the object into the air.*

The surrounding buildings begin to warp into tentacled creatures.

Jack:
“And things just took a turn into the Lovecraftian…”

Cult Member:
“How deep does your desire run? Can you bear to let it go?”

Angela:
“What are you babblin’ about?”

BOSS FIGHT! Illusionary Kraken!

Jack:
*Jack draws his cutlass.*
“Ange? I hope you’re ready for some calamari…”

Angela:
“Personally I prefer catfish…”
*Angela pulls out her shotgun.*

A tentacle swipes at Angela…

Jack:
*Jack quickly slices it before it can strike her.*

Cult Member:
“Your heart burns with an endless darkness. You are driven by your desires!”

Jack:
“And I’m also currently driven to shut you up!”

Another tentacle wraps itself around Jack’s cutlass and pulls it away.

Jack:
“HEY!”
(Fine… If that’s how it’s gonna be…) [it was in italics, but I’m not confident this was actually supposed to be thoughts, seems like the sort of thing he might say out loud?]

Cult Member:
“Give in to your instincts. All will be possible.”

Jack:
*Jack lets out a guttural screech before charging at the cult member.*

Jack successfully lands a hit on the mysterious figure, but he disappears in a cloud of smoke.

Jack:
*Jack growls.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member is now floating high above the square.* “Yes. That is the desire we need.”

Jack:
“ENOUGH GAMES SORCERER! COME OUT AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN!”

Angela:
“Jack…”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member combines with the Kraken to begin phase two: ChimeriKraken!*

Jack:
*Jack hears Angela and begins to calm down before running back over to her.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member swipes a tentacle at Jack’s feet, tripping him.*

Jack:
“GAH! Okay, that was just rude.”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member propels upwards with a stream of water, before speeding towards Jack, one hand transformed into a lobster claw.*

Jack:
*Jack closes his eyes and braces for the impact.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member strikes Jack and clamps down, nearly cracking him like a crab leg.*

Angela:
“CLAWS OFF FISH FACE!”
*Angela fires a round of shot at the villain only for it to phase through his shadowy form.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member grabs Angela with a tentacle.* “SUBMIT!”

Angela:
*Angela screams.*

A citizen rises from cowering.

Sonic Man:
“Stand back, everybody! Sonic Man is on the scene!”

Jack:
*Jack hears the word Sonic and is suddenly filled with determination and rage.*
“Sonic?!”

Sonic Man:
*Sonic Man runs with his arms behind his back before jumping head-first into the shadowy figure.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member was not expecting that.* “ARGH!” *Cult Member drops both birds.*

Sonic Man:
“Oh yeah! Sonic Man saves the day again!”

Jack:
“YOU… Why you little blue buffoon… I oughta–”

Angela:
*Angela stops Jack before he does something stupid.*
“Focus on the foe at hand Jack.”

Jack:
“...Right…”
*Jack turns toward the cultist and grins evilly.*

Cult Member:
“You have much anger inside you. Much regret.”

Jack:
“And you have much hot air…”
*Jack grabs his cutlass off the ground without breaking eye contact.*
“Now… if you will, kindly BUGGER OFF!”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member lifts the aforementioned object in the air.* “This has been quite informative. May we meet again, Jack Beakton.” *Cult Member disappears in a cloud of smoke.*

The town square returns to normal.

Jack:
“...”
*Jack looks around and sees everything is normal.*
*Except the Sonic fanboy.*
“YAHHH!!!!” [this was also in italics… but there’s no way Jack was *thinking* this :P]

Sonic Man:
“That guy was a real jerk! But he’s nothing compared to ol’ Egghead!”

Jack:
*Jack rushes Sonic Man, sword drawn.*

Sonic Man:
“WHOA! Dude! Chill out!” *Sonic Man dodges.*

Jack:
*Jack continues swiping.*

Angela:
*Angela sighs.*
*She walks over and grabs Jack’s collar and drags him off while he’s still swiping.*

Sonic Man:
*Sonic Man gets nicked in the arm.* “Agh! Why, man? I thought we were on the same side!”

Angela:
“Sorry, he has this thing against Sonic.”

Jack:
“It’s called a burning RAGE!!”

Angela:
*Angela takes Jack’s sword.*

Jack:
*Jack hisses.*

Sonic Man:
“Oh… That’s alright. Not everyone can like the fastest thing alive, I do need rival characters after all!”

Angela:
“...I recommend leaving so I can calm him down…”

Sonic Man:
“You got it! GOTTA GO FAST!” *Sonic Man runs away at a moderate pace.*

Angela:
“...Jack. We are NEVER coming to this whack shack place ever again.”

Jack:
“Agreed.”

Blip:
“But where WILL you go next?”

Jack:
“GAH!”
*Jack instinctively slaps Blip.*
“Oh. It’s you. Sorry about that…”

Angela:
“Where were you?!”

Blip:
*Blip is unfazed.* “I have come across reports of a mysterious reality-warping gem deep in the Bootstrap mines. Perhaps you should take a look?”

Angela:
“We could have used backup.”

Blip:
“I was neither here, nor there.”

Angela:
“Hmm.”

Jack:
“Bootstrap Butte huh? Now there’s a place I can handle. My kind of people… Lemme just…”
*Jack unpins his hat so it looks like a cowboy’s.*

Blip:
“AH! I’ll see you there. And I’ll expect some compensation for all the free tips lately.”
*Blip blips away.*

Angela:
“Jack… I have a bad feeling about this guy.”

Jack:
“Aw relax. We’ll have fun in Bootstrap. After all, it’s in the South. You’ll fit right in.”

Angela:
“...Alright… but THIS time we’re bringing Jabber shore side with us.”

Jack:
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.”

Angela:
“Wait. Did you by chance get a look of the cultist’s face?” [how does she know that was a cultist?]

Jack:
“He had a face?”

Angela:
“I’ll take that as a no…”

Jack:
“Ange. Are you thinking Blip is the cultist?”

Angela:
“I mean, I’m not ruling it out…”

Jack:
“I don’t think that guy has the attention span for a fight like that…”

Angela:
“That’s a fair point.”

Jack:
“Anyway partner. Ifin we wanna hit the Butte by sunup we best be mosing along.”

Angela:
“Please. For the love of all that is holy. Don’t use your fake Southern accent…”

Jack:
“Fine…”

Meanwhile. In a lair somewhere…

Cult Member:
“I have seen it. Beakton is a confirmed candidate… Our only candidate… He has it. The Heart of Endless Darkness. But we require more data before we can proceed…”
*Cult Member places the Ruby on a pedestal and stands back with their fellow cult members.* “Soon. The resurrection of the Lord Infinite will come to pass…”

What does THAT mean?!? This mysterious cult poses a new threat to the world. Jack continues his search in Bootstrap Butte, when we return to Nightmares of an Absolution…

```

### Episode 3: Only Scars Remain of Who I Was...

```
We open to find our hero cautiously walking into the saloon of Bootstrap, keeping his hat brim pulled down and his wispon ready. [you'll soon see it’s not actually ready. :P]

Jack:
“...”

A single floor tile seems to be creaky.

Jack:
“Always one board…”

All the patrons turn around to stare at the mysterious raven stranger.

And his companion who has two shotguns strapped to her back.

Jack:
“Uh, howdy y’all?”

Mystery Voice:
“You… I thought I told ya never ta show yer ugly beak in my town again…”

Jack:
“Heh. Well well well…”

Emerald:
*Emerald steps out from the concealment of the shadows and lifts her hat.* “Jack Beakton… You’ve got a lotta nerve.”

Jack:
“If it isn’t Sheriff Taylor. Long time no see…”

Emerald:
“Not long enuff. What brings you ta my Butte? Besides the call of tha void?”

Jack:
“Heh long story.”

Emerald:
“Yeah, well ya sure picked a heck of a time to drag your butt back here. We’ve been taken over…”

Angela:
*Angela clears her throat.* “And uh, who is this feline?”

Jack:
“Oh. Uh, Ange? This is Emerald. Emy, this is my gal Angela Evazorn.”

Angela:
“And before you ask, yes, I am unfortunately related to the banana guy…”

Emerald:
“You lost the right ta call me that a long time ago… And, it’s a pleasure, I suppose, Ms. Evazorn. And where’s that wisp o’ yers with the great sense of style?”

Jack:
“Heh asleep as usual.”
*Jack lifts up his hat to reveal Jabber underneath.*

Jabber:
*Jabber stirs slightly.*

Emerald:
*Emerald looks at Jabber asleep and nods.*

Jack:
*Jack replaces his hat.*

Emerald:
“Anyway, like I was sayin’. We’re under new temporary management…”

Jack:
“Oh really? Anyone I know? Do I need to crack some skulls?”

Emerald:
“No clue, calls himself the Overlord. He’s got a big sword and a couple dozen lackeys all over town. He cut off all our communications when he first arrived two months ago.”

Jack:
“Huh. I see. Didn’t seem to be any roadblocks…”

Angela:
“Jack. We flew here.”

Jack:
“You know what I mean…”

Emerald:
“That, and he’s been a bit too quiet lately… I reckon he might be doin’ somethin’ in the mines…”

Jack:
“Speaking of…”

Emerald:
“Now. I gotta be honest, Beakton. I knew you was comin’. The idjit in the blue coat over there warned me you were on your way.”

Blip:
*Blip looks over and waves whilst smiling like a dork.*

Jack:
*Jack nods suspiciously towards Blip.*
“Anyways… I presume he mentioned the mines?”

Emerald:
“He did. I dunno what you got up yer sleeve, Beakton, but if you can clear out the goons down there like he said, I’ll leave ya to it.”

Jack:
“Alright. I think I can manage that.”

Angela:
*Angela grabs her guns in one swift movement and cocks them simultaneously.*

Emerald:
“Heraldo will take ya there. Also, ya might wanna pay yer tab before ya go.”

Jack:
“My wat?”

Emerald:
“On top o’ the still unpaid tab from last time, that blue-coated wackjob’s been racking up some bigguns on root beer. Said you’d pay for ‘em.”

Jack:
“...Blip. I swear…”

Angela:
“Ugh… here.”
*Angela tosses Emerald a sack of rings.*
“Keep the change.”

Blip:
*Blip gets up and walks over to Jack and Angela.* “Are we all ready? TODAY’S the DAAAAY!”

Jack:
*Jack kicks Blip in the shin.*

Blip:
*Blip is unfazed and still smiling.*

Jack:
“Come on you blue buffoon…”

Heraldo:
“Mister Beakton! Over here!”

Jack:
*Jack sighs.* “Hello Heraldo…”

Heraldo:
“Gwarsh… Ya don’t sound too thrilled… Anyway, let’s get a moseying down to the mines!”

Jack:
“Right…” *Jack taps his hat.*

Jabber:
*Jabber reluctantly moves to Jack’s gun.*

The crew arrives at the foot of the butte, where the mine entrance is located.

Angela:
“Alright. So. What’s the plan?”

Blip:
“We go in, find the gem and leave! Simple simple!”

Angela:
“Well, it seems we’re a bit outnumbered.”

Jack:
“...”

Angela:
“I mean our odds of success are pretty low… so maybe if a couple of us go in…”

Jack:
“Alright, enough talk!”

Heraldo:
“I ain’t brave enough to head in there… That’s all on y’all.”

Jack:
*Jack runs into the mine, wispon blasting, whilst screaming his name.*

Angela:
“Dang it Jack! Ugh… him and his gamer strategy…”

Blip:
“Well, then!” *Blip follows him in, dancing as he goes.*

Angela:
*Angela reluctantly follows.*
(I’ve got a bad feeling about this…) [once again, this may have been said out loud]

They reach a sprawling cavern with several minecart tracks and crystals everywhere.

Blip:
“AH! It is VERY SHINY HERE!!”

Jack:
“Hmm.”

Blip:
“Now… If I were a reality-warping gem… where would I be?”

Angela:
“In the loony bin hopefully…”

Blip:
“AH! How humorous!”

Angela:
*Angela raises an eyebrow at Blip.*

Mystery Voice:
“I was hoping for Eggman… Who are you?”

Jack:
“Someone just as diabolical…”

Mystery Voice:
“If you’re not the fat man, I don’t want you. However…”

Overlord:
*Overlord ignites his blade.* “I could just kill you…”

Jack:
“Fat?! I’ll have you know he’s quite normal weight for his height!”

Angela:
“Really? THAT’S what sticks out in that sentence to you?”

Overlord:
“I cleverly constructed a rumor about a reality-warping gem hoping to draw him in. Then I would destroy him and take his place as this world’s overlord.”

Jack:
“...Oh you just made a big mistake pal… This just got personal…”

Overlord:
“Did I huwt your fewwings, wittle birdie?”

Jack:
*Jack starts firing at the Overlord.*

Overlord:
*Overlord deflects all the lasers with his blade.*

Angela:
*Angela is a bit more clever and shoots the crystals above the Overlord, causing them to fall.*

Jack:
“Hmm…”

Overlord:
*Overlord quickly dodges the crystals.* “Very smart! You’d be a valuable crew member.”

Jack:
“Sorry pal, she’s mine… Blip! Don’t just stand there ya landlubber!”

Overlord:
“Fine. I don’t want any of you anyway.” *Overlord walks over to the entrance.* “Have fun suffocating, my little mine canaries!” *Overlord destroys the overhead rocks, causing them to cave in, blocking the exit.*

Jack:
“Oh come on!”

Blip:
*Blip is licking a crystal that looks like rock candy.* “Wha jus happen?”

Jack:
“YOU IMBECILE! WHY DID I EVEN WASTE MY TIME WITH THE LIKES OF YOU?!”

Blip:
“Okay, so that lead turned out to be a dud.”

Jack:
“You’re not just a clown sir, you’re the whole darned circus!”

Blip:
“But we’ll get one next time!”

Jack:
“NEXT TIME?!! Aw Chaos no! As soon as we get out of this heck hole I’m ditching you and your glitches.”

Angela:
“One thing at a time fellas.”

Blip:
“Speaking of which… There’s a special type of glitch in this cave. A WARPING GLITCH!”

Jack:
“Uh huh…”

Blip:
“It teleports you somewhere… It’s confined to the mines only, though.”

