{Pre A/N}

Triscythe59: Apart from Amy and the Hooligans I will add one more Sonic character, this chapter will practically tell you who. And yeah, there is no Shadow as this is before the Adventure era.


Chapter 30: Lockdown

Royale Palace – Palace Halls, Noon Hours

The sun streamed through the palace windows, casting a warm glow across the polished marble floors. As the group meandered through the ornate halls, the grandeur of the palace felt almost at odds with the uneasy atmosphere lingering in the air. Amy walked at the center of the group, her voice steady but tinged with excitement as she recounted the previous day's events.

"And after all of that," Amy continued, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, "I was given a room to stay in, and Gong even gave me a little tour around the palace. While we were chatting, he mentioned some unexpected brave heroes that helped them the day before, and when he described a blue hedgehog and a yellow fox, I knew it had to be you two!" She pointed at Sonic and Tails with a grin. "So I just waited for you guys to show up!"

Her story left the group in awe, the details sinking in.

"Wait, you saved Scary Lady and the Royal Magister?" Carol exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief. "And they gave you a room and a tour? All for yourself?"

Amy's cheeks flushed slightly, her smile bashful. "Yes, they did. It was... quite the day."

"That's an understatement," Gong muttered, his tone good-natured but impressed.

"I hope Lady Neera is alright," Milla murmured, concern lacing her soft voice.

Gong gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, girl. She's resting now and getting the best care. She'll be up and giving orders again in no time," he said, earning looks of relief from the group.

Tails beamed at Amy, impressed by her accomplishments. "Amy, that's amazing! You really stepped up." He raised a hand for a high-five, which Amy eagerly met with a wide grin.

The rest of the group was equally impressed. Saving the city—and its ruler—was no easy feat, especially with one of Robotnik's Hard-Boiled Heavies involved. Sonic crossed his arms, a genuine grin spreading across his face.

"Yeah, gotta admit, that's pretty cool, Amy," Sonic said with newfound respect.

Amy's blush deepened at Sonic's compliment, her eyes lighting up with happiness. She leaned slightly closer to him, her voice taking on a playful, dreamy tone. "Oh, it was nothing," she said modestly. Then, with a glint of mischief in her eye, she added, "But I must say, the fact that we're both here together—don't you think it's a sign of destiny, hmmm?"

"Uhhh…" Sonic took a step back, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as Amy inched closer.

Carol's eyes widened as she elbowed Lilac, her ears twitching in amusement and surprise. "No way… Think we bumped into Sonic's girlfriend!" she whispered with a smirk.

"G-girlfriend?" Lilac repeated, blinking as she watched Sonic shuffle nervously away from Amy's advances. "Oh… well, he does travel a lot and meets a lot of people… so I guess it makes sense?" She recalled the story Sonic told her about Little Planet and the pink hedgehog he'd mentioned, her tone almost turning sour at the realization.

Tails shook his head, looking half-amused and half-exasperated. "Nope," he said with a sigh, noticing their confusion. "She calls herself Sonic's girlfriend, but she's not. She's just... a super fan… and super clingy."

Lilac let out a quiet sigh of relief. "She's not?" she whispered, though a hint of confusion flickered across her face. Wait… relieved?Why do I feel relieved?

Amy glanced briefly at the murmuring group, her sharp instincts catching onto the whispers. Her attention quickly shifted back to Sonic, her eyes narrowing. "So, my darling Sonic," she cooed, her tone sweet but tinged with suspicion, "care to introduce me to your new friends?"

"Uh, well…" Sonic hesitated, leaning back slightly from Amy's inquisitive gaze. "These are Lilac, Carol, Milla, Torque, and... uh, that's all of them." He quickly corrected himself, excluding Gyro, they will properly introduce him when they meet the Magister. "They've been great friends I've made here, and honestly, without them, I don't think we would've gotten this far."

His warm smile and genuine tone of gratitude filled the group with pride. Their bond had clearly grown strong.

