SONIC THE HEDGEHOG "Blast to the Past - Part One"
(#238-304)
Writer's Draft
March 17, 1994

COPYRIGHT 1994 DIC ENTERTAINMENT, L.P.


ACT I
FADE IN:
EXT. ROBOTNIK'S HQ - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

LIGHTNING daggers out of the black sky. In the distance, SIRENS
SCREAM. Two Hover-Units move THROUGH SHOT, spotlights scanning.

EXT. ROBOTROPOLIS STREET - NIGHT

Old shop-fronts with boarded-up windows, crumbled walls. HOVER-
UNIT PASSES, MOMENTARILY FILLING SHOT, its searchlights probing the
shadows. After it passes, FOUR SHADOWY FIGURES leap out of
deserted storefront and run down street.

EXT. POWER STATION - NIGHT

Huge ELECTRICAL TURBINES and POWER MACHINERY surrounded by CONCRETE
MOAT (NO WATER) and BARBED-WIRE FENCE. A PAIR OF SWAT-BOTS patrol
the fence perimeter.

THE SWAT-BOTS
pass a burnt-out HOVER-UNIT and continue O.S. HOLD as Sonic peers
out from a hatchway, looking after the departed Hover-Unit.

SONIC
It's cool.

SALLY
and two other FREEDOM FIGHTERS (BEAR and a HORSE) now emerge.
Sally holds a "GRAPPLE GUN" (like a spear gun with a GRAPPLING
HOOK).

SALLY
Ready, Sonic?

SONIC
Are lambs wooly? Do sweaters
sweat? Does lightning fork? Get a
grip, guys, I'm outta here.

They all grip a fence post as Sonic EXPLODES OUT OF SHOT in a
righteous WHEELIE, his backwash blowing them back. A BEAT, then
Sally nods to other FREEDOM FIGHTERS and they all move off.

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF POWER STATION - NIGHT
Swat-Bots patrol perimeter, lights scanning. Sonic silently
streaks up behind them, then slows to match their pace, hands
casually clasped behind him as he glides along, moving like an ice
skater. He starts to WHISTLE.

SONIC
(WHISTLES ad-lib tune)
The Bots wheel around.

SONIC (CONT)
So, whaddya think Swat-Butts?
Wanna 'do lunch'

The Swat-Bots' WRIST-LASERS come up and open fire. Sonic dances
and dodges the BLASTS.

SONIC (CONT)
Is that a "no?"

SONIC
juices right up the front of one Bot, does a quick TAP DANCE on his
head, then jumps back and forth from one Bot head to the other.

SONIC (CONT)
You guys are real party animals and
I'd like to hang, but I gotta dust.
(pause)
Ciao, Bot-heads!

He rockets off the Bot's head into mid-air, hits the ground,
bounces, then powers O.S. and gone. The Bots follow.

BOT #1
Hedgehog alert. In pursuit, Quadrant six.

EXT. POWER STATION - NIGHT
Sally stands at the edge of the MOAT flanked by the two Freedom
Fighters. She aims the GRAPPLE GUN across the moat, FIRES and...

THE HOOK
sails through the air on the end of a line which wraps around a
steel cable as...

SALLY
ties off her end of the line that now extends over the moat.

SALLY
(low)
Go. Go.

The two Freedom Fighters start across the rope, moving hand-over-
hand, and are quickly swallowed up in the darkness.

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Sonic SKIDS in and flattens against the wall as a bunch of Hover-
Units ROAR PAST, SIRENS SCREAMING. He peers out, then takes off in
opposite direction.

EXT. POWER STATION PERIMETER - NIGHT
Sally looks after the two Freedom Fighters through binoculars as
Sonic SKIDS IN.

SALLY
(lowers binoculars)
They're in.
(checks watch)
Any second now...

LIGHT FLASHES reflect off Sonic and Sally's faces as they look O.S.

FROM BEHIND SONIC AND SALLY
The power station SPARKS AND FLASHES and in the distance, lights
WINK OUT all across Robotropolis.

SALLY AND SONIC
high-five.

SONIC
Cool plan, Sal.

SALLY
Thanks, but it's not over yet.
She raises the binoculars and gazes across the moat.

SALLY (CONT)
Where are they?

Sonic looks in other direction from Sally. A BEAT, then he We hear Sirens
Sonic points.

SONIC
Sal...over there.

Sally pans her binoculars.

SALLY
Oh, no!

BINOCULAR POV

THREE SWAT-BOTS Head strobes flashing,
Sirens Blazing streak upward, carrying the TWO SHACKLED FREEDOM
FIGHTERS toward Robotnik's HQ.

SONIC
kicks a stone, sends it flying. He is pissed.

SONIC
Don't worry, Sal. I'll get 'em.
Meet me at the junk heaps.

Sonic BLASTS OUT OF SHOT, nearly blowing Sally off her feet.

EXT. ROBOTNIK'S HQ - NIGHT
The building is dark now as the Swat-Bots, (at street level), carry
the Freedom Fighters toward an OPENING BLAST DOOR. We hear Sonic's
APPROACHING WHOOSH as Swat-Bots enter, the door SLAMMING shut right
in the Hedgehog's face as he SKIDS INTO SHOT. He POUNDS and KICKS
on the door in frustration, then wheels as a light beam nails him.

SONIC'S POV
As three Hover-Units ROAR toward him, lights WHITENING OUT THE
SCENE.

SONIC (OS)
Man, sometimes I hate this job.

SONIC
ROARS off, once again pursued by the laser-shooting Hover-Crafts.

CUT TO:
EXT. JUNK HEAP RENDEZVOUS POINT - LATER - NIGHT
Bunnie and Sally wait. Sally on edge as she looks through her
binoculars.

BUNNIE
See him, Sally-Girl?

SALLY
Not yet.

We hear SONIC'S APPROACHING WHOOSH in the distance.

BUNNIE
Incomin' Sugar Hog!

