Recap / Freedom Fighters NEO Sonic Battle

Freedom Fighters NEO: Sonic Battle is an eight chapter adaptation of Sonic Battle.
Chapter 1: Sonic: In the prologue, Dr. Koopa and Metallix find an ancient ruin, belonging to the Nocturnus Clan. There, they find a prophecy: "Show me your power, or I shall not obey. I represent all things, and shall become *&&X%, conquerer of all." Realizing the prophecy is talking about the masterpiece of the Nocturnus Clan, the Gizoid, Dr. Koopa tries to salvage it to remove their destructive programming. Unfortunately, all Gizoid were gone, although the strongest Gizoid, Prefect Typhos, disappeared only recently. The scene changes to reveal that Robotnik found Typhos, and was intending to use him for his plans. However, Typhos wouldn't do what Robotnik ordered him to do, causing Robotnik to throw Typhos in a river that was leading to the Lake of Rings, in Knothole Village.
Sonic finds Typhos on the Shore of the Lake. Typhos says: "Show.. power... OR I sh...all ob...ey... Sha...ll conqu...ra...ll..." Sonic, comprehending it as Typhos wanted a taste of his power, beats Typhos, unwittingly forging a Link. Sonic takes Typhos to Tails, Uncle Chuck's apprentince, but Metallix got in the way, demanding Sonic to hand Typhos over. Sonic refuses, and the two get in a fight, which Sonic wins, although Metallix makes it clear he was holding back. Sonic hands over Typhos to Tails and Uncle Chuck so they could analyze him. He goes on a run, but encounters Rouge, who for some reason wants Typhos. Sonic and Rouge fight, and Sonic wins. When he returns to Uncle Chuck's lab (not before fighting a robot called E-120 Phi, which Sonic sees as an evil brother of his friend Gamma), Sonic learns that Typhos can copy action from others, and that he's powered by Chaos Emeralds. For the latter reason, Sonic rechristens Typhos as "Emerl". Another Phi (Phi was, for some reason, mass-produced) attacks Tails' home, but is destroyed by the combine efforts of Sonic, Tails and Emerl. The three decide to visit Knuckles, but they find Gamma begging some other 4 E-Series to "delete the Master Registration Program". When questioned, Gamma explained the child he guards, Cream (who Sonic remembers as Johnny Lightfoot's daughter) already convinced 3 of the robots (E-103 Delta, E-104 Epsilon and E-105 Zeta) to delete the Master Registration Program, and the four of them were trying to convince the last one, E-117 Sigma. Since Sigma was refusing, the 7 fought Sigma, but upon Sigma's destruction, Sigma reveals that he actually is the Master Registration Program. The gang defeats Sigma, who runs away. Sonic, Tails and Emerl found The Chaotix, and while Julie-Su didn't like Emerl, who she reveals that he was create by the Nocturnus Clan, an enemy of the Dark Legion, the Chaotix agree to help them, giving Emerl a Chaos Emerald. Then, Emerl become a le to talk, but he speaks only a few words, repeating them.
Chapter 2: Tails:
Chapter 3: Rouge:
Chapter 4: Knuckles:
Chapter 5: Sally:
Chapter 6: Cream:
Chapter 7: Metallix:
Chapter 8: Emerl:

This story arc contains examples of:

• Adaptational Alternate Ending: See Spared By Adaptation below.
• Adaptational Heroism: Gamma (as well as Delta, Epsilon and Zeta). Gamma's role is taken by Sigma.
• Adaptational Wimp: In the game, Sonic can singlehandedly destroy Emerl. Here, Sonic is curb-stomped by Golden Master Emerl, with Sonic assisted by Sally and the both of them into their Cybernik Armors.
• Adapted Out: Shadow. His role is taken by Metallix.
• Aesop Amnesia: During the Sonic Adventure 2 arc, Exeller told Robotnik that no matter what he does, he will eventually lose. This was when Exeller made Robotnik's Near-Villain Victory be for nothing; here, Robotnik has another Near-Villain Victory, and has a Villainous Breakdown when Emerl's Lingering Will appears.
