Worlds Collide: Triple Trouble

Cosmic Origins Part 3

Surge slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light that filled the room. Her head throbbed slightly as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She was lying on a makeshift bed, surrounded by stone walls and dimly lit by a single overhead bulb. The room was small and sparse, with a few pieces of basic furniture and equipment scattered about. It had the look of a secret base or hideout, hidden away from prying eyes.

Beside her, Kitsunami began to stir, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes. "Surge?" he mumbled, sitting up and looking around, his voice filled with concern. "Where are we? What happened?"

Surge was unusually quiet, her eyes distant and her expression unreadable. She didn't respond to Kit right away, her mind racing with thoughts. Something felt different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it at first, but there was a strange sensation in her chest—a feeling of lightness that she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Kit noticed her uncharacteristic silence and frowned. "Surge, are you okay? You're never this quiet… Is something wrong?"

Surge didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stared at her hands, clenching and unclenching her fists as if trying to feel something she couldn't quite grasp. As she did, her eyes widened in realization. For as long as she could remember, ever since she and Kit had been taken by Doctor Starline and turned into what they were now, she had been haunted by his presence.

Even after his death, she would see and hear him, his taunting voice echoing in her mind, mocking her, reminding her of what he had done to them. It was like a shadow that never left her side, a constant reminder of her stolen life. But now… now there was nothing. No voice. No hallucinations. It was just her. And it felt… different. It felt liberating.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in years. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Quill entering the room, carrying a tray of food.

Kit immediately tensed up, his fur bristling as he tried to put on a brave front. "What do you want?" he growled, his voice trying to sound threatening despite the situation.

Quill glanced at Kit with a calm but intense stare, his eyes narrowing slightly. The look alone was enough to make Kit flinch and take a step back, suddenly feeling very small under Quill's gaze.

Surge, snapping out of her thoughts, glared at Quill, her voice demanding and sharp. "What did you do to me?" she asked, her tone laced with both curiosity and anger. "Why do I feel… different?"

Quill set the tray of food down on a small table and crossed his arms, meeting Surge's gaze with his own steady eyes. "I needed to make sure you weren't an Eggman spy," he said simply. "So, I purged your bodies of any non-vital electronics."

Surge's eyes widened again, this time in shock. "You… purged us? How? What did you do?"

Quill's expression remained calm as he explained. "My tribe has techniques for dealing with technology, especially when it comes to safeguarding our minds and bodies from unwanted influence. I used those techniques to remove anything in your systems that didn't belong."

Surge stared at him with wide eyes, her mind racing. Starline had implanted something in her that had lingered, slowly driving her insane. Figures that the twisted platypus would do something like that, even in death.

Kit, curious and still trying to process everything, asked, "Your tribe... what can you tell us about them?"

Quill nodded, seemingly unbothered by the question. "My tribe dates back far beyond recorded history. We're descendants of beings who once traversed the stars, and remnants of our civilization can still be found on Starfall Island. Our people were tasked with protecting the Cosmic Beryl, a gem that kept the dimensions stable. Unfortunately Eggman destroyed the gem while it was at its weakest, no doubt trying to use it against against Sonic."

Surge sneered, the mention of Sonic and Eggman triggering her usual disdain. "Figures those two would be the cause of all this mess."

Quill quietly grinned, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're not wrong—though it's mostly Eggman's doing. The final straw was the abuse of an object known as the Phantom Ruby. Its illusions permanently weakened the Cosmic Beryl. And when Eggman came to steal the Beryl, it shattered, causing the dimensions to warp."

Kit's eyes widened, the realization dawning on him. "So that's why the world is in chaos… The dimensions are all out of sync because the Beryl was destroyed."

Surge silently stared at Quill, her mind working through the implications of what he was saying. After a moment, she spoke up, her voice steady but firm. "What do we do now?" she asked, the question directed not just at Quill but at Kit and herself as well.

Quill raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused by her question. "What do you mean?"

Surge's frustration bubbled up as she growled, "It's obvious, isn't it? You're planning to take down Eggman, and I'd rather work with you than that idiot Sonic. Kit agrees with me."

Kit nodded eagerly, his loyalty to Surge clear. "Yeah, we'll follow your lead, Quill."

"Besides, it was his fault that the bastard Starline took out lives away! Freaking fan boy!" Surge added.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Quill's face, a rare sign of emotion. "For now, our focus should be on slowing down Eggman's production. Let Sonic and the others from the different worlds deal with the bigger picture. The shattering of the Cosmic Beryl did more than just merge worlds. Things are going to get a lot worse very soon."

Deep within the planet's core, far beneath the surface, lay a massive, sprawling cavern. The walls were jagged and uneven, glowing faintly with an otherworldly luminescence that pulsed in time with the energy coursing through the room. In the center of this cavern, three swirling orbs of energy hovered in a delicate, chaotic dance.

