After a grand battle on West Island, the heroes are given their well deserved rest and time to recollect their thoughts. But only one battle was won… Another battle would soon begin as a result of the actions of Sage Robotnik. A battle against the public. A battle Jenni herself was not ready to deal with.

It was two days after the battle on West Island, at the coast near the Emerald Hill Resort, panels of the Metallic Madness base were being removed by Buzzers as Jenni and Sonic stood nearby to overlook the deconstruction of the base and reconstruction of the resort after the battle had left it in shambles. Sonic turns to Jenni, curious as to what the doctor was going to do with all the scavenged materials.

Sonic: "So between the Death Egg and this thing… What are you planning, Jen? A big project, I imagine."

Jenni: "Got it in one. That is correct; I plan to create a new project… Project Paradise. …Still working on an official name."

Sonic: "So what kind of project will it be like? An artificial moon or something?"

Jenni: "Maybe if I had thirty years to live!"

Jenni laughs at the… admittedly dark joke, before clearing her throat.

Jenni: "No. Even with the materials and robots I have working on the project - especially with more than eighty percent of my workforce now offline due to… things beyond my control - I couldn't build a living space that big. But Angel Island gave me an idea… An idea mixed with the human government's artificial island. A floating sanctuary."

Sonic: "So a Sky Sanctuary?"

Jenni smiles as she rolls her eyes, patting his head before pocketing her hands.

Jenni: "Maybe. In any case, you guys can relax. With one of my brother's top robot destroyed, there's a chance he'll keep to himself for a while."

Sonic: "Eh, I don't mind relaxing, but sitting around doing nothing is boring. I need something to do."

Jenni: "Sorry. I don't exactly have anything to provide. And everyone is a bit less inclined to share your optimism at the moment. With Casino Night out of commission for a while, people have even less to distract themselves with."

Sonic: "That… reminds me… Why do you have a casino on your island anyway? I never took you as a gambling lady."

Jenni's smiles vanishes to a frown before she sighs, looking up to the blue sky.

Jenni: "So I wouldn't describe myself as 'royalty', but due to my family's long history in… shady business practices… and some science, I was rich… for a time. But after I got exiled, reality… hit me quick. Not only did I start picking up bad habits, I also started to gamble. I am surprisingly trash at roulette as it turns out. Wasted all my money until I was flat broke. Depression soon set in as I had nowhere else to go."

Jenni then shakes her head before looking back to Sonic.

Jenni: "I owe a lot to your Uncle Charles. He helped me somewhat recover, even if the prospect only kind of helped. But he did keep me from reaching my wit's end long enough to eventually reunite with Nicole."

After mentioning Nicole, the lynx contacts Jenni by her communicator.

Jenni: "Speak of the devilfish… What's up, Nicole?"

Nicole: "Lady Jenni, there is trouble at the front of the mansion… It is so bad, I had to initiate the outer gates protection protocol."

Jenni: "...Angry mob?"

Nicole: "Yes."

Jenni sighs as she hangs up and looks to Sonic with a slightly annoyed look.

Jenni: "Spike? While I wanted to talk more… I have a mob to disperse and then I need to get this project off the ground."

Sonic: "Sure. One fast hedgehog transport coming up!"

Sonic gently lifts up Jenni, carrying her bridal style, before speeding off towards the mansion.

At the Hill Top Mansion, a large crowd had formed next to some metal gates. Arguing was rampant as many of them called out for Jenni specifically. Nicole, in hologram form, had her hands up as she sheepishly tries to calm the situation.

Nicole: "Please, everyone! Calm down! Lady Jennifer will be here shortly, just… please!"

Citizens:
"Those robots are a menace!"
"How can we feel safe if the island gets invaded again!? I can't take another heart attack like that!"
"Just give us more space to live in already!"

The rapid increase in yelling only grew louder as Nicole could only take a step back from the increasingly angry crowd. Before long, Sonic and Jenni appeared to confront the crowd.

Jenni: "OI! WOULD YOU MIND NOT BREAKING MY GATES!? THOSE ARE THE ONLY THINGS KEEPING YOU AWAY FROM MY OTHERWISE DANGEROUS HOME!"

