Chapter 45: Storm the Thermos

Shang Tu Island – Jade Creek, Night Hours

The tranquil waters of Jade Creek glistened under the pale light of the moon. Rising from the serene lake was a massive, foreboding structure—a half-submerged metallic colossus. Its shape was unmistakable, distinctly egg-like, its red metallic walls gleaming ominously under the moonlight. This was the Egg Thermos, a sprawling factory constructed by the combined efforts of Dr. Robotnik and Brevon.

Its interior was a mechanical labyrinth—a maze of hissing pipes, grinding gears, and molten lava pools glowing with fiery intensity. The Egg Thermos was a hub for the mass production of robots designed to expand their armies, each machine forged in its sweltering depths.

Central Facility – Repair Bay

Deep within the facility, far from the bustling activity of its production lines, lay the repair bay. In its center, a metallic purple figure rested on a surgical table surrounded by repair drones. The soft hum of repair tools and the occasional hiss of welding filled the air.

Metal Lilac's body was still undergoing repairs, her metallic frame bearing the marks of her previous battle. Her left arm remained missing, and various wires and circuits were exposed, sparking faintly as automated tools worked to restore her functionality. Her pink optics stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind whirring as she reflected on the events of the past days.

The invasion of Angel Island flashed through her memory banks—the serene beauty of its waterfalls, the lush greenery, and the awe-inspiring Master Emerald. Her mission had been a success. The Master Emerald was transported to the Egg Thermos, secured and ready for its next destination. But the cost of her victory was evident in the damage to her body.

"Body repairs: 80% complete," came the clinical, synthetic voice of Syntax, Brevon's personal AI drone.

Metal Lilac turned her head slightly, her optics locking onto Syntax, who hovered nearby. Tendrils extended from the drone, reaching toward her, though the gesture wasn't one of comfort but clinical efficiency.

"Soon to be able to resume its regular duties," Syntax added, addressing no one in particular.

Metal Lilac's optics flickered in subtle irritation. She despised being touched by the drone, though she remained motionless, unwilling to waste energy protesting. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

Once her repairs were complete, she would return to her creator, Dr. Robotnik, for more thorough restoration. She had little faith in the drone's workmanship. It would suffice for now, but she craved the precision only her creator could provide.

Yet, even as she considered her next steps, her thoughts drifted to an unresolved matter—the silence of her counterpart, Metal Sonic.

As units of the same Metal Series, they shared a link, a direct channel for exchanging information. And yet, every time she attempted to contact him, her calls went unanswered. His silence was not just unusual—it was unnerving. Was he avoiding her? Was he malfunctioning?

For reasons she couldn't fully explain, she wanted to meet him—to connect with the one unit who could maybe truly understand her.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted by the blare of alarms. The piercing sound filled the repair bay, causing Metal Lilac to jolt upright.

"Intruders detected," Syntax announced, her synthetic tone devoid of urgency as she glided to a nearby monitor.

Metal Lilac followed, her optics narrowing as the screen lit up with a video feed of the facility's main entrance.

What she saw made her optics widen in surprise.

It was them.

And they had come straight to the heart of the Egg Thermos.

Egg Thermos

The air was heavy with the stench of burning metal and scorched oil inside the Egg Thermos.

Shade Troopers marched in formation alongside swarms of Egg Pawns in perfect synchronization.

Suddenly, a streak of purple lightning tore through the corridor, disrupting the factory's order. In a blur of speed, the purple comet ripped through the patrols blowing the robots away. Lilac landed gracefully amidst a growing pile of shattered robots, eyes scanning her surroundings.

Behind her, the mechanical remains of Shade Troopers and Egg Pawns collapsed in heaps, their cores exposed as the tiny animals trapped within the Badniks scurried free. A soft smile spread across Lilac's face as she watched them escape into the shadows.

Before she could react further, a damaged Shade Trooper twitched back to life. Its blaster arm raised, aiming squarely at her unprotected back.

