Chaotix
The Chaotix are a group of video game characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They debuted in the game Knuckles' Chaotix (simply called Chaotix in Japan). The group has since appeared in Sonic Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog. One of the members, Espio, also appeared in Sonic the Fighters, and Mighty debuted in SegaSonic the Hedgehog.
They have also appeared in many other Sonic continuties, including several Japanese Sonic mangas, Archie comics, the British comic series Sonic the Comic and the Sonic X anime series. While they show up for just one episode (episode 39) in the second season of Sonic X, they get much more screen time and play a much bigger role in Season 3.
In virtually all of their incarnations the Chaotix are presented as a somewhat dysfunctional and indeed chaotic group. Another way in which they can be considered unusual is that they are not mammals, unlike the majority of the Sonic Team cast.
They are often used in plots to add a sense of comedy to otherwise serious situations. In Sonic X, Team Chaotix seem to be able to see beyond the fourth wall, adding to their humorous image.
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Game storyline
Knuckles the Echidna, Mighty the Armadillo, Espio the Chameleon, Vector the Crocodile and Charmy Bee were first brought together at the discovery of Carnival Island, where Doctor Eggman had just built his latest fortress called Newtrogic High Zone: a strange amusement park based on the island's power to amplify the Master Emerald. When Knuckles returned from patrolling the far reaches of the island one day, he found his friends imprisoned and Dr. Eggman in control of the Master Emerald.
Freeing his friends one at a time, Knuckles slowly fought Dr. Eggman's minions across the 5 worlds of Newtrogic High. Mysteriously, they were also aided in their quest by Heavy & Bomb, two robots who claimed to have escaped from Dr. Eggman's tyranny. In the final showdown, the island was nearly destroyed and Dr. Eggman summoned Metal Sonic to battle the Chaotix. Aided by the power of the Chaos Rings, he was eventually defeated, and the island reverted back to normal.
Knuckles quickly went back to guard the Master Emerald and the group of friends dispersed. Mighty went on his own way and travelled the world. The whereabouts of Heavy and Bomb are unknown.
It's unclear if the events of Knuckles' Chaotix are still considered canon. Team Chaotix, consisting of Vector, Espio, and Charmy, returned in Sonic Heroes, though no references were made to their previous adventure with Knuckles. However, they have little contact with Knuckles during the game, and no suitable opportunity to discuss these adventures ever presents itself. Though not official canon, Sonic X seems to imply a past history between Knuckles and the Chaotix- or at least, that the Chaotix know who he is.
In Sonic Heroes, Vector, Espio, and Charmy have started a detective agency together, ready to do just about any job for money. As the story in Sonic Heroes opens the three friends are enjoying a lazy day when a mysterious package is delivered to the agency. Inside, they find a transceiver, which promises a handsome payment if they take on a case. True to Vector’s policy to “never turn down work that pays”, the trio accepts and begins their adventure, even though Espio has a bad feeling about the job.
The client, which was, in fact, a locked-up Dr. Eggman, had the Chaotix crew complete tasks to hamper Metal Sonic's plot to rule the world. Not only did Eggman have them destroy Metal Sonic's army (which was actually created by Eggman, but taken over by Metal Sonic), but he had them kidnap Chao in order to protect them from Metal Sonic, and also destroy the dormant Shadow Androids before they were used for Metal Sonic's advantage. These actions didn't stop Metal Sonic from transforming into his ultimate form, though. For more information, see the Doctor Eggman or Metal Sonic article.
In Shadow the Hedgehog, they have gotten a job from an unknown client where they apparently search for information on Shadow's history, via looking through Gerald Robotnik's records. This is backed up by the fact that they collect data disks on Prison Island (the base where Shadow was held), hack into Eggman's computers (since Eggman probably had information on his Grandfather), and look for the main computer room on the Space Colony ARK. If Shadow the Hedgehog follows the "Hero" missions during the game, he may ally with members of the Chaotix crew. In one of the endings of the video game, Vector teams up with Shadow to fight Black Doom. The Chaotix also plays a pivotal role in the final canonical ending, using the data they collected.
The Chaotix' latest appearance is in Sonic Rivals, where Espio, Charmy and Vector have two collectable cards each.
