STH X MLP: It's Good To Be Bad!by Jaden JoynesChaptersChapter 1-A Few Bad MenChapter 2-Smash & GrabChapter 3-Trust IssuesChapter 4-No Honor Amoung TheivesChapter 1-A Few Bad MenEver since his plan to use the Deadly Six to contain Metal Virus backfire and led him to be fired by Eggman, Starline refused to give up to let him be recognized by Eggman. At Starline's Base... "Progress Log Update. I've hit a roadblock. I've amassed a substantial reserve of Eggman Tech, but my current base of operations lacks the functions necessary to utilize them. My current long-term plans are on hold until I have the tools necessary to complete my principle creations. This would be a simple matter if I still had the Warp Topaz. But Eggman... Chose to squander that resource. And lack the physical prowess to use brute force or magic properties as Sonic and Twilight would. I need a replacement that allows me to compete evenly with my enemies. I have something else in my mind... but it requires resoucres that I'm unable to obtain at the moment which brings me back to I've hit a roadblock." Starline said as he had his tea. "I must persevere. Dr.Eggman's ambition will never be realized as long he's focused on destroying Sonic and asking help from Chrysalis or the others since trying to torment The Mane Six. I must break this cycle.... which makes it diffuclent since I'm at odds with Eggman. Badniks are limited in their effectiveness, my effectives enforces can't be completed until I have that base. I need help. But I'm not going to make the mistake of a trusting partnership again. But need someone who hates the doctor and Sonic... then dispose of in the long run. He thought himself for a bit then came to a conclusion. "And I know just the people," Starline grinned. At Everhold Prison, Starline walks into the warden's office. He is alarmed and wonders who let him in. Starline uses his glove to hypnotize the warden while telling him that he was there for his job interview for the maximum security wing. He hands him a blank resume to sell the act, with the hypnotized warden is very impressed. Starline requests to go there right away and reminds the warden not to forget the keys; he brings the keys and as they walk past a hypnotized guard, he tells Starline that he likes his enthusiasm. The warden explains that the position has been hard to fill. The inmates they were holding were some of the worst in the world, with most of them even going as far to fight Sonic the Hedgehog. "Well look what cat drag in, Eggman's litter weasel," Venjix glared at him. "Let me guess? The doc gave you can." "Nothing surpasses you Venjix. Yes, Dr. Eggman is not the marvel I thought he was. He used me, just like the rest of you. But I won't allow that indignity to stand! And neither should any of you!" Starline exclaimed. "I have a plan and together with combined skills, we can get revenge on Dr. Eggman!" "Hard pass. I don't do teams anymore," Mimic refused. "Then think of it as a business partnership. I need your skills for my plan to work. In return, I can delete you from the Eggnet. Any record that Eggman would have on you will be gone making free of his surveillance." "And what about me?" Venjix asked. "Why in the hell should I help you?" "Because I pay handsomely." "We ain't working with you! You dumped Metal Virus goo on us!" Tough exclaimed. "I had no idea that Dr.Eggman would do that!" "Pull the other one. We ain't chumps!" Tumble retorted. "I'll build weapons that crush your enemies. For free!" "Now we're talking!" "You attempted to use me and my pack. There is nothing you can offer that will convince me to follow you." "How fortunate for you that my master plan requires your leadership, after all, you we're the ones the control the Zombots, and max out the power of the Chaos Emerlands." "So this plan of yours, is for my benefit?" Zavok asked. "Of course, we all stand to gain, but I pledge myself to you," Starline bowed to him. "Then you shall be my deadly four." "It's an honor." Then suddenly the alarm went off closing the gates. "The whole prison is now on high alert, not that you're getting out here... that door only answers to my voice," The warden said before Starline kicks the warden, knocking him out again with the mild neurotoxin in his Heel Spurs then grabbed his keys and free Zavok, who freed Mimic who free the others. Then Mimic turned into the warden and unlock the door, then Rough and Tumble tossed him into one of the cells. "Warden, what's going on?" A couple of guards asked Mimic. "Zavok and the others broke out of their cell! They're not out yet, but the three of you to help pacify him!" Mimic led three guards into the room where Starline used his glove put one of them to sleep, while Zavok gets the other two and slams their heads together. "Why are we rushing, use Hypno-glove on everyone!" Rough exclaimed. "The glove is a precision instrument and not for crowd control," Starline explained. "If we're to escape we need to shut down security---" "Stop right there! Hands in the air!" As several guards corner them. "Somebody do something!" Venjix said. "Time to smash some heads!" "Gonna make'em crumble!" "It's breakout time for Rough & Tumble!" Rough and Tumble make their choreographed entrance and begin beating back the guards with their brute force then more guards came and surrounded them. Zavok uses his electromagnetic powers to take a spin the Wispons out of control, throwing the guards all around the hall. This causes the dizzy Green Wisps to leave the weapons while the others press on. "Onward, my warriors!" Zavok said they move on. "I'll scout for strangers!" Mimic said as he shapeshifts into the warden again to scout for stragglers. At the door of security, he asks a guard for his Wispon and uses it to push him down the hall. The Green Wisp leaves the Wispon once it notices the change in use. Venjix, Rough, and Tumble enter the control room and beat up the individuals monitoring the cameras. "Control room secure!" Venjix said. "Excellent, now let's shut off the alarms-" Starline tries to shut off the alarms, "No." "No?" "Unlock all the cells, scramble communications, and send the entire facility into chaos." "Marvel idea, sir!" "So, we're doing this? Working with these Bozos?" Rough asked. "I ain't got any better idea. Do you?" Tumble asked. "If he can get me out of Eggman's hair, I'm in," Mimic said. "What about you Venjix?" "I'm down to knock down Eggman for all times he didn't come through with his payment." Once Starline managed to get the cells opened the inmates got out and begin wreaking havoc in the prison. As this occurs, Zavok, Mimic, Rough, Tumble, Venjix, and Starline walk away from Everhold Prison. "Great work, everyone! Now that we're warmed up, time for some real damage! Chapter 2-Smash & GrabSome of Sonic's worst enemies are back and badder than ever! Dr. Starline, Dr. Eggman's former-right hand, has brought together Venjix, Mimic, Rough, Tumble, and Zavok and promised them even more incredible power... if they can stop fighting each other and start fighting badniks to get to it! As Zavok, Mimic, Venjix, Rough, and Tumble fight off a Badnik horde, Starline was in his truck thinking to himself. I've assembled quite a motley crew. Mimic. The Exerpt Spy... Tumble... A powerful oaf... Rough... A vicious scoundrel...Venjix... a vessel of power... and Zavok... Leader of the Deadly Six. Everyone one of them thinks we're in this to get revenge on Dr. Eggman but none of them realized they play a bigger part for me to get back in his good graces. In the manner of time, Dr. Starline will be back at the Eggman Empire once again. But first, I might need the advantage to