Team Genesis Book 1
Chapter 5:  The Old Man's task

"I can NOT believe that anyone could do such a terrible act to this school,"  scolded Mr. Bass.  Rocco, Alexis, and Damian were brought to his room while the baseball team were sent to the nurses office to be tended to their wounds.  "How could you three go forth and beat up the baseball team in such a cruel fashion?"

"Um, last I remember," Rocco defended.  "Samsung was the one who started the whole fight."

"Why am I not surprised that I find that hard to believe?" Bass inquired.  "Ricky is a fine student-athlete and a role model.  While you are nothing more than a juvenile delinquent who looks for nothing but trouble."

"I wasn't looking for trouble, that asshole came to me with the baseball team to bother me."

"I won't tolerate such disrespect; you best watch your tongue."

"Disrespect?  What about being a bit fair?  You aren't even punishing the baseball team for picking a fight."

"What I saw was no fight.  It was three students beating up an entire team."

"That's not true!"  Alexis responded.  "Rocco was the one who was getting beat up.  We acted on self-defense."

"That was not self-defense!" Bass scolded.  "I don't know what kind of monster you are to believe that beating up such a fine team was self-defense"

Alexis gritted her teeth.  Rocco stepped closer to Bass.  "She's not a monster.  That Samsung is.  He was trying to play her and started threatening me for........"

"Are you sure it wasn't you trying to 'play' her?" Bass inquired.  "I wouldn't be surprised if that were so. You did attempt to sexually harass Holly Heaton just yesterday."

"What?!" Alexis yelled.  Rocco slammed his fist on the desk.  "I DIDN'T HARASS HEATON!  I WAS TRYING TO SAVE HER LIFE.  AND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCUSE ME OF EVERYTHING GOING ON AND SUCKING UP TO THE BASEBALL TEAM IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR!"

"ENOUGH!"  Bass stood up and glared at Rocco.  "I've had just about enough of you.  I should have had you expelled after what happened yesterday.  But now I have the chance to put a such a terrible note on your permanent record, no school in the entire world will ever want you coming close to....."  At that point, a mysterious dart came in and hit Bass on the neck.  Bass stood paralyzed for a moment before falling unconscious on his desk.  The teens turned around to find an hooded old man with a long robe covering his face and entire body.  The only part of his body that was visible was his chin and his two wrinkled hands.  "I never had a soft part for that man," he said.  "Much too strung up."

"Who are you?" Damian spoke up.  "What did you just do and why?"

"Come with me if you want some answers.  And don't worry about Bass, the dart will merely erase his memory of this whole incident."  With that, the old man started to walk away.  The three looked at each other, unsure whether to trust the old man or walk away.  Rocco took the initiative and followed the old man while Damian and Alexis shortly followed.  The group followed the mysterious man to the gymnasium.  Alexis approached Rocco before they went any further.  "What Bass said wasn't true?" she asked.  "You didn't really harass a girl did you?"

"Of course not," Rocco responded.  "She overreacted which made it seem like I did.  I was trying to save her from hitting the ground and accidentally grabbed her breast.  But that's it, it was just and accident."

"That was what was bothering you a moment ago, wasn't it?"

Rocco scratched the back of his head.  "That among other things."

The gang followed the old man to the bleachers, where he started to open a coded door behind them.  The door revealed a cave leading underground.  The group went in to find a small underground base with several antiquated computers and desks.  Rocco approached the old man.  "Okay, you mind telling us what the hell is going on?  Who are you?"

"My identity is of no concern to you," the old man replied.  "But I will say that I know that you haven't been treated fairly for your actions."

"You're talking about Bass?"

"I'm talking about everyone.  The Heaton incident in particular.  I know for a fact that you did what you did to save her and nothing more."

"Well at least someone knows that."

"But then what does that got to do with this?"  Damian asked.

"I've been observing you three and how you managed to fight against the baseball team.  And I must say, you three are excellent fighters.  And not to mention what each of you are:  A strong lynx with the heart of a hero, A fast chameleon with a free spirit, and a hybrid who's looking for the right place in this world."