Sonic The Comic storyline
Some time after Robotnik abandoned his Special Zone operations, the Chaotix Crew were assembled (presumably by the Omni-Viewer) to act as guardians for the Zone and all the worlds within it. They had some success, making a nemesis in the supervillain Lord Sidewinder and defeating the evil Fundamental Four, but were also framed for bank robbery on the planet Meridan (as Nack the Weasel was a member of the Crew at the time, he may have been the one who did the robbery). Their first appearance in the comic was when Knuckles was accidentally transported to the Zone; believing he was still working for Robotnik, the Chaotix - Vector, Mighty, Espio, Charmy and Nack - attacked him. They soon realised he was no longer on Robotnik's side, but they had little time to apologise as they came under attack by two agents of the Brotherhood of Metallix. The Metallix had established themselves in Robotnik's abandoned Special Zone base and had, unknown to the Chaotix, bribed Nack to betray his team-mates and help them capture the Omni-Viewer. The Chaotix pursued the Metallix and, with the help of Knuckles, just barely managed to save Omni; the entire team was nearly killed in the process, and Nack was both revealed as a traitor and badly injured.
The Chaotix (sans Nack) soon discovered that the Brotherhood had not, as they thought, been destroyed but had instead relocated to the Miracle Planet. They went to Mobius and, teaming up with Sonic the Hedgehog and later Porker Lewis, they battled against the Metallix and their attempt to rewrite history. With that done, they remained on Mobius for a while and helped Knuckles stop Nack from looting the Sandopolis Zone before returning to the Special Zone.
After a brief rematch with the Fundamental Four (who were turned into a vase), the Chaotix continued business as usual until Sonic arrived, bearing warning that the demonic Super Sonic was loose in the Special Zone. They travelled to New Tek City on Planet Meridan to investigate, and discovered their old enemy Lord Sidewinder had found Super Sonic and made a deal - he'd bring Sonic to Super and Super would work for Sidewinder. Super, of course, had no intention of working with Sidewinder and when Sonic was brought to him, he went on a rampage until he was trapped within the Omni-Viewer. As a result, Sonic was left stranded in the Special Zone and had to stay with the Chaotix; the Chaotix, meanwhile, buried Omni-Viewer within the Black Asteroid to prevent Super Sonic ever escaping or anyone tring to release him for their own gain (battling Sidewinder's gang and Nack in the process). Over the next several months, Sonic and the Chaotix battled random villains, defeated an invasion of Wasps on Charmy's Hive, and cleared the Chaotix of the bank robbery. Eventually Super escaped the Omni-Viewer and began supercharging the Asteroid in order to break out, a feat that would blanket Meridan with an electromagnetic pulse; at the last second, the Omni-Viewer transported the Asteroid to Mobius where the pulse took out all Robotnik's Badniks.
The Chaotix continued to battle evil within the Zone, especially Meridan, and several times Charmy Bee went to Mobius to assist the Freedom Fighters. The next major case, also involving Mighty's senile dad Blockhead Bill, Bill's friend Society Max and Sonic, had the Chaotix go up against the legendary Root, a sentient plant living in New Tek Swamp who could control minds & wield powerful magics. Root, attempting to conquer New Tek City, ended up taking control of Blockhead Bill, Max and the Chaotix, forcing Sonic to battle them until Root & his control were defeated. The next big clash saw the Chaotix come under systematic attack by the Crimson Cobra, a Lex Luthor style archvillain - Vector was transformed into a rampaging monster, Mighty & Espio were hit by a ray that made them ultra-belligerent, and Charmy Bee was hit by a ray that messed up his mind. The Chaotix were seemingly beaten and discredited in the eyes of the public. However, the ray caused Charmy to go crazy enough to come up with a plan - to buy out the Crimson Cobra's company, and thus his villainous law, evil minions and his weapons ("Mr Bee owns this company now!"). The Chaotix had their reputations restored and the Cobra's menace was definitively ended.
While the Crimson Cobra story was the last STC appearance of the Chaotix, Lew Stringer originally intended to have them assisting the rescue operations in the apocalyptic Planet In Peril story. They also made a return appearance in the unofficial online continuation Sonic The Comic Online; joining Sonic and Knuckles in attempting to retrieve the Chaos Emeralds, they battled Shadow the Hedgehog but were unable to prevent him from destroying the Special Zone. They now reside on Mobius.