battle the likes of supersonic hedgehogs or magical ponies. Hours before the raid. "These are target gentlemen, Power Cores.." Starline explained as showed them on his screen. "Ha! What're we supposed to do with those? Build a ball pit?" Tumble asked. "We've been banned from all of them caused we kept knocking the kids out!" Rough exclaimed. "That's Eggman tech, isn't it? I thought you were going to get me off his radar and not tick him off even more?" Mimic asked. "We need their power for phase two of the plan. Then you'll be erased from his records," Starline explained. "What do those cores do?" Venjix asked. "They're concentrated energy used by a variety of machines in the Eggman Empire. When properly harnessed they amplify the user's physical background. For example, A red power core can double your strength and Zavok's strength." "Indeed? And how do we harness their power?" Zavok asked. "Through special adaptors, I will build and supply you with." "Okay, so what's phase two?" "Phase two of the plan has us infliritng one of very few EggNet Hubs. It routes data flow within Eggman's network. Once we take command of that, we command all of his information." "With that kind of access, you make it like I never existed," Mimic wondered. "Or even get the entire empire to turn on him in an instant," Zavok gave some thought. "There are fail-safes that would be prone to such acts," Starline replied. "Are you sure you want to go that far against him?" Venijix asked. "You can't use half-measures on Eggman, it's either you defeat him or it's game over. We need the cores to give us an edge." In the present... As great as this crew is all of them have flaws. Venjix is only doing it for the money and nothing more also likes to play dirty. He must be removed from the equation. Mimic betrayed his entire team to Eggman and is only part of this to make it harder for Eggman to track him. He's too dangerous to let loose after all this. Rough and Tumble were stupid but they were driven by vengeance, making them the type of people to cause problems at the wrong time. It would be a safe option to dispose of them as well. And Zavok is the most dangerous person among them. Giving him any amount of power was a gamble but allowing him to keep it was out of the question. I had toyed with the idea of keeping some of them around perhaps folding them into my master plan, but no I can't afford it. Once this is done, they need to be disposed of. "The forward guard has fallen! Tumble! Get them over the Gate!" Zavok ordered him. Tumble to throw Rough and Mimic over the gate. While the skunk does so, he and Rough annoy Mimic with their showmanship and rhymes. Inside, Rough creates a smoke screen with his stench. Mimic holds his breath and runs through it, avoiding the Egg Pawns. Mimic climbs up to meet an Egg Pawn stationed at one of the building's large searchlights and greets them after he shapeshifts into an Egg Pawn himself. He swiftly destroys it with his gun. After the searchlight fell onto the Egg Pawn stationed at the other one, Mimic destroyed that Egg Pawn as well. "C'mon already! Rough's over there on his own!" Tumble exclaimed. "It seems the gate was locked the moment the alarm was sounded," Zavok deduced. "No matter." He opened the gates with his electromagnetic powers then Tumble and Venjix rushed in while Starline drives forward with the truck. "Great execution, sir," Starline said. "These warriors are no Deadly Six, but they were adept," Zavok said as he hopped on. "I'll never understand you and Eggman's over-reliance on machinery." "Machines are efficient, tireless, and unquestionably loyal. When properly programmed. Traits I thought you'd hold in high regard," Starline replied. "Strong warriors could do everything a robot could and more." "Well I could mass produce an army and none of them would disrespect or ignore me." "He'll never take you back." "Fine. We're in this for revenge. Remember?" "More to the point-- You don't need him," Zavok replied making Starline confused. "You have potential, don't just limit yourself by being him, surpass him." "I hate to ruin the moment, I thought this was supposed to be a quick raid," Venjix reminded them. "Right, Mimic turned into Sonic and mock the nearest security camera." "I can get behind that." While Mimic does so in a warehouse, a large robot dinosaur emerges. "I'll handle this one." Zavok tries to control it with his powers but it wasn't working. "It's EM-shielded!" "Must be to protect it from the charged air caused by the cores manufacturing," Starline deduced. "You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Tumble asked. "Stink Bomber with a Grand Slam?" Rough suggested. "Works for me!" Tumble grinned. "Hey, bot! Open wide!" "Your inside's bout to get jumbled!" "Special delivery from..." "Rough and Tumble!" "Grand Stink Bomber Slam!" Tumble jumps high into the air and throws Rough straight down into the robot's mouth. Tumble forcibly keeps it closed so that Rough can burst to open its inside with his powerful stench. "Hate to admit it, that was impressive," Mimic was shocked. "No time for an encore! Load up as many crates of each core type as you can!" Starline said. "I'll manipulate the footage so Eggman sees what we want to see." As the others loaded the crates on the truck, Starline deleted footage of them at the base to let Eggman see what they wanted him to see. Shortly after this, Zavok and Tumble punch a circular hole in the main gate to make it look like Sonic used his trademark Spin Dash on it, further incriminating the blue hedgehog. With the job done, the team leaves the premises. The next day... Here's the report, boss. It ain't pretty. "You called this a report?" Eggman asked. It's all we had on security files. But it was clear that Sonic was behind it. "Then why have him mock Eggman on his own surveillance?" Cozy Glow asked. "Perhaps Tails was covering his tracks." "Fox boy is not that sloppy," Eggman told her. "Something else is going on and when I find out who, they're going to pay dearly." Back at his base, while working on a device, Starline thinks on how Zavok has a point, considering no robot could have done what Rough and Tumble did. However, he would not allow himself to rely on anyone again, not in the way the team thinks he relies on them now. This was food for thought once he could move forward with his long-term plan. For now, he has to focus on the present and feels that he is one step closer to his newest invention. Starline zips around the base in a blue aura, flies a long distance across it with a yellow aura, and then lifts up a large box with a red aura. "With the power of the Tricore, I can contend with self-proclaimed heroes of our two worlds," Starline said. Chapter 3-Trust IssuesWho can you trust in a group of bad guys? Zavok and Mimic find out the hard way in and are... less than happy. Meanwhile, Starline is struggling to maintain control of the rowdy group of villains. Dr. Starline logs onto his computer after inputting his password and secondary voiceprint. He requests for the computer to activate a playback of the last development journal at a low volume. On-screen, the doctor talks about how his plans have been moving along quite well. His group has exceeded his expectations and he now has a surplus of Power Cores to aid in finalizing his long-term project. They also enabled him to make a device called the Tricore, which would allow him to hold his own against his more powerful foes should the need arise. Unlike the single-use Core Gear he created for his teammates, the Tricore can be used in rapid succession hundreds of times. Starline mentions that phase two of the plan