The Mirage Express, sometimes referred to as just the Train, is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a decommissioned cargo train that worked with the Conductor for over thirty-two years. Recently, it was modified into a passenger train-like Badnik by Dr. Eggman to transport civilians away from their hometowns. During Amy Rose's birthday, amid fears of being abandoned by the Conductor, the Mirage Express selfishly served the doctor under the promise that it would reunite with its friend but met its demise at the hands of Sonic and his friends.
Appearance[]
The Mirage Express is a white streamlined high speed express train whose outside is decorated with stickers of white stars and red, yellow and blue stripes, which meet at the front forming a star shape with the front window. It is composed by two power cars and five passenger coaches, featuring: the broom closet, Dining Car, Saloon Car, Library Car, Casino Car (which also has an elevator that leads to a safe), Lounge Car and conductor car. While these cars can only be accessed in order, a vent connecting the Dining Car to the conductor car, as well as a secret passageway connecting the Library to the Lounge Car, are also present.
History[]
Past[]
The Mirage Express was created a few decades ago. For thirty two years, until very recently, the train would work under the Conductor, and the two would become very close, to the point that the Mirage Express was noted to be its own "co-conductor."[1]
Recently, the Mirage Express was among the cargo trains that were modified by the evil Dr. Eggman into a passenger train-based, autonomous Badnik powered by Animals. The doctor's plan was to use said trains to transport civilians away from their hometowns.[2][3] This also happened to take place around the same time the Conductor began considering retiring after all of his years in service, causing the Mirage Express to become fearful of losing its friend. Eggman then made the train a promise: if it managed to bring him Sonic and his friends, he would allow it to continue living with its friend for the rest of time.[4][5][6][7][8][9]
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog[]
In The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, the Mirage Express was boarded by Amy, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Vector, Espio, Rouge, Blaze and Shadow; all of whom had come to celebrate the pink hedgehog's birthday. There, the Conductor gave Amy the birthday key, and instructed the train's robotic arms to ensure everything went as planned. Afterwards, the birthday girl held a murder mystery game onboard the Mirage Express and instructed everyone the basics and their respective roles.
Following Amy's explaination of the game, all of her friends went to their respective posts: Knuckles, the "sheriff" was stationed at the Saloon Car; Vector, the "butcher", and Espio, the "poet" and assigned "murderer" stayed at the Library Car; Rouge, a "titan of industry", and Blaze, a "business tycoon", were sent to the Casino Car; Shadow, the "locksmith", was placed at the Lounge Car; and Sonic, the "ship captain", was sent to the conductor car. Meanwhile, Amy, the "journalist reporter", and Tails, the "detective", stayed at the Dining Car, along with Barry who had just started working at the Mirage Express, waiting for an hour for the "mystery" to unfold.
Being the "murderer" of the game, Espio was given a tranquilizer dart and a blowdart by one of the Mirage Express' robotic arms. Following the instructions given by the train's "staff", the chameleon headed to the conductor car while Vector and Shadow were distracted playing Super Monkey Ball with Knuckles at the Saloon Car. Meanwhile, Sonic and the Conductor made a shocking discovery: the train itself was powered by a Flicky, thus making it a Badnik. Soon after, the hedgehog was attacked by Espio, who shot him with the blowdart he was given. Sonic tried to reveal him his learning, but the "murderer" disappeared. Soon after, the Mirage Express began accelerating like crazy, and robotic arms appeared and captured the Conductor and the fainting hedgehog, the latter of whom was sent to the Dining Car. Meanwhile, Tails, Amy and Barry were left unconscious and would find themselves trapped in the train's closet after waking up.
Breaking free from their containment, the three came across Sonic's body at the Dining Car, but assumed that he was just playing along. Continuing to the Saloon Car, Tails lost trace of Amy and was joined by Barry in their search for clues to find the murderer. Following that, they entered the Library Car, where they found the pink hedgehog, who headed out to find the clues on her own. Continuing along, the duo entered the Casino Car, where they helped Rouge and Blaze carry out a heist of a Fabergé Chao egg at the safe. Afterwards, they resumed their search at the Lounge Car. Here, the two were joined by Amy and Shadow in their investigation and went to the conductor car.
After finishing their search, the four called all of their friends to announce the suspected murderer. Meanwhile, Amy and Vector went to the Dining Car and retrieved Sonic's body, which, much to their horror, was still unconscious and hurt too. While the others carried out an emergency procedure to save the hedgehog's life, Tails and Barry revealed who they suspected was the murderer, Espio, thanks to evidence they had found in their search. Following that, Sonic miraculously woke up and revealed the truth of what had actually happened. The chameleon confessed to being the "killer" and explained that he had attacked the blue hedgehog with a tranquilizer dart due to being instructed by the Mirage Express itself to do so. Furious, Amy began breaking the train's walls, and was joined by Vector. However, this caused the train to reveal its intentions through its robotic arms. Afterwards, it began accelerating once again, knocking all of the heroes out.