But before it could fire, a spinning orange ball shot from above, tearing through the robot with a precise spin dash. The trooper exploded in a shower of sparks.

Lilac turned, startled, before her expression softened into a grin. "Oh, thanks for the save!" she said.

Tails landed neatly beside her, giving her a thumbs-up. "No problem!" he replied cheerfully.

"You got it?" Lilac asked.

Tails nodded, producing a green key card with a triumphant flourish. "Got it! And it's all thanks to Gyro for pinpointing the room!"

Behind Tails, the small wisp hovered into view, nodding excitedly. Lilac gave the wisp an appreciative smile. "Great job, you two."

Hurrying to the nearby console, Tails swiped the key card. With a loud beep, the door to the next section slid open, revealing more of the factory's depths.

"Another step closer," Lilac said as the trio stepped through. "How many rooms do you think are left before we reach the Master Emerald?"

Tails glanced at his radar. "Hard to say," he admitted. "But if I had to guess, they've put the Emerald at the top of the facility, so a couple dozen maybe."

"Sounds logical," Lilac agreed, her mind already focused on the climb ahead. Beside her, Gyro hovered nervously, his glowing body flickering as his gaze darted around, clearly anxious.

Noticing his unease, Lilac spoke softly. "Hey, Gyro. Don't worry. We'll find him too." Her words were reassuring, and while Gyro didn't stop fidgeting entirely, he nodded with a little more confidence.

The trio moved with purpose, navigating the oppressive corridors. Tails had theorized that Metal Lilac, heavily damaged from their previous encounter, hadn't made it far. The factory served as both a base of operations and a repair site, as well as answering the question as to where the Heavy Magician was heading during her escape before she went to an unknown direction.

The Master Emerald had been tracked to this location, and now, the team was determined to reclaim it and bring their friend back—though they carried the weight of the terrible news they would have to share when reunited with the others.

That's for later, Lilac thought sadly.

They entered another room, the walls lined with imposing machinery. A massive monitor flickered to life on the far wall, bathing the chamber in an eerie green glow.

On the screen was a single glowing green eye, its gaze cold and unfeeling. As the eye swiveled, it seemed to follow their every move.

"Welcome, intruders," a calm, feminine voice echoed through the room, its synthetic timbre sending a chill down their spines. "How may you die today?"

"What?" Lilac looked startled for a moment before she met the monitor, her fists clenched, as she stared at the green eye. "Who are you?"

"Irrelevant. You have trespassed on Lord Brevon's property," the voice replied, utterly devoid of emotion. "How may you die today?"

Tails stared for a moment before his eyes widened, his mind racing as recognition dawned. "Wait! I know you!" he exclaimed. "You're Syntax! Brevon's personal AI drone—I read about you in the Mini Battery files!" His words carried a mixture of awe and alarm.

The eye narrowed slightly, a flicker of something akin to annoyance passing through its glow. "...Correct. Now, goodnight," Syntax said abruptly.

Before the trio could react, the doors around them slid open with a hiss. From the shadows emerged a flood of robots—Shade Troopers, Lava Squids, and swarms of Badniks.

Lilac, Tails, and Gyro exchanged a quick glance.

"For a moment, I thought this would be a breeze," Lilac quipped as she dropped into a battle-ready stance.

"No surprises here," Tails replied, spinning his tails as he hovered slightly above the ground as Gyro pulsed with a bright cyan light.

They charged forward to meet the oncoming onslaught, ready to fight their way to the top of the facility.

Outside the Egg Thermos

The cool night air breezed through the green scenery surrounding the Egg Thermos. Just outside the facility's perimeter, a large group of figures stood gathered several meters away, their eyes fixed on the egg-shaped structure.

"That's definitely Robotnik's handiwork," Knuckles muttered, his voice low as his eyes studied the fortress.

"You've got be kidding me," Spade scoffed, crossing his arms. "The guy builds everything shaped like eggs and then has the nerve to get upset when they call him Eggman? What a joke."