was to invade an Eggnet hub where he will erase Egg Base Sigma from Eggman's databases and change all security to obey him; once the base was lost to Eggman and safely under Starline's control, he could finally move on with his true goal. He adds that the parameters of this may shift due to Zavok, as he said things to him that stuck with him. However, Starline makes it clear that despite this, he plans to eliminate his teammates with his new robot forces once the new headquarters is secured. Though he feels wasteful in doing so, he states that the alternative is too risky and they are too dangerous to let roam free. Zavok enters the room agreeing, startling the platypus. Starline says that for a big guy like Zavok, he moves pretty quietly. Zavok says he is when he wants to, and adds that "Starline" is pretty stealthy too, revealing the platypus to be a disguised Mimic. Mimic tells Zavok to keep his voice down to avoid awaking the real Starline, who is asleep nearby. He then tells Zavok he never trusted Starline, but he did not try to make a move until he had good intel. He then wonders if Zavok came for the same reason. Zavok says he has already confirmed his lies himself, as in the previous issue, he activated a red Power Core on touch, so he thought the devices they were promised were booby-trapped. Mimic checks the computers and confirms they were not, leading Zavok to state Starline was as short-sighted as Eggman. Mimic also read that the devices were to prevent misfires, which meant that Starline wanted to have his teammates be at their best until he disposed of them. Mimic then pulls out his knife to kill Starline, but Zavok intervenes and takes him outside. An impatient Mimic expresses his displease at not killing Starline now, but Zavok says they still needed him to access the Eggnet, and that Starline will not make his move until he gets what he wants. Zavok tells Mimic that tomorrow, they will open a way to what "they" want, then he will reward Mimic's patience by letting him kill Starline. Mimic accepts, but says that if it looks like Starline is moving up the timetable, he will not wait any longer. Zavok agrees with him, then tells him to get some rest. The next day, the gang is driven to the base by Starline.Rough and Tumble try to come up with new rhymes to include each member of the crew. "For what's it worth it's been an honor having you as my servant," Zavok said to Starline. "Nothing personal," Starline said to him. He's fallen for my ruse, which makes ambushing him all the easier. Unbeknownst to him, Mimic smugly smiles over this exchange. At the Eggnet hub, Starline provides the group with personalized Power Core gear. "I was hoping to be tail-like," Tumble sighed. "The next time I upgrade them, they can be tail-shaped," Starlined replied. "Why don't have one?" Rough asked. "Quite simple, no skills to enhance." That's a damn lie. Venjix saw right it through as Zavok and Mimic look at each other knowing that this was not the truth. "First things first, Mimic, we take down the guard towers." "Right." Zavok (equipped with a red Power Core) and Mimic (equipped with a yellow Power Core) set off to take down the hub's guard towers. "Door's clear! Gimmie some launch speed, bro!" Tumble said. "Time for a fastball!" Rough said. Rough revs up with a Spin Dash (using a blue Power Core) and launches Tumble (also equipped with a red Power Core) onto the gate of the hub. Using his enhanced strength, Tumble rips off the gate, giving an entry for the others. Zavok and Mimic continue taking down the rest of the guard towers and soon join the rest of the crew at the hub's main door. "Knock, Knock!" Tumble attempts to smash his way in, only for Starline to stop him. "No! No! No! There's sensitive equipment in there!" "Leave to the pros, kid!" Venjix said as he popped his hand off to open the door. "This is it, mere steps from total victory." "I ain't even smash anything yet!" Rough complained. "Then the interior guard is all yours, try not to break anything else." The skunk rushes in and takes down an Egg Knight with his tail. Another Egg Knight shoots at Zavok, but it has no effect on him. The Zeti then crushes the robot with his fist. "Here we are, the central computer!" "Do you even know the login?" Mimic asked. "No, but developed a command algorithm to bypass security," Starline said. "Just had it lying around," Venjix rolled his eyes. " I developed it for another project but it's not important at the moment." "Good point, work fast, it won't be long until Eggman found out he's being raided." "Oh, he was alerted once, you and Zavok, took out the guard towers. He's mobilizing now." "What!?" Mimic and Venjix gasped. "Don't worry controlled Eggman's information feed now, he could tell him that it was Sonic and Rainbow Dash and give him the coordinates to a different facility." Eggman's HQ "Somebody about to a lesson of what happens when someone careless dope mess around with Doc," Cozy Glow grinned. "Indeed, my little filly," Eggman replied. "Scamble the aerial forces. We're going rain down on some punishment on them. Wait a minute. we just report that Sonic and Rainbow Dash are ransacking a depot twenty miles out. Orbot said to them with a new update. "That doesn't make any sense, that's too much of a mistake to be a glitch." "Maybe, Tails sent a dummy transmission?" Shadowforce suggested. "Or the other way around," Chrysalis told him. "No matter, We'll check both areas, rain fire, and sift through the ashes," Eggman said as he and Cozy Glow boarded the Egg Hawk and took off, with the other two right behind them. Back at the hub... "He's logged in his flight plan, we're in the clear!" Starline exclaimed. "And the denfeses?" Zavok asked. "They are now protecting us." "Time to pay the piper, Doc," Mimic said to him. "One thing at a time," Starline said then Mimic raises his dagger to the platypus' throat. "I'm done being polite," Mimic said. "What the hell!? I thought we were working together?" Rough and Tumble asked. "Mimic found evidence that Starline was using us only to be eliminated," Venjix said to them. "Go ahead, try to deny it," Mimic threatened him. "You need me to delete you from the database." "Then do it." The doctor complies and deletes Mimic's file. "And what about my payment?" Venjix asked. "I already transferred the money into your personal bank account, every dime of it." "Assign command to all available Badniks within the area, it will be the first slice as I carve off more of his territory for myself," Zavok ordered then Starline handed it over to him. "Congrats, Mimic, you're a free man," Venjix said. "At last," Mimic was joyed. "And for you Zavok, an entire chunk of the Eggman Empire conquered in five minutes." "Indeed," Zavok smiled. "And what about us?!" Rough shouted. "We were promised weapons!" Tumble complained. "You guys can have the core gears." "That could work." Both of them like it. "Which means for you, Starline, it's the end of the line," Zavok said as the five villains prepare to finish the doctor off forever. Author's Note What will be the fate of Dr. Starline? Find out in the epic conclusion of It's Good To Be Bad! Chapter 4-No Honor Amoung TheivesDr. Eggman vs. the Bad Guys! Astonishingly, Dr. Starline's managed to hold together his motley crew of criminals long enough almost to achieve his goal and see his plan to fruition. Unfortunately, when Dr. Eggman gets wind of their activities, he sets his sights on them. Will the Bad Guys stay together to scramble Eggman or will they crack? Find out in the epic conclusion of STH X MLP: It's Good To Be Bad! At Dr. Eggman's EggNet Hub, Mimic, Venjix, Rough and Tumble, and Zavok