The crowd turns to see Jenni and Sonic, quickly surrounding them, much to Sonic's worry.

Sonic: "Whoa… Air got thick suddenly… Uh… You good, Jen?"

Jenni: "Oh I'm fine, Spike."

Jenni looked at the crowd as she heard multiple voices. Getting progressively annoyed by constant noise, she shouted loud enough for her voice to echo throughout the island.

Jenni: "SILENCE!"

The crowd went very silent as all eyes were on her now.

Jenni: "...Good. Now… One of you… Do tell what you all want that you're basically trespassing on private property. Private property that's not for public access for a variety of good reasons, mind."

A male quokka walks out of the group to act as the spokesperson for the crowd, though he had to be pushed out.

Quokka: "U-Um… Hi! So uh… We were all talking and… um… We'd like to see the robots… dismantled, decommissioned… Whatever. Just… gone. F-For our safety and state of mind, you know?"

Jenni looked at him, then at the crowd before sighing.

Jenni: "So… You want me to… get rid of the only bit of defense keeping the island - and you all by extension - from attackers. Am I reading it right?"

Citizens:
"They did so much damage!"
"They could've killed us! We were all fighting for our lives!"
"Get rid of them! Down with the crap!"

The crowd once again gets rowdy, leading to Jenni to get angry again before Sonic tugs at her lab coat.

Sonic: "Chill, Jen. Your island, your rules, right?"

Jenni: "Yes… But I spent all my hardwork on building these robots…"

Sonic: "So don't get rid of them. Compensate, just for them."

Jenni: "Compensate…"

Jenni looked at Sonic grinning face before thinking to herself. Then an idea came to her as she clears her throat and approaches the crowd.

Jenni: "Alright! QUIET DOWN! I have a proposition for you all! One that I can grant under the cooperation of those who prefer to live peacefully!"

The crowd goes quiet as they give Jenni their undivided attention.

Jenni: "I am working on a project - inspired by my latest off-island trip! If you are patient with me, I can finish this project - a paradise for you all - and you won't have to deal with my robots! They will be close by to act as defense, but they will not otherwise interfere with your lives directly! You will be given more space and homes, plenty of land to build for yourselves! But I will give you all a choice… If you do not mind my robots, you can stay on this island and help rebuild and repair the damages done to it! Stay here, or live in Project Paradise. Or of course leave and hope to not run into the Robotnik Empire! Those are your choices!"

The crowd starts to mumble to each other. This offer… did sound promising to them, talking amongst themselves about it. The quokka then spoke up.

Quokka: "U-Um… We might be inclined to agree… B-But how can we b-be sure we can trust you or your robots?"

Jenni: "You could pitch in and help in building the project. Able bodied Mobians are certainly helpful."

Citizens:
"I can offer my muscles!"
"Get me a wagon and I'll drag supplies to and fro!"

Voice: "And I'm sure we'll agree to help too!"

The crowd stops before turning to see Sally Acorn, now with a walker, limp her way through the crowd to join Jenni and Sonic.

Sally: "Everyone! I understand your mistrust and your fears! My kingdom was attacked by the very same evil that attacked West Island. Many friends living there were taken away… But that wasn't Doctor Jenni's fault! Neither was this latest attack! She values your lives more than her own enough to work tirelessly to accommodate everyone here! For that, I am willing to help however I can! Will you as well!?"

Crowd: "YEAH!"

Sally: "Then get your tools ready! Tomorrow is a brand new beginning for Mobius history!"

The crowd cheered before dispersing, leaving the trio as Jenni just rubbed her temple.

Jenni: "Sally… I wish you wouldn't put expectations that high. I am just one person."

Sally: "Apologies. I just saw the crowd and heard your voice and figured I'd help out. I was also looking for Agatha, but… I didn't find her at her cafe when me and Rosie looked."

Jenni: "Ah… Yes… Agatha has been sighted with a trio of delinquents. For what reason, I can only imagine. But I choose not to pry."

Sally: "I see…"

Sonic: "Yo, Sal? What do you need the cat lady for?"

Sally glared at Sonic, putting a hand on her hip as she did.

Sally: "She has a name, Sonic. How would you feel if I called you 'Hedge Boy'?"

