Chapter 23: Crisis in the City Plaza!
City of Shang Mu – Outside the Egg-Zao-Zao-Egg Hotel, Morning Hours
The skies above Shang Mu were a whirlwind of chaos, filled with the intimidating presence of Shuigang's sky battalion, their shadows casting an eerie pall over the city below. Cannons fired relentlessly, sending fiery streaks towards the plaza and nearby buildings, causing explosions that rocked the foundations of the city. The shockwaves reverberated through the streets as debris flew, and the air was thick with dust and smoke.
Screams echoed from every corner. Citizens scattered, seeking shelter while others froze in terror, unsure of where to turn.
But worst of all, their robotic friends—the once familiar and reliable Badniks, designed to assist the city's populace—had suddenly turned. In a flick of a switch, the Egg-Pawns that once handed out balloons, guided pedestrians, and performed menial tasks for the community transformed into cold, unfeeling robots of destruction. These robots now turned their deadly attention to the very people they were programmed to help.
Against the children they once played with, against the elderly they once assisted, they now unleashed waves of violence. As the sky battalion above continued their relentless bombardment, not caring who got caught in the crossfire.
Amid this chaos, high above, Sonic and his friends were in free fall, having just leaped off the roof of the towering Egg-Zao-Zao-Egg Hotel. The wind howled around them as they plummeted towards the plaza.
"Wait, why did we jump?!" Torque's yelled with panic as he flailed mid-air, his body twisting uncontrollably as he struggled to stabilize. Gyro, zipped around him, trying to assist but only managing to nudge him slightly back into position.
"Think we just got caught up in the moment!" Lilac replied. There was a blend of excitement and tension in her tone as she ran along the hotel's walls.
"Guys!" Tails called out, his twin tails spinning, allowing him to slow his descent. "We can't let Eggman escape with the Kingdom Stone or the Chaos Emerald! His cover is blown, and this is our chance to stop him!"
"Ohoho! I've been waiting for this!" Carol exclaimed, her claws digging into the side of the hotel as she slid down with controlled precision. Her eyes glinted with anticipation.
"Wheee!" Milla's cheerful voice rang out above the noise, her long ears flapping as she glided gracefully toward the ground.
"Let's stop that Egghead and save the city!" Sonic declared, his voice filled with determination. He ran alongside Lilac, effortlessly matching her pace as they shot down the walls toward the chaos below.
Their rapid descent, however, was suddenly interrupted by a booming voice that echoed across the plaza.
"Halt your chase, criminals! In the name of the LAW!"
The Heavy Gunner descended upon them with his squad of Egg-Robos. He stood tall atop his helicopter his enormous rocket launcher aimed at the group.
"Great, was wondering when you would show up," Sonic muttered sarcastically, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he focused on the Heavy Gunner.
"You will not escape from the rockets of JUSTICE!" Heavy Gunner bellowed, his voice booming with self-righteous zeal. He launched a barrage of rockets, the missiles flying towards the group.
"Dodge!" Lilac shouted narrowly avoiding the first explosion. The rockets slammed into the hotel's exterior, blasting chunks of concrete and glass into the air, sending debris raining down on the already devastated plaza.
The Heavy Gunner was relentless, his crazed eyes locked onto them as he fired missile after missile. He showed no concern for the destruction he caused or the lives that could be lost in the collateral damage. He only cared about the mission: bringing down Sonic the Criminal and his friends.
"Are you crazy?! You're destroying everything!" Lilac shouted, disbelief and frustration in her voice. She couldn't believe how recklessly the Heavy Gunner was unleashing firepower, indifferent to the people still trapped inside the crumbling building.
"If this is the price to pay to stop you criminals... so be it!" Heavy Gunner retorted coldly. From his rocket launcher, a secondary barrel emerged—a laser cannon that hummed with an ominous glow, Brevons tech. He aimed it directly at them.
"Scatter!" Torque's voice cut through the tension, firm and decisive. His hover boots ignited with a sharp hiss, stabilizing him in mid-air. Gyro whirred beside him, merging with his weapon in a flash of light. The gun, the wispon, hummed with power, its cyan energy swirling and ready for action.
