{A/N}
Heyyyyy, my longest chapter as of now.
Chapter 33: Prison Escape?
Royale Palace – Dungeon Sewers, Night Hours
The thick, oppressive air of the dungeon sewers hung heavily around Milla and Amy as they hurried through the palace's labyrinthine underground passages. Every breath felt like a struggle.
"Ugh, this place smells so bad!" Amy exclaimed, her voice filled with disgust as she wrinkled her nose, trying to fend off the odor. She raised a hand to cover her face.
Milla, running on all fours ahead of Amy, paused and twitched her nose. The foul air was making her lightheaded. "I'm getting dizzy…" she muttered as her ears flicked back in irritation.
Despite her dizziness, Milla's resolve remained firm. They had to find Torque and Gyro. There was no time to rest, not with the palace guards closing in on them. The duo continued navigating the maze-like sewers, leaping over murky pools of water and dodging bursts of steam and water from the rusted, leaking pipes above. The path twisted and turned, a confusing network of narrow corridors and platforms, many covered in a thick, slippery green slime.
As they ran, Amy's ears perked up, picking up the faint sounds of boots clattering against the metal walkways behind them—the guards were closing in.
"They're really going all out to catch us!" Amy shouted, her voice echoing off the damp walls. "Milla, where to?"
Milla paused, sniffing the air intently. Her sensitive nose twitched as she tried to pick up Torque's scent through the overwhelming stench of the sewers. "That way!"
Without hesitation, they continued down the path, but as they turned a corner, they were met with an unexpected sight.
"Huh?!" Amy exclaimed, her eyes widening as strange creatures emerged from the water and walls around them. The flying eyeballs, just like the ones from the invasion. "They're down here too?!"
"They're Shade Cores!" Milla called out, her voice sharp with tension. She remembered the name Tails had given them during their meeting with the Magister. They had found their way into the sewers, and where now assimilating slime and metal turning into brand new robots as they lunged toward the girls, their bodies writhing and contorting.
Amy quickly summoned her Piko Piko Hammer, gripping it tightly in her hands. "Well, guess we're not getting out of here without a fight!" she shouted as she swung her hammer with precision, striking down the first approaching slime monster. The creature splattered into a puddle of goo and parts as the Shade Core fled in panic.
Milla formed a green alchemy cube in her hands, with a swift motion, she launched the cube at a cluster of Shade Cores that where not assimilated yet, the alchemic blast causing them to disintegrate on impact.
The two girls fought side by side, fending off wave after wave of the strange creatures. Amy swung her hammer with expert precision, while Milla continued to blast them with her green energy cubes.
"How did they get down here?!" one soldier's voice echoed through the tunnels, filled with confusion and alarm.
"They must have survived the invasion and hid in the sewers! Destroy them all, but don't lose track of the fugitives!" another shouted, his tone commanding and harsh.
A third voice, high-pitched and panicked, added to the chaotic noise. "Quack!"
Despite the mounting pressure from both the Shade Cores and the approaching guards, Milla and Amy pressed on, refusing to let anything slow them down.
They soon entered a larger chamber within the sewers. As they caught their breath, the ground beneath them rumbled ominously. A deep, metallic groan echoed through the chamber, and from the ground, something massive began to emerge.
Blocking their path was a massive iron worm, its segmented body made of rusted metal and slime. The creature had a bizarre, diver's helmet-like head, glowing with an eerie light, blocking their only exit.
"Wow, these guys really outdo Robotnik in the weird category sometimes," Amy muttered under her breath, her grip tightening on her hammer. "Milla, how close are we?"
Milla, standing beside Amy, formed another green cube in her hands, her resolve solidifying. "Not that far." she said, her voice steady despite the situation.
The iron worm thrashed violently, its massive, segmented body slamming into the walls of the sewer.
Amy took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with resolve. "Sonic, everyone… I hope you're okay." She readied her hammer, her muscles tensing as she prepared to strike. "You won't suffer for much longer!" With a fierce battle cry, she lunged toward the iron worm.
Milla followed suit, leaping into the air as she hurled her alchemy cubes at the creature, the green glow from Milla's cubes illuminated the room as they exploded on impact.
Dungeons
Inside the dungeons, where the rest were captive.
"Uhhh, do you have any threes?" Dexter asked, staring at his cards with a mix of confusion and boredom.
The atmosphere was strangely calm.
