"TO BE GOOD OR BAD" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TJ Prower is copyrighted by TJ Prower. Used under permission Also special thanks to him, because his stories, which I BTW recommend to read, inspired me to start writing); Fargus is copyighted by me (Vladimir Malgin); Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles 'Tails' Prower and all other citizens Knothole + All bad guys are copyrighted by SEGA of America, DIC and Archie Comics. If you suggestions, want to shout "what a $#%^ it is" or anything like that, just send a comment to riald@mail.ru Or catch me on ICQ - 122987055 Note: Thoughts are marked by ~ symbol ------------------- 12:21 CET 25/07/2002, Earth, Solar System. ..."What a BOOOORING day?! No, not a day, but hell! Weather like from hell, teachers like hellhounds, only 1 email message... At lest it is not from hell... Already good. Let's see..." =======-======= From: GM (GM@xxx.yyy) To: Fargus (Fargus@xxx.yyy) Hi, I hope you remember that we have a roleplaying game today? In case you forgot, I remind you that it is today in 18:00. You remember address - www.xxx.yyy/RPG/. See ya there. GM =======-======= 16-yeared teenager Vladimir, known to his friends by nickname 'Fargus' , closed the message window. Finally he was alone for some time. Yesterday his family went on the vacation and he asked them to leave him home. 23:42 CET Same date, same place. Vladimir was playing one of those great games. For almost 6 hours he had managed to raise quite an advanced character and was going to perform a vital quest. He didn't knew yet, that this quest will not be fulfilled... When he was almost ready to finish it, the worst has happened - all of sudden electricity has turned off in his whole house. "What the?.. Oh, evil laws in action - if you think that situation cannot be worse, it WILL! And I didn't even saved game..." He grabbed the flashlight, turned it on and headed to his room, growling something like "Damned world! Cannot do anything right, even electricity is unreliable!" When he entered his room, he looked in a window before closing it and saw a faint glow beyond the corner of the house. ~Oh, no! Don't tell me it is a fire, or anything like that! I fed enough emergencies for today.~ thought Vladimir, sighed and ran down the stairs. When he stepped out, he saw that it wasn't a fire. Neither it was an illusion. It was kind of... "HOLE?! In the air?! Somebody tell me, what is going on? I hasn't ordered laser show..." He stomped his foot in irritation and already turned to return home, but hole suddenly moved closer to him and he disappered in red lightnings... 23:47 25/07/3238, Great Forest, Mobius. SMASH! "... Oooouch..." was only thing that Vladimir managed to groan before losing consciousness. 11:12 26/07/3238, Knothole, Mobius. Freedom Fighters were doing their usual things: Sally working with NICOLE and planning new mission into Robotropolis, Rotor and Bunnie in workshop, fixing her arm, Sonic practicing his speed on the Great Meadow. TJ and Tails were in great forest, playing games. "Careful, bro, don't get stumbled in the tree as usual!" TJ said to Tails. "Don't worry, TJ. You'll see, I won't. But don't you think that it is time to return?" Tails replied happily and TJ nodded in agreement. Just as they were half-way to the Knothole, TJ saw something grey in the bushes to the right of them. He hit the brakes and stared at 'thing'. "Huh?... Tails, come here! Do you see the same thing as I see? It looks like hedgehog..." Tails flew closer to object and landed near him. Then he waved to TJ "Yes it is hedgehog, he is barely breathing and his pulse is slow. He might have escaped from Robotnik, but fallen of weakness." "Let's take him to Knothole, Tails. And let's hurry!". Back in Knothole, Sally and the rest decided to take grey hedgehog to Rotor's workshop, because there they had equipment to heal him. 15:38 26/07/3238, Knothole, Mobius. Vladimir woke up only to find himself tormented by the worst headache he had ever felt in his 16 years of life. He weakly shook his head left and right few times, trying to regain senses. "What a hell is goin' on?.. What happened to me? I got electric shock or what?" he said (or righter to said groaned) to himself. ~And what was that hole? And... What hospital it is?~ He tried to sit up, but bruised back let him know, that it won't accept it, by serious pain. He sighed, opening his eyes. ~Now somebody tell me where I am? I don't remember hospitals with wooden walls! Completely! And... I don't remember ANY buildings like this in the town!