Chapter 29: Amy Rose is Here!
Shang Tu Island – Shenling Park, Morning Hours
One Day Ago
In the bustling heart of Shang Tu, Shenling Park was alive with activity. The park, framed by lush greenery and urban sophistication, thrived as people moved about—shopping, commuting, and enjoying the day's warmth. Trains whizzed by in the distance, their sleek forms gliding along the tracks, while elaborate fountains sprayed arcs of crystal water into the air. The park was a hub of daily life, and the locals enjoyed the serenity despite the hum of the bustling city surrounding them.
Among the crowd, a striking pink hedgehog emerged from a clothing boutique, her presence drawing eyes. Amy Rose, the pink hedgehog with vibrant green eyes and a peach muzzle, stepped out, wearing a fresh new look—a red sleeveless dress with white trims, tall red boots, a red hairband, and her signature white gloves adorned with gold bracelets. Her cheerful demeanor matched her vibrant outfit, making her stand out among the crowd.
"Thank you for your purchase!" a little mouse girl called from inside the shop, her voice filled with bright cheer. "We hope to see you again soon!"
Amy smiled, waving back. "I'll gladly visit again any time!" she said, her voice brimming with satisfaction. As she twirled in place, she took a moment to admire her new outfit, adjusting her freshly styled hair with a pleased smile. It was a refreshing change from her old green shirt and orange skirt. While nostalgic for the old look, this new outfit felt more mature, more fitting for the kind of adventurer she aspired to be. And it didn't hurt that it was a Honey the Cat original!
"I'll miss the old clothes," Amy thought, but as she looked down at her dress, she grinned. "But this new style suits me much better!"
With a dreamy smile, she began to recall the excitement that brought her to Avalice in the first place. A lucky lottery ticket. She'd won a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the mysterious Avalice Archipelago, a place known for its rich culture and the magical Kingdom Stone. Ever since she set foot in the archipelago, she'd been awestruck by its beauty.
Amy remembered exploring the many islands, each with its own unique charm. Shuigang, with its icy northern mountains; Shang Mu, a bustling city full of excitement; the mysterious Relic Island, and the tropical paradise of Parusa. Now, she found herself in Shang Tu, the cultural hub of Avalice. But despite the charm of the cities, Amy couldn't shake a lingering concern that had been bothering her for days.
The Kingdom Stone, the source of energy for all the islands, was losing power. Worse, Prince Dail of Shuigang had become erratic since the death of his father. While she wasn't deeply familiar with the politics of Avalice, Amy couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She wanted to help somehow, but she was just one hedgehog on vacation.
"I Just hope it doesn't it turn into a full-scale war," she muttered to herself, pushing aside the troubling thoughts. For now, she refocused on her shopping spree. No use worrying about things I can't change right now.
"Oh, Sonic won't know what hit him when he sees this!" Amy said aloud with a playful grin.
Her thoughts now drifted to her blue hero. She imagined Sonic's reaction, picturing his surprise when he saw her new look. It had been a while since they last saw each other, with him constantly on the move. But his carefree, adventurous spirit was part of what made her so captivated by him.
Her heart fluttered with excitement at the thought of impressing him. But as she wandered through her fantasies of their reunion, she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking.
Bump!
"O-oh, sorry!" Amy apologized quickly, a blush coloring her cheeks. She'd accidentally bumped into a pair of towering figures—two pandas dressed in the ornate armor of Shang Tu's Royal Guard.
The larger male panda gave her a kind smile, his voice warm and gentle. "No harm done," he chuckled, patting her shoulder lightly. "Just watch your step next time."
The female panda, however, was far more stoic. She merely glanced at Amy with a cool, assessing gaze before turning her attention back to her companion. Amy gave a polite bow before stepping aside.
The male panda turned back to his companion, concern lacing his voice. "So, Neera, about those kids?"