Lilac nodded politely, though she still seemed slightly flustered. Carol gave a teasing grin, clearly enjoying the tension in the air as she energetically waved at Amy. Milla waved shyly, while Torque maintained a formal stance, though he appeared more reserved than usual.

Amy gave a huge smile, but her narrowed eyes returned once she got to Lilac and Carol. She scrutinized both of them carefully. Her gaze lingered on Lilac, who did her best to maintain a polite smile despite the growing discomfort. Carol, on the other hand, met Amy's gaze head-on, her smirk widening, clearly amused by the situation.

"So…" Amy's voice grew sharp as she continued, her suspicious eyes darting between Lilac and Carol. "You don't… have anything with Sonic, right?" Her tone was pointed, causing everyone to freeze for a moment, surprised by her boldness.

Lilac's face flushed a deeper shade of red, her composure faltering. "N-no, we're just friends!" she stammered, her voice high-pitched as she shifted awkwardly under Amy's gaze.

"Yeah, just friends," Carol added, nudging Lilac playfully. "Nothing more," she teased, her grin widening as Lilac became even more flustered as she glared at her.

Amy's eyes narrowed further as she seemed to evaluate their responses. She stared at Lilac a moment longer, sensing there was more behind her words, but ultimately let it go. Carol's teasing seemed to pass her radar, though she made a mental note. As for Torque and Milla, Amy didn't sense anything unusual. They were just friends with Sonic, and that was good enough for her.

"You two are okay!" Amy finally declared, giving Torque and Milla a thumbs-up. Torque shifted awkwardly under the scrutiny, clearly uncomfortable, while Milla tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh, yay?" Milla said, her voice unsure as her eyes darted between Amy and the others, clearly not understanding the underlying tension.

Sonic, desperate to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness, cleared his throat loudly. "A-anyway!" he said, cutting through the silence. "Like I was saying, it's thanks to all of them that we're here. And now that we've regrouped, I think it's time to deliver the news to the Magister."

Gong, relieved for the distraction, nodded in agreement. His tone grew serious once again. "The Magister has been waiting for you all. He's been rather anxious since your return—especially with everything that's happening with Shuigang and the Kingdom Stone. He's waiting in the audience chamber."

"Then let's not keep him waiting," Lilac added, her voice steady as the group prepared to move forward.

As they walked down the grand hallway, Tails leaned toward Torque and whispered, "I think it's time to ditch the costume."

Torque looked surprised but quickly glanced at Gyro, who chirped softly in agreement. His wisp companion was right, if they were to gain the Magister's trust, it would be better if there were no more secrets. Torque nodded solemnly. "You're right. It's time." He gave a soft smile as they all continued down the corridor, their footsteps echoing in the vast space.


Royale Palace – Audience Chamber

The group entered the grand circular audience chamber, where the setting sun cast a warm golden glow through the large open windows, bathing the room in a serene light. The room's walls were adorned with intricate murals and tapestries depicting scenes from Avalician legends and history. Despite the peaceful aura, a peculiar sight caught their attention: an arrow embedded in one of the columns, as if left behind from a battle from long ago.

In the center of the room stood the Royal Magister, his robes now pristine and his posture commanding, exuding calm authority. By his side, Neera Li leaned heavily on her ice staff for support. Her usually stern features were softened by fatigue, her face pale and her breath shallow, though the flicker of determination in her eyes remained undimmed.

"N-Neera!" Gong exclaimed, rushing forward in concern, surprised to see her standing.

"General," Neera acknowledged, her voice low and strained. Despite her evident exhaustion, she held her head high, unwilling to show weakness.

"Lady Neera, are you alright? I thought you were supposed to be resting!" Lilac asked gently, taking a step forward, concern etched across her face.

Neera raised a hand, stopping her mid-step. "I'm fine," she said tersely, though her voice wavered slightly. It was clear she had refused to remain bedridden, determined to be present for what was about to unfold.

The rest of the group shared concerned glances but knew better than to argue with Neera in her current state.

The Royal Magister turned to face them, his magenta eyes cold and calculating as they swept over each member of the group, his expression unreadable. His gaze finally settled on Sonic, lingering for a moment before he spoke, his voice formal and even.

