Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, Sally and her friends arrive to Chun-nan in order to find out information on the Dragon Amulet they had, with the other two Amulets being held by Fang the Hunter. Sally learns of Northstar Island's history and of the dragons that once lived there, how they used four Amulets to reduce their power unless needed. Not long after this history lesson, the protector of the island, Zan, was confronted by his daughter Dulcian Li Renala, about something happening with the four clan leaders attending the festival. Thus the story continues…

Within a nearby boutique, after Sally and Nicole had left to deal with gathering information on the Amulet, Rosie had taken Tekno to get dressed in festival worthy attire, much to the science bird's dismay, who didn't exactly like dressing up as much.

Tekno: "So why do you want me to wear a kimono, Rosie?"

Tekno asks inside a changing room while Rosie, wearing a green kimono with dark green highlights, stood outside with a smile.

Rosie: "For the festival, my dear. Festivals like these are a good time and, despite everything, it's nice to just forget about the troubles brewing, right?"

Tekno: "Don't get me wrong, I do see the value in taking a rest, but… can't I do it in my regular casual Sundays?"

Rosie: "No. We represent the rebel group that will one day save the world. As such, we must dress according to the customs around us. It is only while we are here anyway, Tekno."

Tekno: "Ugh… Fine, I guess…"

The changing room doors open, with Tekno stepping out, wearing a black kimono with red highlights, seemingly to match her black and red striped shirt she wears. Rosie was genuinely amazed and smiled with glee.

Rosie: "You… look… perfect, Tekno."

Tekno: "...I sure as hell don't feel it… But oh well…"

The duo pay the rent fee for the kimono before leaving. As they left the building, they began to explore the area, seeing the various residents that made up Chun-nan. Tekno was mildly interested, but not as invested in getting to know people. But then a conversation nearby caught her attention.

Mid-Pitched Female Voice: "Oh come on, Conny. You have to attend the festival. It's tradition amongst the four clans to show our allegiance to the Free People and to the Dynasty of the Zodiac."

Tekno grabs Rosie by the shoulder and silently prompts her to follow. They creep around the corner of a building to see a trio gathered at a bench. One was standing with his arms crossed, a purple chameleon with a lightly tanned belly and a yellow spike on his head, he seemed to be meditating; the other two were sitting. One was a black spider with two normal Mobian arms and four spider arms bent inwards and down similar to the wings of a moth, wearing a black kimono made of spider silk - a tough strand from what Tekno can tell from far away. The spider Mobian held her hair in a pair of large pigtails with white silk-like ribbons holding them. Besides her was an light orange furred lynx wearing a purple gi with gold trims, atop her head was a conical straw hat, which pushed her ears down. She wore weighted gloves and shoes, which were decorated with metal, with her expression showing contempt.

Lynx: "Do not patronize me, Thread. The last thing I need right now is this festival."

Thread: "Conny… I know news of your mother hits hard, but the Raiju now needs a strong leader. Me and Espio will be there to help as well… Right, Espio?"

The spider, Thread, turns to the chameleon, who opens his eyes to respond.

Espio: "Our business shouldn't interfere with her's, Thread. I know you wish to help; I do as well… But this is a path which Conquering Storm wishes to walk alone."

Thread: "A path walking alone is no path worth walking, Espio. We are the Golden Trio, heirs to our mothers' legacies. Born to protect our home and our people."

Conny: "Enough, Thread!"

This sudden shout causes Thread to jump as she turns back to the lynx.

Conny: "I was made the next head of the Raiju clan before I was truly ready. I saw my mother on her deathbed, poisoned by some assassin. The last thing I need is this festival or someone like you, who doesn't know the first thing about loss!"

Conny growls at Thread as the spider raises her hands (and extra legs) in defense, stepping back a bit. Espio then steps between them.

Espio: "While I stand by what I said and respect your boundaries, Conny, Thread means no ill will as well. She only wishes to help however she can."

Conny looks at Espio before calming down, turning away from Thread.

Conny: "...Sorry, Thread… Espio's right… I just feel-"

A noise causes Conny's ears to twitch before - in the blink of an eye - she vanishes and slams Tekno and Rosie to the wall they were hiding behind, pinning them there.

Conny: "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!? Are you spies working for whoever killed my mother!?"

Tekno: "Wh-Whoa! S-Slow down! What!?"

Conny: "Answer my question! Are. You. SPIES!?"

Espio and Thread pull Conny off the duo, allowing them to breathe.

Espio: "Conny! Calm down! They aren't spies!"

Thread: "Yes! They are visitors from another island!"

Conny fights them off of her before glaring at them. Then she turned back to Tekno and Rosie, who had a mix of 'what the heck' expressions and fear. Taking a moment to calm down, she steps back before just leaving, vanishing with such speed that it would make Sonic himself blush.

Tekno: "...Whoa… She is fast…"

Espio and Thread help their guests up to their feet, apologizing for their friend's behavior as they did.

Rosie: "What was up with her? She seemed… frustrated."

Espio: "An astute observation… But first introductions…"

The two ninjas bow to their guests as they introduce themselves.

Thread: "Livia the Fourth Path, fourth born daughter of the Bride of the Many Paths, represented by our webs which we see and hear everything. You can call me 'Thread' though!"