SONIC
SKIDS INTO SHOT. Sally hands binoculars to Bunnie.

SONIC
They took 'em to Robotnik's HQ.

SALLY
The Robotisizer.

SONIC
Yeah. We gotta get them out.

SALLY
Agreed, but how?

SONIC
Sal, I hate when you ask that.

BUNNIE (OS)
Sonic...

Sonic looks up and...

BUNNIE
hands him the binoculars.

BUNNIE (CONT)
We're too late.

SONIC'S POV THROUGH BINOCULARS
The TWO FREEDOM FIGHTERS follow a team of SWAT-BOTS away from
Robotnik's HQ.

SALLY (OS)
What is it?

SONIC
lowers the binoculars, looks at Sally.

SONIC
They're already robotisized.

Sally turns away, covers her face with her hands. Bunnie puts an
arm around her as...

SONIC
points up toward Robotnik's towering HQ.

SONIC
(yells; echo)
One day, Robuttnik... you're go in'
down... big time!

WIPE TO:
EXT. KNOTHOLE - THE HUTS - NEXT DAY
MOVE IN toward the cluster of huts as we hear:

SALLY (OS)
It was my fault. Period.

SONIC (OS)
C'mon, Sal...

INT. SALLY'S HUT - DAY
Sonic paces as Sally stares at a Nicole-created HOLOGRAPHIC
PROJECTION of the POWER PLANT. DULCY and Sonic look on.

SALLY
If I'd just spent more time on the
plan we wouldn't have lost two more
Freedom Fighters.
Sally stops, points to sections of the plant on the hologram.

SALLY (CONT)
I should have posted guards here,
here and here.

DULCY
You can't cover everything,
girlfren'. Robotnik's too cagey.

Sally shakes her head, points Nicole at the hologram like a remote
device and CLICK...it evaporates. Sonic stops pacing, looks at
Sally.

SONIC
Dulc is right, Sal. Robuttnik's
holdin' all the aces.
(pause)
We shoulda taken him out a long
time ago...before he took over.

SALLY
Sonic, we were only five.

SONIC
So? We were a cool five.

DULCY
You could do it now. You could use
the Time Stones.

SONIC
Say what?

DULCY
The Time Stones. You know, they
take you back in time?

SALLY
Dulcy, the Time Stones are just a
myth.

DULCY
No way. They're on the Floating Island.

SALLY
Another myth.

DULCY
Girlfren', I know that island's no myth.

DULCY
lowers her head, points to a prominent BUMP.

DULCY (CONT)
I flew into it.

SONIC
looks at Sally, getting excited. Foot TAPPING up a storm.

SONIC
Sal?

She shakes her head.

SALLY
Forget it. Sonic. Time travel
violates all the laws of physics.

SONIC
So's Dulcy's flyin', but that
doesn't stop her. Let's go for it.
Sally rolls her eyes to the heavens.

CUT TO:
EXT. SKY OVER GREAT UNKNOWN - SUNSET
Dulcy flies through the cloud-filled skies, obviously exhausted.
Sonic and Sally on her back. Sonic looks bored. Sally tired.
Ahead are DARK THUNDERHEADS laced with LIGHTNING.

SONIC
Whaddaya think, Dulcy?

DULCY
We're really close. I can feel it.

SALLY
Dulcy, you've said that twenty times today.

Dulcy reacts to something O.S.

HER POV
A glimpse of TREES and a LAKE through a gap in the THUNDERCLOUD.
Cloud closes and it's gone.

DULCY (OS)
I saw it!

BACK TO SHOT
Sally shakes her head.

SALLY
You've said that twenty times, too.

DULCY
This time it's true. Here we go.

DULCY
banks and soars into the THUNDER CLOUD.

INSIDE CLOUD
Visibility is zero. Sonic and Sally jump as LIGHTNING narrowly
misses them.

SONIC
Yo, Dulcy... you sure about this?

DULCY
'Course I'm sure. I saw it!

SALLY
How can you see anything?

DULCY
'Cause I got radar eyes.

Suddenly Dulcy SLAMS into something (a tree) and hovers momentarily
with that goofy stare.

DULCY
Hello, Ma.

She plummets OUT OF SHOT.
SONIC & SALLY
(YELL as they fall)

EXT. FLOATING ISLAND
FOG-SHROUDED GARDEN with a huge tree reaching up into fog. Dulcy
plummets PAST CAMERA. A BEAT, then a HEAVY, O.S. THUD and CAMERA
SHAKE.

DULCY
(big GRUNT as she hits)

DULCY
splayed out flat on the ground, with the goofy expression. Sonic
and Sally cling to her back. Clouds are pea soup thick. LIGHTNING
FLASHES give it eerie look.

SONIC
Nice landin', Dulcy.

DULCY
Thanks, Ma.
She shakes her big head to clear it.

SONIC AND SALLY
hop off Dulcy's back (Sally does a front flip), look around.

SONIC
So whaddaya think, Sal?

SALLY
I think we're back on the ground.
This is not the Floating Island.

DULCY (OS)
Oh, yeah?

They turn as...

DULCY
takes a GIGANTIC INHALE, chest swelling, then EXHALES in a burst of
wind that BLOWS away the fog and reveals...

WIDESHOT

THE FLOATING ISLAND
A beautiful place of winding streams, arched bridges, flowers and
fruit trees. Centered is a PALACE with a "Time" motif of numbers,
sun dials, clock hands, etc., all arranged in a bizarre collage.
ON PALACE TWO STONE PANTHER DEMONS guard either side of the Palace entrance,
a LARGE FACE with open mouth.

SALLY (OS)
Incredible. It's...it's true.

SONIC (OS)
Whoa. Way cool.

CLOSE ON PANTHER DEMONS
As their stone eyes SNAP OPEN and glare toward...

THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS
who are too transfixed by the palace to notice.

