Broiling Trouble

In this roleplay story, Fennix wanders in from another universe, along with two foes...

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

### Episode 1: A New Venture

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We open our story... IN ANOTHER WORLD!! In the deep depths of the Coral Caves of the Sol Empire... We find a monkey lad hopping all over the place. What's got him so jumpy?

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Fennix:
*To himself* "Okay, okay, you got this. I got this."

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He seems to be running from something? Someone? Somewhen? Probably not that last one.

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Debby:
"This way sir! He went this way! Come on! He's getting away! This way!

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Danger:
"I'm coming! Calm yourself. These legs don't have in them what they used to..."

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NE'ER-DO-WELLS! Or so I think. It may be too early to tell.

Danger:
"Come out wherever ya are, mate. You can't hide forever!"

Fennix:
*His voice echoes through the caves.* "You guys are still chasing me? Huh. I couldn't tell."

Danger:
"Don't you get mouthy with me! I'll tear ya up when I get my hands on you."

Debby:
"Aaawww, I thought you said I could do thaaaat!"

Danger:
"We'll both do it, lil digger. There's more than enough monkey to go around."

Fennix:
*Talking to himself.* "Where did these guys come from?"

Where indeed? Our monkey friend continues to head further into the colorful caves until he comes to a dead end.

Fennix:
"Aw, great." *Grabs the orange jewel that's hanging from his neck.* "Don't worry. I'm not letting anything happen to you..."

Danger:
*The two finally arrive at the dead end.* "Ha! We got you now! I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but..." *He pulls out a hunting knife.*

Fennix:
*Turns around to reveal a fearless smile.* "Really, now? This is just what I was hoping for!"

Danger:
*Gets into a fighting stance.* "Then show me what you've got."

Fennix:
*Cracks his knuckles, embers popping from his hand as he does so.* "I thought you'd never ask..."
*Takes a step back before rushing forward and somersaulting into a flying kick.*

Danger:
*Blocks the kick with his arm and throws a jab in Fennix's direction.*

Fennix:
*Weaves.* "Oh, wow," *Talking to Debby.* "he is slow, huh?" *Uses his tail to trip Danger.*

Debby:
"Hey! Nobody gets to call him slow but me! Aw, let me at 'im, sir!"

Danger:
*Falls on his behind.* "Blimey! Get 'im Debby!"

Debby:
*Her feet begin moving before she's even thinking and she lunges ferociously at Fennix.*

Fennix:
*Barely blocks her and struggles to hold her away from him.*
"Whoa! Don't you know you're supposed to leash your dogs, dude?!"

Debby:
"I'm a marsupial, loyalist scum!" *Bites his hand.*

Fennix:
"Ow! Dude!" *Manages to kick Debby away from him before doing a backwards somersault and landing on his feet.*
"You guys sure are stubborn."

Danger:
"We don't know the meaning of give up! For the Revolution, Debby! GET THAT NECKLACE!"

Debby:
"For the Revolution, baby!" *Starts swiping at the necklace.*

Fennix:
"Nuh-uh!" *Hops up to an out of reach crevice.* "I made a promise. There's no way you're getting this!"

Danger:
"You little bugger! I'll get you yet!" *He throws his knife at Fennix.*

Fennix:
*Dodges the knife but falls down in the process.*
*Gets the wind knocked out of him as he hits the ground.* "Oof!"

Debby:
"Aw yeah! Great throw, sir!"

Danger:
"End of the line, ya scum."
*Walks over and stomps on Fennix's tail.*

Debby:
"Yeah! With that rock the Revolution will finally have the power to free the world from that prissy cat's tyranny!

Danger:
*Reaches for Fennix's necklace.*

Fennix:
"So, you guys know what it does? Then you really should've seen this coming." *Fennix's eyes begin to glow.*

The glow begins lighting up their surroundings! Suddenly, a gleam catches the eye of the dingo.

Danger:
"No... This place."

Fennix:
"Dude, pay attention!" *Kicks Danger in the jaw and leaps to his feet.*
"You are *not* aware of your surroundings, huh?"

The gleam comes from the back of the room.
[an image of a staff with gems on it]

Danger:
*Holds his jaw.* "This is the resting place of the Jeweled Scepter! You led us here on purpose, didn't you?"

Fennix:
*Follows Danger and Debby's amazed stares and turns around. For once, our hero is speechless.*
(I haven't seen that since...)

Debby:
"So... We takin' that too, or...?"

Danger:
"You want to *touch* that thing?!? Debby, I know you're a kid and all, but that's a horrible idea."

Fennix:
"I... I need to go."

Danger:
"You're not going anywhere..."

Fennix:
"That's what you think!" *Thrusts his fist forward in a practiced motion.*

In a large flash of fire, a portal opens... BUUUUT! The Jeweled Scepter begins reacting!! A blinding light erupts from the portal before sucking all three in.

Danger:
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Fennix:
"This wasn't supposed to happeeeeeeeeen!"

Debby:
"Wheeeeeeeeee!"

Before anyone can really understand what's going on, they all lose consciousness. Some time later, Fennix wakes up in a pile of garbage.

Fennix:
"Ow, my head..." *Instinctively reaches for his necklace.*
"Huh?" *Looks in his hand to see an ordinary pebble.*
*Immediately starts panicking and looking all around.* "OH NO. Oh nononononono!"
*Starts rifling through the garbage.* "Oh gross..." *The necklace is nowhere to be seen.* "Oh MAN." *Collapses and clutches his head.*

Citizen:
*A man walks up to Fennix.* "Are... you okay?"

Fennix:
*Is startled as he's never seen a human before.* "Uh... No. I had one job. One job! But I messed it all up and now I have no idea where it is or even where I am! Wait, where am I?"

Citizen:
"Um... You're in my dumpster... In Golden City. How much did you drink last night, sir?"

Fennix:
"A couple coconuts, why?"

Citizen:
"Do you need medical assistance?"

Fennix:
"What I need is a second to think..." *Jumps out of the dumpster onto the sidewalk and finally takes in his surroundings.* "Whoa..."

Citizen:
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was your first time seeing a city! Go home, sir. You need help."
*The man walks back inside the nearby burger shop.*

Fennix:
"I've *never* seen a city like this before... It's so loud! Where's it all coming from?
(The only way I'm going to find the Fire Quartz is if I can meditate, but I don't know how I can do that here...)
*He starts running through the city, completely unaware of traffic laws or people's personal space.

MEANWHILE! On the other side of the city... The dingo and the [Tasmanian] devil are in a similar situation.

Danger:
"Blimey! What's all this hullabaloo?"

Debby:
"I don't know! But I'll figure it out, just leave it to me." *Runs off.*

Danger:
"Lil Debby! Get back here!"
*Runs off after her.*

Debby:
*Is suddenly behind him.* "Right here, sir!"

Danger:
"...What did I tell you about doing that?"

Debby:
"Sorry, sir." *Is holding a burger and wearing a t-shirt that says "I ♥ Golden City".*
"I am ready to report, though!"

Danger:
"Proceed."

Debby:
"Okay! It appears we've been transported to a far away land, possibly another world in which society has advanced past ours even so far that people barely need to interact face to face! I can't be sure, but I'm guessing it's a capitalist society with a republic-like governmental structure."

Danger:
"Another world... Got it. Then we should find ourselves a tour guide, I suppose."

Debby:
"Yeah yeah yeah! I want to see all the sights and eat all the foods!"

Danger:
*The wind blows a newspaper in Danger's face.* "WHAZAT?" *He pulls it off his face and reads the first thing he sees.*

It reads: "James Mondil, Bounty Hunter. 20 Rings an hour. I'll get your man."

Danger:
"Well, Debby. Looks like it's our lucky day."

Debby:
*Talking with her mouth full.* "You're telling me! This meat patty sandwich thingy is delicious!"

After an hour of trying to work a pay phone, the duo is finally able to get a hold of Mr. Mondil.

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James:
"This is Mondil. Harvey, if it's you again, we both know you're skimming. Don't try to make me do your dirty work again, you little nishta."

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Debby:
"Oh boy, I can't wait to learn all the cuss words in this dimension!"

Danger:
"Uh... This is Danger. Danger Dingo. Look, I need someone who can show me around this crazy city."

James:
"Danger Dingo, right... One second." *The sound of flipping papers.* "Not a former client... What exactly do you mean show you around? I'm not a tour guide."

Danger:
"Well... Me and my friend are new to the area. Also, we need help finding a jumpy monkey with fire powers and a space-warping gemstone."

Debby:
"Ooh, tell him about the sucky hole!"

James:
*Silence for a moment.* "You've got my attention. You close to O'Malley's? It's a small pub, nice place for a chat over a pint. I'll meet you there if you can find the way."

Danger:
"Errr." *Looks around to confirm.* "Yep. That's where we are."

Debby:
"Yes! The food is way better at the mustache man's establishment, though." [she's referring to Random Citizen, not Eggman :P]

James:
"The what man? ...Never mind, I'll see you two in 15 or so."

Fifteen minutes later, inside O'Malley's.

James:
*James nurses a tall drink, having ordered two similar ones for the others.*

Danger:
*Quickly slides the drink away from Debby.*
"Alright. Like I said over the whatchamacallit... We need someone to show us around."

James:
"...It's called a telephone. What can you tell me about the target? Who is he or she? Why are you after them? And what means of compensation do you got?"

Danger:
"It's a monkey. A fast one, with a penchant for flames and a shiny rock on his neck."

Debby:
"Technically it's on a necklace on his neck, but yes, that's the perp!"

Danger:
"As for our cause... We plan to overthrow the monarchy in our home world."

Debby:
"Yup, and between us it ain't doing great..."

Danger:
"Shush, Debby. It's doing great! And once we win, we'll give you a bunch of royal spoils as compensation. All we need is that monkey's necklace."

Debby:
"But will they still be royal after we abolish the royalty?"

Danger:
"...Semantics, Debby."

James:
"What a fantastic idea. Attack a monkey to somehow overthrow a government I know nothing about and trust that if your seemingly hairbrained rebellion survives you'll actually pay me back."

Debby:
"Oh, good, he's on board."

James:
"Look, no offense," *James downs the rest of his beer.* "but I don't know anything about your monarchy. There's good ones, there's bad ones, but it's not my business. And going after a target with powers when you've got nothing even resembling compensation isn't exactly wise."

Danger:
"...Fine! We'll get you your blasted money! We'll meet here again tomorrow."

Debby:
"Don't worry, sir! I've been watching this city and I know just what we can do!"

James:
"I want more than money. I need actual solid intel on the target. Give me a dossier, a photo, list of powers, something!"

Danger:
"Erm... I--We don't have any of those..."

Debby:
*Hands over a tattered notebook.* "Just keep in mind I'm still not very good at hands."

James:
"Cheers."

Danger:
"When did you get that?!"

Debby:
"What? Oh yeah. I'm what you might call scatter-brained, so I write EVERYTHING down so I don't forget. I also doodle."

James:
"Bring some currency and I might take the job. I'll need to think on it."

Danger:
"Right. Debby! We're off to get us some funding!"

Debby:
*Is holding a sponge and a bucket of soapy water.* "All over it, sir!"

MEANWHILE! IN CENTRAL CITY! IN THE BAY DISTRICT! ON STEAMOPOLIS ROAD! INSIDE THE GLACIA HEADQUARTERS! IN THE TOP SECRET JAIL! We find the Ice-Pac.

Cool:
"Bored."

Wild:
"BORED?!?! You're BORED?! Why not draw lines on the wall with B. Groovy?!?"

Groovy:
"They're to count the days we've been in here..."

Cool:
"Long."

Groovy:
"Too long..."

Wild:
"Wake up you guys!! Smell that sterile air! This is LIVING!"

Groovy:
"It smells like bleach and depression..."

Wild:
"Pretty sure that's just you..."

The trio's squabble is cut short by an orange portal ripping through the space at the back of their shared cell.

Cool:
"What?"

Wild:
"HOLY BEJEEBIES!"

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Zara:
*A crackling is heard from the other side.*
*Steps through with a dramatic hair flip.*
"Felicitations, malefactors!"

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Wild:
"Fella-what?"

Zara:
"Hmm. Simpletons..."

Cool:
"Felicitations."

Zara:
(Perhaps I should try one of my brother's greetings...)
"Ahoy there?"

Groovy:
"Just end me now."

Zara:
"Well, that can be arranged..."
*Smiles evilly.*

Groovy:
"I long for the sweet release of death."

Zara:
"But I had other things in mind..."

Wild:
"OOOOOOH? Like what?"

Zara:
"Something much more... entertaining..."

Wild:
"I like entertaining!"

Groovy:
"Life is worthless without entertainment."

Zara:
"But first, introductions are in order."

Cool:
"B. Cool."

Wild:
"B. Wild!"

Groovy:
"And B. Groovy..."

Zara:
"I am Dr. Zara Lamia Hecate Beakton. Empress of the Beaktron Empire!"

Wild:
"And what do you want from us? The great and powerful Ice-Pac?"

Zara:
"Powerful? Darlings, you are currently in a minimum security prison cell." [she's wrong, it's actually very max security :P]

Cool:
"Simpletons."

Zara:
"Well, all but the Strongbad wannabe over there. He seems competent. Albeit silent..."

Wild:
"Oh, come on, B. Cool! Is this the thanks we get for freeing you from that cryogenic freezer?"

Cool:
"Exasperating."

Wild:
"Aw, shut up!"

Groovy:
"You didn't answer the question..."

Zara:
"Right, my point. I am looking for new recruits for my legion of terror... And you three showed... potential..."

Wild:
"We ain't no minions!"
"..."
"Unless you pay well."

Zara:
"Minions? Oh no no no. You see, in my empire all peoples are equal... And payment? Well, all your needs will be met, and everything you ever need will be at your disposal... Under my guidance, we will create a new, POWERFUL EMPIRE!!!"

Cool:
"Dreamlike."

Zara:
"So... what do you say comrades? Will you join our glorious empire?"

Wild:
"Well, your greatness. I think we're in."

Zara:
"Excellent... Now, if you'd all kindly look this direction, I'll demonstrate the Legionary salute..."
*Raises her metal hand in a salute and a familiar hypnotic symbol is shown.* [Starline's glove]

The trio is immediately hypnotized by Zara.

Groovy:
"Hail Beaktron."

Wild:
"Hail Beaktron."

Cool:
"Beaktron."

Zara:
"Excellent... Come along now boys, we have work to do..."

Overlord:
*From a few cells over.* "HEY! What's going on over there?!?"

AH! What a scramble we have on our hands! People from other dimensions! Another evil Beakton (unsurprisingly)! Here's where our craziest adventure yet begins! Join us next time for BROILING TROUBLE Episode 2!

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### Episode 2: The Klepto

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We now open on a random parking lot, where Danger and Debby have taken up running a less-than-glamorous car wash to raise money for their cause.

Danger:
"Make sure to scrub the tires, Debby!"

