{Pre A/N}

Shortest Act as of now.

Chapter 28: Ship Sunk… But Have No Fear!

Over Shang Tu Island – Flying Mini Battery, Morning Hours

Electricity crackled violently through the air as Heavy King unleashed another bolt of energy, sending arcs of purple lightning hurtling toward Sonic. He dodged the attack, barely missing the blast as it scorched the wall behind him.

"Tails! Does it budge?!" Sonic's voice echoed through the dimly lit control room, strained but filled with determination. He ricocheted off a nearby wall, narrowly avoiding Heavy King's massive staff as it came crashing down where he had stood moments before.

"I'm working on it!" Tails shouted back, furiously tapping away at the control panel near the door. A stray bolt of electricity from Heavy King's staff whizzed past him, just missing his head and singeing the wall in a blackened streak.

Heavy King loomed in the center of the room. "Your efforts are in vain, Miles Prower! No amount of clever tricks will save you. These walls are impenetrable. The only escape is through defeating me!"

With a swift, calculated motion, Heavy King brought his staff down hard, striking Sonic with tremendous force. The impact sent the hedgehog flying backward, slamming into a metal wall with a loud crash. Sonic groaned, momentarily dazed from the blow, but he pushed himself back onto his feet.

"Yeah, well, I like a challenge," Sonic quipped despite the exhaustion weighing on him. With a quick burst of speed, he charged at Heavy King, curling into a ball as he prepared to launch a spin dash.

Sonic rocketed forward, slamming into Heavy King with full force, but instead of causing damage, he bounced off the Heavy's armored chest like a pinball. He skidded across the floor, landing in a crouch, shocked by the lack of effect.

Heavy King chuckled, a deep, mocking laugh. "Foolish hedgehog," he said, towering over Sonic. "Like the rest of my Hard-Boiled Heavies, I, too, have been upgraded. The technology of Lord Brevon has made us far stronger than before. You are nothing compared to me!"

Heavy King raised his staff once more. This time, instead of attacking directly, he thrust it into the air, and the staff began to hum, absorbing energy from the very walls of the Flying Mini Battery. The ship's lights flickered as tendrils of electricity swirled around the staff, and with a sudden surge, the weapon transformed. The heavy golden staff elongated into a deadly spear, its tip crackling with electric fury.

Sonic's eyes widened. "Well, that's new," he muttered to himself as he prepared for the next attack.

In the corner of the room, Tails had realized what was happening. "He's absorbing the energy from the ship!" Tails exclaimed, panic rising in his voice. "His staff is drawing power directly from the Flying Mini Battery to make him stronger!"

Sonic could see it too, the deadly spear now vibrating with dangerous energy as Heavy King twirled it effortlessly in his hands. "Looks like this just got a whole lot trickier," Sonic muttered as Heavy King lunged at Sonic, his spear aiming to pierce through him.

"Come on, hedgehog, face me properly!" Heavy King taunted, his voice filled with a twisted glee. He swung the spear in a wide arc, the tip grazing Sonic's side as he dodged, avoiding a fatal blow.

Sonic ducked under the next swing, using his speed to dash behind the Heavy, but Heavy King was faster than expected. He spun on his heel, thrusting the spear toward Sonic's chest. Sonic flipped backward just in time, the spear slicing through the air inches from his face. Sparks flew as the spear collided with the wall behind him, sending a shower of metal fragments raining down.

Heavy King sneered, twirling the spear with ease, the energy coursing through the ship now fully under his command. "You can't run forever, Sonic the Hedgehog! Face your fate!"

Sonic zipped forward as he raced around the control room in a blur of blue. Heavy King jabbed his spear repeatedly, the crackling tip sparking as it missed Sonic by mere inches each time. Sonic's heart raced as he tried to find an opening, but Heavy King's newfound power left no easy gaps in his defenses.

Meanwhile, Tails's fingers worked furiously at the control panel. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to force the door open, but every attempt was met with failure. The door was locked tight, its mechanisms unyielding.

"This isn't working…" Tails muttered under his breath, scanning the room in desperation. That's when his eyes fell on something—an exposed set of cables sparking faintly in the chaos of the battle. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. "Of course! If I can reroute the ship's energy, I might be able to use it against him."

Without wasting another moment, Tails began making precise adjustments to the control panel. His mind raced with calculations as he connected the cables.