SONIC
Okay, Dulce, now where's the ol' Time Stones?

DULCY
Like I know? Probably in the Palace.

DULCY
stretches and YAWNS, wraps her tail around a low-hanging tree
branch and hangs from it upside down. The branch CREAKS under her
weight.

DULCY
I'll just chill right here.
(pause)
(LOUD SNORING)

Sonic and Sally exchange a look. Sally shrugs.

SALLY
She's a growing girl.

EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE - DAY
Wide steps lead to the BIG FACE entrance with the open mouth. The
Panther Demons recline on flanking pedestals at the bottom of the
steps. They watch Sonic and Sally approach from the FOREGROUND.

SONIC
You get the feel in' someone's
watchin' us?

SALLY
You're just imagining things.

THE DEMONS
eyes glow red and a LOW GROWL RUMBLES out of their throats.

SONIC
stops, looks around.

SONIC
What was that?

SALLY
What?

The GROWLS again, but louder now.

SONIC
That.

They both look up at...

THE PANTHER DEMONS
as they come to life in a BLAST of FX and rise to their feet,
revealing long, powerful legs. They GROWL again.

DEMON'S POV
of Sonic and Sally looking up, wide-eyed.

SONIC
(whispers)
Don't move. Maybe they'll go away.

LOW ANGLE ON DEMONS
As they spring from their pedestals right INTO CAMERA, ROARING
their fury.

SONIC (OS)(CONT)
Then again, maybe not. OUTTA HE-ERE!

SONIC
BLASTS OUT OF SHOT, Sally hanging on from behind. The Panther
Demons race after them at UNEARTHLY SPEED.

DULCY
hangs upside-down from her branch, SNORING.

DULCY
(SNORING)

Sonic and Sally STREAK THROUGH SHOT.

SALLY
(shouts)
Dulcy!

Sonic's jet-wash ROCKS Dulcy.

DULCY
(talking in sleep)
It's okay, Ma, there's no school today.

Two PANTHER DEMONS BLAST THROUGH SHOT, ROARING as they go. They
also ROCK Dulcy, who remains asleep.

DULCY (CONT)
(talking in sleep)
Just five more minutes, Ma.

SONIC
reaches the edge of the island, BANKS and TURNS, following the
perimeter. A split-second later, the Panther Demons ENTER AND
FOLLOW, gaining fast.

SALLY
looks back, reacts. The Demons are right on her butt. One BITES
through a strap of her backpack. She looks back.

SALLY
Sonic...faster!

SONIC
pours it on and FLAMES ERUPT from his feet as he pulls away from
the Demons, heading straight for the Island's edge.

SONIC - MOVING
He glances back, flashes that confident grin.

SONIC
Not to worry, Sal. I just had a
brainstorm.

SALLY
Could you make it a hurricane?
We're going to need it.

SONIC
Hang on!

HEAD ON
looking at SAPLING GROWLING AT EDGE OF ISLAND as Sonic streaks
TOWARD CAMERA, Demons coming fast.

SONIC
Digs in and leans back, his feet digging a furrow in the dirt kicking up a DUST CLOUD that
OBSCURES the SAPLING AND THEM as...

THE DEMONS
hit the brakes, too, but can't stop. They slide through the DUST
CLOUD and sail off the edge, disappearing from view.

THE DUST
clears and there's Sonic on his back, feet hanging off the edge.
The sapling, ROOTS EXPOSED, is bent over, stretching down OUT OF
SHOT beside him. Sally is gone. He looks around.

SONIC
(frantic)
Yo, Sal?

SALLY (0S)
(breathless)
Sonic. Downhere.

SALLY
hangs by one hand £rom the sapling, dangling out over space. Her
other hand holds tile backpack by its broken strap. Sonic peers
over the edge. Suddenly, the sapling drops down a few feet as.

SALLY (CONT)
(startled scream)

THE ROOTS
start to tear loose and...

HIGH-ANGLE -SALLY
Holding on Aor dear life as the sapling's roots pull out more
and...

SALLY
(SCREAMS)

FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE

ACT II
FADE IN:

EXT. FLOATING ISLAND - DAY
Sally holds onto the sapling, hanging out over space. Sonic stands
above.

SONIC
I'll get you up, Sal!

THE SAPLINg'S ROOTS
give way some more. Sonic zips behind the tree and strains to pull
it back up.

SONIC
(STRAINS)
Come on! Come on!

No luck. Sapling slips some more.

SALLY (OS)
Sonic! Now would be a good time!

SONIC
Hang in, Sal.

SALLY (OS)
That's exactly what I'm doing.

SONIC
zips to front of tree, puts hands against it.

SONIC
(to himself)
This calls for some serious juice.

SONIC
grits his teetyand REVS HIS FEET, which quickly become a blur.
Dirt flies as lie pushes the sapling back into upright position,
snapping...

SALLY
back up and into the air. She does a back-gainer and lands on her
feet, still holding the backpack. Sonic ZIPS IN.

SONIC
You okay?

SALLY
Fine. Thanks, Sonic.

SONIC
Hey, a heroes work is never done.

SALLY
pulls the ROYAL SIGNET RING from her backpack.

SALLY
Whew! It's still here.

SONIC
reacts to the Royal Ring.

SONIC
The Royal Ring? How come you brought that?

THE PANTHER DEMONS
rise up INTO SHOT behind them, silently beating their wings.

SALLY
Because it's better to have it and
not need it than need it and not
have it when you need it.

The Demons slowly move forward as Sonic SCRATCHES his head, totally
confused.

SONIC
Right.
(pause as he looks O.S.)
Man, I got thfeelin' somethin's
watchin' us again.

A HUGE ROAR from behind that blows Sonic's spikes and Sally's fur.

SALLY
I think you're right.

They wheel around as the Demons lunge and...

SONIC
grabs Sally and BLASTS O.S. as Demons land with a WHUMPH! where
they were standing.