Jack:
“...Whatever…”

A whoosh of wind is heard.

Blip:
“The black coats…”

Angela:
“Ugh not those clowns again…”

Jack:
“Now what, they gonna summon Cthulhu again?”

High above a gaping gorge in the middle of the cave floats one of the hooded figures.

Jack:
*Jack starts shooting at them without hesitation.*

Cult Member:
“How disappointing…”

This member seems to be about the size of an average Mobian and more feminine than the last.

Cult Member:
“This is where you’ll meet your end… And we had such high hope for you…”

Jack:
“Would…”
*Jack shoots.*
“YOU”
*Jack shoots.*
“FREAKING!”
*Jack shoots.*
“DIE ALREADY?!!”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member pulls out the Phantom Ruby as the walls begin to crystalize.*

Suddenly, Jack finds himself alone with the cultist, his entire surroundings now warping crystals.

Jack:
*Jack growls annoyedly.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member runs into a crystal wall and disappears.*

Jack:
“...”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member pops up from underneath Jack and holds him with one hand by the neck.*

Jack:
“Go ahead ya coward…”
*Jack grins evilly.*

Cult Member:
“Who is a coward? The one who fights for what they believe? Or the one who runs away from their past?”

Jack:
“Running? Heh… Who said I was running?

Cult Member:
*Cult Member drops Jack into an endless pit of crystals.*

Jack:
*Jack is just done with these illusions.*

The crystals are repeating… One of them is a different color from the rest.

Jack:
“?”
“...”
*Jack punches the odd crystal.*

Jack is teleported back to the main area, the force of his fall sending him on a collision course with the cultist.

Jack:
*Jack manages to land a hit.*
*With his whole body.*
*More of a tackle in hindsight.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member stumbles backward, their hood coming off slightly.*
“GRAH!”
*Underneath the hood is what can only be described as a ghost. A white polar bear with teal fur highlights.* [this is what Glacia looked like]

Jack:
*Jack stares with wide eyes.*
“Wait…”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member fixes their hood.* “You’ll pay for what you’ve done…”

Jack:
“...”
“And what have I done exactly?”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member summons some crystals from the ground.* “Ask yourself.* *Cult Member shoots the crystals towards Jack.*

Jack:
*Jack dodges with one grazing his sleeve.*
*He thinks hard back on the past events.*
*...then one event specifically stands out.*
“No… It can’t be…”
*Jack’s face goes pale.*
“You’re dead! I saw your grave! I KILLED YOU FOR GAIA’S sake!”

Cult Member:
“As you have taken, so shall you be taken from…”

A blinding light shines from the crystals… Suddenly, Jack is back in the mines. Blip is lying on the ground, unconscious, Jabber is nudging Jack’s face, but Angela is nowhere to be seen.

Jack:
“...Angela? ANGELA?! Jabber, what happened? Where’s Ange?!”

Jabber:
*Jabber shrugs.*

Blip:
*Blip shakes his head as he comes to.* “She’s been taken… More black coats appeared and nabbed her…”

Jack:
“You…”
*Jack stands up.*
“You lousy son of a…”

Blip:
“They socked me good while they were at it…”

Jack:
“About time someone did! I dunno what your game is pal but there’s something fishy going on.”

The cultist from before descends.

Jack:
“You…”

Cult Member:
“Your beloved has been taken from you. How does this make you feel?”

Jack:
“You have no idea… how big of a mistake you just made…”

Cult Member:
“Good. Come to the Marble Gardens on Angel Island, if you wish to see her again.”

Jack:
“Heh… If you can hold her that long… You forget Grim, she’s the daughter of a millionaire… If he finds out… you and your whole operation…”
*Jack motions the neck slice gesture.*

Cult Member:
“See you then.” *Cult Member disappears.*

Blip:
“I told you they’re bad news…”

Jack:
“Blip? I need you to answer a few questions… Namely one…”

Blip:
“Okay, shoot.”

Jack:
“And look at me as you answer. Without glasses.”

Blip:
*Blip takes off his glasses, revealing a pair of piercing blue eyes.* “Oka…y?”

Jack:
“Are you a member of this cult?” *Jack waves to where the figure was.*

Blip:
“...”
“What if I told you I was at one point?”

Jack:
“I’d believe it.”

Blip:
“Good. It’s the truth.”

Jack:
“But are you *currently*?”

Blip:
“Not a chance in this world… I’m actively trying to destroy the IGN.”

Jack:
“The what? The video game news site?”

Blip:
“The Infinitus Glitchius Nationalia. The name of the cult. Yes. I know it’s a stupid name. I came up with it.”

Jack:
“...Wait. WHAT?”
*Jack draws his cutlass and points it at Blip.*
“Get to splainin’!”

Blip:
“Please, Jack. Put the cutlass down. I’ve been trying to help you all this time because the IGN are out to get you. Please, you have to trust me…”

Jack:
*Jack looks Blip in the eyes.*
*Jack sheathes his blade without breaking eye contact.*

Blip:
“I would tell you how I was involved with them, but you probably wouldn’t believe me…”

Jack:
“Heh I have seen a LOT of weirdness. Try me.”

Blip:
“Don’t you have a girlfriend to save? My story would only keep us here for hours.”

Jack:
“Right… I suppose… So. How do we get out of here?”

Blip:
“I believe it might be time to call on your friends in high places…”

Jack:
“...”
“OH! Uncle Ivo…”
*Jack pulls out the communicator and dials Eggman’s number. (literally, there is a rotary dial)*

Eggman:
*Eggman speaks groggily.* “Who is this? It’s three in the afternoon! People are trying to sleep!”

Jack:
“Listen Unc, we got a situation. I managed to trip a trap set for you by some whack job with a Chaos Blade who wants to kill you. Also there’s these cultists with the Phantom Ruby… And then Angela was kidnapped…”

Eggman:
“What? What’s a Chaos Blade? Where are you?”

Jack:
“Bootstrap Butte. The mines specifically… Can ya like send an Eggdrillster over or something?”

Eggman:
*Eggman is no longer speaking into the phone.* “Orbot! Get your useless dome in here and dispatch an excavation team to Jackaboy’s location!”
“Now, what was this about a cult?”

Jack:
“Yeah, some group called the Infinitus Glitchius Nationalia. My guess is they are some connection to old Infinite… I mean, they have the Ruby somehow…”

Blip:
“...”

Eggman:
“Probably nothing to worry about, that blowhard was useless.”

Blip:
“They plan to revive him.”

Eggman:
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to have to listen to him be a crybaby all over again.”

Jack:
“...Ugh… Why do they always wanna revive the lousy villains…”

Blip:
“I have a feeling, if he were awoken, he’d not be liking you very much, Doctor.”

Eggman:
“So, is it the cult who wants me dead or someone else? Help me narrow this down, it’s a long list.”

Jack:
“Someone else but I mean I think he may just be a nut job.”

Eggman:
“And who does blondie think he’s talking to?!”

Jack:
“I don’t know. Because frankly I still don’t trust this Elton John wannabe…”

Blip:
“Apologies. I am Blip! I have a vendetta against this cult, and I like sugar!”

Jack:
“And is becoming a pain in the rear…”

Blip:
“OH! That reminds me! You know I can just blip us out of here, right?”

Jack:
“I SWEAR IF YOU WANT A FREAKING PIECE OF CANDY I’LL–”
“...”
“WHAT?!”

Eggman:
“So… You got that handled, or…”

Blip:
“All handled sir! Go back to your nap!”

Jack:
“No actually we’re gonna need an undertaker…”

Eggman:
“Well, I’m going to leave you to your murderous rampage, hasta la bye-bye!”

Jack:
*Eggman hangs up and Jack’s eye twitches as he looks at Blip.*
“You…”

Blip:
“Grab on, Jack!” *Blip sings off-key.* “I can SHow you ThE WoRLD…”
*Blip grabs Jack’s sleeve and blips away.*

The pair arrives back in the saloon.

Jabber:
“...”
*Jabber sighs before zipping through the rocks and back to the saloon.*

Jack:
“Heh. Sorry buddy.”

Jabber:
*Jabber rolls his eye.*

Emerald:
*Emerald is shocked at their sudden appearance.* “Wot in Tarnation!?”

Blip:
“AH! Apologies, my dear Emerald.”

Emerald:
“...”
“How’d it go down there?”

Jack:
“Awful.”

Emerald:
“That’s about as well as we can hope for… We’ve been waiting for GUN to show up for two months now.”

Jack:
“Angela was kidnapped, there’s a cult trying to revive Infinite–Uh… HOW long has your communications been out?”

Emerald:
“Two months.”

Jack:
“Well, GUN’s gone.”

Emerald:
“What?!?”

Jack:
“Saw to its destruction myself…”

Emerald:
“WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?”

Jack:
“However, they went evil.”

Emerald:
“!...!?!?!”

Jack:
“There’s a new organization in place.”

Emerald:
“You’ve lost me, Jack…”

Jack:
“Look, here.”
*Jack pulls out a digital device with the GLACIA logo on it. He hands her the device.*

Emerald:
“What is this?”

Jack:
“It’s a digital distress flare. They’ll send some folks here to fix that clown in the mines… When they get here, tell ‘em Beakton said hi. And to give me a call… I may need their help afterward…”

Emerald:
“Will do. You riding off into the sunset so soon?”

Jack:
“Well, not exactly riding… Also, sorry…”

Emerald:
“Sorry? Fer what?”

Jack:
“The mess…”
*The dust outside is stirred up as the Egg Carrier hovers down to just outside the windows.*

Overlord:
*Overlord views this from his office window.* “What the…”

Jack:
*Jack tips his hat to Emerald before walking out backwards.*
“Happy trails partner!”

Blip:
*Blip smiles and waves goodbye before following Jack.*

Emerald:
“Don’t come back any time soon, ya hear?!”

Jack:
*Jack hollers.* “No promises Emy! No promises!”

Emerald:
*Emerald shakes her head and smirks under the shadow of her hat.*

Jack:
*Jack pins his hat up to its tricorned state as he and Blip board the ship and it takes off.*
“Well Blip, I suppose we’re gonna be seeing old Knuckle.”

Blip:
“AH! That sounds like fun!”

Jack:
*Jack is tempted to just show up in the Egg Carrier unannounced.*

To Angel Island! Jack’s past is haunting him, and Blip seems to have old connections to the cult! Can the two of them work together to save Angela? Will they be able to get past the Island’s powerhouse guardian? Find out next time, when we return to Nightmares of an Absolution…

```

### Episode 4: What I Find in the Ashes, You Lose in the Fire...

```
We open to the ship’s bridge late that night. Jack sitting in the captain’s chair contemplating the events of the evening alone with his face only lit by the light of the ship’s monitor and controls.

Jack:
“...”

Jabber:
*As Jack sits there, a small voice is heard above his head.*
“You uh, okay Jack?”

Jack:
“Yeah… I’m alright.”

Jabber:
“Uh huh. Then why are you brooding?”

Jack:
“I’m not brooding Jabber, just you know… thinking…”

Jabber:
“Fair enough. That was a rather crazy fight… And uh, you know, Angie and all…”

Jack:
“Heh, Angela will be fine… She’s been through worse…”
*Despite Jack’s confident statement his face holds a different emotion. Worry. Worry and confusion.*

Jabber:
“Maybe you should call Pipsqueak? See how he’s doing.”

Jack:
*Jack’s demeanor changes upon hearing that name.*
“Yeah, that’s a good idea… Maybe he can help me make sense of this.” [That second sentence was in italics. But I’m here guessing that it was supposed to be dialogue. :P]
*Jack presses a few buttons on the console and calls Pipsqueak’s number.*
*It rings.*
*And rings.*
*...And then Jack hears his voice.*

Pip:
“Hiya! This is Pipsqueak!”

Jack:
“Hey Pip, it’s Jack, how’s–”

Pip:
“Well, kinda, this is a recording. If you want to speak to me while it isn’t a recording, leave me a friendly lil reminder and I’ll call you back! If I don’t forget… It’s 50/50. Really. Good luck! Hey, Zumi, how do I stop it from recording? Huh? So like–” *BEEP*

Jack:
“Oh… Uh, hey Pip, it’s Jack. Gimme a call when you can? There’s been a lot going on lately and I could use someone to talk to…”
*Jack hangs up.*

Jabber:
*Jabber rubs the back of his head awkwardly thinking of a plan to get Jack in a better mood.*
“Uh, ya know, I’m a bit hungry. How about we get some ice cream?”

Jack:
“I’m not hungry Jabber…”

Jabber:
“...”

Jack:
“I uh. Need a minute alone Buddy… You go get you some ice cream… I’ll be fine…”

Jabber:
“Alright…”
*Jabber floats out the door looking back at Jack concernedly.*

Jack:
“Really, I’m fine pal…” *Jack smiles a fake smile.*

Jabber:
*Jabber leaves with a sigh back to his room. Not even he’s hungry right now.*

Jack:
*Once he’s alone Jack stands up and walks over to the window.*
*He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box.*
*He opens it to reveal a ring with his pirate insignia made of ivory.*
*He sighs.* “Don’t worry my Angel… I’m coming… I’ll be able to give you this ring yet…”
*Jack closes the box and clenches his fist around it.*
“I hope…”

With that, our Fiendishly Feathery Hero returns to his seat. To ensure that the ship gets to their destination.
However, at the destination someone other than the cult is waiting…

Waiting… Waiting…

Blip:
“Waiting and waiting… I hate slow trips. I’d much rather blip to Angel Island.”
*Blip sits down on the side of the Egg Carrier deck.* “But I suppose I gotta do what I gotta do to see this through… Beakton needs my assistance.”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member appears in a cloud of smoke.* “We’ve been observing you, Blip.”

Blip:
“I know. Remember? Me and the big guy have a special connection.”

Cult Member:
“You realize that you’re leading Beakton directly into our clutches, right?”

Blip:
“I know full well what I’m doing… Shouldn’t you be back in the Butte observing the contingency plan? I know Jack looks dexterous, but I fear any more trials and he may crumble… Like cake…”

Cult Member:
“How did you know about the Contingency?”

