World Collide: Triple Trouble
I want to preface this before we get into the full arc that there will be large moments where characters will act Out of Character, in particular, some of the female characters, but there's an in story reason why, so please keep that in mind while reading. There's a lot of plot threads in this Arc and I hope to resolve most of them by the end of it all. This arc is about 7 chapters long, and there will be some whiplash but like I said, plot threads. Also there will be shipping in this, especially in this arc and it might seemed a bit forced, but its actually setting the groundwork on character dynamics throughout the story.
I wrote all of this like I would a comic or a storyboard so take it as such.
Big Trouble in Shang Mu Part 1
Jewel sat on the edge of the bed in the hotel room she shared with Fark, rubbing her temples to alleviate the lingering headache from the previous day's discussions. The holographic screens lit up, projecting the familiar faces of Amy, Lilac, and Sonic. Fark sat nearby, his focus steady as they began the meeting.
Jewel greeted everyone with a small, tired smile. "Good to see you all. Thanks for joining us," she said warmly, though Fark didn't need a greeting since he was sitting right beside her. "We've got some updates to share. Fark did some reconnaissance last night, and he's brought back some intel."
Amy leaned forward on her screen, curiosity in her voice. "What did you find, Fark?"
Fark's eyes glinted with amusement. "Honestly? I'm a little disappointed. The outer security here is pretty lax. Hacking into their systems was too easy."
Sonic raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What exactly did you find?"
Fark leaned back slightly, his tone growing more serious. "Mayor Zao was quick to react to the whole merging of worlds. He's solidified his position as the leader of what he's now calling the 'Shang Mu Entertainment Zone.' But on top of that, he's been asking about the heroes, particularly around Casino Night Zone."
Fark paused for a moment, his gaze shifting toward Lilac.
Lilac frowned, sensing something more. "Fark, what is it? Go on."
Fark sighed, steeling himself for the next part. "He's put sizable bounties on the heads of both Team Lilac and Team Sonic. Immediate capture."
Amy's eyes widened in shock. "Bounties? On them?"
Sonic, ever the thrill-seeker, merely grinned. "Well, looks like things just got a lot more interesting."
Fark chuckled, clearly enjoying Sonic's reaction. "I like the way you think, Sonic. But it's strange—Mayor Zao doesn't do things like this for no reason. He's wary of hero types. Lilac, any idea why?"
Lilac let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of her head. "Well… his city's been sieged twice. And during the second siege, he got kidnapped. Both times happened while he was dealing with me and my friends—indirectly, of course."
Amy muttered under her breath, "Yeah, that would definitely do it."
Lilac frowned, her mind racing as she processed the news. "How are we supposed to get anywhere near Mayor Zao if we're wanted criminals?" she asked, her frustration evident.
Fark leaned back in his chair, a small smirk on his face. "There might be a way," he began. "Mayor Zao is holding a team tournament. The grand prize is pretty tempting, but the catch is that the team has to consist of one person from Avalice and another from Earth. So, you and Sonic could enter together as a team."
Sonic and Lilac exchanged glances. Sonic gave her a confident thumbs up, his usual grin plastered on his face. "Piece of cake for the two of us," he said casually.
Jewel sighed, crossing her arms. "There's another stipulation Fark hasn't mentioned yet," she pointed out, casting a knowing glance at him.
Amy, ever suspicious of hidden details, raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Fark let out a small chuckle. "Oh, just a minor thing… the Mayor openly stated that couples are encouraged to enter."
Both Lilac and Sonic blushed deeply, their reactions a mix of surprise and embarrassment. Amy's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? That's impossible! The worlds literally fused yesterday!" she exclaimed, incredulous.
Jewel rubbed her temples, looking exasperated. "Apparently, Mayor Zao's going for a 'love at first sight' angle."
Lilac, her face still flushed, stammered, "I-I mean, it shouldn't be a problem... We can just... pretend, right?" She was clearly flustered by the situation, her voice a little higher-pitched than usual.
