With Lilac and Carol back in Dragon Valley, Hanna and Rob back in Rage Ravine, and Maria and Tai retired to Maria's room for 'some private time' (as the lynx worded it), Rouge brings Omega up to date, reports to Commander Tower, then joins Shadow by the side of the lake. "Doing your solo brooding thing again?" she asks cheekily.
"Funny," Shadow replies monotonically.
"What do you think of our new friends?"
Shadow pauses a moment. "On balance, they seem a decent assortment, if a little unusual. That vixen though, she's a dangerous, possibly fatal liability. Yes, she helped us, but I can tell there's something about her, a hidden power that, if unleashed, will only lead to death and destruction."
"She doesn't wear inhibitor rings like you do," Rouge agrees. "And the way her husband talked about those Crystals, it seems they're the conduit Hanna needs to unlock that hidden power. Well, one of them anyway, because of this whole elemental affinity thing. I'm glad her husband's keeping her side‑lined. What about the others?"
"The hare's OK, I guess," Shadow opines. "My only concern is his ability to control his wife, and whether his wife controls him."
"You can use their names, you know," Rouge teases. "What's your take on Lilac and Carol?"
"They're an interesting pair," Shadow answers. "They remind me of Sonic and Tails in so many ways, yet I couldn't shake the feeling they're not as comfortable with being heroes as Sonic and Tails are. Still, they strike me as people we can trust."
"And the felines?"
Shadow sighs. "The lynx's name is an uncomfortable coincidence, and her attitude is too childlike for someone her age, but there's no doubt in my mind we can trust her and her girlfriend."
Rouge pauses a moment in surprise. "It's not like you to trust people so quickly."
"You don't agree with me."
"It's not that, I'm just being cautious. After all, the two felines are ninja assassins by trade."
"I was created to deliver the Chaos Emeralds to the Black Arms so they could harvest the whole population," Shadow reminds. "Yet I fight to protect our world."
"While you have a point, I prefer to remain sceptical," Rouge explains. "We should get some rest."
"Very well," Shadow agrees, following Rouge into the house.
Deep into the night, with everyone fast asleep, a celestial object approaches Avalice. To an astronomer, the object would look like an unusually dark comet, and beyond an academic curiosity, wouldn't be given a second look. Anyone who does however would notice the comet has several unusual red streaks, and if the object was tracked, it would be found to follow a path only possible by using an on‑board propulsion system.
The object drifts into position behind Avalice's moon, concealing itself from the modest Coalition flotilla orbiting the planet. Deep within its core, the captain of the vessel considers his options. It has been far too long since we last fed, but this planet isn't ready for harvesting. However, we cannot survive much longer without feeding.
We'll have to be careful.
On board the Coalition flagship, the radar operator notices an unusual signal. "Commander? You may want to look at this."
The commander stirs from his light snooze. "What is it?"
"I'm… not sure," the operator reports. "The signals keep blinking in and out of existence."
The commander descends from his command chair and stands over the operator, analysing the screen. "Probably just a cluster of meteors."
"I'm not so sure, commander," the operator opines. "The most likely trajectory puts their origin as the moon."
The commander ponders the implications. "Do we know if there's been any meteor strikes on the moon?"
"None that we've detected," the operator informs. "But then we don't track objects that small that far out."
The commander considers the options. "Keep track of them, and alert me if there's any change in their trajectory."
"Aye‑aye, commander."
The meteor storm hits the atmosphere of Avalice, creating half a dozen brilliant streaks of light across the sky. A casual observer would see these streaks eventually fade into nothingness, and mistakenly conclude that the meteors burned up. However, these are not meteors, but drop‑pods originating from the comet‑vessel.
The dropships land deep in the wilderness, many miles from civilisation, and noticed only by a smattering of the local fauna. Ten minutes later, a horde of creatures emerges from the drop‑pods, and vanishes into the undergrowth.
Late the following morning, Lilac and Carol arrive at Shang Tu Royal Palace for their appointment with the Magister. After once again being forced to deal with an adoring crowd, they eventually get into the relative calm of the Palace.
"Can we wear disguises next time?" Carol asks once the main doors are closed.
"We've tried that before," Lilac reminds. "Someone always recognises us."
"We just need better disguises," Carol suggests.
"You can design them then," Lilac decides. "Ah, General Gong's here to meet us," she adds, spotting the portly armoured panda approaching.
"Lilac, Carol, always a pleasure," Gong greets. "I have to admit, your call this morning was a surprise."
"We think it's a good idea to test the Crystals' defences before we have to rely on them," Lilac explains.
"I agree," Gong replies. "They've been stolen twice: I won't let it happen a third time. Shall we head upstairs?"
"Lead on, general."
As they follow General Gong, Carol whispers to Lilac, "You know it was Tower's idea, right?"
"Yes, but he doesn't need to know that," Lilac whispers back.
Carol simply shakes her head in disapproval.
In the throne room, Lilac and Carol have just finished outlining their plan for three teams of two to test the Crystals' defences that night. The Magister is in approval of the idea, but he has some concerns.
"While I agree with the idea in principal," he starts, "I have reservations about enlisting the services of two active Red Scarves and two citizens from outside the Origin Kingdoms, given that the two times the Crystals have been stolen, once was by the Jade Alliance of the Gotoshi Republic, and once by active Red Scarves, the latter turning one of my best engineers to their cause."
"I understand your concern," Lilac replies. "However, I have known these two Scarves for a long time, and can vouch for their integrity. As for the other pair, I accept full responsibility if they steal the Crystals."
"What‽" Carol asks in surprise. "Why not just tell them they can't do it? Also, when did you decide this?"
"It was my idea," Lilac reminds.
"It was Commander Tower's idea," Carol corrects. "So, don't go volunteering to take the blame. Not by yourself, anyway."