Carol's deadpan response was immediate. "…Dude, we're playing blackjack." Her expression was one of sheer disbelief as she stared at the grizzly bear guard.
In the makeshift card circle, everyone—our heroes, the two prisoners from Shang Mu, and the guards—were seated together as if nothing was wrong. The Shang Mu prisoners, strangely, out of their cells, mingling freely with the guards.
Dexter blinked, his brow furrowing in realization. "Wait, what?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!"
"Because it was obvious, stupid," Leonard retorted, not even looking up from his cards. "Hit," he added, as Tails, who had been roped into playing dealer, handed him another card. Leo's eyes glinted with confidence.
Lavernius sat off to the side, shuffling his cards aimlessly with a disappointed look. "I really wanted to play UNO…" he muttered under his breath.
"We aren't playing that kiddie crap," Leonard shot back. "Blackjack is for real players." He flipped over another card, clearly enjoying himself.
"Hey now," Sonic interjected, his tone light and teasing. He reached for a card from Tails, a playful grin on his face. Despite still being locked behind bars, he was making the best of the situation. "UNO is a respectable game for all families and friends. It's a classic."
"Yeah, don't diss UNO like that, bro," Carol added, placing down her own card with growing confidence.
Leonard rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I don't need a lecture from the brat who beat the crap out of us."
Carol's face instantly soured as she leaned forward. "Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn't have broken my bike!" she shot back, the anger still bubbling up at the memory.
As the bickering continued, Richard leaned over to Lilac. "So… do you really think your friend can make it?" His tone carried a hint of doubt, though his curiosity was genuine.
Lilac turned to him, her expression cool and confident. "Absolutely. I have all my faith in her." Her eyes sparkled with conviction. She didn't hesitate—not even for a second—when it came to her trust in Milla.
Richard raised an eyebrow, impressed by her unwavering confidence. "You sure don't waver, huh?" he muttered, his skepticism fading a little.
"Yup!" Lilac grinned "Oh, by the way, I win," she announced as she laid her cards down on the table.
"Oh, come on!" Carol, Leo, and Sonic all exclaimed at once, their voices filled with disbelief and frustration. They stared at Lilac's cards, their competitive spirits crushed in an instant.
Dungeon Sewers
Time had passed, but the situation had only grown more intense for Amy and Milla.
Both girls stood on top of a small, makeshift raft, which bobbed precariously as it hurtled down the sewer river. They were facing off against a massive snake-like creature, the Chomper Snake who launched bubble bombs at them.
Amy, balancing expertly on the shifting raft, swung her hammer in quick, powerful arcs, smashing the incoming bubbles before they could do any damage.
"Why do these monsters have to be so gross?" Amy grunted, smashing another bubble out of the air with her hammer.
Milla formed a glowing green cube in her hands, her ears flat against her head as she braced herself against the waves. "I've almost got a clear shot!" she shouted over the noise of the battle.
But what made this battle even more bizarre was the fact that they weren't fighting alone. Shang Tu police officers had joined the fray as well, making an unlikely temporary alliance with the girls. A few of the officers were on rafts of their own, following Amy and Milla down the sewer river, weapons drawn as they tried to assist in fending off the Chomper Snake.
"Intercept the big fish so the girls can defeat it!" one of the officers commanded, his voice ringing out above the din of battle. His fellow officers rallied behind him, their weapons ready as they fired at the massive creature.
The Chomper Snake let out a deafening hiss, its head rising high above the water before it launched another round of bubble bombs toward the rafts.
"Everyone, we're coming! Just wait a little longer!" Milla shouted as she released the glowing green cube in her hands, hurling it toward the Chomper Snake's head. The cube flew through the air, its radiant energy cutting through the darkness of the sewers before exploding in a green flash.
Dungeons
Meanwhile, back in the dungeons.
"So, yeah, I have a girl all the way in Parusa," Leo began, his voice casual but with a hint of pride. "She's the most badass black cat I've ever met. We've been together for so long… been thinking that after all this, I would, you know, take the next step." His voice trailed off, his eyes darting around as if unsure how his words would land.
The tension had dissipated almost entirely. What began as a nerve-wracking wait for either Milla's return or Neera's inevitable appearance had now become something else entirely.
The odd card game had long since been abandoned, and now the group found themselves sharing stories and anecdotes, waiting for whatever would come next.