~ Somewhere to the right of him, wooden door opened and voice spoke "So far I see, you're finally awake. Good. How are you feeling? How's your back?" "As I can feel, I am still in one piece, but headache is terrible. Now let's get to another subject - where am I and..." Vladimir turned his head to the voice "Who are... AAAAAAAA!" He fell out of the bed and stepped back to the far wall. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU??!" TJ was surprised by his outburst and said "I am TJ Prower. Is everything OK with you?" ~THIS IS A JOKE! Hundred percent a joke!~ thought Vladimir and slowly answered "Very interesting joke. I am amazed. Now take off this top-quality costume. I want to see your face, not the mask." "Listen, you've really had bad fall back in the forest. Let me help you back into bed. Then we'll talk in more calm attitude. Here." He offered his hand. Vladimir jumped back. "Hey, stay out!" He raised his hands. "Stay out, or I will get rea..." Vladimir stopped in the middle of the word as he looked at his hands. They weren't human hands. He almost crazily looked at his body, legs and then to his back. ~QUILLS?!?! Oh, my, my, my! Am I crazy? No, Fargus, you're not crazy... It is just a nightmare and it'll end now!~ Unfortunately he was already awoke and his wish wasn't fulfilled. Panicking he felt his head. ~Oh, dang it! My ears! Why they're on top of my head.~ He screamed and looked at TJ in horror "What is going on?! What is this masquerade? And tell me why am I a hedgehog?!! WHAT IS GOING ON???" It was too real to be the dream. TJ was even more confused than before "I don't understand you? What do you mean by 'why'? You're a hedgehog, I am a fox. Tails, my friend, and I found you in the forest. We then brought you here." "This... Can't be true" said Vladimir his thought aloud. "Will you at least tell me your name?" "My name? My name is Vladimir, but people usually call me Fargus." Hearing name 'Vladimir' TJ flinched and stared at him "What you said was your name??" ~Dumb one!~ thought Vladimir irritated "I said Vladimir. But Fargus is preferred." He once again tried to sit up. Now he succeded in it. TJ bursted hurriedly "You said Vladimir? Isn't it Human name?" Before Fargus said a word he continued, already with thought in his brain "From what I see, Fargus, you're quite confused. Do you have a slightest idea where you are?" "Nope, TJ. Enlighten me." "Well, this village is called Knothole. It is located in the Great Forest." TJ looked into his eyes, awaiting for reaction. "You know, I haven't ever heard of any Great Forests. As I remember, there are no really Great Forests remaining on Earth!" replied Vladimir TJ's eyes widen after hearing word 'earth'. ~EARTH! This explains it all!~. "I am not sure if you will trust me... But... How to say this better... You're not on the Earth at all. This planet is called Mobius." Vladimir raised a brow sceptically "I see. Knothole. Great Forest. Mobius. Not Earth... Of course it could be good to stay here, but return me to where I belong to, little green men from Mobius..." TJ sighed "You see, Fargus... There is no way to return you home. I think I should tell you, that I was from Earth too. Before I came here, I also used to be a human. From Germany. I accepted this life... You'll apparently have to do the same. I am sorry." ~Something tells me that he lies. This all can't be true. I have to escape and find humans. There HAS to be humans somewhere... as soon as possible escape and run.~ he thought. Then he smiled ironically and asked "Well, TJ, if I am stuck here, then I want to have a look on this world. I hope I can exit this..." he looked around "workshop?" TJ studied Vladimir for a little, then gave a smile "OK, I see that you are almost OK, so le'ts go. I will show you the Knothole." 16:23 26/07/3238, Not far from Robotropolis, Mobius. "Nice place you have here, TJ. It is so much NOT like Earth. I could say that it was a paradise... Green forest, and blue sky..." said Vladimir looking around, his sight then caught a trace of smog far away. ~Heh... Smog. Smog is factory. Factory is industry. Industry is city! That's where I will go. Now, to TJ...~ TJ looked at the sky. "Yes, it is quite nice here, at distance from Robo..." All that he felt was a pain in head and he fallen on the grass, unconscious. Vladimir lowered his fist. "Too easy. You're bad guard, TJ. Predictable and dumb-headed. Farewell, TJ!" He smiled and ran in the general direction of the city. City rules by the worst dictator of all times and planets, Dr. Ivo Robotnik... Robotropolis. 