"Hold on, guys," Tails whispered to himself. "We're coming!"

Zao Luxury Ship

Explosions of green energy lit up the deck of the Zao Luxury Ship, the aftermath of Milla's powerful alchemy blasts clashing with Metal Sonic's relentless assaults. Amidst the chaos, Torque slowly blinked his eyes open. His world was a blur of light and sound. His body ached, and his vision swam as he tried to focus on the figure above him. Gyro, hovered nearby, tears welling in his small, glowing eyes.

"W-what… Gyro?" Torque mumbled, his voice hoarse as he struggled to recall what had happened. Suddenly, Gyro launched himself at Torque, wrapping his tiny glowing body around his neck in a tight embrace, chirping with relief. Torque smiled weakly, patting his friend's back, though his mind was still foggy. "What… ?" he muttered as he sat up slowly, the pain of the impact still fresh in his bones.

Memories began flooding back. "Ugh… I remember Milla pointing out something… something falling from the enemy ship…" Torque's eyes widened as a vivid image flashed through his mind: red, glowing eyes, filled with rage and hatred. He shuddered at the thought, his body flinching from the memory. He glanced at the hole he had crashed through, realizing just how much force the robot had hit him with. As his eyes shifted to the deck outside, he caught sight of green energy blasts and blue blurs flashing across the battlefield.

Milla. His heart tightened. They had to do something, and fast.

Torque pushed himself to his feet, his body protesting with every movement. He swayed slightly, but his determination kept him going.

The Deck

Just outside, Milla was locked in a fierce battle against Metal Sonic. Her small frame stood resilient as she launched blast after blast of green energy at the robotic menace. Metal Sonic dodged her attacks with incredible speed, each movement precise, calculated. He darted toward her in a blur, claws outstretched, but Milla wasn't caught off guard. With a swift motion, she summoned an alchemic green shield, blocking his strike just in time. The force of his attack sent sparks flying as his claws scraped against her green barrier.

Metal Sonic staggered back, his frustration mounting. This… dog was far more formidable than he anticipated. Stronger than both the dragon and the wildcat combined. And worse, he could tell—she hadn't even reached her full potential yet. His optics flickered with caution, silently hoping that she would never reach that point.

"You hurt my friends…" Milla's voice trembled, a mix of anger and desperation coursing through her as she let her shield dissipate and summoned another glowing alchemic cube in her hands. She planted her feet firmly, channeling every ounce of energy she had left into the cube.

She hurled it at Metal Sonic with all her might.

The blast struck Metal Sonic dead-on, sending him skidding back across the deck. His metal frame sparked as the impact dented his armor, and for the first time, a hint of frustration crept into his calculated mind.

MAJOR DAMAGE DETECTED. His internal systems alerted him, but Metal Sonic ignored the warnings. He couldn't afford to retreat—not now.

From the sidelines, Lilac leaned heavily against the ship's railing, watching the battle with a mixture of pride and worry. Beside her, Carol helped her to a safer position, pressing life petals into Lilac's wounds to heal her. Both girls watched in awe as Milla held her own against the terrifying machine.

"I knew she was strong, but this... she's amazing!" Carol breathed, eyes wide with admiration.

Metal Sonic, however, wasn't as impressed. His systems crackled with warning signals, sparks flying from his damaged body as he stood. He needed to close the distance. He began circling Milla at blinding speed, trying to catch her off guard, his red eyes glowing with calculating malice.

Milla's ears perked up, her green eyes narrowing as she kept her stance firm. She knew what Metal Sonic was trying to do. Her gaze followed the blur of motion, her heart racing as she prepared for the next strike.

Suddenly, Metal Sonic lunged from behind, his claws aimed straight for her, but in a swift, graceful movement, Milla spread her long ears and fluttered into the air, avoiding his attack entirely.

Metal Sonic skidded to a stop, shock flickering through his sensors. The dog had more than just strange powers. He looked up, just in time to see Milla summon another green cube, her eyes filled with determination.

"…The real Sonic would never do such a thing!" Milla cried, launching the cube with all her strength. This time, Metal Sonic couldn't dodge. He took the blast head-on, his metallic body bouncing in place as the green energy rippled through him.