Waking up all the way back to the Dining Car, Sonic and Barry answered a videocall from Dr. Eggman, who revealed that he had modified the Mirage Express into a Badnik for his future plans. In the aftermath, the hedgehog began destroying all of the train's locked doors, saving his trapped friends. When all of the heroes had been freed, however, the scientist made another call and asked the train to go faster so it could get to his base quicker. The group then joined forces to stop this from happening, with Espio freeing the Flicky that was powering the Mirage Express. In the end, a furious Amy smashed the front of the train with a powerful blow from her Piko Piko Hammer, severely damaging it. The ensuing explosion sent her flying, but she was saved by Sonic. Now rendered harmless, the deactivating Mirage Express apologized to the Conductor for its actions and went offline. The heroes then began properly celebrating Amy's birthday, while Eggman was left disappointed at the train's failure.
Personality[]
Like all Badniks, the Mirage Express has an advanced AI that allows it to have a degree of sentience and emotion. However, the Mirage Express' AI was far more advanced compared to the average Badnik, allowing it to feel more complex emotions, form bonds and friendships with other people, and even have the ability to talk.
When the Conductor considered retiring, the Mirage Express felt betrayed by him and did not want him to leave them. The train had heavy abandonment and loneliness issues, as it would go as far as to trap its friend so he could not move and lead Sonic and his friends to Dr. Eggman's base so it could not feel lonely. Additionally, it became infuriated when Sonic called it "selfish" for its actions and insisted that the Conductor should stay with it. However, right before the Mirage Express passed away, it apologized for its actions, and understood that it was time for the Conductor to move on.[9]
Powers and abilities[]
Being a train, the Mirage Express could run at impressive speeds, matching Sonic's own, even when moving backwards.[10] It was also equipped with very advanced technology, such as robotic arms that could perform a variety of tasks and clean up any trash after events. Noticeably, these arms had a security system that could detect any weapons or explosives being brought onboard, ensuing passenger safety. Additionally, the train had an intelligent data processing system implemented in it that allowed it to work in tandem with the conductor, assuring smooth travel for the passengers. Despite this, it could not access its full suite of capacities without a conductor present.[11]
Relationships[]
Conductor[]
At some point, the Conductor promised to be with the Mirage Express forever, which made it develop some kind of devotion and obsession with him over the years, wanting to be friends with him forever, and having a twisted belief that this is what friendship was about. However, as the Conductor himself said, he eventually got tired and needed to retire due to his old age. The Mirage Express would later accept this fact, right before its deactivation, as it apologized for trying to stay with the Conductor forever. Despite the train's actions, the Conductor did not hold any grudge against it, as he waved one last goodbye before it got deactivated, saying that he would never forget their time together.
Friends/allies[]
Enemies[]
- Amy Rose
- Barry the Quokka
- Blaze the Cat
- Espio the Chameleon
- Knuckles the Echidna
- Miles "Tails" Prower
- Rouge the Bat
- Shadow the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Vector the Crocodile
Battle[]
The Mirage Express is the only boss in The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, being fought at the end of the game. During the battle, the player controls Sonic.
Boss guide[]
Like in the previous "DreamGear" minigames, the player has to make Sonic overcome an obstacle course on a flat, long platform in an isometric environment. During the whole fight, the hedgehog will automatically run forward. Meanwhile, the Mirage Express will follow along on the side, or in front of Sonic in the later phases, but is entirely harmless.
During the boss encounter, the player can control Sonic by moving him to the sides of the course or by making him perform a Spin Jump. Along the way, they also have to collect a specific number of Rings to advance, as failing to do so will force them to re-start the segment. Additionally, the player can find several obstacles, such as iron balls, spikes, crumbling surfaces that reveal bottomless pits, shurikens, the Mirage Express' robotic hands, etc. Touching any of the aforementioned hazards causes the player to lose ten Rings. Getting hit without any Rings, or falling into a pit, will cause them to retry the segment. Apart from these obstacles, Springs and floating, Super Ring-type Item Boxes are present too. If the player does succeed in reaching the end with enough Rings or more, they will continue to the next segment.
There are a total of six segments during the boss fight. While all of them control basically the same, the Mirage Express progressively gets more and more agressive, and the player will have to collect more and more Rings while Sonic moves faster over time and more obstacles appear. At the end of each segment, there is also a short cutscene of the hedgehog's friends interacting with the train and helping him stop it.
The following number of Rings are required for each segment by default:
No. | Rings required |
---|---|
1 | 65 |
2 | |
3 | 70 |
4 | 75 |
5 | 85 |
6 | 100 |
With "Assist Mode" triggered in the options menu, the player can make the Mirage Express fight a bit easier if they are having a tough time beating it. Some of the available options to help during the boss battle are a reduction in the required Rings and/or speed, the disablement of bottomless pits, and invincibility.
