The camp now became set up in place. Crumbling branches were aflame with the oozing campfire, dancing above through an intoxicating smell. A breeze then brushes the orange glow, temporarily turning black, with a few crickets that got heard in the background. Sonic, Sally, and Bunnie sat around a small fire with the two girls at a log while Sonic remained at the edge of a broken pillar.

"I gotta admit, Bunnie. You're not a half-bad cook." Sonic complimented, handling some nosh on a stick. "You even knew which of this stuff in the woods was edible."

"Heh, I guess you just kind of pick this stuff up when your hobbies are gardenin' at times. It'll be best to have a chock full of essential vitamins and minerals to eat." Bunnie beamed, holding one of her own along with Sally.

"Well, first a professional butt-kicker of Badniks like me, and now I'm meeting a gardener?" Sonic said while he munched on his campfire food.

"Not what you expected, huh?" Bunnie responded, tapping her robotized foot on the grass and intertwining her hands. "Growing up in Royal Hills, I never imagined I'd end up battlin' an evil overlord and his giant machines."

Sonic replied dryly, "Well, life's full of surprises, isn't it?"

"Very," Bunnie had a wistful expression on her face. "Ironically enough, I used to dream of becomin' a hairstylist or a beautician. I had a knack for creativity, but the upper-class folks were often closed-minded. Being a commoner, I struggled to fit in with everyone."

Sally listened attentively, displaying her understanding and empathy while Sonic's expression transformed from confusion to a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"I used to believe that if I practiced hard enough, I would eventually have the opportunity to style the princess' hair," Bunnie shared a tinge of nostalgia in her voice. "But, of course, they never took me seriously. To them, I was just a breath of fresh air. Someone who didn't fit into their world of tea sippin' and fancy clothes. I tried to conform to their expectations, but even the thought now makes me cringe."

"But at least you got to, Bunnie. And you've done a great job cutting and styling it from the time it got tangled up in those trees when I used to sneak out of Knothole." Sally said, her face beaming with gratitude as she playfully tapped her fist over Bunnie's heart, showing her support.

Bunnie giggled gleefully, facing her best friend. "Well, I'm surprised you didn't get grounded for the rest of your days after going out alone like that. We had to use Antoine's sword to give you a major trim back then. You must have felt like you were undergoin' a dramatic style change."

"You could say that, Bunnie," Sally replied casually, closing her eyes briefly. "Besides, I was already going to start fighting Robotnik so we could take my kingdom back. And my hair only got in the way. We have all seen what his robots can do to mobians like us."

"Oh, Sally-Girl," Bunnie looked at her best friend with a sympathetic expression. "For how nasty that Robotnik has been to our families and homes, you don't need to do things alone every time one of us is scared. Well, mostly Antoine at times when there's nada, but you know what I mean."

Sally placed a gentle hand on Bunnie's shoulder. "It became dangerous for us, and I did not expect any of you guys here to join me. We all have strengths and limitations. If Robotnik has taught me anything, having the right strategy can topple great kingdoms."

"That's a total bummer," Sonic frowned at how much Dr. Robotnik has taken control of for the time being. "And then you came to Knothole?"

"Yeah, we sure did," Bunnie nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. "Knothole was like any port in a storm, though I couldn't fit in much with refugees for being half-robotized. Some even picked on me, callin' me Rabbot."

A wave of anger washed over Sonic's features as he absorbed the information. "No one deserves to get treated that way."

"I'm aware of that," Bunnie replied, her voice tinged with weariness as she closed her eyes briefly. "But people tend to judge you when you have robotic parts or anythin' else that they find unsettlin'. It's as if they see a reminder of the one who destroyed their families, homes, and lives."

"That's right, Bunnie," Sally reassured her cyborg friend. "Not everyone saw you as different. You were still friends with Antoine, me, and even Rotor when he visited Mobotropolis and helped us find our way to Knothole."

"Yeah," Bunnie blushed profusely and smiled sadly, her cheeks tinted with a rosy hue. "I was all set to become one of those 'proper little ladies,' you know? The kind who grows up to marry some nice feller and settles down. Not that those are BAD things," she quickly clarified, "but life never goes as you expect it to, as much as you plan for it."

"You mean like how Antoine was able to save you?" asked Sally, intrigued by Bunnie's revelation.

"Yeah, can you believe it?" Bunnie replied, her eyes lighting up as she recalled the heroic moment. "Those Swat-Bots were tearin' the place apart, and just when I thought it was all over, Antoine came to the rescue."

Sally nodded understandingly, realizing that sometimes the most unexpected individuals can display incredible courage. "You can never tell who the heroic ones are going to be, I suppose," she said with a smile.

"He's kinda cute… in that 'parent's basement' sorta way," Bunnie admitted, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Huh?" Sonic, who listened quietly, finally chimed in when feeling left out of the conversation.

Bunnie blushed again, caught off guard by her candid remark. "Huh? Oh, nothin'," she replied, snapping back to reality and trying to downplay her remark. "When Robotnik took over Mobotropolis, I was caught in the crossfire and smuggled into the Robotizer. While I was able to be rescued from any more trouble, the process turned me into a freak."