Blip:
“Connection. It’s quite simple.”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member clenches her fist.* “You’ve become a thorn in his side, you know. And to think, you once led us…”

Blip:
“In a way, I still do… Take the hood off.”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member removes her hood to reveal…*

Charlotte:
“Master… I have to be honest. I can’t keep serving our current leader…”

Blip:
“I’m not your master, Charlotte. I’m just a wayfaring stranger attempting to right the wrongs I created.”

Charlotte:
“You have to come back to IGN, please!”

Blip:
“I can’t. Leave now, before Jack sees you.”

Charlotte:
“What will you do? You know they’ll be waiting for you. They’re not going to let you get off easily.”

Blip:
“I have my ways, dear. Now go.”

Charlotte:
“As you wish…” *Charlotte puts her hood back on and leaves.*

Blip:
“One day soon… I will set things right. That is my purpose for existing.”

…I’m not even sure what just happened… Come back Thursday for answers, when we return to Nightmares of an Absolution…

The Egg Carrier descends onto the floating shores of Angel Island. Jack lands the hulking vessel on Eggman’s old launch base. Soon, Jack, Jabber, and Blip exit down the boarding ramp.

Jack:
“Hmm.” *Jack admires the old architecture.*
“Despite all this time. Still standing…”

Blip:
*Blip puts his hands behind his head.* “Hrm. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

Jabber:
*Jabber is a bit nervous.*

Jack:
“Well, let’s get this over with… Where exactly are we supposed to meet these clowns?”

Blip:
“The Marble Gardens. They’re not too far from here.”

Jack:
“Right…”

Blip:
“But… we’ll have to cut through the ruins to get there. And that might be a HUUUUUUGE PROBLEM.”

Jack:
“So long as we avoid Mushroom Hill. I’m allergic to the spores there… Wait, problem? Oh. Knucklehead…”

Blip:
“Correct-a-mundo!”

Jack:
“Well, that answers my question as to if we wanna use the Eggmobile… Considering it’s the one that stole the Emerald I’m pretty sure Knuckles would be a bit… difficult. If we showed up in it…”

Blip:
“He’s probably already noticed our arrival. It wasn’t exactly subtle…”

Jack:
*Jack turns to remember they arrived in a freaking warship.*
“Right…”

Blip:
“I could blip us there, but the energy frequencies on this island may interfere and send us across the universe…”

Jack:
“Let’s just get a move on before things get crazier than they already are…”
*Jack walks into the jungle towards the ruins.*

Jabber:
*Jabber follows close behind while looking around.* “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

Blip:
“ALRIGHTY!” *Blip begins walking obnoxiously.*

Unbeknownst by our protagonists, a figure is watching them from the shadows…

Omega:
“TARGETS IDENTIFIED. INITIATE BATTLE MODE…”

As our heroes make their way through the ruins, a lone Echidna stands atop the altar of the world’s most powerful gem.

Knuckles:
(That was Eggman’s warship… I don’t like this. I’d better be prepared for battle…)

Jack:
*Jack awkwardly approaches trying to be stealthy.*

Knuckles:
*Knuckles looks around, suspicious.* “I sense someone’s presence… They’d better not be here to steal the Master Emerald.”

Jack:
(Hmm. Might be best to just openly show ourselves…)
*Jack pops up.*
“Uh, hello there my good sir.”

Knuckles:
*Knuckles jumps back into a fighting stance.* “Who are YOU!?”

Jack:
“Jack Beakton, and you must be Knuckles.”

Knuckles:
“I am. And you’re trespassing, Jack Beakton.”

Jack:
“Hold on, we were told to meet some people here… See, my girlfriend was kidnapped and they said they were taking her to the Marble Gardens…”

Knuckles:
“Nice story. I’m not falling for it.” *Knuckles dash punches towards Jack.*

Jack:
*Jack leaps out of the way.*
“Huh. For a guy named Knuckles, you are really bad at punching…”

Knuckles:
*Knuckles drills into the ground and pops back up under Jack, tossing him in the air.* “I’m the best there is at what I do.” *As Jack falls, Knuckles winds up to punch, then unleashes a powerful hook, knocking Jack into a nearby tree.*

Jack:
“Ow… Okay then… You wanna do this the hard way…”
*Jack whistles for Jabber as he draws his pistol.*

Jabber:
*Jabber zips to the gun and a laser is fired at Knuckles.*

Knuckles:
*Knuckles gets hit in the shoulder. He drops to the ground.* “Agh!”

Jack:
“Huh. I did not expect that to work.”
*Jack fires again.*

Knuckles:
*Knuckles blocks the shot with his hand.* “GRRR! Okay! I give! It’s your turn!”

A teal light envelops Jack, suspending him and ripping his pistol away.

Jack:
“...”

Silver:
“Don’t try to struggle. It’s no use.”

Knuckles:
“Thanks for the save, Silver.”

Jack:
“Silver? You’re that guy from the future aren’t you…”

Silver:
“Yeah, that’s me. Now who are you, and what do you want with the Master Emerald?”

Jack:
“Okay, first of all, I want nothing to do with that rock. I was told to meet the people who kidnapped my girlfriend here…”

Silver:
“...Then why didn’t you say that to begin with?”

Jack:
“I DID. But Mr. Punchy wouldn’t listen!”

Knuckles:
“I’m still not so sure. Put him down, Silver.”

Silver:
“Yes sir, Commander.”

Knuckles:
“I told you to stop calling me that.”

Silver:
“Right…” *Silver drops Jack.*

Jack:
“Just because a guy shows up in the Egg Carrier…” *Jack hits the ground.* Ow…”

Knuckles:
“I forgot about that! WHY IS THE EGG CARRIER HERE?!” *Knuckles grabs Jack by the collar, holding the other fist to Jack’s face.*

Jack:
“Because I own it? Eggman hasn’t used that thing in ages…”

Knuckles:
“I know. I was there when it was brought down.”

Jack:
“Well, since he wasn’t using it, I took advantage of the free warship.”

Silver:
“We used stolen Eggman ships in the Resistance, Knuckles. That’s not much different.”

Knuckles:
“Right…”

Jack:
“I mean I was in that too… Served with Admiral Beauregard.”
*Jack reaches into his pocket with a free hand and pulls a photo of him and Beau out of his wallet, making sure not to pull out the one next to it.*

Knuckles:
“Admiral Beauregard… Okay, yeah. I guess I believe you now.”

Silver:
“He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. We should hear him out…”

Knuckles:
“Fine…” *Knuckles sets Jack down.* “Spill it.”

Jack:
“Well, alrighty then. First though, my pistol?”

Blip:
*Blip grabs Jack’s pistol off the ground and hands it to him.* “Ah! Hello, I’m Blip! I’m with him.”

Jabber:
*Jabber flies out of the wispon and glares at Silver.*

Silver:
“Whoa, cool! A wisp!” (Wait a second… Could this guy be the “Guardian Angel”?)

Jack:
“Uh, yeah. This is Jabber.”

Silver:
“Do you have any other wisps?”

Jack:
“Uh, no sadly. Jabber here is a bit of an outcast among the wisps… Why?”

Silver:
“Oh… Never mind… I thought you were someone else…”

Jack:
“...Wait… you didn’t think I was…”
*Jack busts out laughing.*

Silver:
“Huh? What’s so funny?”

Jack:
“Oh nothing… anyway. Backstory time!”

One eternity later…

Knuckles:
“Okay. I’m pretty sure I’ve got it. But just to be safe… Tell me the whole thing one more time, I wasn’t listening.”

Silver:
“So we need to rescue your girlfriend from this IGN group? Sounds like a call to adventure! I’m with you, Jack!”

Jack:
“Excellent. It will be nice to have someone with me who won’t just stand there like an NPC or something…”

Blip:
“Whomever could you meeeean?”

Jack:
“...Anyways… Marble Gardens. We should get going.”

Knuckles:
“Right. I’ll show you the way.”

After a long trek through the island, the unlikely crew arrives at the Marble Gardens.

Jack:
“Hmm. Nothing out of the ordinary so far…”

Knuckles:
“So, uh… Jack. Did this cult give you a time they planned to show up?”

Jack:
“Uh… Not that I recall. If they did I completely forgot…”

Blip:
“Well. I suppose we ought to sit here and wait then.”

Jabber:
*Jabber passes out on the top of a short column.*

Jack:
“Ah… ya know. This is actually a really nice place Knuckles… Very peaceful…”

Knuckles:
“I know, right? This was an ancient Echidna public lavatory right where we’re standing!”

Jack:
“Huh. Neat.”

Jabber:
*Jabber jumps up screaming and wiping himself.*

Jack:
“Relax Jab, it’s been centuries since they were around. The place has been sanitized by time and sun…”

Silver:
“Time cleans all things. I once used a sewage plant as temporary housing in the future. Didn’t smell at all!”

Suddenly gatling gun fire rattles out from the bushes.

Jack:
“GAH!”

Knuckles:
“Everyone get down!!”

Omega:
“TARGET LOCATED…”
*Omega steps out into the open.*

Silver:
*Silver puts up a psychic barrier, shielding everyone from the gunfire.*

Jack:
*Jack stares with wide eyes.*
“Uh oh…”

Knuckles:
“Omega?!? What are you–Wait… Don’t tell me…”

Rouge:
*Rouge steps out from beside Omega.* “Hiya Knuckie…”

Knuckles:
“Rouge… I should have guessed… This is all another one of your plots to get my Emerald, isn’t it?”

Rouge:
“Nice of you boys to help Omega and I find our bounty.”

Silver:
“Your… bounty? Do you mean these guys?!”

Omega:
“NEGATIVE… JUST THE BIRD…”

Knuckles:
“We’ve got business here, Rouge. You can have your bounty after we finish this. Until then, leave us alone.”

Jack:
“Wait, don’t I get a say in this?”

Omega:
“YES. DO YOU WANT TO DIE QUICKLY OR SLOWLY EGGMAN SCUM?”

Knuckles:
“Eggman? You’ve got it all wrong. He just has the old Egg Carrier, he doesn’t actually work with Eggman!”

Rouge:
“Oh poor naive Knuckles… This little birdy has been playing you for a fool.”

Jack:
“What are you talking about lady?”

Silver:
“Yeah, what are you talking about?!”

Rouge:
“Omega? Play the audio…”

Blip:
*Blip raises his hand.* “I have a question!”

Rouge:
“Not now honey. The grown-ups are talking.”

Blip:
“Oh… Okay. Wait! I’m technically older than all of you!”
(If that’s how that works…)
(Perhaps I’m actually the youngest one here…)

Omega:
*Audio plays from the last adventure where Jack is shouting over the loudspeaker of the ship.*
“YOU FOOL! YOU DARE BLASPHEME THE GREAT ROBOTNIK BY WEARING HIS UNIFORM?! YOU AREN’T FIT TO SHINE HIS BOOTS!”

Jack:
“...”

Knuckles:
“What’s the meaning of this?”

Silver:
*Silver looks betrayed.*

Jack:
“Look, I was trying to bluff the corrupt GUN leader! That was taken completely out of context…”

Rouge:
“Save it Jacky…”

Knuckles:
“You’ve got some nerve… I’ve been duped by Eggman too many times now. It’s time you fess up, Beakton.”

Jack:
“Fine! So I may have left out a few details. A lot of details… But that’s besides the point! There’s a cult trying to revive Infinite! And even if I am working for Robotnik. We both know that Infinite is bad news for everybody…”

A large gust of wind interrupts the “peaceful” conversation. Suddenly, 8 Black Coats are standing atop 8 broken pillars.

Jack:
“Speak of the devils…”

Rouge:
“What in the–”

Cult Member:
“We were not expecting so many friendly faces…”

Omega:
*Omega sighs robotically.*

Cult Member:
“We are overjoyed at your arrival. For now, the time has come.”

Jack:
“JUST GET TO THE POINT… Where’s Angela you cowards?”

Cult Member:
“You desire that which is. Where is your desire for that which is not?”

Omega:
“I DESIRE THIS BIRD AND ALL WHO HINDER ME IN HIS DESTRUCTION TO BE TERMINATED.”

Silver:
“These guys don’t make any sense!”

Knuckles:
“I’d like to shut them up. With a fist to the face.”

Cult Member:
“Do you need to be reminded again, Beakton? Of everything you have lost? Everything you caused others to lose?”

Jack:
“Grrr… SHuT uP!”

Cult Member:
“You are truly selfish.”

Jack:
“I SAID… SHUT UP!!”

Cult Member:
“REMEMBER!” *Cult Member pulls out the Phantom Ruby and casts Jack into another illusion.*

Jack is surrounded by endless darkness. Several of the cult members are surrounding him.

Jack:
*Jack is aggressively silent.*

One by one, the members begin to remove their hoods.

Grizz:
“You keep grasping at things you want, even when you don’t deserve them…”

Glacia:
“You are truly a monster. You possess a heart full of darkness…”

Grizz:
“Only you could be accepted…”

Glacia:
“Do you know why?”

The final member has yet to remove his hood. He awaits Jack’s reply.

Jack:
“Why?...”

Louis:
*Louis takes off his hood.* “You couldn’t live with your mistakes. So you go after your absolution with no regard for the lives around you…”

Jack:
*Jack’s face goes pale.*
“No…”

Louis:
“Lord Infinite has chosen you.”

The members take Jack by the limbs and carry him into the darkness.

Glacia:
“Eternal punishment for your sins…”

Grizz:
“A new life for the Infinite one…”

Louis:
“You wanted atonement? Here it is…”

Jack:
“Get out of my head! This isn’t real… It can’t be…”

Suddenly, several dozen more members appear and remove their hoods, all of their faces reminders of people Jack either ended, or couldn’t save.

Louis:
“A heart of endless darkness!!”

The crowd cheers as a magenta light envelops the darkness.

Jack:
“GRAHHH!!”

One of the members walks up to Jack. It takes him a moment to realize. It’s Angela…

Jack:
“...No… I don’t…”

Mystery Voice:
“SNAP OUT OF IT, JACK!!”

Jack:
“Huh?!”

Mystery Voice:
“Can you hear me?! What you’re seeing isn’t real! Don’t let them take your heart!”

