Antoine D'Coolette


 * For the character in the Sonic the Hedgehog television series, see Antoine Depardieu. For the version of this character before the Super Genesis Wave, see Antoine D'Coolette (Pre-Super Genesis Wave).

Antoine D'Coolette is one of the main characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics. He is an English/French-speaking anthropomorphic coyote, and a faithful and longtime member of the New Freedom Fighters, serving as a part of the Team Fighters subdivision. He is a skilled swordsman, as well as an active pilot.

Originally an apprentice sent to Mobotropolis, Antoine was among the few to escape to Knothole Village during Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik's invasion. Antoine had attempted to be the brave soldier of the New Freedom Fighters, but failed due to his skittish and cowardly nature. However, Bunnie Rabbot showed him to never give up, which allowed Antoine to discover a new source of bravery for himself, and the two, after seeing that they needed each other, got married. Since then, Antoine has been serving as one of the primary members of the New Freedom Fighters.

Appearance
Antoine is an anthropomorphic coyote about a meter tall. He has mainly brown fur with pale yellow fur on his front torso, muzzle and cheek turfs, blue eyes, and as well short and neatly combed blonde hair on his head. For attire, he wears red boots and arm cuffs, and two sword straps that connect on his chest, forming a "X"-shape. He also has a belt colored red and white, with a gray buckle connecting the straps, and white-colored gloves and leg cuffs.

Early life
Antoine was born into a subsidiary noble family in Eurish. As a young boy, he was an apprentice that was sent to Mobotropolis for the apprentice exchange program, feeling honored to be at the grand city of Mobotropolis. Antoine was among the few that escaped to Knothole Village during Dr. Robotnik's invasion. Antoine had then attempted to protect and swoon the likes of Princess Sally Acorn, but both had failed because Antoine was too scared. He eventually met Bunnie Rabbot, who showed him to never stop trying, no matter what casualty (physically and emotionally). Later on, Antoine, along with Bunnie, joined Sally's ragtag team, the New Freedom Fighters, and Antoine and Bunnie became close companions during the conflicts between the Freedom Fighters and the forces of the Eggman Empire. Eventually, Antoine gained the courage to propose to Bunnie, admitting that it was scariest thing he's ever committed. The couple enjoyed happiness but also experienced sorrow, such as when Nicole informed them that Antoine's parents had died after faithful service to the Kingdom of Acorn.

At some point in the past, Lupe the Wolf's village was invaded by Dr. Eggman's forces. Thankfully, Antoine, Sonic and Sally came to her aid. When Sonic ran off to follow and defeat Dr. Eggman, Antoine attempted to defend Sally and Lupe, but Lupe, both encouraged by Sally's words and enraged by her own loss, took Antoine's sword and successfully destroyed an approaching Motobug.

Genesis
After the first Genesis Wave was activated by Dr. Eggman, resulting in reality being altered, Antoine "DePardieu" was freed from a capsule with Sally and "Boomer" by their new ally, Sonic. Frightened about going after Eggman, he still accompanied the others planning to stop him. In the Marble Zone, he attempted to hide from the fight against Badniks, but found a horde of Bat Brains and went running. Though Sonic defeated them, Sally gave credit to Antoine for "finding" the ambush. Once they escaped from a lava field caused by an earthquake, Antoine was the first to see Dr. Eggman and cowered in fear. After hiding behind Boomer while Sonic fought Eggman, Antoine examined an underground passage to the Labyrinth Zone. He thought it was "perilous" but went down hesitantly, following the others.

Sonic noticed Antoine and Sally seemed rather close as they proceeded underground, though Sally later affirmed that they were just friends. As they swam through submerged parts of the ruins, Antoine attempted to flee a bunch of Orbinauts while Sonic created an escape route that sucked them down a slide. The others made it safely to a ledge on the other side and tried to grab Antoine as he passed by, but an earthquake struck at that moment and they missed as he fell into the darkness below. Antoine washed around in the dark for what seemed like hours until the water way ruptured, dumping him out of a hydraulics pipe in the Scrap Brain Zone where his friends were, and right into the arms of Dr. Eggman. At first furious at the others for leaving him, Antoine then noticed where he was and panicked, creating a distraction that allowed Sonic to destroy the elevator he and Eggman were in. Once Sonic sent Eggman and his Egg Mobile falling into a pit below, Antoine at first was ready to celebrate their victory until Sonic pointed out he believed Eggman may have survived just as Antoine had.