Debby:
"You got it, sir! I'll make 'em shine like the jewel we've sworn to obtain!"

Danger:
"That's the spirit!"

Several hours later, the revolutionaries have met again with Mr. Mondil to hand in their pay.

Danger:
"Here you are, mate." *Hands James a bag of money.* "That should cover our fees."

James:
*He inspects it closely.* "That'll do. Right. We've got a target, a... good enough dossier, and a basic visual description... Question of the hour then, where'd the blighter fall into our--um, dimension?"

Danger:
"No idea! We have no leads."

James:
"...Fantastic. Well, I can reach out to some of my sources with the description, and see what we find. Otherwise, I'll have to reach out to some of my old GUN contacts."

Debby:
"Something tells me he won't be blending in all that well."

James:
"Helpful."

Danger:
"Yeah, he's probably out mediating somewhere. We could catch him off guard while he's in a 'higher plane'."

James:
"Is that like... a code for drugs? Does he do [censored, I am not comfortable naming drugs on this wiki]?"

Debby:
"Nah, he's like the mystic martial artist type."

James:
"Oh. So [another censored drug]. Well, let me make a call." *James takes out his cell phone, begins dialing.*

Inigo:
*Comes on over the phone.* "**JAMES MONDIL? WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME? I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO YOU IN YEARS.**"

James:
"C'mon General. You owe me after the stunt you had me pull over the gulf. Have you ever tried to pull close air support with a strike fighter at Mach 3?"

Inigo:
"**I HAVE. AND I SUCCEEDED.**"

James:
"That's cute. Still, General, quite the promotion. I remember when it was Lieutenant Colonel... Now. Can we talk business?"

Inigo:
"**WHAT DO YOU NEED, MONDIL?**"

James:
"I need some intel on someone... Monkey, flame powers, apparently fell through a hole in dimensions. I can send you the full dossier I have on him. I've not got a location. You have anyone who might have seen him? Local police forces, CCTV, informants?"

Inigo:
"**I CAN ASK A FELLOW GENERAL IF HIS DETECTIVES ARE AVAILABLE?**"

James:
"Sounds good. I'll check in with ya at..." *Checks his watch, seeing it's still around midday.* "1500 hours?"

Inigo:
"**COPY.**" *He immediately hangs up.*

James:
"Fantastic. Now it's time for some footwork... Tell me, do you two always dress like this or are you trying to stand out?"

Danger:
"What do you mean? This is our usual get-up."

Debby:
"We wear our colors proud!"

James:
"RIGHT! With the rest of the money on your persons we're getting you some normal clothes. I'll find a hostel you can stay in overnight, and show you 'round the general area. You need to learn to at least kind of blend in, and live here while you're stuck."

Debby:
"You can't change me! I will never be normal!" *Notices everyone in the room staring.* "But you may have a point about blending in..."

James:
"That's all I'm asking kiddo." *Insert taxi ride montage here.*

I DO THE INSERTING HERE. Now. We find ourselves atop the TransFederation Building, where Fennix is attempting to search for his Fire Quartz.
[an image of a tall skyscraper]

Fennix:
*Standing at the very top, surveying the city.* "It's no use!"
*Jumps down to a platform.* "I can't focus in this place."
*Remembers something he was told.* "'Take in everything, then focus on what's important.'"
*Sits cross-legged and slows his breathing.*

He takes it all in, one thing at a time. The wind blowing, the sound of rushing cars, sirens, the pigeons. Down to the discarded trash blowing in the wind. Once he's processed everything, he reaches out, feeling for a familiar energy.

Fennix:
*His eyes open.* "Gotcha."

Down on the ground, we find a small rat and a chao, scampering through the alleyways.

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Toni:
*Is humming to himself.*

Vinnie:
*Happy.*

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Toni:
*Peeks his head out the alleyway.*
*Notices a shiny car with the window open.*

[an image of a shiny, fancy car]

Toni:
"Today's our lucky day Vinnie! First we find this stone on that passed out hobo and now we get to take a joyride in this sweet vehicle."

Vinnie:
*Alert.*

Toni:
*Sneaks over to the car.*

Okay, so. Learning time kiddos! How to break into a car! First you straighten out a coat hanger and make a V-shaped hook on the end... Then assess whether or not the window is open. Thankfully, it is. So we skip the difficult part. Now slide the hanger into the hole--

Vinnie:
*Flies in, unlocks the car door and takes shotgun.*

Then maneuver the wire to the latch and try--
Sure... That works too I guess...

Vinnie:
*Happy.* [smugly addressing Baxter the current narrator I think :P]

Toni:
*Steps in and hotwires the car.*

I'd explain how that works but I don't want to be liable for any actual car theft.

Toni:
"Ready Vinnie?"
*Takes the car out for a spin before returning to Ricky's chop shop.*
*Walks up behind Ricky and tugs on his shirt.*
"Look what I got!"

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Ricky:
*Turns around.* "Now that's a car. Almost a shame we have to take it apart."

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Toni:
"Meh, I got my fun out of it."
*Realizes he probably shouldn't have said that.*
"Uhh, I mean I got something shiny from it. Yeah."

Ricky:
"This is all you found today? We're running behind schedule."

Toni:
*Plays with the quartz in his hoodie pocket.*
"Uhh, yep. That's all I found, people have been more cautious lately."

Ricky:
"We'll just have to do with what we can and hope it's enough. I'm on thin ice as it is."

Vinnie:
*Upset.*

Toni:
*Looks down while kicking his feet.*

Meanwhile, on a nearby rooftop, Fennix is lurking.

Fennix:
"It's in there, it has to be. There seems to be a lot happening inside... I guess asking nicely can be Plan A. But I get the feeling I'll be needing Plan B." *He smirks as he cracks his knuckles.*
*He drops to the street and strides through an open garage door.* "Hey everyone."

Looks like we're cruisin' for a scrap at Ricky's chop shop! Will Fennix get his Fire Quartz back from Toni? Will Debby and Danger and James catch up? Where's the bird and her new cronies? We'll see next time, on Broiling Trouble!

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### Episode 3: Convergence

```
Fennix walks into Ricky's Chop Shop. What awaits him inside?!?! The suspense is killing me!

Ricky:
*Eyes narrow.* "I don't know who you are, but you better leave... while you still can."

Toni:
*Eyes widen and he jumps behind Ricky.*

Vinnie:
*Alert.*

Fennix must choose his next words VERY carefully...

Fennix:
"Relax. I'm just looking for something stolen."

Possibly one of the WORST things he could say!

Ricky:
"In that case..." *Motions to the Chop-Shoppers.* "You better stay."

Toni:
*Makes sure the quartz is safe in his hoodie pocket.*
"I'm just gonna wait in the other room..."

BEHOLD! The Chop-Shoppers! AKA a walking corpse of a possum, Frankenstein's sand piper, and a badger from the nice part of the underworld. They approach Fennix on the command of their boss man.

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Roadkill:
"Well, what have we here?"

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Piper:
"I know what we got! Some kind of funky squirrel!"

Wrecker:
"You must forgive our colleague. Due to her condition she sometimes replaces the last word in a sentence without even realizing it."

Piper:
"I do? I think I'd notice if I did something like thimble."

Roadkill:
"The time for speech is at an end. Oh, young primate, you know not what thou wrought. For your time of reckoning is nigh!"

Piper:
"What he said!"

Wrecker:
"Tally-ho!"

Fennix:
*Tries not to smile.* "Aw, man. Looks like we're doing this the hard way, huh?"
*Leaps forward into a roll towards the Chop-shoppers and then springs out into a flying kick.* "Hhhoooooiii!"

Wrecker:
*Leans back to dodge then grabs Fennix's tail as he flies by.*

Fennix:
*Now being held aloft by his tail with his face eye-level with Wrecker's.*
"You know, for a big guy..." *Pokes Wrecker in his chest.* "You move pretty fast."

Wrecker:
"Say, this tail of his could easily be tied to say, a cement block or some other heavy item that would drag him into the watery depths of the bay."

Fennix:
"No can do. I just hate getting my feet wet.* *Uses his feet to burn Wrecker's hand.*

Wrecker:
"Wha-ow!" *Drops Fennix.*

Fennix:
*Does a backwards roll into a one-knee stance.* "So..." *Holds out his hands and they light up with fire.* "Who else wants some?"

Ricky:
*Eyes widen.* (Great. He's one of those super-powered freaks. What else could go wrong?)

Mystery Voice:
"OOOOOH! FIRE POWERED GUY! How poetic!"

Three shadows are cast from the door, they're striking weird poses. A fourth joins them.

Wild:
"I've been waiting for this!"

Wrecker:
"Eh, wot?"

Groovy:
"We're the Ice-Pac... We're here to take the magic stone thing..."

Cool:
"ACQUIRE!"

Piper:
"I used to have a pet rock. Named him rasberry." [this last word should either be capitalized or have a P... but there's no knowing which :P]

Wild:
*Blows raspberies.* "How EXCITING! Let's dance, y'all!"

Fennix:
"Um... Can you, like, form a line or something?"

Roadkill:
"Whose line is it, anyway?"

Wild:
*Forms a bunch of ice crystals around him.* "Lines, much like goody goodies, are MADE TO BE CUT!

CUT NOW WE to a few streets away, where we find Danger, Debby, and James, along with two people who look like they just walked out of Hot Topic.

Elk:
"The receptionist said a monkey guy asked for access to the roof, but after that, the trail goes cold."

Penny:
"We were so close. Dang it. So where's our money?"

James:
*James sighs, before handing both a small bill.* "There. Now scram."

Penny:
"Thanks, doll! You're the best!" *She takes the bill.*

Debby:
"Ha! That little piece of paper isn't money!" *Flashes the last of her cash.* "This is money!"

Elk:
"See you around! Hope you find your man." *The Seraphinas leave.*

Debby:
"When we're done here can we stop by a bank? I want my money to earn interest and make more money!"

Danger:
"Now there's an idea. If we could make enough money, we could just live in this world. Think about it! No inept Monarchy to deal with..."

Debby:
"But that would mean leaving our comrades to suffer! And that would be the highest of dishonors!"

Danger:
"Right... We've got our duty and honor to worry about! No giving up til we find that gem!"

Debby:
"I am beyond on it!" *Starts searching under benches and behind mailboxes.*

LOUD EXPLOSION NOISES CAN BE HEARD FROM A FEW STREETS OVER.

Debby:
"KEEP IT DOWN!!! We are TRYING to search for clues and/or suspicious activities! Some people."

James:
"Debby, you're not very bright, are you."

Debby:
"Well, that entirely depends on your definition. Aaand who you ask..."

James:
"Danger, keep her alive. Let's check it out, shall we?"

Danger:
"Yeah, mate. Let's go."

The three make their way towards the source of the explosion... The Chop Shop. Of course it's the Chop Shop! As if things couldn't get any worse for Fennix!

James:
"Oh for f--heck's sake." *He sets his pistol to stun.* "With this much noise we maybe have 3 minutes and 28 seconds before the cops get here. Just... jump in. Do your thing."

Danger:
*Grabs Debby by the arm.* "If Monkey-boy's in there, then this is our chance."

Debby:
*Salutes.* "We will complete our mission whatever the cost!"
*Looks at her money.* "As long as it isn't more than fifteen dollars and seventy-two cents!"

Back inside the Chop Shop: CHAOS! The Ice-Pac have begun freezing the place over, whilst Fennix's fire melts it! The floor is now sopping wet.

Fennix:
"Don't get me wrong..." *Leaps off Piper to land a kick on B. Groovy.* "I enjoy a good brawl as much as the next guy..."

Cool:
*Grabs a half-stripped car and tosses it at Fennix, but it misses and flies toward Piper.*

Groovy:
"Ow... I've been kicked..." *He falls over dramatically.*

Fennix:
*Lands in a superhero pose.* "But even I have to admit when I'm in over my head."
*Looks down.* (So much for not getting my feet wet...)

Wild:
"Groovy! Freeze the background characters in place!"

Roadkill:
"You better not be talking about me! I am star material, I say!"

Groovy:
*Long groan, before freezing the ground, forgetting that he is laying on the ground. Only his snout is not encased in ice now.* "Oh..."

Cool:
"INCOMPETENCY!" *Grabs Wrecker by the ear and tosses him into a support beam.*

Danger:
*Having entered, and seeing the scene, is now mortified.* "What the..."

Debby:
"I am experiencing overstimulation!"

While the battle commences, a certain villainous bird has vanished.

Fennix:
"You guys, again?! Even in another dimension I can't get rid of you!"

Debby:
"Yes! We are like a rash!"

Danger:
"You got that right, mate! Maybe not the rash part..."

James:
"Who's with who here anyways?"

Meanwhile, in the back halls of the Chop Shop, Ricky and Toni are fleeing from a dark pursuer.

Ricky:
"No problems for ten years." (Unless you count that nosy little bunny.) "And in one night everything goes to swiss!"

Toni:
"I knew today was going *too* well!"

Zara:
*Cackles maniacally.* "I don't think so ya little bilge rats..."

The rats escape out the back exit, but the evil empress warps in front of their path.

Zara:
*Tisk tisk.* "Nice try gentlemen. Now..." *Her mechanical hand shapes into a blade.* "The gem if you please..."

Ricky:
"We don't know what you're talking about!"

Toni:
"Mhmm, yep, no clue."

Vinnie:
*Upset.*

Zara:
*Glares at the child.*

Suddenly, a large pillar of fire rains down from the sky, and from it steps a regal figure.

Blaze:
"..."

Zara:
*Ugh.* "Who called the fuzz?"

Blaze:
"I don't know who has what I seek. But let it be known... You can't escape me!"

Zara:
"Uh huh. We'll see about that..."

YES WE WILL!!! In the next episode. Tune in next time for a tussle like you've never seen! Be there or be scorched!

