Chapter 34: A Magical Surprise!

Royale Palace – Palace Halls, Night Hours

Outside the grand halls of the Royale Palace, with the guards still preoccupied in the dungeons, a hidden section of the palace wall creaked open, revealing a secret entrance. From it, our heroes—Sonic, Lilac, Tails, Carol, Torque, Milla, and the two Shang Mu guards—emerged, finally escaping the dungeon.

"Phew, finally out," Sonic said with a wide grin as he stretched his legs. He took a deep breath, the fresh night air washing over after hours in the cramped underground. "I never want to be stuck in a jail cell again in my life!"

"You said it," Lilac agreed, though her focus quickly returned to the task at hand. "Now that we're out, we need to find the planes. They must have them locked up somewhere," she said, scanning the area, the tension still lingering.

Tails, standing beside her, couldn't help but grin sheepishly. "Uh, I think I know how we can find them." With a flick of his twin tails, he reached into the fur and pulled out a small device. "It's a tracker I designed to help me find the Tornado."

Torque blinked in surprise, staring at the convenient device. "You had that this entire time?"

Tails let out an awkward laugh. "Hehe, well, I made it because, uh… Sonic tends to just leave the Tornado wherever, and it helps me keep track of it."

"Hey!" Sonic nudged Tails playfully. "We always find it eventually, right?"

Tails rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Sure, eventually."

Lilac's tense expression softened, her lips curving into a smile. "That's one less problem to worry about. And if the Tornado's here, the yellow plane should be close by too. We'll be able to get out of here in no time—assuming we can avoid more guards."

Everyone nodded in agreement, knowing they were now a step closer to freedom and their next mission.

Carol, licking the last crumbs from her fingers after finishing her snack, turned to the two Shang Mu prisoners with curiosity. "So, what about you two?" she asked nonchalantly. "How are you planning to get out of here?"

Vern, ever brimming with overconfidence, waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, we'll figure it out. No big deal."

"Yeah, somehow we always do…" Leo added with sarcasm "We'll head back to Shang Mu, talk to the mayor, and see what we can do from there. You kids go save the world and all that crap. We're outta here." He gave a slight wave, motioning for Lavernius to follow as they began to part ways with the group, disappearing into the dim palace halls.

Sonic watched them go, his smirk growing wider. "Well, there go the two weirdest guys I've met, and I've met some real characters."

"Ehhh, they were alright," Carol shrugged, though a scowl crossed her face. "Still not forgiving them for breaking my bike, though," she huffed, arms crossed.

"Oh, I'll miss them. They were kinda funny," Milla said with a sigh, feeling a bit of fondness for their constant bickering. They were certainly entertaining, at least.

"They've got their own mission, and we've got ours," Torque said, focused and ready to retrieve their planes, he was more than prepared.

"You said it," Sonic agreed, stretching his arms once more. He glanced at Amy, who stood beside him with her hammer resting on her shoulder. "Time to head out. You ready?"

Amy's face lit up at his words, and she leaned closer to him, her eyes softening with affection. "Oh, with you? I'm always ready," she said with a dreamy smile.

Sonic sighed good-naturedly, used to her doting, but before he could make a move, Lilac grabbed his arm, her face etched with concern.

"Sonic," Lilac started, her voice laced with worry as she held his arm. "You know that if you pull this off… you'll be considered a criminal. There's no turning back."

Sonic placed a reassuring hand over hers, flashing his usual confident smile. "Hey, I already told you, didn't I? I don't mind becoming a super criminal if that's what it takes. If they get in my way, I'll just surpass them—for the sake of everyone."

Lilac couldn't help but smile, trusting his judgment. She released his arm and gave him a firm nod. From behind, Carol grinned toothily. "Just make sure you give him a big ol' yoink, ya hear?"

"You got it!" Sonic said with a wink. "Let's do this!" And in the next moment, he dashed off at full speed… in the wrong direction.

"Hey, wait, that's the wrong way!" Amy cried, startled as she took off after him. "I'm supposed to guide you!"

As Amy sprinted after Sonic, Tails quickly tossed her a the emerald radar. "Here, take this! It might not be super accurate because of the Kingdom Stone's energy waves, but it should at least point you in the right direction!"

