Polanzo placed his hand on Sonic’s shoulder and said, “Let me get straight down to the point. We at SEGA are planning on producing, not one, but two new Sonic games.”
Sonic was speechless. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. He thought that he had misheard. Not one but two Sonic games? There has to be a catch. They probably didn’t mean directing, maybe he was going to be a side character in someone else’s game. Sonic said: “Okay so you want me to cameo in two new games like I did for the mobile game right?”
“no no” Polanzo shook his head. “Two new Sonic games where you will be the star and will have the privilege of directing.”
“You have to be joking”
“I never joke about business. What you don’t like about the offer?”
“I just can't believe I am getting this opportunity. What is the reason for this?”
“Our media market analysts have concluded that there is a great demand for new Sonic games. The company could make a lot of money if we made two one after the other. You see, it has been a long time since the last game you made so people are starved for new content. Not only that but this anniversary event has apparently triggered a wave of ‘Sonic games’ related posts on social media. People are going on and on about the good old days, there is a general 2000s nostalgia boom going on.”
A waiter brought Polanzo an amazingly tasty-looking steak. Polanzo crushed his cigarette and took a bite and continued to talk. “You should order the steak here its incredible. Anyways, where was I? Oh yes, 2000s nostalgia. I personally think it’s stupid but the customer is always right and they want some trip down memory lane. So that’s the situation, we want you to do one after the other, it would be great if you could sign a contract right away.”
Sonic was struck with a sense of euphoria. He couldn’t contain how happy and excited he was. Right when he had given up on his dream and moved on it came back with fire. Not one but two games! Two main-line Sonic games back to back where he is the star again and directing. It felt like he was dreaming.
“I accept your offer!” Sonic said excitedly with a spark in his eyes. “I want to sign right away”
Polanzo snapped his fingers and one of his bodyguards brought the paperwork and a golden pen for Sonic to use. Just as Sonic was about to sign Polanzo stopped him “Oh one more thing before you sign. Part of the whole 2000s nostalgia thing is that we want Shadow the Hedgehog to appear for two levels”
“Okay so?” This wasn’t something that was a deal breaker at all to Sonic. The old him would have perceived this as a tragedy, having to share the spotlight with another hedgehog was an insult to his ego. But now he was humbler, more mature, he didn’t mind that Shadow would be a small part of the game. Sonic would still be the director.
Sonic also thought that this would be a good chance to start over with Shadow. Shadow was one of the few that didn’t come from the forest and the stopping Robotnik days. He wasn’t a hero or an old friend. He was just a colleague that Sonic clashed with a lot. Maybe now that Sonic had grown he could try to be friendly and actually get a sense of what kind of person is Shadow.
“the thing is” Polanzo took a bite of his steak. “Our media analysts say he is crucial for the financial success of the next game. Even though it's only two levels, people want to remind themselves of Shadow, not really play as him for a whole game. Understand me? It’s strange but that’s just how it is.”
“I don’t see what the problem with this is?”
“Well, we can’t find Shadow anywhere. He is like a ghost. Totally off the radar. Even if we did find him there is no way to know if he will even agree to this offer. If you remember he was very traumatized by the negative comments he got so he didn’t want to do video games anymore. We changed his contract and replaced him with a lookalike during all these years but the audience want the real deal. No one wants look-alike with this advent of AI and all that jazz. Everyone can AI generate their own Shadow the Hedgehog at home, there are infinite Shadow AI imitations but only one Shadow the Hedgehog, you understand me?”
Sonic nodded along and listened to Polanzo continue: “Because we renegotiated his contract to kick him out of the franchise during the ‘Sonic Unleashed(2008)’ strike we have kind of fucked ourselves in the ass because we can’t contractually obligate him to appear in any games anymore.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“I want you, to find Shadow, wherever he is, and make him co-star in this new game with you. If you can’t find him or get him to agree to participate there will be no new game, no two games, no nothing games. Do you understand me?”
“Loud and clear!” Sonic said enthusiastically. “But how do I find him?”