all glare at the corned Dr. Starline. "Do you really think you could betray us so easily, Doctor?" Zavok asked. "We have everything we want." "Expect your hide!" Venjix exclaimed. Time for your first field test, Tricore! Don't fail me now! Starline puts the Tricore into his glove and flies backward out of the chair much to everyone's surprise. Tumble attempts to punch Starline, only for the platypus to activate the Tricore's strength aspect and collide his fist with the skunk which ended hurting Tumble instead. "That asshole has muscle, how is that even possible!?" Rough exclaimed. "No matter, I will end him!" Zavok exclaimed preparing to attack. "You have to catch me first!" Starline countered. Zavok leaps at Starline prepared to end him, only for Starline to activate the Tricore's speed aspect and dash away before he can be grabbed. "Now's he's fast as Sonic!?" "No, idiot, he made a core that uses all of them, while we only use one," Venjix explained. "You and Mimic, stay here in case he doubles back, Rough and Tumble, you're with me!" Zavok ordered and he and the skunks follow and chased after Starline. "Makes sense, Starlame needed access to get what he wanted," Mimic theorized. "We could easily hide and ambush him." "But wait for a second, Mimic, what if billboy had a point," Venjix wondered. "Those three are dangerous as he implies. And since you are free from him and I got my money's worth. What if we tip off Eggman? He could wipe all of them, and nobody could tattle tell of us." "I like what you're thinking," Mimic said as he alerted Eggman. "I guess this where we part ways, Venjix, it's been fun but I've got to pay Whisper a visit." "Yeah, and I've got a whole lot heads to collect, starling with Bon-Bon and Lyra." The two said their goodbyes and headed out. "Uh, Eggman, we got a problem!" Cozy said to him. "What is it now?" Eggman complained. "We're already en route to those blue pests." "Not according to Orbot, he found that alert was false," Cozy explained. "False!?" Shadowforce and Chrysalis were shocked. "And even more bad news, Zavok has loose in an Eggnet Hub." "All squadrons form up on me! Extra thrusters! Time to rid of the Zeti forever!" Eggman said. In the hub... "You can't hide forever! Come out and show yourself!" Rough speeds through the hallways and yells for Starline. With his Tricore's power state, Starline knocks Rough over and kicks him using two doses of his neurotoxin injections from his Multi-Tool Heel Spurs. "One dose of my toxin will immobilize you, you shall see what two will do!" "He's here! Starline's over here!" Rough alerted the others. Starline flies upward as Zavok approaches a hallway. "It's over, doctor, even before you were always a failure," Zavok said. "Your planning is sloppy, the discarding of his comrades needlessly cruel, with all of it compounded by your unearned sense of pride. On second thought, you have all of the qualities of Eggman." Once Zavok leaves, Starline drops down from the ceiling while avoiding Egg-Knights. Zavok's right. All this time, all my life, I've molded myself on Eggman. I've let his ways influence my life. Even tried to plan around his shortcomings, my methods are flawed. I let my vengeance for Zavok blind me. I was too quick to discard my assets as he cast me aside. No time for self-pity, time to cut the losses and get what I came for! As Starline runs down the hallway, Tumble spots him. "You! I'm gonna turn you inside out for hurting my bro!" Tumble angrily swings at him, but Starline dodges his attack and strikes him with the Heel Spurs' neurotoxins as well, leaving both of the skunks incapacitated. Starline enters the control room cautiously. I've heard that Zavok told Mimic and Venjix to stay behind and guard it. But where are they? Blast, how do you spot someone who can turn invisible or a master of disguise? Or even uses your plan against you?! Eggman will be here any minute! The platypus quickly deletes Egg Base Sigma from the registry, converts its defenses to serve him, and deletes all of the logs. Following this, he dashes out of the building. Zavok finds the weakened skunks. Learning that Starline poisoned them, Zavok tells the skunk brothers to use their Core Gears to empower themselves and walk it off. However, Rough points out that he was out of power. Fed up, Zavok tells Rough and Tumble to stay out of his way, unimpressed with the inability to defeat one enemy. The skunks angrily point out that they were doing more work than the Zeti. The brothers slowly get back up on their feet and begin to walk, with Rough stating that they should abandon the others as they did not need a leader or a team. Tumble agrees and the two share a fist bump. "Mimic! Search for Starline on the Security feed. Mimic! Venjix!" Zavok called for them receiving no response. "Why I'm not surprised. No matter, I will this machine to find my leads on the Deadly Six. We will rally..." Zavok come out and play! Eggman came on the montier. "The Cacohphonic Conch was lost within the Faceship. You have no means of subduing me." Who said anything about subduing? You're trespassing! And trespassers will be vaporized! "You would destroy such a crucial installment to rid of me?" I can always rebuild. Taking you down and being out of reach of your EM powers is good for me. "You're a fool if you think you're beyond my reach." Zavok activates the hub's defenses while applying his powers to the signal. Several Egg Knights wielding Egg Guns and manning turrets appear outside and shoot at Eggman's Egg Hawk and Badnik Horde. "Stop shooting with my stuff!" Eggman complained. As Mimic drives away in Starline's truck, he looks at the battle. "If I'm lucky they'll wipe each other out," He said. Rough and Tumble see the ensuing battle from a distance. "Shit... we got out there just in time!" Rough said. "We'll sit this one out!" Tumble added. Venjix saw the battle in personal aircraft. "Note to self, never mess with Egg-brain's toys," He made a side note. From another area, Starline watches the battle with a pout. "Enough! All forces! Bring it down!" Eggman orders his Balkiries to dive-bomb the facility while he shoots at it with his Egg Hawk. The satellites are destroyed, leaving Zavok powerless against Eggman's attack. As he sees the building collapse around him, Zavok activates his Core Gear hoping to endure the collapse. "And that's what happens when you mess with the best!" Eggman exclaimed as he and the others left the base. However, Zavok emerges from the rubble alive and his Core Gear crumbles to pieces. He sees Eggman fly off in the distance. Zavok attempts to walk away but stumbles due to injuries from the attack. He uses his powers to control an Egg Knight to support him so that he can move. The Zeti plans to heal, survive, and find his way back to his pack and take revenge. At Eggman's HQ... "Even after that attack, Zavok's nowhere to be found," Shadowforce said. "Well that's wonderful," Chrysalis said. "Something doesn't add up. Zavok can't be one behind the raids. That's not his style. And more importantly why would target the power core faculty and the EggNet Hub?" "Good question," Cozy Glow replied. "But what we can assume is that someone is making moves on us, we don't who's behind, why are they doing and what's their next move." At Egg Base Sigma, Starline has successfully converted the base into his central command and begins having Badniks paint over Eggman Empire decals. He also has some moving containers for his secret projects. "Sorry, Eggman, there can be only room for one to sit on the throne of the world, and the person is me, Dr. Starline, leader of Starline Empire!" Author's Note That does it for this mini-series, Zavok will be back, but this time out for revenge.
