MONTAGE OF EGGMAN’S TESTS
...flickies in cages cower in fear as Eggman prowls for his first subject.
...the Metal Virus washes over one’s skin with no effects. Eggman frowns.
...one flicky is humorously frozen into gold. The gold spreads onto the cage. Eggman panics.
...as Eggman works in the background, Cubot tries to drink a Metal Virus vial. It has no effect, sadly. Orbot facepalms.
...Eggman throws his head back in a loud cackle.
MATCH CUT TO:
Doctor Eggman smiles and lifts a new beaker of the Metal Virus to the light, with a consistency like mercury.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Finally, my new plan has entered its infant stage!
Orbot and Cubot are lounging on an empty desk behind him. Cubot scratches his head.
CUBOT
You ever feel like you’re forgetting something important?
ORBOT
Hmm...yes, I have the same feeling.
CUBOT
I didn’t let the Bad Dogs out, but that’s not it...
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Last time, Sonic learned to stave off the Metal Virus’s corruption by running faster. Perhaps I could accelerate the process by applying tensegrity to the bonds between the molecules...
Cubot gasps.
CUBOT
The lasagna! I left it in the oven!
He shoots up from the desk, a loud alarm blaring from his mouth. Doctor Eggman jumps in surprise, slipping on the half-finished gadget he threw earlier. His foot knocks his desk, launching a vial of the Metal Virus into the air. The camera shifts to Doctor Eggman’s point of view. Orbot gasps as the Metal Virus spills onto the camera.
CUT TO:
INT. DOCTOR EGGMAN’S INFIRMARY.
Still black. We hear disembodied voices.
CUBOT
If he’s gone, who’s gonna get what?
ORBOT
Hmm...to be fair, we’ll have to use a system of claiming between every Badnik in the lab. In other words, I call dibs on his break room.
CUBOT
No way! That’s the only soda dispenser around here!
We then hear the soft, robotic female voice of a MEDICAL BADNIK.
MEDICAL BADNIK
The doctor is regaining consciousness.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
(angrily groggy.)
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
I go unconscious for one hour, and you two already begin distributing my belongings?!
ORBOT
Doctor, please understand - the medical Badnik didn’t think you would wake up!
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Why would I need a Medical Badnik?
Cubot coughs. Something’s up.
MEDICAL BADNIK
Due to Cubot’s reminder about the lasagna, an unfortunate accident occurred.
Bandages unwrap from the camera, revealing Doctor Eggman’s point of view. A medical Badnik at his side. Orbot and Cubot on the other, Cubot biting his nonexistent nails. A crimson tint hangs behind it all.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
My eyes...what’s wrong with my eyes?
MEDICAL BADNIK
The Metal Virus spilled onto your face. Orbot and Cubot brought me in, and I was able to contain the spread, but I could not salvage the point of contact.
The Medical Badnik raises a mirror to the audience. The upper right side of Eggman’s face, including his right eye, has been entirely transformed to steel, and his eye has turned red. The camera shifts to the mirror’s perspective.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
(shocked.)
Oh my...how deep is it?
MEDICAL BADNIK
Sir. The Metal Virus has transformed a region of your brain.
And then we hear a new deep, rigid, mechanical voice.
THETA (V.O.)
Hello, Dr. Ivo RObotnik.
Doctor Robotnik shoots out of his bed, to Orbot and Cubot’s surprise. He glares around the room.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
What? Who said that? Where are you?!
THETA (V.O.)
I am pleased to meet you. I am Theta, and I originate from a subset of your brain.
Orbot and Cubot look at each other with concern, and Orbot shrugs.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Yes...yes, I see. All of you, leave! I need to be alone.
MEDICAL BADNIK
Sir, as your personal healthcare assistant, I am supposed to remain-
Cut to Eggman kicking Orbot, Cubot, and the Medical Badnik out of the infirmary, all shouting in surprise. He slams the door shut.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Now, Theta? Is that your name? How much do you know?
THETA (V.O.)
Everything.
Theta’s voice seems to be projected from the remains of a bird-like Badnik on a table across the room. Eggman walks over and sits down in front of the corpse. As Theta speaks, the camera cuts to the robobird corpse.
THETA (V.O.)
I know everything you think, everything you’ve ever thought. I am you, but without the traits that make you..inefficient.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Inefficient? Then you must’ve copied my ego, too.
THETA (V.O.)
I assure you, Doctor, I do not have nefarious intent.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Then unless you want me to lobotomize you, prove your worth. Now!
THETA (V.O.)
It would be within your best interest to keep me close. We share a common goal, after all.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Sonic.
THETA (V.O.)
After analyzing your previous strategies, I’ve devised a new plan to kill the hedgehog and his friends.
DOCTOR EGGMAN
Oh? Bold claim. And how do you suggest we go about that?
THETA (V.O.)
By using their most powerful tool - Sonic himself!
Theta’s voice intensifies with the final word as the bird corpse flickers to life, screeching in pain, mechanical entrails splayed out on the table.