Sonic, still grinning but now with a weaker, more awkward edge, nodded. "Yeah, no big deal. We'll just pretend," he said, trying to maintain his confident facade despite the awkwardness.
Fark chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You organics are hilarious," he muttered, clearly amused by the situation.
Amy glanced at Sonic and Lilac, both of them clearly embarrassed by the situation, and let out a small sigh. There was a time when she would have given anything to be in Lilac's hypothetical position—paired with Sonic, even if it was just for an act. But neither the Water Dragon nor the Hedgehog had fully agreed to this situation yet. Still, Amy knew that her feelings no longer mattered more than the mission. The world needed all the nations and factions united against Eggman.
"Alright, you two, calm down," Amy said, her tone firm but understanding. "All you need to do is put on an act. And if it becomes real, well, good for you both, but right now isn't the time for hesitation."
Lilac, Jewel, and Sonic stared at Amy, stunned. Jewel and Sonic, especially, were taken aback by her words, as they knew about how Amy felt toward Sonic.
Sonic, visibly caught off guard, muttered, "Amy…"
Amy looked directly at Sonic, her gaze steady but resolute. "The world needs us to be the heroes they need, Sonic. I'll be fine. This is bigger than how I feel."
Realization dawned on Lilac as she watched Amy speak. She hadn't known before, but it became clear to her now—Amy had feelings for Sonic, yet she was willing to numb them for the sake of the mission and the greater good.
Determination filled Lilac's eyes as she stepped forward, reaching out and placing her hand in Sonic's, which startled him. Sonic looked down at her hand in his, then back up to Lilac.
"Let's do it," Lilac said, her voice steady, though her heart raced. "I hope you live up to all the hype everyone's been giving you."
Sonic grinned, his confidence quickly returning. "Oh, I plan to," he replied, squeezing her hand lightly. He then turned to Jewel and Fark. "But that still doesn't solve how we're supposed to get into Shang Mu with these bounties hanging over our heads."
Fark's grin widened as he leaned back, arms crossed, clearly pleased with himself. "Leave that to me. You two just focus on getting ready to enter the city. I've got a plan."
Doctor Eggman sat comfortably on his ornate throne, positioned on the bridge of his Egg Carrier Mark 8. Clutch the Opossum stood by his side, his sharp eyes glinting with anticipation. In front of them stood a small battalion of Red Scarves, all of them fully roboticized to follow their every command without question. The Egg Carrier was currently in stealth mode, a feature Eggman had added to keep his movements hidden from his enemies.
On one of the large monitors before them, the combined city of Shang Mu and Casino Night Zone came into view. The sprawling entertainment hub glittered in the distance, vibrant and full of life. Clutch leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight. "I can practically smell the money and opportunity wafting off that city," he said, his voice dripping with greed.
Eggman chuckled, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his throne. "I must say, I'm intrigued. Someone actually managed to build a city reminiscent of my Eggman Land, and yet it's... well-received. Fascinating."
One of the roboticized Red Scarves, a female, stepped forward and bowed low, paying fealty to her master before speaking. "Doctor Eggman, Mayor Zao of Shang Mu has always been openly corrupt, but his corruption has never incited war between the three kingdoms. The people tolerate him because he's entertaining, and despite his dishonorable methods, he has always done his best to protect his citizens."
Eggman let out a hum of interest, his mustache twitching slightly as he pondered the information. "This Mayor Zao certainly sounds like someone I'd enjoy bringing into my fold. Usurping him outright might cause complications… of the blue variety," he added, referring to Sonic with a scowl. "However, if I could make him follow my orders, I could secure nearly infinite funding for my empire—right under the Resistance's noses."
The female Red Scarf spoke up again. "Shang Mu also employs a significant number of robots, Doctor. Their factories could easily be repurposed for your benefit, to produce whatever you desire."