Jack:
“...Right… This is just an illusion… NONE of this is real… All these people are dead!”

The members begin trying to pin Jack down.

Jack:
“HOW DARE YOU DISHONOR THEM!”
*Jack struggles to attack the members.*

A flash of magenta distracts the members, as a disembodied gloved hand reaches for Jack.

Jack:
*Jack grabs the hand.*

Suddenly, the illusion begins to break around Jack, as he’s pulled towards the light. When he reaches the top, the illusion shatters and suddenly he’s back in the real world, holding onto Silver’s hand.

Silver:
“Glad I got you out of there!”

Jack:
*Huff... huff...*
“Thanks kid…”

Cult Member:
“NOOO! We were so close!”

Blip:
*Blip snickers.*

Jack:
*Jack focuses his attention to the cultists.*
“YOU.”

Cult Member:
“Fine then… If we must do this your way…”

Jack:
“ENOUGH MIND GAMES!”
*Jack draws his cutlass.*

Cult Member:
*A burst of smoke teleports Angela into the Cult Member’s clutches.* “We had hoped to avoid this…”

Angela:
“JACK!”

Jack:
“...”
“Omega? Shoot down these cultists and I’ll give you Eggman’s location.”

Omega:
“...”

One of the members summons an energy ball and tosses it groundwards, opening a gaping hole into the lava reef below.

Knuckles:
“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING TO MY ISLAND!?!?”

Omega:
“ADDITIONAL TARGETS ACKNOWLEDGED.”
*Omega fires at the Cultists.*

Rouge:
“Why can’t we ever have a simple adventure…”

All but the cultist holding Angela disappear into smoke.

Angela:
*Angela struggles trying to get free.*

Cult Member:
“Say goodbye. You selfish bird.”

Jack:
“You wouldn’t dare…”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member drops Angela into the pit.*

Jack:
“NO!”

Silver:
“I’ve got her! Rouge! Back me up!” *Silver jumps in after her.*

Rouge:
“I got her!”

The cult members reappear and attempt to stop the flying heroes.

Silver:
“GET OFF!” *Silver sends out a psychic burst, tossing the cultists aside.*

Rouge:
*Rouge grabs Angela’s arm and flaps her wings furiously.*

Silver:
“I’ll keep the creeps away! Get her to safety!”

Rouge:
*Rouge nods.*
*She flies out of the pit and over to Omega and Jack.*

Jack:
“ANGE!”

Angela:
*Angela is dropped right next to the large robot.*

Silver:
*Silver barely escapes the pit before a giant eruption shoots out.* “GAH!” *Silver tumbles to the ground.*

Cult Member:
“How unfortunate… Beakton. If you wish to end this, come to the underground city of Illumina. It lies under Golden City. There, all will be ended.”

Blip:
“Tough luck, guys. I doubt he’ll listen to you now!”

Jack:
“Indeed.”
*Jack is holding the fainted Angela.*
“I’m through with your games!”

Cult Member:
“We will wait as long as it takes. Sooner or later, your curiosity will get the better of you…” *The IGN disappear.*

Jack:
“...”

Omega:
“...”

Knuckles:
“...”

Omega:
“ABOUT THAT INFORMATION…”

Jack:
“You have a one track mind don’t you bud?”

Omega:
“Affirmative.”

Blip:
“Something tells me we’d better get off this island, Jack.”

Rouge:
“Hold on! I want answers Beakton!”

Jack:
“...Depends. Are you two still going after me?”

Rouge:
“Well…”

Omega:
“THIS BIRD HAS INFORMATION ON MY ENEMY’S LOCATION! HE MUST BE LEFT ALIVE UNTIL MY MISSION IS COMPLETE!”

Rouge:
“Well, that answers that question…”

Jack:
“Alright. Meet me on my ship tonight. Now then. Gentlemen, I’d say it’s been fun but it hasn’t.”
*Jack picks up Angela.*

Knuckles:
“Unfortunately, I feel the same.”

Silver:
“We’d better make sure there’s been no damage to the island…”

Rouge:
“Wait. Why exactly are YOU here Silver? This cult putting the future in danger?”

Silver:
“If it was, I wouldn’t know… I haven’t been able to go back to the future. I’ve been stuck in this time since the war… Since I didn’t have any place to go, Knuckles offered to make me his temporary deputy Guardian!”

Knuckles:
“And you’ve been doing a fine job!”

Silver:
“Thank you.”

Rouge:
“Uh huh. Then why have you both left it unattended?”

Knuckles:
“Oh, shoot! Silver! Let’s go!”

Silver:
“Right behind you!”

The space-cased duo exits quickly.

Rouge:
“Well Beaky, need a hand getting back to the Egg Carrier?”

Jack:
“Uh, thanks but if Omega goes near it I’m pretty sure it won’t be able to get off the island in about five minutes of him being there.”

Omega:
“AFFIRMATIVE…”

Blip:
“I say you all take it easy for a bit. I have places to be.”
*Blip runs to the island’s edge and jumps off.*

Jack:
“...”

Blip:
“Terriaaaaaaa!”
*Blip blips away before hitting the water below.*

Omega:
“...Is that human suicidal?”

Jack:
“I have no idea… But I may need that help after all Rouge…”

Rouge:
*Rouge grins.* “Indecisive as always… Omega? Try to refrain from smashing the place?

Omega:
*Omega doesn’t respond.*

With that our band of thieves and outlaws make their way back to the Egg Carrier. Will Jack actually meet with the cultists? What happened to Angela’s shotguns? Did Silver actually believe Jack’s story? FIND OUT THE ANSWERS (to like one of these questions) on the next episode of Nightmares of an Absolution!

```

### Episode 5: When There's No One Left to Carry On...

```
Two years ago in the southern part of Mobius on the Evazorn Imperial Fruit Plantation…

Breezie:
“Angela darling, you have to come out of your room eventually.” *Breezie said this with a knock on the door.*

Angela:
“I’m not coming out Breezie! I don’t care what my father says! It’s not like he treats me like a person anyway!”

Breezie:
“But this deal with the Kukku Korsairs is vital to the company gaining new assets. With your parents away in Casino Night Zone you’re the only Evazorn available to oversee the meeting.”

Angela:
“Oversee it yourself! Not like my input would even matter to y’all…”

Breezie:
“Trust me, if I could leave you out of this I would. But Mr. Beakton insisted on meeting with you…”

Angela:
“Well tell him he can–Wait. Did you say Beakton?”

Breezie:
“Yes, however it’s sadly not the Beakton I wanted to deal with… He said something about his father being indisposed–”

Angela:
*Angela opens the door.* “Why didn’t you say Jack was here?!”
*Angela bolts down the stairs into the parlor where a bored pirate waits impatiently.*

Jack:
“About time you showed up…”

Angela:
*Angela runs over and hugs Jack.*

Breezie:
*Breezie raises an eyebrow at the sight.*

Jack:
“We uh, went to fencing camp together…”

Breezie:
*Breezie nods.*
“Anyhow, I have a schedule to keep. I presume you brought the papers?”

Jack:
“Oh. Yeah… They’re uh… somewhere…”
*Jack rummages through his coat and pulls out a wadded stack of legal documents and blueprints.*
“Here ya go! All there in black and white.”

Breezie:
(Ugh, pirates…)
*Breezie takes the papers and looks them over.*
*She grins evilly.*

Jack:
“As you can see, I have modified my father’s scheme to be… much more efficient. Instead of merely attacking your competitor’s shipments we’ve replicated a mechanical banana aphids…”
*Jack pulls out a tiny motobug-like badnik.*

Breezie:
“Fascinating… Well, Mr. Beakton, everything honestly seems too good to be true… What’s the catch?”

Jack:
“Who said anything about a catch?”

Breezie:
“Oh come on now, with a scheme this evil surely you have something that benefits YOU…”

Jack:
“As a matter of fact… Yes… I do… I request a fifteen percent cut of the profits made from the business you pick up from your competitors’... misfortune.”

Breezie:
“And if I refuse these terms?”

Jack:
“Simple. I take these little bugs over to your competitor’s offices… Along with a few copies of your recent dealings with my family to the authorities.”

Angela:
*Angela’s eyes widen and she grins at this statement.*

Breezie:
“You wouldn’t dare, they’d trace it back to you!”

Jack:
“Perhaps. But I’d still have the last laugh either way. And your little banana boat would be out of business in a matter of months.”

Breezie:
*Breezie pauses for a moment.*

Angela:
“Well, if I may say something–”

Breezie:
*Breezie glares at Angela.*

Angela:
*Angela stops mid-sentence.*

Breezie:
“Alright Mr. Beakton you’ve got yourself a deal… On one condition.”

Jack:
“Alright…”

Breezie:
“The highest I can go is eleven percent.”

Jack:
*Jack ponders for a moment, dramatically.*
“Hmm… Alright, counter offer. You make it ten percent and Angela here comes with me.”

Breezie:
“Excuse me?! Miss Evazorn is not an item to be bargained fo–”

Angela:
“DEAL!”

Breezie:
“Miss Evazorn, I hardly think–”

Angela:
“Look, Breezie, this company would run way better if I was out of the picture. You’d be able to do things how you see fit, heck, Dad already gave the authority over to you as CEO.”

Breezie:
“...”
“Alright. If that’s what you really want Angela…”

Angela:
“It is.”

Breezie:
“Alright. You got yourself a deal Mr. Beakton.”
*Breezie signs the papers underneath Jack’s name.*

Jack:
“Pleasure doing business with you my dear Breezie.”

Angela:
*Angela squeals excitedly.*
*She jumps off the couch and hugs Breezie.*
“Thank you Breezie! You won’t regret it!”

Breezie:
“I hope not…”

Jack:
“Well Angela, I’ll go inform my father of the deal. I’ll be waiting for you at the docks. Miss Breezie.” *Jack tips his hat.*

An hour or so later we see Angela and Jack loading the last of Angela’s stuff aboard the Egg Carrier.

Angela:
“I still can’t believe she fell for it!”

Jack:
“Shhh! We aren’t in the clear yet…”
*The two birds walk aboard the ship and up to the bridge as the Egg Carrier takes off.*
*Jack sits down in the captain’s chair.*
“Well my dear, would you like to do the honors?”

Angela:
*Angela smiles evilly.* “Heck yeah!”
*Angela pushes the missile launch button.*

A barrage of Egg missiles launch out into the plantation fields. However instead of exploding, swarms of insectoid robots fly out of them and begin following their programming. Destroy…
The two birds watch in delight as the fields are stripped of their leaves before their eyes.

Jack:
“Right, as much as I love a good moment, we better skedaddle before Miss Needlemouse calls in reinforcements.

Angela:
“Right… And Jack? Thanks for this.”

Jack:
“Hey, what are pen pals for?”

As Angela walks to her quarters Jack pulls out a stack of letters and looks them over. Years of talking and plotting…
And we now return to the present day where we see Jack sitting in a chair by the bed of an unconscious Angela, reading over the same papers.

Jack:
*Jack sighs.*
*He places the papers on the table.*

A knock is heard on the door.

Jack:
“Come in…”

Rouge:
“How she holdin’ up?”

Jack:
“Fine I suppose… Vitals are good. I guess the stress just got to her…”

Rouge:
“Hmm. Understandable I suppose…”

Jack:
“...So. Who hired you guys to hunt me down?”

Rouge:
“Hmm? Oh, some hedgehog lady, paid a pretty penny to get her ‘revengeance’ upon you and Angel here.”

Jack:
“Heh. Surprised she hasn’t tried something sooner…”

Rouge:
“Well don’t worry about it Beaky, I’ll just make up a story or somethin’. You two owe me one though.”

Jack:
“Oh really? Last I recall you owed ME one. Remember that night in Adabat?”

Rouge:
“Ha! Do I ever. I still have the scar…”

Angela:
*Angela stirs a bit.*

Jack:
“Ange?!”
*Jack leans over to Angela.*

Angela:
“Ugh.. J-Jack? What happened?”

Jack:
“Relax Angel, you’re safe now…”

Angela:
“B-But the cultists. I heard them talking about you being part of their plans…”

Jack:
“Yeah, well I’m not playing their games anymore. We’re done with those clowns. And if they DARE mess with you again… I’ll tell Omega that they work for Eggman.”

Angela:
“Omega? Who’s–”

Jack:
“It’s not important. You just get some rest…”

Rouge:
“You had a nasty fall there… Lucky I didn’t skip wing day…”

Angela:
*Angela notices the infamous jewel thief in the doorway.*
“...I’m uh… going to go back to sleep now… Hopefully the crazy will wear off…”

Jack:
*Jack chuckles.* “Alright. Goodnight Ange. Love ya.”

Angela:
*Angela yawns.* “Love you too hun…”

With that, we end this little minisode. Hopefully there’s not any trouble in store for our heroes… but who knows what could happen next time on Nightmares of an Absolution!

At the same time, not too far away. At the Master Emerald altar… Knuckles the Echidna lies across the top of the Emerald, completely relaxed, whilst Silver the Hedgehog absentmindedly picks weeds from the cracks in the ancient stone structure.

Silver:
“...Hey, Knuckles? You awake?”

Knuckles:
“No… But what’s up?”

Silver:
“Those hooded guys… They had the Phantom Ruby, didn’t they?”

Knuckles:
“...” *Knuckles begins to silently ponder.*

Silver:
“And Jack said they’re trying to revive Infinite…”

Knuckles:
“So what? Infinite was a joke!”

Silver:
*Silver glares in Knuckles’s general direction.* “Don’t say stuff like that! You know full well he killed thousands of good soldiers… Good people…”

Knuckles:
“I… try not to think about it… I already can’t sleep at night… (How many of those lives were ended due to my incompetence?)

Silver:
“Well, I carry their sacrifices with me. Their strength is what got me through the war… And I won’t let their sacrifices be in vain.”

Knuckles:
“What are you saying, Silver?”

Silver:
“I’m saying I’m gonna go help Jack stop that cult. What about you?”

Knuckles:
“I… can’t. Someone’s gotta watch the Master Emerald. I made the mistake of leaving it unguarded last time. I won’t do that again…” (Besides, I don’t want to be the reason you fail…)

Silver:
“Alright. Have it your way. I’m going to make sure Infinite doesn’t infest anyone else’s nightmares ever again.”