"I'm guessing Robotnik made things a whole lot tougher for you, Bunnie," Sonic said in a compassionate yet concerned tone, though devastated inside for Bunnie's sake.

"Yeah, well..." Bunnie cleared her throat, shifting away from a sad topic. "Anyway, what are your goals for the future, Sugar-Hog?"

"Future goals?" Sonic queried, noticing Bunnie's attempt to lighten the mood. "Well, I don't have a specific one. I've always been a wanderer, you know, going from one place to another, exploring different islands, taking in the sights, and, of course, scarfing down some of the best chili dogs. I find fulfillment in doing things my way. But for now, I'll stick around with you ladies, help rescue your friends, and kick some butt along the way!"

Bunnie looked Sonic up and down, giving him an alluring gaze, including a chuckle. "So, basically, you're a hobo?"

"Uh, yeah," Sonic stumbled over his words, bewildered by the mix of emotions and sensations. "Why?"

"Oh, nothin' to worry about, Sugar-Hog. If you'd like, you're welcome to stay in Knothole. You'll feel right at home and have some time to figure things out," Bunnie suggested with a mischievous grin. She playfully nudged her best friend, adding, "And I'm sure Sally-Girl here would be happy to give you the rundown and help you settle in, if you catch my drift."

Figuring the cyborg rabbit out, the flustered princess rolled her eyes and lightly jabbed Bunnie's side. "Bunnie, you know it's not like that! We were only talking."

"Sure, sure, you both were...!" Bunnie playfully teased, biting her lip. "And I was busy tendin' to the food and gatherin' firewood."

Sonic's face scrunched up, a slight blush still present as he tried to ignore Bunnie's suggestive remark. "Well, at least I'm not living in cardboard boxes right now."

"Okay...?" Sally raised an eyebrow at Sonic's response, her suspicion regarding his origins still lingering. "Bunnie mentioned that you had an uncle. Was he a resident of Mobotropolis?"

Sonic gave Sally a strange look, though he was adept at weaving tales about his family. "Yeah, he was! Professor Charles Parlouzer, but I call him Uncle Chuck-!"

The princess seized the opportunity to surprise Sonic, causing him to jerk back in shock. "You're Professor Parlouzer's nephew?!"

"Oh, my stars! That's a big surprise," Bunnie exclaimed, her smile widening.

Sonic looked at the two girls in confusion. "How do you both know my uncle?"

"He used to be one of our teachers," Sally replied. "I learned a great deal from him during my school days. Professor Parlouzer crossed paths with my father and became a trusted friend, serving our kingdom."

"But I don't recall ever seein' you with him, Sugar-Hog," Bunnie remarked, causing a trickle of sweat on Sonic's forehead.

"W-Well, I'm usually all over the place," Sonic chuckled nervously, attempting to mask the unease that made his voice quiver.

Sally's gaze narrowed, and Sonic knew he hadn't managed to conceal it well enough. "That doesn't explain where you were before all of this," she stated, gesturing toward the current state of affairs.

"I-I left home to visit my uncle in Mobotropolis," Sonic explained, scratching his head. "But then I saw robots tearing things up in the forest. They were digging, draining rivers, and chopping down trees. That's when I encountered Eggman, who claimed to be carrying out these actions on behalf of your father. It was all a lie, coming from that fat old weirdo."

Sally held Sonic's gaze as he hoped his fabrication would hold up. Eventually, she withdrew slightly and spoke with a measured tone. "How did you manage to escape the city during the invasion? You probably weren't aware of our evacuation, were you?"

"Not really, I guess," Sonic shrugged. "I flew alone on my dad's old plane, but I was shot down and crash-landed on another island. I was saved by my...!"

Sonic soon trailed off, skimming for the right words to voice the awful thought. It was far away and fuzzy now, a mess of tangled thoughts, emotions, and ideas that sat at the front of his mind. Sally and Bunnie were gazing at the conflicted blue hedgehog, curious about what Sonic's story had in store for them.

"By who?" Bunnie asked, her tone now filled with genuine concern rather than lightheartedness.

Sally reached over and gently stroked a hand along Sonic's wrist, causing him to look at her. "It's okay if you can't-!"

"Her name was Longclaw. She took care of me," Sonic finally revealed, causing the princess to pause her words and both girls to listen intently. "At first, I was a bit distant from her after the time she had saved me. But I got to know her, and she was less of a strict hermit and more like a mother to me. She taught me how to survive."

"W-What happened?" Sally asked next but sounded hesitant.

Sonic's body tensed as if he had just realized the weight of her question. He spoke slowly, the words laden with regret. "She told me to stay away from places near the border, but I didn't listen. As it turns out, with great power comes great power-hungry bad guys. And I led them right to us."

After the Tornado crash-landed, Longclaw remained the sole caregiver for Sonic. Under her watch, Sonic had the opportunity to experience the freedom of being a normal kid, running free. However, repairing the damaged Tornado took a considerable amount of time. Throughout their journey, Longclaw warned Sonic about the potential danger from humans if they were to discover him, and unfortunately, fate dealt her a heavy blow due to these warnings.

