Deep in the heart of the Yurashia Egg Army stronghold, Egg Boss Conquering Storm is receiving last‑minute updates from Eggman himself.
"I trust you've already reviewed the intelligence from Clove?" Eggman asks.
"Of course," Storm replies. "And I agree with her conclusions: the damage that Upsilon sustained could only have been inflicted by claws. However, claws that sharp and strong are virtually unheard of outside of ancient legends no sensible person believes."
"You suspect an alternative explanation?"
"I'm open to the possibility."
"Very well. I'm sending you the latest news from Mordred Hood. I think you'll find it even more fascinating than the information from Clove."
Storm waits a few moments for the information to arrive, then quickly and efficiently reviews all of it. "You're right, it is fascinating," she agrees. "To cause that much damage to Silver Sonic… Not even the real Sonic can inflict that level of brutality."
"And we know Sky Patrol couldn't have done it, as it remained far enough away from Little Planet that they didn't even see the badnik horde approaching," Eggman adds.
"Which raises the question of who did?"
"Exactly. Be prepared for anything."
"I'm always prepared for anything."
"We both know that's not true."
Eggman terminates the call before Storm can respond.
Infiltrating the stronghold proves to be a more challenging task than expected for Lilac and Carol. While they avoid detection, the lack of information about the layout of the stronghold means they're navigating blind, a fact that leads them to frequent dead ends. After the eleventh, they find a quiet and secluded spot to rest and assess the situation.
Getting nowhere, Lilac signs.
Wasting time, Carol agrees.
Can't turn back, Lilac reminds.
Carol pauses to think for a few moments. Have idea. Follow me.
Carol leads Lilac to an area with light patrols, where she observes the soldiers for a few minutes before selecting her target. Wait here.
Why? Lilac asks.
Carol simply grins.
Lilac watches as Carol sneaks off and disappears into the shadows. I'm not sure I like where this is going…
Carol returns a few minutes later, wearing an Egg Soldier's outfit. Step one complete, she signs.
Step two is? Lilac signs back.
With a mischievous smile, Carol leaps at Lilac, pinning the dragon's arms behind her back.
"What are you doing?" Lilac hisses, struggling to break free.
"Speeding things up," Carol whispers back. "Now act like you've surrendered."
"W‑"
"Just do it. And let me do the talking."
"OK," Lilac relents, agreeing to play along. "Just one question: is the person you stole that from OK?"
"Oh, I didn't hurt anyone," Carol reveals. "This is from the laundry room."
"Even better," Lilac smiles.
"Prisoners don't smile," Carol reminds. "Let's go."
Carol marches Lilac out into the open. "You should have known better than to try and sneak in here!" she declares loudly.
"But‑" Lilac begins to protest, playing along.
"Silence!" Carol commands. "Save your breath for pleading with Conquering Storm: you're gonna need it!"
"Nice work, kid," a nearby Egg Soldier complements as he approaches the wildcat and 'captive' dragoness. "Need any help?"
"Nah, I got this," Carol answers. "Actually, there is one thing: can you guide me to Conquering Storm?" she smiles sweetly. "I'm new, and still learning my way around."
"Of course," the soldier agrees, leading the way. "We're all fighting for the same cause. What's she doing here, anyway?"
"You'll love this," Carol answers. "She only thinks she can steal the Chaos Emerald!"
"A foolish venture indeed," the soldier chuckles.
For the next five minutes, the trio walk together, Lilac occasionally trying to break free, but always allowing Carol to regain control.
"Here we are," the soldier informs, halting in front of an ornate door. "I'll knock."
"Thanks," Carol accepts. "I kinda have my hands full with Little Miss Thieving‑Pants here."
The soldier knocks on the door.
"State your business," Conquering Storm calls from inside.
"We found a girl trying to break in," the soldier answers. "One of our youngest recruits apprehended her, and we've brought her to you for her punishment."
"Very well. Enter."
The soldier opens the door and leads Lilac and Carol into Conquering Storm's inner sanctum, the Egg Boss herself seated in a simple decorated throne at the opposite end to the only entrance.
"An unusual creature," Storm comments. "Who are you, and why do you think you have the right to break into my stronghold? Answer now, and I might be lenient."
"A‑Are y‑you C‑Conquering S‑Storm?" Lilac stammers, feigning fear.
"Yes, and only I ask the questions here!" Storm commands. "Now, answer me!"
"My name is Cyclone, and I'm here to take the Chaos Emerald," Lilac answers confidently, dropping the prisoner act.
With the cue given, Carol lets go of Lilac's arms, ducking as the dragoness unleashes a Cyclone that lays out the guard. The wildcat then scurries to secure the door before Storm can raise the alarm.
"The Emerald belongs to Eggman!" Storm states defiantly. "You'll regret ever thinking about stealing it! Now surrender!"
"I'd rather not," Lilac smirks, getting ready to fight.
"Do you really think you can take me, the finest ninja in the world?" Storm asks, readying for combat, trying to intimidate Lilac.
"I was trained by none less than the Red Scarves themselves!" Lilac informs, completely unfazed.
"Is that meant to sound impressive?"
Lilac hesitates. "Well, yes, it's meant to‑ Oh, wait, I forgot we're not on Avalice."
"Enough talk!" Storm declares. "Surrender now, or I will make you regret ever coming here!"
"You'll have to catch me first!" Lilac grins mischievously.
Enraged, Storm charges directly at Lilac.
Lilac sidesteps the initial charge with ease. Spinning as she does so, her hair whips knock Storm's hat off. Storm slides to a halt and turns to charge again, but Lilac pushes her advantage and charges first. Storm blocks Lilac's initial punches, but she doesn't anticipate Lilac's sudden switch to a leg sweep. Twisting as she falls, Storm kicks out hard, hitting Lilac directly in the chest. Turning the fall into a roll, Storm recovers and pounces the now prone Lilac. However, Lilac anticipates the pounce. Firmly planting her boots in Storm's abdomen, she uses the lynx's momentum against her, throwing her across the room.