Knuckles:
“Yeah… Good luck, kid.”

Silver:
“Same to you. I’ll be back soon!” *Silver rises up in the air, then speeds off, cloaked in a teal light.*

Knuckles:
“You’d better not fail…”

Silver sets off to help our heroes! And it seems Knuckles has been shaken by the war more than we thought… What comes next? The path will be made clear, when we return to Nightmares of an Absolution!

```

### Episode 6: This is an Illusion, Open up Your Eyes...

```
Deep below the great metropolis of Golden City lies the hidden society of Illumina. Residencies hang from the cavernous ceiling by illuminated beams, glowing waterfalls pour out in each of the eight corners of the city, converging into several canals that the citizens use for transport. The canals lead to the center of the city, where a tall black stone building stands above all the rest… This is the Temple of Infinite.

Cult Member:
*Two IGN members stand guard at the gates of the temple.* “Halt! Who goes there?”

Mystery Voice:
*A figure in a blue cloak approaches.* “I am on a mission. Please let me through.”

Cult Member:
“State your name, sir.”

Blip:
*Blip pulls off his hood.* “I said please.”

Cult Member:
*Cult Member is shocked.* “Y-yes sir! Right away, sir!” *The guards move to let Blip through.*

Blip enters the temple. Inside there is an architectural marvel of a sanctum. He approaches the altar, where a lone Black Coat stands, their attention focused on the Phantom Ruby floating on a pedestal in front of them.

Blip:
“So… What happened to your vision?”

```

```
IGN Leader:
“...Blip… I thought I told you to leave me be.”

```

```
Blip:
“You know I can’t do that. After all, our special connection makes certain that I know everything you’re up to. And I’ve seen some things that displease me.”

IGN Leader:
“I could care less what you think. The direction I am taking the plan will bring forth a new world. A reality where no one will suffer.”

Blip:
“AH! But, what happened to reviving Infinite? Surely you haven’t forsaken your lord? That’s one thing I couldn’t figure out from our connection. What *is* your plan?”

IGN Leader:
*The leader turns toward Blip, in his right hand a shadowy presence sits.* “Do you recognize this?”

Blip:
*Blip realizes what it is.* “I see. So that’s what you were doing in Soleanna… How did you know of its continued existence?”

IGN Leader:
“When the Eggman released his Time Eater a while back, fragments of memories from other timelines, other possibilities escaped. A certain member of our group just so happened to remember everything about Solaris and its shadow.”

Blip:
“So… The soul of Infinite, the shadow of Solaris… Now all you need is a heart and a body to create a whole being. I assume that’s why you want Jack?”

IGN Leader:
“Exactly. However, he has been most uncooperative…”

Blip:
“That is why you had the contingency, right?”

IGN Leader:
“The contingency was also a failure. As a last resort, I will offer myself once more as a vessel. Perhaps I will be found worthy this time…”

Blip:
*Blip smirks.* “We’ll have to see, I suppose.”

IGN Leader:
“I assume you will tell Beakton of my plan?”

Blip:
“Am I that predictable?!? Gracious, I’m losing my touch. Anyway, ciao!” *Blip blips away.*

IGN Leader:
“True believers… The time has come. Make sure that Jack Beakton never sets foot in Illumina… Instead, usher him to the grave.”

Cult Member:
*An entire legion of cultists speak up from the shadows.* “It will be done!”

The Cultists all vanish in a cloud of smoke as their leader laughs maniacally upon the altar.

We transition to our heroes in morning eating breakfast at the familiar galley kitchen where many a pizza has been served.

Jack:
*Jack grouchily walks down the stairs into the kitchen.*

Angela:
“Mornin’ hun. Gotcha breakfast on the table.”

Jack:
“Thanks Ange…”
*Jack sits down at his usual spot only to brush against something.*
“Huh?”
*Jack looks over to see Rouge eating an omelette.*

Rouge:
“Morning Beaky. Get enough beauty sleep?”

Jack:
“Why are you still here woman?”

Angela:
“JACK!”

Jack:
“Sorry, sorry… I’m grouchy before my first cup of tea…”
*Jack downs a 12 oz cup of earl grey.*
“Ahhhh.”

Rouge:
“So, what do you two have planned?”

Jack:
“I dunno. Probably just relax…”

Blip:
*Blip blips in.* “JACK! I have DIRE news!”

Jack:
“GAH! Dude…”

Blip:
“How do you feel about abandoning your ship?”

Jack:
“...”
“Wat.”

Angela:
“Why?”

Blip:
“I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that the IGN might attack you up here. Just a small hunch.”

Angela:
“Uh Jack… I think Blip has a point.”

Blip:
“You think you can… But I’m not talking a few Black Coats. I mean the whole legion.”

Jack:
“...”
“Yeah but it’s still just a hunch…”

Blip:
“...”
“Fine. I went to Illumina… I know they’re coming. So you’d best get ready.”

Omega:
“I WILL BEGIN PREPARING AN ESCAPE VEHICLE FOR YOU PUNY MEATBAGS…”
*Omega leaves for the hangar.*

Jack:
“...I’ll get ready alright…”
*Jack walks up the stairs to the bridge.*

Blip:
“Why do I get the feeling that was sass?” *Blip follows Jack to the bridge.*

Angela:
“...Rouge?”

Rouge:
“I’ll help you grab your and Jack’s things…”

Jack sits in the captain’s chair staring out onto the horizon, arming the ship’s missiles and defenses.

Blip:
“Jaaaaaaaack… I’m telling you. You’re not gonna get out of this one alive. The only way is to come with me!”

Jack:
“Who says I wanna come out alive?”

Blip:
*Blip sighs and flops down into another chair.* “I suppose you’re right…”

Jack:
“About time you see things my way…”

Blip:
“Just what is your way, by the way? I knew you were searching for a way to change reality, but I could never figure out why exactly, or for what purpose.”

Jack:
“...Heh. See, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past. Very costly mistakes… The attack on Central City? My mistake. The Polybius monster incident? Indirectly caused by me… The deaths of countless men and women… the deaths of friends… and loved ones… If I could find a way to undo it. Turn back the clock, or even just merge this reality with one where it never happened! Anything…”

Blip:
“Jack… Those aren’t powers you want to be messing with… You see, I also have a secret… I–”

The sky outside the Egg Carrier turns a sickly shade of magenta, followed by sparking thunderclouds. A terrible roaring sound is heard.

Blip:
“They’ve arrived. Come on, Jack. Last chance.”

Jack:
“Blip? A wise teacher once said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’... THAT is my way… You help Ange and the others get that escape ship out of here…”

Blip:
“That doesn’t mean you should throw your life away when you have the chance to survive!”

Jack:
“...”
“What kind of life is it if I’m always running? Running from my problems, friends turned enemies, no more! I’m not running from this…”

Blip:
“Fine. Then I’ll stay and help in any way I can.”

Jack:
“Thank you.”

Omega:
*Omega walks in.*

Blip:
“I’m incapable of fighting the members head-on, but I can fight their illusions. Just point me where you need me.”

Omega:
“ESCAPE VESSEL IS PREPARED. MULTIPLE ENEMIES DETECTED. SHALL I ENGAGE IN SLAUGHTER?

The Egg Carrier suddenly shakes violently. A screen pops up reading: SKY DECK UNDER FIRE FROM LARGE ENTITY.

Jack:
“No Omega. Get Rouge, Angela, and Jabber to safety… WHAT? Computer! Fire all lower cannons!”

Omega:
*Omega goes back down to the hangar.*

The computer chimes again: LOWER CANNONS INOPERABLE, DAMAGE EXCEEDING 9000%.

Jack:
“...Drat…”

Blip:
“I say we get down there and deal with whatever is causing that…”

Jack:
*Jack nods.*
*He draws his sword and runs down the stairs.*

The duo arrives at the sky deck, smoke and flames obscure their vision, but as it clears they catch a glimpse of a humongous dragon. BOSSFIGHT! Illusionary Wyvern!

Jack:
(Oh it’s on…) [an instance of italics I’ve decided works as thought]

Blip:
“That is one scaley boi. Let’s beat him up.”

The Wyvern flaps its wings, sending gusts of wind at our heroes, almost blowing them off the platform.

Jack:
*Jack grabs onto the railing.*

Blip:
*Blip gets blown off, but blips back to the platform.* “Wah! Close one!”

Jack:
*Jack grabs his sword with his beak and uses his other hand to help launch himself back onto the platform.*

The beast rips a broken gun off the side of the ship and tosses it towards Jack and Blip.

Blip:
“I have an idea!”

Jack:
“WELL DON’T JUST SAY YOU HAVE ONE! DO IT LAD!”

Blip:
*Blip grabs Jack’s sleeve and blips them both onto the piece of hurdling debris, before blipping again, sending the debris and them back at the dragon.*
“Now!!”

Jack:
*Jack slices into the dragon’s side.”

The dragon lets out a roar and swings its head into the engine labelled #4, destroying it.

Jack:
“...”

The Egg Carrier begins to descend slowly.
Meanwhile, in the hangar, Rouge, Omega, Angela, and Jabber are preparing to take an escape shuttle, however…

Cult Member:
*Several IGN members appear.* “Leaving so soon?”

Angela:
*Angela glares.*
*She fires a laser blast from a wispon shotgun powered by Jabber.*

Jabber:
*Jabber is wondering how long she had this gun because it is really dusty inside…*

[Jones later explained that Angela found this gun sitting in storage in the hangar. Jack planned to give it to her after marriage]

Cult Member:
*The members begin walking toward them, menacingly. The insides of the ship begin to spin, but somehow everyone stays grounded.*

Omega:
*Omega hovers over the ladies and opens fire on the crowd.*
“LEAVE WHILE YOU ARE STILL FUNCTIONING.”

Cult Member:
“Sorry about this. It’s our orders.” *The walls of the hangar start closing in on our heroes. Suddenly, the members are standing on the ceiling, charging a ball of light.*

Rouge:
“If I had a nickel for every time I was in a room with the walls closing in…”

Cult Member:
*The walls begin to inch closer and closer, until our heroes are forced underneath the ball of light as it grows brighter and brighter.*

Angela:
“Come on… Think Angela… There’s gotta be a way out of this… NONE OF THIS IS REAL! I REFUSE TO PLAY Y’ALL’S CONFOUNDED GAME!!”

Suddenly, Angela spies a mass of floating cubes in the wall, it seems to be… glitching?

Angela:
“Hmm…”
*Angela touches the cubes.*

Angela soon disappears, as the others soon catch on.
The glitch transports them all back to the real world, where the IGN members are surrounding them.

Angela:
“Hehehehheh.”
*Angela aims her shotgun.*
“Nighty night boys…”

The Egg Carrier shakes as the dragon below strikes another engine. The Egg Carrier is now in a free fall. We rejoin Jack and Blip outside.

Blip:
“WE BE SINKIN’ CAP’N!”

Jack:
“Aye…”

The Illusionary Wyvern sustains enough damage and explodes into thousands of cubes.
Like this:
[an image of the Ender Dragon exploding]

Blip:
“We need to get off this craft now. Before we’re plunged into the murky abyss!”

Jack:
“No Blip. If they want me, they’ll have to follow me to Davy Jones’s locker… Here.”

Blip:
“Jack…”

Jack:
*Jack passes Blip a ring.*

Blip:
“For meeee?”

Jack:
“No.”

Blip:
“Dang.”

Jack:
“I was uh, gonna propose to Angela… but she’ll be safer without me… I want you to give this to her.”

Blip:
“Jack Beakton. You are an honorable man…”

Jack:
“No… but hopefully I’ll be remembered as such…”
*Jack salutes Blip.*

Blip:
“I’ll see to it.” *Blip salutes back.*

Jack:
“Godspeed soldier…”

Blip:
*Blip blips away.*

Jack:
“Godspeed…”

At that moment Blip appears in the hangar and quickly grabs on to everyone.

Blip:
“Hang on everyone!” *Blip blips them all away.*

They all appear on a small island a ways away from the crashing Egg Carrier.

Angela:
“...”
“Wait. Where’s Jack?”

Blip:
“...”

Angela:
“...No…”

Rouge:
“What happened?”

Blip:
“The captain must always go down with the ship…”

Angela:
“...”
*Angela starts crying.* “No…”

Omega:
“NEGATIVE. HE CANNOT HAVE CEASED FUNCTION. EGGMAN STILL LIVES.”

Jabber:
*Jabber holds Angela tightly in a hug.*

Blip:
*Blip bends down to Angela and hands her the ring.* “He… wanted me to give you this.”

Angela:
*Angela looks it over.* “Was he–”

Jabber:
*Jabber nods.*

Angela:
*Angela breaks down crying.*

Omega:
“...WE SHOULD LEAVE. I DO NOT PROCESS EMOTION WELL BESIDES RAGE.”

In the distance, a teal stream crosses the sky.

Rouge:
“Silver?”

Silver:
*Silver lands on the island.* “You guys! What happened?!”

Angela:
*Angela sniffs.*

Silver:
“Wh–Hold on… Where’s Jack?”

Rouge:
*Rouge points to the ocean.*

Silver:
“What happened?”

Blip:
“The Egg Carrier was attacked. Jack want down valiantly just a moment ago…”

Silver:
“...Give me a second.” *Silver flies over to the crash spot.*

Teal light and lots of metal-on-metal noises can be seen and heard from the island.

Jabber:
“...”

Silver:
*Moments later, Silver returns… with a piece of the Egg Carrier floating behind him. He lands and places it down.* “Here…”

Angela:
*Angela stands up.*
*She sees the now wrecked remains of the bridge tower lying on the ground.*
*She sniffs.* “Jack…”
*She runs into the ruined bridge to find Jack’s body in the captain’s chair.*

Blip:
*Blip looks in from the outside, taking off his sunglasses in respect.*

Angela:
*Angela grabs mangled and broken body of her mate and holds him closely as she sobs.*
“Why… Why did you have to go like this… We were supposed to stick together…”

Jack:
*Jack coughs.* “Heh. You remembered…”

Angela:
“JACK!”
*Angela holds him tighter in an excited hug.*

Jack:
“Ow! Ow! Easy on the merchandise…”
*Jack goes to try and stand…*
*only for him to fall over.*

Angela:
“Easy sweetie. You–YOUR LEG!”

