The fluorescent hum of the old CRT monitor was the only sound in Marcus’s room. Outside, the world was asleep, but inside, digital warriors were about to clash.
Marcus didn't even have time to breathe. The Evil Sonic rushed forward, a blur of sprite animation.
He scrolled through the character select screen. It was a beautiful chaos. Rows of pixelated icons represented a dream roster that Sega could never legally assemble. There was Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles, of course, but standing right next to them were deep cuts like Emerl from Sonic Battle , obscure comic characters, and even a few "joke" characters that looked deceptively weak.
Marcus gripped his arcade fight stick. He wasn't just playing a game; he was entering a realm where the laws of physics were dictated by the "JUS" style—a specific, high-octane fighting engine known for its blistering speed, aerial combos, and flashy, screen-filling specials.
Marcus’s health was in the red.