17:03 26/07/3238, One of the streets of Robotropolis, Mobius. Grey Hedgehog looked around himslef: pollution, dust, ruins... He expressed his thoughts aloud "Eek! They don't seem to pay much attention to ecology. So much it reminds me Earth. But if it is city, there must be some citizens, is it? To run the working factories." Continuing his observations, he saw a long, humanoid-formed shadow. "BINGO! HEEEEY, wait please!" he shouted and rushed to the shadow. Vladimir's eyes widen like two plates, as he saw the 'humanoid', which really was nothing more than a SWATbot. Next moment, his brains received signal from eyes, which told him, that if he doesn't stop, he will bump into it. SCREEEEEEECH!.. "Wow! A real alive robot! Or this is some kind of costume?" he asked, surprised. Bot turned to him and grabbed his hand. "Stop, organic being. You're arrested by order of dr. Ivo Robotnik." Vladimir was confused "Robotnik? ARRESTED? Well, take me to him and we'll discuss this"... 00:31 27/07/3238, Not far from Robotropolis, Mobius. TJ groaned as he opened his eyes. ~What the heck happened here? I... I...~ He sat up and scratched his head, remembering what was before all went black ~Something really hit me hard... Hurts like fire! And where is...~ "FARGUS! Are you here???" he shouted. After no responce came, he frowned even more. ~Seems that the one who hit me, had captured him! What a day!.. He's first day on Mobius and already got himself into trouble! I'd better ran back to Knothole and tell others. Yes!~ He stood up and soon nothing marked the place where he had just been. 02:45 27/07/3238, Not far from Robotropolis, Mobius. ...~What I hate most is to be behind the bars. Mostly behind steel bars. I hope this Robotnik will understand eveything.~ Vladimir sighed and his head fell to his palm. ~Excellent! In this day I managed to: lose my homeworld, find myself in another one, become hedgehog, talk to other animals... And finally be threwn into jail by robot. Apparently I won't have right say that I have any luck at all.~ Doors of the detention cell opened to reveal fat, big, awful (other adjectives depend on your imagination) body of Dr. Robotnik, followed by Snively and two SWATbots. "Another Freedom Fighter. I see nothing special in him. Take him to the roboticizer." "Hey, hey, Mr. Robotnik! What is 'roboticizer? You know, I have just escaped those bunch of furries that call themselves Freedom Fighters, then I get arrested by your robot and..." Robotnik's face displayed confused look "What do you mean by 'escaped'? Aren't you the one, hedgehog?" "ME?! No! I am not... Err.. I wasn't hedgehog for all my life. I just was human before I found myself with those furs. Then I escaped and ran here, to the city, for help. My name is Fargus." Snively came closer to Doctor and whispered "I don't like this. I think it is just a lie." "Shut up, Snively", replied Robotnik in annoyed tone "I think that he say truth. So I have a very wicked plan." he turned back to grey hedgehog "I see. They are just the evil company, that opposes my legal power. You're lucky that you've made your escape - they are usually showing themselves good at first, but later they torment their 'guests' for information for their sabotage missions." Vladimir nodded "I understand this all, lord Robotnik. I had some kind of bad feeling, so I guess that it was my luck. Let's do the deal - you will try to find a way to return me to my world and I, in return, will assist you in you struggle against those evil furs" "Agreed, my friend. I will. Those 'Freedom Fighters' have apparently believed that you're with them. I offer you to return to their village and do some undercover work there for me..." Vladimir returned him a smile. Then said "They will soon be history...". ~And I will return home.~ 10:21 27/07/3238, Somewhere in the Great Forest, Mobius. "... There he is!" yelled Sonic to others. TJ, Tails, Sally and Rotor ran to him. Sonic has found Vladimir, which was laying under the tree. Robotnik applied artifical tissues on him, that made him look seriously bruised. Sally ran to him and examined him "He's alive. Fargus, can you hear me?" ~They trust it... Heh.~ he opened his eyes slowly and groaned "Ooooooh... He... Robots! How's TJ? Robot hit him in the head." TJ came closer "I am alright. What happened to you, Fargus? We thought that you were dead." Slowly Vladimir started his fabricated tale "When that robot hit you, you lost consciousness. I tried to beat it, but it grabbed me... And... Carried me to the big, polluted city. There they threw me into the cell and... big fat man came. He asked me who I am. I didn't answered and he kicked me. Then he left, ordering to take me to the... roboticizer. Then another bots came, grabbed me and wanted to take me somewhere. I broke out of robot's grip and jumped to the vent hole. By the vent system I escaped and ran to the Forest, running to Knothole. Then I remember nothing..." Sally said, continuing his story "When TJ awoke, he ran to the village and told us what happened. We decided to send search parties to the forest. We found you here on half-way from Robotropolis... You're looking very weakened. We'll carry you to Knothole." 