Chain 189: Archie Sonic Universe

Chain 189: Archie Sonic Universe

Allegiance: Neutral
Identity: Engineer, With Magic (Drop-In, Human)
Drawbacks: [+800] Special Zones, The Zone of Silence

[100/1800]  I Am All Of Me
[300/1800]  What You Need
[Free]      Fire All Weapons!
[400/1800]  Hi Spec Robo Go!
[600/1800]  Under Construction!
[900/1800]  Built To Rule!
[1100/1800] Life Is A Breeze
[1100/2000] Drop-In Gear Stipend (+200)
[Free]      Material!
[1400/2000] The Files
[2000/2000] Prime Time

Of course, seeing as the Phantom Ruby was already responsible for yanking me from one universe to another, why should I be surprised when it does it again while I'm tinkering with it?

(Spoilers: if you try to use the Phantom Ruby with a full set of chaos emeralds, things go very wonky. Very, very wonky. So many special stages. Why. Just... why.)

And so I settle into a universe that is... very unlike the others. It's more than a bit bizarre in many ways, but it doesn't take long for me to find my rhythm. Nor does it take long for me to become an established name in this universe. Nay... an established brand! It amuses me thoroughly that my companies seem to have renamed themselves, but I've another feather in my cap in addition to the others, and the Sovereign Corporation certainly seems to serve up some healthy competition to what otherwise seem to be monopolies.

Meanwhile, machines of a new kind spread across the planet, ignoring anything that doesn't actively attack them, serving to secure otherworldly portals and serving to prevent the more violent of explorers from other worlds from invading before they can be closed. Such events are often a footnote on the evening news on Sovereign Media (now available on all devices, download our app, give us a like on our webzone, anybody want a pizza roll?).

Things here seem to be stuck quite firmly in the territory of 'status quo', of course, though one side or another may try to nudge or push it where they can. At first I have no interest in disrupting it, I'm more than happy to set up shop and sell what I make to the highest bidder. That is, until the anomalous nature of my technology is discovered by a particular mustachio'd villain, and he elects to launch an assault to attempt to liberate my technology and suborn it to his own use. Sovereign Media broadcasts the entire thing live. Up to and including their assaults on my building, and on my person, as I'd elected to be there for the attack once I knew it was to happen, before Pantheon drones repel them.

"Business is business, but the attack on myself makes this personal," I say as I address the camera, the drones already cleaning up the factory and restoring it to full working order. "It is likely known to certain parties, and now to all, that I am not from this world. I am from a realm of existence so far beyond your own that you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign."

(I momentarily mute my audio output because I cannot say that with a straight face, but it works well.)

The camera follows me as I walk through a corridor, into a room full of Pantheon drones shuttling supplies into and out of any number of ring-shaped portals hanging in space. The camera catches a glimpse of some of those worlds - one a dark polluted metropolis, another a sunny cyan recolor of Green Hill zone, yet another with an active battle that drones are marching into and firing upon what look like a swarm of Metal Sonics. I step through that portal, the camera drone following me and continuing the broadcast.

"I came to make your world a better place, along with many others," I comment, before lifting a hand and venting some of my frustration. A number of the enemy machines crumple in upon themselves, crushed instantly. Others begin to flee, but I launch a bolt of lightning that atomizes one that attempts to charge as a diversion. Pantheon begin pressing the assault as I turn back, returning through the portal after the bald display of power. "I was content to change things here with a bare nudge, but now one has drawn the attention of those infinitely his greater. Eggman has become an annoyance."

The camera continues to track me as I walk back into the factory, before I pause in the doorway and look back to it. "I know he has those he relies upon. So-called Egg Bosses. Some joined willingly, for power or depraved desires, others press-ganged. It is within my ability to liberate those who are willing to leave. Some I already have liberated in this moment. Others will be, in the future, despite the failsafes that Eggman is already preparing to implement. Death is a door, and I can open it. Time is a window, and I can shatter it."

I incline my head toward the camera, before turning to walk away, splitting into six other versions of myself; one of myself remains behind as the other six step out of the frame, turning back to address the camera. "Those who would attack me again are warned that I can and will respond with absolutely disproportionate force. Attempts to steal what is mine will see everything they own belong to me. Attempts to harm me will see the destruction of everything they hold dear before their death at my hands. Repeated attempts... will be treated far less mercifully."

I give the camera a winning smile. "And to those who are screaming concerns of becoming a dictator... you cannot fathom what I am here for, but conquest is not it. Perhaps I should apologize for ruining one man's plan for world conquest, but if it is any consolation... tearing down everything you have built bolt by bolt, Eggman... you will have put a smile on my face."

The camera goes black.

Entire armies of Pantheon drones begin launching coordinated attacks on all of Eggman's holdings as the various versions of myself teleport around, tearing out control circuits from his warlords before sitting back with popcorn to watch the fireworks.

One could be forgiven for thinking the presentation was all choreographed. Of course it had been. It was inevitable that interest would be expressed, but even if he protested his innocence, the false machines were made identically to his own. Every last weld, every last part, all identical to his own. Paired with his reputation, no one would believe him, even if anything could be gained by such a complaint.

I love my job.