"Oh, that's so sweet, Leonard," Lilac said with a warm smile, the tension of the past hours temporarily forgotten.
"Yeah, it would be sweeter if she was real," Lavernius chimed in with a laugh that filled the dungeon. "You've been telling that story for years, and I still haven't seen her once!"
Leonard's face flushed a deep red. "I told you she's real, dammit!" he shot back, his voice rising defensively. "She's in my hometown, Parusa! I've got her number and photos and all!" He crossed his arms, clearly flustered.
"Oh yeah?" Carol grinned widely, her voice teasing. "And where's that supposed number and those photos, hmm?"
"Gee, I don't know, maybe if someone hadn't broken his phone in a certain train incident on a certain island, we'd have seen them by now!" Leo shot back sarcastically.
"I swear, you're making excuses!" Sonic joked from his cell. Carol snickered next to him, clearly enjoying watching Leo squirm.
"I'm not making excuses!" Leo huffed, his arms crossed tightly. "I'll prove it when we get out of here!"
Tails, who had been listening to the conversation with interest, suddenly perked up at the mention of Parusa. "Parusa... isn't that the island independent of the other kingdoms?" he asked, his curiosity taking over.
Leo nodded. "Yeah, that's the one. Parusa was actually a part of Shang Tu, but it broke off a long time ago."
Dexter scratched his head, trying to recall. "Oh yeah, I remember. There was a big war between Parusa and Shang Tu. Dragons, ultimate champions, all that. We kicked their asses so hard they went independent... or something like that?" His voice was casual, like he was recounting a history lesson he barely paid attention to.
Richard, sitting nearby, frowned and corrected him. "That's a very wrong way to say it, Dexter. It's not that simple."
Dexter shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Excuse me for not being a historian,"
"Wouldn't the island also suffer from the energy crisis?" Sonics brow furrowed as he considered Parusa's place in the archipelago. "The whole Archipelago relies on the Kingdom Stone, right?"
Leonard puffed out his chest, a proud look crossing his face. "Heh, not at all. Unlike all these bozos," he gestured towards Vern and the Shang Tu guards, "we in Parusa use other types of energy—fossil fuels and stuff. We trade with the outside world and develop our technology accordingly."
Tails's eyes lit up at Leonard's words, something clicking in his mind. "That's it!" he exclaimed, the excitement in his voice growing. "That's what's been bugging me! Avalice as a whole never adapted to new resources or energy. All their technology is built around the Kingdom Stone. It's the only thing that can power their advanced systems."
"Bingo, fox brat," Leo pointed out, clearly enjoying the attention. "These guys," he gestured at Verna and the Shang Tu guards again, "never bothered to modernize. Too set in their ways, too stingy."
"And even if they tried to adapt now," Tails added thoughtfully, "it would take years—maybe decades—to replace all their technology. Everything is too deeply tied to the Kingdom Stone's energy."
The group fell silent, the weight of Tails's words sinking in. The importance of the Kingdom Stone, and the crisis it represented, suddenly became even more apparent. It wasn't just about stopping Brevon and Robotnik—Avalice itself was at risk of collapse without the power it had always relied on.
Leo leaned back, arms crossed, his smirk widening. "Well, Parusa's free from all that. We adapted right after the war, so we'll be fine for a long time."
But Tails shook his head, his expression more serious now. "I wouldn't be so sure…" he murmured. Parusa wasn't as safe as Leonard believed.
The group fell silent again, the prisoners and guards exchanging thoughtful glances. In the short time they had been thrown together, they had built a strange sense of camaraderie. They weren't enemies, at least not anymore.
Dexter finally broke the silence "So, why are you guys here again?"
Vern chimed in, leaning forward with interest. "Yeah, what's your deal? You're clearly not with Shang Tu, but you're definitely causing some waves. What's the story?"
Our heroes exchanged quick glances, silently agreeing that this might be the perfect time to explain their situation. They had gained a tentative trust with the guards and the prisoners, and perhaps if they understood the gravity of their mission…
"Well," Lilac began, her tone steady as she took the lead. "It's a long story, but it all started with the Kingdom Stone…"
Dungeon Sewers
With the combined efforts of Amy, Milla, and the Shang Tu police officers, the battle against the monstrous Chomper Snake had finally come to an end. The snake's massive body slumped into the murky waters of the sewers, exploding in a shower of sparks and debris. As a wave of Shade Cores escaped, retreating as fast as they could, leaving the battlefield in chaos.