Lilac and Carol cheered from the sidelines, their voices filled with encouragement. "You've got him, Milla!" Lilac called, her heart swelling with pride. Carol echoed her, throwing her fist into the air in support. "Yeah! Show him what you've got!"

For a moment, Milla smiled, her heart lightening as she heard their voices. She was getting the upper hand. But her smile faded as her eyes landed on Metal Sonic again. Sparkles of electricity erupted from his damaged body. His legs were sputtering, and his left arm was dented and malfunctioning. His once pristine form was now covered in deep scratches, burn marks, and cracks.

MAJOR DAMAGE DETECT—
Silence! Metal Sonic forcefully overrode his damage notifications, rage boiling in his core. How dare she compare him to that pathetic hedgehog? He was Metal Sonic, the ultimate machine, the superior version—the true Sonic!

He had enough.

Metal Sonic stood motionless for a moment, his posture rigid. Milla, sensing something off, furrowed her brow, her heart pounding faster. He was planning something. She knew it. Before she could react, Metal Sonic's entire body surged with power. He activated OVERCHARGED MODE, rocketing toward Milla in an instant.

Milla yelped in surprise and raised another energy shield, just barely managing to block the attack. But something was different this time. Instead of trying to shatter the shield with one powerful strike, Metal Sonic extended his claws and began scraping, tearing at the energy barrier with relentless force.

He had a plan now. If he couldn't break the shield with a single, powerful attack, he would tear it down, piece by piece.

Milla's eyes widened in horror as the shield began to crack under the pressure. Metal Sonic's claws scraped mercilessly against the surface, and the once-strong barrier started to splinter.

"I-I can't hold it much longer!" Milla cried, her voice filled with panic as sweat dripped down her face. The shield cracked more with every passing second.

Metal Sonic's eyes gleamed with malicious intent. The fool didn't have time to summon another cube. If she let the shield drop, she would be torn apart. Victory was his, and he was savoring every moment of her desperation.

With a final, powerful swipe, Metal Sonic shattered the green shield into pieces. Milla let out a scream as her defenses crumbled, and before she could react, Metal Sonic lunged forward, grabbing her by the throat. His metallic claws clamped around her neck, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

I have won.

Milla's breath hitched as Metal Sonic lifted her higher, their faces mere inches apart. Her wide, terrified green eyes met his cold, unfeeling red ones, and she struggled to breathe, her small hands clawing at his metallic grip.

"NO!" Lilac and Carol screamed in unison, their voices filled with desperation and horror. They stood frozen, fear paralyzing them. If they moved, Milla would be in even greater danger.

"LET HER GO!" Lilac shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "LET HER GO NOW!"

"I SWEAR I WILL BREAK YOU!" Carol's fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, her entire body shaking with fury.

Metal Sonic tilted his head slightly, his expression cold and amused. He dangled Milla before them, watching her struggle for breath, savoring the fear in her eyes. But the fun was over. He had a mission to complete. With a swift motion, his claws reached behind Milla and tore the prize from her possession.

The yellow Chaos Emerald glowed softly in his hand, its otherworldly light casting eerie shadows across his battered form.

Milla gasped weakly, her hands shaking as she tried to hold onto the emerald. "No… my wishing star… my wish…"

Metal Sonic sneered inwardly, mocking her silently. Wishing star? Wish? Did she actually believe this emerald would fulfill her meaningless desires? Pathetic.

With a final, dismissive jerk, he ripped the Chaos Emerald from her grasp, holding it triumphantly in his hand.

YELLOW CHAOS EMERALD RETRIEVED.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: COLLECT THE DRAGON SAMPLE. PENDING.

Milla's voice trembled, weak and filled with tears. "My… wishing… star… Mommy… Daddy…" Her voice faded into a faint whisper as her strength ebbed away.

Pathetic. Metal Sonic's cold internal voice echoed in his circuits. Without another thought, he tossed Milla aside like a ragdoll, her limp body flailing through the air before plummeting overboard. The world seemed to freeze for a moment as her small frame disappeared beyond the edge of the ship, her consciousness fading as she descended toward the clouds below.

"MILLA!" The screams from Lilac and Carol pierced the sky, filled with raw anguish and disbelief. Their eyes widened in horror, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Lilac's heart twisted painfully in her chest. Milla… their sweet, innocent friend, had been tossed away like she was nothing. She was falling, helpless. Lilac could feel something inside her snapping. Fury ignited in her veins, blurring her vision with red. She couldn't just stand there.