Amy caught the radar with one hand, nodding as she raced after Sonic, her determination pushing her to catch up to him.

And with that, the group split into two. Sonic and Amy rushed toward the Magister's chambers to retrieve the Chaos Emerald, while the rest of the group prepared to find their planes and make their escape.

Magister's Chambers

Navigating the dimly lit halls, Sonic and Amy moved with agility and precision, dodging the remaining patrolling guards with ease. After Amy had finally caught up with Sonic and steered him in the right direction, the duo made their way through the winding corridors of the palace, which were still undergoing repairs from the Shuigang attack. They approached the grand doors that led to the Magister's chambers.

The ornate doors stood tall, framed by intricate golden carvings that depicted dragons curling around each other in elegant, flowing designs. The wood was polished to a shine, and the dragons' eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, giving the entrance an air of reverence and power.

"Talk about fancy," Sonic remarked with a smirk, taking in the elaborate doorframe. "What's with all the dragon motifs?"

"Uh! Uh!" Amy leaned in and whispered excitedly, "That's easy! I learned about this during my tour in Shang Mu Island." Clearing her throat, she launched into an explanation. "Long ago, a magnificent creature soared through the skies of Avalice in a ball of fire. When it landed, the ancient Avalicians were so—"

"Yeah, yeah, Amy, save the history lesson and get to the point," Sonic interrupted, his expression bored, though still amused.

Amy pouted, crossing her arms in mild irritation. "Hmph, fine," she said with a huff. "The creature that landed was a mythical dragon, and the ancient Avalicians built their three kingdoms in its honor. In return, the dragon transformed into the Kingdom Stone, which provides all the energy they use today. Happy?" She gave him a sideways glance, still annoyed she didn't get to finish her full explanation.

"Hey, that's actually pretty cool," Sonic said, raising an eyebrow as he took in the information. "Maybe there's some truth to that. Maybe the dragons from the legends are related to the one we fought in the North Star Islands, except, you know, less evil."

"Ah, yeah! We should totally ask Trip about that next time we visit!" Amy said, recalling their Sungazer friend. But now wasn't the time for reminiscing. As she pressed her hand lightly against the door, it gave a soft creak. "It's open," she whispered.

Both hedgehogs exchanged glances, steeling themselves for what was ahead. With a quick nod, they burst through the door, ready for action.

"All right, Magister! I think you have something that—uh…" Sonic's confident declaration faltered as he skidded to a stop. The room was… empty.

Amy's eyes widened in shock as she scanned the large, dimly lit chamber. The grand desk, the regal banners hanging on the walls, and the high, arched windows—it was all there, but the Magister himself was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh no! Where could he be?" Amy asked, worry creeping into her voice. Her eyes darted around, looking for any sign of the Magister's presence, but there was nothing. Had he sensed them coming?

Sonic furrowed his brow, glancing around the room until something caught his eye. In the far corner stood a large, reinforced safe, its door wide open. Sonic crossed the room, inspecting the open vault. "I'm no detective, but I'm pretty sure the emerald was locked up in here," he said, tapping the side of the empty safe.

"That must mean he knew we were after the emerald," Amy said, her tone growing more urgent. She quickly pulled out the emerald radar and glanced at the screen, her heart racing. "If I remember correctly, Gong mentioned that the emerald they had was the blue one." She and Sonic stared at the radar as dots flickered across the screen, the Kingdom Stone's energy waves interfering with the signal. Despite the interference, they could make out the movement of a blue dot, frantically shifting westward.

"Jade Creek," Amy murmured, realizing where the blue dot was heading. "The flickering points toward Jade Creek, just behind the palace!" The realization struck them both. The Magister was escaping with the emerald. But the nagging feeling in Amy's mind deepened. How did he know they needed the emerald? Her brow furrowed as she pieced together the puzzle in her mind.

"The way he's been acting…" Amy thought, her hands tightening around the radar. "His attitude changed so drastically after the invasion. And when he touched my shoulder back then… it felt wrong. Cold."