Longclaw had distinct features, with brownish feathers covering most of her body. Her face had white feathers extending from her nose ridge over her blue eyes. She possessed a short, curved black beak and adorned two feathers behind her ear tufts. Large brown feathers coated her arms, and she wore an outfit with golden armor that featured intricate details around her torso. This armor got held together by a collar around her neck and brown straps on her lower abdomen. Completing her look were white gloves and gold rings around her talon feet.

As the gentle breeze swirled within the cozy hut that had been Sonic and Longclaw's shared sanctuary for the past few years, the wise Longclaw had become deeply engrossed in her meditation. However, her warrior instincts kicked in, and she instinctively reached for the reassuring grip of her trusty crook when she sensed an unusual disturbance.

"Who goes there?" Longclaw's voice resonated with a hint of caution as she called out, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings.

A familiar voice responded, breaking the tense atmosphere with a mischievous tone, "Ha, no need to be a worrywart! It is just me, Longclaw!" Sonic's face emerged from beneath the sheets, his bright smile lighting up the room. His sudden appearance coincided with the wind that had swirled around the hut, revealing the source of the disturbance.

"Sonic!" Longclaw exclaimed, her expression softening into a scowl, though there was a hint of affection beneath it. She leaned on her crook for support, her years of wisdom contrasting with Sonic's youthful exuberance. "You can't go bouncing across the island like that! Someone could have seen you."

"Pssh, no way anyone would have seen me. I'm too fast!" Sonic dismissed with his same boisterous attitude, bringing along a smile afterward. "And! I wanted to bring you this."

He lifted a sunflower, radiant and delicate. Although Longclaw was still agitated with Sonic for disobeying her rules, she did, however, welcome Sonic's little gift to her. The wise owl took the blossom in her gloved hands and touched it gingerly.

"Ah..." Longclaw smiled, feeling endeared as her left hand began to ruffle on the boy's hair, making him embarrassed.

"H-Hey, no fair!" Sonic frowned, pouting for being treated like a child.

"That is for not obeying me, you little fuzzball, and this…!" Longclaw trailed off as she picked up Sonic, making him look like he was flying while he laughed, "...is for the gift."

Then her eyes snapped into focus. She heard something.

Sonic seemed quick enough to notice and asked, "Longclaw, what's wrong-?"

"GET DOWN!" Longclaw shouted and wrapped Sonic in her arms. She quickly kicked her door shut while putting herself and Sonic onto the ground.

A flash of bullets sped through the windows and embedded themselves in the hut's weak walls. Longclaw blasted through the roof with Sonic held securely in her arms. On the edges of his vision, the young hedgehog could see fourteen shadowy figures who had fired those strange-looking weapons everywhere. Most of the things these strangers said had begun to confuse Sonic while he was still a child, something like:

"I told you we'd find these mobian freaks here!"

"You mobian scum don't belong here!"

"Come on, shoot them down! We'll make that big loot for sure!"

They looked coarse, vicious for the way they acted just now. And the outfits they all wore showed the avarice of the human race. These humans were poachers. They wanted to hunt down every last mobian on the planet and sell them disgustingly to make glue. And by visiting the far side of the region where most mobians can get spotted, Sonic had led them to his home.

The poachers swarmed everywhere around the hut, holding nets and weapons to attack the two mobians. Longclaw's crook clutched firmly in her other hand. She sprang down to the wooden bridges and took the legs underneath one poacher, who crashed below.

Another poacher came with the machete to slash at Longclaw. She spin-kicked the broad blade out of his hands and struck him in the jaw with her crook. Two more men tried to jump Longclaw and Sonic from behind. She answered to both of them with her spinning weapon to each chin.

Then she whirled around and flung the two men through the windows of the hut where they had attacked the two mobians. As Longclaw started jumping through the growth of trees with Sonic in her other arm, several more poachers advanced dark trails across the face of the island like black veins.

The Tornado didn't become an option because it still wasn't fixed, unfortunately. Sonic didn't know what else there could be for them to escape. There was no freedom from the poachers. Or the shots fired into the air after Longclaw and Sonic.

"Argh!" Longclaw cried as jumping ceased, having her and Sonic crash to the forest ground.

Sonic rose to his feet, but she stumbled again. The poachers would be on them at any moment, but all he could think about was the blood-soaked wound he saw on Longclaw, where the bullet bit deep into her side.

"Longclaw, you're b-bleeding!" Sonic said, witnessing blood coming out of Longclaw's bullet wound.

"I know, I know. Listen carefully, Sonic," Longclaw coughed as she limped to his side.

Sonic kept looking at her, worried.

"Your speed is unlike anything I've ever seen. And that means anybody will always want something from you or solely to destroy you. The only way to be safe from either one is to stay hidden. And you'll have to do it without me."

"N-NO!" Sonic shouted with disapproval, still remembering the sting of tears in his eyes when he lost Uncle Chuck back in Mobotropolis. "I don't want to go without you, Longclaw! Why are you doing this?"

"Because it is too late for me, Sonic. You don't want to live only to harm others, do you? You are more than what you mean now," Longclaw said with tears in her eyes like she had a thousand times before. "I may not know why this ability has come to you in the first place. But I believe it is something far greater than becoming a tool in someone else's game."

