"Hold on, Shadow! This isn't what it looks like!" Sonic said.
"Talk fast, Big Blue. We definitely heard him say he was rebuilding Eggman Land. And you know how stubborn Shadow can be." Rouge said.
"I'll admit, that 'Eggman Land" thing is iffy -" Sonic said and Shadow walked past her but she sped up and stopped him. "- But I'm sure it's okay! This isn't Dr. Eggman!"
"Th-that's right! Apparently he looks an awful lot like me! B-but I'm just your friendly, neighborhood handyman- Mr. Tinker!" Eggman said.
"He's totally lost his memory. Me, The Chaotix, the villagers- we've all confirmed it." she whispered to Shadow.
"Losing one's memory doesn't make them any less dangerous." Shadow said and pushed her away.
"Yeahー Okay- fair point, but he-" Sonic said but he punched her. "You're not listening." she said and they ran. "You're." she said and blocked him. "Not." she said and blocked him again. "Touching him!" she said and he pushed her.
"I should've stayed in bed today!" Eggman said while they fought.
Vector, Espio and Charmy were worried about Sonic and Shadow's relationship. Ever since the war they had told everyone they were dating but had been fighting more often from the stress but after a while would usually figure it out.
Sonic would usually go hang out with Tails and or Knuckles while Shadow hung out with Rouge to calm down.
"What're we standin' around for? We're The Chaotic! C'mon, boys! Let's help Sonic out!" Vector said.
"Roger!" Espio said.
"Yeah!" Charmy said.
"...There's no way we can keep up with them." Vector said.
"I could. Recovering from defeating those Badniks." Espio said.
"Maybe we can cheer from the sidelines?" Charmy said.
"No! We... Uh... Find the culprit who brought Shadow here! This is all your fault!" Vector said.
"Goodness! Me?" Rouge said.
"Yeah- you! What were you thinking, bringing Shadow here?"
"Shadow was already looking for Eggman to ensure he wasn't planning a counter-attack." she said. "Shadow isn't really one to pull his punches. Anyone who got in his way- like say some certain detectives- might get hurt." she said. "So isn't it convenient you got that anonymous tip when you did? You had plenty of time to find your target, verify him, and bring in Sonic. By the time I "helped" Shadow find this village, your investigation was complete and you had a handy, heroic counter- measure by your side."
"Wait... How would you know about the tip unless..."
"Oooooh." The Chaotix said together.
"...I don't get it." Charmy said.
Meanwhile.
"Trouble getting past me? I thought you were fast!" Sonic said. "Look-I get it! Eggman has been a grade-A jerk for years!" she said while they fought. "But he's also done some good stuff too!" she said. "Like, remember that business on the ARK way back when? He helped us save the world!" she said. "Okay... so he kinda started that mess too. It's not like he was aiming to destroy the world... hold on! I'm not done yet!" she said while they fought. "Okay- what about when the Black Arms invaded? Remember all that? Eggman fought the alien invasion with us! Without him, we may not have lasted long enough to save the fay!"
"Have you forgotten that he made you suffer? That he's tried to destroy you- multiple times? How can you even suggest leniency for him after all that?" Shadow asked.
"Heh- You tried to destroy me in the past too, remember?" she said and he looked away. "You even tried to obliterate an entire planet." she said. "So-what? You want me to take you out with Eggman?" she asked and got closer. "After all, if he can't be forgiven, can you?" she said and he let go.
"What is your plan for him?"
"Let him stay in the Village." she said. "He's been helping them out so I was going to let him keep doing his thing." she said. "I want to nail down what he thinks 'Eggman Land" is first, though..." she said and it hit him.
"... you distracted me. Lured me away."
"Well, yeah, because you wouldn't listen to-" she started but he teleported out. "Damnit." she said and ran after him.
Back in the village.
"I see him on the horizon! We're prepared for him this time! And speed can't do you any good against a solid wall!" Vector said as Shadow ran through the forest.
"Man, you're stubborn." Rouge said. "You don't have to do this. He's-" she started but was cut off.
"I already discussed it with Sonic." Shadow said.
"Аh-ha. All right then."
"You. "Mr. Tinker.""
"Y-y-y-yes?" Eggman asked.
"Show me 'Eggman Land." Now."
"I really didn't want to unveil it until it was finished. B-b-but I'll make an exception for you!" Eggman said, lead them to the barn and opened it. "Tah-daaah?"
"Ooooh- threatening!" Rouge said.
"It looks amazing!" Charmy said clapping as Sonic stopped.
"Y-you see, there's not much for the children to do out here. I thought a nice play space, out of the elements, would make them happy..." Eggman said. "... Does this mean I'm not in trouble?"
"You're in the clear, pal." Sonic said. "See you around, Rouge."
"Always a pleasure." Rouge said. "And don't worry boys- we'll count this as your gig. No need to split the finder's fee."
"Ha! Yer a class act! Thanks for... er... managing all this." Vector said.
"Not that we could afford to split it..." Espio said.
"All this commotion over a silly name." Eggman said.
"It means different things to different people." Sonic said. "How did you come up with it?"
"It just came to me. I thought it sounded like a bit of nonsense the kids would enjoy." Eggman said.
"Ha! That's cool." Sonic said.
'Is it, though? Is it really harmless, or is it a sign his memories might come back?' she thought.
"I do hope you'll come back and see it when it's finished!" he said.
"Oh, I'll definitely be stopping by from time to time!"
Elsewhere.
"...And all flotillas are heading into position." Orbot said.
"It's time for me to join the Egg Fleet! It's time to move on to the next phase of my master plan!" Eggman said.