As Amy's thoughts swirled, Sonic's eyes stayed focused on the radar, oblivious to Amy's growing suspicion. "Well, he's not getting away for much longer," Sonic said, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "We've got a Knucklehead to meet, and I can't afford to be late!" His eyes landed on the large window that overlooked the palace grounds. "Bingo!" Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the window and, in one swift motion, leaped out of it, heading directly for Jade Creek.

"Wha—Sonic, wait for me!" Amy cried, rushing after him. She quickly pocketed the emerald radar and jumped out of the window, her heart racing not only from the chase but from the unsettling thoughts forming in her mind.

The two hedgehogs soared through the night air, landing with grace on the palace grounds, both focused and ready to chase down the Magister and retrieve the Chaos Emerald.

Jade Creek

Nestled behind the palace walls, Jade Creek stretched out in serene beauty, its bamboo trees swaying gently in the night breeze. The towering bamboos created a dense canopy, and below them, a river cut through the landscape, its waters glistening under the faint moonlight.

The tranquil setting, however, was disrupted by the sound of a small motorboat slicing through the water. The boat, bearing the emblem of the Shang Tu Police Department, made its way downstream, its engine the only noise in the otherwise peaceful forest.

At the helm of the boat was General Gong, his hands gripping the steering wheel as the boat sped along. Behind him, seated in the backseat, was the 'Royale Magister', his face partially hidden by the shadows of the night.

"At this rate, we'll be outside the city soon," Gong muttered, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure this is the right location?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Yes," the 'Magister' responded curtly, his tone sharp and impatient, his eyes fixed ahead as the boat traversed the river. "We will soon reach the lake. After that, I'll tell you what happens next," he added, his authoritative voice laced with something more—something darker and more sinister.

Gong's confusion deepened, and he hesitated before speaking again. "But who are we—"

"Don't question me, General!" the 'Magister' snapped, turning to glare at him. His voice was cold, cutting through the air like a blade. "I've already told you, when we get there, you will know. Now keep moving!"

Gong flinched at the harshness of the words, his grip tightening on the wheel. His mind raced. Why here? Why Jade Creek, of all places? And why was the Magister acting so… different? This wasn't the calm, wise man he had sworn loyalty to.

He glanced at the Magister from the corner of his eye, unease gnawing at him. The man he knew wouldn't behave like this. He wouldn't be so secretive, so… hostile. The more Gong thought about it, the more certain he became that something was terribly wrong.

Just as Gong was about to voice his concerns again, a new voice rang out, cutting through the night.

"Well, that's no way to treat your staff, don't you think?" a familiar, cocky voice called out.

Gong and the 'Magister' both jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion. The 'Magister' growled in frustration, turning sharply toward the riverbank. "No…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

Running along the bamboo forest that lined the river was none other than Sonic the Hedgehog, keeping perfect pace with the motorboat. "Sup, Magi," Sonic called out. "Trying to make a grand escape or something?"

Just behind him, Amy was doing her best to keep up, her hammer at the ready. She matched Sonic's pace as closely as she could, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she eyed the Magister.

"Sonic!" the 'Magister' exclaimed, his voice dropping the usual regal tone. Panic flickered in his eyes. "General, faster!" he barked, his mask slipping as desperation crept into his voice.

Gong, startled by the sudden command, looked from the 'Magister' to Sonic and Amy, unsure of what was happening. "What?!"

"You heard me! Move it!" the 'Magister' snapped, his eyes briefly glowing a sinister red as his true nature began to slip through.

"What's going on here?!" Amy shouted as she ran alongside Sonic. Her heart raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Where are they taking the emerald?"

"Who knows?" Sonic replied, determination in his voice. "But they're not getting away with it." His eyes locked onto the boat, calculating his next move. "Amy, hit me!"

"You got it!" Amy responded without hesitation. As Sonic curled into a tight ball, Amy readied her hammer.

PIKO!

In a swift motion, she swung her hammer with all her might, launching Sonic through the air like a missile.

Sonic crashed into the side of the boat with a loud thud, the force of the impact sending the small vessel hurtling out of the water and skidding onto the shore. Both occupants were thrown from the boat, tumbling onto the grassy bank with groans of pain.

The 'Magister' groaned, his regal façade crumbling as he lifted his head, his once-magenta eyes glowing a deep, menacing red. He glared at Sonic, who had landed safely a few feet away, already standing confidently on the shore.

