#kingofmoxbius

Whatever city this was, it looked wrong. Like it shouldn't have existed.

The alleys didn't match up to the streets they lead into. The building exteriors were polished and modern, but all the windows were drawn, the doors locked and closed. It was blatantly obvious that most of these buildings were empty and left for show.

"Come on... Come on!!!"

Manic tugged desperately on door after door, but they weren't just locked, they were welded shut. Every building was the same. He didn't have time to deal with anything like this, he had to escape. He had to get rid of this warp ring fast, and there was nowhere in sight that could-

Among the rows of pretty, fake buildings, Manic finally spotted something that looked real. In one of the decrepit alleys running behind deceptively polished buildings was... litter! Litter, a path with shoeprints, a door that could actually open! He found what seemed to be the one real location in this fake segment of whatever this city was called. Manic rushed the unguarded door, unaware of where exactly he was running.

The first door was a short, empty hall, completely black and empty, but he could hear voices and music from through the doors to whatever the main room was. He 'dropped' the ring conveniently and pushed the doors open. He knew somewhere sleazy like this was probably very illegal. Some sketchy visitor would find a warp ring and want to keep it for themself... right?

A fake neighborhood around the ominous castle acorn, which had been remodeled. Looked more foreboding than it was before the fall. It was pretty dark inside it, lack of light. It did seem black and empty, at least until the hall reached the actual interior of the castle. Whoever picked up the discarded warp ring will probably bring it to the king, thinking it belonged to him.

The halls and rooms beyond that actually had some light. Just dim enough to allow people to walk around without issue. The main room was the throne room, which was pitch black with absolutely no light in it. Scourge was here, guitar in his hand as he played a tune as he sung while standing in the room. He was masterful with the guitar and had a talent in singing despite his gruff Sonic voice and his interesting accent.

“I’ve gone away, you make me stay—

But I can’t deal with the lies—

I’ve gone insane, losing close friends—“ ♫

Not even aware that he’s no longer alone, even as the blue flames on the torches near the steps of the throne lit up as someone entered.

“Today I made the worst mistake—

I put my trust into someone I don’t know—“ ♫

Manic hadn't opened the doors all the way. He couldn't have opened them. He stood in the doorway, petrified at the sight of some kind of Scourge.

Oh, sure, his guitar playing was masterful, and Manic could usually appreciate that. Oh, sure, his voice was very similar to his brothers, which might have usually comforted him. But their guitar playing seemed TOO perfect, his voice TOO similar. It didn't feel like another Scourge in Manic's mind, but some strange amalgam with a bastardized picture of his brother, a caricature of a person more than a person in their own right. And judging by the crown this Scourge wore, something terrible must have happened to any real Sonics in this realm to let a distortion of one gain power.

Manic and Scourge locked eyes for a moment. Just barely a moment. Long enough to put the fear of god into Manic and make him bolt back out of the-

"Not so fast."

He couldn't see who had grabbed him after maybe three steps, but judging by the size of this hands, they were at least twice as tall as Manic, and their hold threatened to crush Manic's collarbones. Manic wanted to shout, scream, fight, anything! But there was nothing he could do. He stood utterly terrified, his mind racing but his exterior deceptively calm as he waited at the entrance to the throne room.

“And now I know because you’ve done everything possible to me—

Made me so upset—“ ♫

The torches lit brighter, more of an reaction as Scourge’s intensity in his song grew. The trophy crown just displayed within one of the fires, safely protected from chances of thievery. It’s safe to say that the Sonic of this realm just happened to be Scourge. It’s not like he’s been green all the time. He used to be blue until he tried to use the Master Emerald. Not like he really even had a problem with that. He liked this look.

“And now I know just who to trust because you’re laying in bed—

You’re thinking ‘bout all that FUCKED up shit—“ ♫

Just as he began a more aggressive note to the song, his ear flicked when he heard Sargent Simian’s voice. He started playing more gently in a different tune, because he had a feeling that the Destructix had found something that didn’t quite belong. No point in letting them wait, as much as the vampire enjoyed doing the previous song.