```

### Episode 4: Raisin' Flames

```
THE WORLD IS ON FIREEEEEEEEE!!!!! Just kidding! Blaze the Cat has arrived from the Sol Dimension to put an end to these shenanigans! Zara stands between her and the rats.

Zara:
"..."

Toni:
*Starts breathing very quick and heavy.*

Blaze:
(I suppose I shouldn't disregard diplomacy.) "Hello. I am Princess Blaze. I am here in search of a gemstone that doesn't belong in this dimension. I will not be leaving without it."

Zara:
"Funny, I'm after that gem as well..."
*Cracks neck at an unnatural angle.*

Ricky:
"Then leave us out of it. We don't have any..." *Notices Toni acting strange.* "Son of a swiss..."

Zara:
"And I'm not leaving without it mouse boy..."

Blaze:
"I'm here to protect my dimension." *Stands in front of Toni.* "But I will still defend the citizens of this one while I'm here!"

Zara:
"Your funeral..."

Blaze:
"We shall see." *Assumes a fighting stance.* "Prepare yourself!"

Zara:
"Fine..."
*Opens a portal under and above Blaze.*

Toni:
*Tries to run away before Ricky grabs his hood.* [this is saying that Ricky grabbed Toni's hood. it's never specified where the rats go during the following battle... so presumably they for whatever reason stay?]

Blaze:
*Falls infinitely for a moment, before using her hover move to suspend herself between the two portals.* "A cheap trick! You'll need more than that!"

Zara:
"Fine." *Moves the bottom portal to the trash can behind her.*

Blaze:
*Dodges and rushes Zara with her signature axel tornado move.*

Zara:
*Her arm transforms into a shield and she blocks.*

Blaze:
*Presses on, grinding against the shield.*

Zara:
*Turns sending her flying into the building with the force of the attack.* [I assume the person who went flying was Blaze]

Blaze:
"Ugh!" (She's strong. Or at least has tough defenses. I must proceed carefully.)

Debby:
*Comes flying out the window of the building.*

Danger:
*Jumps out the window after her.* "Debby! You alright, mate?"

Debby:
*Lies still for a second before flailing and scrambling to her feet.*

Zara:
"Hmm. Potential minions..."

Debby:
"Did you get the number of that truck that hit me?! That's a phrase they use in this dimension."

Danger:
*Notices Blaze.* "Blimey... The witch princess is here."

Zara:
"Freedom fighters! Aid me in the destruction of this witch!"

Debby:
*Points at Blaze and lets out a loud extended gasp.*

James:
*James runs following behind.* "Will you two slow down!"

Zara:
"Oh hello James."

James:
"Holy crap what's with that bird's hair? WAIT WHO'S THE BURNING CHICK? WHAT IS HAPPENING? Wait... how did you know my name?"

Blaze:
*Sighs.* (This is quickly becoming another of *those* adventures.)

Danger:
"Mondil. Meet the monarch who keeps abandoning her people to do what knows what who knows where!!"

James:
"Which one of them is that?"

Zara:
*Points to the cat.*

Danger:
"The purple one."

Blaze:
(These must be those rowdy rebels I've heard talk of. But what are they doing here? I have to get to the bottom of this.)

James:
"I'm getting mixed messages here..."

Danger:
"The one with the fire!"

Blaze:
*Lights a fire at her fingertip just to eliminate confusion.*

Zara:
"Thank you. Because apparently these clowns can't just say that the monarch is the freaking CAT."

Debby:
*Finally starts breathing normally enough to shout.* "YOU!"

James:
"Oh! Well then..." *He sets his pistol to stun.* "Let's take her in.*

Debby:
"You shall pay for what you've done to me and our world!!!"

Zara:
"Excellent... Yes... She will pay dearly..."

Danger:
"This is getting out of hand..."

James:
"Wait, so who is this bird chick with the 90s hairdo?"

Danger:
"I haven't the slightest..."

Zara:
"Zara Beakton. Beaktron Enterprises."

James:
"I'm all for toppling evil tyrants but this is getting a bit wacko."

Zara:
"Well then, let's show this cat to the nearest bag shall we?"

James:
"Wait, Beakton! As in the bounty head?" *He turns his pistol on her.*

Danger:
"As much as I'd love to do that... We have to do things the proper way. Maggie would be furious if we killed her."

Zara:
"No no, that's my brother."

Debby:
[in reply to Danger] "That's the ONLY thing keeping me from MAULING HER RIGHT NOW!"

Zara:
"Oh I like this kid..."

James:
"Okay, I'm this close to stunning everyone and sorting it out later. Blimey."

Zara:
"Please do. I need a buzz right now..."

James:
(What in the heck is wrong with these people?)
"Majesty, please stand down and we're gonna talk this out. Everyone just put your weapons down."

Blaze:
(That sounds reasonable... But there's so much at stake...)

Zara:
"Not happening Mondil."

Debby:
*Is looking at her claws, wondering how she's supposed to put them down.*

Zara:
"I don't trust this cat to follow through on being peaceful."

At that moment, the Ice-Pac emerges from the back door.

Zara:
"Pretty sure the others agree..."

Wild:
"YOUR EVILNESS!"

Zara:
"OH hello darlings. Come to help?"

Groovy:
"The murder monkey is coming..."

Cool:
"OUCHIE."

Zara:
"Ugh. That clown... He mentioned he might be here..."

Behind them, the chop shop explodes.

James:
*James spots the Ice-Pac.* "For a non-criminal you've got a lot of jailbirds on your side Beakton... Deb, keep an eye on the Queen. I've got business with these 3."

Zara:
"Now now, I'm above your petty capitalist laws..."

James:
"Not that kind of criminal... Screw this." *He fires at Cool.*

Cool:
*Tanks the blast.* "TICKLES."

Debby:
*Jumps and latches onto Danger, quivering.* [because of the explosion]

Zara:
*Looks and sees the building exploded.* "Huh. Well then."

Danger:
"Alright. Princess! Temporary truce from the freedom committee. I think we're in way over our heads."

Blaze:
"Very well. This one seems determined to keep me from--Wait. Where's the small rat?!"

Wild:
"You mean this one?" *Is holding Toni up with an ice spike to his neck.*

Ricky:
*Grits his teeth.*

Zara:
"Wonderful work Wild!"

Toni:
*Wide eyes.*

Zara:
*Portals over to him.*
"Now, the gem please child..."

Wild:
*Attempts to impale Toni, but the ice spike melts instantly.*
"WHAAAAT!?!"

Fennix:
*Walks up, limping slightly at first.* "Just because... I just had the snot beat out of me... Doesn't mean I'm going to let you get away with that!"

Wild:
"AHA! SO it was YOU, super monkey boy!"

James:
"There's the target. How you want to do this, Danger?"

Danger:
*Finally calms Debby into a piggy-back ride.* "We run, mate. We run."

James:
"You're kidding, right? We've got both targets in sight and you want to bug out?"

Danger:
"I can't risk us dying now!" *Starts running as B. Groovy starts to chase.*

James:
"Oh for crying out loud! Hey, monkey guy, you after that gem too?"

Fennix:
"I'm not going after anything! That's *my* fire quartz!"

James:
"Great, well creepy purple bird wants it too. Can we agree to work together long enough to keep it away from her?"

Cool:
*Has engaged Ricky in a fist fight.*

Fennix:
*Turns to Toni.*
"I saved your life, how about you give me my rock and we call it even, huh?"

Blaze:
(Who is this? I thought I was the only one who had power over flames...)

Zara:
"Ugh..."

Toni:
*Nods vigorously. Reaches in his hoodie, but doesn't feel it.*

Zara:
*Eyes widen.*

Wild:
"Is this your card?" *He holds up the fire quartz.*

James:
*James sets the pistol to kill after it was ineffective earlier, and fires at Wild.*

Zara:
*Snatches the gem and portals out.*

Wild:
*Leaps out of the way.*

James:
"DANGIT!"

Wild:
*Lands on James and begins to pound his face into the pavement.*

Fennix:
"No!"

James:
*James curses, reaching into his boot for a knife.*

Fennix:
*Collapses to his knees.* "I lost it... I did it again..."

James:
"Get off me you twit!" *He stabs at Wild's hand.*

Suddenly, the Ice-Pac members collapse, their hypnosis broken.

James:
*Sighing, he shoves Wild away.*
"Hi..."
*He wipes some blood from his face, standing and approaching Fennix.* "How are ya, mate?"

Fennix:
"...Been better."

Blaze:
"I need to go track down those other two from my dimension for some answers before they get away. But I know I intend to speak with you later." *Nods to James before dashing off in the direction Debby and Danger went.*

James:
"Hnnn..." *He daubs at his now blackened eye, wiping away some blood.* "So. You're the guy I was hired to track down."

Jabber:
*Floats in roasting marshmallows on the fire of the ruin of the chop shop.*

Fennix:
*Lying on his back.* "Well, you did it. Looks like I'm the only failure around here."

James:
"Yeah, but I don't have the crystal and my idiot clients haven't overthrown the monarchy they keep complaining about. And as for failures, kid, don't get me started. Sheesh, how old are you anyways?"

Fennix:
*Sits up, resting on his elbows.* "Eighteen..."

Zara:
*A business card with the name Mondil floats through and lands next to James from where someone dropped it.* [this actually happened at the same time Zara escaped]

James:
"You can't even be a failure! You like, what, in middle school?"
*He frowns, glancing down towards the card.*

Fennix:
"I don't even know what that is..."

James:
"Never mind. Still, you've got plenty of life ahead of you! Could be much worse, trust me kiddo."

Fennix:
"Look. You don't get it."

James:
"Oh boo hoo you lost a magical rock! Get over it. We'll find it! You can take that kind of mistake back. There's a lot in life you can't."
*He picks up the card.*

Fennix:
"I am the first person in, like, a thousand years to make this mistake. I had one job. The only thing..." *Tries not to cry.* "The only thing my dad asked me to do before I lost him." *Cries a lot.*

James:
*James is lost for a moment, staring at the card, before sitting down next to Fennix.* "Yeah. I get that. But you can't just run. You run from it, it gets bigger, it follows you, and next you know it's--" *He pockets the card.* "Let's just say things can stick with you. So you can sit here, cry over the dead, or try to do something good for the living."
"Can you give me a second kid? I've got a phone call to make. Then we'll be on our way... If you're ready to go then, that is."

Fennix:
*Sits up, looking at James confused.*
"Why do you want to help me so much. Am I *that* pitiful right now?"

James:
"Three reasons. One: I like helping people. Two: There's a lot going on here, and it's looking dangerous. Three... I've got a lot of money tied into this, and I did sign a contract with those two idiots to find that rock."

Fennix:
*Pulls himself up.*
"Okay, then. But I'm trusting you, here."

James:
"I'm taking a risk too here. It'll be great! Or we all die. One of those two."

Fennix:
"No. We're gonna end this. We have to make it!"

James:
*Shrug.* "Well. First things first, we need information, and I think I know who to call."
*He dials an old number from his veteran days.* "Hello Flame. Does this number still work?"

Fennix:
"Wait, you know *another* kinetic?"

James:
"No, he's an infantry officer from the military I served in. I was with him, or at least under him. About 5 years ago saves his platoon from hostile arty. Figure he owes me a favor."

Fennix:
"I'm not totally following, but okay."

Flame:
*Finally picks up.* "Who is this?!"

James:
"Hullo Lieutenant. This is Flight Lt. Mondil, 5th Air. Or is it General now? Someone climbed the ranks quickly."

Flame:
"..."
"I don't recall that name."

James:
"5 years ago your platoon was pinned down by 88 mil fire. You called in air support, 5th Air sent out a close air support fighter. Ring any bells?"

Flame:
*Thinks a moment.*
"Right. What do you want?"

James:
"I just got hit by a hostile element who stole an important asset I've been asked to secure. They bugged out before I could catch them. Designation: "Zara Beakton". Ring any bells? I don't know what your intel net looks like these days, but I could use anything you can tell me."

Flame:
"Beakton... I know nothing of a Zara. A certain Jack Beakton has been trouble..."

James:
"The bounty head?"

Flame:
"Yes."

James:
"Can you get me anything more? Maybe a contact? Address? I need something actionable."

Fennix:
*Is tapping his foot.*
[a GIF of Sonic's idle animation]

Flame:
"I can give you Jack Beakton's contact. He deserves to be bothered... 55-2B-1600."

James:
"Thank you General. Have a good day at the office."
"Alright kid, this is the boring part. Just give me a second. You want a smoke?" *He begins dialing Jack's number.*

Fennix:
"A what?"

Angela:
*Answers the video call.* "Beakton residence."

Fennix:
"Dude, if we're gonna work together you need to stop acting like I understand what you're saying."

James:
"Sorry. I'll explain later, okay kid?" *He turns his attention to the phone.* "Hello, this is Flight Lt. James Mondil, 3rd Air Wing. General Flame gave me this number, I was hoping to speak with Jack Beakton?"

Angela:
"Oh boy. Hang on, Jack honey! It's for you!"

Jack:
*Comes in.* "Hello?"

James:
"Hello. I don't mean to be a bother, but um... I'm calling about your sister, Zara Beakton?"

Jack:
"...Where did you hear that name..."

James:
"She robbed an 18-year-old kid and stole a magic gem, then had one of her lackeys give me this wonderful makeup." *He gestures to the bleeding gash on his brow and the black eye.*

Jack:
"Yup. That's Zara... Also introductions please?"

James:
"Flight Lt. James Mondil, 3rd Fighter Wing 3rd Squadron. Well, back when GUN still existed. Nowadays I'm just a bounty hunter. I'm not after you, just want to get back what belongs to the kid."

Fennix:
(Wow. I forgot what it's like not to be in it alone.) *His smile returns.*

Jack:
"Well, before the battle..."

James:
"That was a rough one... Saw a lot of good friends get shot down that day."

Jack:
"She didn't show up, so I had to lead the attack..."
*Realizes what he said.*

James:
*James stares blankly*

Jack:
"Heh, um moving on..."

James:
"No, no, let's go back a moment. Did you just say you led that attack?"

Jack:
*Sigh.* "Yep."

James:
"That idiot Flame! He said this guy would know where to find Zara, not that he was a Gorram war criminal!"
*James prepares to hang up.*

Fennix:
*Visible confusion.*

Jack:
"I mean I do... Also that was a LONG time ago. I've changed since then..."

James:
"I'm just going to withhold several years of PTSD-induced rage. Where is she?"

Jack:
"Yeah, that's fair. If it helps, I betrayed Eggman and joined the Resistance?"

James:
"That's a start I guess. We'll be talking later. Right now, sister. Where?"

Jack:
"Right. Well, she stole an Egg Carrier. Took off into space. Ain't heard from her since. However. My father, the one most of those bounties are probably for actually, recently showed up, we had a brawl, and apparently my sister has been making cyborg tech... If I knew where she was exactly I'd tell ya buddy."

James:
"..." *Clenches his teeth.* "Thank you. I'll be heading out now. Good. Bye."

Jack:
*Suddenly a portal opens above Jack's head and a postcard falls.*
"'Old up..."
*Picks up the card and looks to see it says "Wish you were here don'tcha?" and it's a picture of Zara on her throne in her ship with the Planet Wisp in the background out the window.*
"...Yup. She's at Planet Wisp at the moment... Not a good development..."

James:
"I don't think I'm getting there easy. What about the people she works with? Does she ever visit them?"

Jack:
"...You mean Eggman?"

James:
"I was thinking of someone else."

Jack:
"I mean it seems she has the Warp Topaz somehow so she could appear anywhere I guess... Of all the people to get that rock..."

James:
"She send papers through portals often?"

Jack:
"Dude. That's literally the most I've interacted with her in like 4 years!"

James:
"I think she may have sent me a message..." *He forces a straight face.* "And I'm praying she's wrong. Alright. Thank you, Jack. We still need to talk."

Jack:
"Oh certainly. I'll buy you a drink."

James:
*James winces at that last one for... reasons.*
*He withdraws the business card.* "Kid, you want to meet one of my mistakes?"

Fennix:
"Are they gonna help us?"

James:
"I hope so."

James and Fennix leave to go see someone from James's past... Then, five minutes later, a truck pulls up to the ruins of the chop shop.

Mystery Figure:
*A Mobian in a large, concealing winter coat steps out of the truck. They go around the back and open the bay door.* "You've been a hard one to track down..."
*The Mobian steps over the unconscious body of B. Wild and walks over to B. Cool, who lies on the ground, motionless.* "Miserable beast..." *They bend down and lift with all their might, hoisting the bruiser onto their back.* "You... just had to be the troublemaker didn't you..."
*They walk over to the truck and toss B. Cool into the back.* "Well. I suppose I should thank your new friends for taking care of you for me. So I'll let them live... For now."
*The Mobian closes the truck, gets in and drives away.*

Wild:
*Stirs from his unconscious state long enough to see the truck driving away.* "Grrrrr..."

At that moment, the police arrive.

Wild:
"Looks like it's time we make our exit." *He looks around for B. Cool and B. Groovy.* "Guys? Where'd you go?!?"

Citizen:
*A police officer comes up from behind and handcuffs B. Wild while he's distracted.* "You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, an--"

Wild:
"Silent?!? I'll show you silent!" *He attempts to make an ice spike, but realizes the cuffs are inhibitors.* "Oh... Well, shoot. So everyone's got these nowadays. Gotcha."

Citizen:
"They come in handy for dealing with thugs like you."

And as B. Wild is carted off to jail, the other two members of the Ice-Pac are unaccounted for! Who knows where they'll show up next? For now, stay tuned for the next episode of Broiling Trouble!