SONIC
streaks across the Floating Island, the Demons up and flying again.
They ROAR.

SALLY
(yells over noise)
Nicole, access data on Time Palace
Demons.

DEMONS
fly above Sonic and Sally, looking down. They DIVE, folding their
wings up.

NICOLE'S
indicator lights FLASH

NICOLE
The Demons are security systems for
exterior purpose's as well as...

SONIC
(interrupts)
Nicole! Give us a clue?

The DEMONS ENTERSHOT behind. them, inches from Sally, HUGE JAWS
SNAPPING.

NICOLE
Enter the Palace.

SONIC
I knew that.

EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE - DAY
They streak up the steps and there's a huge BLAST OF EFX as Sonic
and Sally disappear through the mouth entrance. When the EFX
CLEAR, the Demons are back on their pedestals, stone once again.

CUT TO:

INT. TIME PALACE - DAY
A DARK HALLWAY. Sonic and Sally SKID UP to a BIZARRE, TIME-MOTIF
door. Sally tries the handle, but it's locked. Sonic KNOCKS and
the door EXPLODES OPEN, revealing a huge "M.C. ESCHER-TYPE ROOM"
with a maze of stairways running in strange, impossible directions.

SONIC
I'm gonna fire that travel agent.

SALLY
It's not the cruise I had in mind
either. Come on.

She grabs his hand and they run O.S.

INT. "ESCHER-ROOM' - DAY
Sally and Sonic head up one of the strange stairways in the
"Escher" maze.

SONIC
Where're we goin'?

SALLY
To find the Time Stones. What do
you think?

SONIC
I try not to.

SALLY
And you do it very well.

There's an EFX SPIN and suddenly, they're on another stairway,
standing SIDEWAYS.

SONIC
Man! Where's an elevator when you
need one?

There's another EFX SPIN and they're on a different stairway,
UPSIDE DOWN.

SONIC
Whooa! Major headache.

Another EFX SPIN and they stand at the bottom of a stairway, facing
a SHINING WHITE DOOR. They exchange a look, then Sonic KNOCKS.
DOOR flies off its hinges, disappearing into a SWIRLING RIVER OF
LIGHT that instantly sucks them in.

SONIC/SALLY
(startled yells)

ON LIGHT "WATERFALL"

A waterfall on the "RIVER OF LIGHT". Sonic and Sally tumble into
view and sail over the edge. They fall into a deep well of light
and disappear.

SONIC/SALLY (CONT)
(descending yells)

AT BOTTOM OF WELL
A SWIRLING CHAOS of white light. They drop INTO THE LIGHT, then
suddenly stop, held in mid-air. A glowing door appears
The light disappears in a blink. All we see are Sonic and Sally's eyes.

SONIC
Where the heck are we?

SALLY
Good Question.

SONIC
Thanks. I try.

We HEAR LOW, BASS RUMBLE and the CAMERA SHAKES as it grows in
VOLUME.

SONIC
Here's another good question.
What's that?

Their EYES shift, probing the darkness. Sonic's EYES react,
growing wide as he and Sally become VISIBLE from an INCREASING
GOLDEN GLOW.

SONIC (CONT)
Sal!

SONIC
pushes Sally just as a HUGE GOLDEN PENDULUM SWEEPS THROUGH SHOT,
taking Sonic with it.

SONIC (CONT)
(yells)
Sal!

SALLY (OS)
(yells)
Sonic?

No answer. It grows DARK AGAIN. Sally's eyes glance around
nervously.

SALLY (CONT)
(calls) Sonic?


That LOW BASS RUMBLE again and ANOTHER CAMERA SHAKE. Sally looks
around, trying to see if it's Coming from left or right. Suddenly,
the PENDULUM APPEARS behind ber, Sonic clinging to it.

SONIC
Sal! Grab on!

He GRABS her as it swoops past and O.S.

INT. PALACE - GLOWING LIMBO - DOOR/PLATFORM - DAY

A SPARKLING OCEAN-LIKE LIMBO. Floating above it is a PLATFORM WITH
A GLOWING DOOR. FAST MOVING STAR CONSTELLATIONS above it all. LOW
BASS RUMBLE and tile Pendulum swings UP INTO SHOT, carrying Sonic
and Sally.

SONIC
Now!

They leap off and land on the platform as the pendulum VAPORIZES in
a BLAST OF LIGHT.

SONIC (CONT)
Whose stupid idea way this?

SALLY
Yours.

SONIC
Why'd you listen to me?

SALLY
Another good questions.

SALLY
Inspects the GLOWING DOOR. Sonic raises his hand to knock.

SALLY
Sonic, don't.

He freezes. The DOOR shrinks to a PINPOINT OF GOLDEN LIGHT, then
pops, revealing TWO HUGE EYES that ripple like a water reflection
before coming into FOCUS as the rest of the OWL FACE APPEARS.

TIME KEEPER
I am Keeper of the Time Stones. To
use them you must solve the riddle.

SONIC
A riddle? C'mon, Keep, we're in a
big time hurry and...

TIME KEEPER
(interrupts)
I run and run but cannot flee...

Sonic SNAPS his fingers with inspiration.

SONIC
You're a dog disguised like an owl.

SALLY
Sonic!

TIME KEEPER
I am always watched, yet never see...

SONIC
A seeing eye dog that looks like an owl.

SALLY
Sonic!

TIME KEEPER
When long, I bring boredom, when
short, I bring fear. What am I?

SONIC
Guess "owl" Sal.

She ignores him and thinks. He TAPS his foot, checks his watch.

SALLY
(to herself)
'I run and run but cannot
flee...watched yet never see...'

SONIC
Who can understand this guy? He
talks in riddles...

Sally looks up at the Keeper and smiles.

SALLY
The answer is time.

TIME KEEPER
Correct.

BIG EFX as the TIME KEEPER DISAPPEARS and TWO GLOWING RED STONES
appear in mid-air.