After meeting Sonic's protege Tails, Antoine and the others continued in their mission to shut down Eggman's bases and leave him powerless. While traveling through the Chemical Plant Zone, Antoine became annoyed by Tails' and Boomer's admiration-like enthusiasm in discussing what Eggman needed so much fuel for, and cautioned the others as they climbed up a shaft. His concern proved well-founded soon enough when a trap was sprung and the shaft filled with Mega Muck, but thanks to Sonic and Tails no one nearly drowned like last time.

Once Sonic and Tails parted ways with them, Antoine and Boomer stayed with Sally and entered the noxious Oil Ocean Zone together. As they navigated their way across the terrain, some Aquis spotted and attacked them, forcing them to run. While Sally and Boomer wished Sonic stayed to help, Antoine became indignant and thought he should fight the robots in order to get praise, only to nearly be hit by laser-fire as Boomer pulled him out of the way. When they were finally cornered, Antoine fell off the walkway into a strange cannon-like device that eventually shot him right into the badniks, destroying them while leaving the other impressed and himself disoriented. With the help of Mobini freed by Antoine's actions, they located the main valves and proceeded to shut down the oil pipelines, cutting off the local power supply to Eggman's bases. Once finished, there was nothing more that Antoine could do but watch as a mysterious wave of white light washed over them soon after, causing reality to return to its normal state.

Countdown to Chaos

 * Note: From the readers point of view, this picks up from where Antoine's original timeline ended.

Antoine had decided to protect Charles the Hedgehog while the scientist was investigating the recent tremors and mysterious gas from the tremors at the Wood Zone near Knothole Village. When Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower came by to search and restore Antoine's memories of his previous life, Antoine and Ben Muttski had returned from Knothole, only for Sonic and Tails to gleefully embrace Antoine after the soldier nearly died in the previous timeline. Sonic and Tails managed to get Antoine alone so they could give the soldier Nicole in her handheld form, that way Antoine's memory could be restored, as well as Nicole being partially returned to normal. Upon given Nicole, Antoine was shocked and nearly fell unconscious due to his saddening experiences in the old world. Sonic and Tails tried to explain things to Antoine, such as how he was brave and that he survived, but Antoine hushed them, asking the whereabouts of his wife.

After he was given time to process all of the new information he received, Antoine decided to go with Sonic and Tails to rescue Bunnie, who was undercover in the Metropolis Zone at the time. Suddenly, a earthquake occurred and the nearby tremor expanded, swallowing Uncle Chuck and Muttski, along with their research. Antoine, Sonic, and Tails quickly saved Uncle Chuck and Mutsski, as Tails carried the two individuals with Antoine cleared the way of falling debris. Sonic managed to grab the research, and, thanks to Antoine, was able to reach back to the surface again. Antoine had decided to stay and escort Uncle Chuck and Muttski back to Spagonia while Sonic and Tails would go save Bunnie. He asked the two that if they see Bunnie, ""[he] is well, but [he] will not be whole until [he is] with her again."

Later on, Sonic and Tails arrived at the Sky Patrol with Bunnie.where Antoine, who had just woke up after escorting Uncle Chuck and Muttski, greeted Bunnie, waiting for Sonic and Tails to give Nicole to Bunnie so he can be with her again. Bunnie held Nicole's handheld system and was gifted her old memories, to which Antoine was there with her on her own emotional breakdown. Eventually, after Sonic and Tails managed to find Sally, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit, and Cheese, Antoine was present on watching Sally's and Amy's memories restored. However, that was cut short when Nicole, who was completely restored, revealed that the mutilverse had collapsed upon itself, resulting the planet to break apart into pieces.

