The training room echoed with the hum of machinery and the low crackle of energy. In the center, Shadow stood, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp, focused on the opponents around him.

Shard the Metal Sonic, in his signature black and yellow color palette, hovered a few meters away, his arm cannon gleaming ominously under the dim lights. Flanking him were four Shadow Androids, each of them outfitted with bright yellow stripes where Shadow's were crimson. Their red optics locked onto their target, calculating the perfect moment to strike.

"You sure you're up for this, Shard?" Shadow asked casually, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "I wouldn't want to damage such a precious relic."

Shard smirked, his metallic features twisting into a confident grin. "Oh please, you're the one who needs the practice, 'Your Highness.'"

The Shadow Androids launched forward in a synchronized attack. Their movements were lightning-quick, but Shadow's senses were quicker. He dodged and blocked with little effort, his body moving like a shadow in the wind, untouchable and always a step ahead.

"Really? Is that what you think?" Shadow's voice dripped with amusement as he evaded a high kick from one of the androids, delivering a swift punch to its core. It crumpled to the ground, sparks flying. "Last I checked, you couldn't even keep up with Sonic."

Shard's optics flickered in mock irritation. "I've evolved since then." His arm cannon whirred to life, aiming directly at Shadow.

In a flash, Shard fired off a barrage of energy blasts, each shot precise, forcing Shadow to weave through the assault. One of the blasts grazed Shadow's arm, but he didn't falter. Instead, he smirked.

"Evolved, huh? That's what we're calling it now?"

The remaining androids flanked him again, their energy blades humming ominously as they approached in perfect formation. Shadow could feel the heat radiating from the blades as they swung at him from multiple angles. He sidestepped the first strike, blocked the second with his forearm, and then, with a burst of Chaos energy, pushed the androids back.

"You've gotten slow, Shard," Shadow said, throwing the comment over his shoulder. "Too much rust in those joints?"

Shard chuckled, unleashing another volley from his arm cannon. "Says the guy who spends all day on a throne. When's the last time you actually stretched those legs, huh?"

The Shadow Androids advanced again, their attacks relentless. But Shadow was a blur. He blocked, parried, and countered with graceful precision, barely breaking a sweat. The androids may have been programmed to mimic his fighting style, but they lacked the instinct, the experience, that made Shadow so deadly.

Shard zoomed in close, trying to take advantage of the distraction. He swung his arm cannon like a mace, aiming for Shadow's midsection, but Shadow was faster. He caught the cannon mid-swing, twisting it just enough to throw Shard off balance.

"Too slow," Shadow teased, delivering a swift kick to Shard's chest that sent him skidding back across the room.

Shard, recovering quickly, dug his metal heels into the ground to stop his momentum. "You're holding back, aren't you? Or is it just old age catching up?"

The androids circled Shadow, ready to strike again. This time, they moved in unison, their energy blades raised high. Shard joined them, charging up his cannon for one more concentrated blast.

"Not holding back," Shadow replied, his voice cold but amused. "Just waiting for you all to catch up."

In a single, fluid motion, Shadow released a surge of Chaos energy. His form blurred, disappearing and reappearing between the androids in an instant. Sparks flew as he disabled them one by one, his fists and feet striking with pinpoint accuracy. The last android swung its blade in desperation, but Shadow easily ducked under it, delivering a powerful upward strike that sent the android crashing into the ceiling.

Shard fired his cannon, but Shadow was already gone, moving faster than the eye could track. He reappeared behind Shard, gripping his shoulder tightly.

"Checkmate," Shadow whispered, before hurling Shard across the room with a casual flick of his wrist.

Shard landed with a resounding crash, lying flat on the ground, his systems groaning in protest. "I'll get you next time, your majesty," he groaned, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Shadow, standing amidst the wreckage of his fallen foes, crossed his arms. "You're getting predictable, Shard."

Before the banter could continue, the door to the training room slid open. Lien-Da, as ever, composed and efficient, walked in with purpose. Her eyes briefly scanned the fallen androids before settling on Shadow.

"King Shadow," she said with a small bow, her voice calm but with an underlying urgency. "You have an urgent call from Finitevus. He says it's important."