```

### Episode 5: Bubbling Up

```
We open our next episode starting from Zara's perspective of what happened after she escaped.

Zara:
*Leaps in through the portal into her ship's bridge with a tumble.*
"Haha! YES! I've got it! MEN! GET IN HERE!"

```

```
Sleet:
*A familiar wolf enters the room with an annoyed look on his face.*
"What now?"

```

```
Snively:
*A human follows him.* "Likely something imbecilic..."

Zara:
"Now now boys, that's no way to talk about family..."

Sleet:
"Please, I just accepted your offer because your grandmother has gone soft..."

Snively:
"Indeed... So, I presume that you return empty-handed yet again?"

Zara:
"Take a gander at THIS beauty Snively darling..."
*Holds up the Quartz.*

Snively:
"Splendid! Should I inform our employer..."

```

```
Henderson:
"There's no need for that. I tend to be quite well informed, Mr. Robotnik."

```

```
Snively:
"Ah! Mr. Henderson sir. Prompt and prepared as usual I see..."

Sleet:
*Nods at the mysterious figure.*

Henderson:
"Miss Beakton, I see your acquisition was successful. I take it you disposed of your lackies?"

Zara:
"Indeed. They served their usefulness."

Henderson:
"Wonderful. If I may borrow the item for just a moment, you may use it in whatever manner you wish once I have completed my work."

Zara:
"Of course. A deal is a deal, no matter how odd it seems."
*Passes the item over.*

Henderson:
*He takes it and places it within a glass cylinder. A light flashes, and he removes the gem, leaving an ethereal shadow of its shape imprinted within.*
*He hands it back to Zara.* "I trust you won't get into any trouble you can't handle, Miss Beakton? I would love to do business again with you some day. When the time is right, of course."

Zara:
"But of course. You find the items, I acquire them to fuel my conquest... It's a very profitable arrangement."

Snively:
"Indeed. Thanks to you sir, the Blacktron imperial forces have increased tenfold..." [IDK if this misspelling of Beaktron was intentional]

Henderson:
(Oh children... How silly they can be, absorbed into their little fantasies.) "It's always a pleasure. I shall see you upon a future date." *He steps back into the shadows, and is gone, leaving only a short breeze behind.*

Zara:
"Well gentlemen, what shall we do first?"

Snively:
"Well Mistress, I propose we prep our arsenal for the invasion. Perhaps we should test our binary stargate generator now that we have the power?"

Zara:
"Excellent idea! But where to attack first..."

Sleet:
*Raises hand.*

Zara:
"Yes Sleet?"

Sleet:
"Madam, I humbly request we eradicate that insufferable race known as wisps..."

Zara:
"Ooooh I like the way you think Sleet darling!"

Snively:
"Pardon me, but eradication is not the ideal option. It would be a waste not to utilize the hyper-go-on energy sources... I can easily devise some wispons for the fighters..."

Zara:
"Not bad Snively, not bad at all... We shall use the lesser lifeforms for our conquest... Set a course for Planet Wisp!"

Snively:
"Of course Mistress. But I, I shall require your gems..."

Zara:
"Oh! Right, of course." *Hands over the stones.*
"Just do be careful darling."

Snively:
"Certainly..."
*Leaves to work on the device.*

Zara:
"Well Sleet darling, I believe a toast is in order."

Sleet:
"Indeed. I shall fetch your prosecco..."
*Leaves and returns with Zara's sparkling wine and his own Dark Castle tucia.*

Zara:
*Takes the drink and raises her glass.* "To the empire!"

Sleet:
*Raises his own.* "Ad victorium madam... Ad victorium."

A peculiar pair walks the streets. One, a young man of fiery passions and power. The other, a tired man, worn by the horrors of war. These two disparate men seek a lost treasure, and now seek out aid from a ghost of the past... on today's episode of Broiling Trouble.

James:
"Your name's Fennix, right kid?"

Fennix:
"Yeah. Uh... What's yours?"

James:
"Mondil, James. Flight Lt., GUN 3rd Air Wing."

Fennix:
"*That's* a mouthful."

James:
"Most of it was my title. Just James works fine."

Fennix:
"Oh, good."

James:
"Yeah."
*He glances to a street sign.* "We're in the right place. Now, before we go up there, I need you to understand, I'm not quite sure who the person we're going to talk to is, okay? I don't know for certain her association with Zara, her motivations, or what she might do. So tread lightly, alright?"

Fennix:
"*Alright*... I'm not much of a conversationalist, so you better take the lead."

A wide street stretches before them, mostly middle-class apartments. Many of these were built after the war, the new architecture failing to blend in with the rest of the city. They approach a particularly drab building, and find themselves at a locked entrance.

James:
*Taps at the buzzer for Apartment 226.* "Hello, I'm here for" *Glances down at the card he picked up.* "'House Painting Services'?" [House Painting Services is a codeword for like, someone doings assassinations for the mob]

The gate clicks, and the door unlocks.

James:
"Alright kid. Stay sharp, alright?"

Fennix:
"Right... I've got a bad feeling about this."

James:
*Walks through a dimly lit lobby to tap at the button for a brass gated elevator.* "Posh. She's certainly doing well for herself."
*As the elevator arrives and they enter, he presses the correct button then inspects himself in the mirrored elevator walls, trying to neaten his hair and wounds to look more put together.*

Fennix:
*Notices this and starts doing the same.*

James:
*Glances down toward him. Shrugs.* "Alright, let's get this bit over with."

The elevator dings and slides open very crisply.

James:
*Makes his way down the hall, inspecting doors until they see 226.* "Oh boy..." *Takes a deep breath.*
"Could you do a favor for me Fennix?"

Fennix:
"Su--" *Wavers a moment.* "Sure."

James:
"Could you knock on the door?"

Fennix:
*Nods and carefully knocks on the door a couple times.*

```

```
Ellie:
*Footsteps approach the door.* "Just a moment! Sorry, wasn't expecting clients at this hour, I" *The door swings open.* "--Oh."

```

```
Fennix:
*Looks awkwardly between the two waiting for James to say something.*

Ellie:
"James what--I should be angry you're here, but right now I just want to know what happened to your face? It looks like you got hit by a truck. A truck with very sharp claws."

James:
*Awkwardly attempting humor.* "Honey, I'm home... I just got mauled by a petty criminal is all. Fennix, meet Ellie."

Fennix:
*Gives a quick wave.* "Hey."

Ellie:
"Hello! Aren't you a little young for a bounty hunter?"

Fennix:
"Maybe? I wouldn't really know..."

James:
"He's just someone I'm helping. He's lost, and something belonging to him was stolen."

Ellie:
"Why would you come here for that kind of--Nevermind, look, just go hide somewhere in there, quickly! Go to the broom closet. I just got paged for a--um--professional matter, and I really can't have them seeing you right now."

James:
*James hands her the business card.* "Not exactly."

The entire atmosphere of the room seems to get colder, and visibly tense.

Ellie:
*Stares at it silently.*

James:
*Simply raises an eyebrow while trying to seem very nonchalant.*

Ellie:
"This is--well--" *She composes herself.* "Can we have this conversation indoors?"

James:
*Nods silently and follows her into the house.*

Fennix:
*Reluctantly follows.*

Ellie:
"I'd offer you something to drink, but I wasn't expecting visitors."

James:
"I'm sure you weren't. Too busy at the 'hospital', right?"

Ellie:
"Really? You want to do this like that? Don't even want to hear what I have to say?"

Fennix:
"I mean, I'd appreciate a glass of water. I haven't had anything to drink since I got here..."

Ellie:
*Ignores Fennix.* "Actually, hold on, what right do you have to say anything? How many times did I drive you to therapy only to have to pick you up after you'd passed out on a park bench? How many hours of my life did I waste only for you to lie about getting better? How many times did you relapse? Please, feel free to remind me, because I lost track somewhere after the third."

James:
"You're not even going to deny it? Seriously? Just throw the blame back at me?"

Ellie:
"What do you want me to say, huh? Yeah, I do some contract work on the side. You're literally a bounty hunter, what right do you have to judge this? You take money for people's lives all the time!"

Fennix:
"Wait, uh..."

James:
"I'm paid to catch criminals, do PI work! Not pull hits for mob bosses!"

Fennix:
"Huh?!"

James:
"And you know what, yeah, I did relapse! It's an addiction, you're a doctor! You know it's not just a one and done fix, and for the record, I **did** get better! Hold on, actually, how long has this been going on? How long have you been in the business of murdering people?"

Ellie:
*Awkwardly silent after that question.*

James:
*James pauses himself, and sighs.* "That long huh?"

Fennix:
*Is holding his hands out but is too confused to form words.*

James:
"Ellie, who are you? Because you're not the woman I thought I married."

Fennix:
"Married?"

Ellie:
"It's complicated James. But please, just--I'm still me, okay?"

James:
*Takes a deep breath.* "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't be--Actually, maybe I should be angry. I don't even know." *He sits down at a small table.* "Can we just start over?"

Ellie:
"You're talking about this conversation, right?"

James:
"Yeah."

Fennix:
"Could we start by explaining some things? You two just said a lot of things."

Ellie:
"Right, um--"

James:
"Fennix, meet my wife, surgeon and apparently assassin working for Zara."

Fennix:
"Zara was the bird chick, right?"

James:
"Yeah. The one who took your gem. She dropped a business card for Ellie's... side business, which" *He sort of side-eyes her.* "in **4 years of marriage** she never thought was relevant to mention."

Ellie:
*Rolls her eyes.*

Fennix:
"Okay... Is she gonna help us or..." *Subtly raises his fist.*

Ellie:
*Casually moves her hand near her coat pocket.* "What do you mean help you?"

James:
"Zara attacked us, stole his gem, and ran with it. You're working for [her], right? Apparently his dad told him to protect this magic rock and how he's lost it to her. We need to get it back because--Actually, hold it, what is it for? Some people want to overthrow your queen, you want the gem for some reason, and why's the queen here?"

Fennix:
"Well, first of all, I think she's a princess, actually."

Ellie:
"Okay, now I'm confused. First off, who is this guy, what was that rock, and why are you mixed up in this? Also, queen? Revolution?"

Fennix:
"Yeah, yeah. It's a lot. Just be glad you're on your own planet."

Ellie:
*Sighs.* "I'm not getting paid enough for this."

Fennix:
"The Fire Quartz gives me pyrokinetic powers and can be used to make portals. These two crazies attacked me trying to get it from me and I somehow made a portal to this world. When I tried to get it back things got real crazy, that's when this Zara lady came in and took it. Don't know why, seemed she already somehow had a magic portal rock..."

James:
"No matter what she needs it for, we need it back. He needs to get back to his world, I need to figure out what's actually going on with all of our interdimensional visitors and make sure nothing explodes... other than what already has, and hopefully find a way to keep this all from spiraling out of control. I was paid to control this situation, not mess it up more.
"Ellie, I--" *Sighs.* "I know I did a lot of things I shouldn't have. I'm sorry, truly. But I really need your help on this one. I'm out of my depth here, and you're apparently already involved."

Ellie:
"I don't know anything about this! She only asked me to keep an eye on someone she thought could be a problem. Someone very bad, who probably deserves a bullet anyways. For the record, that's most of the people I've been hired to go after. I can maybe get you to where she is, but there's no way you'll survive any attack on her base. It's not worth it, you understand James? **Don't fight Zara.** That's a fight no one wins.
"I'm sorry kid," *She turns to Fennix.* "but there's no way you're getting that rock back with just the two of you."

Fennix:
*His face becomes defiant and he turns to James.*

James:
*He pauses, to consider.* "She's right. But we're not the only ones after the gem, are we?"

Fennix:
"You don't mean *those* two wombats..."

James:
"You got any better ideas?"

Fennix:
*Puts his hands up.* "I'm just following you at this point, man."

Ellie:
"Look, I have no idea what you two are talking about, but be careful, okay?" *She reaches for her notebook and tears out a sheet.* "This is her position, as best as I could figure. Normally, she has me picked up, and I don't see where we go."

James:
*Nods.* "Thank you."

Ellie:
"James, when this whole thing is over, can we talk maybe? Sort some things out?"

James:
"We should do that." *He stands and leaves.*

Fennix:
"Oh, good we're leaving. Uh, no offense. Thanks for the help."

Our two--I hesitate to use the word heroes--characters make their way to the elevator! Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, a cat stalks her prey...

Danger:
*Running for his life with Debby still on his back.* "Blimey! She's too fast!"

Debby:
"Stop! We must make our stand!"

Danger:
"Are you insane?! The witch princess'll INCINERATE US."

Debby:
"Running is getting us NOWHERE! It is now or never! We must FIGHT BACK!"

Danger:
"...Fine!" *He skids to a halt and grabs his knife.* "We'll do this your way."

Blaze:
*Leaps down a short distance from the duo.*
"I demand answers. Explain yourselves."

Danger:
"You can't demand anything from us! This isn't your empire!"

Debby:
*Is staring at Blaze and breathing heavy.*

Danger:
*Holds out his knife towards Blaze.* "Now, *Your Highness*, surrender to us, or face the consequences."

Blaze:
"Please, no one has to get burnt here."

Debby:
"WE PASSED THAT A LONG TIME AGO, PRINCESS!"

Danger:
"Debby? What's gotten into you?!"

Debby:
*Vaults herself over Danger and charges furiously at Blaze.*

Blaze:
(!) *Quickly creates a wall of flame to stop Debby.*

Debby:
*Quickly reels and collapses on the ground, shaking and staring wide-eyed at the fire.*

Blaze:
*Steps through the wall of flames, casting a dark silhouette...*

Debby:
*...A silhouette that's all too familiar to Debby. Repressed images flash in her mind.*
*Cowers, covering herself and starts to sob.*

Blaze:
(I must have frightened her with my flames... She must have suffered some kind of trauma.) *Reaches out to Debby.*

Danger:
*Puts himself in between Blaze and Debby.*
"Now, look what you've done."

Blaze:
"I didn't mean--I'm sorry."

Debby:
"Not again... not again..."

Danger:
"You've got a lot to be sorry for, princess." *He kneels down and places his hand on Debby's shoulder.* "You're alright now, kiddo..."

Debby:
*Grabs onto Danger, still sobbing uncontrollably.*

Danger:
*Embraces her, still giving Blaze a death glare.*

Blaze:
"I don't wish to fight you. Let me hear out your issues, please."

Danger:
"Yeah?! Let's see what you...--What?"

Zara:
*Suddenly a large portal opens in the sky and a ship appears in orbit of the planet.*

Blaze:
*Blaze feels this before even seeing it.* (That energy...)

Zara:
"Mwa ha ha ha ha! Flawless work Snively!"

Snively:
"Not quite... The portals are a bit unstable. I'm afraid we won't be able to get the rest of the fleet through for another day..."

Blaze:
"I hate to say it, but we'll have to discuss this later. There's a more pressing issue at hand."

Danger:
"What is that thing?!"

Blaze:
"Nothing good." *Prepares to become Burning Blaze, but hesitates.* (I don't want to frighten her further...)
*Parkours to the top of a building and leaps off the roof, transforming mid-air.*
(I hope I can make this quick...)

Zara:
"Well, looks like the princess has decided to crash our party..."

Snively:
"Right on schedule..."
*Fires up a shield generator utilizing hyper-go-on energy.*

Blaze:
*Flies to face the Egg Carrier.* "Eggman, if this is you, you should know better than this by now."

Snively:
"Close, but not the right Robotnik madam..."
*Quickly switches the shield to contain Blaze instead.*

Blaze:
(What is this?) *Tries to break her way out but is knocked back.* "Gah!"

Zara:
"Ah ha ha ha! Excellent work Snively!"

Snively:
"Now's not the time for gloating Miss..."
*Fires up the tractor beam and hooks it to Blaze.*
"A valiant effort Miss Blaze, but a futile one... Any last words?"

Blaze:
"I don't know your intentions but the heroes of this planet won't allow you to get away with it!"

Snively:
"Heroes? Oh you mean the bumbling hedgehog who's most diabolical threat is my idiotic uncle? Don't make me laugh..."

Zara:
"Yes... We shall conquer this world, and NOTHING SHALL STOP US!!!"

Blaze:
"You'd be wise to not underestimate Sonic the Hedgehog."

Zara:
"And you'd be wise not to interfere with the affairs of a Beakton. FIRE!!!"

Snively:
*Deactivates the shield while still keeping the tractor beam on.*

Blaze:
*Gasps before being struck.*

Snively:
*Fires a massive hyper-go-on cannon directly at Blaze, sending her flying into the ocean below.*
"Fight fire with fire ey Miss Beakton?"

NOOO!! A CLIFFHANGER?!?!? Is the kitty cat okay? Maybe not? Guess we'll find out next time!

Blaze:
*Collapsed.*