Neera, the female panda, nodded. "Yes, Gong, I've gathered all the necessary information," she replied coldly, her tone sharp and decisive. "When they return, we'll bring them in for questioning."
Amy, curious about the conversation, slowed her pace. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but her curiosity got the better of her. She pretended to be interested in a nearby flower stall, subtly inching closer to hear more.
"Come on, Neera," Gong—the male panda—said, his voice filled with skepticism. "Are you sure? Why would those kids be from the Scarves?"
"The evidence suggests as much," Neera stated flatly, pulling a set of papers from her belt. "For years there have been countless reports of Red Scarf activity. Their leader, Nana and their many members, have evaded us for too long. There's been no solid leads—until now. Two individuals matching the description of the wildcat and the dragon have been connected to multiple incidents that where never solved. A green wildcat and a purple dragon, both with delinquent records. They vanished three years ago, and now they're suddenly back? Too coincidental."
Gong frowned. "But we have known them for years, what if they're just trying to help? You know, like… maybe for the goodness of their hearts?"
Neera scoffed, her voice icy. "Help? Unlikely. We can't afford to take any chances. We need to question them—and their companions—thoroughly." Despite her hardened stance, there was a slight hesitation in her voice, as if she, too, had doubts. But she quickly brushed them aside.
Amy perked up. Red Scarves? Delinquent dragon and wildcat? She tiptoed closer, her interest piqued. She had overheard enough during her time in Avalice to know the Red Scarves were bad news.
As she moved stealthily, Gong sighed, clearly not fully convinced. "What about the Chaos Emeralds, then?" he asked, his voice dropping to a hushed tone.
Chaos Emeralds?! Amy's heart skipped a beat. She stepped even closer, straining to hear. How do they know?!
Neera crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "I investigated their yellow stone myself. It's a perfect match for the emerald the Magister has. After confirming it with him, we know that the gift that fell from the sky, it's indeed a Chaos Emerald."
"We've already secured one," Neera continued, her voice growing grim, "and we'll confiscate the one they have. The remaining five must be found before they fall into the wrong hands."
Gong nodded, his expression dark. "Especially if that Robotnik guy is involved."
"Especially him," Neera emphasized, her tone ice-cold.
Robotnik?! Amy's eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest. Is Robotnik here too? Is he the one causing all of this? She couldn't stay silent any longer. Her concern took over her instincts, and she stepped forward.
"Excuse me," Amy said, her voice slightly shaky as she interrupted their conversation. Both pandas turned to look at her with surprised expressions. "Did you say Chaos Emeralds?"
Neera's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And who might you be?" she asked, her voice guarded.
"I-I'm Amy. Amy Rose," Amy stammered, trying to compose herself. "I couldn't help but overhear…"
"You mean eavesdropped," Neera growled, making Amy flinch.
Amy held up her hands defensively. "I—well, yes, but it's because you mentioned the Chaos Emeralds and… Robotnik." Her voice wavered slightly as she tried to explain herself.
Gong's ears perked up at the name. "Wait—you know about the Chaos Emeralds?" he asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.
Amy nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm quite familiar with them," she said before looking around cautiously. "But… if we're going to talk about this, maybe we should find a more private place."
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion suddenly rocked the park, sending shockwaves through the ground. Everyone staggered as the earth trembled beneath their feet. Amy's heart lurched as she looked up, eyes wide with shock.
All three turned to see massive flying ships descending from the sky. The ships bore the unmistakable symbol of Shuigang. Cannonballs rained down from the sky, exploding into the city of Shang Tu with devastating force.
Worse, a swarm of flying mechanical eyeballs began descending from the ships, merging with the city's machinery. The peaceful cityscape was turning into a battlefield as the machines twisted into hostile robots.
Panic erupted as civilians screamed and scattered, rushing for safety. The sudden assault had caught everyone off guard.
"The Shuigang sky battalion is attacking?!" Gong exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief as he watched the ships rain destruction upon the city.