Jack:
*Jack looks to see his left leg is completely gone.*
“Well… That complicates things…”
*Jack grabs Angela’s hand and she helps him up. However Jack notices she has the ring on her left hand.*
“Wait… So do you…”

Angela:
“Leg first, wedding plans later…”
*Angela helps Jack grab onto her shoulder and put the weight onto her so they can make their way out to the others.*

Blip:
*Blip helps Angela carry Jack once they reach him.* “Glad you made it… But losing a limb is not ideal…”

Jack:
“Leave it to me to mess up my dramatic exit.”

Angela:
*Angela resists the urge to slap Jack and kisses him instead.*
“Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again!”

Jack:
“Hey where’s Jabber–”

Jabber:
*Jabber zips over and just appears hugging Jack.*

Jack:
“Ack. Found him…”

Rouge:
“Glad to see you’re still with us Beaky… Well, most of you…”

Silver:
“You really should get some medical attention. Quickly.”

Angela:
“Yes. We need to get to a doctor ASAP.”

Blip:
“AH! A doctor you say? You wouldn’t happen to mean Eg–”

Jack:
*Jack realizes exactly what Blip has planned.* “Shhh.”
*Jack points to Omega who is punching the side of the ship bridge.*

Silver:
“Don’t worry. We’ll investigate the cult. You guys go get Jack fixed up.”

Rouge:
“Right. Omega, Silver and I can handle the recon no problem. We’ll be in touch.”

Blip:
“Alrighty! With that settled, shall we be off?”

Jack:
“Aye…”

Blip:
*Blip grabs onto Jack, Angela, and Jabber before blipping away.*

WOW! WHAT A TWIST! But the story is far from over. What happened to the cultists? What will Beakton’s Buccaneers do for transport now? Will Jack finally value his life now that he has a marriage to plan? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON NIGHTMARES OF AN ABSOLUTION!

```

### Episode 7: This Pain Persists, I Can't Resist...

```
We open to the streets of Golden City where Silver the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat and E-123 Omega are searching for clues on the whereabouts of the hidden city of Illumina.

Omega:
“MY SCANS DETECT NO ARCHITECTURAL ANOMALIES IN THIS REGION… EXCEPT THAT DRUG STORE WITH THE BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS.”

Rouge:
“Keep looking Omega… There’s gotta be some entrances somewhere in the city…”

Silver:
“Whenever I’m looking for something or someone, I find it helps to ask around.”

Omega:
“NOTED. I SHALL FIND A SUITABLE TARGET FOR INTERROGATION.”

Rouge:
“He means just ASK them… nicely.”

Omega:
“NOT KILLING THEM IS NICE.”

Silver:
“Er… Maybe you shouldn’t try talking to anyone, Omega. You might scare them away…”

The mismatched trio begins to ask citizens of they know of an entrance to a secret underground society… How do you think this will go?

Citizen:
“Well… I worked in the sewers for a good few decades… I never seen no ‘hidden city’ down there. Y’all are on somethin’...”

Omega:
“NEGATIVE. THE ONLY SUBSTANCE I AM FUELED BY IS THE UNBRIDLED RAGE I FEEL TOWARDS EGGMAN.”

Citizen:
“Ditto, big robot, ditto.”

Silver:
“Do you know of anyone who would know?”

Citizen:
“Not a clue. Leave me alone, ya freaks.”

Silver:
“Right… Sorry.”

Johnny:
*Johnny is casually walking along.*
“...”
“Wait… I’ve seen you somewhere before lady…”

Rouge:
“Oh have you now?”

Johnny:
“HEY! YOU’RE ROUGE THE BAT!”

Silver:
“He knows you?”

Rouge:
“I have never seen this guy before in my life…”

Johnny:
“Oh come on. GUN Agent number 42! Er, 4042… We worked together on a mission in Adabat.”

Rouge:
*Rouge stares blankly.*

Johnny:
“I fell off the dock as soon as we arrived and sprained my ankle?”

Rouge:
“OH! Johnny!”

Johnny:
“Yeah…”

Rouge:
“Well, it’s been nice seeing you, but we’re kinda on a mission right now…”

Silver:
*Silver cuts in.* “Do you know anything about Illumina?! It’s uh… an underground city…”

Johnny:
“...Illumina… Uhhhh that the studio who made the Henchmens movies?”

Silver:
“No… It’s a city. Underneath this city…”

Johnny:
“...like the black market?”

Silver:
“The what?”

Rouge:
“Something you wouldn’t know about Silver sweetie. But this gives me an idea… Where do this town’s criminals hang out?”

Johnny:
“...”
“Jail?”

Rouge:
*Rouge sighs.* “Nevermind. We’ll figure it out… Thanks Johnny…”

Silver:
“According to Jack’s life story, he knows a criminal gang here called the ‘Rap-Trap’ or something?”

Rouge:
“Ugh… Those showoffs? How does Jack know them?”

Silver:
“Apparently he owes them money…”

Rouge:
“What… how?”

Silver:
*Silver shrugs.*
“Maybe we can ask that rat guy over there if he knows anything about them?”

Rouge:
“Huh?”

Colby:
*Colby struts down the street like Waluigi whilst blaring his boom box.*

Silver:
“EXCUSE ME!!”

Rouge:
“Oh Gaia…”

Silver:
“WE NEED TO ASK YOU SOMETHING!!”

Colby:
(Huh.)

Silver:
“Can you–CAN YOU TURN DOWN THE MUSIC?!?”

Colby:
*Colby goes to turn off the music and accidentally switches to another song.*
“GAH!”
*Colby slams the eject button and shoves the cassette into his pocket.*
*He clears his throat and flips his hair trying to look cool.*
“Sup?”

Silver:
“Do you know where we can find the… uh… Rack-? Brat?...Trap Gang? We kinda need their help.”

Colby:
*Colby grins evilly.*
“And what makes you think that they’d help lowlifes like YOU? They’re the greatest, coolest, toughest, baddest dudes in town!”

Rouge:
“...Colby if you don’t help us I’m calling your father…”

Colby:
*Incoherent words of shock.*

Silver:
*Visible confusion.*

Colby:
“And WHO are you?”

Omega:
“I AM E-123 OMEGA. THESE MEATBAGS ARE MY ASSOCIATES. LADY ROUGE.”

Rouge:
*Rouge nods.*

Omega:
“AND PSYCHIC HEDGEHOG.”

Colby:
“...”

Silver:
“Silver.”

Omega:
“CORRECTION. PSYCHIC HEDGEHOG THAT IS SILVER.”

Colby:
“Uh… I’m Colby…”
*Colby is visibly startled by Omega.*

Silver:
“So Colby, can you take us to those guys?”

Colby:
“To who?”

Silver:
“The… uh… The Gang.”

Colby:
“Heh. Ya lookin’ at him.”

Silver:
“Great! Do you know anything about a city under this city called Illumina?”

Colby:
“...Nope.”

Silver:
*Silver dramatically sighs.* “Okay… Thanks.”

Colby:
“Uh, might check the library?”

Rouge:
“...We already looked for any books on it you idiot.”

Colby:
“No no, the library itself. It’s a really old building. Might be worth checking?”

Silver:
“Now that you mention it… I did point out that weird statue outside the library, remember? We’d better check it out!”

Rouge:
“Right. Thanks kid.”

Colby:
“Uh… Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

Has Colby helped our heroes head in the right direction? Have we almost happened upon the hidden home of the IGN? Will we ever hope to hear the end of this story? Then hype yourself up for the humongous next half of this episode of Nightmares of an Absolution!

Immediately after we last saw them, Blip, Jack, Jabber and Angela materialize in Eggman’s base.

Blip:
“Here we are! Casa del Huevo-Hombre!”

Eggman:
“Whoa! Who are you? How did you get past my defenses?”

Angela:
“Relax Ivo, he’s with me and Jack.”

Blip:
“I’m Blip and I’m SPEEEECIALLL.”

Eggman:
“Clearly.”

Jack:
“Hey Unc. Got a minute? Could use those doctoring skills of yours…”
*Jack motions to the leg. Or rather lack thereof.*
*And the blood…*

Eggman:
“Oh dear.”

Cubot:
“I’ll get the mop!”

Eggman:
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve done some metal-organic grafting, but here goes nothing! Orbot, prep the medical chamber!”

Blip:
“So, what should we do in the meantime, Your Roundness?”

Eggman:
“First of all, don’t touch anything. Next, you can explain what in Solaris’s name happened.”

Jabber:
*Jabber touches Eggman’s mug on the desk out of spite for the rules.*

Orbot:
“The medical bay is prepped, sir. Do you need a hand changing into your scrubs?”

Eggman:
“Eh, we’re a little rushed, just get me some sterile gloves.”

Orbot:
“Right away, sir!” *Orbot scurries off, muttering something.*

Jabber:
*Jabber looks concernedly at Jack.*

Blip:
“Quite the crib you’ve got, Doctor. Being evil must pay well!”

Eggman:
“It doesn’t. Inventing on the other hand is quite lucrative! Let me know if you’re ever looking to buy a bagel-slicer.”

Angela:
“Well we’re gonna need all new kitchen appliances… and bathroom ones… and a house…”

Eggman:
“Seriously, who are you and where did you come from?”

Blip:
“AH! I do love a good bagel! If it has cream cheese and honey on it… And I already told you, I’m Blip. You may not know this, but we’ve met before…”

Eggman:
“Pretty sure I’d remember you…”

Blip:
“AHAHAHA! MAYBE NOT!”

Jack:
“Um excuse me… Kinda bleeding out here…”

Eggman:
“Ugh, right. Um… Duckbill! Get in here!”

Starline:
*Starline enters.* “What is it si–Oh!”

Eggman:
“Yeah, ‘oh’. Get him stabilized already, chop chop!”

Jack:
“What’s up, Doc?”

Orbot:
*Orbot and Cubot come in, carrying a stretcher.*

Cubot:
“All aboard!”

Starline:
“Right away, sir…” *Starline helps Jack onto the stretcher.* “Easy does it.”

Cubot:
“Choo choo!”

Orbot:
“This is a medical emergency, Cubot! Please take this seriously!”

Cubot:
“Quiet Orbot! Cabooses don’t talk!”

Starline:
*Starline rolls his eyes as he leaves with Jack.*

Eggman:
“Now, I want answers already.”

Angela:
*Angela sighs.* “Well, we were attacked by the cult.”

Blip:
“There was a teeny-tiny accident.”

Angela:
“The ship went down… and Jack with it…”

Blip:
“It was a very minor mishap.”

Angela:
“Why didn’t you just blip him out of that thing?”

Blip:
“He told me not to?”

Angela:
“Not a good enough reason.”

Blip:
“Look, lady… I don’t exactly have control over the things I can do, got it?”

Angela:
“...”

Blip:
“Free will is sorta a new concept for me…”

Jabber:
“Ahem. Pardon me but JACK IS DYING IN THERE.”

Eggman:
*Eggman is no longer paying attention and is mumbling to himself.* “I probably have some old E-series parts lying around that I could use… Don’t worry, Starline has it handled. I need to focus on rebuilding…”

Angela:
“Perhaps something in red and black…”

Eggman:
“Yes! A full makeover!”

Blip:
“AH! That is a very nice color scheme!”

Angela:
“Just in time for the wedding.”

Eggman:
*Eggman actually takes notice of Jabber.* “Hm… Might as well make him a new wispon while I’m at it…”

Orbot:
*Orbot yells from the back.* “SO HE FINALLY ASKED?”

Angela:
“Yes. About time too…”

Cubot:
“Awww I love weddings!”

Orbot:
“You’ve never been to a wedding!”

Eggman:
“So, when are you tying the knot? I’m ordained, you know.”

Cubot:
“I’ve watched enough Days of our Chao to know how these things work!”

Angela:
[in response to Eggman] “I was thinking week before Christmas maybe? Though, he didn’t exactly say it in the usual way… No down on one knee stuff…”

Eggman:
“Well, if you want that then I better get to work. You three wait in the waiting area, I’ve got brilliant work to do!” *Eggman grins wide before joining Starline.*

A few hours later…

Blip:
*Blip has started searching high and low for candy.* “Come on… A man that shape must have SOMETHING lying around…”

Angela:
“It’s pretty much muscle…”

Blip:
“INCONCEIVABLE!”

Angela:
“I know right?”

Blip:
“AH!” *Blip pulls a grandma’s-purse style strawberry candy out of the couch cushions.* “I AM VICTORIOUS!”

Orbot:
*Orbot hovers out from the operating room.* “AHEM!” *Orbot clears his non-existent throat.* “May I have your attention, please?”

Angela:
*Angela looks towards the robot.*

Orbot:
“Presenting! The greatest cyborg work the great Dr. Eggman has concocted! JAAAAAAAACK BEEEEEEEEAKTOOOOON!!”

```

```
Jack:
“Mwa ha ha ha ha…”
*Jack walks over to Angela.*

Blip:
“Nice! Digging the coat!”

Angela:
“How do you feel though?”

Jack:
“FRIGHTENINGLY FIENDISH MY DARLING!” *Jack kisses Angela.*

Angela:
“...”
“Okay. What did you do to him? I’m not mad. I just wanna know.”

Eggman:
*Eggman walks in whistling and brushing his hands off.*
“Hey, I didn’t do anything! Either the anesthetic’s wearing off or I’m rubbing off on him.”

Jack:
“Probably both.”

Blip:
“Can I get me one of those coats?”

Angela:
*Angela turns to the couch to wake up Jabber to see he’s not there.*
“Jabber?”

Jabber:
*Jack’s new sword deactivates and Jabber flies out.*

Jack:
“Pretty cool new blade right?”

Eggman:
“Just came up with it.”

Jack:
“An elegant wispon for a more civilized age…”

Eggman:
“I can’t believe I never thought of a wisp-powered blade before. Well, I don’t get to work with wisps often. Kidnapping them would be way too much hassle at this point. Anyway, I call it the Beam Emission Apparatus Type-R. The Egg Beat-R for short.”