Clutch grinned, leaning back in his chair, clearly pleased with the turn of events. "I knew this place would be a treasure trove, but I didn't expect it to be this rich."
Eggman's smile widened, his mind already racing with ideas. "Oh, Clutch, you have no idea. We're going to make Shang Mu and Casino Night Zone a cornerstone of my new empire. All we need to do is make sure Zao plays his part."
Just then, Sage appeared beside her father, greeting him with a graceful curtsy. Eggman raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden appearance. "Well, well, this is a the curtsy?"
Sage smiled softly, her voice calm and even. "Father, with more people in your army, I've been given the opportunity to interact with others. I've been learning more, and I want to become an even better daughter to you."
Eggman's stern expression softened as a warm smile spread across his face. "You're already the best daughter any father could ask for," he said, his tone unusually tender for someone so typically domineering. Sage's smile widened at the praise.
"Thank you, Father," she replied. "I also wanted to report that my analysis of Syntax is complete."
Eggman motioned for her to continue, his curiosity piqued. "Go on, then. What have you learned?"
Sage's tone shifted into something more clinical. "Syntax is an inferior AI that was once utilized by Warlord Brevon. Brevon attempted to conquer the world of Avalice and steal the Kingdom Stone to power his fleet. He was defeated by three individuals: Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, and Milla Basset. Milla, specifically, was a traitor warhound bred by Brevon but turned against him. Serpentine and Syntax have been carrying out his will in his absence, awaiting his return."
Eggman frowned deeply at the mention of another warlord. "Another warlord, you say? No, no, this will not do," he muttered, already concocting plans to crush Brevon if necessary. A rival in conquering worlds was something he wouldn't tolerate. He would deal with Brevon's remnants first if it meant keeping his empire secure.
After a moment, Eggman's eyes narrowed, something in Sage's report standing out. "Sage, you mentioned those three—Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, and Milla Basset—as if they're important."
Sage nodded, her tone matter-of-fact. "Correct. They are Avalice's equivalent to Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails. They have thwarted Brevon before and are capable of serious resistance."
Eggman's eye twitched, and he sat up straighter, suddenly far more alert. "Another set of heroes like Sonic?" he muttered under his breath. "Dealing with that hedgehog and his friends is bad enough… Now I've got another group of troublesome do-gooders to worry about?"
His mood shifted from intrigue to irritation as the reality of this new threat sank in. "This Brevon and his so-called 'heroes' will be something I'll need to keep an eye on. I don't need more pests in my way."
Mayor Zao was thoroughly enjoying his luxurious afternoon lunch in the grand dining room of his opulent mansion. His servants flitted about, refilling his wine and ensuring his every need was met. Just as he was about to take another bite of his exquisite meal, one of his guards approached, bowing respectfully.
"Apologies for the interruption, Mayor Zao, but a visitor has come to see you."
Zao frowned, annoyed by the intrusion. "A visitor? Who is it?" he grumbled, reluctantly putting his fork down.
The guard stood tall, replying, "It's the robot who accompanied the Beetle Woman, Jewel."
Zao grumbled louder this time, visibly irritated at his meal being interrupted. "Fine, fine, send him in!" he barked, waving the guard away.
Moments later, Fark was led into the room by two guards. He bowed politely to Mayor Zao, who eyed him with suspicion.
"What do you want?" Zao asked, his voice flat and annoyed.
Fark straightened up and, without missing a beat, said, "Entertainment."
Zao blinked, caught off guard. "Entertainment?" he repeated, clearly surprised.
Fark nodded. "Yes. You see, I'm not from Avalice or Earth. I come from a third planetoid called Lua, where I worked as a Jester—hence my appearance. Now that the three places have merged, I've thrown my lot in with the Resistance, but as it turns out, the job's a bit slow-moving for my tastes."
Zao frowned at the mention of the Resistance but motioned for Fark to continue.
Fark took the cue and pressed on. "The Resistance isn't just about business all the time. So, I come to you with a proposition that's a win-win for both of us."