Carol, too, was trembling with rage, her claws digging into the deck as she stood beside Lilac. "That's it! You're dead, you hear me?! DEAD!" she screamed, her voice trembling with pure hatred.

The two of them rushed toward Metal Sonic with murderous intent burning in their eyes, their once-weakened bodies now fueled by adrenaline and sheer rage. They wouldn't let Milla's fall go unpunished. They couldn't.

Metal Sonic's eyes flickered in anticipation. Perfect. Now was the time to collect the dragon's sample and eliminate the two. If he could crush their spirits further, Sonic's eventual suffering would be all the sweeter. The plan quickly formed in his mechanical mind. They were both weakened, just like the dog. He would start with his black shield and finish them off.

But then…

The distant roar of an engine caught him off guard. The Tornado? Did Heavy King fail? Metal Sonic spun around, his optics scanning for the source of the sound.

He spotted the yellow plane streaking through the sky, piloted by none other than Torque.

"You won't get away with this!" Torque's voice was laced with anger as he flew in closer, his determination visible even from afar.

Metal Sonic cursed himself. The alien! He had overlooked Torque in his calculations. The girls seized the opportunity, rushing at him from both sides. Quickly, Metal activated his black shield, the shimmering barrier protecting him as the girls launched their furious assault. First, the girls, let them exhaust themselves, then strike.

Lilac's fists collided with the black shield, her strikes filled with raw power. She let out a scream of frustration as her fists rebounded off the impenetrable barrier, but she didn't stop. She kicked, punched, and attacked relentlessly, the pain in her knuckles ignored as fury drove her forward. "I swear I will destroy you! You hear me?!"

Carol joined in with a series of rapid, spinning kicks, each strike aimed at Metal Sonic's shield. "I'll rip you apart!" she yelled, her voice thick with anger. Her feet pounded against the shield's surface, but just like Lilac's attacks, they bounced off with little effect.

Metal Sonic smirked internally. Pathetic. But as the relentless barrage continued, something dawned on him. They weren't fighting blindly. They're doing the same thing I did to that dog! —testing his defenses, trying to wear him down. With each hit, his shield absorbed the impact, but the intensity of their attacks was growing.

Realization dawned too late. He couldn't afford to keep his shield up indefinitely.

Carol leaped into the air, delivering a flurry of rapid kicks that sent Metal Sonic reeling backward. His optics flickered in shock. The girls were relentless, their combined strength battering his defenses. The shield began to flicker under the onslaught.

Lilac seized the moment, gathering all her strength. With a cry, she launched into a Dragon Boost, her form blurring as she rocketed forward like a comet. She slammed into Metal Sonic with all her might, and the force was enough to shatter his black shield completely.

The impact sent Metal Sonic flying toward the edge of the ship. He skidded across the deck, sparks flying from his battered frame as he tried to regain control and tried to ignite his engine. But before he could stabilize, Torque took aim. With Gyro brimming with energy, Torque fired a precise cyan laser, the shot zigzagging through the air and hitting Metal Sonic squarely in the head.

DAMAGE CRITICAL.
SYSTEMS FAILING.

Metal Sonic's optics flickered violently as he struggled to maintain altitude. He clutched the Chaos Emerald tightly in his damaged hands, sparks flying from the gashes in his metallic body as he plummeted overboard.

His sensors screamed in distress as he descended rapidly, plummeting toward the ground below. His last thoughts were filled with bitter fury.

I'll get you for this…

The girls watched Metal Sonic fall, but there was no sense of victory. There was no relief. Instead, their hearts pounded with fear as their thoughts turned back to Milla.

"Torque! Milla—!" Lilac's voice was frantic, her eyes locked on the rapidly falling dog below.

"I know!" Torque's voice boomed from the sky. The sound of his plane's engine roared as the yellow plane swooped down toward the clouds.

Carol and Lilac clutched each other tightly, their eyes locked on the scene below as the yellow plane descended, disappearing into the thick clouds. Their hearts raced, their breaths held in painful anticipation.

Flying Mini Battery

Sonic's chest heaved with each breath, his body worn down from the relentless battle.