09:03 29/07/3238, Knothole, Mobius. Vladimir quickly jumped out of the bed, muttering "Already three minutes later than usual... Bad.~ He put on boots, which Sonic borrowed to him and exited his hut. He came to Sally's hut and knocked in the door. Sally opened the door "Fargus? So early in the morning... Come in! Is there anything I can help you with?" Vladimir came in and after a moment of hesistation said "I am stuck on this planet... I would like to help you and become a Freedom Fighter, if possible. I don't want to sit around and have that Robotnik guy trash everything. I don't know what I can do to help out, but I want to try anyway." Sally smiled "That's wonderful, Fargus! However I can't accept it right now. You'll have to be on at least one mission with us and prove that you can help there." "I understand, princess. Well, when will the next mission start?" "The briefing will be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Just come to my hut." Vladimir nodded and, after saying goodbye returned to his hut. ~Excellent! These evil princess seem to trust me... Very good...~ 09:30 30/07/3238, Knothole, Mobius. ..."Since everybody has arrived, I want to introduce our newbie, Fargus, to those who hadn't seeen him yet." said Sally, pointing at grey hedgehog. Vladimir nodded and sat into the chair. Sally continued "OK, then he can start briefing of our today mission. Nothing really compicated or anything like that, it is a quite a simple mission. Our objective is..." NICOLE projected a holographic map of Robotropolis "Sector 213-A. Newly constructed chemical factory. We have reasons to suspect, that Robotnik is producing battle toxins there..." When Freedom Fighters stopped murmuring Sally said "We should: a) find if our suspicions are true. b) If YES, destroy the factory before it starts production. Any questions?" TJ raised his hand. "Approximate opposite forces?" "Around 20 SWATbots. Of course it is only approximate number. Anything more?" Nobody asked questions, so Sally closed holomap and stood up "Let's then go. Fargus, TJ and Tails will be group A. Me, Rotor, Antoine and Sonic will consist group B." ~Two foxes. All so easy... Lord Robotnik was right. They will attack that factory. If I remember right, the alarm lever is somewhere in...~ 10:01 30/07/3238 Robotropolis, Mobius. TJ came to Vladimir. "Fargus. You will cover me and Tails. I hope you haven't forgot your rifle?" Hedgehog returned smile and showed him his laser rifle "Here it is. Ready to shot down as many bots as I can." "Excellent. So let's go." All three entered the vent shaft and started crawling inside the building. When they reached end of it, Tails broke the cover and jumped on the floor. TJ and Vladimir followed him. They found themselves in a corridor, which led to the main reactions chamber. Vladimir pointed on signs of biohazard, radiation-hazard and others and said "Eek... I guess that I should aim better. In case if not, I can shot anything with reactives." Speaking, he quickly observed the corridor and saw alarm button in the distant side of corridor. He pointed there "I will check that side if there are any bots. You check the doors of chamber if they're closed." TJ nodded and accompanied with Tails rushed to the doors. ~Dummies...~ thought Vladimir, coming to the button. Then he opened the glass cover and pushed it. Sounds of siren pierced ears of TJ and Tails. Then doors opened and they found themselves encircled by SWATbots. Tj turned his head to where Fargus where, but saw no grey hedgehog there. "YOU ARE ARRESTED FREEDOM FIGHTERS! Any step to the right or left is considered an escape attempt and we fire without warning." droned one of SWATbots. Grey hedgehog looked at them from beyond the corner and snickered ~Dummies again! Now back to Mister Robotnik~... And he dashed through the halls of factory. Only to stumble in... "Rotor!!!" CRASH!!!! "Ouch! Isn't it TOO many crashes on this week?" groaned Vladimir Sally ran to him and asked "I hope you're OK? By the way, why aren't you with TJ and Tails?" Vladimir st up and looked in her eyes in horror "They were... spotted and bots apprehended them. I barely managed to escape. We can still rescue them if we hurry..." Suddenly a couple of SWATbots showed up beyond the corner. Vladimir momentarily stood up and ran, not paying attention to Sally's confused "What are you doi..?" 10:29 30/07/3238 Robotropolis, Mobius. ...Doors of cell opened and Sally, Rotor, Antoine and Sonic were threwn in to the addition to TJ and Tails. Then door closed and bots marched away. Tails ran to Sally. "Aunt Sally! It means