Zao, intrigued by Fark's words, leaned forward slightly in his chair. "A win-win proposition, you say? What's your offer?"
Fark smiled, his eyes gleaming. "I propose you allow Sonic and Lilac to compete in your tournament without worrying about the bounties you've placed on them. They're a new couple, still learning about each other, and entering the competition will give them a chance to strengthen their bond."
Zao's eyes widened. "Lilac and this Sonic are really a couple?"
Fark nodded and presented Zao with a picture on his communicator. It was a staged shot of Sonic and Lilac cuddling under a tree. "Love at first sight," Fark explained, "and honestly, they need a break from all the heroics. They'd much prefer some couple-focused activities for a change."
Zao studied the picture and raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Fark's smile widened. "Here's the deal: You lift their bounties and let them compete. In return, your ratings will skyrocket. You'll have two mega-stars competing in your event. Sonic, in particular, has competed in dozens of globally recognized events, so he'll bring even more attention to your tournament."
Zao's eyes lit up as he leaped out of his chair and pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.
5 Ratings
"Deal!" Zao exclaimed excitedly. "But make sure they know they must follow the rules to the letter, or they'll be disqualified immediately."
Fark nodded, his expression calm. "Of course. Lilac had nothing but good things to say about your competitions so I assure you this will be a show worth remembering."
Zao grinned from ear to ear, clapping his hands together gleefully. "Excellent! This will be the event of a lifetime!"
Later that evening, Fark returned to the hotel room. The dim light of the room cast soft shadows on the walls, and he noticed Jewel was already fast asleep in bed, the day's stresses clearly having taken their toll on her. Not wanting to disturb her, Fark quietly moved over to the communication device. Instead of speaking aloud, he connected to the device wirelessly, transmitting his voice through the system.
In a moment, Amy, Lilac, Sonic, Carol, and Milla appeared in his visual feed, each of them waiting for an update.
Fark broadcasted his success to the group, his voice steady and calm. "Mission accomplished. Not only are both Team Lilac and Team Sonic's bounties removed, but Sonic and Lilac are also officially entered to compete in Zao's competition."
Carol and Milla both reacted with surprise.
"Bounties?!" Carol exclaimed, clearly caught off guard. "There were bounties on us?"
Milla, on the other hand, seemed more thoughtful, processing the situation quietly.
Amy smiled at the good news. "That's great! But... why can't I see you, Fark? I can only hear you."
Fark replied, his voice maintaining its quiet tone. "I'm interfacing directly with the communication device. Jewel's asleep, and I didn't want to wake her."
Carol, still clearly confused about the situation, pressed on. "Okay, but what was that about bounties?"
Lilac scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, it's because Mayor Zao wasn't exactly thrilled with what happened during the Merga incident. So when the worlds combined, he had the foresight to place bounties on us to keep us away from Shang Mu."
Milla nodded, her face thoughtful. "Yeah… he really didn't like being kidnapped, did he?"
Carol, looking thoroughly exasperated by the turn of events, threw her hands up in the air. "It wasn't our fault! None of that was on us!"
Lilac, her expression a bit sheepish, added, "Maybe not, but we were in the middle of everything, and from Zao's perspective, that put us on his bad side."
Carol, still not satisfied, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, fine. But what's this competition, and why wasn't I told about it?"
Lilac's eyes widened, and she panicked internally, quickly blurting out, "It's for the mission, not for fun! We didn't want to bother you with it."
Inside, Lilac was desperately trying to keep the real reason hidden. She certainly didn't want to tell Carol or Milla that the tournament's stipulation was for couples, and that she and Sonic had to compete as a couple. Sonic knew exactly what was going on but decided to keep the conversation flowing to deflect attention.
"Well," Sonic chimed in, flashing his usual grin at Carol, "the way things are going, the Resistance is going to be spread thin. You'll probably have a mission of your own pretty soon."