The Shattered World Crisis: Act One
In the first hours of the Shattered World Crisis, the New Freedom Fighters had traveled to Station Square to rescue the civilians from meeting their ultimate doom. Antoine was stationed among the Team Fighters faction, whose prime mission is to save as many lives as possible. During their rescue mission, Bunnie and Antoine discuss on how they remember saving people from Station Square in the old timeline, but they do not in the new timeline, resulting in both of them confused. However, Sonic managed to get them focused back on the primary mission. Luckily, G.U.N. forces managed to arrive and take over the New Freedom Fighters' rescue mission. Eventually, the New Freedom Fighters traveled to Soleanna Forest Zone to catch the Bullet Train, which was holding both Uncle Chuck and Professor Dillon Pickle captive. Antoine, piloting the Twister, did not partake on the rescue mission, but rather provided air support. However, when Dragonfly badniks were released, Antoine and Tails (who was piloting the Tornado) were caught in a badnik attack, to which Bunnie was sent to help destroy the badniks. Luckily, Bunnie, Tails, and Antoine were able to destroy the badniks, and provided a lift for the other New Freedom Fighters when they successfully managed to rescue Uncle Chuck and Professor Pickle.

It was then revealed that Gaia Temples and Chaos Emeralds are essential items needed to restore the planet to normal. Thus, Sally had assigned Sonic, Amy, and Rotor the Walrus to find a Gaia Temple near the South Ocean, while she, Tails, Nicole, and Antoine would go to a mining site near the continent of Northamer said to hold a Chaos Emerald. They manage to hack inside the mining site, only for them to find a crystal cave at the end of the trail. Sally is amazed at the place, to which Antoine comments that if Eggman were to not send the wrong robots, this area would have not existed anymore. Tails returns with the emerald, only for Sally to change their plans, as she wants Eggman to know that they're here. Thus, the four Freedom Fighters had destroyed every badnik that came across their way. However, they were ambushed by an E-1000 robot, which the heroes were able to destroy easily. With an emerald at hand, the New Freedom Fighters were one step closer on returning the planet to the way it was.

Eventually, Antoine and Bunnie traveled to Harbor Heights at Soumerca, where they traced a Chaos Emerald signature reading. However, they were unsuccessful at finding the emerald, claiming that it was only an energy shadow, but they managed to save a newlywed couple. Eventually, Nicole intercepted another Chaos Emerald at Northamer. Sally had requested Antoine and Bunnie to head with her to Sand Hill Zone where they would find and steal the Chaos Emerald. At Sand Hill Zone, the three Freedom Fighters carefully attempted to grab the emerald, only to get ambushed by E-108 Iota, E-109 Kappa, and E-110 Lambda. He, Sally, and Bunnie then experienced trouble attempting to steal the emerald while the three E-100 Series robots were in their way. Although Team Freedom came to help Team Fighters, they were still unsuccessful at grabbing the emerald, as the capsule the emerald was sealed transformed into a rocket and launched itself to somewhere unknown. Thanks to the help of Cream the Rabbit and Big the Cat, both Team Freedom and Team Fighters barely escaped from the three super badniks, giving the heroes injuries and a loss to the hunt of the Chaos Emeralds, though they were encouraged by Sonic upon his return from training with Moss the Sloth to master his Werehog form.

Another Chaos Emerald surfaced in the Chaos Emerald Championship, though only Sonic, Amy, and Tails were able to enter the tournament. Prior to departing, Sonic shared his history with Breezie the Hedgehog and his other misadventures, something Antoine noted with a smirk that he might enjoy those stories, leading to a gentle reprimand from Bunnie. The D'Coolettes and their other friends thus enjoyed watching the tournament on TV, with Antoine rooting for Knuckles the Echidna over Sonic in the finals. Afterwards, he and Bunnie went on a scouting mission-along with Sonic and Amy-away from the Sky Patrol.

Antoine later accompanied Sonic and their new friend Chip on a mission to Apotos, where they caught as they battled a patrol of Badniks. They then met the sage Gregorius and learned of the Gaia Gate and Gaia Keys. The pair-with Sonic in Werehog form-were then forced to battle several Dark Gaia Creatures led by a Dark Gaia Titan. Fortunately, Bunnie arrived with Amy and Knuckles to aid the pair, and they discovered that a shard of the broken Master Emerald had become embedded in the Titan's chest. Antoine managed to pry it free and was sent flying, and caught by his wife. Now armed with information that would help them locate the Gaia Keys and thus access the temples, the group returned to the Sky Patrol. They then proceeded to Crystal Desert Zone to meet up with a G.U.N. unit who had recovered a Chaos Emerald, only to find them the victims of an attack launched by Metal Sonic. Fortunately, Antoine and his teammates were able to help the soldiers, and Sonic returned with the Emerald.