Carol snickered at the comment, but her mirth faded as Spade continued, his tone growing skeptical. "Whatever. You sure this is the place where your Master Emerald or whatever is hiding?"

Knuckles nodded, his expression unyielding. "As the guardian of the Master Emerald, I have a special connection to it. It's definitely in there."

"Good to know, I guess," Spade replied, his voice carrying a trace of doubt. He didn't fully buy into the whole "spiritual connection", but it wasn't worth arguing over now. Rising to his feet, Spade turned his attention to the group assembled around him.

The rest of the heroes stood ready, alongside a small detachment of Red Scarves members who had pledged their support for the mission, or the ones that weren't frozen anyways.

"You people really tore through everything, huh?" Spade remarked, gesturing to his fellow Scarves.

Knuckles shrugged. "They're the ones who attacked us. They knew what was coming." He shifted his focus back to the factory, watching as a patrol of Shade Troopers emerged from the entrance, scanning the area for threats. "We have a plan set?"

Spade nodded and motioned for the Scarves members to step forward. "Here's how it's going down. The Scarves will handle the robots at the entrance. They'll keep them busy and take care of anyone who tries to intervene. That should give me and the rest of your team a clean shot at getting inside and securing your… big rock."

Knuckles frowned slightly at the comment but decided to let it slide. "Alright then, sounds good enough." He turned to face the rest of the group, his expression grim but resolute. "You guys ready?"

The group nodded in unison, their resolve evident despite the tension hanging in the air.

But the absence of Neera was notable. After rescuing the Magister, she had opted to return to the palace with him to ensure his safety and recovery. It was a wise decision, given the Magister's fragile condition.

An Hour Ago – Pangu Forest

The group had gathered outside the main entrance of the Red Scarves' hideout. The air was tense, the atmosphere subdued after the battles they had endured.

"You know," Spade began, his voice carrying a casual edge as he leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree, "I could lend some of my guys to escort you back."

The statement was enough to make Neera's icy demeanor ignite with fury. Her grip tightened on the Magister, steadying his weakened frame, his ceremonial helmet in its rightful place.

"As if I would let you criminals anywhere near him after what you've done!" Neera's voice was sharp and unwavering. She bared her teeth, her body tense with protective energy. "I will escort the Magister myself out of this forest and ensure he receives proper medical treatment at the palace!"

Her shout carried such force that even the surrounding Scarves visibly flinched. None dared to move closer, not with the infamous "Ice Monster" ready to freeze them where they stood.

"Neera…" The Magister's soft, weary voice cut through the tension as he leaned gently against her.

Neera's expression softened immediately. "Right," she said curtly, taking a deep breath. "Apologies." She adjusted her stance to better support him before addressing the group again.

"I can handle this myself," she stated firmly. "There is no need for your involvement. Your focus must now shift to your next objective. If Sash Lilac and Miles Prower's are were you said they were heading, then you must hurry. There is no time to waste."

Amy, standing off to the side, folded her arms. Her eyes flickering between the two. "Right. I'm glad the two of you are back together," she said, offering a small, sad smile. "I guess that it means that our investigation has come to a close."

Neera allowed herself a faint, fond smile in return. "It seems so," she agreed after a pause. Her gaze softened as she looked at Milla and Amy. "I can't say it was the best experience, but…" She hesitated. "I couldn't have asked for better detectives."

Amy raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement breaking through her somber mood.

"Hope to see you guys soon," Milla said quietly, though her eyes remained averted.

Neera noticed and gave her a reassuring look. "We will," she said confidently, her voice steady and kind. She nodded at the group, signaling the end of their brief exchange. "Now, it's time to return."

She adjusted her hold on the Magister, and together, they began the slow walk back toward Shang Tu's Royal Palace. The forest seemed to part for them, the weight of their shared ordeal still palpable.

Before they disappeared entirely into the trees, the Magister turned, his magenta eyes scanning the group.