"Game over," Sonic declared, pointing a finger at the 'Magister'. His tone was firm, his stance ready for a fight.

"Magister!" Gong exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. His soldier instincts kicked in, and he immediately moved to stand protectively in front of the 'Magister', his shield raised. "What's going on here?!"

Amy on the other side of the river, stood firm with her hammer. "Mister Gong," she began. "That man behind you… he's not the Magister!"

The 'Royale Magister' glanced at her with disdain, his eyes narrowing. "So… they've figured it out," he muttered under his breath, his hand sliding beneath his robes. His fingers brushed a hidden button as he prepared to enact his escape plan. "No point keeping this up any longer," he thought.

"Not the Magister? Amy, are you crazy?" Gong said, his brow furrowing as he cast a protective glance at the figure behind him. How could this not be the Magister? Even Sonic looked momentarily surprised, his eyes flicking over to Amy in confusion.

"I'm not crazy!" Amy shouted back, her voice filled with conviction. "And I can explain—"

But before she could finish, her eyes widened in horror. "Gong, behind you!" she cried out in alarm.

"What do you— Ugh!" Gong's voice was cut off as something hard and metallic struck the back of his head. His knees buckled, his vision swimming. He barely managed to turn his head, just in time to see the 'Magister' standing over him, a sadistic gleam in his glowing red eyes. The truth hit him in those final moments.

"You… you're not…" Gong's words slurred as he collapsed onto the edge of the shore, his large frame hitting the ground with a heavy thud. His shield clattered against the grass, lying uselessly beside him.

"Gong!" Amy cried, her heart sinking as she watched the general fall unconscious.

The 'Magister' stood over him, dusting off his robes with a vulgar sneer. "Finally, that moron was driving me nuts. These soldiers are such a bore," he spat, his voice losing its regal tone and slipping into something far more vulgar. "Well, well, well… hello, Amy the Rose. Sonic the Great Hedgehog," he mocked, grinning maliciously.

Sonic tensed, taking a fighting stance. "Sup to you, too. Guess you finally decided to ditch the whole act, huh?"

Amy, her face flushed with anger and frustration, pointed her hammer at him. "I knew something was wrong with you!" she snapped.

"Oh? Did we have a great detective among us all along?" the 'Magister' said mockingly, placing a hand dramatically on his chest. "Tell me, Amy the Rose, how did you figure me out?"

Amy gathered her thoughts quickly. "I may not have known the Magister personally," she began, her voice strong and unwavering. "But I've heard enough about him—how he's beloved, how wise he is. I've heard stories from the palace staff, from the guards, from General Gong, and especially from Lady Neera. And the man standing before me is none of those things." She pointed her hammer at him accusingly. "And besides, you knew my full name when we first met—even though I never told you!"

The 'Magister' clicked his tongue, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Tsk, tsk. Did that little detail slip from my mouth? Shame on me." With a flourish, he reached into his robes and pulled out the Blue Chaos Emerald, its glowing light reflecting off his wicked grin. "I believe this is what you're after, yes?"

"Yeah, hand it over now, faker!" Sonic shouted, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to charge.

"And after that, you're going to tell us what happened to the real Magister!" Amy demanded, stepping closer, ready to rush to Sonic's side if needed.

The 'Magister' chuckled darkly, his laughter growing louder and more menacing with each passing second. Black smoke began to seep from his body, swirling around him like a dark fog. "If you want it…" he hissed, his voice now a deep, unnatural growl.

The smoke thickened, and his body began to contort and change, the red glow in his eyes remaining constant as his shape shifted. As the smoke cleared, Sonic and Amy gasped in shock.

The elegant figure of the Magister had vanished, replaced by the bulky frame of Gong, his eyes now fully engulfed in red, his expression twisted into a cruel smile.

"You'll have to take it," the fake 'Gong' sneered, grabbing the unconscious Gong's shield and charging at them with a wicked laugh.

Both hedgehogs prepared for battle, knowing they were now facing a powerful and dangerous doppelganger.

Storage Room

Inside the grounds of the Royale Palace, the group had finally located the planes in a large, dimly lit storage room tucked away near the back of the palace. The air was thick with dust, and various crates and equipment lined the walls, but amidst the clutter stood the Tornado and the yellow Shang Tu police plane, both ready for their upcoming journey.

