u/Due-Veterinarian5733

We all know what happens to those that try to kill, cross, or even insult Eggman. We know what happens to those that’d dare try to kill his daughter. But if someone, like Surge or Shadow, killed Eggman? Nukes filled with a new metal virus, super weapons striking Earth’s major cities, militaries, governments, GUN, and in a sense, “judgement day”. The latest issue shows Sage seemingly is much more vulnerable on Eggman’s limited Eggnet, versus her power and influence while connected to the Ancient’s Cyberspace. However, Eggman’s “ever evolving, learning AI” has me thinking, with enough time, especially if something like Eggman’s death/murder pushed her to it, she could become a greater threat than anything Sonic, or future heroes like Silver, have ever faced. Eggman’s said he can end Sonic and the rest of them in minutes if he wanted to. For the love of the game. An older, cold and calculating Sage after the truama of watching her father die? She may be intelligent and deadly, but she’s still a child. One dead Eggman, and she’d probably snap in a grief stricken revenge. And she’d have no reservations for mercy. The few left could be Shadow, Silver, Surge, Kit, and any future heroes or decedents. If she’d evolve enough, she’d be unstoppable, unkillable, hard to keep locked up, and being essentially immortal? She’d have all the time to outlive, or outwit you to death.

It’s no longer a moral dilemma or debate about why you shouldn’t kill Eggman. Considering Sage’s looming shadow, you CAN’T kill him.

We’ve learned in the latest issue that it’s very likely Starline himself has returned. Maybe back from the dead as a type of zombie/cyborg as some concept art depicts him. My going theory is that he’d survived the same way Surge did when she fell down a large pit after fighting Sonic: the stable metal virus. If this is the case, he may be a worse menace for everyone. Especially Eggman, Sonic, and Surge & Kit. With a more unhinged agenda hellbent on “wiping them all off the board”. As they’d all be out for his head. This introduces a certain turning point I feel the duo would have to contend with: mortality and consequences. Starline always made contingencies. Who’s to say there isn’t some that involve an anti-virus, weapon, or cure that makes the duo vulnerable again to death and injuries. (Semi) immortality tends to remove consequences and morals, so such a nerf for Surge and Kit, I feel would be the “turning point” for them, or at least Surge, to turn over a new leaf. As at some point, they’d need to start taking responsibility, as blaming Eggman, Sonic, or Starline would stop becoming an excuse certain characters wouldn’t accept anymore. The two are willing to make the effort, although in the wrong way, but haven’t become genuine and willing to atone, even if they were manipulated, they’d still endangered many, and almost killed some.

Which is when, if willing, Shadow would step in, as he’s the only one that could truly relate to them. Though, considering this is IDW, and not Archie Shadow, it’s hard to say if he’d be inclined to help them. As Shadow is not as forgiving or merciful as Sonic. Though I can see Shadow giving the two some leeway, given the circumstances. Whereas Eggman is a repeat offender.