Chapter Text
Like living beings, humans, animals, and anthros alike have two sides to their personalities. There is good... and there is evil. What we do with our lives, how we treat others, determines who we are. Sometimes we do good deeds, but our emotions get the better of us to make us do bad things. Sometimes, those who have done evil, over time, realize their mistakes and redeem themselves to become good.
Most of us would wish to suppress and relieve ourselves of one personality, and let the other prevail for good. It is impossible, of course. But in this story, there was one who was determined to do just this. That one man... is Tech E. Coyote. Being the inventor and scientist for The Loonatics, he always stayed true to his family's legacy, being a super genius, and inventing many gadgets to help his team. But sometimes, there have been occasions where he let his emotions get to him.
Sometimes his anger triggers whenever Rev Runner tries to help, but causes some of his inventions to either blow up in his face or cause him to fall off a cliff. His envy of Duck when he tries to take all the glory from any of his teammates, including Tech. His ambition to try and be a successful, if not the best, inventor, even though some had its flaws. These reactions, emotions, and desires have bothered him for quite some time, and he's determined to keep them contained once and for all. No more doubts... no more shadows.
It was approaching four O'clock in the morning as Tech was in the kitchen making the usual coffee that kept him awake. He was in one of those moods where he barely sleeps and works in his lab most of the time. This is what usually happens to an overworked inventor who doesn't get out much. He takes a sip of his coffee and ponders his next invention. "The formula is finally complete," he muttered, "Hopefully, this will help. Hopefully, this will end my doubts."
"Tech? Is that you in there?" A voice from behind Tech came from the hallway, which made Tech jump slightly. It was Ace Bunny, the leader of the Loonatics, but he wasn't alone. Lexi Bunny, the only female in the team, and Rev Runner, who despite differences was Tech's best friend, were with Ace as they approached Tech. "Oh, sorry, I startled you," Ace said, realizing he may have given Tech a jump scare. Tech responds with a chuckle, "Oh, no, don't worry about it. I'm fine." He takes another sip of his coffee. "What are guys doing up so late?" He asks.
"We were going to use the restrooms when we noticed the kitchen light was on." Said Lexi as she went closer to Tech. "You doing okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine," Tech replied with a rather tired voice. "I've just been thinking about what's been happening lately... and recent events." Rev's eyes widened as he remembered what happened on their latest mission, where he caused a laser gun to backfire on Tech. "Oh-yeah. Tech-if-this-about-the-laser-gun-I-said-I-was-really-sorry. It's-just-that-the-bad-guys-were-making-a-get-away-I-didn't-know-you-had-the-laser-ready-and..." At this point, Tech stops Rev from talking by taking his thumb and first finger and clamping Rev's beak together.
"No, Rev... I'm sorry," Tech says to Rev's surprise as he lets go of his beak. "I know you didn't mean for me to get hurt. I should have handled the situation better. It was an honest mistake, and I shouldn't have yelled at you for it. Will you forgive me?" Tech's ears lower as he looks down at his coffee with a slight frown. Rev puts his hand on Tech's shoulder, replying "Oh-of-course-Tech.-I-forgive-you.-What-are-friends-for?" Ace smiled at the reconciliation by Tech and Rev. "Yeah, it's true that sometimes we make mistakes and we let our emotions get in the way," he stated as he also put his hands on their shoulders, "but as friends, we overlook each other's mistakes and try to make up for them. Besides, we still caught them, didn't we?"
"Yeah, we sure did. I bet the one guy who Slam spun around is still seeing triple." Said Lexi. "Hey, speaking of Slam, where is he?" Rev put his hand under his beak. "Hey-yeah-come-to-think-of-it-I-don't-think-he-came-with-us-when-we-were-heading-to-our-rooms." "Oh, he passed out on the couch watching a movie, eating junk food, and drinking sodas," Tech answered with a surprised expression. "It's still amazing to me that he's even able to chow down on all that stuff. I used one of my hovering beds to get him to his room after you all left." Tech took another sip of his coffee as Ace noticed Tech's eyes and asked, "Hey Tech, you sure you're okay? I noticed you haven't slept in days."
"Oh... yeah. About that." He replied. "While I was thinking about the recent events, I've also been working on another project." Rev reacted with excitement, zooming to Tech's left and right. "Oh-another-gadget?-What-is-it?-Is-it-a-special-toy-car-that-can-shoot-nets-at-the-bad-guys?-A-plasma-canon?-A-briefcase-with-a-smoke-activation?" Tech followed Rev and replied, "Those are some... interesting ideas, but this one is far more complicated. It's also one that I've made for myself." "Really?" Lexi answered back, "Will we get to see it?" "Maybe, but I need to make sure it's done right," says Tech as Ace yawns. "Well, whatever it is, it's gonna have to wait for us. We gotta get some sleep. Goodnight."
Lexi and Rev head off to their rooms. Ace was behind them until Tech pulled Ace aside, saying, "Ace, wait. Can I ask you something?" Ace was confused, but was willing to listen. "Uh, sure, Tech. Go ahead." Tech gives Ace this question as he sips his coffee. "You know that everyone has their own personality. Their own natures. What they choose to do is to show them who they are. Good... and bad." "Yeah, what about them?" Ace asked, and Tech answered with his question, "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have the two natures in man be separated... housed in different bodies?" Ace now looked even more confused. "What exactly are you getting on about?" Seeing Ace confused, Tech tries to make it simple. "I've been thinking about what the world would be like... if we were able to just... rid ourselves of our potential dark half. If you recall, the parasite that corrupted Rip Runner's mind made him give in to his deepest, darkest desires... his hidden feelings. If we didn't have that anymore, would it be better?"
Ace ponders after hearing this. "Okay, I think I follow you so far. Well, maybe the world would be different, but then again, if we were to get rid of our inner desires, how would we learn from our mistakes? You see, Tech, you're not the only one with a history of anger. I can tell you the number of times I snapped at Duck, but trust me, afterwards, it didn't feel right. That's where the learning comes in. Just like you and Rev a moment ago. We all do our part to be good people, Tech. But if we erase the bad from our personalities, we'll never be able to know right from wrong. You know what I mean?" "Hmm. Yeah, I suppose you're right, chief." Tech says as he takes another sip. "Well, I'm going to the lab in a bit. I'm almost done with my personal project anyway."
Ace gives Tech a pat on the back. "Alright then, but promise me that whenever you're finished, go straight to bed." "Tech smirks, "Alright, I promise. Goodnight, Ace." "Goodnight, Tech." Ace walks away towards his room, while Tech approaches his laboratory, where his personal project is hidden. He never told the team what it was, and didn't want to reveal it until it was ready and tested. He enters the lab, turns on the lights, and goes to a nearby monitor. He types his password, "CoyoteGenix2025," to log in and log off his activities. It is here... where our story begins.
"Tech E. Coyote's log. September 14th... 3:56 a.m. The formula is ready. I have started this alone, and I must finish it alone. There is no longer a choice. I know that I must use myself... as the subject of my experiment."