```

### Episode 6: Kindling

```
FLYING CATS! FLYING FIRE CATS! Blaze is blasted out of the sky! Zara Beakton's ship looms over Golden City, as if the citizens haven't had enough terror to deal with lately!

Zara:
"Right... What do we shoot first?"

Snively:
"Central City perhaps?"

Zara:
"Nah, been done to death... And it seems someone already beat us to this city..."
*Gestures to the hole in Golden City visible from the window.*

Snively:
"Hmm. Appears like it..."

Zara:
"Hmm... I don't know why but I get the feeling someone I know was involved in this..."

Meanwhile, on the ground, the Bounty Hunter and the Monke have paused in their tracks, and gaze up at the steel behemoth above them...

James:
"No... it can't be!"

Fennix:
"What? What is that? It's not normal, is it?"

James:
"It's an Egg Carrier. I got shot down by one, years ago, but that war ended a quarter decade ago!"

Fennix:
"Okay... How many eggs can it carry? I assume they hatch into, like, monster birds."

James:
"It doesn't actually carry eggs. It's named after the guy who made them, Dr. Eggman. And no, he didn't hatch from an egg either. It carries combat vehicles and robots, and enough large bore guns to level this city. Basically, it's a problem."

Fennix:
"I betcha Zara's up there. I'd recognize that portal anywhere. Even if it was muddled with her own..."

James:
"Well, I don't think we've got the firepower to take on something like that head-on. But given the shields, there's no way we can just... fly up... Wait a minute..."
*He turns about and starts running down the alley the other direction without actually warning Fennix.*

Fennix:
"Hey! Where are you going?!" *Chases after him.*

James:
*Tries to dial Ellie's number but while running accidentally calls a pizza place.*
"SORRY!" *Hangs up abruptly and recalls.*
"ELLIE! HAVE YOU LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW RECENTLY?"

Ellie:
*Jerks the phone away from her ear and winces.* "Yes, I noticed the **giant combat vessel!** It's Zara's ship, the one I told you about. But why'd she be here of all places?"

Fennix:
"'Cause she crazy!"

James:
*Glances over, shrugs, and continues talking.* "You know why! I'd prefer someone doesn't blow up the city again! I'm rather fond of it, being as I live in it."

Ellie:
"James, you live in a trailer home. It's not bound to any--nevermind. Okay, look, I'll see what I can do okay? How soon can you be here?"

James:
"Hopefully five minutes!"

Meanwhile, somewhere several blocks away, a dingo and a dimwit watch chaos unfold above...

Danger:
"What do ya suppose that's all about, Debby?"

Debby:
*Wipes her nose on her arm and doesn't answer.*
*Mumbles something incoherent.*

Danger:
"What? Speak up! That's my bad ear."

Debby:
"I said I want to go home."

Danger:
"I know... but chances are we aren't gonna get home without getting that rock..."

Debby:
"Did you see what they did? They shot her out of the sky like she was a frail bird!"

Danger:
"I saw it..." *He grits his teeth.*

Debby:
"So you know we stand no chance..."

Danger:
"Dangit! You think I don't know that!? I don't have a clue what to do except run and hide!"

Debby:
"..."
"What would Maggie tell us if she were here?"

Danger:
"Fight the power?"

Debby:
"No! She wouldn't say that. She would say something like..." *Gets up and starts pacing.* "We cannot--nay, *must not* lose hope! The moment we run and hide is the moment we've truly lost. Even if everything we have is taken, hope can never be truly lost to us! For we are the hope, we are the future!
"Now, I'm not sure if that's all that applicable, but thinking about how she'd want us to stay strong is making me feel better."

Danger:
"Right... Of course. So... That still doesn't give us any idea on what to do next."

Debby:
*Starts sniffing.*

Danger:
"Your schnozz catch something?"

Debby:
"I can still smell James! He has a strong odor. There's a chance he'll know what to do! It is what we're paying him for."

Danger:
"Maybe. But even with all his fancy weaponry, he'll still get wiped out by that behemoth. Still... it wouldn't hurt to stick with him."

Debby:
"He makes me feel safe!"

Danger:
"And I don't?!... Never mind that. Lead the way!"

Debby:
*Sets off with her nose in the air.*

Meanwhile! Because this is obviously a city-wide threat, the Burning Rangers have arrived! Calias the Phoenix, Hannah Dash, and Nihil the Phoenix have just made it to Golden City.

Calias:
"Man, do we *EVER* get a break?!"

Hannah:
*Sigh.*

Nihil:
"A foul villain threatens the safety of Golden City! We must swiftly put an end to their evil machinations!"

Calias:
"Yeah. Let's do that."
*Shakes himself awake.* "Alright... I'm ready to go. Come on, Nihil! We'll tag team it."

Nihil:
"An entire warcraft? Are you certain we can take that?!"

Calias:
"Sure we can. Then we can go get coffee!"

Nihil:
"And Hannah will pay for it!"

Hannah:
*Glares.*

Snively:
"So... What's the first plan of attack? The cannons are ready whenever you are."

Zara:
"Right... What to choose... Hmm..."
*Tilts the joystick of the targeting computer back and forth between the orphanage and the hospital.*
*Shoots the national bank instead, the building crumbling under the wispon cannon's power.*

Snively:
"Madam, we have some GUN vessels approaching." [he doesn't know about GLACIA because of spending so much time in space]

Zara:
"Bah! Pesky bugs..."
*Fires the cannons at the GLACIA airships.*

As the ships explode, a trail of teal and orange light can be seen bouncing off the wreckage, growing closer to the Egg Carrier, until suddenly a thud is heard.

Calias:
*Stuck to the windshield.* "Jack?! When did you start dressing like that?!"

Zara:
"...Lovely. One of my brother's friends..."
*Turn on the windshield wipers (which have spikes).*

Calias:
"Oof!" *He jumps away, quickly.*

An explosion from the ship's underbelly can be heard.

Zara:
"NOW WHAT?!"

Snively:
"Unknown Madam..."

Nihil:
*Salutes the security camera before charging a Chaos Blast.*

Zara:
"Ugh... DUNDERHEADED DIMBULBS! SWAT BOTS! GET THAT STUPID STYRACOSAUR OFF MY SHIP!"

Another explosion rocks the ship.

Zara:
"For the love of Marx..."

Swat-Bot:
*A swarm of swat-bots surrounds Nihil.*

Nihil:
"Oh dear." *He abandons ship, quickly.*

Calias:
*Still falling from the ship.* "You get a hit in at least?"

Nihil:
"Two, actually!"

Calias:
"Nice!"

Zara:
"Right. Any OTHER interruptions?"

We now return to the home of Mrs. Mondil, where our heroes (for lack of a better term) have arrived.

James:
*James glances about, looking for Ellie.* "She said she'd meet us out here..."

The sound of garbage cans being knocked over can be heard.

Danger:
"Aw, blimey. There goes our cover."

James:
"There you idiots are! Come along!"

Debby:
"Sorry! I saw free food and I went for it."

James:
*He gestures toward Danger and Debby.* "Oi. Over here quick. No one's fighting anyone."

Fennix:
*Crosses his arms.*

Danger:
"Easy for you to say! There's a giant ship in the sky blasting things to bits!"

Debby:
"Additional point: If we were fighting we would beat the scrawny monkey boy!"

Fennix:
"Hey! Who are you calling scrawny?"

Ellie:
*Emerges from the building, carrying a tropical-patterned duffle bag with Hawaiian flower decorations.* "James! Where did you find two more--who--what--nevermind, just get them hidden, quick-like! Shuttle's supposed to touch down any time now!"

Debby:
"Sorry, lady! We already ruled out the hiding option. Along with running and cowardice!"

Ellie:
"If they see you in the street, no way they'll land. Then how are we supposed to get onboard?"

Debby:
*Stares suspiciously at Ellie before looking to James.*

James:
*Groans.* "I'll explain later. Look, the crazy bird lady's trying to fight a war that ended years ago, and lots of people will die. She has the shiny rock you lot want, right? And we need that ship gone. To get the rock and blow up the ship we need to get onboard first. Ellie's helping us with that, okay?"

Debby:
"You had me at crazy bird lady!" *Salutes and dives into a trash can.*

James:
*Sighs, takes cover BEHIND the can.*

Fennix:
*Hides with James.*

James:
"Danger, you get to clean her up after this. I'm not dealing with it."

The silhouette of a small, rounded vessel appears on the horizon. Its thrusters kick up dust and debris as it lands in the center of the road, actually cracking the pavement under its weight. The shuttle door opens, and the pilot gestures from inside.

Citizen:
"ALL ABOARD!"

Ellie:
"Yes, about that... Zara ordered me to collect a few friendly assets, take them up there before the bombardment reaches here. Are they clear to come aboard?"
*She gestures for the others to emerge.*

James:
*Reluctantly approaches, trying to look normal.*

Danger:
*Swings his arms from side to side.*

Debby:
*Scrambles out of the trash can and struts on board like she owns the place.*

Ellie:
*Nods to the pilot as she boards, shuffling around her bag.* "Is that everyone?"

Citizen:
"Erm..." *Frantically checks his paperwork.* "I suppose?"

Fennix:
*Cautiously enters.* "For the record, I might get sick on flights. No idea, though."

Ellie:
*Sighs.* "Just get us up there."
*Glances at the paperwork.* "You're not transmitting that back, are you?"

Citizen:
"I just do whatever I'm told. I don't know what's going on."

Ellie:
"You didn't answer my question..."

Citizen:
"I wasn't told to do so, so no?"

Ellie:
"Good. Take us up, quick-like now."

Citizen:
*Starts up the ship and away they go!*

Ellie:
*Watches the controls and waits for them to be on auto, before flashing James a very disarming smile.* "James dear, you know how to operate flight systems, right?"

James:
"...Yes?"

Ellie:
"Marvelous." *She draws a .45 calibre pistol from the Hawaiian pattern duffle bag and shoots the pilot twice in the head.* "Would you be a dear and take the controls?"

James:
*Jumps out of his seat.* "WHAT THE BLIMEY B--WHAT? WHY?"

*:D*

Danger:
"What. Why? Um... Okay then."

Ellie:
"He would have been a liability." *She sighs, putting her gun back in the bag.* "Now could you please take the controls before we have a surprise meeting with the ground?"

James:
*Still aghast, gingerly walks over and... removes the pilot from his seat, before shutting down the autopilot and adjusting their heading.*

Debby:
*Whispers something in Danger's ear.*

Danger:
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Ellie:
"Okay, come on! They're blowing up a literal city! It's not like he was a nice guy or something! Sheesh, you shoot *one* guy, and everyone freaks out!"

James:
"Ellie, couldn't we have just stunned him?"

Ellie:
"...That was an option?"

Citizen:
*Sits up, perfectly fine.* "Man, am I glad I had that cybernetic upgrade. Anyway, where to, m'lady?"

Debby:
*Looks disappointed.*

James:
*Sighs and pops an electromagnetic stun round into him.* "THERE! SEE? THAT EASY!"

Debby:
*Looks eagerly at Danger again.*

Danger:
"NO."

Ellie:
*Pouts.* "I still think we should have killed him."

Fennix:
*Cough.* "Do we, uh, have a plan? Or... something?"

Danger:
"For once, I agree with the monkey. Do we have a plan?"

James:
"Get on the ship and find a way to blow it up?"

Debby:
"Ooh! Let's do that!"

Ellie:
"A bit more than that would be good. I'm figuring with my computer authorizations, you can get a ship map, find the generator, and blow it to pieces. I'll go talk to Zara, keep her occupied long enough for you, then we meet back here and get off this ship."

Fennix:
"Alright. At what point do I get the fire quartz back?"

Ellie:
"...Are you okay with digging through what's left of the ship?"

Fennix:
"Dude. It's my sworn duty to protect it! Not only that, even a tiny amount of energy will set it off. With an explosion like that who knows what'll happen!"

Ellie:
*Groans.* "Fine. Plan B. Two of us get the shiny rock, two blow the ship up, I talk to Zara. Is that any better?"

Mystery Voice:
"*Three* of us."

Hannah:
*A rather small human girl comes out of hiding.*

James:
*Draws his sidearm and points it towards Hannah.*

Debby:
"Do you two have a daughter?!"

Danger:
"Well, now. What do we have here?"

Ellie:
*Draws a submachine gun from the duffle bag.*

Hannah:
*Draws Chaos Blades, not yet activating them.*
"I'm also here to blow up the giant ship."

James:
[in response to Debby] "NO! Debby, how old do you think we are?"

Debby:
"How old do you think I am?"

James:
"...Twelve? Okay, look, that's not the point. We have a common goal, that's great, but who the ***HECK WORD*** are you?"

Hannah:
*Slowly returns the Blades to their sheathes.*
"Hannah Dash, Burning Ranger." *Turns around to show the prominent GLACIA logo on my back.*

James:
"Flight Lt. James Mondil, 3rd Air Wing of GUN." *He offers his hand to shake.*

Hannah:
*Shakes the hand.*

Fennix:
"If your name is Hannah why does your jacket have a G? I know I'm not the most literate guy, but..." [she's not wearing a jacket, it's a utility vest, but perhaps Fennix misinterprets it?]

Hannah:
"That's the organization I'm with. GLACIA."

Debby:
*Squints.* "It's not a monarchy is it..."

Hannah:
"It's not, no."

Ellie:
*Hesitates, hides her gun again.* "Nice... to meet you, Hannah."

Hannah:
"Okay, we're splitting up. Who goes where?"

Fennix:
"I'm getting my quartz back."

Danger:
"I'm getting that rock. No matter what."

Fennix:
"Over my dead body!"

Ellie:
"Someone needs to keep them from ripping each other apart..."

Hannah:
"I'll do it."

James:
"Brilliant. Debby, want to blow a ship up?"

Debby:
"I would very much like that!" *Big smile.*

James:
"It's a plan then." *He glances out the window as a great shadow suddenly darkens it.* "...Here goes nothing." *With that, their ship enters the landing bay.*

As the ship docks, our crew of strangers, weirdos and cold-blooded killers prepare for the battle of their lives. But for Hannah? This is just another day at work. What will become of Golden City? Find out next time!