The officers cheered, their voices echoing through the sewer tunnels, their victory bringing a brief moment of triumph. "Whew!" one of the guards exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow. "Those girls really pack a punch!" he said with an admiring tone, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Quack!" a bluebird guard squawked, looking around the now-quiet tunnel in confusion. "Quack, quack!" he exclaimed, realizing something crucial: the girls were no longer in sight.
"Oh shoot! Where are the girls?" another guard shouted, panic lacing his voice. He looked frantically around the wreckage, searching for any sign of them.
"They were just here! Find them! They can't be that far!" The guards scattered, their footsteps echoing as they sprinted through the tunnels in search of Amy and Milla.
Meanwhile, hidden behind the wreckage of the destroyed robot, Amy and Milla were crouched low, holding their breaths as the guards passed by, their boots splashing through the shallow water. When the coast was finally clear, they let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"You're so smart, Amy!" Milla whispered, her voice filled with admiration as she looked up at her companion.
Amy gave a playful wink in response. "Oh, please, you're too sweet," she replied with a grin. "But we're not out of this yet. Are we close?"
Milla nodded, her ears perking up with excitement. "Yes! Over there!" She pointed eagerly towards a section of the sewer wall just ahead of them.
Amy squinted in confusion, her brow furrowing. "There? You sure?"
"Yup! Yup! Right there!" Milla nodded frantically, her confidence unwavering.
As they approached the wall, they quickly discovered it wasn't just any ordinary wall. Amy ran her fingers along the surface and found a small, almost invisible button. With a soft click, she pressed it, and the wall swung open with a quiet groan, revealing a secret passage leading further into the palace's depths.
"Uhh, this is like something out of a spy story!" Milla exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as she stepped into the hidden corridor.
Amy chuckled, following close behind. "I was thinking more of a magical adventure, but that works too," she said with a grin. As they walked deeper into the passage, Amy couldn't resist reaching over to ruffle Milla's hair affectionately. "You might think I'm smart, but you're the real genius here, Milla! Without you, we wouldn't have found this passage."
Milla's face flushed bright red at the compliment, her eyes widening as she looked down shyly. "T-thank you," she stammered, her voice soft. "I just… I just want to prove myself useful."
Amy glanced at her friend, noticing the unease and doubt hidden behind Milla's words. "Milla, you are useful. You're brave, smart, and so much stronger than you give yourself credit for," she said softly. "Without you, Id probably have never found this entrance. You've been amazing."
Milla's eyes shimmered with emotion as Amy's words sank in. She gave a small, shaky nod, her spirits lifting. "Thank you, Amy," she whispered.
Amy pulled Milla into a light hug, one that Milla quickly returned. The warmth and kindness radiating from Amy seemed to soothe the insecurities that had been plaguing Milla, and she felt her confidence begin to grow again.
After a moment, they continued down the passage, their footsteps echoing quietly as they entered a vast underground chamber. At the far end of the room. Inside, a figure lay slumped on the floor.
"Who… is that?" Amy asked, her voice filled with curiosity as she squinted at the shadowy figure in the cell.
Milla's eyes widened with recognition. "Torque!" she shouted, joy lighting up her face as she sprinted toward the cell.
The figure stirred, lifting his head. Torque's face broke into a look of disbelief. "Milla? Amy?! You are out!"
Amy, now beside Milla, looked at Torque in surprise. His appearance was different from what she first saw him back at the surface, but now wasn't the time for questions. "We're here to bust you out!" she declared, striking a confident pose. "That's right, Amy Rose is here!"
"And Milla Basset too!" Milla giggled, mimicking Amy's pose.
"And me," a third voice suddenly called out, catching the girls off guard. They looked up just in time to see an ice cell falling toward them from above. Without missing a beat, Amy swung her hammer with precision, shattering the ice with a powerful strike, sending shards scattering across the floor.
As the ice cleared, a secret trapdoor in the ceiling swung open, and a figure descended gracefully into the chamber, landing lightly on her feet across from them.
"Lady Neera!" Amy and Milla exclaimed in surprise. The room seemed to hold an endless supply of hidden entrances, and Neera had just used one of them to make her dramatic appearance.
Neera's expression was stern, her eyes hard as she pointed her Cryo Staff at the girls. "Freeze. You're bold, trying to escape… but it ends here," she said coldly. "Surrender, or I'll use force."