A violet orb, dark and mysterious, spun wildly against a dark green orb crackling with violent energy. Alongside them, a dark red orb seethed, sending out bursts of power as if trying to dominate the others. The three orbs constantly interacted, each struggling to overpower the others in a fierce battle for dominance.

In the distance, away from the tumultuous energy of the orbs, two figures could be seen. The smaller of the two clung tightly to the taller figure, his small form trembling with fear and uncertainty.

The smaller being, known as Chip, the entity of Light Gaia, looked up at the taller figure with wide, worried eyes. "I—I don't like this," he whispered, his voice trembling. "It's just like before, when the world was in chaos. But this time… it feels different. It feels worse. Can Sonic really help again?"

The taller figure, a Mobian known as Dirk, looked down at Chip, his expression calm and reassuring despite the intense energies swirling around them. The dim light of the cavern illuminated his face, revealing a striking resemblance to Quill, though older and more weathered.

Dirk gently placed a hand on Chip's shoulder, his voice steady and filled with quiet confidence. "I understand your fears, Chip," Dirk said softly, his eyes reflecting a deep wisdom and resolve. "But you must have faith. My son, Quill, knows what to do. He understands what's at stake here. He'll sort things out and let heroes like Sonic do what needs to be done."

Chip clung to Dirk a little tighter, seeking comfort in his presence. "I hope you're right, Dirk," he murmured, his eyes drifting back to the chaotic orbs. "It's just… everything seems so much worse this time. It's not just Dark Gaia… there are two others like him."

Dirk nodded, his gaze also fixed on the orbs. "I feel it too, Chip. The balance of this world has been badly disrupted. We need to do our best here to give Sonic and Quill the time they need to set things right."

Chip looked up at Dirk, his expression a mix of fear and determination. "Okay… I'll do my best to help. I know Sonic and his friends are strong. They've always managed to save the world before. Maybe this time will be no different."

Dirk gave him a reassuring smile. "That's the spirit, Chip. We'll keep an eye on things from here and be ready to act when the time comes. For now, all we can do is give them the time they need."

Back at the Resistance base, Fark wandered through the bustling halls, his mind restless. He was looking for something—anything—to occupy his time and take his mind off the worries that had been gnawing at him. The base was a hive of activity, with members running back and forth, working on repairs and coordinating missions, but Fark felt strangely out of place among them.

As he rounded a corner, he nearly bumped into a small, cheerful rabbit with big, floppy ears and a bright smile. Behind her hovered a tiny blue Chao, and standing protectively by her side was a robot with a stern, watchful expression.

"Oops, sorry about that!" the rabbit said with a polite bow. "I didn't see you there."

Fark took a step back, surprised by the sudden encounter. "No problem," he replied, his eyes shifting from the rabbit to the robot, who seemed to be eyeing him suspiciously.

The robot, Gemerl, tensed up, his mechanical eyes narrowing as he assessed Fark. "Is this one a threat to Cream?" he asked, his voice low and cautious, ready to spring into action if needed.

The rabbit, Cream the Rabbit, quickly shook her head and placed a gentle hand on Gemerl's arm. "Please calm down, Gemerl," she said soothingly. "I'm sure he's not a threat."

Turning back to Fark with a warm smile, she introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Cream, and this is my friend Cheese the Chao," she said, pointing to the floating blue Chao, who waved happily. "And this is Gemerl. He's just a bit overprotective sometimes."

Fark watched the interaction with mild amusement, finding the robot's protective nature somewhat endearing. "I'm Fark," he replied, giving a small nod. "Nice to meet you all. Sorry if I startled you."

Cream beamed at him. "It's okay! We're always happy to meet new friends. Are you doing alright? You seem a little… lost."

Fark hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm… okay, I guess," he said, his tone subdued. "I could be better. I'm just worried about the people I left behind."

Cream's expression softened with empathy. "Oh no, are they missing?" she asked gently.

Fark nodded. "Yeah, they're… kind of trapped, and I don't know where they are now. I've been trying to figure out a way to find them, but with everything going on, it's been hard."

Cream's eyes lit up with an idea. "You know, you should talk to Vector and the Chaotix Detective Agency! They're really good at finding things and solving mysteries. I'm sure they could help you find your friends."

Fark considered her suggestion, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes. "Maybe… but I don't even know how I'd pay for that kind of help. I don't have much to offer."

Cream smiled warmly at Fark, waving off his concern. "Oh, don't worry about that! I'm sure we can figure something out together."

Silently, she was already thinking about asking her mother to talk with Vector. Cream knew that the crocodile had a soft spot for her mom, and though it felt a little sneaky, she could see how much Fark was quietly agonizing over his situation. It seemed like the least she could do to help.

Fark, still unsure, looked at her with concern. "Are you sure? I don't want to cause any trouble."

