Open Season
Green Hill Zone was enjoying another peaceful da, or at least much as it can in this crazy new world. The rivers flowed gently, the sun cast golden light over the rolling checkered hills, and the scent of fresh grass carried on the breeze. Birds chirped, distant Badniks patrolled lazily, and the occasional Flicky darted through the trees, unconcerned with the world's greater conflicts.
Then, all at once, everything changed.
Every television, radio, and cellphone screen in Green Hill flickered to static. The usual hum of life was abruptly drowned out by the deep, echoing laughter of a man all too familiar to the world.
Dr. Eggman.
The screens cleared, revealing the doctor's grinning face. His blue glasses glinted under the cold artificial lighting of his command center. In the background, swarms of Egg Pawns and mechanized drones loomed, standing at attention like an army of silent sentinels.
"Greenting people of Green Hills and beyond!" Eggman's voice rang out, smooth and theatrical. "You have the privilege of being addressed by none other than I, the brilliant, the magnificent, the unstoppable Dr. Eggman!
"Today, I bring you a most delicious opportunity."
Across Green Hill, residents and travelers alike stood frozen, eyes glued to their screens. Even in places untouched by technology, portable radios crackled to life, forcing all to listen.
Eggman leaned forward, stroking his mustache. "Once upon a time, there was a mercenary. A deceitful little
traitor named Mimic the Octopus. A professional, they called him!
"Cold, efficient, ruthless. But you see, my dear audience, there's one thing I simply cannot abide by."
His smile faded, voice dropping into a venomous growl.
"A liar."
The atmosphere seemed to shift as he spoke, tension creeping in like a storm on the horizon.
"This slippery cephalopod betrayed his own team, the Diamond Cutters, trading their lives away in exchange for my leniency - a rare gift, might I add!"
"However Mimic did something unthinkable… something truly foolish. He deceived me."
Eggman slammed his gloved fist onto the arm of his chair, a metal clang resounding through the broadcast. "He swore his mission was complete! That there were no survivors!"
His grin returned, sharper than before. "And yet… that turned out to be a filthy, disgusting lie."
Dr. Eggman spread his arms wide, reveling in his own theatrics. "So, here's my offer to you, dear bounty hunters, mercenaries, rogues, aspiring warlords and anyone alike! Effective immediately, a bounty is now placed upon the head of Mimic the Octopus."
A holographic image of Mimic flickered onto the screen—his blue-grey form, cold eyes, and shifting tentacles captured in stark detail.
Eggman smirked. "The reward?"
"One favor, from me. Ask anything you want: a weapon, an army, a fortress, technology beyond your wildest dreams regardless of your wish, I shall grant it!" His voice was practically dripping with amusement. "But do take heed: He must be brought to me alive."
His expression darkened, and for the first time in the broadcast, the playfulness in his tone disappeared.
"And should anyone dare to kill him before he reaches my hands?" His grin was gone. His eyes burned behind his tinted glasses. "Then they will learn what it means to earn my wrath. And I promise you… no one wants that."
His expression changed back to playful attitude and typical grin just as if that declaration never happen and finish saying "Happy Hunting!"
The screen flickered, returning to static for a moment before cutting off entirely.
Then, Green Hill Zone erupted into chaos.
From dingy saloons to shady hideouts, the message had been heard loud and clear. Low-life criminals, black-market smugglers, and infamous bounty hunters wasted no time preparing their gear.
Every freelancer with a gun, every mercenary with a grudge, every outlaw looking for their big break. All of them suddenly had the same target.
The hunt has begun.
Not completely happy with this one but well bottons up.