Across him, Heavy King stood tall. "It appears your end is near… pitiful," Heavy King sneered, his voice dripping with disdain as he raised his spear. "After you, the fox shall fall, but your time has come."

Sonic wiped the sweat from his brow. His eyes darted toward Tails, who was working furiously at the control panel, trying to reroute the ship's energy. A subtle nod from Tails was all Sonic needed. With a cocky grin spreading across his face, Sonic locked eyes with Heavy King.

"Nah, I don't think so," Sonic taunted, his tone light and mocking. "You're a bit too full of yourself, Kingy." He flexed his legs, readying for the next move.

Heavy King's face darkened, his patience running thin. "A last act of defiance… fitting." His grip tightened on his spear as he prepared to deliver the final blow. "Farewell, Sonic the Hedgehog." He swung the spear down with deadly precision.

But Sonic was already moving, ducking under the strike with a burst of speed. The momentum of Heavy King's attack carried his electrified spear into the exposed wires near the control panel. A loud, deafening crack echoed through the room as the electricity surged through the wires, short-circuiting the systems. Sparks flew in all directions, and a massive explosion rocked the ship.

"What… YOU!" Heavy King's eyes widened in realization, his booming voice shaking with fury. The electricity backfired, coursing through the ship's infrastructure, causing systems to malfunction and the ship itself to tremble.

"Had enough farewells these past few days," Sonic said, unfazed by the chaos around him. The doors slid open with a mechanical hiss as the lockdown finally released. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we've got a date with myself! Let's go!" He grinned, dashing out of the control room with Tails flying close behind.

"Right behind you!" Tails shouted, ducking under a low-hanging electrical wire as they bolted through the corridor, dodging the remaining sparks and debris.

Heavy King's voice bellowed behind them, filled with uncontained rage. "No! Get back here! You will not escape!" He took a step forward, ready to pursue, but the entire ship began to shake violently. The overload of energy had destabilized the Flying Mini Battery.

The ship was plummeting.

"Curse you, Sonic the Hedgehog!" Heavy King roared, his voice echoing through the corridors as the room behind him began to explode, pieces of the ship crumbling around him.

Sonic and Tails raced through the hallways, weaving through the debris as they made their way toward the deck where the Tornado was waiting.

Zao Luxury Ship

Minutes had passed since Torque had swooped down to save Milla. On the deck of the ship, Lilac and Carol clung to each other, their bodies tense, their hearts pounding. They had barely moved, holding their breaths as they anxiously waited for the plane to return.

The silence was unbearable. Carol clenched her fists, her mind swirling with guilt and regret. She had been knocked out of the fight so easily, leaving Milla to fend for herself. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "I couldn't do anything… One attack, and I was already down. Milla had to fight alone because of me…"

"Carol, you did your best," Lilac said softly, though her own voice was thick with guilt. "We all did. But Milla's strong. She'll make it. I promise."

Before Carol could respond, the sound of a plane's engine cut through the tension. They both squinted as the yellow plane swooped up from below the clouds. Their hearts skipped a beat as they saw Torque, and there—clinging to his side—was Milla.

"She's safe!" Lilac breathed, her voice filled with disbelief. Her eyes widened, and without thinking, she shouted, "MILLA!"

The plane landed with ease, and as soon as the wheels touched down, Torque gently carried Milla out of the cockpit. Her small body trembled as he set her down on the deck. The moment she was on solid ground, she collapsed, shaking uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed softly, her face buried in her hands.

Lilac and Carol rushed to her side, pulling Milla into a tight, comforting embrace. They held her close, whispering reassurances into her ears.

"I'm sorry," Milla sobbed, her voice barely audible through the tears. "I'm so sorry…"

"No, Milla, no…" Lilac soothed, gently stroking her hair. "You were incredible out there. You fought so bravely. You stood up to Metal Sonic when none of us could." Her voice softened as she continued, "You saved us."

Carol, wiping away her own tears, nodded fervently. "Yeah, you were so cool out there. You kicked that fake Sonic's butt!" She gave a shaky smile, her voice filled with relief.

Gyro, buzzed around them, offering comforting chirps. The tiny Wisp glowed softly, using his light to wipe away Milla's tears.