Cream nodded reassuringly. "Trust me, it'll be fine. We all help each other out here. Let's go see Vector. I'm sure he'll be willing to help once we explain."

Fark hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Alright. Thanks, kid."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice came over the PA system. "Fark, please report to the main room," Jewel's calm, clear voice announced.

Fark glanced at Cream, who gave him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry about it, Fark. I'll ask the Chaotix for you," she said cheerfully. Before Fark could respond, Cream, Cheese, and Gemerl were already on their way down the hall, waving goodbye.

Fark watched them go, feeling a mix of gratitude and surprise at the pure kindness he had been shown since arriving at the Resistance base. It was a rare feeling for him, one that he wasn't quite used to. Shaking off the thought, he turned and headed toward the main room, wondering what Jewel needed.

When he entered, Fark noticed that Lilac, Carol, Milla, Tangle, and Whisper were nowhere to be seen. Jewel was standing by a large table, reviewing some maps and documents. She looked up as Fark approached.

"Thanks for coming, Fark," she said with a slight smile. "The others are being prepped to speak with the Magister of Shang Tu once Sonic and Tails make contact with him. But for now, something else has come up, and I could really use your help."

Fark nodded, crossing his arms as he listened. "Sure. What do you need?"

Jewel glanced back down at the documents in front of her, pointing to a section on the map labeled Casino Night Zone. "We've detected some unusual activity in an area called Casino Night Zone. It's a location from my world, and given its history, this could mean trouble. Unfortunately, everyone else is busy with other tasks, so I need someone to help me check it out."

Fark studied the map and then looked back at Jewel, noting the concern in her eyes. He also noticed that she didn't seem like much of a fighter, and it made sense why she'd need someone to accompany her. "Alright," he said aloud. "I'll help you. Let's go see what's going on there."

Jewel's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Fark. I appreciate it. We should head out right away." She turned and led the way toward the transport bay. Fark was glad that the people here were so nice, and didn't ask questions. He didn't need to know that he was a bad guy at some point.

Amy led Lilac, Milla, and Carol through a quieter part of the Resistance base. Unlike the bustling main area they had seen before, this section was notably more organized and less damaged. The walls were lined with state-of-the-art equipment, screens displaying various data, and maps showing different parts of the merged world.

Lilac glanced around, taking in the pristine condition of the hub. "This part of the base looks a lot cleaner and less damaged than the rest," she observed.

Milla nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Yeah, it's like it hasn't seen any of the chaos the rest of the base has."

Carol, always blunt, crossed her arms and added, "Makes you wonder what's so special about this place."

Amy smiled, leading them further into the room. "That's because this is the main communications hub," she explained. "It was originally built for us by G.U.N.—the Guardian Units of Nations—during the Phantom Ruby crisis. They wanted to ensure we had a secure way to communicate and coordinate our efforts against Eggman and his forces."

Amy's smile faded slightly as she continued, a hint of sadness in her voice. "It's unfortunate, though. G.U.N. was eradicated by Eggman's forces during that time. We lost a lot of good people who were trying to protect the world."

Lilac, Milla, and Carol's expressions darkened at the mention of G.U.N.'s demise. The loss of so many lives, people who had fought to protect their world, weighed heavily on them.

Carol clenched her fists, her tail flicking in irritation. "Sounds a lot like Brevon," she muttered.

Amy, catching the name, looked at Carol with curiosity. "Brevon? Who's that?"

Lilac sighed, her expression grim as she began to explain. "Lord Brevon was a space warlord who came to our planet with the intention of conquering it by any means necessary. He brainwashed King Dail when he was still a prince and even killed the king's father right in front of him. Brevon caused untold destruction across our kingdoms, tearing everything apart in his quest for power."

Carol's gaze shifted to the floor, her fists tightening as she spoke, her voice filled with regret. "And don't forget how he tortured you, Lilac… nearly to death. All because we were separated at the time. If I'd been there, I wouldn't have let him get away with that."

Lilac looked down, the painful memory washing over her, but before she could respond, Milla quickly moved closer and wrapped her arms around Lilac, offering comfort and support.

Carol, despite her tough exterior, felt a wave of guilt hit her. She hadn't been there when Lilac needed her most, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she could have prevented what happened if only she hadn't let their fight separate them.

Carol took a deep breath, trying to push past her guilt. "But in the end, we defeated Brevon for good and saved our world. We didn't let him win," she added, her voice steadying as she reminded herself of their victory.

Amy listened intently, her expression shifting from shock to admiration. "Wow… you've all been through so much. I can't imagine how hard that must have been, but I can see it's made you stronger. It sounds like you've faced challenges just as big as any we've faced here."

Carol, trying to lift the mood, bounced back with a bright smile. "Well, we are pretty awesome, after all," she said, her tone lightening.

