BOOMER ZONE

Part 2 - X3's Obsession

New York City, USA

8:57 pm (GMT)

Across the biggest duck pond in the world lay America, home of Thanksgiving and Congress. A popular tourist location for depressed foreigners all over the world, the States had recently been home to a terrible bout of terrorism. A horrific attack was carried out on the World Trade Centre, leaving thousands dead. To this day, officials blamed the attack on leaders of the Taliban, an Eastern organization. However, the truth lay much closer to home. In the suburbs of the city lived an unprecidentally large building. The residents of the surrounding area were bemused at the appearance of this oddity, though none did nothing to question it's owners. Those walking by often were too busy with their own daily hassles to care for the sign hung above the looming entrance. Sonic the Comic Online - US Division.

An odd teenager lay on top of his feather bed, controller in hand. Painted black and blue in bruises from an unstable childhood, Shadic was always happy when he was allowed to play his Mega CD. Eyes transfixed on the TV screen, he cared little for the fact that Sonic CD was a sub-standard game. He was just in glee that he had opportunities that he never once had. However, this happy occasion was about to be rudely interrupted. The console atop of the TV began jumping wildly and pictures of flowers and cute, woodland creatures began falling off the wall. The expression of enjoyment on Shadic's face soon turned to one of dread. Putting the controller firmly down on the masculine, yet pink, carpet, he leapt off the bed and wrapped himself behind the curtains. The rumbles got bigger and Shadic knew he was about to die. Suddenly, the sttel door flew off it's hinges and a menacing figure grunted and wheezed at the entrance.

"SHADIC!!!"

Shadic peeked one of his eyes around the curtain. "J-Jamie?" he whimpered.

The menacing figure in the doorway was none other than Jamie Lee. Wrapped in 4 layers of clothing and donning a cowboy hat, she was hot and frustrated. Shadic could see that her left hand was slowly, but surely, destroying a Sonic plushie in her rage and if Jamie had any possibilty to have a raging element inside her eyes, then fire would be there right now.

"Shadic, this has got to be sorted, NOW!"

"I don't...understand, Jamie," said a confused Shadic as he found the courage to reveal himself.

"I'm going crazy!" confessed Jamie. "We're down to our last member and I have no-one to release my frustation on!!"

Shadic knew that the next victim would be himself and was quick to respond.

"Then we must get new members! Ones that will be loyal and happy to be victimised."

"I've already thought of that, numbnuts!" growled Jamie. "I'm in the process of setting up a link to STC-O in the United Kingdom that'll allow them to send unwanted slaves to us for our....enjoyment!" Jamie cackled. She cackled so much that she nearly fell over backwards. Shadic was even more petrified.

"T-then...why are you here?" asked Shadic, confused.

"Well, for your your unnecessary information, I..."

But Jamie Lee was cut short by an ear-shattering explosion down the corridor from Shadic's room. With a quick glance of recognition to Shadic, Jamie stormed her way through the wreckage of Shadic's doorway, and Shadic himself was following at her heels.

The Training Centre of the US STC-O was of the highest quality. Many fine warriors had been trained here and passed on to the armies of America where they were soon destroyed by rebel forces. Trophies won by outstanding STC-O fighters were adorned on the walls and in gleaming display cases. Through the speakers in the top corners of the room, One Winged Angel played to encourage spirit in the heart of battle. However, all it did was make listeners more eager to escape battle and play on FInal Fantasy VII. The shiny, titanium doors, perfectly kept since the days they were installed, opened to reveal a concerned Shadic and Jamie. As soon as the doors were less than an eighth open, the unfortunate situation was presented to them. Their eyes were trained at the burning mass of an unlucky STC-O combatant, roasted alive at the hands of a demon. Above him hovered a vengeful hedgehog; eyes swirling, spikes upraised and purple shoes spotless. SuperSonicChaos2 had caused the untimely death of another innocent civilian.

"SSC2, what did he do!?" gasped Jamie as she carefully made her way over to the demon.

"He..grrr..he...."

"Go on."

"He.......HE SPOKE IN L33T!!" cried SSC2 in agony.

Shadic lowered his head in respect and shed a tear for the catastrophe. Surely he must have known of SSC2's inability to read the heathen language?

"Then there's no-one left..." replied Jamie in disbelief. "We're the only three left."

"Jamie. The link!" perked up Shadic.

Strange desert location, England.