Shadow turned, his expression unreadable. "Finitevus?" he repeated, though the slightest hint of interest flickered in his eyes.

"Yes, sir," Lien-Da confirmed, stepping aside to give him room to leave.

With a final glance at Shard, who was still recovering on the floor, Shadow smirked. "Looks like we'll have to continue this later."

Shard gave a lazy wave, still flat on his back. "Yeah, yeah, go play king. I'll be here when you get bored."

Shadow allowed himself a brief smile before leaving the training room. As much as he enjoyed his sparring sessions, something told him that the call from Finetivus would be more important than any fight today.

With a soft whoosh, Shadow and Lien-Da reappeared in his main office. The grand room was bathed in a deep, warm light from the high windows, the intricate details of the room's architecture somehow blending regal dignity with the simplicity Shadow preferred.

Shadow moved effortlessly to his desk, his crimson eyes scanning the surface for a moment before sitting down in his chair. Lien-Da stood to the side, awaiting further orders, her posture respectful yet sharp.

As Shadow sat, a blue hologram flickered into existence on his desk. Finitevus's slender figure came into view, his ever-present grin still plastered across his pale, albino face. The hologram expanded, revealing a larger projection that displayed data streams alongside something far more interesting: a visual of the creatures from the previous jungle skirmish.

"Ah, King Shadow," Finitevus began, bowing slightly. His tone carried that familiar, over-enthusiastic edge, like a scientist on the cusp of discovery. "I've got quite the report for you, my liege."

Shadow's eyebrow quirked. "Go on."

Finitevus flicked his hand, and the hologram zoomed in on one of the monstrous bugs. Its segmented body gleamed in the artificial light, mandibles snapping as its multiple legs clambered over what appeared to be the terrain where the squads had fought. "As you can see, we've encountered these... remarkable creatures," Finitevus began, gesturing to the image of the insect. "Resilient, tough, and very aggressive. They have some interesting biological traits."

The hologram bug moved, showing different angles of its anatomy as Finitevus spoke. "Their outer shells are incredibly durable, likely evolved for protection in hostile environments. And their oil... well, it has some very intriguing properties."

Shadow leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "Useful in any way?"

"Ah, well, they're quite... edible," Finitevus said, his toothy grin widening. "We've cooked them, and I have to say, they make quite the meal."

At this, Lien-Da wrinkled her nose in disgust, but Shadow remained stoic, only slightly amused by Finitevus's eccentricity. "Aside from that, their oils show promise. We may be able to extract something beneficial, but I lack the proper equipment here. I'd suggest this is something more suited for Tails, Rotor, or perhaps Chuck, considering their technical expertise."

Shadow gave a thoughtful nod, turning slightly to Lien-Da. "Have one of them investigate the matter further."

Lien-Da nodded curtly, making a note of his order. Finitevus, meanwhile, took a moment to wipe imaginary dust from his Warp Ring, spinning it absentmindedly around his wrist.

"The bugs, while interesting, are hardly the point of this call," Finitevus continued, shifting his tone back to something more serious. "Relations between the Dark Arms and the Sol Kingdom have improved, but it wasn't without its bumps. I've implemented a plan to force them to work together—A tournament of sorts. But from what I've seen, the camaraderie is already building. They may no longer need these little tests."

There was a pause as Shadow considered the information. His crimson eyes narrowed as he leaned back, placing his hands on the armrests of his chair.

"No."

Finitevus blinked. "My liege?"

"I'll personally test the final teams," Shadow said calmly, his gaze turning towards the hologram. "When it comes down to the last few, I'll be the one they face."

Finitevus's grin widened in delight, the excitement in his voice palpable. "Oh, that's a brilliant idea. A true trial for them—no one will expect it."

Shadow allowed himself a small smirk. "Let it be a surprise. Once they pass, they will face my full might. If they can last ten minutes, they win."

Finitevus's eyes gleamed with admiration. "Ten minutes in a fight with you? My liege, I'm almost envious. I'll see to it that everything's prepared."

Satisfied, Shadow straightened in his chair, his gaze cool and commanding. "Good. And Finitevus... don't gorge yourself on the creatures. We still need them for experiments."