"Whoa, you had those this entire time?" Tails called out, his eyes wide with surprise as he spotted Torque's hover boots for the first time.
Torque gave a sheepish smile as he adjusted his position mid-air. "Y-yeah, sorry I didn't mention it earlier. It might've caused some suspicion…" He scratched the back of his head in mild embarrassment, but Gyro's sharp chirp reminded him to stay focused. There was no time for explanations right now.
"I'll handle this! You guys focus on stopping Robotnik and protecting the civilians!" Torque's voice held steady confidence as he aimed his wispon toward the Heavy Gunner.
Sonic glanced at Torque, a smirk forming on his face. "You got it, Torqui!" He turned to the rest of the team, quickly scanning their expressions. They all trusted him.
"Im going after Eggman. Tails, you and the girls handle the evacuation. We can't risk any more citizens getting hurt!" Sonic said with urgency.
Lilac protested, her eyes blazing with determination. "No! I'm coming with you!" she declared, refusing to let Sonic go into the fight alone.
"Suit yourself!" Sonic replied with a confident grin, clearly not surprised by her insistence. His smirk widened as he looked at the rest of the group, who were already gearing up for action. "Everyone, go!"
With that, the group split up, each member darting in a different direction. Tails, Carol, and Milla headed toward the plaza to help the citizens escape, while Sonic and Lilac sped off towards the center of the plaza, where Eggman's forces were likely regrouping.
"Halt, criminals! Halt I say!" Heavy Gunner roared from his helicopter, his rocket laser primed and ready. But as he prepared to fire on the fleeing group, a barrage of cyan lasers sliced through the air, heading straight for him.
In a split-second decision, Heavy Gunner leaped off his helicopter just before it exploded in a fiery blaze, destroyed by the guns powerful blasts. His jetpack activated, propelling him above the ground as he glared at Torque, now his sole opponent.
Torque stood firm, his expression serious as he aimed his wispon. "You're not getting anywhere near them," he said, his voice unwavering. "Your opponent is right here."
Heavy Gunner's glare intensified. "So be it. The Chief commissioned me to capture you anyway," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. He raised his weapon, listing Torque's supposed crimes with mock righteousness. "For rebelling against the system, attempted assault, terrorism, destruction of property, and worst of all…" His eyes gleamed as he leveled the rocket launcher at Torque. "For illegal interplanetary trespassing and conspiracy against the Robotnik Empire!"
With a quick gesture, Heavy Gunner signaled for his Egg-Robos to pursue the rest of the group, while he remained focused on Torque. "You duck! You will suffer by the hands of JUSTICE!"
Torque's eyes hardened. "Justice?" he scoffed, his grip on his gun tightening. "What justice? You only bring despair!" There was a flicker of something deeper in his gaze, a memory he refused to forget, a promise he had made long ago. "I'll show you what real justice is!"
And in a flash of light, Torque shed his disguise, revealing his true form. His voice grew stronger, filled with conviction. "By the way, not a duck."
Without another word, Torque and Gyro unleashed a barrage of cyan lasers, their beams colliding with Heavy Gunner's giant laser in a massive explosion that lit up the sky.
Central Plaza
The heroes hit the ground in a flurry of movement. The central plaza was a warzone. Buildings were on fire, smoke billowed into the sky, and explosions shook the ground underfoot.
Sonic's eyes narrowed as he quickly took stock of the scene. There wasn't a moment to waste.
"Let's go!" Sonic shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos around them. Charging towards the main stage where Robotnik was overseeing the destruction, a trail of blue lightning crackling in his wake.
"Lilac, come on!" Sonic called out over his shoulder, his tone filled with urgency as he blasted through a line of Egg-Pawns.
"Right behind you!" Lilac responded, her voice equally determined. She spared only a brief glance at her friends. "Everyone, be safe!" she whispered under her breath before focusing her energy. With a surge of power, she launched herself forward in a Dragon Boost, smashing through Badniks like a bullet as she followed Sonic.
The dragon and hedgehog dashed together, tearing through the robotic defenses like a storm as they headed for Robotnik's location.