TIME KEEPER (OS)
To reach your time destination,
synchronize your thinking.

SONIC
Synchronize your what?

SALLY
Thinking.
(pause)
For some of us that'll be a first.

SALLY
grasps her glowing Time Stone, Sonic, his.

SALLY
Just concentrate on the 'Palace
Fountain, 3224.' Think of nothing
else.

SONIC
No prob, Sal. Palace Fountain,
3224. Let's bust.

They join hands. A RED EFX SWIRL lifts them as they close their
eyes. We hear their thoughts.

SONIC/SALLY (OS)
(in unison; heavy reverb)
Palace Fountain, 3224. Palace
Fountain, 3224.

SONIC'S eyes pop open as he remembers...

SONIC
(aloud)
Hey, that fountain's near my
favorite chili dog stand...

SALLY
Sonic!

She clamps her hand over his mouth as they disappear in a BURST OF
EXPLODING LIGHT.

CUT TO:
EXT. A DARK ALLEY SOMEWHERE - DAY

A WIND GUST blows dust and paper, then ELECTRICITY CRACKLES just
before Sonic and Sally MATERIALIZE in mid-air. They suddenly drop,
landing on their feet. They look around.

SALLY
Ohmygosh. Where are we?

SONIC
Looks like Robotropolis.

We hear O.S. MECHANICAL SOUNDS APPROACHING, then WHIP-PAN to end Of
alley as TWO SWAT-BOTS hover into view and head right TOWARD
CAMERA.

SONIC
grabs Sally, starts to REV.

SONIC (CONT)
Oh, man. Here we go again.

Too late as the Swat-Bots ENTER SHOT, blocking their EXIT.

SWAT-BOT
Greetings, citizens. Have a nice
day.

They hover on past. Sonic and Sally stare after them, open-mouthed .

SONIC
We gotta check this out.

EXT. ALLEY ENTRANCE - DAY
Sonic and Sally SKID up and peer out into the street.

OTS SONIC AND SALLY
BIG DRAMATIC MUSIC as we look out on MOBOTROPOLIS, the city before
Robotnik. It's beautiful! Day is bright and clear. Terraced
gardens bloom with flowers, fountains, parklands and white-paved
streets. We see Random Populace about the cits.

SALLY
Mobotropolis!
(pause)
Oh, Sonic, isn't it beautiful?

SONIC
Yeah. Better than I remembered.
(points)
Yo! There's the Palace.

POV - THE PALACE GROUNDS
In the center of the sprawling GROUNDS stands the PALACE. Other
buildings rim the perimeter. At one end is the WAR MINISTRY
BUILDING (ROBOTNIK'S FUTURE HQ) WHITE, WITH GOLD TRIM, surrounded
by ornate landscaping.

SONIC AND SALLY
start down the street. Sally gives Sonic a "look."

SALLY
Luckily, your "chili dog"
digression wasn't a problem.

Sonic stops dead, SNIFFS the air as he looks O.S. He grins.

SONIC
(SNIFFS, then:)
Speakin' of chili dogs...

ZIP PAN TO CHILI DOG STAND across the street. A PIG behind the
counter as Sonic ZIPS IN and sits on a stool.

SONIC (CONT)
Doggie with the works, pal.

Sally ENTERS as the Pig slaps a huge, sloppy chili dog down on the
counter. Sonic grabs and opens his mouth to inhale it as Sally
turns at the sound of SONIC'S TRADEMARK WHOOSH APPROACHING.

SALLY (CONT)
Sonic!

Sonic freezes in mid-bite, then Sally pulls him down behind some
white trash cans.

SONIC
Sal! What...?

SALLY
covers Sonic's mouth with her hand. The WHOOSH ends with a LONG
SKID and they slowly raise up to peer out over the trash cans.

YOUNG SONIC (OS)
Doggie with the works, pal.

YOUNG SALLY (OS)
Sonic! That's your third one
today.

THEIR POV
of the 5-year-olds, YOUNG SALLY and YOUNG SONIC at the counter.

YOUNG SONIC
(proud)
I ate ten of 'em yesterday.

YOUNG SALLY
Ten? That's disgusting.

YOUNG SONIC
Not disgusting...cool.

YOUNG SALLY
Disgusting.

SONIC
Cool.

YOUNG SALLY
Double disgusting.

YOUNG SONIC
Triple cool.

YOUNG SALLY
E equals MC squared, disgusting!

YOUNG SONIC
A zillion trillion jillion times cool.

The Pig slaps a chili dog down on the counter.

OTS SONIC AND SALLY
As they watch Young Sonic stuff the entire chili dog in his mouth.

SALLY
Some things never change.

CUT TO:
EXT. PALACE GROUNDS - DAY
State-of-the-art lab filled with electronics and computer
equipment, charts, chalkboards with equations and UNCLE CHUCK,
(younger, not robotisized), hard at work on a large, elaborate
piece Of EQUIPMENT. CIRCUIT BOARDS, WIRES and ELECTRONIC
COMPONENTS are visible through an open access port. Uncle Chuck
eases a circuit board out, then winces as...

YOUNG SONIC (OS)
Nah-uh! You're it, Sal!

YOUNG SALLY
chases Young Sonic into the lab. He's running backwards, not
watching where he's going.

YOUNG SALLY
(yells)
No, I'm not. Sonic Hedgehog! It's
your turn!

UNCLE CHUCK
Children! Children!

YOUNG SONIC
runs INTO SHOT and bashes right into Uncle Chuck. The circuit
board CRASHES to the floor. Young Sonic freezes, staring at the
circuit board.

YOUNG SONIC
Uh-oh...

UNCLE CHUCK
Uh-oh is right, young man. You
know about playing in the lab.

YOUNG SONIC
Yeah. Guess I forgot, Unc.

YOUNG SALLY
We're sorry. Sir Charles.

UNCLE CHUCK
All right, just go outside and play.