"Why did nobody alert us?!" Neera snapped, her voice tense and angry as she tapped her intercom. "What's happening to our defenses?!"
Through the garbled static of her communicator, a panicked soldier's voice broke through. "L-Lady Neera! They're… the eyes… they're spreading—"
"Soldier! Your signal is breaking up! Repeat!" Neera commanded, but static drowned out the rest of the transmission.
"Ninjas… Mag… Agh!" The sound of a sharp slice echoed through the transmission, followed by a chilling sound of ice crackling, and then silence.
Neera clenched her fist. "Damn it!" she growled. She turned to Gong, her expression serious. "Gong, protect the civilians! I'm heading to the palace to secure the Magister!"
Without waiting for a reply, Neera summoned her Cryo Staff. In one swift motion, she created an icy trail beneath her feet, skating toward the Royal Palace with incredible speed.
Gong nodded, his face set with determination. He glanced at Amy, his voice full of urgency. "Sorry, miss, we'll discuss what you know later. For now, find shelter! The city's under attack!"
Before Amy could protest, Gong raised his shield and charged into the fray, heading to protect the civilians. "Be safe!" he shouted back, already rushing toward the chaos.
Amy hesitated for a moment, watching as Gong effortlessly smashed through the first wave of Shuigang robots, his shield sending sparks flying with each hit. The logical part of her mind told her to find shelter, like Gong had suggested, but something else stirred deep within her. The mention of Chaos Emeralds and Eggman—that name always set off a fire in her.
That moment of hesitation disappeared instantly when a scream pierced the air. Amy snapped her head toward the source, her eyes locking onto a small white rabbit trapped beneath the shadow of a falling robot. The enormous machine was about to crush the little girl.
Without thinking, Amy sprang into action.
With a swift motion, she stretched out her hand, and from the palm of her hand materialized her iconic red and gold weapon—the Piko Piko Hammer. The weight of the large hammer felt familiar in her grip, giving her the confidence she needed. Without a second thought, she dashed toward the robot.
"Hya!" Amy cried out, her voice ringing with resolve. She swung her hammer with all her strength, the mighty impact creating a mini-tremor beneath her feet as the robot crumpled under the force. The eyeball at its core shot out, retreating in panic.
"Get to safety!" Amy called to the rabbit, her voice kind yet firm.
The little rabbit nodded quickly, her wide eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you!" she squeaked, before scurrying away, her small feet carrying her to safety.
Amy smiled, a rush of warmth filling her chest. She may not be as fast as Sonic or as smart as Tails, but she can definitely hold her own. She gripped the handle of her hammer tighter, scanning the area for more threats. In the distance, more robots were converging on the park, their mechanical limbs clicking and clanking as they advanced. Amy's grin widened, determination shining in her bright green eyes.
"All right, more to go!" she said, raising her hammer and preparing for the fight ahead.
With renewed energy, Amy charged forward, swinging her Piko Piko Hammer in a wide arc. The metallic crunch of robots being smashed echoed through the park as she made her way through them, her movements fluid and precise. She dodged falling debris, smashed through more machines, and even helped civilians out of harm's way as buildings cracked and toppled around her.
As she continued her rampage, she noticed that Shang Tu's guards were finally starting to arrive, intervening where they could, but Amy was more than holding her ground. Every robot that stood in her path was quickly dismantled by her hammer's crushing blows.
Crash!
"Ugh!" A voice from the distance caught Amy's attention. She looked over and saw Gong, surrounded by a large swarm of robots, struggling against their overwhelming numbers.
"Hang on, Mister Gong!" Amy called out, her feet already moving before she could think. She launched herself into the fray, her hammer raised high.
With a mighty swing, Amy slammed her hammer into the ground, sending robots flying in every direction. The sheer impact of her attack destroyed the entire group that had been swarming Gong, their parts scattering like leaves in the wind.