• All Your Powers Combined: Emerl has the ability to copy attacks from whoever he fights. By the end of the last chapter, he has abilities from every other character in the arc.
• And the Adventure Continues: In The Stinger we see that Emerl's Lingering Will met up with Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy, setting the events for the adaptation of Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories.
• Anti Anti Christ: Emerl is a Gizoid, a robot designed to mimic any combat technique he sees, and is able to do so with terrifying efficiency. Upon obtaining all seven Chaos Emeralds he's supposed to pretty much annihilate civilization. He's also raised by the good guys and slowly mimics bits of each of their personalities as well — the result is a lovable Nice Guy who calls Sally "Mom", helps out around Tails's lab, ribs Knuckles for being dense, and is fiercely protective of his friends.
• Apocalyptic Log: The excerpts from Professor Gerald's journals, detailing how he found Emerl and the ensuing consequences.
• Bad "Bad Acting": Sigma during Knuckles' chapter.
  Sigma: "I must retreat to Gimme Shelter. THEY'LL NEVER FIND MY HIDEOUT AT GIMME SHELTER, LOCATED IN NIGHT BABYLON!
• Batman Gambit: Although it doesn't start off that way, when Robitnik realises Sonic has no idea of what Emerl really is, he comes up with one. If Sonic and his pals don't get killed fighting Sigma, then they've collected the scattered Chaos Emeralds and turned Emerl into a killing machine that can destroy the Freedom Fighters for him. It's actually one of Robotnik's better plans, despite being Out-Gambitted.
• Betty and Veronica: Of course, it ain't Sonally without Sonic and Sally shifting between who's the Archie and who's the Betty. This time, Sonic's Archie and Sally's Betty, with Amy as Veronica and with their dynamic being most obvious in Sally's chapter. Of course, Amy think she's the Betty and Sally's the Veronica, but she's obviously wrong.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Cream and Emerl. The former will never fight, no matter what the situation. Of course when the need arises, she will step in to help, but will let Cheese perform all her aggressive attacks.
• Bittersweet Ending: The world is saved and Emerl is alive, but his body is under Robotnik's control. Thankfully, his Lingering Will was wandering various worlds, including Castle Oblivion, were he met Sora, Kairi, Donald, Goofy and Jiminy.
• Character Development: Emerl. He starts as a nigh-voiceless generic killbot whose only notable detail is his ability to copy other characters' abilities. His interactions with the cast cause him to copy aspects of their personalities as well, and eventually blends them into a complete emergent personality.
• Chekhov's Gun: The Final Egg Blaster, which is hinted at in such a throw-away manner that even the cast forgets about it.
• Comically Missing the Point: Tails says Emerl is Sonic's baby in a figurative sense, but Dr. Koopa takes it literally. Of curse, if he didn't, he wouldn't have Out-Gambitted Robotnik.
• Do Androids Dream?: Emerl grows a heart during the arc.
• Expy: Sigma is more or less one towards the caracter with the same name from Mega Man X.
• Flanderization: Amy's Clingy Jealous Girl tendencies are exaggerated significantly.
• Foreshadowing: Emerl's first statement he made to Sonic. "Show me your power. Or I shall not obey. I represent all things, and shall become the Golden Master, the conquerer of all..."
  • Knuckles says that Chaos' arriving must mean some disaster is waiting to happen, which most players would assume is Eggman related. The "disaster" in question turns out to be Emerl-related instead.
• Freak Out: Emerl suffers this after witnessing the Final Egg Blaster destroy a system of stars.
• Gotta Catch Them All: Most of the arc involves collecting seven Chaos Emeralds (and their shards) to power up Emerl.
• Hijacked by Ganon: Knuckles' chapter implies that Sigma is the Big Bad, but Emerl's chapter reveals Sigma was just another pawn in Robotnik's plans, being The Dragon controlling the Phis.