"The Kingdom of Shang Tu owes you all its deepest gratitude," he said, his deep voice resonating with sincerity. "And so do I, of course." His gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned back to Neera.

"Let's go home," he whispered softly to her, his words almost carried away by the breeze.

The group stood silently, watching them fade into the shadows of the forest. There was a quiet sense of accomplishment among them—a rare moment of satisfaction that their mission had succeeded, and that the Magister and Neera were together again.

But just as they moved deeper into the woods, the Magister's voice carried back one last comment.

"Ah, and… my condolences."

The words hung in the air like a faint echo.

Present Time

The group stood in silence.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Carol whispered, her voice heavy with sadness. She cast a glance at Amy and Milla. Both were clearly struggling, their emotions raw as the weight of the news about Sonic lingered over them.

Milla's eyes were red and puffy from crying, her small body trembling as she tried to hold back more tears.

Amy, however, stared ahead with a distant look in her eyes. It was as if she was somewhere else entirely. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, and she kept her hammer propped against her shoulder as though ready to lash out at the world itself. To her, the very idea of Sonic being gone was unthinkable. A lie. Something they could still fix.

"…Are you sure Lilac, Tails, and Gyro are inside?" Milla asked, her voice trembling and barely above a whisper. She seemed desperate for something to focus on—anything to keep from thinking about their loss.

"They followed the trail directly with their radar," Knuckles replied, his tone steady. He kept his gaze fixed on the fortress. "And…"

Before he could finish, a thunderous explosion echoed from deep within the facility. Bright flashes of light illuminated the structure for a moment, accompanied by the faint sounds of metal tearing and alarms blaring.

"That," Knuckles added.

Amy finally stirred from her trance, standing tall as she gripped her hammer with renewed purpose. "We've got this," she said, giving Milla a small, reassuring smile. But as her gaze shifted back to the fortress, her expression hardened into one of fierce determination.

"And after we save Torque, we're going to find Sonic," she declared, her voice unwavering.

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

"Amy…" Carol whispered, her voice tinged with concern, but Amy didn't respond. She had already made up her mind.

The pink hedgehog turned to Spade. "We're ready when you are."

Spade met her gaze, his expression neutral but his nod decisive. He turned to his remaining Scarves, signaling them to begin the assault.

"Move out!" he barked.

The Scarves leapt into action with practiced precision. They fanned out, their movements a blur as they descended toward the base. Within minutes, explosions and the sharp crack of combat filled the air as the Scarves engaged the robotic patrols.

BOOM!

A loud detonation shook the ground beneath their feet. Spade drew his cards and turned back to the group, his voice sharp and commanding. "Let's go."

Without hesitation, they followed him, as they descended toward the Egg Thermos.

Egg Thermos

"Please remain still during the incineration process. Thank you," Syntax's voice droned, its calm tone juxtaposed against the chaos unfolding in the facility.

A massive torrent of molten lava surged through the corridor, the blistering heat rolling off the wave and singeing the air. Lilac, Tails, and Gyro sprinted ahead, their feet pounding against the metallic floor. Behind them, robots were engulfed one by one by the fiery tide.

"There!" Lilac shouted, pointing to a narrow opening in the floor up ahead. Without hesitation, she grabbed Tails' arm and Gyro's tendrils, her dragon boost igniting in a brilliant burst of energy.

They rocketed forward, narrowly diving into the lower section just as the lava roared overhead, the searing heat licking at their heels.

They landed in a heap on the cold, metallic floor, the echoes of the molten surge rumbling above them.

"Huff… Huff… That was close!" Lilac panted as she frantically patted herself down, checking for any stray embers.

Tails sat up, trembling, his tails curled protectively around himself. "Y-yeah," he stammered, his voice shaky. "That… that was scary." He let out a nervous laugh as Lilac helped him to his feet.

Lilac gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "You did great, though," she said, her voice steady despite her own nerves.