"No way!" Amy responded defiantly, her hammer raised in challenge. "I can't let you keep our friends locked up when the world is at stake!"
"I'm sorry, Lady Neera," Milla added, her voice sincere yet firm. She summoned a green alchemy cube, holding it in her hand. "But we can't stay here any longer."
Neera gritted her teeth, her expression hardening as doubt flickered in her eyes. She raised her Cryo Staff, determination mixing with regret. "I'll finish this quickly," she muttered under her breath. "Hurting children is dishonorable… I will just immobilize you."
The tension in the room was palpable. The air seemed thick with unspoken words as Neera, Amy, and Milla locked eyes. Torque, still trapped in his cell, watched anxiously. Gyro floating besides him, glowing faintly with worry.
Neera made the first move, sending a flurry of ice lasso attacks toward Amy and Milla, trying to encase them in ice. Milla formed a green shield that blocked the incoming attack with a shimmering force.
Amy charged forward, her hammer spinning in a wide arc, regret flashing across her face as she realized she had no choice but to fight. "Sorry, Neera!" she shouted, swinging her hammer with all her might.
Neera blocked the blow with her Cryo Staff, the impact creating a mini shockwave that sent her skidding back. She struggled to keep her footing, the strength of Amy's attack catching her off guard. "Ugh… so strong," she muttered, her vision blurring slightly. "Amy Rose… you're not to be underestimated…"
Regaining her balance, Neera changed tactics, launching a series of ice spikes that exploded around the room like frozen landmines. Amy dodged nimbly, leaping over one of the spikes, but when she tried to strike one with her hammer, it exploded on impact, encasing her arms in ice.
"Ah!" Amy cried out, struggling to free herself. "Oh no!"
Neera, her voice calm yet distant, raised her staff for another attack. "Do not worry, you'll be free soon enough before you suffer freeze burn."
But before Neera could strike again, a green blast hit her squarely in the chest, sending her sprawling across the floor. Milla stood protectively in front of Amy, her face determined.
"Amy, are you okay?" Milla asked, her voice filled with concern.
Amy grinned despite her frozen arms. "Don't worry, it's just a little setback." She flexed her muscles, the ice around her arms cracking slightly. "Hya!" With a final burst of strength, she shattered the ice, shaking off the cold. "Brrr, it's freezing!"
Neera struggled to her feet, panting heavily. "I… really should have listened to the nurse…" she muttered under her breath, swaying slightly.
Milla's eyes widened with worry. "Lady Neera, please, you haven't recovered yet!"
Amy, now free, looked at Neera with surprise. "Wait… you haven't fully recovered from your fight with Heavy Shinobi?!"
Neera, sensing an opportunity, unleashed another barrage of ice bullets, but the girls were quick to dodge, their movements synchronized and fluid. "Do not worry about the enemy! I can handle it," Neera insisted, her voice tinged with desperation.
"We wouldn't even be enemies if you'd just listen!" Amy argued, her voice rising with emotion. "Sonic and Lilac told you everything, but you refused to believe them!"
"The Magister didn't believe it, and neither should I…" Neera muttered, though her voice wavered, uncertainty creeping in.
"Lady Neera, please," Milla pleaded softly. "We don't want to hurt you. We just want to save our friends."
Neera's grip on her Cryo Staff loosened as doubt flickered in her eyes. She faltered, her gaze dropping to the floor. "The Magister… said…"
"Neera, you don't even believe the Magister's words yourself!" Amy pressed, stepping closer, her voice filled with sincerity. "I saw you in the infirmary. You looked confused, lost. And I believe that you don't even want to be here!"
Torque, still trapped in his cell, called out. "Lady Neera, please listen to them. We're telling the truth!" Beside him, Gyro chirped in agreement.
Neera faltered, the weight of their words pressing heavily on her shoulders. But, with one final shout of desperation, she mustered her strength and sent one last wave of ice bullets toward them.
Milla raised her shield, deflecting the relentless projectiles as Amy stood behind her, formulating a plan. "Milla, point the shield upward, just a little!" she instructed.
"Okay!" Milla replied, though a little unsure. As soon as Neera's attack slowed, Amy sprang into action. She leaped onto the shield and used it as a springboard, launching herself toward Neera with incredible speed.