Finitevus chuckled, puffing his chest with pride. "Of course, of course. I wouldn't dream of it, my liege. I shall return victorious."

With that, the hologram fizzled out, leaving the room in silence. Shadow's gaze lingered on the empty space where Finitevus's figure had been. Lien-Da broke the quiet with her typical bluntness.

"Barbaric. The doctor has some nerve, eating those... things," she muttered, her distaste evident.

Shadow smirked, leaning back in his chair. "That's what I appreciate about him. Finitevus isn't afraid to do what others won't. It's what makes him invaluable."

Lien-Da begrudgingly nodded. "I suppose so."

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes watching Shadow carefully. "When do you plan to leave? You have tasks that still need to be seen to."

Shadow stood, his form imposing as he gazed out of the grand window that overlooked Mobotropolis. "I'll see to them. But first, I must visit the Royal Armory."

Lien-Da's eyes widened slightly, but she kept her composure. "The Royal Armory? Which weapon, my liege?"

Shadow's smirk deepened. "The Gaia Core."

Finitevus ended the call with Shadow, a grin creeping up his face, sharp and crooked. The king himself, fighting the final teams—oh, how deliciously unpredictable. His laughter started low, almost a hum, and then grew into a hearty cackle that echoed through the mobile base's metallic halls. His assistants briefly glanced up, puzzled, but quickly returned to their work. They had long since learned to ignore his outbursts. Eccentricity was merely part of the scientist's brilliance.

"Fools," Finitevus muttered to himself, eyes sparkling with amusement. "They don't even know what's coming."

He descended the three steps leading to his exclusive workspace, his fingers trailing over the smooth surface of the console as he murmured under his breath, lost in thought. The base hummed with activity around him, but in Finitevus's mind, there was only the thrill of discovery.

The soft hiss of the door opening snapped him out of his musings. Violet, the purple echidna, walked in, pushing an anti-grav platform. On it lay one of the creatures—a grotesque, towering version of the acid-spitting bugs that had given their forces trouble during the jungle skirmish. Its segmented body twitched faintly, its mandibles clicking as if still alive.

Finitevus's eyes lit up like a child's on his birthday. "Oh, now this is magnificent!" He moved toward the platform, hands hovering above the creature, not quite touching it. His breath came in quick, shallow bursts, his mind already racing through possibilities. "Just look at it… the form, the texture… so much potential."

"Sir, I—" Violet started, her voice cutting through his reverie.

Finitevus waved her off without turning, his eyes never leaving the creature. "Go. Do whatever you must. Or don't. Rest. I'll call when I need you."

There was no room for argument. Violet saluted quickly, though Finitevus didn't see it, and backed out of the room with a soft click of her boots against the floor. The door hissed shut behind her.

Immediately, Finitevus activated the holographic interface on his gloves, summoning a panel in midair. His fingers danced over it, and a dozen tiny drones zipped into existence, their metallic wings buzzing as they fanned out over the creature's body, scanning every inch with precise movements.

"Fascinating," he murmured, eyes darting between the streams of data appearing on the hologram before him. "Resilience in the exoskeleton... Adaptive morphology... Yes, yes, this will do nicely."

He snapped his fingers, still not looking up. One of his assistants hurried over, awaiting instructions.

"Catalog any discrepancies between this and the previous samples," Finitevus ordered, his voice clipped and mechanical, his mind already racing ahead. "I want detailed notes. We need to track any potential variants before we proceed with further experiments."

The assistant nodded and quickly left, but Finitevus was already lost again, his attention buried in the data scrolling across the hologram.

The door slid open again. Finitevus didn't bother to acknowledge it this time, not until a familiar voice interrupted him.

"Sir, Princess Blaze has requested your presence," Violet said.

Finitevus turned, his expression sharp with irritation at the interruption. "Does she?" He raised an eyebrow, but before he could say more, his gaze shifted past her to the figure lounging casually in the doorway.

Thomas, the lynx from the Sol Guards, leaned against the frame, arms folded behind his head, his posture so relaxed it bordered on disrespectful. His smirk only widened when Finitevus noticed him.

"And why," Finitevus said, his voice slow and measured, "is he here?"