Game members
Vector the Crocodile
Vector is the leader of the Chaotix in the games since Sonic Heroes and in the Fleetway comic. He is hotheaded and rude, yet a very comical character, and his trademark is a set of high-powered headphones that he wears at all times. He first appeared with the other Chaotix in Knuckles Chaotix to help battle Dr. Eggman. In Sonic Heroes, he leads the group through their journey, serving as the Team Chaotix power member. In Shadow the Hedgehog, he teams up with Shadow in the Hero Mission of Cosmic Fall.
In addition to the games, Vector also appears in both comic series and the Sonic X cartoon. In Sonic X, he fills the same role as in Sonic Heroes, leading the Chaotix Detective Agency. In the Archie Comics, he is a member of the Chaotix, which serves to back up Knuckles.
Espio the Chameleon
Espio is a skilled ninja warrior who aids the Chaotix with his martial arts prowess and stealth capability. Of all the Chaotix he has appeared in the most games, showing up in Knuckles Chaotix, Sonic the Fighters, Sonic Heroes, and Shadow the Hedgehog. In the games he appears to be the most calm and disciplined of the three members of Chaotix, but nevertheless adknowledges Vector as the leader.
In the Fleetway Sonic the Comic Espio had a highly comical rivalry with Mighty, once even asking a petty villain, "Who punched you harder, me or Mighty?" Also, his temperament was much more fiery. However, this was long before Espio's personality was defined in Sonic Heroes.
Espio also appears in the Archie comic.
Charmy Bee
Charmy Bee is the hyperactive mascot of the Chaotix, and at a mere 6 years of age, the youngest member of the group. Like the others, he appeared in Knuckles Chaotix, Sonic Heroes, and Shadow the Hedgehog. In the games and in the cartoon Sonic X, his role is rather minor; he serves mainly as aid to the more powerful characters. In the comics, however, Charmy has a larger role: he is a prince.
In the Fleetway comic Charmy Bee successfully keeps his secret, right up until he buys a super-villain's enterprises in a moment of madness. His mother is the Queen Bee, and is not at all happy about him being a hero. Despite this, the Chaotix Crew don't appear to treat Charmy any differently, and still find him infuriating, and he remains oblivious to their irritation. In the Archie continuity it gets out, forcing him to resign from the group. The Archie Comics also feature his only love interest, a female bee named Safron.
Mighty the Armadillo
Mighty the Armadillo is an old friend of Sonic the Hedgehog and Ray the Squirrel, who first appeared in SegaSonic the Hedgehog (arcade) game. Although most continuities feature Mighty as a member of the Chaotix, he (like Knuckles) is not associated with them in the game series outside of Knuckles Chaotix.
In Sonic the Comic he represents the brute force of the team, and his father is Blockhead Bill.
Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna is one of the most prominent characters in the Sonic franchise, and is more famous for his adventures and skirmishes with the main hedgehog than his (former) connection with the Chaotix. Knuckles lives on Angel Island which hovers in the sky thanks to the power of the Master Emerald, which he is charged with guarding. He appears in all of the Sonic the Hedgehog continuities with the exception of the AoStH and SatAM TV-shows.
Heavy & Bomb
Heavy & Bomb are two robots who first appeared in Knuckles’ Chaotix. Heavy is a clunky, silver robot, who was Dr. Eggman’s chief mechanic. He’s just as his name says: heavy, and slow. Bomb on the other hand is a small red bomb robot. He’s not very strong or quick, and he blows himself up when things start looking bleak, and can regenerate after blowing up. The two robots claimed to have escaped from the clutches of the evil Dr. Eggman, and are simply trying to help Knuckles and his friends. However no one knows if they speak the truth or if they are simply planted by Eggman to slow them down. After Eggman’s demise at Newtrogic High the duo disappeared and has not been seen since.
Heavy and Bomb also made appearances in the Archie Comics, serving in King Acorn's Secret Service under Geoffrey St. John. However, on one mission, the two were reprogrammed to assassinate the Acorn family, and were destroyed by the defending Sonic and co. Later, rebuilt versions of the two were sent to assassinate Mina Mongoose. However, they were also thwarted, and presumed destroyed (although they are never seen being destroyed. The new Heavy was last seen sinking in a lake.)