He then grits his teeth in sadness as he cried, "No, we're leaving! Both of us are getting out of here. Together."

Longclaw persisted, "Sonic, please. You need to think about the-!"

But Sonic interrupts once more, "Stop! Stop, okay? I'm not leaving anybody, so just shut up. That's that."

As Longclaw stared with eyes widened in shock and fear for Sonic's safety from the human poachers, despite his stubbornness, "Listen to me, Sonic-"

"THERE THEY ARE! KILL THE MOBIANS AND TAKE THEIR HEADS OFF!" One poacher screamed as Longclaw saw the origin of the voice. She gasped at seeing that the entire crew was getting closer.

There wasn't much time.

As an idea strikes, Longclaw only gazes at Sonic, mustering a smile, and says, "Listen closely, Sonic. All I need you to do is carry me. Close your eyes, count down, and run at top speed. I'll use my Warp Ring to reach a hidden and secure location. Promise me you'll never stop running. Can you do that?"

Longclaw once taught him how the Warp Rings worked, but Longclaw always warned Sonic that their powers were finite. He could hold one in his hands, imagine a place he wanted to travel, and the ring would expand to warp him where he wanted to go.

Sonic rose one of his brows for a second before nodding hesitantly, "Yeah! I can do that, Longclaw! We'll be out of here before you know it. I promise."

Once Sonic got into a racing position where Longclaw held onto the young hedgehog, he began to shut his eyes tightly and count from ten as he runs.

"Nine...! Eight...! Seven...!"

Longclaw noticed Sonic's speed increase until she picked her golden ring out of the brown bag. She tosses it afar until the Warp Ring expanded itself to make a portal to another location.

"Six...! Five...! Four...!"

Longclaw and Sonic were making their way toward the portal. However, Longclaw bounced off from the younger hedgehog once he enters through the Warp Ring.

"Three...! Two...! One! We did it, Longclaw! We did it...?"

The minute Sonic opened his eyes with delight, his face soon turned into horror, checking to see Longclaw making a stand against the incoming poachers on the other side of the portal.

"LONGCLAW!" Sonic shouted as he ran back toward the Warp Ring.

Hearing his cries, Longclaw peeked back at the young hedgehog one last time with a somber expression. "...Goodbye, Sonic."

"No!" Sonic shouted, trying desperately to reach the portal. "Noooooooo!"

Just as he reached the portal, the Warp Ring disintegrated into nothing, vanishing into the air as Sonic lost his chance.

"L-Longclaw?" Sonic uttered.

No answer came as he peered around the forest, noting it was nighttime. Sonic couldn't believe this was happening. In the space of a few minutes, his life had changed forever.

His family was now gone.

Sonic shook his head, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt washing over him. He blamed himself. Longclaw would still be alive if he hadn't insisted on being so reckless, had he only obeyed her instructions. The weight of the tragedy bore down on him, and the young hedgehog struggled to control his emotions, trying to keep the pain and sorrow at bay.

But this time, it wasn't working. The floodgates of grief were opening, and Sonic couldn't hold back the torrent of emotions any longer. He collapsed to his knees, his body trembling with sorrow, as he tried to muster all his strength not to break down completely.

Yet, despite his best efforts to stay strong, the tears came anyway. A mixture of sadness, regret, and anger overwhelmed him, and Sonic wailed in anguish, his cries echoing through the forest. Endless tears poured down his cheeks, and for a moment, he felt utterly alone in the darkness of the night.

As the tale ended, the blue hedgehog remained motionless, frozen. "I ran away... I was an idiot. I thought I had everything figured out, but I ran away, and now Longclaw is gone. Somewhere out there, either dead, missing, or worse. I can't let innocent lives become endangered because of me."

Bunnie covered her mouth in shock while Sally's eyes widened, finally grasping the reasons behind Sonic's urgency to rescue her teammates. Besides what Sonic had gone through, Sally understood that humans were not supposed to cross the border. In her early days as a princess, she had heard numerous stories from the Great War.

In recent years, however, humans become more common in certain regions, no longer an uncommon sight.

Unfortunately, along with their increasing presence, humans had also faced hatred and discrimination from some of Mobius' population. Sonic avoided making eye contact with the girls, his hand on his head, burdened with regret as the weight of his actions started to affect him emotionally.

"Sonic..." Sally whispered, tears welling as she comprehended the dire situation.

"Oh, Sugar-Hog..." Bunnie's voice softened as she looked at Sonic with remorseful eyes, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Oof! Okay, okay! Hugs are fine!" Sonic's eyes darted around, seemingly bewildered by the sudden affection, until Sally joined in and hugged him as well.

"I'm sorry if I unintentionally pushed you into something disregarding, Sonic. I never meant for it to happen like this-"

"Don't worry! There's no need to apologize for that!" Sonic smiled sheepishly, disengaging himself from the hugs and adopting a determined expression. "Besides, that doesn't mean I've given up on finding Uncle Chuck or Longclaw. I won't abandon them, just like you won't give up on finding your family, right?"