Twisting in the air, Storm lands on her feet, sliding to a halt as Lilac returns to hers. Charging as the dragoness turns, Storm slides under Lilac's hasty Cyclone, attempting a leg sweep of her own. Lilac tries to leap the kick, but it's too late: Storm connects, knocking Lilac off‑balance. As Lilac falls, her hair whips tear through the wooden floorboards, sending splinters flying across the room. Landing heavily, Lilac lets angular momentum roll her a few feet and onto all fours. Sensing another pounce, Lilac leaps in a high backflip over Storm. As the lynx slides and turns on all fours, Lilac curls into a ball and starts to spin, inches from the ground. Confused, Storm hesitates.
It proves to be her undoing.
Lilac unleashes a fully‑charged Dragon Boost straight into Storm's torso, sending the lynx flying across the room. Slamming through her throne, Storm lands heavily, tumbles, then slides to a halt, unconscious among the wreckage.
"That was fun," Lilac remarks, sliding to a halt in the middle of the room. "We should do it again some time."
"Ready to go?" Carol asks.
"But we don't have the‑" Lilac starts, stopping when she sees the green Chaos Emerald in Carol's hand. "When did you find that?"
"While you were toying with Storm," Carol answers.
"Toying?" Lilac asks, playfully incredulous. "I was battling hard!"
"You could have ended that fight so much quicker, and you know it," Carol reminds.
"True," Lilac admits. "But Storm is more skilled than I initially gave credit for. Plus, it gave you more time to find the Emerald."
"Excuses," Carol teases.
Suddenly, the door flies open. Egg Soldiers pour into the room and surround the dragoness and wildcat.
"Problem," Lilac observes.
"Solution," Carol smirks, offering Lilac the Emerald.
"Like on Little Planet?" Lilac asks nervously.
"Got any better ideas?"
"Not one."
"Well?"
With a sigh, Lilac takes the Emerald as Carol climbs on her back. "Hold on tight," Lilac requests. "And please, don't vomit."
"I never vomit," Carol boasts.
"You're surrounded!" an Egg Soldier sergeant informs. "There's no escape!"
"Yes there is," Lilac retorts.
Before the sergeant can answer, Lilac curls into a ball, Carol curling with her. Spinning up to speed rapidly, Lilac unleashes a Chaos Boost directly upwards, through the roof and into the night sky, her wake knocking every Egg Soldier flat on their backs.
On Sky Patrol, Sally paces the bridge, unable to shake the feeling something's gone wrong.
"Both Lilac and Carol have proven themselves able to handle sticky situations," Nicole assures, projecting small enough to ride on Sally's head, nestled in the chipmunk's hair.
"I know," Sally agrees. "It's just that I sensed some tension between them earlier, and I'm worried it'll distract them and get them in trouble."
"They've not been with us two days yet, and you're acting like they're veteran Freedom Fighters," Nicole chuckles.
Sally stops pacing. "Is that a problem?"
"Not at all," Nicole assures with a smile. "In fact, it's a testament to the quality of your leadership."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Sally smiles, blushing slightly.
"You'll always have my vote." Nicole is suddenly distracted. "Sensors picking up an incoming… missile? No, it's not that…"
"Put it on the viewscreen," Sally instructs.
Nicole activates the viewscreen and switches it to the correct external camera feed. "What is that?" she asks, referring to the brilliant lavender streak tearing through the night sky.
"Zoom in," Sally instructs.
Nicole magnifies the image as much as she can without losing quality. "Is that better?"
"Is that‑ it is!" Sally answers in surprise. "It's Lilac! She has the Emerald! And that's Carol riding on her back! Guess we don't need to go pick them up."
"They're about thirty seconds away from crashing into the hangar." Nicole informs.
"I'm sure they‑" Sally starts, stopping when she remembers how out of control Lilac's Chaos Boost was on Little Planet. "Amy!" she barks into her communicator. "Get down to the hangar ASAP!"
"Slow down!" Carol cries as Lilac approaches Sky Patrol's hangar at great speed.
"I don't know how!" Lilac replies, on the verge of panic.
"Think of something!"
"I'm trying!"
As they enter the hangar, Lilac realises there's only one solution: drop the Emerald. The gemstone clatters to the deck, ending the Chaos Boost. However, momentum remains in effect, carrying both Lilac and Carol at speed across the hangar. They hit the ground hard, tumbling violently until they hit the far wall.
"Thank you for flying Lilac Airways," Lilac mumbles, heavily dazed. "We hope you enjoyed your flight, and will fly with us again soon."
"Don't count on it," Carol replies, equally dazed.
Seconds later, Amy dashes into the hangar and over to the two friends. "What happened?" she asks, worry dripping from every word. "Are you OK?"
"I need to stop being a plane," Lilac murmurs, sense slowly returning to her.
"We'll be fine," Carol assures, extracting herself from the dragon‑wildcat tangle and standing unsteadily. "Erm… do you have a bucket?"
"No," Amy answers. "Why?"
Unable to control her nausea any longer, Carol drops to all fours and vomits. "That's why," she croaks as Amy looks away in disgust.
"I thought you didn't do that?" Lilac asks, lucidity having returned.
"You make a very bad plane," Carol quips, standing unsteadily again.
"I'm taking you both to the medical bay," Amy decides, helping Lilac to her feet.
"We're not hurt," Lilac reminds. "We're just dizzy, s'all."
"You're going, and that's final," Amy insists.
"I… OK," Lilac relents. "Just one thing before we go."
"What?"
"Do you have a bucket?"