Polanzo face palmed and raised his voice. “Are you even listening you schmuck? HELLO! We can’t find him, that’s why I want you to do it”
“Oh right sorry. Okay, I accept your terms and will be off to find him!” Sonic said and took the golden pen and started to sign the contract.
Knuckles who was silent up to this point chimed in: “Sir, our media analysts can make mistakes. Are we sure to-“
“Knuckles” Polanzo turned towards him and raised his index finger. “What the fuck did I say about your opinion?”
Knuckles didn’t say anything in response.
“Exactly,” Polanzo said.
“Mr. President I have one more question?” Sonic said after he had signed the contract.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to ask you about Tails?”
“What the little fox boy?”
“Can maybe he get a role in this game too?”
“Is he money potential? No, he isn’t. He gets no part”
Sonic nodded without protest. As much as he wanted to help out his buddy the biggest thing he wanted was to get to make another game. Sonic took the copies of the contract that were for him and left Polanzo’s table. As he was getting up he noticed that Kiryu wanted to say something to him but Sonic pretended not to notice and left. He feared that it was something about how terrible ‘Sonic games’ are and how amazing ‘Yakuza games’ have been. Sonic wanted to spare himself the potential ridicule and went back to his table.
Back at his table Tails was sitting alone, bored, and playing a mobile game. Ulala had left to chat with Samba de Amigo since they both used to be part of rhythm games on the SEGA Dreamcast and were pretty close during those days.
“Took ya long enough, I’ve been sitting alone here for so long,” Tails said.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Sonic told Tails about the offer, the two games he was going to direct, the quest to find Shadow, and the contract he signed.
“That’s about the gist of it,” Sonic said.
“That’s amazing! I guess you really ended up getting that Jackie Brown heist offer after all”
“YES! I can finally prove to the world that I don’t suck at making games”
“What are you going to do about Shadow though. If I remember he became a shut-in after ‘Sonic 06’ and basically fell off the earth. No one has heard about him since.”
Sonic closed his eyes to think. “I have no idea.”
“It's going to be tough figuring this out”
“Oh, there is one thing I wanted to tell you.” Sonic’s voice was full of anxiety. “I did ask Polanzo about you getting a role in the new game. I figured it would help you out financially but he said no.”
“I don’t care either way. I am happy because you’re happy! I don’t have the desire to go back to making video games”
Sonic breathed a sigh of relief. A part of him felt a little guilty for not pulling up Tails with him but not enough to push for his inclusion nor did affect his euphoric mood. He got slightly anxious at the possibility of Tails getting angry for not being a part of the new games but with Tails’ indifference, Sonic felt justified in his selfishness.
Ulala returned to the table and the three of them had ordered food. Sonic ordered the steak that Polanzo was having which made Tails and Ulala curious so they ordered the same. The steak was absolutely delicious and later they were treated to one of the best desserts they had in their lives.
While they were eating the dessert Sonic got hit with an idea. They’re detectives you want on your side, the truth can run but not hide. “Team Chaotix!” Sonic yelled out and scared Ulala and Tails. They had been sitting there in silence for some time, the sudden outburst startled them.
“What are you talking about?” Tails looked at Sonic like he had gone insane.
“That’s who’s going to find Shadow for me. They are private investigators. This is the exact type of job for them. Do you still have that business card they gave us?”
“I think I left it in the glove compartment.”
“Give me the keys. I will go to the car right now. I want to call them as soon as possible” Sonic said and rushed out of his seat. He impatiently fidgeted in the elevator as it made its way down the SEGA skyscraper. There was a window in the elevator and it had a gorgeous view of the city. Outside it was dusk and the sky was covered in a pleasant orange color.
Sonic found the business card in Tails’ red Saab and called the Team Chaotix office. On the other side of the phone line Vector the Crocodile answered.
“Do you guys take requests?” Sonic said.
“What kind of request?”
“I need you guys to find Shadow the Hedgehog. Do you remember him? You guys were in that game in ’05 together.”
“I remember Shadow. What’s the deal? Is he dead?”
“No.” Sonic squinted his eyes in frustration. “I need him found, he has become unreachable and I need to talk to him about something. Do you think you can do that?”
“It's going to cost ya”
“How much?”