The princess couldn't help but regard him with confusion, appreciating his clear response. She often wondered how Sonic managed to embody such qualities; kindness combined with ferocity rather than being a crazed amateur with a rebellious attitude. As much as Sally felt the urge to reprimand him, she knew she needed him. She couldn't hope to reach Dr. Robotnik without the assistance of everyone she could gather.

In a moment, a smile gently draws across Sally's lips. "I'm glad you're here with us, Sonic."

Sonic blinked, taking a mental note of her affirmation. He placed his hands on his hips with a chortle escaping his heroic smile.

"Now, that's enough lounging for us all. And thanks for the grub, Bunnie. Ready to get back on the road, ladies?" Sonic asked, motioning the girls to resume their adventure.

"Uh... yeah! Let's go, Sally! We've got a score to settle with that egg-shaped fat boy and save Rotor and Antoine." Bunnie turns her head to Sally, who nodded in agreement.

"Right."

Sally took out Nicole, opening the hand-held computer. "It looks like the signal we got back in the temple has gone cold, but there's another Chaos Emerald a few miles to the north near Spring Yard Casino."

Bunnie nodded as she checks out Nicole's screen. "Then we'd better hurry before we lose track of this one, too! There's an entrance to some water-like ruin down here. Must be Jungle Labyrinth over there."

Sonic suddenly came to a screeching halt, his green eyes widening as the word "water" reverberated through his mind. He had desperately tried to suppress the unsettling thought, hoping to delay its intrusion for a few more precious minutes. But now, it seemed his efforts had backfired, and the fear of water began to consume his thoughts.

His heart raced as memories flashed before his eyes, moments of being submerged, trapped, and helpless. The suffocating weight of the depths and the darkness that lurked beneath haunted him. Sonic shook his head, attempting to clear his mind, but the fear had already taken hold, tightening its grip around his racing thoughts.

Sally noticed Sonic's sudden change and rushed to his side, concerned. "Sonic, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Oh, um, don't worry, Sal. There's nothing wrong with me. No need to be alarmed!" Sonic responded abruptly, causing Sally to blink twice in confusion.

Although he had been cheerful moments ago, Sonic became consumed by his inner anxieties. He dreaded the moment when Sally would discover the immense pressure he was currently under, prompting him to avert his gaze from her and fix his eyes on the distance ahead.

"Sonic?" the chipmunk girl inquired, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently, awaiting a response from the blue hedgehog.

Sonic tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. He could feel his palms becoming clammy, his breathing growing shallow. Water now loomed as a specter of his deepest fears.

"Oh, Sally-Girl, look over there! There are some buildings!" Bunnie pointed toward a distant urban area that resembled a pinball-like city. "I reckon Robotnik might be there too, searchin' for a Chaos Emerald."

Using this information as an excuse to avoid the Jungle Labyrinth, Sonic hastily walked away with a timid smile. "Cool, then maybe we should split up! I'll search for Butt-Nik and a Chaos Emerald there while you can go-!"

But before Sonic could finish his sentence, Sally swiftly grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute, Sonic! You want to go all by yourself?"

"No can do, Sugar. You need some help," Bunnie supported Sally's concern.

"Sorry, but I have to handle this alone," Sonic replied, attempting to break free from Sally.

Once again, the princess maintained a firm hold on Sonic's arm. "Is there something you're not telling us? Bunnie just mentioned Jungle Labyrinth."

Sonic saw Sally's expression and chuckled nervously. "C-Come on, Sal! Splitting up would be a good idea to find and defeat the Super Badniks holding your friends hostage. It's not because I'm afraid of getting wet or anything! I mean, safety is first, right? They say you shouldn't swim for at least three hours after a campfire meal or something like that."

"My, my, Sugar-Hog, are you stallin'?" Bunnie teased with a sly smirk.

"S-Stalling? No way! I'm not stalling. Why would I stall anyone? I hate stalling. And, honestly, here's a list of things I prefer over stalling: root beer, coloring books, bean burritos, the first day of spring, the second day of spring, the third day of spring...!"

"Sonic, are you hiding the fact that you have aquaphobia?" Nicole interjected just as the truth was about to come out.

"Fine!" Sonic exclaimed, sweeping his hand dramatically. "You got me! I can't swim at all! Are you happy now? Can we please stop jumping to conclusions?"

"Conclusions about what? Scared of a little water?" Sally asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sonic couldn't help but feel a mix of dread and anger inside him as he watched Sally and Bunnie giggling at his reaction. He had always prided himself on being fearless and brave, so being teased about his momentary fear was not something he enjoyed.

"No need to worry. If it were rainin', it wouldn't matter whether we're inside or outside!" Bunnie chimed in with a mischievous smile, crossing her arms.

Sonic's frustration grew as Sally and Bunnie teased him about his fear of water. He scowled at Bunnie, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh? I never would have guessed that, Bunnie. Thanks for pointing out the obvious."

The intense gaze of the blue hedgehog remained unchanged as he let out a frustrated huff, prompting Sally to let out a weary sigh. "Sonic, this plan isn't working. Sooner or later, you'll have to confront the challenges of the Jungle Labyrinth."