Tails nodded, though his hands still shook as he spotted a control panel on the wall nearby. Focusing on something tangible, he stumbled toward it, pulling out his toolkit. "This place is way more intense than the other Eggman facilities I've seen," he muttered, working quickly to bypass the security protocols. A soft click signaled success as the door to the next room slid open. "Still, it's definitely his tech. I can tell by the sloppy code."

The trio stepped cautiously into the next corridor, the faint hum of machinery vibrating through the walls.

Gyro buzzed loudly, zipping ahead as if urging them to move faster.

"Gyro, no need to be impatient," Lilac said gently, her tone calm despite her own urgency. "We want to find Torque as much as you do." Her words carried a sincerity that made the Wisp pause momentarily, his glowing green form dimming slightly.

"Yeah, we're close," Tails added, his voice kind but firm. He tried to reassure Gyro with a smile.

But Gyro wasn't having it. The small wisp let out a chirp of annoyance and darted forward, quickly disappearing into the dimly lit hallways without waiting for them.

"Gyro!" Lilac called after him, her voice echoing down the metallic corridor.

Tails frowned, watching the Wisp vanish into the distance. "He's really eager," he muttered. After a moment, his expression softened, and he whispered to himself, "I guess we know why…"

Lilac turned to him. "We can't afford to get separated. Let's go!"

The two sprinted after Gyro, the clang of their footsteps reverberating through the narrow hallways. As they ran, the air grew hotter and heavier, beads of sweat forming on their brows.

Finally, they burst into the next chamber, skidding to a halt as the sight before them shook them to the core.

"Uaaaaa!"

"More intruders approaching," Syntax's voice echoed through the metallic halls. The new trespassers already wreaking havoc, and she quickly identified them.

Down below, Carol was in the midst of a personal crisis.

"Aah! Ma hat's on fire!" Carol shrieked, spinning in circles as she frantically tried to pat out the flames that had caught on her beloved hat.

"Why did you bring it with you then?!" Knuckles asked with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. Without pausing, he slammed his fists into a Shade Trooper, crumpling the robot.

The group had breached the facility with little difficulty, their entry made smoother by the path of destruction left by Lilac's team. Broken robots, smashed crates, and severed wires marked the route of their predecessors, allowing Knuckles' group to push forward more rapidly.

"Keep moving! Lilac, Tails, and Gyro are definitely further in!" Amy shouted, leaping into the air and bringing her hammer down on a group of Egg-Pawns. The robots crumpled under the force of her swing, their parts scattering across the floor.

"Yes, they're definitely here!" Milla confirmed, her nose twitching as she sniffed the air. "I can smell their trail! They're not far!"

"That sense of smell is not creepy at all…" Spade muttered dryly, his hands deftly tossing a flurry of explosive cards at an approaching Orbinaut. The spiked robot detonated in a shower of sparks, and Spade turned his attention to a nearby locked door.

"I'm heading through that door," he announced, pointing toward it. "You guys follow the main trail and locate Sash."

"Why split up?" Amy asked, frowning as concern crept into her voice.

Spade shrugged, grabbing a keycard from the remains of a destroyed Shade Trooper. "This place has to have a main control room, or some kind of engine system. If I take it down, I can disable the heat in this facility or shut down the production lines. It'll help us all. Trust me."

A pause followed before Syntax's voice chimed in. "It would be kind of you if you didn't enter," she droned, her tone carrying a faint edge of irritation.

"Shut up," Spade muttered, though a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. If the robot didn't want him in this area, he figured it was precisely where he needed to be. Sliding the keycard through the panel, he unlocked the door.

Glancing back at the group, he added, "Don't bother following me. I've got this."

"Alright, be safe, Spade!" Amy called after him, still uneasy about splitting up but trusting his judgment.

"Whatever, don't bother worrying about me," Spade replied, waving her off as he disappeared through the door.

Carol snickered, waving after him. "Whatever, whatever you say, edgy panda!" she joked. Turning back to the group, she added, "Well, he's gone. C'mon, let's not worry and head to meet with the rest!"

"I think you should worry," Knuckles said dryly, his gaze focused on her back.