Vector told him the price and Sonic felt ill when he heard it. It would cost the entirety of his savings that he made from the SEGA mobile game. Sonic would be placing a major gamble here. If he paid them the money and they didn’t find him he would have to give up on his dreams and go back to a horrible day job. If they did find him and Shadow refused to be a part of this new game well that would also be a waste.
The capital Sonic had accumulated that gave him his current financial freedom would be placed on the whims of fate. The comfortable life he made for himself could vanish. He finally had time to explore other options that aren’t video games. The more he thought the less he was sure what the ‘safe’ option was. On one hand, video games were something he was comfortable making and he knew he loved doing that. He also had a motivation to prove himself. However, whether or not he gets to make the games depends on one big if, Shadow. He could lose the safety he had and risk the chance to feel fulfilled again.
On the other hand, he could choose to not gamble away his money and enjoy the free time to explore other avenues of fulfillment. However, there was no guarantee he was going to find any fulfillment outside of video games. He could waste away in his apartment doing these little scribbles he had been doing so far and when the money runs out go back to a job like flipping burgers or cleaning toilets.
What to do?
“Hello? You there?” Vector said after a long moment of silence on the other side of the line.
“I’m here, wait a moment”
“I can’t talk to you forever, we’ve got other cases waiting.”
After deliberating with himself, Sonic came to a decision and said: “Okay, I want you to find him. Do it.”
“Foreword the money to our bank account and we will start as soon as we have confirmation of the payment.”
“I will send it to you right after our call through my bank app on the phone.”
“Whatever suits you” Vector shrugged.
“When will you find him”, Sonic said aggressively.
“Whoa slow down, I know you want to go fast but it will take us a few days. But we will find him, remember our motto, The truth can run but not hide”
“Make sure you call me when you find anything out.”
Just as Sonic was ready to end the call Vector said, “One last thing. Sonic Heroes what your problem needs…”
“What are you even saying?” Sonic was thrown off and confused.
“You were supposed to say TEAM CHAOTIX. I thought you remembered ‘Sonic Heroes(2003)’ and the amazing theme song we made for ourselves.”
“I’m sorry dude. I don’t remember every song from every game I was in. I will listen to it when I get home.”
With Vector’s disappointment and Sonic’s newfound resolve the call ended. Sonic returned to the anniversary party. There he told Tails about what he had decided and forwarded the necessary funds.
Tails was outwardly supportive to Sonic but he was worried. He remembered how Sonic used to be when he was a game director. He was also worried about how all the money Sonic earned was gone and if this thing fails its back paycheck to paycheck. In Tails’ mind, the worst-case scenario was playing out. How will Sonic survive if they don’t find him or if he rejects the offer? He will be miserable maybe even suicidal. What the hell will I do if it comes to that.
For now, the future was something they will have to think about at a later time. Right now they were going to enjoy this SEGA anniversary party, drink wine and chat with Ulala.
***
For the next few days, Sonic would be a nervous wreck. He barely slept. He constantly walked in circles around the house. He went on long aimless walks. He stopped writing and drawing. He didn’t take care of himself. He looked like someone who wasn’t mentally stable. Tails had tried to cheer him up and calm him down but nothing would work.
Sonic had a need to every 5 minutes check his phone if there were any missed calls. Everything was riding on the investigation he paid for. He couldn’t do anything until he got closure on it.
The only moments Sonic was calm is when he was watching TV. He would get immersed if he would watch a TV show or movie and for a moment would forget about his trouble if only for a moment.
Sonic was sitting on the balcony. He swayed in his seat from the anticipation and anxiety. Tails brought him a cup of coffee, brewed exactly how Sonic likes it. Sonic took the cup and said:
“I’m sorry Tails I’m like this now. I just need to know the answer. Is it we found him or we couldn’t? That’s it and I will be chill.”
“It's okay I understand.”
“I appreciate the coffee thought. Thank you.” Sonic smiled at Tails and continued to talk. “Another thing, I am really sorry I am freeloading right now. I promise you if it succeeds I will have loads of money in no time and if it doesn’t well fuck, I will get a job and things will be like they were before and I will chip in my fair share.”