"Hybrid?"  Damian asked.  He turned to Alexis to see if she would explain, but she replied with nothing more than "Long story."

"You three together make up an excellent team composed of three abilities; speed, flight and power."

"Those are the names of the formations used by the Sonic Heroes!"  Rocco exclaimed.  "The greatest heroes to ever exist."

"Precisely," the old man answered.  "And much like their adventures, I have a task for you three that may hold the fate of this world."

Alexis turned to the old man.  "What do you mean."

The old man cleared his throat and began to speak.  "Long ago, the Sonic Heroes placed upon them the task of keeping the world safe from all the dangers that came before them, especially those put before them by the evil scientist, Dr. Ivo Robotnik alias 'Eggman.'  In addition, they put before them the task to retrieve and protect seven mystical gems known as the Chaos Emeralds of Angel Island.  These gems on their own can create powers and power entire cities.  But together, they create an incredible, omnipotent force that can protect, conquer, or even destroy the world.  Several evil forces have attempted to take these emeralds, but the Heroes always managed to use their energy to stop them.  After the last attempt at them 50 years ago by Eggman, the Guardian of Angel Island used the power of the Master Emerald to drain the emeralds of their power and hide them so that no one else could ever use their power again.  And until now, the emeralds had disappeared entirely.

Now their energies have returned to them and it can be found by anyone.  And at this very moment, a search for them has already been started by a military corporation known as Axel.  This military group seek the emeralds for the purpose of creating the ultimate soldier; the ultimate weapons; the ultimate army to take control of the whole world."

"No way!!"  The three teens answered in unison.

"Which is why I am calling upon you three-Rocco, Damian, Alexis- to ask for your help.  If you accept the task, I will provide you with some tools to assist you.  You must aquire the Chaos Emeralds before Axel can get all of them and return them to Angel Island.  Do you accept?"

"Yes!"  Rocco exclaimed.  "This is what I've been waiting for!"

"I knew you'd accept the mission.  But you cannot go alone.  Only with your friends will you be successful in this quest.

Damian and Alexis started to think.  Rocco turned around to try to convince them.  "Come on you guys.  It's the adventure of a lifetime; Fight bad guys, travel the world, and find mystical gems."

"I don't know," Alexis said.  "I'm not sure if I can do this.  I don't feel capable."

"Are you kidding me?" Rocco asked rethoracly.  "If it weren't for you, I'd probably have the shit beaten out of me by the baseball team.  You were amazing back there."  This comment made Alexis blush a bit.

"I'll admit," Damian started.  "An adventure does sound awesome.  But aren't we already in enough trouble here in school."

"I can take care of your situation here in school," spoke the old man.  "Bass and I were the only ones who saw what really happened.  With Bass receiving a memory loss, there should be no trouble in changing the story to nothing more than a small accident."

"If that's the case," Damian started.  "Then I'm in."  Damian and Rocco then turned to Alexis.  "Do you guys really think we can do this?" she asked.

"Like the old man said," Rocco replied.  "Together we can beat these guys."

Alexis paused for a short moment before replying "Okay then, I'm in."

"Then it's settled."  The old man said.  "The fate of the world now rests with you.  And as promised, I have some things for you."  He handed each of them a bag that contained clothes, food, first aid kits, and 2000 rings each.  Then he pulled out a pocket radar.  "This radar will detect the Chaos Emeralds from anywhere in the world.  And your bags are made with a special fabric that can shield the emeralds energy from any radar in the world.  Use them to find the emeralds and keep them safe from Axel."

Rocco took the radar from the old man.  "Thanks old man.  We won't let you down."

"I also have something for you."  The old man said.  He pulled out a red katana and a scabbard for it.  Rocco immediately recognized it.  "How did you get my sword?"

"I have my ways.  The scabbard is a gift.  I figured you would need this, so I spared you the trip."

Rocco picked up his katana.  He looked at his friends, who both nodded at him.  "Well then, let's do this!"