Chapter 1-A Few Bad MenEver since his plan to use the Deadly Six to contain Metal Virus backfire and led him to be fired by Eggman, Starline refused to give up to let him be recognized by Eggman. At Starline's Base... "Progress Log Update. I've hit a roadblock. I've amassed a substantial reserve of Eggman Tech, but my current base of operations lacks the functions necessary to utilize them. My current long-term plans are on hold until I have the tools necessary to complete my principle creations. This would be a simple matter if I still had the Warp Topaz. But Eggman... Chose to squander that resource. And lack the physical prowess to use brute force or magic properties as Sonic and Twilight would. I need a replacement that allows me to compete evenly with my enemies. I have something else in my mind... but it requires resoucres that I'm unable to obtain at the moment which brings me back to I've hit a roadblock." Starline said as he had his tea. "I must persevere. Dr.Eggman's ambition will never be realized as long he's focused on destroying Sonic and asking help from Chrysalis or the others since trying to torment The Mane Six. I must break this cycle.... which makes it diffuclent since I'm at odds with Eggman. Badniks are limited in their effectiveness, my effectives enforces can't be completed until I have that base. I need help. But I'm not going to make the mistake of a trusting partnership again. But need someone who hates the doctor and Sonic... then dispose of in the long run. He thought himself for a bit then came to a conclusion. "And I know just the people," Starline grinned. At Everhold Prison, Starline walks into the warden's office. He is alarmed and wonders who let him in. Starline uses his glove to hypnotize the warden while telling him that he was there for his job interview for the maximum security wing. He hands him a blank resume to sell the act, with the hypnotized warden is very impressed. Starline requests to go there right away and reminds the warden not to forget the keys; he brings the keys and as they walk past a hypnotized guard, he tells Starline that he likes his enthusiasm. The warden explains that the position has been hard to fill. The inmates they were holding were some of the worst in the world, with most of them even going as far to fight Sonic the Hedgehog. "Well look what cat drag in, Eggman's litter weasel," Venjix glared at him. "Let me guess? The doc gave you can." "Nothing surpasses you Venjix. Yes, Dr. Eggman is not the marvel I thought he was. He used me, just like the rest of you. But I won't allow that indignity to stand! And neither should any of you!" Starline exclaimed. "I have a plan and together with combined skills, we can get revenge on Dr. Eggman!" "Hard pass. I don't do teams anymore," Mimic refused. "Then think of it as a business partnership. I need your skills for my plan to work. In return, I can delete you from the Eggnet. Any record that Eggman would have on you will be gone making free of his surveillance." "And what about me?" Venjix asked. "Why in the hell should I help you?" "Because I pay handsomely." "We ain't working with you! You dumped Metal Virus goo on us!" Tough exclaimed. "I had no idea that Dr.Eggman would do that!" "Pull the other one. We ain't chumps!" Tumble retorted. "I'll build weapons that crush your enemies. For free!" "Now we're talking!" "You attempted to use me and my pack. There is nothing you can offer that will convince me to follow you." "How fortunate for you that my master plan requires your leadership, after all, you we're the ones the control the Zombots, and max out the power of the Chaos Emerlands." "So this plan of yours, is for my benefit?" Zavok asked. "Of course, we all stand to gain, but I pledge myself to you," Starline bowed to him. "Then you shall be my deadly four." "It's an honor." Then suddenly the alarm went off closing the gates. "The whole prison is now on high alert, not that you're getting out here... that door only answers to my voice," The warden said before Starline kicks the warden, knocking him out again with the mild neurotoxin in his Heel Spurs then grabbed his keys and free Zavok, who freed Mimic who free the others. Then Mimic turned into the warden and unlock the door, then Rough and Tumble tossed him into one of the cells. "Warden, what's going on?" A couple of guards asked Mimic. "Zavok and the others broke out of their cell! They're not out yet, but the three of you to help pacify him!" Mimic led three guards into the room where Starline used his glove put one of them to sleep, while Zavok gets the other two and slams their heads together. "Why are we rushing, use Hypno-glove on everyone!" Rough exclaimed. "The glove is a precision instrument and not for crowd control," Starline explained. "If we're to escape we need to shut down security---" "Stop right there! Hands in the air!" As several guards corner them. "Somebody do something!" Venjix said. "Time to smash some heads!" "Gonna make'em crumble!" "It's breakout time for Rough & Tumble!" Rough and Tumble make their choreographed entrance and begin beating back the guards with their brute force then more guards came and surrounded them. Zavok uses his electromagnetic powers to take a spin the Wispons out of control, throwing the guards all around the hall. This causes the dizzy Green Wisps to leave the weapons while the others press on. "Onward, my warriors!" Zavok said they move on. "I'll scout for strangers!" Mimic said as he shapeshifts into the warden again to scout for stragglers. At the door of security, he asks a guard for his Wispon and uses it to push him down the hall. The Green Wisp leaves the Wispon once it notices the change in use. Venjix, Rough, and Tumble enter the control room and beat up the individuals monitoring the cameras. "Control room secure!" Venjix said. "Excellent, now let's shut off the alarms-" Starline tries to shut off the alarms, "No." "No?" "Unlock all the cells, scramble communications, and send the entire facility into chaos." "Marvel idea, sir!" "So, we're doing this? Working with these Bozos?" Rough asked. "I ain't got any better idea. Do you?" Tumble asked. "If he can get me out of Eggman's hair, I'm in," Mimic said. "What about you Venjix?" "I'm down to knock down Eggman for all times he didn't come through with his payment." Once Starline managed to get the cells opened the inmates got out and begin wreaking havoc in the prison. As this occurs, Zavok, Mimic, Rough, Tumble, Venjix, and Starline walk away from Everhold Prison. "Great work, everyone! Now that we're warmed up, time for some real damage!