```

### Episode 7: CHARGE!

```
The shuttle has entered the landing bay, its landing gear descends as it touches down on Zara's ship.

Hannah:
*Can be seen typing a message on my communicator.*
<Found fellow infiltrators on the shuttle. We're bringing this ship down together.>

James:
"Alright kids, we're here now."

Danger:
"It's a bit too quiet for my liking..."

Debby:
"I can make noise if you'd like!" *Inhales deeply, preparing a rebel shout.*

Ellie:
"**No.**"

Hannah:
"No, don't!"

Debby:
*Pouts.* "Fine."

Danger:
"We are entering STEALTH mode, Debby."

Debby:
"I... I don't think I have one of those."

Fennix:
*Rolls his eyes.*

James:
"Just try your best. I'll let you hold the detonator if you're quiet."

Danger:
"Pretend like you're about to pounce on unsuspecting prey."

Debby:
*Makes the lip-zipping motion and smiles.*

Fennix:
"Okay, already." *Punches his palm.* "Let's roll."

James:
*James taps the hatch opening lever.*

Hannah:
*Draws Chaos Blades, not yet activating them.*

Waiting for them outside the hatch is a very perturbed Sleet. He was not expecting visitors in this fashion.

Sleet:
"Well, what have we here..."

Hannah:
(The wolf from the wedding? What's he doing here?)

Sleet:
"I see Beakton has found his way into his sister's scheme..."
*Looks at Hannah.*
"Where pray tell is the little cretin?"

Hannah:
"..."

Ellie:
"Mr. Von Wulf. You know who I am, don't you?"

Sleet:
"Ah, Miss Mondil. Lovely timing."

Ellie:
"I need to speak to our employer regarding... this." *She gestures vaguely to the group.*

Sleet:
"Hmm. About what exactly?"

Ellie:
"..." *She turns to James, whispers:* "Can I kill this one?"

James:
*Whispered back.* "NO!"

Debby:
*Was thinking the same thing.*

Sleet:
*Realizes this is a coup and smiles.*
"Well, well well... By all means. Don't let me stand in your way... We shall see which Beakton is the strongest..."

Danger:
"Well, you're not very loyal, are you?"

James:
"Talk about family problems..."

Sleet:
"If Lady Zara needs me I'll be in the escape pods..."

Debby:
"He is a dishonorable dog!"

Sleet:
"I'm a minion. I work with whomever I see benefits me most."

Danger:
"You know what we do with dishonorable dogs, right, Debby?"

Hannah:
"..."
"Leave him alone!"

Sleet:
"At least someone has some sense here..."

James:
"Can we please just not waste time on this guy?"

Ellie:
"He's not a threat. Much as I'd love to ice him, let him go."

Debby:
"Fine... Can I hold the detonator now?"
*Big smile.*

James:
"We haven't even set the explosives!"

Sleet:
"Wait for me to reach the escape pods please..."

Danger:
"Let's go do that then."

Sleet:
*Leaves with a bow.*

Ellie:
"Sleet!"

Sleet:
"May the best villain win..."

Fennix:
"Wait! Which way to Zara?"

Sleet:
*Shouting.* "You'll figure it out."

Ellie:
"You owe us one! We could have just shot you."

Sleet:
"Oh? Well then."
*Triggers the alarms.*

Fennix:
*Frowns.*

Ellie:
"NOW CAN I SHOOT HIM?"

Sleet:
"Have fun children..."

Debby:
*Covers her ears.*

Ellie:
*Fires a burst after him, but he's too fast.*

Swat-Bot:
*Swat-Bots appear from within the elevator looking around seeing Sleet is gone.*

Debby:
*Raises her hand.* "Do I still need to be in stealth mode?"

Swat-Bot:
"Targets located. Apprehension protocols initiated..."

Hannah:
[replying to Debby] "Nope!"
*Activates Chaos Blades and starts blasting.*

Swat-Bot:
*Fires stun rounds at the group.*

Fennix:
*Cracks his neck.* "Let's go!"

Danger:
*Readies his knife.* "Scrap 'em!"

James:
*Ducks behind a console and puts some rounds down range.*

Fennix and Debby both leap onto the robots.

Debby:
*Tries to bite the robot.* "Ow! These things are hard!"

Swat-Bot:
*Two more bots are taken out.*
*But four more exit the elevator.*

Danger:
*Slides under a Swat-Bot, slicing its underside as he goes.*

Swat-Bot:
*Falls over sparking.*

Fennix:
*Trips a bot with his tail and roundhouse kicks another.*

Hannah:
*Is taking cover behind the shuttle as I fire lasers.*

Ellie:
*Throws the SMG to the side, and seems to turn into a blur as she swerves and dives to slice as them with a knife in one hand, pistol in the other.* [I'd like to clarify, she does *not* have any sort of supernatural speed]

Danger:
*Stands back to back with Fennix, fending off Swat-Bots with various kicks and punches.*

Debby:
*Is trying to bite a bot's arm but ends up just hanging off it.*

Danger:
"Keep fighting, Monkey Boy!"

Fennix:
"I never stop fighting!"

Swat-Bot:
*Fires at Debby point blank with the stun round.*

Debby:
*Falls to the ground, twitching.*

Danger:
"Debby!" *He charges the bot that shot her.*

James:
*Jumps up to fire, but the plasma bounces off of heavy armor, and he catches a stun round.*

Fennix:
"James!"

Swat-Bot:
*Fires at Danger as he approaches.*

Swat-Bot:
*One of the bots has snuck up behind Hannah and fires directly at her back.* [it came from some door behind Hannah, otherwise she'd have seen it coming]

Fennix:
*Pushes himself harder, leaping from bot to bot and taking them out as quick as he's able.*

Hannah:
"?!"

Danger:
*Collapses and instantly falls unconscious.*

Ellie:
"James! You idiot!" *She turns to try to get to him, only to be stunned herself.*

Hannah:
*Is now unconscious too.*

Fennix:
*Tries not to think about his falling allies.* (Come on... I can't fail!)

Swat-Bot:
*All the bots focus on Fennix at the same time.*

Fennix:
*Collapses to his knees in despair.*

Swat-Bot:
"Well, that was easy..."

Swat-Bot:
*The one that was bitten by Debby speaks up.* "Uh, not exactly. This is gonna take ages to buff out..."

Fennix:
*Collapsed.*

Swat-Bot:
"..." *Realizes the monke is not stunned.*
*Whacks him with the butt of his rifle.*

Fennix:
*Is knocked out.*

Fennix rushes outside and is met with acres of flame and a sky of ash.

Fennix:
"Dad?!"
*Hears a familiar noise behind him and turns around.*

```

```
Mandar:
*Standing on the other side of his portal.* "Come, it's not safe there."