Neera, drained of her frost ability and too weak to defend herself, could only watch as Amy spun in mid-air, her hammer crashing down with a mighty blow.
PIKO!
The impact sent Neera sprawling across the floor, her Cryo Staff clattering away from her grasp.
Neera lay on the ground, groaning softly, unable to move. Amy landed gracefully, her face filled with regret. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice heavy with guilt. Milla, standing beside her, mirrored her expression.
Amy spotted a glint of metal in Neera's robes. Realizing they were the jail keys, she quickly retrieved them and hurried over to Torque's cell. With a quick turn of the key, the door swung open.
"Thanks," Torque said, rubbing his head as he stepped out. He glanced at Neera, lying motionless on the ground. "You really gave it your all…" he said grimly.
"Right," Amy said, nodding. "But we can't rest yet. C'mon, Sonic and the others are waiting for us. Milla, can you lead the way?"
Milla nodded eagerly. "I remember how they brought us here. I'll guide you."
Amy smiled, pleased they were moving forward, but just as she was about to speak, she stopped mid-sentence, her attention suddenly captured by the little cyan creature floating beside Torque. Its soft glow illuminated the dim chamber.
"Oh, wow," Amy breathed, her eyes wide in wonder. She'd never seen anything quite like it. The creature radiated a calm, almost soothing energy that made the tense moment feel lighter.
Torque chuckled, a little sheepish at the attention his companion was getting. "Ah, yes," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "We, uh, forgot to introduce someone. Meet Gyro."
Gyro chirped softly, giving a tiny salute with his small appendages.
"Awww, aren't you the cutest thing!" Amy exclaimed, unable to resist as she reached out and grabbed Gyro, pulling him into her arms. She began furiously petting the little wisp, her hands moving quickly as she cradled him.
Gyro let out a mix of surprised chirps, his body vibrating slightly under the rapid affection. He wasn't sure whether to be startled or to enjoy the attention.
Milla giggled softly as she watched Amy's unexpected display of affection. Torque, on the other hand, looked completely dumbfounded. He stared at Gyro, who was being manhandled by Amy, before letting out a small cough to get her attention.
Amy blinked, snapping out of her affectionate trance. "Oh, sorry..." she said sheepishly, releasing the wisp from her grip. Gyro floated back towards Torque, giving the green alien a slight glare for interrupting an oddly satisfying experience.
Torque sighed. "We'll explain everything on the way," he said, turning towards the exit. "But for now, we've got to move."
The group quickly gathered themselves and left the chamber as they made their way toward the rest of their friends. Milla lingered for a brief moment, her eyes drifting back to where Neera lay on the ground.
Neera had been relentless, but something about her felt... off, like she was lost in her own confusion. "I'm sorry…" Milla whispered softly before finally turning away to follow the others.
Dungeons
Back in the dungeons.
The grand, steel door that served as the entrance to the dungeons rattled violently, each bang louder than the last. The door buckled under the pressure, its surface denting more and more until, with a deafening crash, it burst open. The four rescuers—Amy, Milla, Torque, and Gyro—stepped into the room, their expressions hard and determined, ready for action.
"Alright!" Amy shouted, her hammer raised in readiness. "Release our friends now, or we'll—" Her voice trailed off as her eyes took in the scene before her.
Inside, instead of finding their friends trapped in cells, they found them… casually enjoying snacks. Sonic, Lilac, Tails, Carol, the two Shang Mu prisoners and the Shang Tu guards were all seated comfortably, munching on chips and candy bars.
The rescuers stood frozen, jaws dropping in disbelief. This was not the daring rescue mission they had envisioned.
"Hey, that'll get cut from our pay!" Dexter groaned, clearly annoyed as he looked at the broken steel door. The others seemed equally startled by the sudden arrival of the rescuers.
"Milla, Torque, Gyro, and… Amy?!" Lilac exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy as she jumped up from her seat. She rushed forward and pulled them all into a tight embrace. "You guys made it! I knew you would!"
"Oh man, Amy was out too?!" Sonic muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. He seemed a little embarrassed that he'd forgotten about her, though he was clearly relieved to see her. "Glad you made it, Ames."
"So, these are the aliens?" Leo asked, raising an eyebrow as he eyed Torque and Gyro. "Thought they'd look more… hideous."
"No way!" Richard muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "They actually beat Lady Neera?"