Gong blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by her intervention. "G-girl?! This is dangerous!" he shouted, clearly alarmed by her bravery.
Amy turned to him with a confident grin. "Don't worry, Mister Gong!" She twirled her hammer before smashing another wave of incoming enemies with ease. "It just so happens that smashing robots is a hobby of mine!"
Sparks and shards of metal flew around them as Amy continued her onslaught, her hammer never stopping. Gong, who had initially been worried for her safety, now watched in awe as she handled herself with remarkable skill. What he had mistaken for a clumsy girl was clearly a fierce fighter. He grinned, shaking his head in disbelief.
"She's really going all out!" Gong marveled, his respect for her growing. But he quickly snapped out of it, gripping his shield tightly. "Well, I can't let her have all the fun!"
With a roar, Gong curled into a ball and rolled at high speed, steamrolling through a group of robots that were closing in on Amy from behind. He barreled through them, sending their shattered remains skidding across the pavement.
Amy glanced back, seeing Gong taking down the approaching robots with his sheer force. She gave him a nod of appreciation before they continued fighting side by side, their combined might clearing the area.
The battle raged on, with both of them proving their strength against the mechanical hordes. More guards arrived to support them, and together, they managed to hold back the tide of enemies. Soon, the remaining robots were destroyed, and the fires burning across the city started to subside. The atmosphere began to calm as the sounds of battle faded into the background.
Amy wiped a bit of sweat from her brow, looking up to see the Shuigang ships hovering above the city. Her brows furrowed as the massive airships began to retreat, slowly flying back toward the north.
"They're retreating!" Gong called out, his voice a mixture of relief and confusion. "Why would they pull back now?"
Amy's gaze remained fixed on the retreating ships, her mind racing. Why attack so suddenly, only to leave just as quickly? Something wasn't right.
Before they could process what was happening, a loud explosion shook the ground beneath them. Both Amy and Gong turned sharply, their eyes widening as they saw smoke rising from the direction of the Royal Palace.
"That's the Royal Palace!" Gong exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "There must be some leftovers there!"
Without hesitation, Gong prepared to rush toward the palace, his shield ready. But before he could take more than a step, Amy reached out, stopping him.
"I'm coming with you!" Amy declared, her voice firm and resolute.
Gong blinked, caught off guard by her determination. "This could be dangerous—"
"I won't take no for an answer!" Amy interrupted, raising her hammer and pointing it directly at him. Her eyes sparkled with fierce determination.
Gong hesitated, unsure whether to let her accompany him. But as he stared into her eyes, he saw the same bravery he had seen in the group of kids from the previous day. Amy wasn't just any civilian—she was a fighter, and her resolve was undeniable.
"Alright," Gong finally relented, nodding. "But stay close!"
Amy nodded, gripping her hammer tightly. Together, they took off in the direction of the Royal Palace, where the smoke still rose ominously into the sky.
Royal Palace
Amy and Gong rushed through the gates of the Royal Palace, only to be met with a scene that left them both speechless.
"Oh no…" Amy breathed, putting a hand over her mouth.
"The Royal Palace…" Gong muttered, shock evident in his voice. "It's worse than I thought."
The once-grand palace grounds were now a battlefield. The towering white walls were crumbled in sections, with scorch marks and debris scattered everywhere. Buildings that once stood tall had collapsed, and the ground was littered with broken robot parts and unconscious guards, their armor scorched from the ongoing battle.
Explosions rumbled from deeper inside the palace, followed by the sharp crackle of ice being fired. Gong's eyes widened in alarm.
"That's coming from the Royal Magister's room!" Gong shouted, urgency taking over his voice.
"Let's go save the majesty!" Amy called out, her Piko Piko Hammer ready as they both charged forward, running toward the heart of the chaos. They sprinted through the palace halls, their hearts pounding as they dodged rubble and inspected the destruction.
