Jenni: "And that's it. That's my story and Ivo's."

Jenni says, opening her eyes as she finishes her trip down memory lane. She looks up to see Sonic, Sally, and Tails crying. Sally even blows her nose with a handkerchief.

Sally: "You… You went through so much… I almost attacked you and… you went through all that… I just… I'M SO SORRYYYYY!"

Sally starts to let the water works fly as Sonic comforts her.

Sonic: "Man, Jen… You never once told me any of that… I thought it was strange that you never came back to visit at least… I mean… Even when Uncle Chuck did…"

Jenni: "Yeah… Guilt and PTSD does that to you."

Nicole then curtsies to Jenni as she asks a question.

Nicole: "Lady Jenni. May I explain how I became what I am? I'm sure they are most curious considering… the circumstances of that day."

Jenni: "I doubt they'll understand it any better than I did when I was told, but go right ahead."

Jenni turns to her monitor to check up on something. As she does, Nicole steps up to enlighten on the part that the heroes were likely questioning.

Nicole: "It is a bit hard to truly grasp what happened, but… When Jenni tried to save me back in Charles' lab, she unintentionally put my mind in the computer. Unfortunately, my data was scrambled due to the transfer being interrupted, but what did get salvaged was enough to stabilize my digital form. Though it took a long time for me to grasp my situation as I was still in shock of it all. The most I recalled was being in pain, my body slowly dying, then I was… okay. Mostly. Scanning through the security feed showed me some of what happened, which I admit had me in tears. I was dead… officially. But my spirit lived on. From then, I learned how to control the new environment I was in. I was data now, meaning I could go through passages connected by wires. It took me some time, but eventually, I found an access point to West Island thanks to Charles listening to a radio that day. I traveled that wire, eventually reaching Lady Jenni's computer. After that, she helped update my form and data, turning me into what I would have looked like if I had lived through my experience - a now fourteen year old data-lynx."

Tails: "Hmm… If I understand it, Jenni created an artificial intelligence by transferring a real person's soul into cyberspace. But only partially… Man, Uncle Chuck and I would love to get to know you, Nicole!"

Nicole blushes, scratching her head as she laughs shyly. Sonic approaches Jenni, curious about one thing.

Sonic: "Jen. There's one thing I need answering. Why an interest in the Chaos Emeralds? If one can power an entire country for a long time, why does Ivo need seven?"

Jenni: "That's what I've been stalling for time for. What Ivo doesn't realize is that his machines release a unique wavelength signature that certain older radios can detect. Thank Nicole for that one."

Nicole: "I… just suggested it… I didn't think it would work…"

Jenni: "It did and that's why I have you as my personal assistant. Anyway, I sent scouts to the quadrant of the ocean right here since there is a massive signal being generated in this vicinity."

Jenni pointed to a map of Mobius, tapping her finger on an empty spot of ocean just between the west side of what would be the United States and the east side of what would be Japan. Sally looks at it with some confusion.

Sally: "But… There's nothing there. It's a perfectly normal trade route."

Nicole: "Indeed. And that's why Jenni thinks it's the perfect place to set up a base."

Jenni: "Of course, I did think of the idea of it being a mobile base, but considering how stationary the signal is, I think that assumption can be put to rest."

Sonic: "What bothers me is that Omelette said that her 'daddy' is planning to 'destroy all life on the planet'..."

Sally: "Robotnik said something similar… Jenni… What's your opinion on this?"

Jenni doesn't answer, simply holding her tongue until she gets confirmation. As they continue to wait, Sally sees movement from Rosie. Sonic and Tails look over and see Rosie slowly coming to.

Rosie: "Ugh… What happened…? Where am I…?"

Sally: "Rosie!"

Sally ran over to Rosie's bedside as she grabbed her friend's hand to assure that she's there and alive.

Rosie: "S-Sally? Did we… make it out okay…?"

Sally: "We did… Rosie, I'm so sorry I put you through all of that… I wasn't thinking clearly and…"

Rosie: "Princess… It's quite okay… I would do it all again for you… I'd fight by your side till I meet my end…"

Sonic: "Well don't keel over on us too soon!"

Rosie turns to sees Sonic and Tails, the latter waving his hands very energetically.

Rosie: "P-Prince Sonic…! So you did make it! Thank Gaia…"

Sonic: "It's… a long story, Rosie… But we'll tell you once you're better."

Jenni: "Spike's right. You shouldn't move too much; your wounds were way worse than Sally's."

The Mobians turn to Jenni as she gives a serious look to Rosie.

Jenni: "Get some more rest. Doctor's orders."

Rosie: "But… I serve…"

Sally: "You live to serve the Kingdom of Acorn. And as of right now, by my authority, Rosie Woodchuck, you are to lay down and listen to Doctor Jenni. That's an order."

Rosie looked at Sally, then to Sonic, then to Jenni before sighing and laying her head down.

Rosie: "Your mother would be so proud if she saw you, Sally… I'll do as I am told… But once I'm healed up, I am glued to your side forever more."

Sally: "And I promise that we'll stick together this time. We fight together, we die together."

Sonic: "Yo! We won't be dying, together or otherwise. We fight together, we win together!"

Tails: "Yeah! That's a cheer I can get behind!"

Sally could only giggle at that, Rosie joining in as the group were in high spirits. Jenni smiled softly at this before an alert. Her robot scout, Vespa, was contacting her. Upon establishing the link, the group was met by a feminine, somewhat high pitched voice.

Jenni: "Vespa. What's the situation?"

Vespa: "Pardon the intrusion, Lady Jenni, but we found Ivo's base emitting the signal."

Jenni: "Well well. Finally some progress. What did you find?"

Vespa: "Ivo's been pretty busy. Cargo ships carrying trapped Mobians from different parts of the world being placed in bubble capsules, then plugged into some kind of generator."

Jenni: "Tch… Figures… He's using Mobians as batteries…"

Sally: "How could Robotnik be so cruel to life like that? Has he no heart?"

Jenni: "If he had one, I doubt it'd be beating. Vespa, can you get us a visual?"

Vespa, after a moment of silence, turned on her optics to give a visual on the area. Sonic saw a few of the Mobians as Lam's villagers from the few brief glances he could remember of them. Sally recognized many of her residents of the Kingdom of Acorn, though none of them appeared to be her father or the world leaders.

Sonic: "What is Robotnik building?"

Vespa: "I can try and get you all a look at what exactly this thing is…"

Jenni: "Just don't get caught…"

Vespa nods before everyone sees the scout fly away from the loading bay, zooming out as the group were greeted by a very intimidating sight. Sonic and Sally's eyes widen as Jenni stands up from her seat, slamming her hands on the desk.

Jenni: "No… He's creating that thing!?"

Sonic: "Jen, if you know what it is, enlighten the rest of us…"

The screen shows a massive station, featuring Robotnik's face, eyes glaring down at Sonic and friends as if piercing their very souls. Jenni could only utter two words…

Jenni: "...Death Egg."

To be continued…