“Bring 'em in, Simian.”

He spoke up.

The mobian ape complied, walking through the door with the intruder in tow.

Scourge looked over his shoulder at who was brought in, didn’t seem too surprised at a somewhat familiar face. Even as he still played his guitar. He was about to make a sassy comment about him coming back, but keen eyes had noticed something different about this one. Can’t place it, but he’s pretty sure now that this isn’t the same Manic that tried to steal his crown.

His head turned away, seeming more focused on the song he’s playing now as he talked.

“Out with it. Why the hell are ya here, kid? Ain’t exactly the likeliest o’ places fer anyone with a soul t’ be. Honestly, I’d jus’ throw ya in the holdin’ cell; considerin’ the last time I seen a mug like yers, he tried t’ make off with ol’ Maxx’s crown.”

Scourge tilted his head towards where the crown was displayed.

Manic struggled for something to say, leaving an uncomfortably long pause. Scourge's weren't anyone to fuck with, he had to make sure every word he said was planned.

"Alright, you ever heard of the screaming vagabonds?" He stole the name from some crappy indie band back at his home, many zones away. "Look, it's like five or six people, but they are fucked up. Full stop, fucked up." What did he see around this area? He needed to say he pissed them off, but this place was empty! It looked like no one had even lived here... although-

"I was passing through here, and they jumped me," Manic said, cracking his voice slightly to play up the fear. "I think they were like, hiding out in a building around here?" They weren't real buildings, just faciers. Perfect places for criminals to hide out. "I messed up one of 'em, but that just made them worse, so I kept running. But like, all the doors around here were locked? This was the first place I could hide out."

He felt like he was getting a look. Had his lies fallen apart? Maybe because it didn't explain the sudden warp ring?

"Look, your highness," he flattered, still with some angry sarcasm to keep it believable, "I know Manics are thieves, but I ain't here to steal!" He screamed out and waved his arms, prompting another grab from the bodyguard. "I didn't take any of the glitzy stuff in here, I didn't take that ring thing in the hall, I didn't take nothing! You think I'd break in if I knew this was your place?! I'm just trying to survive, dude, I've gotta run! Just show me any other exit and I'll be outta here."

Scourge was smarter than he happened to look, which was no doubt what made him so similar to Sonic. Though, the fact of the matter is that he WAS the blue hedgehog. Just green and evil. He’d know if there was a group called the 'Screaming Vagabonds’. Either he’d have them as another faction like the Destructix or the Suppresion Squad, or he’d destroy them. Any group is a chance that people will try to dethrone him if they get cocky enough, or become a resistance. Whichever.

He’d respond, until his acute hearing of his picked up the mention of a warp ring. Now, he was curious about this and had ceased the music playing on his guitar to turn around to look at Simian.

“Don’t suppose ya found one, did ya, Sims?”

The sergeant flipped the ring he found towards Scourge, who skillfully caught it and looked over it as he set aside the guitar. No wonder. Unfortunately Scourge was well aware that this one’s not his, it’s not even Fiona’s. Their warp rings were specially designed and there were actual indications that meant belonged to them. This one didn’t have either. So, it just gave him another piece to the puzzle as to why this thief just so happened to come here of all places.

“Looks like ya were more runnin’ from the ZONE COPS than some group that just so happened to be here. Trust me, I’d know if a group like that be prowlin’ around on my world. Whatever you did to get their attention, probably somethin’ t’ do with this here warp ring.”

He held the universe-hopping device up, flashing the gold thing against the light of the torches.

“Which ain’t even MINE, but good on ya. Now, the cops can’t come to this zone, so yer safe here. However, I might jus’ have a mind t’ fork ya over just so it stays that way. Unless ya can convince me that ya got more use under my thumb than rottin’ in No Zone jail.”

Flipping the ring, he caught it again. He’s not going to activate it, but play with it a little bit.