The sound of clashing metal and icy blasts echoed down the corridors, and as they rounded the final corner leading to the Magister's chambers, their hearts sank at the sight before them.
The hall leading to the Magister's room was a disaster. The Royal Magister, usually composed and dignified, was slumped against the wall, his robes tattered and torn. He leaned heavily on the stone surface, his expression pained and exhausted as his breaths came in shallow gasps.
Standing between him and his attacker was Neera, battered and bruised, but still fiercely clutching her Cryo Staff. Her icy determination burned bright, but it was clear she was barely standing, frostbite visible on her skin, and her body trembling from the toll of the battle.
Across from her, a tall figure in gleaming green armor stood unmoving. Amy's eyes narrowed in recognition. An Egg-Robo, but not just any. This one had an air of cold precision, its movements calculated and deliberate. Its green and yellow clothes gleamed menacingly, resembling one of a ninja, decorated with a green scarf and with a sharp sword clutched in its mechanical hand, that was pointed at the pair.
This was the Heavy Shinobi a member of the Hard-Boiled Heavies.
Amy gasped. "A Hard-Boiled Heavy? Here?!" the presence of the robot confirmed her worst fear—Robotnik was involved in the conflict.
"What?! Another one?!" Gong echoed, disbelief clear in his voice.
Heavy Shinobi remained calm, unfazed by the arrival of Amy and Gong. "Ho?" His mechanical voice hummed as his red and yellow eyes observed them. "Two more challengers approach. One of you seems familiar." His gaze locked onto Amy, sizing her up as she raised her hammer. "But no matter. Neither of you are my target," he added dismissively, his focus returning to Neera and the Magister.
"You!" Neera growled through gritted teeth, her voice filled with fury. "You dare attack the Royal Palace and threaten its ruler?!" She held her Cryo Staff steady, though her body swayed with exhaustion.
"I dare," Heavy Shinobi replied coldly. "Shogun Robotnik has given me a mission, and I will not fail him, for my sake and for the honor of my clan." With a swift flick of his wrist, he hurled a barrage of ninja stars toward Neera.
Neera fired back with a series of icy blasts, knocking some of the stars aside while deflecting others with her staff. She met Heavy Shinobi's blade head-on as he closed the distance between them, their weapons clashing with a sharp metallic clang. The air grew colder as their fight continued, an icy aura surrounding both combatants.
"For someone who defeated Rider, you disappoint," Heavy Shinobi taunted as their weapons met again.
Neera gritted her teeth, frustration building as every strike was countered with ease. Exhaustion gnawed at her, her body screaming for rest. I should've taken more time to recover! she thought bitterly.
Just behind them, the ninja stars that had scattered across the floor began to vibrate, catching the Magister's eye. His face paled as he realized what was happening.
"Neera! Move out of the way!" the Magister shouted, his voice filled with urgency.
But it was too late. The ninja stars that had been thrown earlier suddenly exploded into a flurry of sharp, deadly shrapnel. Neera cried out in pain as the blades tore into her back, cutting through her clothes and leaving her vulnerable.
Heavy Shinobi seized the opportunity, his blade glowing with a cold energy. With a swift motion, he slashed through the air, rapidly encasing Neera in a block of solid ice.
"Gah!" Neera's voice echoed through the halls as the ice consumed her, freezing her in place.
Heavy Shinobi tilted his head, his voice mocking. "Surprised? You are not the only one skilled in frost arts." His blade hummed with cold energy as he casually pushed the ice block containing Neera against the wall, shattering the ice on impact and sending her sprawling to the floor.
"Ugh…" Neera groaned, barely able to move. Her vision blurred as the Magister's horrified face came into view. "Mag…ister…" she whispered before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Neera!" the Magister cried, his voice filled with horror. He tried to stand, but his injuries kept him pinned to the ground, his body trembling with effort.