As the group rested and waited for Sonic and Amy to return, they conversed in hushed tones, trying to distract themselves from the tension in the air.

"So… Tails, why did you name your plane like that?" Carol asked, her voice tinged with impatience as she fiddled with her claws, slouched in the seat of the yellow plane.

Tails, who was inside the Tornado, checking the controls, looked up at her with a confused expression. "Huh? Oh, well, I didn't actually name it. Heck, the plane isn't even mine—it's Sonic's," Tails replied with a grin.

"Whoa, really?" Carol raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "With how much you fly it, I would've thought otherwise."

"Haha, yeah. Sonic lets me pilot it because I love tinkering with it," Tails explained, scratching the back of his head. "But even so, it's still his. I don't even know where he got it or why he named it. Maybe I should ask him sometime."

"Yeah, you should," Carol said, her tone half-bored as she slumped back into the seat of the yellow plane. She then perked up a little. "It's a cool name though… Maybe I should give a similar name to my bike when I get a new one." Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she began to think of several potential names.

Lilac couldn't resist teasing her friend. "What, 'Cool Cat Carol Bike' doesn't make the cut for you?" she asked with a playful smile.

Carol snorted, rolling her eyes. "Shut up," she muttered. "I think it's time for me to branch out. Gotta step up the game."

Milla chimed in with a giggle. "Oh! How about 'Speedy Spark'?" she suggested, her tail wagging with enthusiasm.

Carol raised an eyebrow, amused by the suggestion but trying to play it cool. "Ehhh, I'll think about it," she said, though the others could tell she was actually considering the name as they snickered. Only Torque, seated in the yellow plane, seemed lost in thought, gripping the controls a little more tightly than usual.

"Maybe I should name this one…" Torque muttered under his breath, staring intently at the plane's dashboard.

Lilac tilted her head, picking up on his murmuring. "You said something, Torque?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Torque blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Uh… Oh! No, no, I was just, uh, wondering what name this plane should have," he stammered, looking embarrassed. "Like, what name would fit."

Lilac glanced around the plane, inspecting it thoughtfully. "Well, it seems like a standard issue from the police, so it probably doesn't have a name," she observed, then smiled at him encouragingly. "Why don't you name it?"

Torque hesitated, unsure. "I don't think I can just name someone else's plane," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not really mine. General Gong gave it to us back on Relic Island, and it belongs to Shang Tu."

Carol waved her hand dismissively. "Why not? As far as we know, you've flown this thing more than anyone in the palace, probably," she pointed out.

"Yeah, besides, it could use a cool name," Lilac added with a grin.

"Well, I still don't think it's a good idea," Torque said, his tone still unsure.

Carol sat up, folding her arms. "C'mon, at least give it a 'hippo-titie-call' name," she said with an exaggerated tone, mispronouncing the word.

Tails and Lilac exchanged amused glances. "Hypothetical," they both corrected in unison.

Torque chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright." He looked at the plane again, his fingers tapping the controls. Deep down, he had grown attached to the aircraft—it had carried them through thick and thin, even rescuing Milla back on the Zao Luxury Ship. He glanced at Gyro, who hovered nearby, the little wisp nodding eagerly as if he already knew what Torque was thinking.

With a smile creeping onto his face, Torque spoke up. "I think… I have the perfect name."

The group leaned in, intrigued. "What is it?" Lilac asked, her eyes lighting up.

Torque took a deep breath and smiled proudly. "The Spinner."

For a moment, the group was silent, letting the name sink in. It wasn't just a name—it was a tribute, a nostalgic reminder of the old days when Torque had flown with his former teammates, his friends, a way to honor his past while looking forward to the future.

"Yeah, it's perfect," Lilac said softly, her smile warm and approving.

"I like it a lot!" Milla added, her tail wagging excitedly.

Tails gave a thumbs up, grinning widely. "It's an A name in my book."

"Fits," Carol agreed with a grin. "Not bad at all, Torque."

Torque scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed by the praise. "Thanks, guys," he said with a chuckle. Gyro floated happily around the newly named plane, glowing a little brighter with pride.