Tails spoke in a reassuring tone, “Trust me I truly understand, it’s okay. The situation is the way it is and I see why you are so anxious. I know right now nothing will say will make things better but know that the answer will come.”
The moment Tails said that Sonic’s phone began to ring and it was a call from Vector. Sonic grabbed his phone and with lightning speed answered the call.
“Talk to me. Show me the money?” Sonic said.
“We found ‘em.” Vector said.
“YES!!!” Sonic jumped out of his seat and hugged Tails. “THEY FUCKING FOUND HIM! Where is he? I want to go to him right now”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that over the phone.”
“Why? Have you done something illegal?”
“It’s part of our code at Team Chaotix. Nothing can be said over the phone about information our clients request. We have to meet at a special place”
“What code? What the fuck does that even mean?”
“It’s our code of honor. We can’t break it.”
Sonic started flailing his arms in frustration. “Are you on some kind of drugs? You are telling me that the reason you can’t just tell me over the phone where Shadow is, is cause you guys have an imaginary code of honor?”
“It’s not imaginary,” Vector said feeling a little insulted. “The problem with today’s world is there is no sense of honor or chivalry. These kinds of old-fashioned ideals are dying out. You need to have a code and uphold it. That’s what makes you a true man, especially if you are in this business.”
“Okay.” Sonic took a deep breath to calm down. “So where is this special place where your ‘code of honor’ says we have to meet.”
“Café Alps in Kamurocho.”
“I swear Vector, If this information ends up not being correct things will not end well.” Sonic raised his voice. “You are really pushing me right now.”
“It’s the code, we have to uphold it”
The call ended. Sonic with great anger relayed everything they talked about in the call. He asked if Tails could drive them to café Alps where they were supposed to meet. Tails of course agreed and they were off to their red Saab 900.
During the drive to their destination, Sonic ranted the whole way while Tails drove in silence letting his buddy vent it out.
“Since when were the Chaotix samurai and became obsessed with codes and honor. I swear everyone in this country is obsessed with formalism in the stupidest of situations. You start working in any corporation in Japan and everyone acts as if they are samurai or knights when acting out the rules. It’s like the rules that the company has is sacred or something. Can you believe that? Is that why they made up a stupid code to fit in more with Japanese businesses?”
Sonic continued to rant until they arrived at the underground parking lot in Kamurocho. Sonic and Tails walked to the café and inside they saw Vector, Charmy, and Espio waiting for them. Sonic and Tails joined them and they all sat at the table together.
“Okay tell me now where is Shadow.” Sonic was ready to jump out of his skin from the anticipation.
“Hold on.” Vector said. “We first order coffee. Wait for it to arrive. Then we tell you. It’s the code. We have to respect it.”
Sonic was about to yell but Tails made a gesture for him to calm down and just accept it. A waitress came and everyone ordered coffee.
As they waited for the coffee to arrive vector said, “By the way you two haven’t seen Charmy and Espio in a while.”
“Hey, guys what's up?” Tails tried to start some friendly chit-chat. Sonic was silent, he was way too pent up to make small talk right now.
“I'm fully focused, man, my money on my mind
Got a mil' out the deal and I'm still on the grind” Charmy rapped.
Tails was so surprised he froze. Vector and Espio rolled their eyes and sighed.
“Don’t pay attention to him,” Espio said. “Charmy has this thing where he listens to a rapper then he decides he is going to talk only in the verses of that rapper. Right now he is in a 50-cent phase. Trust me, you don’t know how it feels like when he does this every day all day.”
“My flow, my show brought me the dough
That bought me all my fancy things” Charmy rapped.
Are these guys even private detectives at all or are they scammers, Tails thought to himself.
The waitress brought the coffee. Sonic screamed out: “NOW CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE SHADOW IS!?”
“Yes, I can. Don’t be mad at me, I didn’t come up with the code (he did come up with the code). Can I just ask you first why do you want to see him?” Vector said.
“I don’t think that matters to you. Why do you want to know?” Sonic said.
“We found a lot of information about Shadow.” Vector made a pause and said, “I don’t know how to put this. Shadow is kind of Nazi now.”