• I'll Never Tell You What I'm Telling You!: Invoked near the end of Knuckles' chapter by Sigma to lure the former and Emerl to Gimme Shelter. See Bad "Bad Acting".
• Jerkass Has a Point: Metallix ends up in being correct ultimately; Emerl was too dangerous and ultimately the Freedom Fighters found no option but to destroy him. If it wasn't for Emerl's Lingering Will, Robotnik would have won.
• Magnetic Hero: Emerl. Almost everyone takes a shining to him, leading to a few Enemy Mine fights.
• Mecha-Mooks: The E-121 Phis and the Guard Robos. The former are controller by Sigma.
• Mood Whiplash: The last chapter, in comparison with the lighter tone of the previous chapters.
• My Friends... and Zoidberg: In the last chapter, as Emerl remembers everyone and the good times he shared with them, it's pretty noticeable that he neglects to mention Rouge.
• Not-So-Harmless Villain: Dr. Robotnik. He spends much of the game planning something but not really accomplishing anything, until the last chapter, where he corrupts Emerl.
• Out-Gambitted: Dr. Koopa beats Robotnik's Batman Gambit with a Xanatos Gambit he made after Comically Missing the Point.
• Palette Swap: Guard Robos and Phis are gray knockoffs of the E-100 Series and Emerl, respectively.
• Pet the Dog: Rouge is the one who discovers how to free Emerl from his destructive programming, and she immediately relays the information to everyone else.
• Power Copying: Emerl copies the battle techniques of others, usually by winning fights.
• The Power of Hate: When everything else fails, Emerl uses this to create his Lingering Will.
• Prepare to Die: This is what Robotnik says at the beginning of his fight against Emerl in the Death Egg.
• Secondary Character Title: It's called Sonic Battle, but the story focuses on Emerl more than him.
• Shipper on Deck: Obviously, Dr. Koopa is shown shipping Sonic and Sally. In fact, after Comically Missing the Point, he decide to convine Emerl that Sally is his mom as part of his Gambit Roulette.
  • Eventually, Emerl become a Sonally shippers himself.
• Shoot the Dog: Metallix thinks Emerl should be destroyed for everyone's sake. Also, when Robotnik corrupts Emerl, Sonic and Sally try (and fail) to destroy Emerl themselves.
• Shout-Out:
  • In Chapter 2, when Sally asks Metallix if there is another way to prevent Emerl from going Maverick other than destroying him, Metallix replies with one of cinema's most famous lines.
  Metallix: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
  • In Chapter 5, after Emerl and Sally leave Gimme Shelter after defeating Sigma, we get this line:
  Emerl: "We came, we saw, we kicked their sissy butts!"
  • The battle between Emerl and Metallix in Metallix's chapter before Dr. Koopa insert the passcode he tinkered with to ensure Robotnik won't destroy Emerl's heart has one to Kingdom Hearts coded. Metallix tells Emerl the latter knows nothing but to hurt others, and Emerl replies by saying he knows that this War with Robotnik hurts his friends, but he accept it as a reality. Metallix's reply?
  Metallix: "You... accept it? Heh... don't make me laugh... It's time you learned what REAL pain feels like!"
  • The final battle is this, as well as Narm and Hilarious in Hindsight, since Emerl pulled a Terra, and later met Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy, setting up the adaptation of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.
    • The battle between Emerl's Lingering Will and the newly-formed Gemerl is made better by the usage of edited BBS lines:
  Robotnik: "Even when you're reduced to mere thoughts, even when I shattered all hopes of the Freedom Fighters - YOU STILL DARE TO DEFY ME?!"
  Emerl: "Mom, Dad... One day, I will set this right."
  • Emerl's recording în the epilogue is one to Ninjago episode" The Message".