Jack:
“Does the work of a sword and a pistol!”

Starline:
“I had some input as well, actually.”

Eggman:
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I did the hard part of coming up with the name and putting that little logo on there.”

Starline:
“Of course, Doctor. You perfected my design.”

Blip:
“Is no one going to answer my obviously-not-rhetorical question!!?!”

Eggman:
“Why? You looking for a job? They kinda come with the gig.” (Along with a lifetime of servitude to me.)

Blip:
“Perhaps I will be once we finish off the IGN for good.”

Eggman:
“How’s that going anyway? Well, I assume not great. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

Blip:
“That pretty much sums it up. Some of your old enemies are actually walking right into their clutches as we speak!”

Jack:
“We’ll see how they fare against Omega…”

Blip:
“Oh, they’ll turn him into a scrap heap.”

Eggman:
“I dunno. Seems to me like this is working itself out.”

Blip:
“Indeed.”

Jack:
“They destroyed the Egg Carrier, Doctor. They should perish…”

Eggman:
“Eh, I go through those pretty quick nowadays.”

Jack:
“Still, they could be a threat…”

Blip:
“Excuse me, Your Over-easyness, but may I have a word with Mr. Beakton in private?”

Eggman:
“Be my guest, I have work to do anyway.”

Blip:
“Great, thaaaaanks!”

Jack:
“Thanks again Unc. Yer a lifesaver.”

Blip:
*Blip takes Jack aside.*
“You are going to Illumina now, correct?”

Jack:
“Oh yeah. We’re finishing this… Hades or high water.”

Blip:
“Great. There are some things I should explain before we go, though.”

Jack:
“Alright.”

Blip:
“Well, as I’ve told you before, I was once a member of the IGN. That’s not the full story however. At one point, I was their leader. You see, the cult started as a group of young soldiers that Infinite had gathered to train. He had planned to overthrow Eggman after destroying the Resistance, but you already know how that went…”

Jack:
“About as well as Eggman at his prom dance.”

Blip:
“Well, among the group, there was a young man by the name of Nathaniel B. Lipman. He was Infinite’s favorite. Anyway, after the battle of Mortar Canyon, Nathaniel lost it. He began making crazy theories about how Infinite’s soul was trapped inside the Phantom Ruby and that it was his mission to free him. So he founded the Infinitus Glitchius Nationalia in hopes of bringing his lost master back.”

Jack:
“...I take it you are Nathaniel…”

Blip:
*Blip ignores Jack.* “Soon, after rediscovering the Phantom Ruby, Nathaniel tried to bring Infinite back. But it was unsuccessful and the attempt left him scarred and deformed… Well, relatively.”

Jack:
(Nope… not Blip.)

Blip:
“After that, I took over the cult for a while. But he soon returned to power, with a strengthened resolve, and he kicked me out. So, because I am, AH! SO PETTY, I must now destroy them all. Preferably before Nathaniel tries to summon Infinite again. Whichhemayormaynotbeabletosucceedthistime…”

Jack:
“So you and Nathaniel… No relation? I mean, B. Lipman.”

Blip:
“Not… exactly? It’ll make more sense later… So are we ready to go?”

Jack:
“Aye. Let’s grab Ange and head out…”

Blip:
“LET’S GOOOOO!”

Within a minute, the Beakton Quartet has been blipped to the underground city of light, Illumina! They now stand outside the temple entrance.

Blip:
“Well? What do you think?”

Jack:
“I think they’re trying to compensate for something…”

Angela:
“Jack!”

Blip:
“Shall we go inside? The locals are very hospitable.”

Jack:
“Might as well…” *Jack keeps his sword hand free and ready.*

Cult Member:
*Cult Member appears from nowhere.* “The Master has been expecting you.”

Jack:
“GAH!” *Jack ignites his sword instinctively.*

Cult Member:
*The sword goes right through the Cult Member, but it does nothing.*

Jack:
“Right… Illusions…”

Blip:
“The real ones are inside…”

Angela:
“Then let’s go introduce them to our weaponry…”
*Angela readies a laser rifle she got from Eggman.*

The group makes their way into the sanctum; as they walk, dozens of cult members begin walking at their flank.

Blip:
“This seems like a little much.”

Jack:
“Indeed…”

Cult Member:
“Today is the day of deliverance. Be grateful you get to witness it.”

Angela:
“Would you creeps just get on with it!”

Jack:
“Yeah… Let’s end this…”

They reach the altar, upon it stands the IGN Leader, holding a shadow in one hand, and the Phantom Ruby in the other.

IGN Leader:
“Blip… Jack Beakton… and others…”

Jack:
“Well, if it ain’t Mr. Tall Dark and Spooky…”

IGN Leader:
“I welcome you to Illumina.”

Jack:
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you Nathaniel but it’s not nice to lie…”

IGN Leader:
“So Blip told you my name, did he? Did he tell you *his* true identity though?”

Blip:
“...”

Jack:
“I mean I assumed like some weird alternate version of you or something? Maybe evil twin? Or would it be a good twin… Can an evil twin have an evil twin?”

IGN Leader:
“HA! You don’t even realize! You sir have been making deals with the devil himself!”

Jack:
“Wouldn’t be the first time…”

IGN Leader:
*IGN Leader removes his hood.*

```

```
Jack:
“Aha! Evil twin! I knew it!”

IGN Leader:
“If only that were the case… The one you call Blip… is actually…”

Blip:
“I am the Phantom Ruby.”

Jack:
“Oh. That… explains a lot actually… I mean I should be surprised and shocked but at this point I think the anesthetic is still in my system so at this point I’m just rolling with the crazy.”

Blip:
“To be more specific, I am an illusionary avatar created by the Phantom Ruby to enact justice on those who would misuse its power.”

Jack:
“Ooooh. Like Moon Knight!”

IGN Leader:
“When I first attempted to summon Infinite, I was careless. I used my own body and heart as the vessel, but the Ruby rejected me, and created *HIM* as my punishment.”

Jack:
“Ohhh I like the Ruby’s style!”

IGN Leader:
“But I am stronger now! And I possess enough darkness to overpower the Phantom Ruby’s will! See this? This is the Shadow of Solaris!”

Jack:
*Jack waves to the shadow.*

Angela:
*Angela facepalms.*

The shadow does not wave back.

Jack:
“Hmm. Rude. You should teach your shadow manners.

IGN Leader:
“I WILL BE ACCEPTED THIS TIME!”
*Nathaniel smashes the Ruby and the Shadow together, covering the sanctum in darkness.*

Jack:
“Alright.” *Jack cracks his neck.* “Let’s boogie, boogieman…”

3 spotlights illuminate Silver, Rouge and Omega, who are lying on the ground, their eyes glazed over.

Angela:
“...”

IGN Leader:
[Nathaniel speaks as a disembodied voice] “Your allies were foolish enough to try and stop me, and now, they are caught reliving their worst nightmares over and over again…”

Jack:
“Huh. Robots have nightmares?”

Silver:
*Silver reaches out.* “You’re… my friend… right?... BLAZE!!”

Rouge:
*Rouge is screaming as if she’s falling to her death.*

Omega:
*Omega is having flashbacks of being left in that room with his potential wasted.*

IGN Leader:
“Would you like to join them, Beakton?”

Jack:
“No thanks, I choose life…”

Angela:
“That’s a first…”

Blip:
“Stop this, Nathaniel! Or I’ll stop it for you!”

Jack:
“Speaking of life… About time we ended yours Nate…”
*Jack pulls down his goggles and ignites his sword.*

Suddenly, the lights return. Jack and company are surrounded by thousands of Infinite illusions, that are cloaked in darkness. Upon the altar stands Nathaniel. As he speaks, his voice sounds like a certain Jackal.

InfiNate:
“I have done it… Infinite’s soul now belongs to me!”

Blip:
*Blip collapses to his knees.* “Agh… I’m being overpowered…”

InfiNate:
“You have no power over me, Blip.”

Blip:
“We’ll… see… about that…” *Blip holds out his hand. Magenta light begins shooting out of Nathaniel’s chest and into Blip’s open palm.*

InfiNate:
“WHAT?!”

Blip:
“I never wanted to use my full power on you. It wouldn’t have been as much fun… But, I see I now have no choice.”

InfiNate:
“You can’t do this to me! I… I’m the tallest of mountains! The roughest of waves!”

Blip:
“You’re a loser, Nathaniel. Get a life.” *Blip creates an illusionary beast that charges towards the altar.*

InfiNate:
*InfiNate creates an illusionary T-rex that blocks the beast.* “Two can play at that game…”

Jack:
“Oooh wizard duel!”

Blip:
*Blip creates an illusionary cannon and proceeds to fire at Nathaniel.* “You do realize who you’re up against, right?”

InfiNate:
*InfiNate creates a shield that blocks the cannonball.* “Let’s take this outside, shall we?”

The ground begins to shake.

Blip:
“You wouldn’t… What about all the people up there?”

InfiNate:
“Do I look like I care about collateral?”

Jack:
“Is that a rhetorical question or…”

Illumina begins to rise. The pointed tip of the temple breaks through into Golden City above.

InfiNate:
“Did you know, this city was once the launch site of an ancient spacecraft? Now history repeats itself!”

The floating city completely breaks through the surface, destroying several blocks.

Jack:
“Hey! I can see Pip’s house from here!”

Blip:
“This is too far, Nathaniel!”

InfiNate:
“Oh, I’m just getting started!!” *InfiNate charges his energy, coating the sky in darkness.* “I hope you’ve all made peace with your end…”

Jack:
“Way ahead of you…”

THE CITY RISES!! The IGN leader has succeeded, and Blip’s true identity has been revealed! What happens next?! Find out when we return to Nightmares of an Absolution!

```

### Episode 8: That's What It Takes to Be Infinite!

```
The city of Illumina is currently ascending to the heavens. Inside the crumbling Temple of Infinite stand two, evenly-matched beings of incredible power. And off to the side we find Jack Beakton and his posse surrounded by illusions of Infinite.

Jack:
“Well, I suppose it’s time we find out how this new leg does in combat…”

Angela:
“Right.”

One of the illusions swings in, attempting to strike at Jack.

Jack:
*Jack quickly strikes back with his new blade and then fires a laser blast at the illusion.*

Illusion:
*Illusion dissolves from the blast.*
*Several Illusions prepare to strike the group at once.*

Angela:
*Angela opens fire upon the illusions in a sweeping motion as Jack slashes them as they attack.*

The illusions all dissipate except for one, that grabs hold of Angela’s shotgun.

Angela:
*Angela gives it a death glare and then forces the illusion to the ground and beats it senseless with the butt of the gun.*

Illusion:
*The illusion dissipates. But their numbers haven’t gone down.*

Jack:
“Ange, I appreciate the enthusiasm but that isn’t helping.”

Angela:
“Right… What do we do?”

Jack:
“Just keep them distracted so Blipster over there can deal with Tall Dark and Spooky! Ya never aim for a hydra’s heads! Aim for its heart!”

Meanwhile, across the way from that whole mess. The two Phantom Ruby powered lookalikes are in an illusionary standoff.

Blip:
*Blip creates a giant rubber duck that immediately explodes with water.* “AH! I’ve got you now!”

InfiNate:
“HA! In your virtual dreams!”
*InfiNate creates an inflatable pool to catch all the water.*

Blip:
“Do you think we might be getting *too* wild with these illusions?”

InfiNate:
“Where’s your sense of creativity?” *InfiNate creates a giant air horn and sets it off.*

Blip:
*Blip is thrown backwards by the force of the noise.*
(We don’t have time for games… Something must be done…)

Elsewhere in the sanctum, a lone IGN member approaches the nightmare-bound Silver, Rouge, and Omega.

Cult Member:
“Oh no… This just won’t do…”
*Cult Member bends down and places her hand on Silver’s forehead.* “I feel great despair… but also… a bittersweet hope… Come on, wake up!”

Silver:
*Silver comes to.* “...Huh?”

Cult Member:
“You are a psychokinetic, right? Help me wake your companions.”

Silver:
“Wait. Who are you? Aren’t you with the bad guys?”

Cult Member:
“Oh, yeah.” *Cult Member takes off her hood.*

Charlotte:
“Name’s Charlotte. I’m on your side. Now come on!”

Silver:
*Bewildered, Silver nods.*

Silver and Charlotte proceed to pull Rouge and Omega from their nightmares.

Rouge:
“Whoa… That was… What WAS that?”

Omega:
“A FOOLISH EFFORT TO DISTRACT ME FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF THAT COWARD IN THE CLOAK. WHERE IS HE?”

Charlotte:
“He’s up at the altar. But I’d recommend helping out your friends over there, first.”
*Charlotte points to Jack, Angela, and Jabber, who are still holding off the Infinite Illusions.*

Omega:
“AFFIRMATIVE. PIRATE BIRD WAS INCAPACITATED LAST WE SAW HIM. A STUPID YET NOBLE EFFORT OF HIM TO KEEP FIGHTING…”
*Omega runs over to the illusions, firing at them full force.*

Illusion:
*Several of the illusions are destroyed by Omega’s rain of gunfire.*

Silver:
*Silver flies over and holds a group of the illusions in stasis.* “Attack them, now!”

Rouge:
*Rouge flies over and divebombs the illusions closest to Jack and Angela.*
“You are gonna owe me big time after this Beaky!”

Jack:
“I’ll write you a check…”

Illusion:
*Thirteen illusions begin charging a beam attack.*

Silver:
“Everybody get ready to block their attack!” *Silver puts up a psychic shield.*

Jack:
*Jack spins his blade like a lightsaber.*

Angela:
*Angela just ducks behind Jack.*

Illusion:
*The illusions fire, but their attack is rendered ineffective.*

Silver:
“Where did Charlotte go?”

Jack:
“Who?”

Charlotte has run to the front of the Sanctum.

Charlotte:
“Blip!!”

Blip:
*Blip is thrown backwards again by another attack, but seems unfazed.* “Oh, hello, darling. I’m just wrapping things up, here.”