The group continued talking and joking as they waited for their two friends, Sonic and Amy, to return from their mission. There was still a hint of worry hanging in the air, but for now, they enjoyed the calm before the storm.

Jade Creek

Back in the dense bamboo forest of Jade Creek.

The ground was torn apart, bamboo trees sliced through, and debris scattered everywhere as Sonic and Amy found themselves in a fierce struggle against the transformed fake 'Gong'. The massive shield in his hands shredded through the bamboo like paper as it ricocheted, nearly flattening Sonic, who barely managed to dodge in time.

"Whoa!" Sonic exclaimed, now narrowly avoiding the large figure as it ricocheted like a pinball between the trees, bouncing off the ground with incredible force. "Sheesh, almost got flattened!"

The impostor, still holding Gong's shield, landed with a heavy thud, unmorphing back. His crimson-red eyes glowed menacingly as he grinned. "Fu fu, I'll give this fat panda credit," he sneered, patting his stolen form's belly. "He's quite the durable man!" Without hesitation, he hurled the shield at Sonic with incredible speed.

Before the shield could make contact, Amy stepped in, swinging her hammer with precision. With a single powerful strike, she redirected the shield's trajectory, sending it crashing into a grove of bamboo trees, cutting them down in its path. "Huff… Sonic, we can't keep going like this. He's trying to wear us out," Amy said between breaths, casting a quick glance at the real Gong, who lay unconscious on the ground, still unmoving.

"Yeah, I kinda noticed…" Sonic replied, sweat dripping from his forehead. They had been fighting for a while now, and though they had managed to keep the impostor at bay, they both knew they needed to end this quickly before they were worn down entirely.

"Fu fu fu, hahaha!" the fake 'Gong' laughed, his voice booming as he mocked them. "You fools will soon be crushed under my immaculate weight!" He patted his belly with a sinister smile.

"Don't body shame him, you jerk!" Amy snapped, her grip on her hammer tightening, her frustration growing with each taunt.

The impostor continued to taunt them, laughing loudly. "It doesn't matter what you do. You won't wear me down, so you might as well accept your defeat now!"

Sonic and Amy braced themselves, preparing for another round of attacks. They knew giving up wasn't an option, but the battle was starting to take its toll.

But before the fake 'Gong' could charge again, a calm yet authoritative voice interrupted.

"If they can't, maybe I will."

"Huh?" The impostor barely had time to react before a blast of ice shot toward him, encasing his legs in a thick layer of frost, freezing him in place.

"What?!" he exclaimed, caught off guard as he struggled to free himself from the ice.

Sonic and Amy were just as surprised, their eyes widening as they looked toward the source of the ice. Emerging from the shadows of the bamboo forest was a familiar figure.

"Neera?!" Amy and Sonic said in unison, their voices filled with shock.

Neera didn't respond to their surprise. Her focus was solely on the impostor. She advanced steadily, her Cryo Staff glowing with icy energy. With another swift movement, she extended the ice, encasing the impostor's arms and body, leaving only his head exposed.

"When I noticed one of our motorboats had disappeared, I knew the only way out was through Jade Creek," she said, her voice calm yet cold as she continued to immobilize the impostor with her frost. Her eyes, however, burned with intensity as she approached.

The impostor, still in the form of Gong, tried to maintain the ruse, his eyes flickering back to Gong's natural purple. "N-Neera, what are you doing? Are you out of your mind?! Our enemies are right—"

Neera's Cryo Staff hovered dangerously close to his throat, cutting off his words. Her eyes, blazing with fury, locked onto his. They stood there in tense silence, the impostor's words faltering as Neera's icy gaze bore into him. Sonic and Amy watched, unsure of what would happen next but ready to jump in if needed.

After what felt like an eternity, Neera spoke, her voice as cold as the ice she wielded. "Where?" she demanded, her tone leaving no room for defiance.

"H-huh?" The impostor stammered, confusion momentarily flashing in his eyes.

"Where is he?" Neera repeated, her voice more threatening now, pressing the staff closer to his throat.

"N-Neera, what's with the—"

"Enough!" Neera cut him off sharply, her patience running thin. "Where is he?! Where is the Magister?!" she shouted, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "Tell me where you've taken him, and I'll make your death painless!"