As Sally fixed her gaze on him, Sonic clasped his hands and pleaded with her. "But Robotnik could be scheming something huge. Maybe I can find one of those Super Badniks there and give it a major beatdown! To help break out one of your missing friends and find a Chaos Emerald. Just give me a chance, please!"

Sally contemplated Sonic's words, her hand resting against her chin, emitting a soft hum. While it was undoubtedly risky to split up their group, she couldn't deny the potential benefits of conserving the rest of their teammates and securing the remaining Chaos Emeralds more swiftly. With determination emanating from her eyes, Sally released a deep sigh and prepared to respond.

"All right, then," Sally said, stepping closer to him with a firm expression. "But NO screw-ups, you got that?"

Sonic responded with a confident smirk. "Sally, I promise everything will be just fine. I'll be in and out before you ladies even notice."

With his signature smirk, Sonic moved his legs in a precise circular pattern while maintaining his position and then took off at speeds surpassing the norm.

"Stay cautious and keep an eye out for Robotnik!" Sally called after the speedy hero.

"Don't forget to search for a Chaos Emerald and that Super Badnik while you're there!" Bunnie chimed in, adding her voice to the conversation.

Soon skidding just on the outskirts of a city, Sonic had found his way to overlook this slightly bizarre and loosely space of Spring Yard Casino in front of him. The sky has already become set to a late evening as Sonic observes what seems to be a park very close to the city. Everywhere became illuminated by the purple glow of the urban environment, followed by the silhouettes of building tops, complete with water towers and air vents on top being visible. Looking over the city, Sonic saw the tall, rocky mountains and thick green bushes and grass beneath the buildings, indicating the park aspects.

"Nice, this place ain't looking half bad, but there's no way this place should be up and running from the time when it got shut down for years." Kicking his foot against the ground, Sonic couldn't help but grin widely with a whistle. "And talk about seeing a factory line. Well, since I'm here now; time to go kick in some Badnik brains!"

Sonic whooped loudly and threw his fists into the air as he charged onward, meeting the first enemies of the steadily darkening hour: Crab-Meats and Buzz-Bombers. As Sonic kicked and punched his way to free the little bunnies and birds inside the Crab-Meats, he then jumped onto a rotating light in his ball form to strike through a few Buzz-Bombers. He landed on one of the bee-based Badniks to soften his fall.

Sonic then hits spring and instantly shot up the side of a marble complex in a spiral, eyes checking out his elevation and added speed. He crawled through a tight space before letting out another whoop as the blue hedgehog jumped onto another spring and rocketed between bumpers, heavily increasing his momentum.

As the rabid ball of blue was having the time of his life, he went on ahead through a generous string of Badniks to meet and destroy in a series of moving coral and blue platforms. Noticing the pattern like it's an elevator, Sonic smirked for a bit as he calmly made his way down to a lower, humming a tune heard from a radio playing in one of the various buildings.

After that, he speeds down an incline at the bottom. However, an armadillo-based Badnik called a Roller soared over his head, tripping him up into confusion. Before Sonic could question his sanity, he finds out that it turned out to be just a rolling Badnik with a neat paint job, evidently filled with a rabbit as Sonic spin attacks into its head.

Curling into a ball with every jump, Sonic ran and climbed up a slope with surprising ease to land on a jagged platform, liberating two more animals from metallic clutches. Sure enough that the little fuzzy creatures got along safely, Sonic refused to let any other Badniks escape from him. Tensing his muscles, he charged forward and threw a kick into a Buzz-Bomber, crushing it with ease, followed by a popping noise.

Sonic soon dashed down through the former sprawling metropolis dedicated to the leisure industry, such as casinos and pinball machines. Suddenly, the blue hedgehog became surprised to see some fireworks being shot into the sky, exploding and popping all over what should have been abandoned ruins.

"What the heck?" Sonic muttered, immediately running somewhere to investigate before he stopped short at what he saw next.

The rows of flashing neon lights and signs illuminated the night sky, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. The city was alive with energy as customers mingled, engaging in conversation, enjoying drinks, and going about their daily activities.

As Sonic scanned the area, his eyes landed on the various amusement rides scattered throughout the city. Roller coasters weaved through the landscape, their tracks twisting and turning in gravity-defying loops. The screams of delight from thrill-seekers echoed as the roller coasters whizzed by.

A towering Ferris wheel stood tall in the distance, its illuminated gondolas gently rotating in the night sky. It provided a breathtaking view of the entire city, offering tranquility amidst the lively atmosphere below.

Sonic's trademark grin widened as he noticed a plethora of other amusement rides, beckoning him to experience the exhilaration they had to offer. From spinning teacups to giant swings and gravity-drop towers, the city seemed to be a playground for the young and the young at heart.

"Whoa, now THIS looks like a city!" Sonic muttered to himself, with his jaw slacked in disbelief before pushing it back up. "Though there has got to be something going on here, and I better get to the bottom of it-!"

Before Sonic could step out onto the pathway, a couple of Swat-Bots came marching throughout the area, causing the speedy hero to hide in the shrubs.

"Of course, the bald dude's involved with this! Guess I'll have to stick to the shadows. Butt-Nik will no doubt have reported me to the Swat-Bots by now, and he'll have them looking all over for me. Man, this sure makes me stick out like a sore thumb." Sonic narrowed his surroundings for a safer advantage.