Torque watched the reunion from a short distance, his heart heavy. He had almost lost her. His eyes drifted toward the horizon, where the Flying Mini Battery was slowly descending, now below the clouds. A distant explosion confirmed what he already knew. The ship had finally succumbed to its damage. "The ship is falling..." he murmured, his voice tinged with relief. He spotted the Tornado approaching in the distance. "They made it… All of us are safe."

He sighed deeply, a mixture of relief and sadness washing over him. It was over—for now. As he glanced toward the horizon, the city of Shang Tu came into view. When they arrived, they would have a lot of explaining to do.

But just as the group began to settle, a faint sound of an engine reached Torque's ears. His eyes widened in sudden realization.

"No…" Torque whispered, panic flashing across his face. "Everyone scatter!" he shouted urgently.

The girls barely had time to react as a high-pitched SLASH echoed across the deck.

Metal Sonic emerged from below deck in a blur of motion, heavily damaged but still operational. His speed was still terrifying, and in an instant, he knocked the girls aside with brutal force. Carol, Milla and Lilac were sent tumbling across the deck, landing hard as Metal Sonic loomed over them, sparks and smoke pouring from his cracked frame.

Lilac gasped as she clutched her back, her eyes widening in horror when she realized what Metal Sonic was holding—a lock of her hair. Her once twin tails were now uneven, one of them severed.

"My… hair…" Lilac stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief and horror.

Metal Sonic ignored her outburst, examining the hair sample with cold precision.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE.

His systems were critically damaged, sparks flying from his body and his frame dented in multiple places, but his mission was done. Before Torque could react, Metal Sonic initiated one final overcharge. He slammed into the ship's floor, rupturing the engine room. The ship lurched violently, beginning its rapid descent.

"He hit the engine room!" Torque shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "Everyone, quick!"

In less than a second, the team scrambled toward the plane, climbing aboard as fast as they could. The ship beneath them groaned and shuddered, its structure collapsing as they lifted off into the sky, just barely escaping the falling wreckage.

"Lilac, are you okay?!" Carol asked, her voice filled with worry as she looked over at her friend.

"I-I'm fine, but… he tore my hair!" Lilac's voice was a mix of anger and disbelief as she rubbed the remaining lock of her once twin tails.

The plane flied through the air, gaining altitude as the Zao Luxury Ship collapsed beneath them. The vessel crashed into the river below, where the damaged engine room erupted in a massive explosion. The ship burned as it sank, leaving only wreckage behind.

The group watched with grim faces, their hearts heavy with the weight of their escape.

The Tornado roared through the sky, steadily catching up to Torque's yellow plane. Inside the cockpit, Sonic and Tails watched the Zao Luxury Ship and the Flying Mini Battery in ruins below, smoke and debris trailing from both ships as they sank. The weight of the battle hung heavy in the air, and both wore expressions of deep concern.

"Is everyone safe?!" Sonic yelled, his voice cracking with urgency as the two planes flew side by side.

"We're fine!" Lilac called back, though the exhaustion was evident in her voice. She took a deep breath, rubbing the single lock of hair left behind after Metal Sonic's ruthless attack.

Sonic watched them closely. Each one of them was bruised, battered, and clearly worn out from the fight. He cursed himself silently, frustration gnawing at him. I let them fend off Metal alone. His gaze hardened, trying to push away the guilt as he scanned the skies, searching for any sign of his robotic counterpart.

"Shoot, Metal really went all out this time. Where is he?!" Sonic's voice was sharp, his words laced with both anger and concern.

"He tore a hole in the ship and stole Milla's emerald!" Carol said, her voice was thick with distress.

"WHAT?!" Sonic and Tails shouted in unison, their voices full of disbelief.

As if on cue, the group spotted Metal Sonic in the distance, his form battered and sparking, but still flying. In his hand, the stolen yellow Chaos Emerald shimmered faintly, and in his other, a lock of Lilac's hair dangled between his metal fingers.

"Metal!" Sonic shouted, fury igniting in his chest. His voice was filled with a mix of anger and frustration as his eyes locked onto his robotic double, his fists clenching hard as the urge to chase after Metal surged within him.

For a brief moment, it seemed like Metal Sonic was considering attacking too. His damaged form hovered in place, and the two rivals locked eyes. Sonic tensed, ready to make his move.