```

```
Fennix:
*Smiles lightly and hops to the other side of the portal.*

On the other side is the magnificent Coral Caves.

Fennix:
"What's going on, Dad?!"

Mandar:
"Something sinister... That fire... It came out of nowhere. It was forced, I could feel it. The princess is dealing with it, but I felt the scepter was in danger. I can only hope I was wrong..."

Fennix:
*Lays eyes on the Jeweled Scepter.* "Whoa..."

Mogul:
*A large, well-dressed, trunked fellow walks in behind the monkeys.* "Then this is where it has been hidden... Mandar. You have done well to lead me here."

Mandar:
*Sighs deeply before turning around.* "Mogul."

Fennix:
*Steps back.*

Mogul:
"How long have we played this game, Mandar? Tonight, it all ends. This is checkmate."

Mandar:
"I should've known. Only you could come up with a plan so wicked. You may have distracted the princess, but you won't remove me so easily!"

Mogul:
"Then you will die." *He lifts the wooden cane he had carried into the air. Green light swirls around it...* "By the power of Ixis... This shall be your grave!!"

Mandar:
"A Guardian has no grave!" *Readies himself.*

Mogul:
*He points his cane at Mandar. A beam of green light erupts towards the old guardian.*

Mandar:
*Creates a portal that redirects the beam back at Mogul.*

Mogul:
*Holds out his hand and absorbs the beam, before swinging a punch with an energized hand.*

Mandar:
*Punches back against the hand, putting his whole body into it.*

Mogul:
*Suddenly, from the contact with Mogul's hand, Mandar's life force begins to drain.* "Quite a gambit! Or did you not foresee this?"

Mandar:
*Takes a long look at Fennix.*

Fennix:
"..."

Mandar:
"You've sealed your own fate, Mogul."

Mogul:
"What do you mean?"

Mandar:
*With what strength he has left, he leaps onto Mogul's arm and then to his head.*

Mogul:
"Fool! You cannot defeat me with your measly power."

Mandar:
*Places his hands on Mogul's skull and they shine bright orange.*

Mogul:
"NO! What are you doing?!?"

Mandar:
"I'm keeping you from causing any further harm!"

Mogul:
*Begins to fade into flames.* "This is not over, Mandar. I will return, and I will put an end to this!"
*The flames continue to spread, before they finally reach Mandar, consuming them both.*

Fennix:
*Gasp.* "Dad!"

The fire quartz drops to the ground.

Fennix:
*Runs over to it and picks it up, fighting back tears.*

The fire quartz glows and a cloud of energy flows out of it.

Fennix:
*Watches as the cloud forms itself into the shape of his father.*

Mandar:
"I always knew it would come to this, but I never expected it to happen so soon..."

Fennix:
"What--what are you saying?"

Mandar:
"My time here is over. I've joined the Guardians of the past inside the fire quartz."

Fennix:
"You mean...?"

Mandar:
"You are now the sole guardian of the fire quartz. Promise me you'll protect it at all costs."

Fennix:
"I... I don't know if I can..."

Mandar:
"I didn't want it to happen like this, but you've been trained for this from birth. I know you'll honor your predecessors."

Fennix:
*Stands up, wiping his tears.* "I promise. I promise I will not fail you."

Mandar:
*Smiles and he fades away, his form returning to the fire quartz.*

Fennix:
*His own words echo in his mind. "I will not fail you."*

Fennix opens his eyes to find himself bound along with the others. They seem to be on the bridge of the ship... He looks up to see Zara Beakton.

Zara:
"Hello there... Nice of you to join us. Now," *Looks up around the room, gesturing with both hands which now have gloves for both gems.*
"I have your friends Brother, it's only fair you come out..."
*No one responds.*
"..."

Hannah:
*Wakes up.*
"..."

James:
*Pfft.*

Hannah:
(I guess this is that other Beakton.)

Zara:
"Wait... You mean to tell me you clowns got aboard MY ship. And my idiot brother wasn't involved?!"

Debby:
"Don't call us clowns! We don't know what it means!"

Zara:
"Impressive... albeit somewhat disappointing. Perhaps he's come to his senses and has gone into hiding..."

Danger:
"I don't even know why we joined these morons..."

Zara:
"Oh, well, I assumed this was all some elaborate distraction. The whole heroic team-up of rivals to take out the main bad guy."

Danger:
"Nope, we all just bumbled our way up here. I don't even know who the blonde Sheila is."

Hannah:
"I don't know *any* of these guys."

Zara:
"Well, let's begin."

Ellie:
"My name's not Sheila!"

Debby:
"He thinks everyone's name is Sheila."

Zara:
"The blonde assassin is Ellie Mondil, then we have James her ex-husband..."

Ellie:
"Sheila's the name of an idiot blonde who doesn't know how to use a fax machine so she ends up somehow spilling coffee on the VP then gets promoted anyways because he thinks she's pretty!"

James:
"Ex is a relative term."

Danger:
[replying to Debby] "I do not! It means lady! Woman! Female! Whatever!"

Zara:
"*Ahem!* I'm trying to do a dramatic moment here?! Now then, we have Danger and Debby, revolutionaries from the Sol Dimension..."

Debby:
"Our reputation proceeds us!"

Danger:
"How do you know who we are?! What's a Sol Dimension?!?"

Zara:
"I have my informants..."

Debby:
"Perhaps word of our cause has spread further than we realized."

Zara:
"Agent Hannah Allerton Dash... Which is the whole reason I assumed Jack was involved..."
*Shrugs.* "Guess not..."

Hannah:
"Jack and I are NOT friends..."

Zara:
"Really? Considering you went to his wedding I thought otherwise."

Hannah:
"..."
(Um firstly why do you know that...) [I forgot about Sleet. Hannah would assume that's how]
"That's before I knew about his ties with Eggman..."

Zara:
"Oh ho ho! Darling, Uncle Ivo is the LEAST of the reasons not to trust that child."
*Smiles.* "I'm number one..."
"And now, the main event... the monke of the hour... the failure of a Guardian himself... Fennix..."

Fennix:
*Looks at Zara with his head hanging.*

Zara:
*Holds her fists up where both gems are visible.*
"I'd love to gloat but frankly I'm a bit miffed. I had a whole evil speech planned!"
*Opens a small portal and grabs papers off her desk.*

Hannah:
(At least this Beakton admits to her evils...)

Zara:
"But since my dunderheaded dimbulb of a brother wasn't here... I can't use any of this... Too many in-jokes... Ya know what, I'm gonna be over here trying to get a new speech..."
*Sits down on her throne and is scribbling on a notebook.*

Suddenly! The ship rocks from a fiery impact! Blaze has returned to the battlefield!

Zara:
"Ugh... Now what?!"

Blaze:
(That hit may have weakened me, but I won't give up so quickly!)

Snively:
*Over the comlines.* "Miss Zara! Where are the gems?! They're missing from the device!"

Zara:
"Oh, well. I may have taken them off the machine for a gloat?"

Snively:
*Facepalms, which is hard to do with as big a nose he has.*

Zara:
"Relax Snively, this little kitty is getting put to sleep... permanently..."
*Arms the main cannon and aims it at Blaze.*

Danger:
"Hey! No one gets to topple the monarchy but us!"

Zara:
*A large wisp-like entity is seen inside the barrel of it.*

Fennix:
(This might be my last chance...)
*Focusing, he draws energy from the fire quartz.*

Zara:
*Fires the megawisp cannon at Blaze.*

Blaze:
*Banks hard to avoid it.*

Zara:
*Completely forgetting about her prisoners.*
"uGH... WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!"
*Fires again.*

Fennix:
"Because she's a Guardian!"

Zara:
*Turns around.*

Fennix:
*Has escaped.* "And Guardians have no grave."

Zara:
"Because remains are never found... Snively! Take over the weaponwork please darling. I have a monkey to smash..."

Snively:
"No. I'm done with your unprofessional ways Beakton. I quit."
*An escape pod is seen flying past the windshield of the bridge and Snively gives a rude gesture at Zara.*

Debby:
"You won't quit because we're unprofessional, right James?"

Zara:
"ARUgh! Never work with a Robotnik... Right. It's me and you monkey boy..."
*Cracks her neck in an unnatural way.*

Fennix:
"Are [you?] finally going to shut up so we can do this?"

Zara:
*Swings a bladed fist at Fennix.*

James:
[replying to Debby] "...If I were planning to do that I'd have done it ages ago."

Danger:
"We just met yesterday, though..."

Fennix:
*Ducks it and responds by sweeping her legs.*

Zara:
*Is unfazed as a metallic clank is heard as he hits.*

James:
"You've been *very* unprofessional."

Zara:
"WOULD YOU PEOPLE SHUt UP?! tRYIng To HAVE A DUEL HERE!"

Fennix:
"Gah!" *Does a backwards somersault.* "How are you harder than the robots?!"

Zara:
"Darling, I MADE the robots."

Fennix:
"I don't even know what your deal is lady. But you're going to regret messing with the Guardians..." *Does his signature move of a somersault into a kick.*

Zara:
*Grabs his foot with her fist.*

Fennix:
*Adjusts his momentum and curls to latch onto her.*

The ship rocks, having been hit by Blaze's attacks.

Zara:
"Gah! Get your stinking paws off me you darn dirty ape!"
*Slings him off.*

Fennix:
*Bounces across the floor a bit, before picking himself up.*

Zara:
*Summons a portal under him and above him.*

But after he falls through, the portals disappear and he stands triumphant.

Zara:
"WHaT?!" *Realizes the quartz is gone from her gauntlet.* "YOU BLASTED PIRATE!"
*Just draws her wispon and fires orange blasts at him.*

Fennix:
*Calmly creates a portal that redirects the blasts.*

Hannah:
(Oh, that's why that gem was such a big deal.)

Fennix:
*The portal fades and he jumps at her through it.* [that is, jumps through where the portal *used* to be]

Zara:
"Grah!" *Is distracted tanking her own shots.*
*Is struck hard by Fennix right in the beak.*
"Grr FINE... Perhaps it's time for backup..."
*Opens a portal above the hostages.*
*And several cannons appear pointed through it as though it's the side of a warship she has it positioned against.*

Hannah:
*Eyes widen.*

Danger:
"Well, blimey..."

Ellie:
"Gosh I hate this job..."

Hannah:
"Same though..."

Fennix:
"Wait!"

Zara:
"Mwa ha ha ha! Well my dear Fennix. Unless you want your friends here to be acquainted with these Kukku Imperial issue cannons... Hand over the gem... now..."

James:
[replying to Ellie] "Hm. Have you considered, not being a--" *He stops as Ellie gives him a pointed stare.*

Fennix:
*Sigh.* "Yeah, okay." *Slowly walks over to Zara.*

Zara:
*Smiles the signature Beakton evil grin.*
*The portal begins closing slightly and the cannons start to disarm.*

Fennix:
*Stops in front of Zara and holds out his hand, with the quartz inside of it.*

Zara:
*Raises her gloved hand and the cannons rearm and the portal holds as she looks at Fennix suspiciously and reaches for the other gem with her free hand.*

Fennix:
*Grabs her hand.*

Zara:
*The other portal closes, cutting off the tips of the gun barrels.*

Fennix:
"I made a promise it would always be safe."

Zara:
"What--What's happening?"
*Tries to use the Topaz to escape.*

Fennix:
"I'll never forget that promise." *Grabs her forehead with his other hand.*

Zara:
*It does not respond.*
*Spits in his face.*

Fennix:
"Squirm all you want, your fate is sealed." *Flames form at Zara's feet and begin to eat away at her.*

Zara:
*Screams a metallic screech.*

Nimbus:
*Leaving behind an orange wisp who was in her wispon behind.*
*Panickedly hides over at the hostages.*

Fennix:
*Fennix watches the fire spread to his hand and waves toward the group as he fades away.*

Hannah:
*Is rather confused by this development.* "Um, thanks."

Debby:
"Grrr... There!" *Has been gnawing at her bonds and finally breaks free.*

James:
"Debby, um, would you mind..."

Debby:
"Okay!" *Starts biting away at James's bonds.*

James:
"I have a gun in my pocket, Debby. It has a cutting function. You really don't need to--nevermind."

Debby:
*Bites through.* "Bleugh, tastes like minerals!"

James:
*Sighs, sets his plasma pistol to cutting mode and blasts through the rest of their bonds.*

Suddenly the ship's warning lights begin flashing as the hull is ripped open by a large swarm of wisps escaping after Blaze blasted through it, Mother Wisp herself included. The damage now causes the ship to completely lose power and begin falling into the atmosphere.

Hannah:
"Um, we better get off this ship..."

Ellie:
"Agreed. I think now's the time to run?"

Nimbus:
*Clings to Hannah's leg.*

Hannah:
*Pats the wisp.*
*Grabs the gem.* [that is, the quartz]
*Tries a few random hand motions but nothing happens.*
"Uh, so much for that... Escape pods then?"

James:
"I think that works for me."

Debby:
*Reaches for the gem.* "I can take that!"

Suddenly the ship is ripped in half by an angry Mother Wisp grabbing the back end and slinging it into deep spade. Escape pods included.

Hannah:
*Sticks the gem in a pocket for now.*
*Notices the wreckage.* *Eyes widen.*

Swat-Bot:
*Runs in awkwardly panicked since he's the only one of his troops left.*

Hannah:
*Quickly activates the Blades and points them at the bot.*

Swat-Bot:
*Raises his hands in surrender upon seeing the monster that bit him.*
"Oh no. I may not have the top of the line processors but I'm not stupid."

Hannah:
*Lowers the Blades.*
"We're kinda screwed anyway..."

Oh great, a cliffhanger! How will our heroes escape their plummeting doom? Find out next week on the thrilling conclusion of Broiling Trouble!

```

### Episode 8: Firepower

```
Despite appearances, Fennix didn't die. Not truly.

Fennix:
"So this is it... The Realm of Guardians."

A voice comes from behind Fennix.

Mystery Voice:
"...Where all Guardians go when they sacrifice themselves for the quartz."

Fennix:
*Turns around and smiles at the sight of his father, looking the same as when he last saw him.* "Hey. Long time, no see."

Mandar:
"Your duty as Guardian has finally come to an end." *Hugs Fennix heartily.*

Fennix:
*Enjoys his father's embrace before looking down to see the Warp Topaz in his hand.* "About that..."
*Pulls away from the hug and holds up the topaz.* "...I found something else worth guarding."

Mandar:
"Did you now?"

Fennix:
"Yeah. There's people back there who need me, I can't just forget them and move on. I'm not about to give up when I know I can go back."

Mandar:
"Fennix..."

Fennix:
*Avoids looking his father in the eye.* "Yeah, Dad?"

Mandar:
*Places a hand on Fennix's shoulder.* "That is a noble sacrifice. That's two in a row. Be careful, you don't want to push yourself too hard."

Fennix:
"Heh, thanks... And thanks for understanding. I'll be okay, I promise. Just... don't give up on me."

Mandar:
"I never could."

Fennix:
*He takes one more look at his dad. Then he wipes away his tears and smirks.* "As long as I know that, I'll be the best I can be!"
*Opens a warp portal.* "See you soon, Dad." *Leaps through it.*

As Fennix leaps through the portal, the Warp Topaz turns to dust in his hand. He reappears on the ship's bridge as the ship is plummeting towards the rocky cliff.*

Hannah:
*Eyes widen.*

Danger:
"MONKEY BOY! WE'RE GOING DOWN!"

Fennix:
"Looks like I'm just in time. Where's the quartz?"

James:
"No idea..."

Hannah:
*Pulls it out of my pocket and offers it to Fennix.*

Swat-Bot:
*Sighs.* "And I had only 300 miles to my next recharge period..."

Fennix:
*Takes it from Hannah.* "Thanks."
*Opens a portal to solid ground.* "This way everyone, mind your step."

Hannah:
*Goes through.*

Debby:
"Wait. Do we trust the monkey? I'm so confused!"

Danger:
"We do now! Let's move!"
*The two of them leap through the portal.*

Swat-Bot:
*Awkwardly walks through.*

James:
*Stares.*

Ellie:
"Hurry you idiot!" *Shoves him through.*

Fennix:
"C'mon, I came back from the dead just to save you guys!" [this makes more sense being *before* Ellie's statement]
*Steps through himself.* "That everyone?"

Ellie:
"Yup! Close it!"

Fennix:
*Closes the portal right as a fiery explosion encloses it.*

Not too far away, Zara's ship crashes into the mountainside. Floating in the vicinity are thousands of wisps and the Mother Wisp, they begin to spiral skyward in a beautiful display of color.

Fennix:
"Whew..." *Crouches to catch his breath.* "All in a day's work..."

James:
"...So, I totally undercharged for that job didn't I?"

Hannah:
*Looks up, admiring the pretty wisps.*

Nimbus:
*Finally lets go of Hannah's leg.*

Danger:
"Nope. I think we paid plenty, myself."

Swat-Bot:
"...You guys were paid?"

Ellie:
"Can I shoot him now?"

Hannah:
"Don't shoot *anybody*!"

James:
"Ellie, love, please..."

Ellie:
"I ASKED FIRST DIDN'T I?"

Debby:
"Don't bite him either! He tastes worse than those bonds."

Calias:
*A teal blur rushes to the point where everyone is standing.* "SIS! Are you alive?!?"

Hannah:
"I look alive, don't I?"

James:
"Wait, how did your parents um--make--"

Calias:
"Well, to be honest, you kinda do look dead inside. But that's normal for you."

Hannah:
"..."
*Hugs Cal.*

Calias:
*Returns the hug.* "I was kinda worried when I saw the ship go down... Who are your friends?"

Swat-Bot:
*Sigh.* "Meatbags are confusing..."

James:
"That's racist!"

Ellie:
"Now can I shoot him?"

Hannah:
"Erm, we're not friends... Just met these guys."

Danger:
"I'm Danger."

Calias:
"I want your name."

Debby:
"He just gave it to you! Didn't you hear him? HE SAID HE'S DANGER!"

Danger:
"...And like she said, we're not friends. We happened to be thrown together into this... mess."

Hannah:
*My eyebrows raise as I make a realization.*
"Oh, I better let Flame know I'm okay..."
*Quickly pulls out E-pod to do so.*

Nimbus:
*Is mumbling in Wisp.*

Hannah:
*Types message.* <I'M OKAY. A magic rock got us out of there.>

Calias:
"Hey, where did they get all those wisps?"

Fennix:
*Realizes there's something left to do and slowly stands.*

Swat-Bot:
"Miss Beakton kidnapped the entire population."

Fennix:
"Kidnapped from where?"

Swat-Bot:
"...Planet Wisp?"

Fennix:
"Right."

Calias:
"Miss... Beakton?"

Fennix:
*Raises his hand with the quartz.* "Can't be any harder than the afterlife, right?"

A huge fiery portal appears in the sky. Many of the wisps return to their home world, but a few stay behind.

Static:
*One ivory wisp can be seen selecting a fairly large hex nut from the wreckage.*

Fennix:
"Last call..." *When he's reasonably sure all the wisps are content where they are he closes the portal.*

Static:
*Tries to put the nut atop his head, but has difficulty reaching that high.*

Hannah:
*Steps forward and helps him.*