Carol blinked, confused by his tone. "What do you mean—"

She glanced over her shoulder, her tail immediately registering the heat before her eyes did. "Aah! Ma tail's on fire!" she screamed, frantically trying to extinguish the flames licking at her fur.

Knuckles sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Do you ever stop catching things on fire?!"

As chaos unfolded among the group, Syntax monitored them from her central console. Her green optic glowed steadily as streams of data flowed across her interface.

Her tone remained calm as she muttered to herself, "Deploy additional units to Sector 4."

She directed a swarm of Egg-Pawns and Shade Troopers to intercept the intruders, rerouting them to block their path toward the others. If she could delay their progress long enough, she could isolate each group and deal with them individually.

However, her attention was momentarily diverted as a new notification blinked on her interface. The contents of the alert made her pause, her processors calculating rapidly as the implications sank in.

"...Unexpected," she muttered before shutting off the surveillance feed for the intruders, her focus shifting entirely.

Whatever had triggered the alert had her undivided attention. As the sound of battle echoed through the facility, Syntax left the heroes to their own devices. For now.

Lilac and Tails stepped into a vast chamber filled with molten lava, the heat radiating off the fiery abyss below. Suspended over the bubbling pools were metal platforms, connected by precariously narrow beams. A single misstep could mean their end, but that wasn't the most pressing danger in the room.

Standing in the center of the chamber was Metal Lilac.

The robot's sleek, purple frame gleamed faintly in the harsh, orange glow of the lava. Her body bore signs of recent repairs; her left arm remained a work in progress, visibly incomplete with exposed circuitry and damaged plating. Yet, her pink optics burned brightly, locking onto the intruders as they entered.

"You!" Lilac shouted, her voice carrying fury. She dropped into a fighting stance, ready to charge at her robotic doppelgänger.

Tails stood beside her, visibly trembling. His twin tails curled around his waist, unable to tear his eyes away from the metal copy.

Metal Lilac tilted her head slightly, her optics narrowing as she regarded them. She had prepared for this confrontation, though part of her had hoped it wouldn't come to this. If they had perished during their prior encounter, it would have simplified her task. But here they were.

The sight of them, especially their resolve, gave her pause. Had they truly come all this way just for their friend? The thought lingered briefly before she dismissed it with cold efficiency. Her mission was clear. There would be no hesitation this time.

"I'll make you pay for what you've done!" Lilac growled as she prepared to strike.

Before she could move, she glanced at Tails. The fox was rooted to the spot, his wide eyes fixed on Metal Lilac, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Tails?" Lilac whispered urgently. She didn't need to hear his answer to understand—he was frozen with fear.

The fox stood frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking as he stared at Metal Lilac. His knees shook, and his breathing was shallow and uneven. It was as if the sight of her had paralyzed him, dredging up the terror of their last encounter.

Lilac's expression softened as she stepped in front of him, shielding him from Metal Lilac's view. "Stay behind me," she said gently. She turned her head slightly, meeting his frightened gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll make sure to protect you, okay?"

Tails swallowed hard and nodded weakly.

Metal Lilac's optics flickered at the sight of their exchange. A strange sensation pulsed in her circuits? NO, not again, she quickly suppressed it. Emotions had no place in her calculations.

The room's oppressive silence was shattered as the ceiling above them opened with a loud clang. From the opening, a set of glowing green plates descended, their metallic surfaces gleaming ominously.

Metal Lilac's optics widened as the plates floated toward her, attaching themselves to the exposed frame of her damaged arm.

What…? she murmured.

"It seems that you are lost," Syntax's calm, synthetic voice chimed in as she descended alongside the plates. The plates and the drone merged seamlessly with Metal Lilac's arm, encasing it in layers of green and gray metal. "would you like some assistance?"

A bright flash of light filled the room as the transformation completed.

"Cannon Mode: Activated," Syntax declared.