Sonic raised his hands in defense, smiling sheepishly.

Sonic: "O-Okay, I get it. Sorry. B-But my question still stands."

Sally: "I'd like to discuss something with her, you, and those that helped in fighting Omelette and her cronies. It's about our next move."

Sonic: "Alright. Then consider me attending! If it means we get to more adventuring!"

Sally: "We'll see, Sonic. For now, we need to see what we do next."

Sonic smiles and gives a thumbs up as Jenni just waves them off, heading to her mansion as the gates lower.

Jenni: "You kids have fun with all that. I'm retiring back to my home to plan out the schematics. See ya, Spike."

Sonic: "See ya, Jen!"

Inside her mansion, Jenni is seen drawing out her schematics for Project Paradise as Nicole stared at her, looking troubled about something. This observation does not allude the doctor.

Jenni: "You know, Nicole. Your expression says a lot more than your words. Tell me what's bothering you."

Nicole: "...Lady Jenni, I feel you should rest. Let the robots handle planning and construction."

Jenni: "Nope. No can do. A steady, firm hand is needed for these schematics and I've already agreed to let the people choose to build their own paradise."

Nicole: "But surely you are exhausted after nearly losing your island."

Jenni: "Never stopped me before, why should it now?"

Nicole: "Please get some rest! You don't have much time anymore!"

Jenni looked up as she saw Nicole now looking down at the woman from where she was sitting at her desk. Nicole had the results of Jenni's latest NIDS scan after the battle with Sage in her hand as a holographic screen, Nicole giving one of the most demanding looks ever. But Jenni just looked at her with the most nonchalant look ever.

Jenni: "...No."

Nicole: "WHY!? Why are you being like this!? Your health has declined significantly! You… You only have a few months now…"

Jenni: "Mmhm. I'm aware. Which is why I'm making this Project now, rather than putting it off."

Nicole: "But why!? Why not help yourself!? You're only in your 40s! And what of Sonic!? Sally!? …Me…?"

Nicole was crying as she falls to her knees, unable to hold back all of her guilt.

Nicole: "It's all my fault… I left my post and let Sage into the system… Because I left that one opening, that brat was allowed into our computers and you… You got hurt because of it… I failed you as your assistant…"

Nicole's hologram vanishes, Jenni looking down at where she vanished before standing and going to her Cyberspace Pod, activating it to personally confront Nicole.

Within cyberspace, Nicole was seen crying into her knees, guilty over everything that happened thus far. Until her ears twitch and she sees Jenni's cyber avatar appear in front of her.

Jenni: "...You vanished before I could get a word in edgewise."

Nicole: "B-But… I failed you… I don't… deserve to be in your presence…"

Jenni: "And who says? And who said you were a failure?"

Nicole: "H-Huh?"

Jenni: "...Listen, kiddo. We all make mistakes… Some of them become our undoing… Sonic jumped out of a plane, leaving the Acorn Kingdom to its fate. Sally let her emotions get the better of her in her desperation to find Rosie, which nearly killed her. Me and Charles… made Eggman who he is today… We all made mistakes, Nicole… But we try to push on and right our wrongs… I may not live long enough to see my brother fall… But I refuse to let that stop me from bringing smiles to everyone."

Nicole: "S-Smiles…?"

Jenni: "...I became a doctor because I didn't want other people to suffer like me… Your death was my greatest failure… but thanks to you, I was able to bounce back and I found my new goal… To bring the world happiness however I can. With this short life, I've seen so many smiles… So many people thank me for my efforts…"

Jenni extends a hand to Nicole, smiling at the cyber-lynx.

Jenni: "And you are no different… Nicole. Stand with me. You are not a failure in my book. You just needed a lesson that not every battle can be won… alone."

Nicole looks at the hand, then at Jenni before slowly reaching out and gripping it. Nicole then stands before hugging her mother figure, crying into her chest.

Jenni: "...Even if I depart, I want you to send me off with a smile… No matter how much it hurts… Promise…?"

Nicole: "I… I promise… I promise… Mom…"

Jenni smiles before petting Nicole softly, staying with the lynx for a little while until they were both mentally ready to continue Project Paradise…

To be continued…