They race OUT OF SHOT. Uncle Chuck looks after them, then smiles
and shakes his head.

UNCLE CHUCK (CONT)
(chuckles)
Young rascals.

SONIC (OS)
Yo, Unc?

Uncle Chuck turn to looks O.S. and we WHIP-PAN to Sonic and Sally,
standing in doorway.

SONIC (CONT)
What's up?

SALLY
Hello, Sir Charles.

UNCLE CHUCK
stares in disbelief as we...

WIPE TO:
INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S LAB - DAY
CLOSE ON HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION of Mobotropolis during the coup.
The DIRIGIBLE floats over the city, spreading destruction in it's
wake.

SALLY (OS)
...and Julian has a dirigible that
will destroy Robo...! mean
Mobotropolis...

WIDEN to reveal Sally, Sonic and Uncle Chuck around the hologram.
Chuck stares in disbelief.

UNCLE CHUCK
This is...absolutely horrifying.

SALLY
makes an adjustment on Nicole.

SONIC
Gets uglier, Unc. Robotnik changes
everybody into robots with this
mondo machine.

UNCLE CHUCK
Robotnik?

SONIC
Julian.

SALLY
Show him, Nicole.

NICOLE
Accessing, Sally.

NICOLE
creates hologram of the EARLY ROBOTISIZER. A line of ANIMALS wait
to be robotisized, guarded by Swat-Bots. HOLOGRAM PANS to opposite
end, where Robotisized CREATURES step off the conveyor belt.

SONIC (OS)
Robotnik calls it...

UNCLE CHUCK
is stunned, then nods.

UNCLE CHUCK
(interrupts)
...the Robotisizer. I know. I invented it.

SONIC AND SALLY
react, shocked.

SONIC
Whoa, Unc. You invented it?

FAVORING HOLOGRAM - TO INCLUDE OTHERS
Uncle Chuck nods as he stares at the image.

UNCLE CHUCK
It was supposed to help old people live longer. But it changed
them...took away their will, so I destroyed the machine.

SALLY
Then how did Robotnik...?

UNCLE CHUCK
Good question.

He goes to computer terminal, taps keys. On SCREEN above, we
see..."FILES TRANSFERRED TO WAR MINISTRY."

SONIC
(reads)
'Files transferred to War Ministry?'

UNCLE CHUCK
Julian stole them. This is serious.

SONIC
No prob, Unc. We got a whole week to stop him.

All REACT as we hear SONIC'S APPROACHING WHOOSH, then a LONG SKID.
YOUNG SONIC AND YOUNG SALLY
stand in the doorway looking puzzled.

YOUNG SONIC
Who are you?

UNCLE CHUCK
motions the kids in. As they run INTO SHOT...

UNCLE CHUCK
Sonic, Princess Sally, these are my friends...uh...

SALLY
I'm...Alicia.

YOUNG SALLY
That's my middle name!

SALLY
Oh, really?

Young Sonic TAPS his foot, looks up at Sonic.

YOUNG SONIC
So what's your name?

SONIC
My name...it's uh...Juice. Call me Juice.

UNCLE CHUCK
He's a distant cousin.

YOUNG SONIC
Are you pretty fast?

SONIC
They don't call me 'Juice' 'cause I like oranges.

YOUNG SONIC
Bet I'm faster.

SONIC
No way.

YOUNG SONIC
Way! Let's do it to it.

SALLY AND YOUNG SALLY
both roll their eyes to the heavens.

YOUNG SALLY (OS)
So immature.

SALLY
Very astute.

YOUNG SONIC
REVS up.

YOUNG SONIC
Race you to the chili dog stand!

SONIC
You're on.

Both REV in place.

SONIC/YOUNG SONIC
Eat my dust!

WIDE
As they blast OUT OF SHOT. Papers fly as Sally, Uncle Chuck and
Young Sally grab onto the benches to keep from being blown away by
their backwash. PUSH IN ON SALLY as she recovers.

SALLY
Oh great. Two of them.

CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - CHILI DOG STAND - DAY
We hear DOUBLE APPROACHING WHOOSH then Young Sonic and Sonic SKID
INTO SHOT and hop on the stools in perfect synchronization.

SONIC/YOUNG SONIC
(to pig)
Chili dog with the works, pal.

The Pig slaps two chili dogs on the counter. They jam them into
their mouths, then jump off the stools.

YOUNG SONIC
Race ya back!

They both REV in place.

SONIC
Go! !

They BLAST OUT OF SHOT.

CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - DAY
A formation of HOVER-UNITS and HOVER-TANKS escorted by Swat-Bots,
RUMBLE down the street. We hear DOUBLE APPROACHING WHOOSH. Sonic
and Young Sonic BLAST INTO SHOT. They SKID to a stop, stare at the formation.

YOUNG SONIC
What's goin' on. Juice?

SONIC
I dunno kid, but it's not good. C'mon.

They BLAST OUT OF SHOT.

CUT TO:
INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S LAB - DAY
Uncle Chuck, Sally and Young Sally. We hear APPROACHING WHOOSH as
the two Sonics SKIDS INTO SHOT, Young Sonic a step ahead of Sonic.

YOUNG SONIC
Pretty fast, Mr. Juice, but I'm faster.

SONIC
Too fast for me, kid.

YOUNG SONIC
Don't feel bad. You're just old. See ya.

He and Young Sally run O.S. Sonic turns to Chuck and Sally.

SONIC
looks worried.

SONIC
Sal, somethin's up. There's Hover- Units and tanks all
over the place. Looks like the coup's already started.

SALLY
But it couldn't...
(suddenly alarmed)
Sir Charles, what's today's date?

UNCLE CHUCK
It's the thirteenth.

SALLY
The thirteenth? Oh no! The coup happens tonight!