Then he turned his attention to Milla, trying to ease the tension. "And Milla, Lilac told me you're pretty sharp. You'll probably be working from the base a lot, helping coordinate things. Everyone's got to do their best."
Carol stared at them for a moment, then sighed, relenting slightly. "Yeah, I get it. I guess we've all got a job to do."
Just as the group began to relax, a Resistance member burst into the room with wide eyes and an excited expression, shouting, "Did you guys hear? Lilac and Sonic are headlining a couples competition, and they're madly in love!"
There was a moment of stunned silence.
Lilac, Sonic, and Amy immediately facepalmed in unison, their frustration palpable. Milla gasped, her eyes going wide in disbelief, while Carol slowly turned her glare toward Lilac, clearly demanding an explanation.
Fark, watching the chaos unfold, decided this was the perfect moment to quietly disconnect from the call. His job was done.
The night was quiet as the three figures sat at their makeshift camp, hidden deep within the wilderness. Quill sat on a log, staring at the flickering fire, his mind working through the details of their next steps. Across from him, Surge lounged lazily, casually flicking a rock between her fingers. Meanwhile, Kit tinkered with an old holo device he had scavenged, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Quill broke the silence first. "Eggman's on to us," he muttered, glancing up from the fire. "The security around his bases has tripled. I don't know how he's increasing his numbers so quickly."
Kit looked up from the holo device, his voice hesitant. "M-Maybe he's filling out his forces with people from another world?" he suggested, his voice tinged with nervousness.
Quill frowned, the idea making too much sense. "That could be it… but how is he gaining so much traction so fast?"
Surge, still lounging, chuckled darkly. "Brainwashing tech, maybe? The guy's known for it. Wouldn't surprise me if he's turning people into mindless minions again."
Quill groaned silently, mentally kicking himself for forgetting that possibility. "Right… I almost forgot about that," he admitted, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Surge grinned at his reaction, clearly enjoying the moment. "So, what now, Quill? What's the plan?" she asked, though her voice held an edge of impatience.
Quill was still mulling over their next move when the holo device in Kit's hands suddenly came to life, flickering with bright colors. The group turned their attention to the screen as an advertisement played, showing off the upcoming contest in Shang Mu. The image featured none other than the power couple of Sonic and Lilac, beaming confidently at the camera.
Quill raised an eyebrow, watching the display with interest. "Sonic and this Lilac? Together?"
Surge's reaction, however, was immediate and much more visceral. A low growl escaped her throat, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Sonic," she hissed, venom in her voice. "I've been itching for a chance to take him down. Now's my shot."
Quill remained unbothered by the announcement playing on the holo device, thinking it wasn't really important—until the grand prize was revealed: a Chaos Emerald.
Quill cursed under his breath. "Of course," he muttered. With a Chaos Emerald at stake, there was no choice in the matter. They'd have to enter the competition, if for no other reason than to prevent Eggman's forces from getting their hands on it.
As he weighed their options, the bushes nearby rustled. Quill's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the sound. Suddenly, from the undergrowth emerged a tall, bipedal blue dragon woman clad in armor. Her presence was imposing, her golden eyes gleaming with an intensity that set everyone on edge.
Kit, startled, immediately hid behind Surge, trembling slightly. The dragon looked terrifying.
Quill, unfazed, glanced at her before speaking. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
The dragon woman tilted her head slightly before smirking. "I am Merga," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a weight of authority. "I've heard rumors. Is it true? Lilac is in a relationship?"
Quill stared at her for a long moment, processing her question. After a brief silence, he shrugged. "Why don't you come with us and find out for yourself?" he offered, keeping his voice even. "The contest is being held in Shang Mu."
Merga's golden eyes gleamed with interest, a chuckle rumbling from her chest. "Lilac, in a relationship… I have to see this," she said with amusement, her smirk widening.
Quill gave her a curt nod. "Then it's settled."