Trivia[]
- The Mirage Express is the second train-based Badnik in the series, the first being Marve-Shupopolous-Gou from Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble.
- However, the Mirage Express would technically be the third train-based Badnik if including other media, as a train-based Cater-Killer variant appeared in the Archie Comics.
- Tails' lore card having his Flicky best friend joining the Eggman Empire foreshadows the nature of the Mirage Express.
- The Mirage Express, alongside Chaos, Void and Merlina are the only four final bosses in the Sonic series to have a change of heart after their defeat.
References[]
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Conductor car. "Sonic: The way the conductor was describing it... it's more than a simple badnik. It's the conductor's friend. The train is his co-conductor."
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Dining Car. "Sonic: You got some nerve showing up here, Egghead. / Eggman: Hohoho, you spikey blue pest! Seems you've finally taken passage on one of my passenger trains. [...] The infrastructure in your towns just wasn't cutting it. If I were to build Eggmanland, these problems would need sorting out! So, I courageously got involved! I converted some cargo trains into passenger trains for the sake of the public... It's just more useful for future schemes."
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Dining Car. "Eggman: You see, the capability of a Badnik is normally very basic, just kill Sonic The Hedgehog. But for a luxury train, I wanted to make sure things ran without my supervision. And report to me if any of you happened onboard."
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Dining Car. "Eggman: See I got to thinking... I needed to manufacture motivation beyond programming. [...] I instituted a bounty upon my army of badniks! First to capture you pathetic creatures gets a generous reward!"
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Conductor car. "Mirage Express: I will not fail... My wish will be granted. / Eggman: Your wish?? Oh. You mean the bounty? / [...] / Mirage Express: I must get... my wish! I WILL NOT FAIL!"
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Final boss. "Mirage Express: None of you could possibly understand! We promised to live together our whole lives! HOW COULD HE JUST LEAVE LIKE IT WAS NOTHING? / Tails: Who do you mean? The conductor?? / Amy: He's retiring! You just have to accept that! / Mirage Express: My wish will keep us together forever... That's what being friends is all about! / Vector: You can't force someone to be friends with you! That's messed up!"
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Final boss. "Mirage Express: Eggman! Eggman!! Can you hear me?! My wish! MY WISH! MY WISH! MAKE THE CONDUCTOR NEVER LEAVE ME! LET US BE FRIENDS FOREVER! THE KIND OF FRIENDS WHO WOULD NEVER LEAVE EACH OTHER! WHY WOULD HE BETRAY ME?"
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Final boss. "Mirage Express: You promised me. YOU PROMISED! / [...] Conductor: Train... stop this! When I told you we'd be with each other forever, I was a much younger man. I'm getting old... I'm tired... / Mirage Express: EXCUSES! How dare you abandon me... I'll be so lonely... so lonely... WHY MUST you insist LONELINESS UPON ME?"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. "Mirage Express: I... I just... *zzt* couldn't bear to see you go... I'm sorry... *zzt* for the trouble..."
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Final boss.
- ↑ Sega (31 March 2023). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Steam. Sega. Area/level: Library Car. "Espio: That is indeed the book I was reading. The Mirage Express Manual. Trains are cool. / Tails: In that case, we'd like to ask you a few questions about the manual. [Barry], if you don't mind... Could you ask Espio some questions about the manual? Just flip to a page and ask away! / Barry: [...] Ok, um, what efficient and extremely accurate technology was installed to assist in keeping the train spotless? / Espio: Robotic Arms. During events they can perform a variety of tasks, and are responsible for cleaning up messes afterwards. / Barry: (I remember the conductor saying the train can clean itself.) / [...] / Espio: The robotic arms can also detect any weapons or explosives being brought onto the train, ensuing passenger safety. / [...] / Barry: What was implemented to support the conductor duties and ease general train obligations? / Espio: An intelligent data processing system. It works in tandem with the conductor to assure smooth travel for guests. / Barry: (I remember this. The train has an autopilot, but it can't access its full suite of capabilities without the conductor present.)"
Playable characters | Sonic | Barry | |
---|---|---|
Non-playable characters | Amy | Blaze | Chao | Conductor | Conductor's wife | Cubot | Eggman | Espio | Hot Honey | Knuckles | Metal Sonic | Orbot | Rouge | Sage | Shadow | Tails | Vector | |
Bosses | Mirage Express | |
Moves/Techniques | Spin Attack | Spin Jump | Spin Dash | |
Gimmicks and obstacles | Iron ball | Spring | Spikes | |
Items | Birthday key | DreamGear | Item Box (Super Ring) | Ring | |
Other | Amy's birthday | Big Chao Band |Bottomless pit | Death Egg | Eggmanland | Mirage Express | Spagonia | Super Monkey Ball | |
V·T·E | Category |