Violet stiffened, spinning around to find Thomas grinning at her. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "Thomas!" she hissed, grabbing a fistful of his hair and yanking him toward the exit.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Thomas laughed, though he didn't resist, still grinning like a fool.

"Apologies, Sir!" Violet called back, her face flushed as she hauled Thomas out the door.

Finitevus watched them go, his expression hard. "Fraternization between the Sol Guards and my squadrons…" he muttered, shaking his head. "What a waste of time and energy."

He flicked off the hologram with a quick swipe, the data stored for later. Pulling off his dirty lab coat, he tossed it at a nearby assistant, who scrambled to catch it. "Get this cleaned," Finitevus barked, adjusting his gloves.

Clearing his throat, he straightened his posture, smoothed his uniform, and headed for the exit. As much as he despised being pulled away from his work, Princess Blaze's request demanded a certain level of attention.

And Finitevus always knew when to play his part.

Finitevus strode through the castle's wide corridors, his boots clicking sharply against the polished stone floors. He passed guards from both the Sol Kingdom and the Dark Arms, their stoic faces betraying none of the tension that had once simmered between them. Now, they mingled, exchanging terse nods or the occasional word, the remnants of their rivalry barely visible under the surface.

"Good," Finitevus murmured to himself, feeling a swell of satisfaction. The mingling of these forces—two opposing factions once at each other's throats—was progress, and progress was something he always craved.

But that sense of accomplishment evaporated as he rounded a corner and came to a sudden halt. His eyes narrowed.

There, on a stone bench by the wall, sat Violet and Thomas. Much too close.

The two were in the middle of some quiet conversation, Violet's face animated as she spoke, while Thomas leaned in, far too relaxed for Finitevus's liking. His mind froze, an alarming realization dawning as he saw them shift even closer. Were they…?

No.

Finitevus's eyes widened in horror. They wouldn't.

The moment he thought they might actually kiss, something inside him snapped. Without thinking, he bolted toward a nearby balcony. Throwing open the doors, he shouted out into the courtyard below.

"GET A ROOM!"

His voice echoed off the stone walls, causing a flock of birds to take flight from a nearby tree. Violet and Thomas instantly sprang apart as if electrocuted. Violet's face flushed deep crimson before she vanished in a brilliant flash of light, teleporting away faster than Finitevus had ever seen her move.

Thomas, for his part, let out a yelp, curled into a ball, and spun off in a rapid spindash, disappearing down the hallway in a blur.

Finitevus rolled his eyes, stepping back inside and closing the balcony doors with more force than necessary. "This has to stop," he muttered under his breath, glaring at the now-empty bench. "Fraternization like this… Unacceptable."

He straightened his coat, gathering himself, and resumed his walk down the hall. But as he turned the next corner, he nearly collided with two figures.

Renard, the tiger captain of the Sol Guards, stood bare-chested, his fur glistening with sweat. Dusk, the wolf commander of the Dark Arms, was holding a torn strip of fabric in her hands, her breathing heavy, matching Renard's labored breaths.

The second they saw him, both snapped into sharp salutes, their postures stiff as boards.

"Sir," Dusk barked, her icy blue eyes flashing with surprise.

"Sir," Renard echoed, his usual smirk absent.

Finitevus raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between the two. "What," he began slowly, his voice dripping with suspicion, "were you two doing?"

"Training, Sir," they both replied in unison, without missing a beat.

Finitevus's eyes narrowed. His gaze drifted to Renard's shirtless chest, then to the fabric clutched in Dusk's hand. He tilted his head, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. "What kind of training requires no weapons and results in torn clothing?"

"Hand-to-hand combat," they both responded quickly, again in unison.

Finitevus's gaze hardened, his lips curling slightly into a frown. "Really?" he asked, voice dripping with disbelief. "Because the training facilities aren't even in this part of the castle."

Dusk and Renard glanced at each other, trying to come up with something, anything to justify their situation. The silence between them stretched, heavy with tension.

Finitevus's anger bubbled, his irritation growing as he stared them down. "Next time," he growled, "come up with a better lie if you want to fool me."

Before either soldier could stammer a response, a calm voice interrupted from behind them.

"Finitevus."