2:02am (GMT)

Everyone in the complex were fast asleep. A long day of punishment and coffee had driven everyone, the 'mods' and the slaves, to a peaceful night's sleep. In a medium-sized room to the east of the centre lay a rather overlooked member. A guard, he was often overlooked by the other 'moderators' and wasn't given the full abilities that were blessed upon him. Chaos X3 lay sound asleep like all the others, happy knowing that while he was in this other world he couldn't be hassled by anyone, wouldn't have hundreds of useless Boomers repeatedly nagging him for release. The peace wasn't to last, though.

A red light began to flash above X3's mirror and an ungodly racket was boomed out through his control panel. Removing the pearly blindfold from his eyes, an obviously irritated X3 threw back his covers and made his way through the dark to his bedside cabinet. Randomly pressing a button in front of him, the mirror suddenly merged into an image of Jamie Lee.

"X3, are you there? I can't see you!!" cried Jamie, frantically.

"Go away, Jamie," sighed X3. "Hassle Ed or Mike."

"No, Chaos, don't go! The link's ready!"

"Is this really something that couldn't wait until morning?"

"I'm going CRAZY!!"

Chaos X3 let out a large cry and prized his eyes open to avoid falling asleep. Fortunately, with his eyes close to exploding, he managed to see a number of animals running past the now-open door. After a second of calculation, he realised that it was Arch the fox, along with the jailed Team Darkers.

"Sorry, Jamie, this'll have to wait 'till morning!"

"No, Chaos! DON'T LEAVE ME!!" screamed Jamie.

Armed with his favourite ninja socks, Chaos X3 leapt out of his room. Surprised that they had encountered another enemy, Arch and his merry crew spun around. The escapees behind him ranged vastly in appearance and orientation. There was Oz, the aforementioned crocodile/hedgehog hybrid, standing tall and sporting a fetching gold chain around his gold neck. Beside him stood Lakit and Derek the Chao. When she was captured, she had not time to remove her unmistakeable lab coat and, therefore, looked a mess. Also there was Blizzard, an Echidnahog with grafted arm cannon. His fiery-red quills hung low beside his face and his grin revealed a set of very healthy, sharp teeth. Taller than the lot of them was Omega, a highly intelligent E-Series robot with a high tendency to speak l33t. Arch turned to his team.

"You guys stay out of this. I'll show ya what I can do!" cheered Arch. Blizzard stepped forward to challenge.

"I'm going to help you too, Arch!" Blizzard growled.

"I-I'm sorry, but you just can't."
"Why not?"
"Because you're an angsty freak of nature that'll get his soppy ass kicked within 5 seconds because he can't tell a rocket launcher from a standard toilet! GET OUT OF MY FACE!!"

Blizzard lowered his head and stepped back into the group.

Arch stood face to face with his assailant.

"You shouldn't have come back, Arch!" growled X3.

"No weapons, Chaos? No wonder none of the other mods like you."

X3 felt a huge twinge in his heart at this and charged at him, teeth glaring. Upon his arrival, Arch leapt into the air and thrusted his foot at X3's face. Unfortunately, Chaos was much faster than the fox and managed to grab hold of the oncoming weapon. Spinning Arch around in a large circle, X3 soon build up enough strength to let Arch go and hurled him straight at his friends, causing them all to topple.

"Wouldn't have thought of you as a coward, Chaos!" Arch growled as he sped towards him. However, Chaos' arms were much longer and Arch quickly felt a blow to his face, causing him to fall to the floor. Before he had time to wipe the blood from his nostrils and gums, he was kicked in the cheek. Arch was barely conscious now as X3 repeatedly kicked Arch in the ribs and kidneys, despite several pleas from the side. Just before he killed Arch, X3 noticed something in the corner of his eye.

Team Dark were just finding their feet after the last attack and were horrified at poor Arch's treatment. But X3 stopped, and turned to face Lakit.

"P-p-p-PURPLE!!" cried Chaos X3 spontaneously. With that, he began a supersonic run towards her. Lakit's face turned to despair as Chaos leapt at her and proceeded to glomp her. And glomp her insanely.

"Quick, let's get out of here!" yelled Arch.

"But what about Lakit?" asked Oz. "We can't just leave her here to be glomped!"

"It's something she'd be happy to sacrifice for the good of the Team!" replied Arch, fists clenched.

"GUYS!!" screamed Lakit as the other 4 speeded away.

"Consider yourself nailed, X3!" Arch laughed as they crashed through the exit to their escape.