Chapter 2-Smash & GrabSome of Sonic's worst enemies are back and badder than ever! Dr. Starline, Dr. Eggman's former-right hand, has brought together Venjix, Mimic, Rough, Tumble, and Zavok and promised them even more incredible power... if they can stop fighting each other and start fighting badniks to get to it! As Zavok, Mimic, Venjix, Rough, and Tumble fight off a Badnik horde, Starline was in his truck thinking to himself. I've assembled quite a motley crew. Mimic. The Exerpt Spy... Tumble... A powerful oaf... Rough... A vicious scoundrel...Venjix... a vessel of power... and Zavok... Leader of the Deadly Six. Everyone one of them thinks we're in this to get revenge on Dr. Eggman but none of them realized they play a bigger part for me to get back in his good graces. In the manner of time, Dr. Starline will be back at the Eggman Empire once again. But first, I might need the advantage to battle the likes of supersonic hedgehogs or magical ponies. Hours before the raid. "These are target gentlemen, Power Cores.." Starline explained as showed them on his screen. "Ha! What're we supposed to do with those? Build a ball pit?" Tumble asked. "We've been banned from all of them caused we kept knocking the kids out!" Rough exclaimed. "That's Eggman tech, isn't it? I thought you were going to get me off his radar and not tick him off even more?" Mimic asked. "We need their power for phase two of the plan. Then you'll be erased from his records," Starline explained. "What do those cores do?" Venjix asked. "They're concentrated energy used by a variety of machines in the Eggman Empire. When properly harnessed they amplify the user's physical background. For example, A red power core can double your strength and Zavok's strength." "Indeed? And how do we harness their power?" Zavok asked. "Through special adaptors, I will build and supply you with." "Okay, so what's phase two?" "Phase two of the plan has us infliritng one of very few EggNet Hubs. It routes data flow within Eggman's network. Once we take command of that, we command all of his information." "With that kind of access, you make it like I never existed," Mimic wondered. "Or even get the entire empire to turn on him in an instant," Zavok gave some thought. "There are fail-safes that would be prone to such acts," Starline replied. "Are you sure you want to go that far against him?" Venijix asked. "You can't use half-measures on Eggman, it's either you defeat him or it's game over. We need the cores to give us an edge." In the present... As great as this crew is all of them have flaws. Venjix is only doing it for the money and nothing more also likes to play dirty. He must be removed from the equation. Mimic betrayed his entire team to Eggman and is only part of this to make it harder for Eggman to track him. He's too dangerous to let loose after all this. Rough and Tumble were stupid but they were driven by vengeance, making them the type of people to cause problems at the wrong time. It would be a safe option to dispose of them as well. And Zavok is the most dangerous person among them. Giving him any amount of power was a gamble but allowing him to keep it was out of the question. I had toyed with the idea of keeping some of them around perhaps folding them into my master plan, but no I can't afford it. Once this is done, they need to be disposed of. "The forward guard has fallen! Tumble! Get them over the Gate!" Zavok ordered him. Tumble to throw Rough and Mimic over the gate. While the skunk does so, he and Rough annoy Mimic with their showmanship and rhymes. Inside, Rough creates a smoke screen with his stench. Mimic holds his breath and runs through it, avoiding the Egg Pawns. Mimic climbs up to meet an Egg Pawn stationed at one of the building's large searchlights and greets them after he shapeshifts into an Egg Pawn himself. He swiftly destroys it with his gun. After the searchlight fell onto the Egg Pawn stationed at the other one, Mimic destroyed that Egg Pawn as well. "C'mon already! Rough's over there on his own!" Tumble exclaimed. "It seems the gate was locked the moment the alarm was sounded," Zavok deduced. "No matter." He opened the gates with his electromagnetic powers then Tumble and Venjix rushed in while Starline drives forward with the truck. "Great execution, sir," Starline said. "These warriors are no Deadly Six, but they were adept," Zavok said as he hopped on. "I'll never understand you and Eggman's over-reliance on machinery." "Machines are efficient, tireless, and unquestionably loyal. When properly programmed. Traits I thought you'd hold in high regard," Starline replied. "Strong warriors could do everything a robot could and more." "Well I could mass produce an army and none of them would disrespect or ignore me." "He'll never take you back." "Fine. We're in this for revenge. Remember?" "More to the point-- You don't need him," Zavok replied making Starline confused. "You have potential, don't just limit yourself by being him, surpass him." "I hate to ruin the moment, I thought this was supposed to be a quick raid," Venjix reminded them. "Right, Mimic turned into Sonic and mock the nearest security camera." "I can get behind that." While Mimic does so in a warehouse, a large robot dinosaur emerges. "I'll handle this one." Zavok tries to control it with his powers but it wasn't working. "It's EM-shielded!" "Must be to protect it from the charged air caused by the cores manufacturing," Starline deduced. "You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Tumble asked. "Stink Bomber with a Grand Slam?" Rough suggested. "Works for me!" Tumble grinned. "Hey, bot! Open wide!" "Your inside's bout to get jumbled!" "Special delivery from..." "Rough and Tumble!" "Grand Stink Bomber Slam!" Tumble jumps high into the air and throws Rough straight down into the robot's mouth. Tumble forcibly keeps it closed so that Rough can burst to open its inside with his powerful stench. "Hate to admit it, that was impressive," Mimic was shocked. "No time for an encore! Load up as many crates of each core type as you can!" Starline said. "I'll manipulate the footage so Eggman sees what we want to see." As the others loaded the crates on the truck, Starline deleted footage of them at the base to let Eggman see what they wanted him to see. Shortly after this, Zavok and Tumble punch a circular hole in the main gate to make it look like Sonic used his trademark Spin Dash on it, further incriminating the blue hedgehog. With the job done, the team leaves the premises. The next day... Here's the report, boss. It ain't pretty. "You called this a report?" Eggman asked. It's all we had on security files. But it was clear that Sonic was behind it. "Then why have him mock Eggman on his own surveillance?" Cozy Glow asked. "Perhaps Tails was covering his tracks." "Fox boy is not that sloppy," Eggman told her. "Something else is going on and when I find out who, they're going to pay dearly." Back at his base, while working on a device, Starline thinks on how Zavok has a point, considering no robot could have done what Rough and Tumble did. However, he would not allow himself to rely on anyone again, not in the way the team thinks he relies on them now. This was food for thought once he could move forward with his long-term plan. For now, he has to focus on the present and feels that he is one step closer to his newest invention. Starline zips around the base in a blue aura, flies a long distance across it with a yellow aura, and then lifts up a large box with a red aura. "With the power of the Tricore, I can contend with self-proclaimed heroes of our two worlds," Starline said.