Blaze stood at the entrance to the hallway, her arms folded. Her presence commanded immediate attention, and both Renard and Dusk snapped to full attention. Finitevus's anger cooled, his posture straightening as he turned toward the princess.

"Perhaps," Blaze said, her tone measured, "you shouldn't interrogate my soldiers without a valid reason."

Finitevus blinked, forcing a smile to cover his frustration. "Princess Blaze," he greeted her warmly, a polite, neutral expression settling on his face. "I was merely ensuring that there were no... misunderstandings. After all, I do hope your Sol Guards and my Dark Arms are getting along well."

Blaze met his gaze evenly, not fooled for a second by the thinly veiled excuse. "They're getting along just fine," she assured him, her voice carrying a calm authority. "Open hostility between the two groups is no longer an issue. But if you have concerns, we can discuss them later. Right now, I'd prefer to speak with you in my office. Immediately."

Finitevus nodded, his smile never wavering. "Of course, your highness. Lead the way."

Blaze turned on her heel, her violet eyes narrowing slightly as she made her way back toward her office. As she disappeared around the corner, Finitevus sighed, rolling his shoulders and turning back toward Renard and Dusk, fully intending to reprimand them further.

But they were already gone. Vanished. Not a trace of either soldier remained in the hallway.

Finitevus clenched his fists, swallowing the irritation that threatened to rise. "This is exactly what I need to put a stop to..." he muttered before shaking his head and composing himself once more.

With a deep breath, he hurried after Blaze, his mind already shifting gears. He'd deal with Dusk and Renard later.

For now, the princess had his attention.

Finitevus entered the office, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the room. Blaze sat across from him, already sipping from a delicate teacup, her gaze distant and thoughtful. A servant stood beside her, quietly poised, refilling her cup the moment she placed it down. The air was calm, but the tension between them, buried beneath the formalities, was palpable.

Finitevus slid onto the couch opposite Blaze, giving a polite nod as the servant approached him with a cup of tea. She poured with practiced precision, the liquid swirling with the faint scent of herbs and spices. He accepted the cup with a nod. "Thank you," he said, his voice even. He took a small sip, savoring the warmth of the tea before placing the cup lightly on the table.

Blaze, still silent, glanced up at him. Her expression was cool but patient, and Finitevus could tell she was waiting for him to speak. Sensing the unspoken prompt, he put his teacup down, fingers grazing the porcelain lightly before leaning back.

"Princess," he began, "thank you for your patience—and your trust in allowing me to assist with the portals. My findings so far have been... illuminating, to say the least."

Blaze nodded, her violet eyes unwavering. "I appreciate all your efforts so far. I'd like to hear more about what you've discovered."

Finitevus's lips curled into a satisfied smile. This was what he had been waiting for. "Of course. Let me start with the Chaos Syphon."

At Blaze's slight nod, he continued, his voice measured and deliberate. "The Chaos Syphon was an experimental weapon—designed to draw in and store Chaos energy from the environment. Unfortunately, it was not without its flaws. On more than one occasion, it malfunctioned, and... let's just say, it introduced an imbalance in my own mental state. My past 'madness' was a byproduct of that instability."

Blaze raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she sipped her tea, allowing him to continue.

Finitevus cleared his throat and took another measured sip before pressing on. "As for the portals—what I've discovered is that before they form, Chaos energy gathers in concentrated pockets. This warping of space is triggered once enough energy builds up in an area. Your Sol Emeralds and Jeweled Scepter are effective, yes, but their range is limited. This is why towns and cities within the kingdom have been spared—those artifacts protect them. However…"

He paused for emphasis, enjoying the momentary tension. Blaze leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"Further from the Scepter's reach," he continued, "the portals are still forming. I've seen similar patterns on Mobius, but here, they are... clearer. Something—someone—is trying to break into this dimension. The insectoid creatures we've encountered so far are merely a byproduct of that rupture. They see the portals as a means of travel between their world and ours, but these creatures are not the true enemy. There are likely other portals, scattered across the islands, releasing who knows what."

Blaze frowned, setting her cup down more firmly this time. "And these creatures? You intend to keep them alive for study?"