"...You've arrived," he said simply, his tone devoid of warmth.

He then turned to Gong and Amy, his expression tightening slightly. "General, escort Amy Rose out. This is a matter of national security."

"W-what?" Amy stammered, taken aback. "But I'm with them! I—"

"These matters do not concern you," the Magister cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Gong stepped forward, his voice softer. "Come on, Amy. You'll see your friends after this is all sorted out," he assured her, offering a kind smile.

Amy looked back at her friends, her expression a mix of worry and frustration. Sonic, noticing her hesitance, tried to ease the tension. "Yeah, Amy, we'll finish this and catch up afterward," he said with a wink, trying to sound lighthearted.

With a reluctant sigh, Amy nodded and allowed Gong to lead her away. "Bye, Amy," Milla said softly, sadness in her voice as she watched her leave.

Amy offered a weak smile before following Gong, the large doors of the audience chamber closing behind them with a heavy thud, leaving the group alone with the Magister and Neera.

A heavy silence filled the room as the Magister stood tall, his critical gaze once again sweeping over the group. "Well?" he asked, his tone steady but expectant. "Which one of you will be the bearer of the news?"

Lilac and Sonic exchanged nods before stepping forward, preparing to explain the situation.

"Your majesty," Lilac began, bowing respectfully. "We bring both good news and bad news…"

"That it seems…" the Magister replied, his expression still neutral, though a flicker of curiosity crossed his eyes.

Sonic smirked slightly, crossing his arms. "Hope you're ready for a wild ride, Magister, because this is gonna be a long one."

And with that, they began to recount the series of events that had brought them to this moment. Sonic and Lilac, with Tails and Torque chiming in occasionally, detailed everything: from Sonic and Tails' arrival on Avalice, their encounters with Eggman, the battles at Iron Valley, the chase through Relic Island, the invasion of Shang Mu, and their recent confrontation with Metal Sonic. As they continued, they revealed the most crucial details—the Chaos Emeralds and the dangerous alliance between Eggman and the alien warlord Lord Brevon.

The mention of Brevon, an actual alien, manipulating the prince of Shuigang caught the attention of Neera, Gong—who had returned after escorting Amy—and even the Magister, whose eyes darkened at the revelation.

But it was when Torque shed his disguise, revealing his true alien form, that the room's atmosphere shifted. Gyro, the small cyan wisp, emerged from hiding, giving a polite greeting. The truth of Torque's origins and the threat Brevon posed became undeniable.

"In our fight against Metal Sonic, uh, Sonic's robot doppelgänger," Lilac continued, her voice filled with regret, "we... lost our own Emerald in the process."

Milla, who had been silent for most of the conversation, clutched her arms, tears welling up in her eyes as she thought of the loss of her cherished "wishing star." Tails placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering silent support.

Sonic nodded solemnly, his tone growing serious. "So, in conclusion, we need to get a hold of at least one Chaos Emerald, which you guys seem to have… well, we thought at least. But apparently, there's a lot more at stake than we realized."

The Magister's brow furrowed slightly. His expression remained composed, but his voice held an edge as he spoke. "Elaborate."

Tails stepped forward, clearing his throat before continuing. "Your majesty, during our battle on the Flying Mini Battery, I managed to access files in the control room," he explained. "The files contained blueprints for various robot designs, but one name caught my attention—the Shade Cores."

Tails gestured to Torque, who nodded in affirmation. "They're those flying eyeballs inside Brevon's machines," Tails continued. "They were designed by Brevon, though I couldn't decrypt the full details of how they're made. But there was something else in those files, something bigger."

Everyone leaned in, their anticipation growing.

Tails took a breath before revealing, "Amongst the files was a detailed plan for a full-scale attack… on a specific location."

The room tensed as the Magister's eyes narrowed. "And that location is?"

Tails locked eyes with the Magister, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "Angel Island."