Heavy Shinobi looked down at Neera's limp form, raising his sword once more. "You fought bravely, but your autumn breeze pales before my winter's sting," he said coldly. He turned his attention back to the Magister, his target. "Now… for the final task."
Just as Heavy Shinobi prepared to strike, he was forced to leap back, narrowly avoiding a hammer strike from Amy. Her hammer collided with the floor, creating a small tremor that cracked the tiles beneath her.
"You're not touching him!" Amy shouted, her voice fierce as she placed herself between the Magister and the deadly robot.
Heavy Shinobi flipped back gracefully, landing on the ceiling like a spider, as if gravity had no hold on him. "Ho, so you've decided to join the battle at last?" he mused, his glowing eyes locked onto Amy.
"That's right!" Amy stood firm, her hammer at the ready. Gong positioned himself beside her, shield raised. "If you're here, then that means Robotnik is behind this! Is he working with Shuigang? Or are you manipulating them?"
"That doesn't make sense," Gong added, confusion creeping into his voice. "We thought he was working with Shang Mu—like during the Egg-Bullet incident."
Heavy Shinobi didn't answer immediately, his cold eyes scanning the hall before locking onto something they couldn't see, his eyes glowing with satisfaction. "I have no need to explain my mission to you," he said curtly. Then, without warning, he attacked.
He hurled another barrage of ninja stars toward them. Gong quickly raised his shield, blocking the projectiles, while Amy twirled her hammer, expertly deflecting the stars as they exploded into shards.
"Stay behind me!" Amy shouted to the Magister, who nodded weakly as he struggled to stay conscious.
Heavy Shinobi continued his relentless assault, launching star after star at them. Amy and Gong deflected the attacks, but it became clear that they couldn't close the distance while he stayed on the ceiling, out of reach.
"We need to reach him, but how?!" Gong shouted, his shield holding firm against the onslaught.
Amy's mind raced. Then, an idea struck her. "Mister Gong!" she called out, glancing at him as she readied her hammer. Gong looked at her, confused, but as she made a swinging motion with her hammer, realization dawned on him.
"I'm quite the heavy guy, you know…" Gong said uncertainly.
Amy smirked confidently. "Don't worry, I've got this."
As Heavy Shinobi unleashed another flurry of shurikens from above, Gong morphed into a ball, preparing for an attack. Amy, unfazed, gripped her hammer tightly.
PIKO!
In a split second, she swung with all her might, timing it perfectly as Gong curled up and launched. The hammer made contact with a resounding thud, sending Gong rocketing toward Heavy Shinobi like a living cannonball.
Heavy Shinobi's glowing eyes widened in alarm. Sensing the incoming threat, he quickly detached himself from the ceiling, narrowly dodging what would've been a direct hit. But even with his speed, Gong collided with him midair with such force that the impact sent both of them crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris.
"Score!" Amy pumped her fist, her face lighting up with satisfaction.
As the dust settled, Gong uncurled from his ball form, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You keep surprising me, girl," he said, giving her an admiring look. "But maybe next time, try to be a little more gentle…" He winced, rubbing his arm, clearly a bit battered from the powerful hit.
"S-sorry!" Amy stammered, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "I got a little carried away." But their attention quickly shifted as they saw Heavy Shinobi get to his feet.
A piece of Heavy Shinobi's armor clattered to the ground, revealing damaged circuitry sparking beneath.
"You... hit me," Heavy Shinobi muttered, sounding almost surprised. His glowing eyes brightened menacingly, his voice taking on a colder edge. "Impressive."
"Save your compliments!" Gong retorted, raising his shield. "You're not getting through us!"
"Yeah!" Amy added, twirling her hammer with renewed determination. "Whatever Robotnik's planning, we'll stop it! And when Sonic gets here, he'll finish the job!"
"Sonic?" Gong asked, surprised by the mention of the blue hedgehog.
Heavy Shinobi chuckled darkly, the sound echoing ominously in the wrecked hall. "Brave words, but unnecessary. My mission here…" He straightened himself, his posture rigid. "Is complete."