Finitevus leaned back, his fingers tapping against his thigh. "My King has ordered that some of the creatures be transferred to Mobius for proper study. We lack the necessary equipment here to fully understand them." His voice remained calm, though he could see Blaze's growing frustration.

Blaze let out a soft sigh, rubbing her forehead with one hand before taking another sip from her cup. The servant immediately moved to refill it, as if sensing the tension. "I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with that," Blaze admitted.

Finitevus shrugged lightly. "Understandable. But necessary."

There was a brief silence as Blaze gathered her thoughts, her fingers wrapped around the teacup. "Can you determine who—or what—is trying to break into our dimension?"

Finitevus shook his head, the flicker of intrigue never leaving his eyes. "Not yet. I need more time to study the energy patterns. Perhaps with further analysis, I can find similarities to Chaos energy signatures—both recent and ancient. Until then, I can only speculate."

Blaze's expression remained tight as she nodded. "And what about the portals? Could they be forming underwater, or underground?"

Finitevus stroked his chin, considering it for a moment. "It's... possible. I hadn't given it much thought, but the planet is covered in water, after all. If the same energy patterns are occurring underwater, you could be facing similar outbreaks beneath the surface. I'd advise ensuring that your naval vessels are heavily armored and capable of defending against these creatures."

Blaze's lips pressed into a thin line before she responded. "The Sol Guards are trained to operate both above and below ground. My forces are prepared."

Finitevus chuckled softly. "The Dark Arms are similarly equipped."

Taking a deep breath, he spread his hand in front of him, summoning a hologram that flickered to life in the shape of a rotating satellite dish. Blaze's eyes fixed on the projection, intrigued.

"With the data I've gathered so far," Finitevus explained, "I can create a program that estimates where Chaos energy is gathering and predict where a portal will form. At present, I'm confident I can do this with about 89% accuracy."

Blaze raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That's quite precise. How do you plan to make it a reality?"

At this, Finitevus sighed, meeting her gaze directly. "I'll need an additional garden space to construct the device."

Blaze's reaction was immediate—her calm exterior gave way to irritation, her eyes narrowing. "Another garden? You already have more than enough space."

Finitevus raised his hands, palms out, in a gesture of placation. "I assure you, Princess, my intentions are purely scientific. It is necessary if we are to track and neutralize these threats effectively."

Blaze's skepticism deepened. "Your past actions leave much to be desired. You understand why I'm reluctant to trust you with more resources."

"Of course," Finitevus responded, his voice calm but firm. "I've been transparent about my past mistakes. The chaos energy that once affected my mind has long since been purged. I am loyal only to my King and to the mission we've undertaken here."

Blaze stared at him for a long, silent moment, her violet eyes searching for any sign of deceit. When she spoke again, her voice was cool, measured. "Very well. I'll grant you the space—but only on the condition that my Sol Guards are present to oversee the work."

Finitevus's face lit up with a bright, genuine smile. "A reasonable condition. I am more than happy to agree."

Blaze nodded once, watching him carefully. "Good. Then let's hope your program works as well as you say it will."

Finitevus took another sip of his tea, his smile never faltering. "Oh, I assure you, it will."

As Blaze finished refilling her teacup, she tapped a spot on the table between them. The surface flickered for a moment before a hologram of the surrounding forest materialized, hovering above the table like a three-dimensional map. Finitevus leaned forward, his eyes scanning the terrain curiously.

Blaze's voice remained calm, though there was a subtle energy behind it. "The tournament will take place here. The soldiers, split into their teams, will race across the forest. Once they reach the checkpoints, they'll find one of five cards—King of Hearts, King of Spades, King of Diamonds, King of Clubs, and the Ace of Spades. Their goal is to grab a card and make it back to the castle."

Finitevus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Simple enough. But what stops a team from taking more than one card?"

Blaze's eyes flickered with amusement. "Each team can only submit a maximum of two cards. But here's where it gets interesting—they can fight and steal cards from other teams along the way. If they want to increase their chances of winning, they'll need to be clever."

Finitevus chuckled, already picturing the chaos this would incite among the soldiers. "And what happens if a team joins forces with another?"