Once the military Badniks trudged onward, Sonic's head popped out of the thickness of a bush until his attention caught onto a sad-looking mobian dog.

"I can't believe it...I've lost everything...!"

"Psst! Hey, buddy, over here!" Sonic whispered, motioning for the mobian civilian to come over.

"A-Are you crazy? Who are you?" The male dog shuddered in surprise, hoping the security doesn't come back. "If any one of those robots should see you..."

"Why the long face, bud?" Sonic asked.

"W-Well," The male dog begins to explain his terrible situation. "I was playing the tables, and something came over me. I kept on losing, b-but I couldn't stop. I even lost my home. What am I going to tell my family?"

Taking a good look around at such a miserable place in disguise, Sonic could only testify that the many slot machines and games seem to have the smiling face of Dr. Robotnik on each monitor's screen. The evil genius's face was everywhere, and Sonic quickly spotted a vast statue of Dr. Robotnik looming above everything.

"I'm guessing there's no way to win in this place, buddy. Robotnik must've fixed all the games into HIS doing." Sonic placed a hand onto the dog person's shoulder, frowning at such an act that he intends to change. "And he's hypnotized all the visitors into becoming compulsive gamblers. It has got to be from that statue of him there! The eyes look like they're constantly shooting out hypnotizing beams!"

The mobian dog turns to Sonic, startled by the discovery. "B-But how?"

"Well, if I were you, buddy," Sonic showed off his heroic smirk. "I'd stick around cause there's going to be a few changes around here!"

"Oh my! What do we have here? A newcomer! Welcome to Spring Yard Casino, sir!" a robotic voice suddenly spoke from behind Sonic, showing a shadow of a cat filling a space in front of him.

A robotized female cat wearing a gray and purple tuxedo, followed by white gloves, stood around Sonic and the mobian dog. Her violet eyes began to glow, showing her spiky and mohawk-like black hair featuring a white streak. She also had pink lips with freckle-like spots. Sonic looked like he was becoming eager to rumble, except for the mobian dog, who looked ready to soil himself.

"Who are you? One of Ro-Butt-Nik's robots?" Sonic asked.

"Why, there's no need for that! I'm Robecca." The robotic cat shook her head with a giggle, swaying her mechanical tail around. "Breezie sent me to find new contenders for her obstacle course. A chance to get ready to show off your moves! How would you like to compete to win a fabulous cash prize and a Chaos Emerald?"

"Oh, uh, I'm not here looking for money. I'm trying to find out...! Whoa, wait a minute! A Chaos Emerald? Do you mean to tell me that I could win an Emerald if I participate in this race?" Sonic seemed taken aback when he heard there's a sporting event, one involving the Chaos Emerald.

"Then you've come to the right place! Anyone who's anyone will be watching the big race! You can't afford to miss it!" Robecca energetically continues to plug the event.

A smirk soon sneaks up onto Sonic's face as he rubs his palms together. "A huge race, huh? Finally, it looks like someone's speaking my language!"

Unbeknownst to all of the visitors in Spring Yard Casino, the head of the Robotnik statue contains the master control computer that makes all the games unwinnable. Deeply within was a reserved room of some sort, lurking a trio of short, middle-aged humans talking to a shadowy figure standing in a lit doorway.

These were the Marxio Brothers: Grouchio, Chicio, and Harpio. They were three villainous electricians and businessmen, closely allied with Dr. Robotnik's dictatorship through a deal of business.

First, there was Grouchio, the de-facto leader and oldest brother. He had dark-brown curly hair with a mustache that looked like two hearts coming out of his nose. His attire had red overalls with a yellow shirt underneath and brown shoes. Plus, he wore a white bowtie with pink polka dots.

Second, there was Chicio, the loyal and shrewd middle child. He had a short black mustache and black hair hidden under his red cap, which he wears backward. The attire that he bears is some shabby blue overalls, a white shirt, and brown shoes.

Third and finally, there was Harpio, the youngest and a complete mute. He had curly orange hair with a lazy expression that is constantly on his face, as he wore green overalls with a blue shirt and brown shoes.

"The casino opens in five minutes, boys. Status report?" A feminine voice from the shadowy figure spoke.

Chicio, somewhat dirty and covered in oil, is holding a wrench in one hand and wiping his forehead with the other. "All-a set to your specifications, Miss-a Breezie. The odds on the slot machines are-a switched PRECISELY according to your orders."

"Good boy," The female figure purred as she walks up to Chicio naturally, hands on her hips while Chicio looked a bit cowed. "We don't want to be giving money away willy-nilly if we are to keep up a profit, right?"

"Um... y-yes! Yes-a ma'am!" Chicio saluted in a stutter.

"Excellent."

As a confident and triumphant hedgehog businesswoman, Breezie stood tall with green fur, purple irises, and stylish blue-highlighted quills resembling long hair. Her makeup accentuated her purple eyelids and red lipstick, complementing her peach skin and a short black nose. She sported a red business suit, red high heels, a white undershirt with buttons, and white gloves held together by yellow cuff rings.