Around them, the city continued to fall apart. Smoke filled the sky, making it hard to see beyond a few meters ahead.
"I… I never thought I'd be doing this," Carol admitted, her voice shaky as she glanced around the plaza. The destruction was unlike anything she'd ever seen. Sure, she had been in fights before, even against Robotnik's forces, but this was different. This was total war, with innocent lives at stake.
"I… never thought so either," Tails confessed. "This… this is way worse than anything we've faced before." His voice quivered slightly as he spoke, his eyes wide as he looked out over the chaos. The panicked screams of the civilians, the relentless attack from above—it was so different from the usual battles with Robotnik, where it was just Sonic, him, and maybe a few others fighting against the doctor. Now, it felt like the entire city was crumbling around them, and they had to protect not just themselves, but everyone too.
Tails nerves began to show in his face. But then, Carol patted him lightly on the head, her smirk returning to her face, though this time with a softer edge.
"C'mon, Tails," Carol said, trying to lighten the mood. "We're supposed to be the ones scared here, right? Us newbies can't have the veteran getting all shaky on us now."
"We need super expert Tails to help save everyone!" Milla said with a broad smile, her cheerful tone also serving to ease his worries.
Tails blinked at them in surprise before breaking into a small, grateful smile. The nerves didn't completely disappear, but he found his resolve. "You're right," Tails said, his eyes hardening with determination. He looked out over the plaza, watching as more and more civilians tried to flee the bombardment. "We have to help! Let's save as many people as we can!"
"Uhhh, we've got company!" Milla's voice rang out as she pointed towards a group of Egg-Robos marching toward them, their batons raised menacingly.
"Pfft, I got this," Carol said, her confidence flaring up again. With a fierce expression, she stepped forward, her claws flexing in anticipation "You two start saving people. I'll clean up here!"
In a blur of movement, Carol leapt at the nearest Egg-Robo, her claws gleaming as she slashed through its metal body. Sparks flew from the impact as she ripped through its chest, dismantling it in one swift motion. The robot collapsed, falling apart in a heap of smoking metal. A small bunny, previously trapped inside, scrambled free.
Carol barely spared a glance as two more Egg-Robos stepped forward, raising their batons to strike. Her eyes locked onto them, a fierce grin spreading across her face. "You want some too?" she growled, positioning herself for the next strike.
"Alright! Milla, let's go!" Tails shouted, urgency driving his voice as he darted off into the chaos, his focus shifting to the civilians still trapped in the plaza. There were too many to save, but he wasn't going to let that stop him from trying. Even if this was new to him, even if the scale of the destruction was something he'd never experienced before, he was going to give it everything he had.
Milla ran beside Tails, the weight of the situation pressing down on her, but also a thrill of excitement coursing through her. This was her first real adventure with her new friends. She had dreamed of doing something heroic like in the stories she heard, and now that it was happening, she wasn't about to let fear hold her back.
"Okay!" Milla called out with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with resolve. She raised her hands, channeling her alchemic powers as a green energy cube formed in her palms. She spotted a group of Egg-Pawns advancing toward a group of civilians huddled near a destroyed storefront.
Without hesitation, Milla hurled the energy cube towards the cluster of robots. The cube detonating in a burst of green light. Shattering the Egg-Pawns into pieces. A cheer rose from the nearby civilians as they scrambled to safety. Milla smiled proudly, her heart swelling with excitement.
"We did it!" she said breathlessly, looking at Tails. "We're really doing it!"
Tails nodded, his face set in determination. "We are. But there's still more people to save!" He scanned the plaza, looking for more civilians trapped in the chaos.
Amidst the ruined plaza, the heroes fought with everything they had, united in their mission to save the city.
Main Stage
On the main stage, Mayor Zao stood trembling, his usual confidence crumbling into dust. His eyes darted around in horror, watching helplessly as his city fell apart beneath the onslaught of Shuigang's sky battalion. His mind raced, unable to process the chaos unfolding around him.
"Wh-what is happening?! Why didn't the guards warn me?!" Zao's voice quivered, his mind grasping for a reason, any explanation. "The security feeds, the alarms, anything?!"