"Huh?" Amy and Gong echoed in unison, their confusion evident.
Without another word, Heavy Shinobi threw a smoke bomb at his feet. The hall instantly filled with thick, acrid smoke, obscuring everything from sight.
"Cough, cough! Amy, be careful!" Gong warned, struggling to see through the suffocating haze. The stench of burning circuits lingered in the air.
"Cough! I can't see anything!" Amy muttered, covering her mouth as she strained to make out any movement. She heard the faint cry of the Magister, followed by a dull thud, and tried to look toward him through the billowing smoke. Shadows flitted in her peripheral vision—dark, elusive, moving too fast to pin down. For a brief moment, she spotted Heavy Shinobi's glowing eyes cutting through the fog, but they vanished just as quickly.
When the smoke finally dissipated, Heavy Shinobi was gone, leaving nothing but silence and destruction in his wake. Amy quickly turned to check on the Magister, who sat up slowly, rubbing his head. She swore she had heard him cry out, but now he seemed calm—almost eerily so.
"What just happened?" Amy asked, bewilderment settling in, just like that he was gone.
"We need to find that robot!" Gong urged, urgency lacing his voice.
Before they could act, a deep voice cut through the air with an unexpected authority. "There's no need," the Magister said, standing up slowly. His expression was unusually calm, his eyes sharp and focused. The earlier signs of pain and disorientation had vanished, replaced by a serene determination.
"But Magister, he—" Gong began, but the Magister raised a hand, silencing him.
"General," the Magister spoke firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Our priority now is to secure the palace grounds. The enemy has retreated, and whatever their mission was, we will uncover it in time." His gaze briefly flicked to Neera's unconscious form, an unreadable expression crossing his face. "Gather the guards, ensure the area is secure, and take Neera Li to the infirmary immediately. She requires urgent care."
Gong hesitated, then nodded solemnly. "Yes, your excellency." He approached Neera and gently lifted her in his arms, sparing her a soft, reassuring glance. "You did your best, Neera," he whispered before carrying her down the hall toward the infirmary.
Before Gong left, he turned back to Amy, offering a grateful smile. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "You really turned the tide today."
Amy smiled back, though her mind still buzzed with confusion. "I can't believe I managed all of this..." she whispered to herself.
The Magister's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Amy Rose," he said, addressing her by her full name with surprising formality, causing her to straighten up in surprise. "Your bravery has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for aiding us and defending our kingdom."
"O-oh, it was nothing," Amy stammered, a bit flustered by the sudden praise. "I just wanted to help."
"A decision both courageous and wise," the Magister replied, his sharp gaze softening slightly. "You must be exhausted. Please, rest here in the palace until things are more settled."
Amy blinked, caught off guard by the offer, the leader of Shang Tu just offered her a place to stay at the Royale Palace. "R-really? I'd love to," she replied, grateful but still processing everything that had happened.
The Magister placed a hand on her shoulder, a gesture meant to reassure her. "It's the least I can offer for saving me."
But the moment his hand touched her, a chill ran down Amy's spine. It was brief, unsettling, and she quickly shook it off, dismissing it as exhaustion playing tricks on her.
"Thank you," Amy said with a polite smile, though the sensation still lingered faintly in the back of her mind.
The Magister nodded and gestured down the hall. "Follow me. I'll show you to your room and ensure you're seen by our medics."
As they walked, Amy's mind buzzed with questions. Everything had happened so quickly. In just one day, the chaos had escalated beyond her wildest expectations. The mention of Chaos Emeralds, the involvement of Robotnik, and now the presence of the Hard-Boiled Heavies… Something much bigger was at play.
For now, though, Amy allowed herself a moment of peace, grateful for the brief respite. She followed the Magister through the palace halls, her mind still churning as the events of the day replayed in her head.
But deep down, she knew this was just the beginning.