"Let nobody say that Breezie doesn't give you a run for your money!"

"Breezie! Marxio Brothers!" shouted Dr. Robotnik, who suddenly appeared on a computer screen with annoyance. "I've told you each that you're supposed to be plastering my likeness on consumer goods, not giving away a free Chaos Emerald that should most likely be mine alone! With Sonic already rescuing those Freedom Fighters, it's beginning to concern me, Breezie. And we all must think of a way to eliminate that hedgehog."

"O-Of course, we understand," Grouchio assured, his voice bearing a thick Italian accent. "I mean, do we look like idiots?"

"You don't want me to answer that question, do you?" Dr. Robotnik growled in a sarcastic mood before getting back on topic. "My Fly-Bot tells me that Sonic is planning a raid on Spring Yard Casino to steal away my Chaos Emerald and destroy my Super Badnik. This place raises a lot of money when I first put you in charge of managing it, Breezie. And if I lost it, I'd be very disappointed if anything like that happened! Every plan! Every tactic! That I could attain from my highest intelligence yet!"

"Yeesh! He's lucky not to have blown up yet, or more likely a heart attack." Grouchio whispered to his brothers as Harpio honked his horn with a nod.

"Well, that is because I know a way to help occupy your enemy until we give him the final surprise, sir," Breezie said with a wink, unfazed by her master's constant chattering.

"I am waiting, Breezie." Dr. Robotnik frowned at the female hedgehog, but he only responded to her next with dark eyes.

"We appeal to your enemy's inflated ego," Breezie replied, much to level up the evil genius's sudden curiosity.

"His ego?"

"Exactly," Breezie smiled, elaborating further. "The Marxio Brothers will take charge of the Super Badnik and the traps designed for him in the speed contest. We have gathered enough intel about him, and this is the perfect chance to exploit his overconfidence. Moreover, plenty of affluent mobians are present, eager to place high-stake bets on Sonic's victory. As long as you achieve your goals, doctor, this event will serve its purpose."

Seeing Breezie not give up her methods to somehow seize Sonic, Dr. Robotnik thought of this long and hard with a low hum until he gave up at last in favor of the female hedgehog's plan.

"Mm, I like it, Breezie. The hedgehog would not be able to resist such a temptation like this! I will have him right in the palm of my hand." Dr. Robotnik had a deceitful grin on his face, as he would seem like he would finally get rid of his pestering problem as another obstacle getting thrown out the window. "Alright, fine. But you owe me for giving you the resources to embark on this place again, so make sure that little blue spike-ball fails, or it's the Robotizer for all four of you!"

All three of the Marxio siblings recoiled, gasping in horror while Breezie remained unfazed by her master's intimidation.

"Mama-Mia!" Chicio cried out, shaking in a panic. "Anything but-a that!"

"Nobody could be that cruel!" Grouchio exclaimed as his eyes widened.

As for Harpio, though, he said nothing and merely held up a horn to honk it twice.

Dr. Robotnik's threat caused Breezie to pull out a pocket mirror and powders her face in apathy. "Oh, please. We'll make sure it's all the brilliantly sneaky part of your devious and underhanded scheme, doctor."

"You'd be surprised what I'm capable of doing, Breezie. Don't forget: if you try to beat the house, the house beats you!" Dr. Robotnik's smile dropped with a scowl at how Breezie reacted to his doings. "You get that hedgehog, and everything will be in tip-top shape! As for me, I've already got something else to take care of especially."

With that, Dr. Robotnik ended the communication, the screen going black as the Marxio Brothers sighed in relief. Harpio soon looked over at one of the security monitors off to the left side and noticed the sight of Robecca convincing Sonic on the screen. He rapidly tooted his horn, getting everyone's attention.

"Look-a, Breezie!" Chicio called out, pointing at the screen. "Robotnik was right about-a that hedge-a-hog! He's already here!"

"Ooh! It looks like Robecca's doing a job well done." Breezie went to inspect the blue speedster on the screen until her eyes grew misty as she smiled teasingly. "Mmm, he's a looker."

Grouchio regarded Breezie with one eyebrow arched. "Try not to drool, Miss Breezie."

The businesswoman turned her back away from the screen with her eyes closed. "Nonetheless, he's a perfect contestant to earn Spring Yard Casino plenty of viewers and become acclaimed to level up more casinos soon for my dream media empire."

"But I thought-a you were going to destroy-!" Chicio tried to ask as he leaned forward, only for Breezie to place a finger on his lips and shut him up.

"Destroy him?" Breezie interjected, facing the portly electrician with a confident smirk. "Perhaps, but he's also the ultimate gamble for my casino's popularity. People are willing to pay for what they desire or want to witness. This speed contest will be the most thrilling and extravagant event money can buy. Your task is simple: unleash the Super Badnik and set up a few traps, or even more if possible. The public craves excitement, action, and a spectacle worth their time."

Amidst their combined determination, the group drew nearer to each other, forming a tight circle to delve into Breezie's ingenious plan. Yet unbeknownst to them, as they focused on their ambitious endeavor, another figure materialized on one of the surveillance monitors. A two-tailed fox, to be precise.

TO BE CONTINUED...