Charlotte:
“You’re getting your butt kicked…”

Blip:
“Nonsense!! I’ve got this handled!” *Blip turns the altar into a man-eating piano, which chomps down on Nathaniel.*

InfiNate:
“AGH!” *InfiNate destroys the piano, sending the wooden shards towards Blip.*

Blip:
“You forget, Nate… I am the master of glitches…” *Blip holds out his hand as the shards instantly disappear, returning above Nathaniel. They pin his cloak to the ground.*
“Now, Charlotte! We must exorcise this abomination!”

Charlotte:
“Way ahead of you, sir.” *Charlotte holds two fingers to her head, outstretching her other hand.*

InfiNate:
“NOOOO!!!” *A red and purple storm cloud rushes out of Nathaniel’s chest.*

Charlotte:
“That… wasn’t supposed to happen…”

InfiNate:
*There are three voices coming from the center of the storm cloud.* “You have made a grave mistake…”

Suddenly, the walls of the sanctum are covered in purple crystals.

Blip:
“The shadow…”

Jack:
“...What the…”

InfiNate:
“You must now realize that you cannot hope to defeat me with your… limited power.”

Jack:
*Jack is hollering:* “Everything okay over there Blippy?!”

Before he can say anything else, “Nathaniel” is trapped in a teal light.

Silver:
“I won’t let you go any farther!”

Blip:
“Everything is NOT OKAY but THANK YOU FOR ASKING!!”

Charlotte:
“What should we do, sir?”

Jack:
*Jack slices through the illusions trying to make his way to Blip.*
“What the Green Hill is goin’ on?”

InfiNate:
*InfiNate tears through Silver’s psychic hold and turns it on him, sending him flying into the wall.*

Blip:
“Everyone… Hold on to something.”

Jack:
*Jack grabs Blip.*

Blip:
(This is a bit awkward, but alright.) *The sky outside changes from the Golden City skyline to a strange, distorted pocket dimension.*
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome… to Null Space.”

Jack:
“Huh. It’s a lot brighter than I expected.”

InfiNate:
“What do you plan to do?”

Blip:
“This!” *Blip places his hand on the ground. The entire city of Illumina begins to spin at an accelerated rate.*

Everyone is thrown around like fruit in a blender.

Angela:
“I think I’m gonna hurl…”

Jack:
“WEEEE”

Blip:
*Blip begins to walk towards Nathaniel, completely ignoring the laws of physics.* “Who are you, truly?”

InfiNate:
“I am… all of me.”

Blip:
“A little derivative, but it works I suppose… Well, Nathaniel. I hate to say goodbye, but you’re in my dimension now. So…
*Blip lifts Nathaniel into the air with Phantom cubes. The cubes cover him before Blip clenches his fist, blowing up the cubes.*

InfiNate:
“GRAHH!”
*Nathaniel falls to the ground, as the city stops spinning. Upon his impact, two flames emerge from his body.*

Blip:
*Blip turns back towards everyone.* “Would you all mind terribly helping me dispose of some garbage?”

Jack:
“It would be a pleasure…”

Everyone readies their weapons and powers to fire upon the illusions and the red and purple flames that emerged.

Blip:
“On my count! 1… 5… 37… ATTACK!!”

A large explosion rocks the entire city, as a blinding light covers Null Space… A few moments later, Jack, Angela, Jabber, Silver, Rouge, Omega and Charlotte are in free fall above Golden City.

Jack:
“...”

Angela:
*Angela quickly holds her cloak in a way so she can glide.*

Jack:
“Uh… Someone? Assistance please? Can’t fly…”

Silver:
*Silver is still dazed from hitting the wall.* “I… can’t grab everyone…”

Omega:
*Omega powers his thrusters and grabs Jack and Charlotte.*

Silver:
*Silver activates his powers just in time to land safely.*

Rouge:
*Rouge flaps her wings and gracefully lands.*

Jack:
“Well… that was… something.”

Omega:
*Omega drops Jack and carefully sets Charlotte down.*

Charlotte:
*Charlotte huffs.* “That was… Wait… where’s Blip?”

Jack:
“Huh? Where did he–”

Angela:
*Angela lands next to Jack effortlessly.*

Jack:
“...How long have you been able to do that?”

Angela:
“A while actually. Why?”

Jack:
*Jack sighs.* “We need to just write down our skills before this wedding…”

Blip:
“Quite the finale, wouldn’t you say?”

Charlotte:
“Oh, there he is!”

Blip:
“Just playing up the dramatic tension is all.”

Silver:
“What happened to Illumina?”

Blip:
“Ah! Yes! It’s gone!”

Silver:
“GONE?!”

Jack:
“...Uh… So how we gonna explain this hole?”

Blip:
“I’m sure everybody saw a city rising out of another city. In fact, I bet the police are on their way here right now!”

Jack:
“Uhhh.”

Rouge:
“On that note, I’m out. Ciao darlings!”
*Rouge quickly flies off.*

OUT OF NOWHERE, lights and sirens, followed by several police cruisers!

Omega:
“AFFIRMATIVE. YOU FIGHT WELL BEAKTON. I WOULD PREFER IF YOU STAYED OUT OF THE PATH OF MY QUEST OF DESTRUCTION.”
*Omega motions a wave to the others and then takes off after Rouge.*

Jack:
“...So…”

Angela:
“Bail?”

Jack:
“Bail.”

Blip:
“Do you want a lift?”

Jack:
“Yes please.”

Blip:
“Come along. You too, darling.”

Charlotte:
“Oh. Right!”

Blip:
*Blip gathers everyone together and blips them away, leaving only Silver behind.*

Silver:
“Uhm… Guys?...”
(Do they want me to explain this to the cops?)
“Oh well, I guess someone’s got to.”

Jack and Company have “saved” the world from the threat of the Infinitus Glitchius Nationalia. But it’s not over yet! There’s still plans to be made, diabolical and wedding! All this and more when we return to NIGHTMARES OF AN ABSOLUTION!

```

### Episode 9: Beyond Infinity

```
A FEW MOMENTS FOLLOWING THE LAST EPISODE! In Eggman’s base, Blip, Charlotte, Jack, Angela, and Jabber appear.

Jack:
“Well, that was fun.”

Jabber:
*Jabber pops out of Jack’s sword.* “I need a nap…”

Blip:
*Blip dusts off his hands.* “Well, our work is done for the day. Is the big man home, you think?”

Cubot:
“He went on a supply run.”

Starline:
“Anything I can do for you?”

Jack:
“Well, I could go for a cup of tea.”

Starline:
*Starline glares at Jack.* “Anything less menial?”

Jack:
“Hey, tea is not menial. And Cubot can’t brew one to save his motherboard!”

Cubot:
“You leave my mother out of this!”

Starline:
*Starline nods at an Egg Pawn which leaves to brew some tea.*
“Don’t tell the doctor, but I’ve reprogrammed some of the basic units with some extra etiquette.”

Jack:
“Beautiful.”

Angela:
“That’s handy I suppose…”

Charlotte:
“Erm… Blip? What do I do here?”

Starline:
“Care to introduce me?”

Blip:
“Make yourself at home! Oh, yes. This is Charlotte. She goes wherever I go. Not always vice-versa, though.”

Starline:
“Ah.” *Starline squints.*

Charlotte:
“Nice to meet you, Mr….?

Starline:
“**Doctor**. Doctor Starline.”

Jack:
“Yeah, he didn’t go to evil medical school to be called Mr.”

Blip:
“In any case, I need to have a word with the Egg Emperor himself, whenever he gets back. I believe he owes me a coat.”

Jack:
*Jack makes an excited squeal.*

Angela:
“...So. You’re joining the empire?”

Jack:
“YAS!”

Starline:
“Good to have you.” *Upon a motion from Starline another Egg Pawn takes Blip’s measurements.*
“What about your companion?”

Blip:
“I’m really just renewing my membership. She’ll be joining as well.”

Charlotte:
“I will? I mean… Okay? I guess that works.”

Charlotte’s measurements are taken.

Blip:
“Oh, Platypus! I had a question for you.”

The first Egg Pawn returns with the tea.

Blip:
*Blip pulls the Phantom Ruby out of hammer space.* “Are you familiar with this?”

Starline:
“Is that the–? How?”

Blip:
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m the ‘Phantom Ruby’s’ avatar. That is the name that Eggman bestowed upon this gem.”

Starline:
*Starline stares.* “Forgive me, but I find this hard to believe.”

Jack:
“Ooh! Blip! Do the summoning thingy!”

Blip:
*Blip sighs before shifting the entire room. Dr. Starline is now suspended upside-down.*

Starline:
“Whoa! Okay, I’ve been persuaded!”

Blip:
“In reality, our name is Valtron. We are an ancient being.”

Jack:
*Jack sips tea.*
“Sounds like a Transformer.”

Blip:
“Hence why we have decided to simply go by the ‘Phantom Ruby’. It is a nice name.”

Starline:
“The Doctor has always had a knack for naming things. Now then, would you kindly right me?”

Blip:
*Blip flips him back over.* “Now. Is there any paperwork we need to fill out?”

Starline:
“No. Much to my chagrin, the Doctor doesn’t believe in such formality with his allies. Pending approval from the man himself, I’ll find missions suited to you and your skills.”

Angela:
“Right… so… What exactly do WE do?”

Jack:
“Well, plan a wedding for one…” *Jack raises his eyebrows up and down.*

Angela:
“I meant other than that.”

Starline:
“I wouldn’t dream of telling you two what to do.”

Angela:
“Which is just as well, because frankly I can’t pull off the Eggboss look.”

Jack:
“Well, I presumed we’d just take it easy for a while.”

Orbot:
“Places, everyone! The Doctor is home!”

The Egg Pawn ditches the teapot.

Eggman:
*Eggman comes in whistling the Green Hill Zone music and holding grocery bags full of eggs and toilet paper.*
“Oh! You’re back. With what I hope is a new recruit.”

Jack:
“Well, more so a returning member. Blip here’s the Phantom Ruby.”

Eggman:
“Say what now?”

Jack:
“OH you meant the girl.”

Charlotte:
“Hi.”

Jack:
“Yeah. She’s with Blip.”

Blip:
“Who is the Phantom Ruby.”

Jack:
“So by default with me?”

Eggman:
“Hm… Prove it. Make floating red cubes appear.”

Blip:
*Blip sighs again, then makes red cubes appear, before making an illusion of Sonic.*

Jack:
*Jack instinctively is a bit startled.*

Eggman:
“Not bad… Sonic’s a bit taller than that, though.”

Blip:
“Only you would notice that. Oh, great rotund one.”

Eggman:
“Hm… We’re good, right? No hard feelings about attempting to use you to briefly take over the planet?”

Blip:
“Your vision was at least brilliant in scope. Easily the most well-realized use of our power in centuries.”

Jack:
“Centuries? HOW OLD ARE YOU?”

Eggman:
“Yeah, too bad that idiot jackal couldn’t handle your power.”

Jack:
“Well, at least he wasn’t as chaotic as Louis would have been if you let him do it. That would have been a REAL mess to clean up…”

Eggman:
*Eggman is ignoring Jack at this point.* “Any chance you and I can discuss a *new* plan?”

Jack:
“Oooh.”

Blip:
“Of course. I am in your service. And so is Charlotte. Call her… my muse.”

Eggman:
*Eggman stopped listening after “service”.* “Today has turned out to be a great day! For me, and for the Eggman Empire.” *Eggman chuckles sinisterly.*

Orbot:
“What has made today so great, sir?”

Eggman:
“Well, first of all, eggs were buy one get one free today. And now I just got a *great* idea for a new scheme…”

DUN DUN DUN!!! What does Eggman have up his sleeve this time? Who knows! Let’s check in with Team Dark!

Rouge:
(Ugh… Why does he always have to be on such random seaside cliffs…)

We cut to Rouge and Omega approaching a shadowy figure standing on the cliffside.

Shadow:
“What do you want?”

Rouge:
“Well, we were just gonna check in with you.”

Omega:
“WE COULD HAVE USED YOUR ASSISTANCE FIGHTING THE INFINITE IDIOT.”

Shadow:
“Infinite? He’s returned?”

Rouge:
“Not exactly. It’s complicated. Most important thing to know is the Phantom Ruby is back.”

Shadow:
“Well. That’s… interesting. So, how did your little side job go?”

Rouge:
“Heh, well…”

Omega:
“WE FAILED OUR TASK SUCCESSFULLY.”

Rouge:
“That’s one way to put it. Let’s just say I may have made an enemy of the Evazorn company.”

Shadow:
“Hmmph. Just as well. I don’t care for this mercenary business…”

Rouge:
“So… now what? You got any plans?”

Shadow:
“As a matter of fact… I do…”

MEANWHILE on Angel Island!

Knuckles:
(Where is that kid… He should be back by now…)

Silver:
*Silver flies in, exhausted.* “I-I’m here. Sorry… I was being interrogated by the police. Long story short, Golden City now has a hole in it…”

Knuckles:
“I have several questions. But you look tired… You gotta get some rest. Tell me later.”

Silver:
“Thanks.” *Silver passes out instantly.*

Knuckles:
(Things have been getting weird lately. And the Master Emerald’s been acting strange too… Something big must be coming… And if so, what?)

And thus closes this chapter of–

Blip:
Excuse me.

What? What are you doing out here?

Blip:
I’m taking your job.

HUH?!?

Blip:
AND THUS CLOSES THIS CHAPTER IN THE EPIC SAGA OF JACK BEAKTON! But this story is far from over! Find out what happens to our “Heroes” next in OUR WORLD and ORGANIZATION CHAOS 3! Coming next month!

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Jack Beakton
* Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik
* Blip
* Angela Evazorn
* Sonic Man
* Emerald Taylor
* Jabber
* Heraldo Higgins
* Overlord
* Pipsqueak Cheddarosier
* Charlotte Mathers
* E-123 Omega
* Knuckles the Echidna
* Silver the Hedgehog
* Rouge the Bat
* Breezie the Hedgehog
* Nathaniel B. Lipman
* Johnny Thunder
* Colby Ricotta
* Cubot
* Orbot
* Elijah Starline
* Shadow the Hedgehog

## Participants

* GasglowJones
* Captainclay55
* Pip9766