But Metal Sonic pulled back. His systems were far too damaged for another fight, and he knew he wouldn't stand a chance in his current state. Better to retreat. For now. With the Chaos Emerald and Lilac's hair sample secured, Metal Sonic turned away, heading north, toward Shuigang.

Don't worry, soon we will clash, my loathsome copy, Metal Sonic thought, a glint of satisfaction flickering in his crimson eyes as he escaped into the sky.

MISSION COMPLETE.

The team could only watch helplessly as Metal Sonic grew smaller in the distance, a mere speck against the pale morning sky.

Sonic remained silent, frustration etched into every line of his face. He wanted to chase Metal Sonic down, to stop him before he could get away with the emerald, but he knew it wasn't possible—not now. Not with the team in this condition.

Tails broke the heavy silence, his voice quieter than usual. "Is anyone critically hurt?" His scanned the group, noting their bruises, cuts, and shaken expressions.

Lilac forced a smile, though her voice wavered. "We'll manage…" she replied, her attempt to sound confident falling flat. "But… we lost the emerald…"

Beside her, Milla was shaking. Silent sobs wracked her small frame. Carol gently pulled Milla into a hug, whispering soft reassurances.

"You all did your best," Sonic said softly, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and admiration. He wanted to reassure them, to remind them that they had fought valiantly despite the outcome. But even his words felt hollow, the sting of their defeat still fresh. He turned his gaze forward, watching as the palace grounds of Shang Tu finally came into view in the distance. "We've reached our destination."

"Yeah..." Torque murmured from the cockpit, his duck beak mask now firmly in place. He barely glanced back at the others, his mind preoccupied with their failure and the destruction they were leaving behind.

As the planes began their approach to the palace, Sonic remained deep in thought. I should've been there… he thought, cursing himself.

"There's no point in dwelling on it," Sonic finally said, his voice lacking its usual lightheartedness. Determination hardened his features, masking the frustration gnawing at him. "Let's keep moving."

The two planes soared across the sky, steadily approaching the palace grounds, their spirits heavy with the weight of what had happened. Metal Sonic had won this round. The Chaos Emerald was gone, Lilac's hair stolen for some unknown purpose, and their hearts burdened with the sting of defeat.

As they descended toward the palace, Sonic clenched his fists, the quiet resolve returning to his eyes. They wouldn't lose again.

But for now, all they could do was move forward.

Shang Tu Island – City of Shang Tu

The red and yellow planes finally reached their destination, the bustling city of Shang Tu spread out beneath them... But.

What should have been a beautiful metropolis, a sight of awe and wonder, was instead marred by something unexpected. The once-pristine city was now scarred by battle. Buildings lay damaged, their walls cracked and crumbled. The streets below were littered with debris as people worked tirelessly to clear the remnants of destruction. The city's usual vibrancy was replaced by an eerie calm, a sense of unease settling over the group as they flew overhead.

"What… what happened?" Lilac said with disbelief as she looked out at the damaged buildings below.

"This is… just like back in Shang Mu," Sonic muttered, his expression hardening. He clenched his fists, not understanding why this was happening again.

Tails quickly spoke up, trying to stay focused despite the dread gnawing at him. "L-let's land first," he suggested, his voice slightly shaky as they flew closer to the Royale Palace in the distance.

As they neared the palace, the feeling of unease only deepened. Though the Royal Palace was mostly intact, it was clear it hadn't come out of the conflict unscathed. White walls that were once flawless now bore scorch marks, and the elegant blue roofs had visible holes in them. Though still standing tall, the palace had clearly been under siege.

The planes landed smoothly on the palace grounds, their engines slowing to a stop as the group disembarked. Exhaustion weighed heavily on their bodies, but as they stepped onto solid ground, they were greeted by a familiar face.

General Gong approached, a broad smile breaking through his otherwise weary expression. His arm was in a sling, and he walked with a noticeable limp, but his energy remained positive. "Haha! My friends, you made it back!" His voice boomed, warm and welcoming despite the state he was in. "For a moment, we feared the worst when we saw those ships crash. But I'm glad you're all safe." His confidence flickered as his eyes swept over their bruised forms, concern creeping into his gaze.

Lilac stepped forward, her voice filled with disbelief. "General, what happened here?" she asked, her words coming quickly. "To the city, to the palace, t-to you?" Her eyes darted to the sling around his arm, worry deepening in her expression.