Lilac nudged Carol playfully, as if to remind her to be humble. "Come on, Carol," she teased, a small smile forming on her lips despite the heavy conversation.

Amy giggled, watching the exchange. She could see the sisterly bond between Lilac, Carol, and Milla—it was clear that they were more than just friends; they were family. "You three really have something special," she remarked warmly. "I hope Sonic and Tails have made contact with the Magister by now."

Just as she finished speaking, a beeping sound echoed through the room. Amy quickly moved over to a nearby console and pressed a button. "Go ahead," she said into the microphone.

The screen flickered to life, revealing Tails' face. He looked a bit sheepish, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "Hi, Amy," he began, his voice hesitant. "And, uh, please don't be mad…"

Amy sighed at Tails's words, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "What happened, Tails?"

Tails looked a bit embarrassed as he explained, "Well, as soon as we entered Shang Tu, we were attacked by a lady with an ice staff."

Lilac and Carol groaned in unison, immediately recognizing who he was talking about. "Neera Li…" they said together, their expressions a mix of frustration and resignation.

Amy raised an eyebrow, confused. "Who's Neera Li?"

Milla chimed in, her voice soft and hesitant. "Lady Neera is the Regent of Shang Tu and an honorary member of our team. She's… well, she can be…" Milla trailed off, unsure how to describe Neera's strict demeanor.

Carol jumped in with her usual bluntness. "A scary lady," she finished, crossing her arms.

Tails nodded, confirming their words. "Yeah, that sounds about right. She didn't exactly give us the warmest welcome. Anyway, I'm Tails, by the way," he introduced himself with a small wave.

The girls introduced themselves in kind, with Amy nodding along. "Nice to meet you, Tails. So, what happened after the, uh, 'scary lady' attacked you?"

Tails continued, "Well, Sonic managed to defeat Neera, and then we met up with Lanolin."

Amy's eyes widened in surprise. "Lanolin? The leader of the Diamond Cutters is out there with you?"

"Yeah, it surprised us too," Tails admitted. "She's been really helpful. Anyway, right now, Sonic is talking to the Magister alone. It's what the Magister wanted, but I'm a bit concerned about how that's going to go…"

Amy's brow furrowed with concern. "Sonic, talking to the Magister alone? Oh boy, I hope he's on his best behavior…"

Sonic stood beside the Magister on a grand balcony overlooking the majestic city of Shang Tu. The view was breathtaking, with the city's towers and pagodas bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Despite the beautiful scenery, Sonic felt a rare wave of nervousness. The Magister had been silent since inviting him to speak privately, his face unreadable. Sonic couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of test.

Just as Sonic was starting to fidget, the Magister finally broke the silence. "I've heard about your adventures from Lanolin," he began, his voice calm but commanding. "About all the chaos and pain this Doctor Eggman has caused. And now, with the merger of worlds, more chaos has ensued. Tell me, Sonic… Why haven't you disposed of this Eggman by now?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Sonic was quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he answered. "I get where you're coming from," he replied carefully. "It's not like I haven't thought about it before. But there are two things that have kept me from crossing that line."

The Magister turned to face Sonic, his expression one of curiosity and expectation. "And what are those two things?"

Sonic took a deep breath before explaining. "Firstly, I never want to cross that line. I've learned through my adventures that once you start killing, it's hard to stop. It creates a circle of violence that only escalates. I know that Eggman's plans have caused death before, and I don't deny that. But if I were to start killing, especially Eggman, it would send a message that violence is the way to get at me. In a strange way, it's almost like a mutual respect. Neither of us wants to go that far."

The Magister nodded thoughtfully, processing Sonic's words. "I see," he said. "And the second reason?"

Sonic continued, his voice steady. "Despite all the chaos and evil Eggman has unleashed, I know there's a kind side to him. Some of his recent creations prove that. Eggman has two daughters that he inadvertently created for different reasons—Belle the Tinkerer and Sage. Despite everything, Eggman has shown love and compassion in his own way towards them both. I believe he has the potential to be good, even if it's hard for him to realize it."

For a moment, the Magister was silent, contemplating Sonic's response. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled, a warm sound that broke the tension. "I must admit, Sonic, I was worried that you were just reckless, allowing such things because you enjoyed the thrill and excitement. But it seems you have a noble air about you, almost like a king."

Sonic smiled, a hint of playfulness in his expression. "Well, technically, I was a king once, thanks to a previous adventure. But that's something only Amy knows about."

The Magister let out another chuckle, clearly amused. "As the Magister of Shang Tu, it would be an honor to work with you and the Resistance," he said, extending his hand.

Sonic shook the Magister's hand, relief washing over him. "Glad to have you on board," he replied. "But let's keep the royalty thing between us, okay?"

The Magister nodded, a twinkle in his eye. "Of course. Now, let's go speak with the Resistance. The world has certainly grown and it is our responsibility to help the people through these chaotic times."