Beside him, Robotnik stood completely unfazed. In one hand, he held the shimmering 'City's Ruby,' and in the other, the Kingdom Stone, its energy pulsing in his grasp. A sinister smile spread across his face.
"Simple, really," Robotnik said nonchalantly, his tone devoid of any real concern. He gestured lazily with the hand holding the Ruby as if the explanation bored him. "All the guards are gathered here, protecting you. Meanwhile, I disabled the tracking devices, radars, everything myself. So easy, in fact, especially when your most trusted guards… trusted me," he added with a smirk, his voice dripping with mockery.
Zao turned to Robotnik, his eyes wide with betrayal and disbelief. This man—his friend, the one he had formed a close bond with—had done all this? "Ivo?! How could you do this?! Working with Shuigang, turning your robots against us!" His voice wavered with a mixture of shock and hurt. "I-I thought that..."
Robotnik shot Zao a look so cold, it made the mayor flinch. The disdain in his eyes was palpable. "What?" Robotnik mocked, his voice laced with venom. "That we were friends? Comrades? Besties?"
Zao took a step back, his face paling as Robotnik continued.
"I've had to put up with your ridiculous, pompous attitude since the day we met. Day after day, listening to your blustering nonsense, waiting for the perfect moment to betray you and this pathetic excuse for a city." Robotnik's words cut deep. All this time, Robotnik had been wearing a mask, playing a part. "No way in the world would I willingly work with a trash panda like you!"
Zao's heart sank, his chest tightening with a sense of betrayal so profound he could hardly speak. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to find the words, but none came.
Two guards rushed forward, their weapons drawn, their faces stern as they aimed their guns at Robotnik. "Ivo Robotnik! Drop the diamond and stone immediately!" one of them barked, his voice as firm as his grip on his blaster.
"Oh, I'm so scared," Robotnik sneered, rolling his eyes dramatically as he raised his hands in mock surrender. He turned to Zao with a cruel smirk, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You were so easy to manipulate. All for a chance at reelection, huh? But don't worry, 'dear friend,'" he added mockingly, "after my mission is complete, I'll come back and be the new and improved mayor…"
"Drop them!" the second guard shouted, his finger tightening on the trigger, ready to fire.
But before he could pull the trigger, two explosive cards flew through the air, hitting the guards head-on. They were sent flying backward, unconscious before they even hit the ground.
Zao's eyes widened in horror as a green blur zoomed past, landing gracefully on the stage. Spade rose from his crouched stance, his eyes cold and focused on the mayor.
"By process of elimination," Robotnik mused with a wicked grin, "I'd say Spadey boy, what a surprise!" he exclaimed, feigning shock at the panda's sudden appearance.
Spade ignored him, his gaze locked on Zao like a predator eyeing its prey. His aura radiated menace as he took slow, deliberate steps toward the trembling mayor. "I've been waiting… Zao," Spade's voice was cold, filled with anger.
"W-what?! What do you want from me?!" Zao stammered, his eyes wide with fear as he backed away, only to be blocked by two Egg-Pawns flanking him. The ones that mimicked his outfit.
Spade's lips curled into a sneer. "What do I want? I want revenge, Zao. Revenge for my broth—no, for the murder of my father!" His voice cracked with fury, and he raised his hand, summoning another card, this one sharper and deadlier than the rest.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Zao's voice was high-pitched with terror, his face slick with sweat. Trying to make sense of the accusations. He knew Spade was a Red Scarves mercenary, hired by Robotnik in his task to steal the Kingdom Stone, but this talk of his father? It made no sense.
Spade's expression hardened, his voice icy. "Still denying it, even now… after everything." His fingers twitched, preparing to throw the lethal card. "Tch, it would be commendable, if it wasn't someone as cowardly as you." Spade raised the card, ready to end it. "Die, mayor!" he snarled.
"Ihhhhh! Noooo!" Zao shrieked, closing his eyes, bracing himself for the fatal blow.
But before the card could find its mark, a sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Cyclone!"