"Whoever is to take the responsibility, this is a request of considerable magnitude, trusting these people we've never met," the Magister informs.
"Then we should all meet as a group," Lilac suggests.
Meanwhile, in the lakeside house in Jade Creek, Tai Wong waits in Maria's room for the lynx to finish bleaching her fur arctic white, listening to her favourite music on her personal stereo while she waits. Luckily, she doesn't have to wait for long: Maria enters the room wrapped in her bathrobe, the hood pulled over her head so far, it's almost covering her eyes. "It's done," she announces.
Tai turns off her personal stereo and removes the earphones. "Don't keep me in suspense," she flirts.
Maria checks the door is properly closed, then throws her bathrobe off, revealing her fur is now dazzling white from ear‑tip to toe.
"Woah," Tai breathes in surprise. "I didn't realise just how bright you'd be!"
"Did I get every bit?" Maria asks, twirling on the spot.
"Every single strand," Tai confirms.
"Yay!" Maria grins. "And don't worry: I'll be green again within a week," she adds, reaching for one of her teal dresses.
"I think you should wear a different dress," Tai suggests. "To complete the illusion."
Maria pauses briefly. "What about this one?" she asks, taking a backless red dress with a white hem from her wardrobe.
"That'll work," Tai agrees. "Where did you get it from?"
"About six months ago, I found myself on the planet Team Dark come from," Maria explains as she begins to get dressed. "Lilac got really badly hurt, and the only thing we had to bandage her with was strips from my dress. I had to use so much, what was left wasn't really a dress anymore. So, Amy Rose lent me one of hers."
"And you still have it?" Tai asks, intrigued.
"I… forgot to give it back," Maria admits, blushing. "How do I look?" she asks once the dress is in place.
"Cute and pretty, as always," Tai smiles warmly.
"What name should I go by?" Maria asks, unavoidably blushing even more.
"Why not 'Amy'?" Tai suggests.
"It is a cute name," Maria agrees. "Not as cute as yours, of course," she adds flirtatiously.
"Keep this up, I might have to do something about it," Tai flirts back.
"And just what will you do?" Maria retorts playfully, faking defiance.
Tai responds by jumping on Maria and bundling them both onto the bed, where they surrender to passion.
Meanwhile, outside the house, Rouge is resting in the shade of the trees near the lake shore, though she's finding it a little tricky to relax due to Shadow's restlessness. "Something on your mind?" she eventually asks.
"No," Shadow denies.
"Then sit down and stop being annoying," Rouge instructs.
But Shadow doesn't sit. "If you insist, it feels like something's going to go wrong."
Rouge opens one eye quizzically. "You worry too much."
Shadow doesn't reply, but it's now clear there's something seriously troubling him.
"OK, spit it out," Rouge instructs, abandoning her attempts to relax.
"Last night, I felt a… presence of some sort," Shadow explains.
"Uh‑huh."
"You don't believe me."
"You've given me nothing worth believing," Rouge explains. "For all I know, this is just you being moody again. It's an annoying habit, by the way."
"Noted," Shadow dismisses.
Rouge's ears twitch at the sound of the house phone ringing. Leaving Shadow to brood in peace, the bat returns to the house to find a slightly ruffled Maria has answered the phone already.
"Really?… I know, but what if he recognises me?… Pure white, and wearing a red dress… I will be, yes… 'Amy Rose'… OK… Yeah, we'll all be there… Of course… He is a bit too big and scary, yeah… OK. See you soon!" Maria hangs up. "You ready for a royal visit, Rouge?" she asks without looking.
"How did you know it was me?" Rouge asks, confused.
"I have terrific hearing, and have trained myself to pick up even the smallest sounds," Maria explains, turning to face the bat. "It's one of the things that makes me a stealth specialist."
"Who wants to meet us?"
"The Magister. He wants to see all of us before we test their security tonight, to make sure we're all trustworthy enough not to run away with five magic gemstones that give superpowers."
Rouge activates her wrist communicator. "Commander Tower?"
"Yes Rouge?" Tower replies.
"We're going to meet the Royal Magister to discuss tonight's test," Rouge informs. "I assume you'd like to speak to him?"
"If possible, yes," Tower confirms.
"Thought so," Rouge smiles to herself.
A couple of hours later, Maria, Tai, Shadow, and Rouge arrive at the entrance to the Royal Palace of Shang Tu, where they wait for Lilac and Carol. Their wait is brief, as the dragoness and her wildcat friend arrive to meet them less than a minute later. After clearing the four guests past security, Lilac and Carol escort them up to the throne room, where the Magister is waiting with both General Gong and Neera Li. As they enter the throne room, Maria tenses, scared that she'll be recognised and arrested on the spot. However, a reassuring look from Tai (and a gentle comforting squeeze of the hand) calms her nerves.
The meeting proceeds smoothly, much to everyone's relief, especially Maria's. The Magister believes her assumed name is genuine without question, a belief helped by Maria pushing her naturally soprano voice down to a contralto, and suppressing her cuter speech patterns. However, the lynx cannot shake the feeling that Neera Li has seen through her ruse, as the panda keeps glancing at her quizzically.
Luckily, Neera decides not to act on her suspicions. The meeting ends without incident, and a couple of hours later, with afternoon turned into evening, the six are back at the lakeside house in Jade Creek.
"By the Ancients, am I glad that's over!" Maria sighs, flopping into the chair.
"You did great," Tai compliments, joining her girlfriend in the chair.
"I think Neera saw through me though," Maria adds.
"From what you've told me, if she'd exposed you, she would have incriminated herself in the process," Tai reminds. "And she doesn't strike me as the sort to willingly admit her mistakes."
"The important thing is, we can proceed as planned tonight," Lilac assures.