Metal Lilac looked down at her new arm, a mixture of confusion and awe. The appendage was a claw-like weapon, its sleek design incorporating molten orange tubes glowing with barely contained energy. A thick conduit connected the arm to Syntax, who was now integrated into her back.

"Begin process of incineration," Syntax announced flatly.

Metal Lilac didn't need further instructions. Turning her gaze toward Lilac and Tails, she raised her newly enhanced arm.

The molten tubes glowed brighter for a moment before unleashing a searing stream of lava, the fiery beam roaring as it surged toward her enemies.

"Watch out!" Lilac shouted, grabbing Tails' hand and leaping to the side. The lava scorched the platform where they had stood moments ago, leaving behind a pool of molten metal.

The duo landed on another platform, the heat from the blast still stinging their skin.

"S-Syntax merged with her!" Tails stammered, his voice trembling with a mix of horror and a bit of fascination. "And now she can shoot lava lasers!"

Lilac narrowed her eyes at her mechanical counterpart. "Like that's going to stop us!" she shouted defiantly, locking eyes with Metal Lilac. Her whip-like hair lashed out behind her, ready for action. "Bring it on!"

Metal Lilac's optics flared. She raised her cannon-arm again, the orange tubes glowing menacingly as molten energy swirled within. This time, there would be no failure.

But as the battle began in earnest, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second, there was one troubling thought that gnawed at Lilac's mind.

Someone was missing.

Top Level – Final Chamber

The metallic hum of the Egg Thermos was absent here, replaced by a heavy, foreboding silence.

Gyro zipped through the corridors, his cyan light cutting through the shadows like a laser. He moved with singular purpose, weaving around obstacles and avoiding detection with practiced precision. He didn't slow for anything—not for the patrolling Shade Troopers, nor the automated turrets that lined the walls.

He couldn't wait for Lilac and Tails. He didn't want to.

They didn't understand the urgency burning in his core. Gyro had already lost so much, and he refused to lose Torque too. The thought of losing the one person who had been his companion, the one who had fought for him, made him push forward faster.

As he zipped around a final corner, he came face to face with an enormous metallic door, far larger than any he'd passed before. It loomed in front of him like a monolith, its surface cold and unyielding.

The wisp hesitated, his glowing form dimming slightly. The stillness surrounding the door felt unnatural, like the calm before a storm. Yet, even as apprehension flickered in his mind, his resolve burned brighter.

Gyro floated forward cautiously, but before he could reach the door, it slid open with a mechanical hiss.

Beyond it was darkness, followed by the source of green light of the Master Emerlad.

The emerald being the only source of light alongside a massive glass ceiling above, where the moonlight poured in. He found the emerald, but the stillness was suffocating, yet Gyro pressed on.

He floated toward the center of the room, scanning his surroundings. The emptiness felt wrong—too perfect. His instincts told him to leave, but he couldn't. Not without Torque.

Then, a faint sound broke the silence.

"Gyro…"

Gyro's blue eyes widened in recognition, his light flaring brightly with sudden joy. That voice—it was unmistakable. It was Torque.

The wisp darted around the room, his movements frantic as he searched for the source of the voice.

Torque! he thought to himself. Where are you?

"Gyro… out…"

The voice came again, weak and distant. Gyro stopped in midair, tilting his form as he tried to make sense of it. Out? Out where?

The message repeated, faint and strained, his light dimmed slightly in confusion, trying to pinpoint its exact origin.

Then, a shadow began to rise behind him.

"Gyro…" Torque's voice came again, laced with desperation.

The wisp paused, his movements faltering as unease crept into his mind.

"Gyro…Get out of here!" Torque's voice erupted, louder and more urgent than before.

But it was too late.

Gyro spun around just as the shadow fully emerged, its form towering over him. Blood-red eyes gleamed in the dark. A low, eerie laugh echoed through the chamber.

Gyro froze, his light flickering erratically as terror coursed through him. Before he could react, the shadow lunged.

A tiny scream escaped him, swallowed by the oppressive darkness.