Chapter 3-Trust IssuesWho can you trust in a group of bad guys? Zavok and Mimic find out the hard way in and are... less than happy. Meanwhile, Starline is struggling to maintain control of the rowdy group of villains. Dr. Starline logs onto his computer after inputting his password and secondary voiceprint. He requests for the computer to activate a playback of the last development journal at a low volume. On-screen, the doctor talks about how his plans have been moving along quite well. His group has exceeded his expectations and he now has a surplus of Power Cores to aid in finalizing his long-term project. They also enabled him to make a device called the Tricore, which would allow him to hold his own against his more powerful foes should the need arise. Unlike the single-use Core Gear he created for his teammates, the Tricore can be used in rapid succession hundreds of times. Starline mentions that phase two of the plan was to invade an Eggnet hub where he will erase Egg Base Sigma from Eggman's databases and change all security to obey him; once the base was lost to Eggman and safely under Starline's control, he could finally move on with his true goal. He adds that the parameters of this may shift due to Zavok, as he said things to him that stuck with him. However, Starline makes it clear that despite this, he plans to eliminate his teammates with his new robot forces once the new headquarters is secured. Though he feels wasteful in doing so, he states that the alternative is too risky and they are too dangerous to let roam free. Zavok enters the room agreeing, startling the platypus. Starline says that for a big guy like Zavok, he moves pretty quietly. Zavok says he is when he wants to, and adds that "Starline" is pretty stealthy too, revealing the platypus to be a disguised Mimic. Mimic tells Zavok to keep his voice down to avoid awaking the real Starline, who is asleep nearby. He then tells Zavok he never trusted Starline, but he did not try to make a move until he had good intel. He then wonders if Zavok came for the same reason. Zavok says he has already confirmed his lies himself, as in the previous issue, he activated a red Power Core on touch, so he thought the devices they were promised were booby-trapped. Mimic checks the computers and confirms they were not, leading Zavok to state Starline was as short-sighted as Eggman. Mimic also read that the devices were to prevent misfires, which meant that Starline wanted to have his teammates be at their best until he disposed of them. Mimic then pulls out his knife to kill Starline, but Zavok intervenes and takes him outside. An impatient Mimic expresses his displease at not killing Starline now, but Zavok says they still needed him to access the Eggnet, and that Starline will not make his move until he gets what he wants. Zavok tells Mimic that tomorrow, they will open a way to what "they" want, then he will reward Mimic's patience by letting him kill Starline. Mimic accepts, but says that if it looks like Starline is moving up the timetable, he will not wait any longer. Zavok agrees with him, then tells him to get some rest. The next day, the gang is driven to the base by Starline.Rough and Tumble try to come up with new rhymes to include each member of the crew. "For what's it worth it's been an honor having you as my servant," Zavok said to Starline. "Nothing personal," Starline said to him. He's fallen for my ruse, which makes ambushing him all the easier. Unbeknownst to him, Mimic smugly smiles over this exchange. At the Eggnet hub, Starline provides the group with personalized Power Core gear. "I was hoping to be tail-like," Tumble sighed. "The next time I upgrade them, they can be tail-shaped," Starlined replied. "Why don't have one?" Rough asked. "Quite simple, no skills to enhance." That's a damn lie. Venjix saw right it through as Zavok and Mimic look at each other knowing that this was not the truth. "First things first, Mimic, we take down the guard towers." "Right." Zavok (equipped with a red Power Core) and Mimic (equipped with a yellow Power Core) set off to take down the hub's guard towers. "Door's clear! Gimmie some launch speed, bro!" Tumble said. "Time for a fastball!" Rough said. Rough revs up with a Spin Dash (using a blue Power Core) and launches Tumble (also equipped with a red Power Core) onto the gate of the hub. Using his enhanced strength, Tumble rips off the gate, giving an entry for the others. Zavok and Mimic continue taking down the rest of the guard towers and soon join the rest of the crew at the hub's main door. "Knock, Knock!" Tumble attempts to smash his way in, only for Starline to stop him. "No! No! No! There's sensitive equipment in there!" "Leave to the pros, kid!" Venjix said as he popped his hand off to open the door. "This is it, mere steps from total victory." "I ain't even smash anything yet!" Rough complained. "Then the interior guard is all yours, try not to break anything else." The skunk rushes in and takes down an Egg Knight with his tail. Another Egg Knight shoots at Zavok, but it has no effect on him. The Zeti then crushes the robot with his fist. "Here we are, the central computer!" "Do you even know the login?" Mimic asked. "No, but developed a command algorithm to bypass security," Starline said. "Just had it lying around," Venjix rolled his eyes. " I developed it for another project but it's not important at the moment." "Good point, work fast, it won't be long until Eggman found out he's being raided." "Oh, he was alerted once, you and Zavok, took out the guard towers. He's mobilizing now." "What!?" Mimic and Venjix gasped. "Don't worry controlled Eggman's information feed now, he could tell him that it was Sonic and Rainbow Dash and give him the coordinates to a different facility." Eggman's HQ "Somebody about to a lesson of what happens when someone careless dope mess around with Doc," Cozy Glow grinned. "Indeed, my little filly," Eggman replied. "Scamble the aerial forces. We're going rain down on some punishment on them. Wait a minute. we just report that Sonic and Rainbow Dash are ransacking a depot twenty miles out. Orbot said to them with a new update. "That doesn't make any sense, that's too much of a mistake to be a glitch." "Maybe, Tails sent a dummy transmission?" Shadowforce suggested. "Or the other way around," Chrysalis told him. "No matter, We'll check both areas, rain fire, and sift through the ashes," Eggman said as he and Cozy Glow boarded the Egg Hawk and took off, with the other two right behind them. Back at the hub... "He's logged in his flight plan, we're in the clear!" Starline exclaimed. "And the denfeses?" Zavok asked. "They are now protecting us." "Time to pay the piper, Doc," Mimic said to him. "One thing at a time," Starline said then Mimic raises his dagger to the platypus' throat. "I'm done being polite," Mimic said. "What the hell!? I thought we were working together?" Rough and Tumble asked. "Mimic found evidence that Starline was using us only to be eliminated," Venjix said to them. "Go ahead, try to deny it," Mimic threatened him. "You need me to delete you from the database." "Then do it." The doctor complies and deletes Mimic's file. "And what about my payment?" Venjix asked. "I already transferred the money into your personal bank account, every dime of it." "Assign command to all available Badniks within the area, it will be the first slice as I carve off more of his territory for myself," Zavok ordered then Starline handed it over to him. "Congrats, Mimic, you're a free man," Venjix said. "At last," Mimic was joyed. "And for you Zavok, an entire chunk of the Eggman Empire conquered in five minutes." "Indeed," Zavok smiled. "And what about us?!" Rough shouted. "We were promised weapons!" Tumble complained. "You guys can have the core gears." "That could work." Both of them like it. "Which means for you, Starline, it's the end of the line," Zavok said as the five villains prepare to finish the doctor off forever. Author's Note What will be the fate of Dr. Starline? Find out in the epic conclusion of It's Good To Be Bad!