A collective gasp filled the room. Lilac felt her heart skip a beat as the weight of the revelation hit her. "A-Angel Island?!" she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"I wanted to tell you all sooner, but with everything happening, I had to wait until we were together," Tails admitted, his tone apologetic. He then turned back to the Magister. "Angel Island is… well, it's a moving island that drifts around the oceans and—"

"I know what Angel Island is," the Magister interrupted, his tone sharp. Tails flinched slightly under the harshness of the words. "What is their objective?"

Tails composed himself quickly before responding. "The island's main power source is an artifact of immense energy—one that rivals the Chaos Emeralds."

"The Master Emerald," Sonic added, his voice steady. "It's what keeps the island floating."

The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the room. The Master Emerald was a legendary artifact, said to be even more powerful than a Chaos Emerald, and its protection was paramount.

"So what you're saying," Torque said, his voice tinged with horror, "is that if they get a hold of it…"

Tails nodded grimly. "If they manage to get their hands on the Master Emerald as well as the Chaos Emeralds and Kingdom Stone, they could potentially triple—no, quadruple—the power of both their armies. They'd become unstoppable."

The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of Tails' words sank in.

"The files I recovered also show the island's current location—it's south of here, not too far," Tails finished, glancing at the Magister. "We don't have much time."

Neera and Gong exchanged uneasy glances. The severity of the situation was clear, but a shadow of doubt lingered in Neera's expression. Gong's face remained serious, and the Magister stood perfectly still, his eyes closed as if in deep contemplation.

Torque stepped forward, his voice urgent. "Your majesty, we cannot allow Brevon or Robotnik to seize any more of these powerful artifacts. If they succeed, the consequences will be catastrophic."

As Torque's words echoed through the room, a heavy silence followed. The group waited with bated breath, all eyes on the Magister, who remained motionless. The air in the chamber felt thick with tension, the gravity of their mission pressing down on everyone.

Finally, the Magister opened his eyes, his calm expression unbroken, but his gaze sharp. Neera stepped forward, her skeptical gaze fixed on the group, her doubts evident in the way she assessed each of them.

Her icy demeanor as firm as ever despite Gong's subtle attempts to stop her. "The information about Eggman and the Chaos Emeralds may be accurate," she began, her tone sharp and skeptical, "but this story about an alien warlord sounds far-fetched at best."

The group exchanged surprised glances.

"Uh, hello?" Sonic shot back, pointing at Torque and Gyro. "Two real-looking aliens standing right in front of you?"

Neera didn't falter, her gaze cold. "That is a matter for further investigation," she said with a dismissive wave. "There have been stranger species identified before, such as the Chao. But that's not what matters now." Her sharp eyes focused on Carol and Lilac, her voice low and unyielding. "What does matter is their involvement."

"Scary Lady…" Carol whispered, recalling Amys story with a hint of dread.

"Neera, please," Lilac interjected, her voice strained with desperation. She knew what Neera was alluding to—their past with the Red Scarves. It was something she thought was far behind them, but now it loomed over them once again. Lilac glanced at Gong, silently begging for his support, but his expression was grim. They weren't criminals anymore, but it didn't seem like Neera cared about that distinction.

Neera shook her head, her expression resolute. "Now, if you'll allow me to explain, Magister, I—"

"Detain them until further notice," the Magister suddenly commanded, his voice cold and unyielding as his eyes opened, gleaming with authority. "Ensure the Commander and his 'wisp' are kept in a separate cell."

The room erupted in shock. The group gasped, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even Neera seemed taken aback, her icy composure cracking for a moment.

"What?!" Sonic and the others exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of outrage and confusion.

"Magister?" Neera questioned, her voice betraying her uncertainty. Even she wasn't expecting such an extreme response.

The Magister's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with cold authority. "What did I tell you?" His voice grew harsher. "Imprison them now. What they have told us needs to be properly investigated."

Before anyone could react further, Neera, recovering from her initial shock, quickly raised her ice scepter. Several icy lassos shot out toward the group. Taken by surprise, they barely had time to react as the freezing tendrils ensnared them, encasing them in blocks of ice one by one.