For a brief moment, the impostor remained silent, his eyes flickering between purple and red as if debating whether to continue the charade. Then, his eyes flashed fully red, and he smirked. "Oh, finally caught on, did we?" he sneered, the act dropping completely. "For the Magister's supposed right-hand woman and advisor, you sure took your sweet time."

"Answer. The. Question." Neera's voice was deadly calm, but the cold fury behind it was unmistakable.

The impostor grinned wickedly, his lips curling as black smoke began to seep from his body. Neera's instincts kicked in, and she struck with her staff, but the figure summoned enough strength to shatter the ice encasing him, evading her blow as the black smoke thickened around him.

When the smoke cleared, the impostor's true form was revealed, floating just a few meters away from the group. Sonic and Amy gasped in shock.

Where 'Gong' had stood moments ago was now a very different figure—an Egg-Robo, floating in midair. Its body was adorned in a striking color scheme of red and orange, with an outfit resembling that of a magician. It wore a large red bow and an orange top hat, matching magician's cloak, giving the figure a whimsical yet eerie appearance.

This was none other than Heavy Magician, the fifth and final member of the Hard-Boiled Heavies.

"Fu fu fu, hahaha!" the Heavy Magician cackled, her feminine voice echoing through the forest as she twirled a black cane in her hand. "And why would I tell you where he is? That would spoil the performance, wouldn't it? Besides, I'm sure the Show Master Robotnik wouldn't be pleased if I did."

Amy gasped as realization hit her. "The eyes I saw during the smoke bomb… those weren't Heavy Shinobi's eyes. They were yours!" she exclaimed, pointing accusingly at the Magician.

"Whoa! That was you?!" Sonic said, now feeling a bit embarrassed for not catching on sooner. "I knew about your freaky shapeshifting abilities, but this… this takes the cake!" He remembered his previous encounters with the Heavy Magician, especially when she had used her illusionary powers to take the form of the Hooligans back then, but this time, her deception had gone much further.

The Magician twirled her cane effortlessly, her top hat tilting slightly as she hovered above them. "A magician never reveals their secrets, darling," she said her eyes flickering. "But I suppose you already know. Brevon's tech certainly has its benefits, wouldn't you agree?"

Neera's grip on her Cryo Staff tightened, her knuckles turning white. She had reached her breaking point. "Stop talking in riddles! Tell me where he is!" she shouted, her voice edged with desperation as she glared at the Heavy Magician.

The Magician floated above her, wagging a finger playfully. "Tsk tsk tsk, where's the fun in that?" Her expression turned sinister, her eyes gleaming as she circled above the bamboo forest. "Search, discover, have fun!" She giggled before her tone darkened, her words dripping with malice. "Maybe if you're fast enough, you'll find him in one piece."

That was all Neera could take. Her face twisted with fury as she screamed, launching ice attack after ice attack at the Magician, her emotions finally spilling out. The sharp shards of ice tore through the air, but the Magician easily evaded each one, laughing as she danced out of harm's way.

"Fu fu fu! Look at you, all rage and no precision!" the Magician taunted, enjoying her dominance. "How does it feel to know you failed to protect your precious Magister?"

"Shut up!" Neera growled, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and helplessness. She lunged forward, aiming to strike the Magician with her staff, but before she could make contact, a familiar black smoke engulfed the robotic trickster. When the smoke cleared, the Magician had taken the form of the Royale Magister once more.

"Neera!" the fake Magister cried out, his voice laced with fake fear. His appearance and voice mimicked the real Magister perfectly, and for a moment, Neera faltered, her momentum slowing as doubt flickered in her eyes.

Taking advantage of her hesitation, the Magician let out a dark chuckle and delivered a sharp uppercut, catching Neera off-guard and sending her flying backward. She hit the ground hard, gasping in pain as the Magician hovered above her, laughing cruelly.

"Fuahahaha! What's wrong, Neera? Scared to hit your dear leader?" the Magician sneered, her voice dripping with malice as she continued to mock Neera. In a twisted parody of the Magister's regal voice, she taunted, "You disappoint me, Neera. How could you have let this happen? You let me get captured, let me suffer… How pathetic!"