Blaze allowed a small smile. "It's allowed. They can form a group of four, though they'll still be limited to submitting two cards between them."

The hologram shifted, zooming in on various paths that snaked through the forest. Finitevus tilted his head slightly, taking it all in. "Interesting," he mused. "A mix of strategy, combat, and luck. What do they win?"

Blaze laughed lightly, almost sheepishly. "I'm offering them time off and a medal."

"A medal?" Finitevus glanced up at her, amused. "What inspired that?"

Blaze took another sip of her tea, her gaze twinkling. "I suppose I got caught up in the excitement of planning the tournament. I may have let it go to my head a little."

Finitevus couldn't help but smile. "It's a fun idea. And I imagine the Dark Arms will appreciate receiving a prize from a foreign nation. The incentive might drive them to push harder."

Blaze tapped another spot on the hologram, and the map flickered again. "But of course, it won't just be each other they'll have to worry about. We've prepared some... obstacles."

Finitevus's eyes gleamed with interest. "Obstacles?"

The hologram changed once more, and this time, red dots appeared across the map. Blaze leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "Some of Captain Whisker's henchmen are still around. I've also repaired several of Eggman's more formidable robots."

Separate holograms of the boss robots appeared in front of Finitevus, one by one. Ghost Rex, a towering, skeletal dinosaur-like machine; Ghost Pirate, a swashbuckling robot with a haunting aura; Ghost Kraken, a massive sea beast with thrashing mechanical tentacles; Egg Eagle, a soaring metallic bird of prey; Egg Scarab, a fast-moving, heavily armored beetle; Egg King, a massive, imposing figure in royal garb; and finally, Johnny, Captain Whisker's right-hand man, who had a shark-toothed grin.

Finitevus nodded in approval. "Impressive. And the cannon fodder?"

Blaze waved her hand, and the hologram zoomed out, revealing countless smaller red dots scattered across the forest. "Egg Pawns, Egg Fighters... enough to keep them on their toes."

Finitevus's smirk widened. "You've certainly prepared well."

Blaze was about to respond when Finitevus's expression shifted, as though remembering something important. "There is one other matter," he said, leaning forward slightly. "I've informed my liege about the tournament, and he's decided to make things... interesting."

Blaze raised an eyebrow, sensing where this was going. "How so?"

Finitevus met her gaze directly. "He wishes to join the tournament as a final challenge."

Blaze's reaction was immediate—her back straightened, and her eyes widened slightly. "Shadow? Competing against the soldiers?" She shook her head quickly. "That's... that's too much. His power—his strength... He could destroy them."

Finitevus held up a hand, his tone soothing but firm. "I understand your concerns. And no, my King has no intention of giving anyone PTSD," he said, with just a hint of humor in his voice. "He merely wants to punish the soldiers for their recent... unsightly behavior. A little lesson in humility, if you will."

Blaze stared at him for a long moment, her mind racing. Memories of Shadow's overwhelming power during the war flashed through her mind—how effortlessly he had torn through entire legions of her forces. The thought of him going up against her soldiers, even in a controlled environment, made her uneasy.

"I'll need to speak to Shadow about this," Blaze said, her voice firm, though she sounded less certain than she wished. "This isn't something I can agree to lightly."

Finitevus nodded, rising from his seat. "Of course, your highness. I'll inform the King that you'll be reaching out."

He gave a polite bow before turning to leave. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Blaze alone in the quiet room.

She sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. The idea of Shadow participating in the tournament weighed heavily on her. His strength was beyond anything her soldiers had ever faced. Even with all their training, the thought of them facing him in battle was almost laughable—and terrifying.

As she sipped her tea, her mind wandered back to the war. She could still remember the sheer force of Shadow's presence on the battlefield—the way he commanded the power of Chaos and Gaia Energy, bending reality to his will. Entire Gods had crumbled before him like paper, their might nothing compared to the overwhelming destruction he could unleash with a single wave of his hands. She had fought him herself both without and with the Sol Emeralds, but it hadn't mattered whatsoever. By that time they were merely all pawns playing in his palm.

She groaned, setting her cup down with more force than intended. "Let's just hope," she muttered to herself, "he doesn't plan on scarring all of our soldiers for good."