Espio: "And I am Espio the Chameleon, son of the Bride of Constant Vigil; we are everywhere, yet nowhere, hidden in plain sight, yet hidden from view."

Rosie: "A pleasure to meet you both. I am Rosie Woodchuck, faithful servant to her majesty and her family, Princess Sally Alicia Acorn."

Tekno: "I'm much less stuck-up - Tekno the Canary, everyday inventor and science expert. Kind of a cool gal if you stay on my good side."

Espio: "Our friend you saw that pinned you earlier - the one with lightning speed - is named Convella Storm, the new christened Bride of the Conquering Storm, daughter of the late Bride of Thunderous Storm. She… more or less acts as our muscle, for better or worse."

Tekno: "Yeah, tell that to our sternums…"

Rosie: "But you said 'late'... As in the Bride of Thunderous Storm has…"

Thread: "Passed away, yes… Very recently too, to poison that was laced in her tea… She was found only this morning in her chambers, by Conny…"

With that brief bit of context, it was now more understandable why Conny acted the way she did. Though they were still angry at her for lashing out at them.

Meanwhile, at the top of a nearby mountain, inside of a cave, a lone creature was seen rummaging through their den. A bed made of leaves on the ground, a collection of stone clubs, and wrappers of various food items. The creature had a lone horn sticking out of the right side of their head, long flowing, though messy white hair with strands of black mixed in. Their "attire" consisted of a black and white striped, loose "coat", though this was, in fact, their skin as there was no split between the "coat" and their main body. Connected to the "sleeves" were long clawed fingers, which grabbed a hold of a nearby stone club. Their body figure shows a slight bump and hips that indicated femininity. Their legs, a solid black resembling "pants", with more alternating stripes going along a thin tail, and their feet, with similarly long claws to their hands. A striking resemblance to an oni, yet far more elegant than any depiction; this "oni" grabs a nearby mask and places it upon her face, hiding her face. She exits the cave with her gear, basking in the sunlight above.

"Oni": "Zemma hunt… Zemma forage… Zemma… hungry… Zemma… lonely…"

With those words spoken to no one but herself, the creature dashes down the trail, leaving her den to travel towards the festival.

Elsewhere, Conny stands alone, atop the statue effigy of the late Monkey King of the Free People, Ken Khan, deep in her thoughts. Her anger towards the news of her mother troubled her greatly, causing her outbursts to be more ferocious than normal. She was hot headed normally, but to attack her friends and guests of Chun-nan… The Mobian lynx removed her straw hat as she took a moment to take a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Then a voice calls out… a voice that only made her fury return.

Male Voice: "Well, I wasn't expecting a member of the Raiju to be here of all places… I figured the festival would be too good to pass up."

Conny did not turn to face the intruder, but could sense who it was.

Conny: "Lord Yagyu of the Yagyu Clan. Why do you dare interrupt my meditation? If it is a swift death, then you needn't ask twice."

Conny brandishes her hidden blade to make her point very clear, but the Mobian bat simply waves it off, a smug look on his face.

Lord Yagyu: "I am simply here in place of the Bride of Rich Nights. Her disappearance has left the clan in disarray, but your clan… I heard it got hit pretty hard."

Conny: "...One…"

Lord Yagyu: "A shame too… After all, the assassin would have to be quite sneaky to kill your beloved mother."

Conny: "...Two…"

Lord Yagyu: "And I happen to know who did the deed."

Conny pauses, stopping her countdown as she sheathes her blade, now looking fully at the bat Mobian.

Conny: "You know of my mother's killer?"

Lord Yagyu: "Of course. Or rather… What killed your mother. A curse…"

This only tips Conny over the edge as she speeds at Lord Yagyu and slams him to the ground, squeezing his neck as she placed her blade to his neck. Electrical sparks bounced around her with her eyes glowing with electrical energy.

Conny: "TALK SENSE OR YOU WON'T TALK EVER AGAIN!"

Lord Yagyu: "Ohhh… Q-Quite th-the threatening ch-child… But you should k-know… Th-The Curse of the Oni…"

Conny: "If you think I believe in fairy tales, then you are dead wrong…"

Lord Yagyu: "It is no fairy tale, Bride of the Conquering Storm… The legend is very real. And as the festival draws to its opening hour, we will be graced by the presence… of the oni itself. It's curse, who has said to claim the lives of those families that opposed it, is what brought your mother to death… My spies have told me of a strange creature leaving the mountains on occasion… If you want revenge, then this is your time to grab it."

Conny squeezed Lord Yagyu's neck tighter, her anger at its peak… before she slams his head to the ground and lets go, standing back up.

Conny: "If this creature exists… Then it will feel my blade and my revenge… But if this is some trick… Then your blood will be revenge enough, Lord Yagyu."

Conny then leaves as Lord Yagyu starts coughing, holding his neck in pain. But then a smirk forms on his face as he mentally chuckles.

Lord Yagyu's Thoughts: "Stupid brat… You're so blinded by vengeance that you never suspected the real killer of your mother… was closer than you thought. The oni does exist and is coming here. And with any luck… The disturbance you two bring will not only result in your deaths, but my clan's rise to power and riches…"

Lord Yagyu then vanishes into the shadows, laughing to himself as his plans fall into place…

To be continued…