"Oh ho yeah!" Vern said, leaning back in his chair with a triumphant grin. He shot Dexter a smug look. "You owe me fifty blue energy crystals. I told you they'd take her down!"
Dexter groaned, slumping back in his seat. "Oh man…"
Amy, still trying to wrap her head around the scene, blinked in confusion. "Wait a minute… What? I thought you guys were trapped?"
Sonic shrugged nonchalantly as he took another bite of his candy bar. "Oh yeah, we were," he said casually. "But we explained the situation to the guards, and they actually let us out. We decided to wait here and see if you guys would make it." His voice was filled with pride and relief. "And you totally did!"
Torque raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Dexter replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Once we heard about the alien overlord and the mess in Shang Mu, we decided to help these kids out. No way in hell I'm living under some green dude's tyranny—or some bald guy's!" He added, clearly terrified by the idea. "And I definitely don't wanna get probed!" he added with a shiver.
Leonard rolled his eyes at Dexter's dramatic reaction. "Look, after they told us their insane story, we gave them the benefit of the doubt. And if you guys can stop this madness, well, we're all for it."
The rescuers exchanged looks of both amusement and confusion, but it seemed like things were working out better than expected.
"So… we just go?" Milla asked, her voice hesitant as she tried to make sense of the situation. Gyro hovered nervously beside her, his small arms fluttering as if still on high alert.
"Pretty much," Carol said, grinning as she popped another chip into her mouth. "We are ready to get out and head to fantasy land!" she declared with a grin.
"But what about the guards chasing us?" Amy asked, still uncertain. "I don't think they'll just let us stroll out."
Richard, pointed toward the a nearby wall. "There's a secret tunnel through there, this palace is fille with them. You guys can sneak out without running into any guards. We'll stay back and pretend to be knocked out so no one suspects we let you."
"Zzzzzz…" Dexter was already one step ahead, pretending to sleep loudly on a nearby chair, his head lolling to the side.
Richard gave Dexter a deadpan look before turning back to Amy and the others. "…Yeah, like that. We'll play along and buy you guys time. Just make sure to get out of here before they realize what's happening."
"Thanks, guys," Sonic said, his voice sincere as he gave Richard a nod of appreciation. "You're not so bad after all."
Richard shrugged, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You kids seem to have a better shot at stopping this mess than any of us. Might as well put our faith in you."
As the group prepared to leave, Tails turned to Leo and Vern. "What about you two? Where are you going?"
"We'll follow you to the exit," Leonard said, his tone determined. "Then we'll sneak out and head to Shang Mu. We need to warn the mayor about what's going on here. The Magister's gone bonkers or something."
"Yeah, dude," Vern added, clearly excited by the prospect. "When we get back, we'll be heroes! Maybe I'll even get a medal! Oh, and the number of chicks I'm gonna get!" His eyes sparkled at the thought.
Lilac rolled her eyes at the boars comment "Disregarding… that, the guards have also helped us gather our stuff and we are ready for the next step."
Tails nodded as he pulled the emerald radar. "Yeah! The files back at the Mini Battery showed that Angel Island has appeared not far south of Parusa. It's floating just outside the archipelago!"
"We'll take both planes and head directly toward it," Tails confirmed. "Oh! Also this" He then handed Torque a familiar weapon his wispon. Torque's face lit up as he took the weapon, clearly relieved to have it back.
"Thanks, Tails," Torque said, his grip firm on the wispon. Gyro chirped happily beside him, glowing with renewed energy.
Torque looked around at the group. "But what about the Magister? We can't just leave him with the Chaos Emerald."
Sonic grinned, his confidence practically radiating from him. "Oh, don't worry. I've got a plan. I'll sneak up on him and snatch that emerald right out from under him. Easy-peasy."
Amy stepped forward. "Then I'm coming with you," she declared. "Gong gave me a whole tour of the palace. I know exactly where the Magister's chambers are. And knowing you, Sonic, you're going to make a ruckus, so you'll need me to keep you on track."
Sonic considered her words for a moment before nodding with a smile. "Well, I'll be glad to have a tour guide!" he said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Lilac stepped forward, recapping their next steps. "Alright, here's the plan. Sonic and Amy will get the emerald. The rest of us will retrieve the planes. Once we've got the emerald, we head straight to Angel Island." Her voice was steady, filled with confidence and excitement.
Everyone nodded, their resolve growing as they prepared for the next leg of their mission.
