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The Krudzu is a weed-based Badnik model that was known for its rapidly-growing vines and numerous fly-trap-like mouths. As one of Dr. Ivo Robotnik's earlier creations, it was used for an attempt to destroy the Knothole Freedom Fighters, but it fell to its one weakness at the time: water. Approximately two years later, it would return as the Krudzu Hybrid Hydra to cause more trouble for Sonic and his allies.
History[]
Creation[]
The Krudzu were a mechanical creation which Dr. Ivo Robotnik unleashed on a section of Mobotropolis called the Budding Circle. Due to the strain caused by the plants' weight, the site collapsed into the ground. (SSS: #1)
Dr. Ivo Robotnik's Tyranny[]
Antoine, tangled in Krudzu vines.
The Krudzu were later rediscovered by a SWATbot and presented to Dr. Ivo Robotnik, who immediately bashed in the robot's head for violating his "no plants" rule. However, upon learning of its nature from the SWATbot, just as the Krudzu began entangling Crabmeat, and that a customized Burrobot could plant its seeds, Dr. Robotnik sent Burrobot to roam the Great Forest, planting the Krudzu seeds everywhere, in order for the Krudzu to envelope the Great Forest and smother the Knothole Freedom Fighters. Antoine was the first victim of the Krudzu, getting all wrapped up in Krudzu vines until he was rescued by Sonic and returned to Freedom HQ. There, Rotor removed the vines around Antoine, which Tails mistook for dried cuttings and watered them. Being vulnerable to water, the Krudzu vines burst into an electrical fire, allowing Rotor to determine their mechanical nature. Soon after, a thunder storm broke out over the Great Forest, and the rain destroyed the invasive Krudzu plants. (StH: #1)
Attempted Recovery[]
Searching through his father's belongings one day, Antoine found half of a map in the hilt of General Armand D'Coolette's sword. On one side of his half piece was a complete drawing of the Budding Circle, where Dr. Robotnik originally unleashed the Krudzu. At the same time, Snively, searching through his uncle's files, found the opposite half of the map—also with one complete drawing of the Budding Circle on one side. Each set out toward their destination on the South side of Robotropolis, where the Budding Circle once existed. (SSS: #1)
At the alleged site of the former Budding Circle, Snively sent a squadron of Eggbots to dig in search of any remaining Krudzu seedlings that he could use as a weapon against his uncle to take over Robotropolis. In the meantime, Antoine arrived on the scene and tripped over a pile of metal bars, causing a commotion. Snively sent the Eggbots to investigate and silence the intruder so as to keep his plot against Robotnik secret. Ultimately, the Freedom Fighters came and destroyed Snively's Eggbots, foiling his plan. At the end of the day, no remaining Krudzu seeds were discovered. (SSS: #1)
A Badnik Hybrid[]
- Main Article: Krudzu Hybrid Hydra
After the nuclear assault by Station Square on Robotropolis, a single Krudzu root managed to survive the blast. It had previously been part of a project by Robotnik Prime to improve upon his former creation. After having burrowed to safety, it re-grew and merged itself with parts from other scavenged Badniks, becoming the Krudzu Hybrid Hydra. (StH: #110, FCS: #4)
During Sonic's search for Dr. Eggman in the Eggdome, the Krudzu Hybrid Hydra followed Sonic and ambushed him. Though Sonic was able to defeat it once, it quickly revived itself to full strength and continued to engage Sonic. As it was about to finish Sonic off, Dr. Eggman, wanting to defeat Sonic himself, sent a robotic hummingbird to detonate the Krudzu Hybrid Hydra. A confused Sonic left behind the charred remains at the Eggdome. A sprig of the Hydra survived, and was later found by Cubot aboard the Death Egg Mark 2. Realizing its destructive potential, Eggman allowed it to merge with a model of Titan Metal Sonic and sent it to attack Team Fighters. However, the group of heroes tag-teamed the construct and knocked it into the ocean.(FCS: #4, StH: #241)
Krudzu Hybrid Hydra survived the Titan Metal Sonic's destruction and went on to possess the body of Metal Knuckles, who had been knocked out during the battle in Albion. After attacking Team Fighters and Knuckles the Echidna, it was eventually defeated by Sonic. It then proceeded to seemingly absorb various machinery laying around in order to take on a new form; however, it was quickly defeated by Shard the Metal Sonic, who was initially watching the fight in secret. (StH: #244, #245)
Personality[]
In addition to being capable of speech, the Krudzu are rude and quite unchivalrous, but also loyal to Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Additionally, they are very hostile in terms of plant-behavior, quickly spreading everywhere once seeded and entangling everything they come across. (StH: #1)
Abilities[]
Despite being a plant, the Krudzu have all the traits of an invasive flora, except magnified several fold. Notably, right after being planted in the Great Forest, their seeds managed to grow and engulf the entire forest in a matter of hours. However, they will short-circuit if exposed to water. (StH: #1)
Background information[]
- The Krudzu are based on the kudzu, a climbing vine native to Japan and southeast China that was introduced to the United States in order to prevent erosion and improve the soil. Inevitably, the kudzu grew out of hand due to the warm climate of the Southern United States, spreading like wildfire. They have been known to entangle cars, fences, and even small animals.
- The Krudzu is the first character exclusively made for the Archie comics.
- A Great Kudzu Spore was said to have appeared in 3437 P.X.E.. However, it was stopped when Silver destroyed its root. Its relation to the Krudzu is unknown. (StH: #216)