“By the way, those buildings? Around this neighborhood? Ain’t even real. So I’d know by that point that yer fuckin’ lyin’. Maybe better t’ assume someone who is native t’ their zone would fuckin’ know their own universe better than you. Yer in Moebius, kid. Also known as 'Anti-Mobius’.”

"The point is," Manic started, "I'm not here to steal. Hell, you got a warp ring out of me being here, didn't you? Maybe there ain't any screaming vagabonds, but I'm still just trying to escape. You show me the back door, and we can forget this ever happened. Warp rings ain't easy to come by, so maybe you could consider it payment."

He knew this wasn't going to work. The thought of zone jail made Manic shiver. He'd heard horror stories from a few characters over the years. Only the toughest could even hope to stay sane against that kind of torture, and Manic was just some feminine guy with a penchant for screwing up. He wanted to plead, but Scourge's were always the same. He wasn't going to listen to any amount of empathy, he only listened to functionality.

So what was there he could learn from his surroundings? The torches and the throne were massive, but all that told him was that Scourge wanted all the attention on him. Nothing he couldn't have already guessed. This clearly was a more powerful Scourge than most, but in the same sociopathic camp. All he could tell was that this place was expensive. Everything, down to the guitar and the jacket Scourge was wearing. This wasn't like that dirty, cheap one his old boyfriend wore, this was clearly very nice leather.

"I'm still a Manic, you know." His train of thought only lasted a few seconds as his brain went into overdrive. His hands rummaged through his bizarre quill style as he spoke. "But I ain't just good at thievery, I'm good at tech stuff. Ain't gonna find someone who can hack any quicker than me. Know my way around a makeup kit, too, and I can make disguises like it's no one's business..."

Manic had silently been rubbing off all of his makeup as he spoke. When he pulled his hands away, it was all wiped away, revealing a completely different, almost feminine face. He undid all of his hairpins, his quills falling naturally. His body was the same, but his head wasn't the lumpy mess it looked like before, but a surprisingly cute face and hair style to compliment his cute body. He knew he looked good, and he knew that Scourge's didn't always swing one way, so he had a chance to tease his way to freedom. Or at least, freedom from zone jail.

"You aren't gonna find any better thieves than me." He jutted his hip out at just the right angle to make his vest sway open a little more. Just enough to give him a taste. "Besides, you're awesome on guitar, and you don't know how good I am on drums. I could help you get a fuller sound, maybe a proper band? And of course, I ain't from here, I could get some radio play back home and get a whole other zone to love your skills." His delivery edged on flirting, but just enough to keep it vague. If he wasn't looking for it, he might not notice it, but if he was...

No Zone prison was a hellhole worse than the Abyssal Acropolis. Scourge spent months there, suffering all the abuse one could get for even a lifetime. Not even this vampire wanted to go back there, even considering that he’s gotten stronger over the years. So it was better for Manic to try and avoid going to that prison.

Scourge had basically all the money in the world, in his zone anyway. He can afford to make the castle to look like it’s really made for royalty. Granted, it was remodeled from the hold castle, but it’s still something. Everything just happened to be nice and looked well worth the money. Even his jacket. He had very good taste in jackets, especially leather.

“I’m still a Manic, you know.”

“Yeah and?”

As if asking where the hell the thief was going with this until he explained it. The moebian king paid very close attention, glowing sapphires watching the other green hedgehog rub off his makeup and removed hairpins to show a totally different appearance. Feminine, pretty. Guess he’s one of those guys. Pretty boys. Nothing Scourge has anything against, but it certainly told him just what this guy is like.

“Well, I don’t really need a band. But havin’ a drummer t’ play with fer a change is quite the offer. I jus’ play how I feel.”

Scourge lightly shrugged, folding his arms over his chest.

“I know Miles can hack pretty good, but he IS a lil’ slow with it sometimes. ‘r maybe it’s because he’s tryin’ t’ stall. Don’t know, don’t care. So fast hands? Good fer me. So guess ya ain’t just a pretty face after all.”