In a flash, Lilac barreled onto the stage, deflecting the card with her spinning attack, sending it flying offstage. She landed gracefully between Spade and the and with a swift kick, she sent two Egg-Pawns tumbling off the stage, their metal bodies clanging as they bounced away.
"Spade!" Lilac shouted, her voice firm and unyielding as she glared at him. "You're not taking another life!"
Spade sneered, his green aura flickering ominously as he returned her gaze with equal intensity.
"Drat… the scaly goat," Robotnik muttered under his breath, his excitement fading. He took a step back, preparing for a swift exit. "Better make my escape…"
But before he could move, his retreat was blocked.
"Yo, Eggy, leaving already?" Sonic's voice rang out, filled with his usual cocky energy as he appeared behind Robotnik. He crossed his arms, his smirk wide and confident. "I thought you were staying for the main event!"
"You!" Robotnik hissed faltering for a brief moment, before he quickly regained his composure, and a sinister smile spread across his face. "Hehehe, rodent, this time you won't stop me."
The sound of machinery from beneath the stage grew louder, a rumbling that signaled something massive was coming. The tension in the air thickened as both Sonic and Robotnik squared off.
Sonic's smirk faded, his face growing uncharacteristically serious. He extended his arms, gesturing to the devastation surrounding them. "Are you insane, Eggman?! What do you think you're doing? I never thought you'd go this far!" His voice held a rare note of disbelief. Endangering his little animal friends was one thing, but bringing a city to its knees and risking innocent lives—this was too far, even for him.
Robotnik's evil smile flickered, replaced by a thoughtful frown. He glanced at the destruction around him, his eyes scanning the chaos, the smoke, the screaming citizens. For a moment, it seemed like something clicked in his mind. "I didn't know I could go this far either…" he muttered, causing Sonic to do a double-take at the unexpected admission.
Robotnik stared out at the city, the chaos he had caused. The pain, the destruction—it was new to him, too. Even he hadn't expected this level of devastation. But as quickly as the moment of doubt came, it vanished.
"But I did say that tomorrow everything would change, didn't I?" Robotnik's evil grin returned, wider and more twisted than before. "It's time for me and the Robotnik Empire to take a step further, to brand new frontiers. And what better way to start than with a bang!"
Sonic's eyes widened, genuine shock crossing his face. He couldn't believe how much Robotnik had changed. "So that's your answer, huh?" Sonic asked, his voice low with barely contained anger. "Letting this city crumble to dust?"
"Tch, tch," Robotnik waved a finger dismissively. "We can always rebuild. And the citizens who are left standing? Well, they'll gladly serve under my empire." He chuckled darkly. "New connections and bridges."
"The same bridges and connections you're letting crumble to dust with this stunt?!" Sonic's voice rose, his frustration breaking through.
Robotnik shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I say, rat? Bridges and connections are meant to break eventually," he said, his voice calm, almost philosophical. "You just haven't experienced it yet."
Sonic scoffed. "Your wrong…Connections and bridges can last a lifetime and beyond!" he countered, "You destroyed their bonds, their trust by your own hands!"
"Tch, So optimistic…" Robotnik kept sneering, buying time as the sound bellow grew louder.
Meanwhile, Spade and Lilac stood tensely, their eyes locked in a silent standoff. Spade's aura glowed brighter, the green energy swirling around him, while Lilac stood her ground, unwavering as Zao cowered behind her.
"Get out of the way, Sash!" Spade's voice was filled with venom, his eyes blazing with rage.
Lilac took a deep breath, steeling herself. Now or never… she thought. She had to reach him somehow. "Spade! Zao isn't responsible for your father's death!" she pleaded, her voice strong but desperate.
Spade looked momentarily surprised before his eyes flashed with fury once more. "Like hell he isn't! Dail told me! Robotnik confirmed it!" His voice cracked with raw emotion, memories of his father's death swirling in his mind. "Shang Mu assassins killed him in cold blood while my brother was knocked out, helpless to stop it!"
Lilac shook her head. "Spade, listen to me. It wasn't the mayor who issued the order. It wasn't Shang Mu or Shang Tu nor anyone in this world for that matter. Someone else is involved in this, someone you're not seeing—please, just listen!" Her voice was filled with a rare desperation. She needed him to understand.