  Emerl: "Greetings, friend. If you're hering this, then the doctor has failed. My name is Emerl Acorn. I am a weapon of mass destruction trying to get rid of his destructive programming. I hope the doctor's plan will succeed. He believe my interacționa with the being known as "The Freedom Fighters" are making me grow a heart, and is tinkering with a code that's supposed to override my destructive programming. If the doctor's calculations are correct, I should be fine. But if anything goes wrong, please relay this message. This is the last message of Emerl, Prince of the Acorn Kingdom, son of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sally Acorn, apprentince of Metallix the Metal Sonic. I was raised to be a Freedom Fighter. I have the best family one could ask for. My only regret is that I didn't say this earlier... Cream... I love you. Goodbye."
• Slice of Life: The story has this type of vibe with each character in their individual stories develop a bond with Emerl. Subverted in Emerl's story.
• Small Role, Big Impact: Shadow is one of the least important characters, the only one less important than him being Rouge, but Metallix, who has his role, unwittingly allows the creation of Emerl's Lingering Will, the biggest Spanner in the Works in Robotnik's plan to use Emerl to destroy the Freedom Fighters. How? Emerl touched the Void Gear while trying to protect himself from Metallix, accidentally initiating a Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony and becoming Metallix' successor.
• Spared By Adaptation: Emerl, instead of dying, gets into a Fate Worse than Death: his body and mind are controlled by Robotnik, and his heart is chained by the darkness in Robotnik's heart. Emerl's emotions are possessing Sonic and Sally's Cybernik Armors, becoming Emerl's Lingering Will, which befriends Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy.
• Stalker with a Crush: Amy, to the point that she considers Emerl to be a child Sonic wanted her to raise. This comes into conflict with Dr. Koopa's Shipper on Deck behaviour towards Sonic and Sally.
• Sudden Downer Ending: After spending the entire arc learning, forming strong friendships, and growing more powerful, with Emerl growing from babyhood to a mature young robot, Robotnik overloads him with power and makes him go crazy. Sonic and Sally try and fail to kill him, and it ultimately is Emerl's Lingering Will that brought the story's Bittersweet Ending.
• Thinking Out Loud: Eggman does this quite a bit. He actually uses this to cause other characters to go along with his plan, though he does it in a rather obvious, near Large Ham like performance.
• Too Dumb to Live:
  • Sonic and friends, upon finding out that the quiet little robot they found is a super-dangerous weapon with the ability to copy any move perfectly and the potential to destroy the world, decide to spend their entire time teaching it combat techniques and inserting the super-powerful Chaos Emeralds into it. Metallix and Dr. Koopa are the only ones who speaks out about this, the former by constantly trying to kill Emerl, the latter by using this trope as a Xanatos Gambit.
  • There also are some inversion - while some consider Robotnik an idiot for simply throwing Emerl out, it turns out that there's no way Emerl could ever have become so powerful if he hadn't, and when he realizes what's happened, the lesser Emerl-based robots provide an excellent way for Sonic and his pals to inadvertently 'train' Emerl. Dr. Koopa might seem to be an idiot for letting the Freedom Fighters train Emerl, he anticipated that Emerl will grow a heart by bonding with the Freedom Fighters, and Robotnik won't be able to truly control Emerl, due to Robotnik being The Heartless.
• Warrior Therapist: Emerl in the later chapters, as the result of the rest of the cast teaching him different ways to respond to adversity.
• Wave-Motion Gun: The Death Egg's Final Egg Blaster, armed with enough power to destroy stars.
• What Measure Is a Non-Human?: Metallix sees Emerl as a weapon, but Sonic counters this by saying they both have free will and hearts.
• Xanatos Gambit: Dr. Koopa, knowing from Metallix that Robotnik will constantly try to get control of Emerl, realizes that Emerl, by bonding with Sonic and co., is growing a heart, something that Robotnik lacks. He quickly plans that, if Robotnik will try and control Emerl's body, Dr. Koopa Will use Emerl's heart to free Emerl from Robotnik's control. True enough, Robotnik corrupting Emerl led to the creation of Emerl's Lingering Will.