But he’s not just going to take the kid just by word alone, as he stashed the warp ring into his jacket and picked up his guitar. Not going to play it, but he’s going to take it with him when they relocate somewhere else.

“Tell ya what, I’ll give ya a few tests before I can jus’ take ya in. I like seein’ what people can do rather than jus’ take their word for it. When ya live in a world where it’s kill 'r be killed, gotta keep yer wits about ya.”

He began making his exit of the throne room after putting the strap of the guitar over his shoulders.

“Come on, I’ll take ya t’ the lab so we can it it done. Don’ try runnin’ though, I’ll just catch ya faster than ya can say 'gotta juice’. Simian, go tell Miles an’ Boomer t’ set up the run. Make sure they actually do it an’ give some challenge to Manic. I can trust ya know just what it’s gonna need.”

Simian answered in a stern affirmative, then headed out to the lab ahead of them to follow those orders. Unlike the Suppression Squad, the Destructix were far more loyal and obedient.

Scourge looked over at Manic to make sure he’s following as the evil Sonic began walking towards the mentioned lab.

Manic was a thief and a mischievous little brat, but he was a smart mischievous little brat. He knew Scourge wasn't anyone to mess with, and somehow, this one came to power in their zone. So he kept compliant, although putting on a laid-back strut as he walked through the halls leading to the lab. He wasn't going to look completely submissive, but he wasn't going to look like he could pose much of a threat.

In fact, Manic was good at faking most any kind of personality through his anxiety.

Yes, he was scared out of his mind. Was this going to be one of the masochistic Scourges? Was he just going to throw Manic to the wolves anyways, or keep him in the dungeon? His mind raced, but he didn't let a single one of these thoughts escape into his behavior. If he was going to need to prove he was an asset, he had to bottle that right up and force himself to be completely capable. He'd acted his way through much worse situations, he could handle this.

Thankfully, it seemed that he wasn't using weird slang or anything. The lab was much more futuristic than Manic expected, but the more he looked around, the more it made sense. Every other room of the castle seemed opulent in some way, it made sense that his right-hand men would be using the best equipment. There was a snobby looking fox boy and a walrus covered in all kinds of robotic limbs and attachments.

There was still something wrong about whatever test they wanted Manic to take, he could tell. There was a quiet smugness to Scourge's two allies, dealing with complicated machinery and state-of-the-art computers. Clearly, no expenses were spared in getting any of this equipment. Were they just setting up some kind of a normal hacking challenge, and all of the walrus's work was irrelevant? Or was this really going to end up being some kind of a torture chamber?

"So," he said, looking over whatever the two were doing, "What kind of test are we looking at?"

Sadistic as the green vampire king can be, there is a difference between being smart and being plain ignorant. Scourge just so happened to be smart. If there was some use to Manic, then there’s certainly no complaint on his end. Sure, his way of putting people to use may be undesirable for many, but at least they have a job to do. Like Miles and Boomer. Scourge could have just killed them along with the rest of the suppression squad, but he didn’t and gave them purpose despite how low on the chain they are.

They were more Fiona’s playthings than anything. Scourge gave them to her to do whatever she pleased. That was his punishment to them. But hey, at least they had jobs still. Now, the evil sonic wasn’t gong to let alternates blind his judgment when it comes to it. A thief, even if any, is still useful.

The laboratory was pretty high-tech. But Scourge didn’t have t spend anything for it to be this way. It was all Miles and Boomer. Despite the treatment they get, they were essentially the king’s scientists and inventors when it came down to it. Now, sometimes they weren’t always fully obedient, but they still did what they were told to do. Nowadays, they held a certain respect for Scourge, and greatly feared him for what he’s truly capable of. Fear and respect is what kept them from betraying him again. It’s what it should be if they ever wanted to keep their lives.

The test was a type of obstacle course, but yet something different. It’s just a small part of the vast laboratory.