Gong grimaced, his once lighthearted demeanor growing more serious. "You noticed, huh?" He looked down at his cast. "Shuigang's sky battalion paid a little visit yesterday morning and left us with a parting gift."

The revelation hit the group like a punch to the gut.

"T-that's impossible!" Lilac stammered, her mind racing. "The sky battalion attacked Shang Mu!"

Gong shook his head slowly. "I saw the news. Yes, Shang Mu was attacked, but only by a part of their battalion." His voice was low, solemn.

Torque's eyes widened in realization. "So they divided their forces to attack both kingdoms?" he asked, disbelief in his voice. The implications were staggering. Why attack both Shang Mu and Shang Tu? What was their aim?

Gong nodded gravely, watching the group process the news. They all exchanged troubled glances. The attack on Shang Mu had made some sense, given the Kingdom Stone was there. But Shang Tu? The city had no Kingdom Stone to lure in enemies. What reason did Shuigang have for attacking it?

Before they could theorize further, Gong raised a hand to calm them. "Fortunately, we managed to fend them off with minimal casualties," he said, a note of relief in his voice. "Thanks to our efforts… and the efforts of our little heroine." A proud smile crossed his face as he spoke.

"Little heroine?" Carol echoed, puzzled. The group shared her confusion. "Who? Scary lady?"

Gong chuckled, shaking his head. "If she heard me call her that, she'd freeze me on the spot." There was a playful twinkle in his eye. "She actually told me she knows some of you and is eager to meet you all. I'll let her do the honors."

Sonic raised an eyebrow, curiosity mixed with unease. Someone who knew them? "Ok cool, but where is…?" He was about to ask for more details, but before more words could leave his mouth, he felt two hands cover his eyes from behind.

"Gueeeeeess who?" came a bubbly, feminine voice. The sudden presence made everyone jump in surprise, and Sonic stiffened, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. He recognized that voice all too well.

"Oh no…" Sonic muttered under his breath, pulling the hands away gently. He turned around, his half-lidded eyes meeting the gleaming, affectionate gaze of a familiar pink hedgehog.

With a bright, loving smile, the pink hedgehog squealed, "Oh, it's so good to see you again!" Before Sonic could react, she wrapped him in a tight hug, squeezing him with all her strength. He barely had time to dodge, and instead, found himself caught in her vice-like grip.

Tails stood there, mouth agape, unable to process what was happening. The rest of the group looked on in confusion, unsure who this new arrival was, though Sonic and Tails clearly recognized her.

"AMY?!" Sonic and Tails shouted together, their eyes wide with shock.

The pink hedgehog, now revealed as Amy, beamed up at them, her energy radiating from her in waves. "That's right! Amy Rose is here!" she exclaimed, releasing Sonic from her crushing hug and striking a playful pose.

Sonic and Tails still looked dumbfounded, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they tried to wrap their heads around Amy's sudden appearance. Meanwhile, the others remained confused, having never met her before. Carol's eyes darted between Amy and Sonic, clearly trying to piece together their connection.

General Gong couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. "Oh, you won't believe what happened while I was here!" Amy said with a playful grin, clearly enjoying the attention. "Because let me tell you, it is going to be a big one, and you'd better hear it!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she prepared to recount the events of the previous day.

The team listened intently as Amy began recounting how she became involved in the battle for Shang Tu. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment, the heavy atmosphere lifted slightly as she animatedly described the events of yesterday morning, Gong nodding along in amusement.

Up in the palace's windows, a figure watched from the shadows. His magenta eyes narrowed as he observed Amy Rose retelling the events to her friends.

"About time…" a deep male voice muttered from the darkness. He turned away from the window, his steps silent as he moved deeper into the palace, heading towards an unknown location. The wind outside seemed to shift, carrying with it an ominous presence, as if something dark was lurking just beyond their reach.

The battle may have been over for now, but the real storm was only beginning.

{Post A/N}

Alright there was stuff here.

First! Yeah, they lost the Emerald, the team got to take an L once in a while, can't have them win every time.

Second! Yes, Amy is in the story, but do not worry! She would have her role and not feel out of place, trust me on this.

And for last! Im gonna take a little break, a week break, but I will be back.

Hope you all enjoying the story so far and see you all in Act 5: Shang Tu Escapades.

(Also 100K words? Wow)