Chapter 4-No Honor Amoung TheivesDr. Eggman vs. the Bad Guys! Astonishingly, Dr. Starline's managed to hold together his motley crew of criminals long enough almost to achieve his goal and see his plan to fruition. Unfortunately, when Dr. Eggman gets wind of their activities, he sets his sights on them. Will the Bad Guys stay together to scramble Eggman or will they crack? Find out in the epic conclusion of STH X MLP: It's Good To Be Bad! At Dr. Eggman's EggNet Hub, Mimic, Venjix, Rough and Tumble, and Zavok all glare at the corned Dr. Starline. "Do you really think you could betray us so easily, Doctor?" Zavok asked. "We have everything we want." "Expect your hide!" Venjix exclaimed. Time for your first field test, Tricore! Don't fail me now! Starline puts the Tricore into his glove and flies backward out of the chair much to everyone's surprise. Tumble attempts to punch Starline, only for the platypus to activate the Tricore's strength aspect and collide his fist with the skunk which ended hurting Tumble instead. "That asshole has muscle, how is that even possible!?" Rough exclaimed. "No matter, I will end him!" Zavok exclaimed preparing to attack. "You have to catch me first!" Starline countered. Zavok leaps at Starline prepared to end him, only for Starline to activate the Tricore's speed aspect and dash away before he can be grabbed. "Now's he's fast as Sonic!?" "No, idiot, he made a core that uses all of them, while we only use one," Venjix explained. "You and Mimic, stay here in case he doubles back, Rough and Tumble, you're with me!" Zavok ordered and he and the skunks follow and chased after Starline. "Makes sense, Starlame needed access to get what he wanted," Mimic theorized. "We could easily hide and ambush him." "But wait for a second, Mimic, what if billboy had a point," Venjix wondered. "Those three are dangerous as he implies. And since you are free from him and I got my money's worth. What if we tip off Eggman? He could wipe all of them, and nobody could tattle tell of us." "I like what you're thinking," Mimic said as he alerted Eggman. "I guess this where we part ways, Venjix, it's been fun but I've got to pay Whisper a visit." "Yeah, and I've got a whole lot heads to collect, starling with Bon-Bon and Lyra." The two said their goodbyes and headed out. "Uh, Eggman, we got a problem!" Cozy said to him. "What is it now?" Eggman complained. "We're already en route to those blue pests." "Not according to Orbot, he found that alert was false," Cozy explained. "False!?" Shadowforce and Chrysalis were shocked. "And even more bad news, Zavok has loose in an Eggnet Hub." "All squadrons form up on me! Extra thrusters! Time to rid of the Zeti forever!" Eggman said. In the hub... "You can't hide forever! Come out and show yourself!" Rough speeds through the hallways and yells for Starline. With his Tricore's power state, Starline knocks Rough over and kicks him using two doses of his neurotoxin injections from his Multi-Tool Heel Spurs. "One dose of my toxin will immobilize you, you shall see what two will do!" "He's here! Starline's over here!" Rough alerted the others. Starline flies upward as Zavok approaches a hallway. "It's over, doctor, even before you were always a failure," Zavok said. "Your planning is sloppy, the discarding of his comrades needlessly cruel, with all of it compounded by your unearned sense of pride. On second thought, you have all of the qualities of Eggman." Once Zavok leaves, Starline drops down from the ceiling while avoiding Egg-Knights. Zavok's right. All this time, all my life, I've molded myself on Eggman. I've let his ways influence my life. Even tried to plan around his shortcomings, my methods are flawed. I let my vengeance for Zavok blind me. I was too quick to discard my assets as he cast me aside. No time for self-pity, time to cut the losses and get what I came for! As Starline runs down the hallway, Tumble spots him. "You! I'm gonna turn you inside out for hurting my bro!" Tumble angrily swings at him, but Starline dodges his attack and strikes him with the Heel Spurs' neurotoxins as well, leaving both of the skunks incapacitated. Starline enters the control room cautiously. I've heard that Zavok told Mimic and Venjix to stay behind and guard it. But where are they? Blast, how do you spot someone who can turn invisible or a master of disguise? Or even uses your plan against you?! Eggman will be here any minute! The platypus quickly deletes Egg Base Sigma from the registry, converts its defenses to serve him, and deletes all of the logs. Following this, he dashes out of the building. Zavok finds the weakened skunks. Learning that Starline poisoned them, Zavok tells the skunk brothers to use their Core Gears to empower themselves and walk it off. However, Rough points out that he was out of power. Fed up, Zavok tells Rough and Tumble to stay out of his way, unimpressed with the inability to defeat one enemy. The skunks angrily point out that they were doing more work than the Zeti. The brothers slowly get back up on their feet and begin to walk, with Rough stating that they should abandon the others as they did not need a leader or a team. Tumble agrees and the two share a fist bump. "Mimic! Search for Starline on the Security feed. Mimic! Venjix!" Zavok called for them receiving no response. "Why I'm not surprised. No matter, I will this machine to find my leads on the Deadly Six. We will rally..." Zavok come out and play! Eggman came on the montier. "The Cacohphonic Conch was lost within the Faceship. You have no means of subduing me." Who said anything about subduing? You're trespassing! And trespassers will be vaporized! "You would destroy such a crucial installment to rid of me?" I can always rebuild. Taking you down and being out of reach of your EM powers is good for me. "You're a fool if you think you're beyond my reach." Zavok activates the hub's defenses while applying his powers to the signal. Several Egg Knights wielding Egg Guns and manning turrets appear outside and shoot at Eggman's Egg Hawk and Badnik Horde. "Stop shooting with my stuff!" Eggman complained. As Mimic drives away in Starline's truck, he looks at the battle. "If I'm lucky they'll wipe each other out," He said. Rough and Tumble see the ensuing battle from a distance. "Shit... we got out there just in time!" Rough said. "We'll sit this one out!" Tumble added. Venjix saw the battle in personal aircraft. "Note to self, never mess with Egg-brain's toys," He made a side note. From another area, Starline watches the battle with a pout. "Enough! All forces! Bring it down!" Eggman orders his Balkiries to dive-bomb the facility while he shoots at it with his Egg Hawk. The satellites are destroyed, leaving Zavok powerless against Eggman's attack. As he sees the building collapse around him, Zavok activates his Core Gear hoping to endure the collapse. "And that's what happens when you mess with the best!" Eggman exclaimed as he and the others left the base. However, Zavok emerges from the rubble alive and his Core Gear crumbles to pieces. He sees Eggman fly off in the distance. Zavok attempts to walk away but stumbles due to injuries from the attack. He uses his powers to control an Egg Knight to support him so that he can move. The Zeti plans to heal, survive, and find his way back to his pack and take revenge. At Eggman's HQ... "Even after that attack, Zavok's nowhere to be found," Shadowforce said. "Well that's wonderful," Chrysalis said. "Something doesn't add up. Zavok can't be one behind the raids. That's not his style. And more importantly why would target the power core faculty and the EggNet Hub?" "Good question," Cozy Glow replied. "But what we can assume is that someone is making moves on us, we don't who's behind, why are they doing and what's their next move." At Egg Base Sigma, Starline has successfully converted the base into his central command and begins having Badniks paint over Eggman Empire decals. He also has some moving containers for his secret projects. "Sorry, Eggman, there can be only room for one to sit on the throne of the world, and the person is me, Dr. Starline, leader of Starline Empire!" Author's Note That does it for this mini-series, Zavok will be back, but this time out for revenge.