On their shocked reactions, we...
FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO

ACT III
FADE IN:
INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S LAB - DAY
Sonic and Young Sonic DRUM their fingers and TAP their feet in
perfect sync. Uncle Chuck checks his watch, while Young Sally and
Sally look on.

SONIC
Yo, Unc...where is she?

YOUNG SONIC
Where's who?

UNCLE CHUCK
She'll be here. She's very prompt.

YOUNG SONIC
Who is?

SONIC
But it could happen anytime!

YOUNG SONIC
Juice, what could happen?

UNCLE CHUCK
We can't leave the children...

KNOCK at the door. Chuck opens it, revealing
ROSIE, a middle-aged chipmunk dressed as a NANNY. She carries a
picnic basket and escorts YOUNG ANTOINE, BUNNIE (NO ROBOTISIZED
ARMS OR LEGS) AND ROTOR.

ROSIE
Come along, children. Good
morning. Sir Charles, I...

The Kids all charge in past her.

UNCLE CHUCK
Rosie, please come in.

She enters. Chuck SLAMS the door, locks it. She looks at him strangely.

ROSIE
Is something wrong?

UNCLE CHUCK
(quietly)
I can't explain now, but if
anything unusual happens today, I
want you to use the tunnel and take
the children to Knothole. Understand?

Rosie nods, her eyes wide.

EXT. WAR MINISTRY BUILDING - DAY
CAMERA MOVES IN for CLOSER LOOK at Robotnik's future HQ. The
rooftop dome is a huge HANGAR. We hear the hiss of gas.

ROBOTNIK (OS)
More Pressure!

INT. ROOF HANGAR - DAY
Where a HUGE, high-tect DIRIGIBLE sits, Its GASBAG
INFLATING, slowly revealing the DIRGIBLE'S GONDOLA. It's a nightmare of
technology, with PARABOLIC DISHES pointing in all directions.
WORKER-BOTS are busy at various tasks, But we can't tell what they are doing.

ROBOTNIK (OS)(CONT)
I want all engine tests completed within the hour.

PAN TO ROBOTNIK (JULIAN, IN MILITARY UNIFORM, NO ROBOTISIZED ARM)
standing near a door. SNIVELY (YOUNGER, WITH HAIR) holds a
PORTABLE COMPUTER. He ENTERS DATA.

SNIVELY
We still need to be retrofit the
Peace-Bots with laser weapons.

ROBOTNIK
glares down at Snively.

ROBOTNIK
Thank you, dear nephew.

SNIVELY
By this time tomorrow. Uncle
Julian, Mobotropolis will be ours!

ROBOTNIK
shoots Snively an evil glare, then looks up at a BLANK MONITOR
above a huge computer console.

ROBOTNIK
Switch to voice recognition mode.
Block all outside users.

COMPUTER
Voice recognition made complete.

Snively ENTERS SHOT, watches as the MONITOR LIGHTS UP. We see
COMPUTER DISPLAY REPRESENTATIONS OF WEAPONRY.

SNIVELY
Why are we voice activating. Uncle Julian?

ROBOTNIK
grabs Snively by the collar, lifts him nose-to-nose.

ROBOTNIK
We aren't. Now, everything answers
only to my voice. Do you know what
that means, Snively?

SNIVELY
No, Uncle Julian.

ROBOTNIK
I don't want anyone to know we're
related, Snively...call me Sir.
SNIVELY
No, Sir.
ROBOTNIK
I am in charge, Snively, and from
now on you will do exactly what I say.

SNIVELY
Yes...Sir.

We hear a LOUD WARNING BUZZER. .The MONITOR PICTURE CHANGES to that
of A REGAL MAN wearing a simple CROWN.

SNIVELY
Sir, it's the King.

CUT TO:
INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S LAB/HOUSE - DAY
Young Sally, YOUNG ANTOINE, YOUNG ROTOR, YOUNG BUNNIE
and Young Sonic sit in a circle on the floor. In the B.G., Rosie
pulls items from a cupboard and packs them into travel bags.

YOUNG SONIC
(whispers)
...so somethin's goin' on
and we gotta check it out.

YOUNG ANTOINE
(too loud)
But we will get in the big triple.

YOUNG SONIC
(whispers)
I'm goin' anyway. Who's with me?

YOUNG SALLY
Sonic, Uncle Chuck said to stay
with Rosie.

YOUNG SONIC
Aw, he always says that. C'mon, we
gotta go.

He sneaks a peek at Rosie, then Crawls Zips away.

THE OTHER KIDS
exchange looks, then...

YOUNG SALLY
(whisper)
Sonic, wait for us.

She follows Young Sonic OUT OF SHOT, Young Bunnie and Rotor right
behind her. Young Antoine looks around fearfully, then crawls
quickly after them.

YOUNG ANTOINE
(whispers)
Please to be waiting for me, thank you

CUT TO:
INT. ,ROBOTNIK'S WAR ROOM - DAY
Similar to his present-day WaryRoom, but not as dark. Also, no
large CONTROL CHAIR. Robotnik paces, then turns as the KING walks
in. He's TALL, STATELY, BROAD-CHESTED and COURTLY. He wears a
simple GOLD CROWN and has a major family resemblance to Sally.
He's angry as he sweps into the room.

KING
Julian!

Robotnik bows.

ROBOTNIK
Sire.

KING
Understand that I am grateful for
your leadership during the Great
War but I will not have my orders disobeyed.

ROBOTNIK
Sire, I have followed all your orders

KING
Then explain why military equipment
remains on the streets?

ROBOTNIK
peers through slitted eyes.

ROBOTNIK
Sire, the machines will be recalled shortly.

KING
I want them recalled now. We've
had enough war.

ROBONIK
It shall be done. Sire.

The King storms out the door. Robotnik crosses to the computer
console.

ROBOTNIK
So, he's had his fill of war? What a pity...
since a new one is about to begin.
(to computer) Computer... ready Palace attack force.

