Chapter 2 of Comic Edition: Scourge Helps Others and Learns Respect

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## Appearances

* Scourge
* Dina (in an illustration)
* Eggman
* Sonic
* Rosy
* Vector
* Honest
* Shadow

## Summary

The chapter begins with Scourge sitting in his first period class, Algebra, pretending to listen to Eggman going over the rules of the class, which are no chewing gum, no taking parts, no asking for more than ten questions worked, and no name-calling behind his back. While the doctor does this, Scourge is busy worrying about third period.

Scourge starts thinking about other things while sitting in class. He thinks about how he had picked up a lot of useful skills while working under Doctor Finitevus, including learning to respect Chaos energy more. He then thinking ironically that him of all people had learned respect. To him, Scourge is an intellectual composition of who he wants to be. Eggman interrupts his thoughts by pointing out that he's been smiling dreamily to himself this whole time instead of listening to him recite the rules, which causes everyone in the class to look at Scourge and for him to turn red out of embarrassment.

Later, after the bell, Scourge leaves the classroom and comes face-to-face with Sonic, who asks Scourge what he was thinking about that made him space out in class like that. Scourge tells him that it's none of his business, and Sonic says that sounds like something Shadow would say while stepping uncomfortably close to him. Scourge doesn't like the way he's staring at him with a "multi-layered expression," and so he pushes Sonic away with the excuse that he needs to get to his next class, study hall, with ample time to dry off once he's there as it is currently raining outside. Sonic, surprisingly, gives him an umbrella and explains that he has another one in his locker. Scourge opens the umbrella and leaves but not without saying thanks. Sonic says "no problem," and Scourge begins making his way to the agriculture building, within which his study hall room resides.

When he approaches the building, the crowd begins to thin, and Scourge notices Rosy standing there. She doesn't have an umbrella, so Scourge steps in and extends his umbrella to shield them both, after which he remarks within his mind that it's also uncharacteristic for Scourge to help others, as well as learn respect. He then questions whether this is him or the construct of "Scourge" that is acting here. Rosy smiles thankfully, her cheeks rosy, and Scourge remarks on this in his head as well, noting how "seeing such vivid color in the otherwise monochrome atmosphere of a rainy morning was dramatic in a sense." In response to this, Scourge blushes, but he blames it on her reaction aligning well with the ideals of romanticism, one of his most favorite intellectual movements. He asks Rosy what class she has next, and she tells him it's study hall, to which he responds "me, too."

Scourge and Rosy enter the study hall room, and Scourge's first move is to visit the teacher's desk. However, the desk was empty. Vector then sticks his head into the room and says "Phew! I finally found the computer room!" He strides across the room and takes a seat at the desk. He looks up at Scourge and Rosy and asks what they need. Scourge tells him that he wants to go to the library. Rosy exclaims that she also wants to go to the library. When Scourge inquires as to just why she wants to go, Rosy says she wants to read the encyclopedias, a reference to chapter 1 of {w/Rosy}. Scourge tells her that she can come, but Vector tells the whole class that they are all going to the library, much to Scourge's dismay.

Once in the library, Scourge gathers a bunch of books from the nonfiction section and tries to look through them, but it's difficult due to the utter chaos unfolding all around him. The librarian, the fastidious beaver from Sonic Boom, is off-duty this period, causing the students there to completely abandon the rules he had put in place regarding noise. He remarks that they're acting more like fourth graders than high schoolers. Scourge hears a conversation unfolding behind him between Honest and Shadow in which Shadow seems to be scared and is having to be consoled by Honest.

Scourge waves to them, and Honest leaps out of her chair and scrambles towards him. Shadow stomps after her. Scourge tells them that he has Doctor Finitevus next, and Shadow tells him he does as well. Shadow's piercing red eyes as he says this takes Scourge off guard, and he is frightened. Honest shoves them together and says that they will team up and tells them to treat each other well. Scourge seems to be completely averse to this plan, but Shadow just continues to stare at him, not revealing anything. Honest stresses the importance of them working together by telling Scourge that he needs to protect Shadow since he's a newbie when it comes to Finitevus.

Scourge admits in his thoughts that it might be best for him to stick with Shadow just in case, and Honest agrees with him, saying that if he helps Shadow, Shadow will help him in exchange. Shadow doesn't seem happy with this. Scourge gives in, saying "alright," and, despite his previous thoughts, tries to say that he's only agreeing to work with him because it's a matter of "Stripes' personal safety," but Honest stresses that it's for his safety, too. The chapter ends with Honest giving us a lesson on proper apostrophe usage when dealing with possessive nouns ending in "s".