Lam the Goat… A name not heard in a while… An ally of Sonic's who he met on South Island shortly after her home was invaded by Eggman's forces, Lam parted ways with Sonic under the declaration that they would see each other again. Lam went on her own journey to find her mother and fellow villagers, but beyond that… She went off to find her own freedom…

Sunset Isles… A nice little settlement featuring humans and Mobians alike as they come and live together in coexistence. A sort of… mini-Mobius, if you will. One boat drifts onto the beach of the Sunset Isles, getting the attention of two children playing nearby. When they peeked into the boat, they find a young lady, a goat who was… snoring very loudly. A parent comes to investigate and shakes the young girl awake.

Lam: "Mmm… Turbulence? Or… shaky waves…? Somethin' like that."

Pheasant: "Um… Excuse me, young lady… Are you okay?"

Lam: "Hmm? Oh yeah. My fur's thick enough that I don't need sunscreen and I was just tired. I just figured I'd take a little nap while the waves took me wherever."

Lam says as she stands up and stretches, flexing her body to get the tiredness out of her. She hops out of the boat, looking quite energetic.

Lam: "Name's Lam, miss. Lookin' for a goat like myself, but older. Know where me mum is?"

Pheasant: "Sorry, miss. I've not seen anyone who is a goat… But we do have a pub if you'd like to gather any information."

Lam: "A pub, eh? …Might be good to get somethin' to eat too. Thanks, ma'am."

After waving, Lam charges off towards the pub, hoping to get a fresh meal and drink. And maybe some information on where her mother can be…

Lam enters the pub, looking around as everyone was just minding their own business. After a moment, she goes to the counter in order to get something to eat. The bar owner, a female salamander, looks over before giving Lam her attention.

Salamander: "Hey. What are you looking for?"

Lam: "I'm lookin' for some grub. Oh. And also information. I'm lookin' for an older goat much like myself. Have you see anyone like that?"

Salamander: "Sorry, hun. We get all kinds of customers coming and going that I can't keep up with them all the time. But I can get you a meal. Anything you'd like in particular?"

Lam: "Anythin' vegetarian friendly*."
*Goats and sheep are vegetarians, eating grass mostly.

Salamander: "Alright. I can offer the Veggie Supreme. That'll cost 38 dollars though."

Lam was taken aback by the price. She dug into her pockets and realized she only had a dollar in quarters. Not enough to afford this kind of meal. As if sensing her troubles, a hand comes up and places enough money for the meal. Lam looks back and sees a red shelled armadillo.

Armadillo: "Keep the change, Rin. This meal's on me."

Salamander: "Coming right up."

The salamander leaves to deliver the request to the chef in the back while Lam sits down with the armadillo, awfully curious about him.

Lam: "Well. Were you just waiting for some girl to rescue or were you hoping to score a date?"

Armadillo: "Nah and… maybe, if you're available."

Lam laughs a bit with the armadillo before almost considering it. But the armadillo gets serious as he smiles.

Armadillo: "Name's Mighty the Armadillo. I'm a traveler, much like yourself. I heard about you talking about some older goat lady and… I may know who you're talking about."

Lam: "...Really?"

Mighty: "She mentioned to me that she was from a village from South Island. Are you from there too?"

Lam's skepticism immediately changed to shock. That was her mother all right…

Lam: "Where is she?"

Mighty: "Hold on. Before I say anymore - and I will regardless of what you say after - I need a favor too. You help me and I help you."

Lam: "...Okay. I'm listening at least."

Mighty seemed genuinely happy as he nods.

Mighty: "You see… I'm not actually a solo traveler. Or rather I wasn't initially… A dear friend of mine named Ray the Flying Squirrel got captured a few months back… He and I were traveling to an island when we found just… out of nowhere… When we looked around, we were suddenly attacked by these… machines… Ray was captured, while I… cowardly ran away, leaving my best friend behind…"

Mighty slams a fist on the counter, cracking it a bit in anger at himself as he was starting to tear up.

Mighty: "I let my buddy down by just… leaving him to the lions… I just… need some help getting him back…"

Lam looked at Mighty, now getting a firm understanding of his situation. A strange island… Machines - likely robots… And a missing friend… She was starting to get reminded of her current situation. And with that in mind, she places a hand on Mighty's back.

Lam: "So… When do we go save your friend?"

Mighty: "Huh? You'll… You'll help out…?"

Lam: "'Course. I'd be awfully cruel to turn down a person in need. And… if it helps me get closer to my mum… Then all the better…"

Mighty looked at Lam before rubbing away his tears, smiling brightly as he nods. They shook on this and formed a newfound friendship together. With full stomachs and friendly chatter, Lam and Mighty leave by Lam's boat and head off towards the strange island… aware of the dangers that may lurk and hope that Ray was okay…

Elsewhere, in the midst of the ocean, a figure sat with a tea set as she sipped softly. The calm of the ocean, giving a serene calmness as the figure continued to drink. But an island - distinctly different given its metal texture that pretends to be natural - came into view. The figure stood up, large ram horns on her head as she brushed her white fur.

Goat Lady: "...Things 'ave gotten a bit noisy lately. Better dock… and see what's up."

And so, the goat lady tosses over a makeshift anchor… before diving into the ocean and swimming for the unknown island…

To be continued…