Worlds Unite
Following Sonic's disappearance, Antoine and his teammates were called back to Mobotropolis to defend it from the attacking M'egga Man. Unfortunately, the heroes and their ally Gemerl proved to be no match for the corrupted Mega Man. His mission to set up one of Sigma's Unity Engines proved successful, linking Sonic's World and Mega Man's World leading to meetings between the Freedom Fighters and Robot Masters of that world. Joined by the Maverick Hunters and Team Sticks, the heroes made their way aboard the Sky Patrol in order to take the fight to the enemy. They soon set their course for the Lost Hex, and along the way Antoine found a fellow swordsman in Zero of the Maverick Hunters.

Unfortunately, the pair would be forced to wield their swords against an army of Mechaniloids assembled by Sigma, and then against each other when the Deadly Six took control of the heroes' robotics, including Bunnie's. Unlikely allies Eggman and Dr. Wily managed to free the victimized heroes, but Antoine and his friends were then forced to face Sigma's Maverick army. Fortunately, the heroes of the world of Street Fighter arrived to help the heroes fight off a handful of the villains. As part of a plan formulated by Sally and inspired by Sticks the Badger, the heroes then split into smaller groups to follow the Mavericks and recruit new allies. Eventually the small army of allies launched a massive attack on Sigma, and managed to destroy his defenses. However, he then unveiled the mighty Sigma-3 form, which Super Sonic and Super Armor Mega Man were forced to challenge. Xander Payne's actions later erased the conflict from history, returning Antoine and all the others to their previous places with only vague memories of what had transpired.

The Shattered World Crisis: Act Two
Antoine later joined Big and Sonic on a mission to Shamar, where they sought to protect one of the Gaia Key Guardians from the local Egg Army. This would force them into an alliance with the Desert Raiders.

Personality
Antoine was described as a skittish and conceited soldier when he first arrived to Mobotropolis. Ashamed of himself, Antoine originally tried to hide his cowardliness with bravado and confidence, but it did not work. However, after meeting Bunnie, he slowly grew more confidence with her on his side, and has since grown into a dutiful soldier and valiant fighter who attempts his best to do his best to save innocent lives. There are still moments where he manages to be in vain and easily frightened and anxious, but those are far and few in between and he is quick to put it aside when needed. Speaking both French and English, he struggles occasionally with the latter, particularly during intense situations, and will sometimes use an incorrect word. Apart from his wife Bunnie and his efforts to defeat the evils that threaten his planet, Antoine's greatest passion seems to be cooking.

Powers and abilities
Antoine possesses the sword of his father, and uses it in combat. Besides using his sword to slash enemies, he can also perform a new technique, the Spin Blade Ball Attack slashing any opponents he's heading towards.

Sonic the Hedgehog
Antoine has envied Sonic the Hedgehog's superior abilities over the years, and puts on bravado not unlike the Hedgehog's in battle while enjoying any opportunity to be amused as Sonic's expense.

Sally Acorn
In a young age, Antoine fixed his affections on Princess Sally, finding her daring, smart and beautiful. Thinking himself dashing, Antoine believed that they belonged together like in the storybooks, and tried courting to her. After a long time however, he came to realize that his advances were unwanted. Nonetheless, Sally has always considered Antoine as a friend and a trusted ally.

In the altered version of reality created by the first Genesis Wave, the altered version of Antoine once again displayed signs of affection toward Sally. However, Sally did not seem to be entirely aware of it.

Bunnie Rabbot
Antoine first noticed Bunnie Rabbot in Knothole where he watched her ongoing struggles to function, which inspired him to do more. In his own words, Bunnie gave Antoine the answer to what would make him brave. The two joined the New Freedom Fighters together and over the years of fighting as team-mates, they became very close. Years later, Bunnie revealed to Antoine that he had inspired her with his own courage, and the comradery between the two blossomed into romance, and the two were eventually married. Upon having his memories of the original timeline restored, Antoine's first thought was of his wife, and he went to great lengths to be with her at the time of her own memory restoration, knowing that she would need support.

Trivia

 * Ian Flynn stated in a Q&A that Antoine loves fine cuisine and loathes the idea of anyone ruining it. Additionally, he and Bunnie have learned to stay out of each other's way when it comes to cooking.
 * Antoine is shown to be left-handed.