Other continuities
Nack the Weasel
- Main article: Fang the Sniper
In Sonic the Comic, Nack the Weasel was one of the original members of the Chaotix Crew, but he betrayed the team to the Brotherhood of Metallix for money. Since then, he twice battled his former allies.
Ray the Flying Squirrel
- Main article: Ray the Flying Squirrel
In the Archie comics, Ray was a close friend of Mighty and for a while a member of the Chaotix. He originally appeared as a prisoner in the same facility that held Fiona Fox, as well as Mighty and Sonic for a brief time. After a failed rebellion (which was also an attempt to rescue Fiona), Ray grabbed the base's power source, a large gemstone. This caused him to disappear, leaving behind his distraught friends. When Mighty came back later, he found Ray alive and well, but stuck to the gem and unable to leave the base. With a little help from Fiona and Nic the Weasel, Mighty freed Ray and brought him home to the Floating Island.
Ray is very timid, often stammering because of his shyness, but has become more confident since he met Mighty. He is also quite kind and polite.
Julie-Su the Echidna
- Main article: Julie-Su the Echidna
Exclusive to Archie comics, Julie-Su was a late addition to the Chaotix team, and is now a love interest of Knuckles the Echidna. She is good friends with the rest of the Chaotix, except for Vector, who doesn't seem to be able to trust her at all.In the Archie comics in the future story Knuckles and Julie-Su have a daughter, Lara-Su, 17 years old.
Omni-Viewer
In Sonic the Comic, The Omnipotent Omni-Viewer, or Omni for short, was a sentient energy field who served as the founder and guiding force for the Chaotix team. It resembled a floating flat-panel television with a force field instead of a screen, and a face formed out of deviations on its surface. An old friend of Sonic the Hedgehog whom he met even before he gained his speed and blue colour[citation needed], the Omni-Viewer was introduced in Sonic the Comic #8, in which he was forced by Dr. Robotnik to transport Sonic and his friends into the future, thereby allowing the evil scientist to take over.
Omni could travel anywhere in the Special Zone or Mobius instantly (or transport other characters if they passed into his energy field). For a lengthy run, Omni attempted to imprison Super Sonic, a murderous and powerful entity who by that time had been separated from Sonic entirely, within his energy field by stopping time. However, his powers did not extend this far, and the best he could achieve was slowing down time to a crawl. Because of Super Sonic's great speed, though, he eventually managed to escape, and was instrumental in ridding Mobius of Robotnik's rule.
Safron
Seen only in the Archie Comics, Safron is one of Charmy Bee's earliest friends. She was also his fiancee, but Charmy fled from his family and friends to avoid his royal responsibilities. Being a little naive, she did not understand why Charmy would do this. Later, Charmy accepted his fate, and the two began dating. However, tragedy struck as Dr. Eggman attacked the Golden Hive Colony. With nowhere to turn to, Safron went with Charmy to join the Chaotix and Freedom Fighters.
Safron's abilities are identical to Charmy's own: she can shrink to insect size and fly.
See also
- Espio the Chameleon
- Vector the Crocodile
- Charmy Bee
- Mighty the Armadillo
- Knuckles the Echidna
- Nack the Weasel
- Julie-Su the Echidna
- Knuckles' Chaotix
| Heroes | Sonic (Super Sonic) | Tails | Knuckles | Amy | Cream | Silver | Big | Chaotix (Vector, Espio, Charmy) | Mighty | Blaze | G.U.N. | Tikal |
|---|---|
| Neutral/Anti-heroes | Shadow | Rouge | E-123 Omega | Chaos | E-102 Gamma | Emerl | Babylon Rogues |
| Villains | Dr. Eggman | Metal Sonic | Fang the Sniper | Badniks | E-Series | Biolizard | Black Arms | Black Doom | Mephiles |
| Miscellaneous | Gerald Robotnik | Maria | Chao | Princess Elise | Vanilla | Flicky | Minor characters | Echidnas | Aliens | Deities | List of all game characters |
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