we... failed?" "Seems that yes, Tails..." replied Sally with gloomy face. "Have you seen Fargus anywhere? When we were captured, he managed to escape." asked TJ. "Well, as he said, when you were encircled he ran away for help. Then he bumped into Rotor and when we asked what happened he told about you. We didn't went to help you, however, because in next moment SWATbots found us too. He ran away. Let's hope that he will try to help..." TJ laughed desperately. "You still count on him?! Don't you understand that he betrayed and tricked us! If I only had my hands on him!.." Silence filled the detention cell #5115-A... Same time, 30/07/3238 Robotropolis, Mobius. Grey hedgehog leaned to the cold steel wall. ~Well, I did eveything. I didn't even expected that those 'freedom fighters' will be such an idiots. Now I think I should report to Robotnik...~ he thought and walked in what he thought was Robotnik's throne room. Needless to say that he mistook the way and after about 20 minutes of searching he found himself in a big room with huge screens and shelves with holo-info discs. ~What is this place?..Somehow reminds me sort of library.~ Vladimir guessed, picked closest disc and inserted it into the slot under the biggest screen. After few seconds screen turned on and hedgehog stepped back in horror... He was right - it was library. And by the will of fortune, this disc showed film about Robotnik's rise to power, his coup, roboticization of mobians... Vladimir whispered "No... No... NOOOOO! WHAT I DID?! I AM BASTARD! This fate awaits Freedom Fighters! I have to stop it! I hope... I am not yet late!" 11:01 30/07/3238 Robotropolis, Mobius. Freedom Fighters stood in roboticizers (Ant was already lying in it unconscious). Robotnik's evil laugh once again sounded "Great day it is surely. My plan worked and as the result - all the best Freedom Fighters are in front of my eyes..." He was interrupted by the sound of opening door. Robotnik turned his head to it and... saw nobody. He muttered "Hella strange..." Suddenly lights on the walls, panels, ceiling all turned off, only reserve control panel in a distant corner of the hall remained blinking with lights. Then Grey hedgehog stepped out from the shadows and said "Game is over, you killer!" then his gloved hand pushed all the tubes opening buttons on the panel. Robotnik looked at Sonic and others in shock and yelled "SWATBOTS! Alert! Terminate all intruders!" Sonic spinned at him shoving Robotnik beyond the dead roboticizer control panel. Huge metal doors opened and bots started firing at all of them. Vladimir pushed another button, opening a vent shaft. "Everybody follow me if you want to stay alive!" he yelled and jumped into it. Spitting curses, TJ, Sally, Rotor and Tails followed him, Sonic was the last to jump in... 12:17 30/07/3238 Knothole, Mobius. Council room. Filled only by senior Freedom Fighters. And one grey hedgehog, sitting in the corner. Here his fate will be decided. After long pause, Sally started "Fargus. You betrayed us all. Why?" Another pause. Vladimir slowly spoke "When I was in Rotor's workshop, I didn't trusted TJ and others and decided to run from the village. Since I saw the city, it was my destination. I... koncked TJ unconscious and ran out. There bots took me to Robotnik. He told be that he has the legitimate power over this planet and offered me to return to the Earth if I help him. I agreed, since I trusted him. I returned here and... Well, I offered my services to the princess and went on mission with you to prove myself. there I started alarm siren, and I trailed bots to the group B. Then... when I walked to throne room, I mistook the way and found the library, where I learnt the truth about Robotnik. I... wanted to help you then, do I did. Then you know everything. I... deserve the punishment and let it be." Antoine stood up an cleared his throat "I think, zat zees traitor haz to bee punished." Vladimir threw a death glare on him. Bunnie gave her voice "Mah thought is that he's guilty. But, he gone to the right path. Ah vote that we accept him in Freedom Fighters." "He was tricked by Robotnik. But he is good in soul, I feel it" Tails said next. TJ nodded in agreement and added "He should stay." "Only is he proves himself" responded Sonic hurriedly. Sally once again looked on grey hedgehog and said "You're not evil. I believe that you will be a good Freedom Fighter... Of course if YOU want it." "I want, my princess. And trust me, I will repay Robotnik his tricks!" Sally smiled and walked to him. Then she patted him on the shoulder "Welcome to Freedom Fighters, Fargus." she said. ~I hope that TWO hedgehogs aren't too many...~ THE END (Or not?) Written on 13/06/2002 - 17/06/2002 in St.-Petersburg, Russia.