"Alright, let's go!" they cheered, their voices filled with renewed energy as they headed toward the secret exit. Their spirits were high as they moved toward their next challenge—Angel Island and the fight for the Chaos Emerald.
Royal Magister's Chambers
The 'Magister' paced back and forth, his patience thinning with every passing moment. His movements were sharp, almost mechanical. Occasionally, his eyes flickered red, a sinister glow cutting through the soft magenta they usually held.
A faint, twisted smile tugged at his lips as he held in his hands the Chaos Emerald, but it quickly vanished as a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Composing himself, the red glow in his eyes faded back to magenta as he spoke, his voice smooth and authoritative. "Come in."
The door swung open, and General Gong stepped into the room. "Your excellency, apologies for the delay. You called for me?" His voice carried a hint of confusion—he had been helping with the search for the prisoners, so why was he being summoned here?
The 'Magister' turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "There is no time to waste, General Gong," he said curtly. His tone had an edge of impatience. "I need you to escort me to Jade Creek."
Gong blinked, his brow furrowing slightly. "Jade… Creek?" he repeated, confusion flickering in his eyes. It wasn't a place that the Magister often visited, and certainly not at such a critical time. Why now?
"Yes, Jade Creek," the 'Magister' replied, losing its regal edge for a moment. "You know, the bamboo forest behind the palace? The one that connects to the lake outside the city? Take me there right now. I suspect the little jailbreakers are planning something."
Gong hesitated, his mind racing with questions. Why Jade Creek? Was there something hidden there? The general had been with the Magister for years, and this sudden demand made no sense. He opened his mouth to voice his concerns, but before he could speak, the 'Magister' stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
The touch was icy cold, sending a shiver down Gong's spine. His instincts screamed that something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint what.
"Don't question my decisions, General," the 'Magister' said, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. His grip on Gong's shoulder tightened, the cold seeping into his bones. "You will understand when we get there. For now, just do as I say. Take me there now."
Gong swallowed hard, pushing down the unease that was building inside him. He had always trusted the Magister's orders, but this… this felt different. Still, he couldn't disobey. Not openly. "Very well, your excellency," he said quietly before turning to lead the way.
"Excellent," the 'Magister' murmured, a faint, predatory smile creeping across his face as Gong's back was turned. As they moved toward the door, his thoughts churned with satisfaction. "Soldiers—so brainless yet loyal," he mused silently, almost amused by how easy it was to manipulate them.
He adjusted his robes slightly, his hand brushing over the Chaos Emerald hidden within, ensuring it was securely tucked away. He allowed himself a fleeting glance at the emerald, its power so close, so tantalizingly within his grasp. His eyes flickered red again as the corner of his lips curled into a malicious smirk.
As they stepped deeper into the shadows.
Dungeon Sewers
Now alone in the chamber, Neera remained on the cold ground, staring up at the ceiling. The weight of her exhaustion pressed down on her, but there was something heavier than physical fatigue. She had let them go. In the back of her mind, a voice whispered that she could have stopped them, but something deeper inside had held her back.
For a long moment, she lay still, her thoughts racing. Her body ached, but that wasn't what troubled her.
She stirred, slowly pushing herself up from the ground, her hands gripping her Cryo Staff as she used it to support her weight. As she stood there, breathing heavily, the doubts she had been trying to suppress, to deny finally broke free.
"That… thing was not the Magister," Neera murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. She had pushed the thoughts aside, convincing herself it was just stress or something temporary. But now, after everything she had seen—his unnerving calm, his strange commands—it all made sense.
Her heart pounded as a new sense of determination welled up inside her. She wouldn't let the kingdom be led into ruin by deception. Grabbing her Cryo Staff tightly, Neera steadied herself and looked up toward the hidden passage from where she had descended.
"It's time to figure this out," she said quietly, her voice firm with resolve. No more following orders blindly. It was time to uncover the truth.
With newfound purpose, Neera gathered her remaining strength, lifting her Cryo Staff as a faint glow emanated from its tip. She had a mission now—one far more important than apprehending fugitives. If the Magister had truly been compromised, then everything they were fighting for was at risk. She couldn't allow that to happen.
Straightening her posture, Neera cast one final glance toward the direction Amy, Milla, and Torque had gone. "They may have been right all along," she muttered to herself.
With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, determined to find the answers she sought.