"Hey! What gives?!" Sonic protested, barely managing to dodge the first lasso as it narrowly missed him, leaving a trail of frost on the marble floor. He skidded to a stop, facing the Magister directly, his eyes blazing with anger. "We told you everything! You can't just—"

The Magister's gaze remained icy, showing no remorse. "We will handle the investigation ourselves. There is no need for further interference."

Sonic's frustration boiled over, and before he could make another move, Gong tackled him from behind, pinning him to the ground with a heavy thud. "Ugh…" Sonic groaned, struggling against Gong's grip.

"I'm sorry," Gong murmured, his voice filled with regret as he held Sonic in place long enough for Neera to encase him in ice as well.

"Magister! Please, we don't have time for this!" Lilac cried out, her voice muffled behind her frozen prison. Her eyes, wide with desperation, pleaded for some understanding. They needed to stop Brevon and Eggman—there wasn't time for this!

The Magister glanced at her, completely unamused. "You are right," he said flatly. "Take them away immediately and confiscate their radar."

Encased in the freezing blocks, Sonic glared at the Magister. "Not cool, dude!" he spat, struggling against his icy bonds.

Torque, wide-eyed and alarmed, called out, his voice tinged with panic. "Magister, please! We can't stay here! We need to stop Brevon!" Gyro buzzed frantically beside him, trapped within the same frozen block.

But their words fell on deaf ears. Neera and Gong shared conflicted glances, both clearly uneasy with the situation, but neither of them dared to question the Magister's orders. Silent and grim-faced, they began guiding the icy prisoners out of the chamber, Shang Tu soldiers helping carry the frozen cages.

"Neera! Gong!" Lilac's voice echoed through the hall, pleading for some form of mercy, but neither of them responded. They remained silent, their footsteps echoing heavily in the grand room as they led the prisoners away.

"Magister! Please!" Torque called out again, his voice growing distant as they were escorted down the corridor. Gyro's soft whimpers faded into the distance as well, leaving the once-lively room in utter silence.


The Magister stood unmoving as the last of them disappeared from view. Slowly, he turned back toward the large window, gazing out at the sprawling city of Shang Tu. The warm rays of the setting sun bathed the landscape, casting long shadows across the palace. For a brief moment, the magenta hue of his eyes shifted—flashing an ominous red before returning to their usual color.

"Fu fu... I could get used to this," he murmured under his breath, a chilling glint flickering in his gaze as he surveyed the landscape, his hands clasped behind his back. "Now… for the prize."

Without another word, he turned and began walking toward his private quarters, his robes swishing quietly across the marble floor. His demeanor remained composed, yet an air of malice lingered as he made his way through the palace halls.

As he passed one of the many long corridors, he momentarily glanced toward a side hall, suspicion flickering across his face. He heard a faint rustling noise. "Probably just a guard," he muttered to himself, dismissing the sound as he continued on his way.

Unbeknownst to him, Amy Rose watched from the shadows, her heart pounding in her chest. She had sneaked out of her room, her instincts telling her that something was wrong. Now, she watched in horror as her friends were taken away, frozen and helpless.

"Oh no…" Amy whispered to herself, clutching her hands to her chest. She felt a rush of panic, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

Her hands clenched into fists as her eyes narrowed. Whatever had happened inside that chamber didn't matter now. What mattered was getting her friends out and figuring out why the Magister had turned on them.

"I have to save Sonic… Tails… all of them!" Amy thought, her resolve hardening. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself for the next step. The sun outside was dipping lower on the horizon, casting the palace in shades of orange and red.

Amy nodded to herself, her mind set. "Whatever comes next… I'm ready."

With one last glance down the corridor, Amy disappeared into the shadows, determined to find a way to free her friends.


{Post A/N}

I have not been teasing Angel Island and made Lilac a superfan since like chapter 7 to not be relevant in this story. As to how it got near Avalice I always assumed that Angel Island always moved aimlessly across the ocean and never stood in a certain place, I mean it makes sense.