“Jus’ a lil’ run through. Also gives Miles an’ Boomer a chance to test their ‘danger room’ invention. This is a hologram, but it’s real enough fer ya to do what ya need to do to beat this course. If ya is as good as ya say, then you can try an’ steal that Chaos Emerald locked up in that display over there. Gonna require more than jus’ brawn to get in and steal it. Also gotta do it without bein’ spotted. Think that’s too much fer ya?”

The emerald wasn’t exactly real, it was a simulation, its all a simulation. But it’s not going to keep Manic from trying to pass the test. There were a few robots in the course, also simulations, that act as surveillance around the object of interest. A few places that Manic can hide in and use to stay out of sight. It’s not going to be totally easy, but hopefully the drummer won’t give up if things get tough.

Manic stared over the robots and holograms. The amount of tech needed to make anything like this was remarkable. Even with his technical knowledge not extending much further past hacking, Manic could appreciate all the labor that went into making this. He stretched his arms above his head, and began stepping forward. "I'm used to hologram shenanigens, but my MO's usually hiding in plain sight... I got this."

Manic stared over the robots and holograms. The amount of tech needed to make anything like this was remarkable. Even with his technical knowledge not extending much further past hacking, Manic could appreciate all the labor that went into making this. He stretched his arms above his head, and began stepping forward. "I'm used to hologram shenanigans, but my MO's usually hiding in plain sight... I got this."

The actual test area was a seperate enclosed room that was filled with hidden holographic projectors giving a layout of what was supposed to be some kind of heavily guarded display space. Scourge and his cronies were watching from an adjacent room with cameras monitoring the room from various angles. There were a number of small robots roaming around. There was a surprising amount of detail to the 'floorplans.' Screws on tiny vents on the walls, scraps of pointless litter, it was remarkably well crafted. He took a moment to scope out what he was looking at before actually starting. Hopefully, these robots played fair.

There was a glowing spot in front of a grate vent that had been removed from the wall - his starting point, clearly. Manic stepped onto the space, and watched as the glow faded and the robots came to life.

They stood attent, rotating slightly to keep an eye on their surroundings. There was a square hall leading to the only entrance to the vault room. Two guards were in the vault room looking at the door, one on either side corridor. The 'back' corridor and the hall in front of the vault was empty. There were many small details, but what were actually supposed to be relevant, and what were just set dressing? He brushed his hand over the grate on the ground. Not hard light holograms, but they could react to Manic's actions. He balanced the grate back in front of the hole he entered through, in case one or more of the guard bots started patrolling.

The guardbot in the right side seemed more aloof and spacey, while the one on the left was standing firm and solidly. So the moment he had a chance, Manic rushed down the left hall and plunged something through the bot's neck cables. The aloof guard was less likely to notice, after all, and didn't seem to hear. He wouldn't kill anyone for a theft, but this was a robot, Scourge's crew could replace a few broken wires. He stopped the metal shell from falling to the floor and snuck back to the grate he entered through, 'stashing the corpse' in the trial exit. This left him with three guards... two of whom were still staring at the only entrance to the vault. Fuck.

For one thing that Scourge could admire about Miles and Boomer was their skills in engineering. They might as well rival to Mobius’ technology at this point, maybe more. What they had is a provided challenge for Manic, but not overly done to make it impossible for him to complete it. If he was as smart and crafty as he says, he’d be able to beat the course and maybe impress Scourge just a little bit.

Scourge wasn’t getting any of his hopes up, just metaphorically counting his cards as he watched Manic begin at the vents and worked his way through, disposing of the robots that happen to be in his way. Stealth killing wasn’t something Scourge suspected would come to play, but he did admire the skill.

If he needed a different way to disable the robots, they had a spot on them that can turn them off. If he can find it, that is. It wasn’t going to be easy and no one was going to give Manic any tips. He had to figure it out on his own or fail. Scourge doubted that the thief is much of a quitter if he happened to be related to Sonic of all people.