```

```
Static:
*Eyes smile.*
*Waves to everyone, then wanders away.*

```

```
Nimbus:
*Sighs.*
"That boy ain't right..."

Dante:
*A lone red wisp is there looking grumpy.*

Hannah:
"Let's go, Cal..."

Calias:
"Yep, let's leave these... fine people to it."

Swat-Bot:
"Sooo... I'm just... gonna leave... So uh, stay fresh cheesebags." *Does finger guns and leaves.*

Hannah:
*Looks at the bot.*
"We ought to keep an eye on that one if possible..."

Debby:
"Do they have cheese in bags in this dimension?!"

The two Rangers also depart.

Having finished the incineration of Zara's ship, Blaze the Cat lands where our heroes stand.

James:
"...And there's a flying cat. I think I'm going to go lie down now."
*He nopes right out of there.*

Ellie:
"I should probably make sure he doesn't do anything stupid..." *Follows.*

Blaze:
"Very well, I only wish to speak with these three, anyway..."

Debby:
*Grabs Danger's hand and squeezes.*

Danger:
*Squeezes back.* "What do you want from us?"

Blaze:
"I could ask you the same thing. It's my understanding that your hubris is what gave way to this ordeal."

Danger:
"...I... don't know if I can refute that."

Fennix:
"I'm sorry to say that this was partially my fault. I accidentally opened the portal that brought us here. And from there I didn't exactly do a great job of fixing things..."

Blaze:
"I see... I understand better than anyone that the role of Guardian can be a difficult one. You're bound to make mistakes. Oftentimes people won't be willing to forgive you for those mistakes." *Looks at Debby and Danger.*

Danger:
*Looks at Debby.*

Debby:
*Thinking with a strained look.*

Blaze:
"...But what's important is that you continue with your responsibility. It's a great burden, but you've done well to carry it."

Fennix:
"Thank you, your highness." *Bows his head.*

Danger:
"Well, your highness... Are you gonna send us all back home, then?"

Debby:
"I haven't forgiven her! But I am *beyond* homesick..."

Blaze:
"I think it's time we *all* return to where we belong..."

Danger:
"Yeah, let's go home."

Blaze:
*Calls upon the power of the Sol Emeralds to send them all back to the Sol Dimension.*

It's not very effective...

Blaze:
(...Of course not.)

Fennix:
"Um, was something supposed to happen?"

Blaze:
"It seems the Sol Emeralds have declared my time in this dimension is not over..."

Danger:
"So because your little gemstones say no, NONE OF US CAN GO HOME?!"

Blaze:
"I should be able to send you back, I just can't say when."

Fennix:
"I don't have much of a home there, anyway."

Danger:
"Alright... Guess it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to stay here... It *is* a nice world..."

Debby:
"Right after you got me excited to go home?!" *Growls* "Let's go Danger, I need a bite to eat before I bite her."

Danger:
*Throws Debby over his shoulder.* "Yep, that sounds like a good idea. We'll see you around, mates..."

Blaze:
"I trust you can keep an eye on them? I would but that encounter has left me drained and it would seem I have further business."

Fennix:
"You can count on me." *Looks in James's direction.* [that is, the direction he left.] "I may get some help, though..."

Blaze:
*Smiles.* "That certainly never hurts."

Danger:
*The rebels have already taken off.*

Fennix:
"I'm gonna catch up with James. See you later?"

Blaze:
*Nods.* "Verily."

We now do a dramatic pan-out shot of Golden City. The next night, Blaze wanders the streets alone...

Blaze:
(I don't understand... Why did the Emeralds keep me here? What more needs to be done?)
(I should probably seek out Sonic. He seems to be a magnet for trouble.)

Midnight strikes...

Blaze:
(Sonic's always causing trouble... He must be stopped!)

APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, on board the Rising Hope, we find Hannah Dash.

Hannah:
(Where did he go...?)
*Enters another room in my search for Calias.*
*Finds Jack there instead.*

Jack:
*Looks up from trying to fix his leg's busted joint.* "Oh. Hi Hannah."

Hannah:
*Is about to leave, before realizing that I *do* want to talk to Jack.*
"..."
"How do you move on? After doing something so...?" *Trails off before sighing.*

Jack:
"Well, there's a lotta ways... Some folks like to write their problems on rocks and throw them in the ocean... Honestly though? I've never been able to get over killing someone..."
*Chuckles slightly.* "Shocker, I know..."

Hannah:
"I don't get how the rock thing can work for people. It doesn't *do* anything. But I guess nothing can..."

Jack:
"Best I know to do is not think about it. And try... not to make the same mistakes again... But Hannah. You didn't kill innocents like me. You killed a monster. Frankly death was too good for him."

Hannah:
*Slowly nods.*
"Learn from my mistakes, yeah... Now I know just what I'm capable of... and I won't let myself go so far again."

Jack:
*Smiles.* "At least you've sense to stop yourself after the first..."

Hannah:
*Awkward silence for a moment.*
"Changing the subject... You never told me you had a sister."

Jack:
"..."
*Is visibly discomforted at that mention.*
"Yeah... I do... Not exactly close to her... How'd you find out?"

Hannah:
"Egg Carrier trying to destroy Golden City? I found her aboard... Er, more like she found me."

Jack:
"Wait what? ...When did THAT happen?"

Hannah:
"..."
"Day before New Years. [new years EVE] How did you not know? Kinda a big deal... She captured a bunch of wisps and everything..."

Jack:
"...We don't get the greatest news coverage to Raven Haven."

Hannah:
"Right, energy scrambling and all..."

Jack:
*Nods.*
"So... See why I don't get along with my family?"

Hannah:
*Nods.*

Jack:
"What was she trying to do this time? I mean I know she had the warp topaz... She sent me a taunting postcard..."

Hannah:
"She was trying to blow up Golden City, I think."

Jack:
"...That's it? Wow. That's pretty small ngl. [unclear how he pronounced the acronym] Er I mean, for her. She normally tries to destroy planets and such... I think you can see why Eggman wanted her to lead the attack on Central City instead of me."

Hannah:
"Hm. Yeah that makes sense..."

Jack:
"She just took off the night before in a stolen Egg Carrier and sailed off into space. Leaving me and Louis to do it... which... as you know, didn't go as planned..."

Hannah:
"Blowing up Central City *wasn't* the plan?"

Jack:
"Oh no. I wanted to do a show of force, just show up with a bunch of guns and big ships and ask them to surrender. Louis though? Opened fire as soon as we were in range... With him? Peace was never an option."

Hannah:
*Nods.*
"I see..."

Jack:
"Anyways... That reminds me of something I need to do..."
*Pulls out his phone.*
"Was there anything else you needed?"

Hannah:
"No. Still looking for Cal..."

Jack:
"Right. Well, um. Thanks for uh, helping save the world... and giving me a chance."

Hannah:
"Yeah. Thanks for also helping save the world." *Smiles and leaves.*

Jack:
*Takes a deep breath before dialing the number that called him a few weeks prior. (On an actual dial if you remember his phone design.)* [not really a *few* weeks; two and a half]

James:
*Picks up his phone.* "Hello? Oh. It's you."

Jack:
"Hello. I'm uh, assuming you saw the recent events? Or at least the broadcast..."

James:
"Hard to miss, yeah. Sorry for beating the absolute snot out of your sister, by the way."

Jack:
"Actually I called to thank you for that. The lousy witch needed to have her face rearranged."

James:
"Thanks for doing the same to your uncle."

Jack:
"Oh that clown REALLY needed it. Anyways I was wondering if you were up for that meeting sometime this week? The missus and I could use a drink. And I'm pretty sure you could use one."
*Holds up Eggman's credit card.* "My treat."

James:
"Sure. Somewhere public, in case there are any... grudges?" *He glances to Ellie, who's peeking over his shoulder and fiddling with something off-screen.*

Jack:
"Yeah, sounds fine."

We cut to a week later at a pub in Central City at about 7 PM.

Jack:
*Sits down in a booth with Angela.* "Still getting used to not having to hide from the police when I come to town..."

Angela:
"And let's keep it that way please."

Jack:
"Soooo any sign of James?"

Angela:
"I think that's him now."

Ellie:
*Steps in, James following.*
"--seriously? I mean, I just want to hur--Oh, they're here already."

Angela:
*Waves to the couple.*

James:
*Comes over and sits himself down in the booth.*

Ellie:
*Hesitates, and does the same.*

James:
"Jack."

Jack:
"James."

Angela:
"Um, I'd continue this trend but I don't exactly know your name." *Extends her hand for a handshake to Ellie.* "I'm Angela."

Ellie:
"Ellie. Pleased to meet you, Angela."

Jack:
"Sooo."

James:
"So. It was you in that Egg Carrier."

Jack:
*Sigh.* "Straight to the point. Yes. It was me in that Egg Carrier. My brother Louis was the one who started the attack, in the second smaller ship. When he was shot down... something in me snapped. I-I honestly don't remember much of the fight. After I shot down the GUN HQ, I told the computer to take over the fight. And I rushed out in the Eggmobile to get Louis out of the battle... Only to arrive just in time to see him shot down by a sniper."

Angela:
*Ahem.* "I'm going to go to the women's room..."
*Slides past Jack and heads out.*

Jack:
"So... Yeah... That's what happened... After that I fled the fight. Let the robots do the rest..."

Ellie:
*Glances toward Angela, shrugs seeing as she's not about to shoot anyone.*

James:
"Heh. So when my squadron got there, were you still in control?"

Jack:
"No, actually. I left as soon as I could... returned to base. Told Eggman I needed time to think... And then I joined the Resistance. Although when they discovered my history... Yeah, let's just say I broke a few bridges there... Or so I thought...
"Seems GLACIA wants me to be part of their special agents or something. Frankly though I don't trust them... I mean heck, they demoted Flame after he helped me kick Eggman's keister. I mean, I trust the team I'd be with. But not the generals. Anyway, I'm getting off track... W-what's this about your squad getting shot down?"

James:
"I was part of an air unit sent to intervene when you started lighting the whole [dang] place up. My squadron's leader got shot down on approach. I took charge, then..."

Ellie:
*Glances over as he hesitates.*

James:
"The other few guys got hit. One died on impact, another got shot while ejecting... then I was hit. Lost a control surface, spun out..."

Jack:
"Dang... I-I'm sorry man... For what it's worth? I wanted to take over the city peacefully. I only did the job because I wanted to minimize the casualties... Sadly my stupid family screwed that up... But hey, Louis got what was coming for him I guess. A bullet clean to his heart."

James:
"Heh. You know, I'd assumed an actual person had been behind the gun by the time we got there."

Jack:
"I mean, even if I WAS there I'd hardly consider myself a person."

James:
"Some people wanted the guy who did that killed." *He glances over to Ellie, who shrugs awkwardly.*

Ellie:
"In my defense, after you went down I did assume you were dead." *She glares at Jack."

Jack:
"Heh, yeah... Well, um. For what it's worth? I want to make sure that part of Jack Beakton stays dead... Especially after the whole presidential pardon thing... Ya only get that sort of opportunity once in a lifetime."

Angela:
*Has returned about this time.* "Which reminds me... I hope you won't mind Mr. Mondil but I did some diggin' and found you have quite a lot of unpaid debts and bills..."

Ellie:
"We've been working on those. He won't let me pay them off."

James:
"It's not that it's your money Ellie, it's **how you got it.**"

Ellie:
"It was only people who deserved it!"

Angela:
"Well, I may have overstepped. I took the liberty of getting those paid off. Gotta do something with the stupid family fortune..."

James:
*Blank stare.* "Wot."

Jack:
"Uh, Ange owns the Evazorn Fruit Company. What's left of it at least."

James:
"WHAT."

Angela:
"Yeaah... It's a long story..."

Ellie:
"What my idiot husband means to say is thank you very much, we greatly appreciate it."

Angela:
"Given what MY husband has done? It's the least we can do..."

Jack:
"Actually... I have another proposition... How would you two like to come with us on vacation?"

James:
"...I think let's just stick to drinks for now and think on bigger things."

Jack:
"Right."

Ellie:
"Men aren't very good at subtle, are they?"

Angela:
"You should have seen our wedding.... Freaking Metal Sonic showed up... It was madness..."

Ellie:
*Sigh.* "That had to be rough. You didn't get any motor oil on the dress, did you?"

Angela:
"Thankfully, none except for my own."

Ellie:
"Do you... often exude motor oil?"

Angela:
"Only when injured."

Jack:
"Heh, Ange is a cyborg."

Angela:
"Well, robot with the consciousness of a person would be more accurate..."

James:
"That--I don't even want to ask."

Ellie:
"James! Be polite!"

James:
"I didn't even say anything!"

Ellie:
"You thought it!"
*Turns to Angela.* "Sorry about him. You really can't take them out anywhere, can you."

Angela:
"I mean, in Jack's case? That's because most police have a kill on sight order on him."

Jack:
"That's only in Adabat and you know it."

Ellie:
"Sorry about that. Who's responsible for that order, exactly?"

James:
"Ellie, don't."

Ellie:
"I just wanna talk to him." [it's a GIF, and it suggests murderous intent :P]

Jack:
*Ahem.*
"Anyways..."

Ellie:
"Standing offer."

James:
"Anyways! Thanks for the drink Jack. And the talk."

Jack:
"No problem."

James:
"I..." *He hesitates.* "I guess--I don't know. I don't blame you anymore. We'll see if we get to forgiveness."

Jack:
"Hey, having someone who knows what I did and doesn't want me dead is a welcome sight--"

Suddenly a laser blast strikes above Jack's head.

Blight:
*Barges in the pub, pistol drawn.* "So... Decided for the straight and narrow ey?"

Jack:
*Glares.* "Father... What do you want?"

Ellie:
"Can I shoot *HIM* at least?"

Blight:
"Vengeance boy... And yer mother ain't here to save ya this time..."

Jack:
*To Ellie.* "Please."

Ellie:
*Reaches into her rather large purse, and pulls a handle. It flips over itself, and converts into a submachine gun.*

Angela:
*Eyes widen.*
(I gotta get one of those.)

Blight:
"Stand aside lassie, this don't concern ye."

Ellie:
"We're having a conversation here, and you're interrupting. Also... the money on your head's pretty [dang] high." *She turns to James.* "For the record dear, this one is a legal contract."

James:
*Sighs.* "Alright then. *Draws his plasma pistol.* "Beakton, do you want him dead or stunned?"

Jack:
"I prefer dead, but given he's a cyborg stunned would do more damage."

Ellie:
"Everyone out of the way!" *She fires a burst.*

Blight:
*His pistol arm is rattled with bullet holes.*
"..."
"Bugger."
*Rushes out the door, his backside getting filled with lead along the way.*

James:
"Does that happen frequently?"

Ellie:
*Is running out the door after him.*

Jack:
"Welcome to my world. That was my father. As you can see, Zara takes after his side."

James:
"Ah. Well... I should probably help her." *He throws a coin Jack's way.* "Thanks for the drinks."

Jack:
"Right, don't be a stranger!"
"Well, I think that went well."

Angela:
"...Fair. Only one person tried to kill you."

Jack:
"I know right?! That's gotta be a new record!"

Thus concludes the tale of duty and lineage, of responsibility and rebellion, of absolute insanity... Fennix, James, Debby and Danger will return...

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Fennix the Monkey
* Debby the Devil
* Danger Dingo
* James Mondil
* B. Cool
* B. Wild
* B. Groovy
* Zara Beakton
* Hunter Klein
* Inigo Mogotsi
* Toni Havarti
* Vinnie
* Ricky Ricotta
* Roadkill the Opossum
* Piper the Piper
* Wrecker the Badger
* Elmer "Elk" Seraphina
* Penelope "Penny" Seraphina
* Blaze the Cat
* Jabber
* Sonny Flame
* Angela Beakton
* Jack Beakton
* Sleet Von Wulf
* Snively Robotnik
* Mr. Henderson
* Ellie Mondil
* Calias the Phoenix
* Hannah Dash
* Nihil the Phoenix
* Mandar the Monkey
* Mammoth Mogul
* Nimbus
* Static
* Dante
* Blight Beakton

## Participants

* Pip9766
* Captainclay55
* Theo Emerson
* GasglowJones
* BeauX
* HannahDash