CUT TO:
EXT. PALACE - DAY
It's beautiful. White, trimmed in gold. Fountains surround the
imposing entrance.

SONIC (OS)
Chill, Sal, everything's gonna be cool.

INT. PALACE - WAITING ROOM - DAY
A marble-floored simple room with white-cushioned benches. For
once, Sonic sits and DRUMS his fingers, watching Sally pace.

SALLY
I know, I know. It's just that I
haven't seen him for so long...

SONIC
It's what you've been waitin' for, Sal. .

SALLY
stops, crosses her arms across her chest as
a tear rolls down her cheek.

SALLY
(SNIFFLING)
Sonic puts an arm around her.

SONIC
Trust me, Sal. It'll be way cool.

A DOOR
opens and Uncle Chuck looks out.

UNCLE CHUCK
He'll see us now.

SALLY
is excited as she arranges her hair. Sonic takes one hand.

SONIC
Ready?

She nods and they walk hand in hand through the doorway.

CUT TO:
EXT. PALACEA- DAY
The flowering bushes shake, then the kids, led by Young Sonic, dart
from one bush to another. Young Antoine gets his coat stuck on
some thorns as we hear THRUST BLASTS FROM JET ENGINES.

YOUNG ANTOINE
Wait! I am sticking!

Three sets of hands appear and yank him into the bush.

YOUNG ANTOINE (CONT)
Ahhh!

Young Sonic's EYES appear above the bush. They grow WIDE as he
grazes O.S.

YOUNG SONIC
Wow!

HIS POV
As HOVER-UNITS land in the Palace Square. PORTS OPEN and Swat-Bots
hover out, moving in Military formation, Preparing for war

BACK TO SHOT
Young Sonic and Young Sally peer out fearfully.

WIDEN
As hovering Swat-Bots sweep down INTO SHOT, surround the bushes and
grab the Kids.

KIDS
(panicked SCREAMS)
WHIP-PAN TO ROSIE, running toward the Kids. She stops and ducks
behind a tree as a Swat-Bot passes. She watches a moment,
horrified, then runs ducks into a heavy clump of bushes.

CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL CHAMBER - DAY
CLOSE ON KING seated on his throne.

KING
Julian plotting against the throne?

PULL OUT TO REVEAL Royal Chamber. THE THRONE dominates room.
Typical Royalty stuff, banners, tapestries, carpet leading to
throne and SEVERAL GUARDS. Uncle Chuck stands nearest the King.
Sonic and Sally farther back.

KING (CONT)
These are A serious allegations. Sir
Charles. I assume you have proof?

Uncle Chuck looks nervously back at Sonic and Sally.

UNCLE CHUCK
For reasons I cannot explain at the
moment. Sire, I do not have proof.

KING
You have my utmost respect. Sir
Charles, but...

SALLY (OS)
(interrupts)
Your majesty!

THE KING
looks up as Sally steps forward. He studies her, eyes narrowing.
A BEAT of silence, then Sally moves closer.

SALLY (CONT)
(softly)
Daddy...it's me.

The King rises, his eyes riveted on Sally.

KING
Sally?

SALLY
Yes, Daddy.

The King looks to Uncle Chuck.

KING
Charles?

UNCLE CHUCK
Yes, Sire, it is the Princess.

The King looks back at Sally, who holds up her hand.

INSERT SHOT - SALLY'S HAND
The Signet Ring on her finger. King's HAND ENTERS SHOT and takes hers.

BACK TO SHOT
The King looks up from Ring, studies her intently.

KING
(whispers) -
What were your mother's last words to you?

SALLY
Rule with honor.

KING
Sally!

They embrace. PUSH IN ON SALLY'S FACE. Tears run down her cheeks.
She pulls away.

SALLY
Daddy, Julian is going to take
over. He's...

WIDE
As six Swat-Bots SMASH THROUGH the doors and SWARM INTO THE ROOM.
They quickly surround the King and Sally, wrist-lasers armed and ready.

BOT #1
Freeze. You are now our prisoners.

SONIC
Starts to REV. Uncle Chuck stops him.

UNCLE CHUCK
Wait, Sonic. I have an idea.

Uncle Chuck WHISPERS to Sonic, who nods, looks concerned.

SONIC
What are you gonna do, Unc?

UNCLE CHUCK
Some things are meant to be. Sonic.

They hug, then Chuck suddenly bolts O.S.

THREE SWAT-BOTS
streak after Uncle Chuck as he runs for the door, leaving two Swat-
Bots holding the King. Sonic STREAKS INTO SHOT, grabs Sally and
takes off.

THE SWAT-BOTS
blast lasers at Sonic and Sally as they race out the door and O.S.

ALARMS SOUND.
EXT. PALACE GROUNDS - DAY
Sonic streaks past Swat-Bots, running at "Super-Sonic-Speed,"
dodging laser blasts. He ROARS out the main entrance and into the street.

EXT. MOBOTROPOLIS STREET - DAY
As Sonic and Sally ROAR past the Pig in the chili dog stand.

INT. UNCLE CHUCK'S LAB/HOUSE - DAY
Sonic SKIDS INTO SHOT, looks around.

SALLY
They're gone!

SONIC
Maybe Rosie already took 'em to Knothole.

Suddenly, Swat-Bots BUST THROUGH the doors and walls, quickly
surrounding Sonic and Sally.

CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY
Sally and Sonic, hands manacled, are escorted down a line of cells
brimming with prisoners. They pass one cell containing the Kids.

YOUNG SONIC
Juice. You gotta help us.

SONIC
Hang in. Kids. We'll get you out.

THE BOTS
stop before empty cell, unlock the door.

SALLY
(low)
Sonic, if we don't free Little
Sonic and Sally, they'll be
robotisized, which means...

SONIC
We'll be robotisized?

SALLY
Worse. We won't exist.

They're shoved into the cell and the big door CLANGS shut behind them.

FADE OUT.
END PART ONE