"Yes, yes, listen to her!" Zao chimed in, his voice shrill as he cowered behind Lilac.
Spade's glare darkened. "Listen to you?" His voice was filled with bitter contempt. "Like hell I'm going to listen to someone who cuts the ties they've built, a traitor who left everything behind like it meant nothing!" His voice rose with venomous rage. His hand twitched, ready to throw another deadly card.
Lilac flinched. She knew Spade hated her for leaving the Red Scarves years ago, but the depth of that hatred… it ran deeper than she'd ever imagined. "Spade…" her voice trailed off.
Spade's patience had run out. "Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you—"
Suddenly, the ground beneath the stage exploded, sending chunks of wood and debris flying into the air. A massive mechanical beast burst forth from below, its body gleaming with golden armor, and its form resembling a fierce panther. Atop its head sat General Serpentine, his maniacal laughter filling the air.
"Tsyahahaahaha! Hiding beneath that poorly made stage was worth it in the end!" Serpentine cackled, pulling out two blasters from his holsters. Without warning, he fired at Sonic, sending streaks of purple lasers in his direction.
Sonic narrowly dodged the onslaught, his body twisting and flipping in mid-air to avoid the blasts. "Whoa!"
Serpentine growled, his impatience growing. "Fat man! The Emerald and the Stone, now!" He fired another round of shots, his aim precise.
Robotnik laughed as he hopped into the machine's back, the Egg-Mobile docked within the giant panthers back. "Hehehaha! Took you long enough, Maggot!" Robotnik's eyes gleamed with malice. "Goodbye for now, Sonic! Because next time, it will be your last!"
With a deafening roar, the Robo-Panther leaped from the stage, crashing through buildings as it bounded down the city streets, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Robotnik and Serpentine's laughter echoed as they disappeared into the distance.
"Oh no!" Sonic grunted, his expression shifting from surprise to urgency as he scrambled to his feet. Wherever they're headed, they need to stop them before they escape the city—and before they destroy more lives!
"Sonic, go!" Lilac called out, positioning herself defensively in front of Zao. "I'll protect the mayor!"
Sonic glanced at her for a moment. He gave her a quick thumbs-up of appreciation before taking off after the fleeing machine, his body a blur of blue as he dashed into the city.
Lilac watched him go, her heart pounding. She turned back to Spade, her gaze hardening. "Spade! One of the culprits is Robotnik himself! We have proof! Please, you have to believe me!" Her voice trembled with urgency, hoping against hope that she could still reach him.
Spade paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his face as he watched Robotnik flee. But then his expression hardened again on Lilac, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, nice guess, Sash. Really convincing." His eyes gleamed with dark intent as he hurled another card straight at her.
Lilac barely had time to react, grabbing Zao and leaping aside as the card sliced through the stage, detonating upon impact and sending splinters flying.
"Ihhhh! Protect me!" Zao wailed, his voice shrill as Lilac set him down like a toddler.
They landed on the stone floor below the stage, Zao cowering behind Lilac once again.
Lilac clenched her fists, frustration boiling inside her. I couldn't reach him… A pained expression flickered across her face. "Guess we're never going back to how we used to be..." She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "No! I have to keep trying!"
Her expression shifted to one of resolve. "That's it! Spade, if I can't reach you with words, then I'll reach you with my fists!" She gently set Zao down, who quickly scurried off to seek shelter. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, her stance ready for battle.
Spade paused, a rare smirk crossing his face as he mirrored her stance. "Heh, just like old times then… Bring it, if you're so sure of yourself!"
The air was filled with tension as the two prepared for what was about to become a brutal clash.
Without hesitation, Lilac curled into a ball and shot forward in a Dragon Boost, launching herself like a comet towards Spade. But Spade was ready, Flash Jumping into the air to meet her head-on, his cards glowing with deadly energy. Their attacks collided mid-air, sending shockwaves rippling through the plaza.
The city of Shang Mu was still engulfed in the chaos, the battle for its future raging on.