Neera's eyes widened, her heart shattering under the weight of the words, even though she knew it wasn't him it just felt too real. "Shut up!" she shrieked, her voice cracking. Her hands trembled as she struggled to push herself off the ground, her body quivering. She couldn't even look at the fake Magister's face anymore, the piercing gaze, the cruel words—this wasn't him. This wasn't him.

Before the Magician torment her further, a swing from Amy's hammer narrowly missed her. The Magician quickly morphed back into her original robotic form, dodging the blow just in time.

"Stop!" Amy shouted, stepping protectively in front of Neera, her eyes blazing with anger. "You won't make her suffer anymore with that fake Magister!"

"We're going to take you down, and that's a promise!" Sonic added, stepping up beside Amy, his fists clenched and anger building inside him.

The Magician sneered, twirling her cane lazily in the air. "Such a tasteless audience!" she scoffed, but her attention was suddenly drawn to something in the distance. A small, flat airship resembling a hoverboard appeared over the horizon, making its way toward them. It was the Micro Battery, a mini version of the Flying Battery—a sleek Extreme Gear designed for quick escapes.

"Oh, would you look at that? My ride's here," the Magician mused, pulling the Blue Chaos Emerald from her hat and holding it up tauntingly. "Guess it's time for me to exit, stage left!"

Sonic's eyes widened, his determination kicking into overdrive. "Oh no, you don't!" he shouted. "We are NOT losing a third emerald! Amy, boost me!"

Amy's grip tightened on her hammer as she prepared herself. She momentarily glanced at Neera, who was on her knees, defeated and broken. The sight of Neera, once so strong and fierce, now so vulnerable, filled Amy with a surge of energy. She wouldn't let this stand. "You got it!" she cried, raising her hammer high.

PIKO!

With a powerful motion, Amy struck Sonic with her hammer, sending him flying through the air at blinding speed. The Magician, startled by Sonic's sheer velocity, barely had time to react. Before she could evade, Sonic slammed into her with full force, causing her to lose her grip on the emerald.

"Yoink!" Sonic said triumphantly, snagging the emerald mid-air as he began to descend back toward the ground. He stuck his tongue out at the Magician for good measure.

"NO!" the Heavy Magician screamed, her voice tinged with panic as her plan crumbled before her eyes. "Our saving grace!" She was about to lunge after Sonic, but before she could move, she was forced to dodge a series of ice bullets fired from Neera, who had finally regained her composure.

The Magician let out an enraged yell, her eyes blazing with fury. "GRAH! This isn't over!" she screamed, shooting one final glare at the group before retreating. She soared into the night sky on the Micro Battery, disappearing into the distance.

Sonic and Amy watched as the Magician fled, relief washing over them. But that relief was short-lived.

"NO!" Neera screamed, her voice breaking as she tried to run after the fleeing robot. "GET BACK HERE! GET BACK! BRING HIM BACK!" Her shouts echoed through the bamboo forest, filled with despair and helplessness.

Neera collapsed to her knees, her Cryo Staff falling from her grasp as she covered her face with trembling hands. "Please… bring him back…" she whispered, her voice barely audible as tears welled up in her eyes. She had failed. She had failed to protect the man she had sworn loyalty to, the man she had devoted her life to.

Sonic and Amy exchanged a pained look, the weight of Neera's grief pressing down on them like a heavy stone. They had done it—they had retrieved the Chaos Emerald—but this victory felt hollow. Neera's soft sobs filling the silence.

Amy stepped forward, her heart aching for Neera. Gently, she wrapped her arms around the warrior panda, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "It's okay," Amy whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "We'll find him, I promise. We'll get him back."

Neera leaned into Amy's embrace, her body trembling as she allowed herself to be held, her usual steely composure crumbling in the warmth of Amy's support.

Sonic, standing nearby, clenched his fist, the radiant glow of the Chaos Emerald casting a soft light over them. His jaw tightened, and a deep resolve settled into his chest. He looked up at the night sky, which stretched endlessly above them. There was more at stake now. They had a new mission, and it was just as important as retrieving the emeralds and saving Angel Island.

"Alright," Sonic said quietly, his voice filled with determination as he stared at the distant horizon. "Bring it."