When Blockhead Bill and Society Max came to the Mandrake Swamp searching for Mandrake Roots, they were captured by Root and given Mind Roots so that they were forced to do his bidding. Later, when Sonic the Hedgehog and the Chaotix Crew came to the Mandrake Swamp in search of Blockhead Bill and Society Max, the heroes were captured. Root subjected all four Chaotix members to the Mind Root, but Sonic managed to escape. Sonic defeated Root's six brainwashed slaves, then crushed Root's body under a pillar. Root, reduced to a tiny root himself, lost control over the Mind Roots and they fell off their host bodies, restoring the heroes' free will.