Chapter 46: A Fox's Courage, a Dirty Trap, and an Inevitable Demise
Shang Tu Island – Egg Thermos, Night Hours
The oppressive heat of the molten chamber made the air shimmer, and the walls trembled with the force of the battle raging within. Lilac and Metal Lilac were locked in a furious rematch, their movements a blur as they clashed across the precarious platforms above the glowing pools of lava.
Lilac darted forward with a cyclone attack, her tendril lashing out and striking Metal Lilac squarely, sending the robotic counterpart staggering back. Sparks flew from the robot's chassis as she recalibrated, her optics flashing with cold calculation.
Metal Lilac retaliated immediately, her lava cannon glowing ominously as molten energy churned within. She unleashed a torrent of searing lava toward her target. Lilac dodged the attack with a nimble roll, using the momentum to close the distance between them.
With a shout, she launched herself forward with a dragon boost as she slammed into Metal Lilac with a force that reverberated through the chamber. The robot was hurled toward the edge of the platform, teetering precariously as her thrusters struggled to stabilize her.
"That one's for what you did back on Angel Island!" Lilac snarled, her voice tinged with anger and determination as she prepared for another strike.
Metal Lilac's optics narrowed, her glowing gaze locking onto her organic counterpart. From her back above, Syntax's calm voice echoed through the chamber.
"I have detected several damages to your body," the drone remarked, her green optic flickering. "But it seems that you already know."
Metal Lilac glared at the drone, her irritation evident. Ignoring the comment, she turned her lava cannon downward, angling it toward the glowing pools below. A stream of molten liquid surged into her arm as she recharged the weapon's reservoir.
Tails, standing on the far side of the chamber, had been frozen in place by fear, but he quickly snapped into action. His sharp eyes darted to the lava cannon.
"Lilac! Metal can only hold so much lava before she needs to recharge!" Tails shouted, his voice echoing over the din of the battle.
"Great catch, Tails! I just need to time my attacks!" Lilac called back, her focus shifting as she charged toward her foe again. Her dragon boost struck Metal Lilac with precision, slamming the robot into the metal floor.
Metal Lilac let out a metallic hiss as she pushed herself back to her feet, her optics gleaming with cold fury.
"You keep damaging yourself," Syntax observed, her tone as devoid of concern as ever. "Will you require extra assistance?"
Before Metal Lilac could respond, the drone detached from her back, hovering ominously above the lava.
"What is she…?" Lilac muttered, her stance faltering slightly as she watched Syntax descend.
The drone plunged into the molten pool below, disappearing beneath the surface.
"Did the drone just…?" Tails began, his eyes wide with confusion.
Before anyone could process what was happening, the lava beneath them churned violently. Bubbles erupted, sending glowing droplets of molten rock spraying into the air. From the seething pool rose a massive, jellyfish-like form, its tendrils crackling with molten energy.
"Jellyfish Mode: Activated," Syntax declared, her voice now amplified and echoing through the chamber.
The transformed Syntax hovered menacingly, her glowing tendrils swaying like molten whips. Without hesitation, she unleashed two streams of lava, the fiery blasts aimed directly at Tails.
"Tails!" Lilac shouted, panic lacing her voice as the fox narrowly dodged the attack, the searing heat singeing his fur. He leapt onto a higher platform, rolling to avoid another fiery lash.
"I'm fine!" Tails called back, though his voice trembled. His wide eyes took in the towering, glowing form of the Syntax jellyfish, the heat making the air around him shimmer dangerously.
"I'm coming!" Lilac shouted, preparing to leap to his aid.
Before she could move, however, her leg was snagged by something sharp. She stumbled, falling to the ground as wires coiled tightly around her.
"What—?!" Lilac gasped, twisting to see Metal Lilac standing over her, her damaged cannon discarded. In its place, she had extended her wire tendrils to create something akin to a tentacle, which gleamed with a menacing glow.
"Seriously?!" Lilac groaned as the wires tightened, pulling her closer.
"Lilac!" Tails shouted, panic rising as he ducked another stream of molten energy from Syntax. The jellyfish-like robot loomed above him, her tendrils lashing out with terrifying speed.
Tails stumbled, tripping over the platform as another blast of lava grazed past him. He hit the floor hard, the heat pressing down on him like a physical weight. Syntax hovered closer, her tendrils curling menacingly.
"Please remain still during the incineration process. Thank you," Syntax intoned, her voice chilling in its calmness.
Tails stared up at her, his body trembling. Memories of Sonic flooded his mind—his unwavering confidence, his bravery in the face of impossible odds. Tails could hear Lilac struggling against her robotic doppelgänger, her cries cutting through his fear like a blade.
What can I do? What can I do? What would Sonic do…
The question echoed in his mind, and suddenly, clarity washed over him.
Sonic wouldn't give in. He wouldn't let fear stop him. And if Tails wanted to protect his friends, he couldn't give in either.
Tails' eyes glinted with newfound determination. With a shout, he spun into a spin dash, narrowly avoiding the molten tendrils as he shot forward. His target was clear: Syntax's glowing core.
The fox hit the jellyfish robot dead-on, his spin dash connecting with the core and sending a shockwave through her form. Sparks erupted as Syntax faltered, her tendrils whipping erratically.
Tails' determination burned brighter than the lava around him. He wasn't going to lose anyone else. An idea sparked in his mind as he dodged Syntax's glowing tendrils.
"Lilac, over here!" Tails shouted, his voice ringing with urgency.
Lilac, still locked in her fight against Metal Lilac, dodged a sharp lash of the robot's tendril and glanced toward Tails. She saw him darting toward her direction, Syntax hovering menacingly behind him, her molten tendrils poised to strike.
Her eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed in understanding. She could see what he was planning.
A smirk tugged at her lips. "You think you can just copy my every move?" Lilac taunted, addressing her mechanical counterpart. "Try and catch me!"
Before Metal Lilac could react, Lilac boosted upward with a burst of energy, her dragon boost propelling her high into the air.
Metal Lilac froze for a moment, her optics flickering in confusion before narrowing with fury. Sparks crackled along her body as she activated her own dragon dash. She wasn't going to let Lilac escape again.
With a roar of her engines, Metal Lilac lunged toward Lilac, leaving Syntax to deal with Tails.
As Lilac and Tails closed in on each other, their movements were perfectly timed. The two passed in a blur, Metal Lilac and Syntax targeting their respective foes.
The two attacks crossed paths.
Metal Lilac's whip lashed forward as Syntax's molten tendrils surged toward Tails. Neither machine realized what was happening until it was too late. Their strikes collided mid-air with a deafening crash, sending a surge of energy and molten lava spraying in all directions.
"Oh dear," Syntax remarked, her voice tinged with slight alarm.
Metal Lilac's optics widened in shock as the collision caused a chain reaction. The molten lava splashed across her chassis, searing through her armor and exposing her circuits. Sparks erupted as her systems began to overheat, her movements becoming jerky and erratic.
Syntax's jellyfish form fared no better. The surge of energy overloaded her systems, causing her tendrils to retract as her core flickered dangerously. Her massive form began to disintegrate, the lava dripping as she reverted back to her original drone state.
Metal Lilac stumbled, her thrusters faltering as the damage proved too much. She slipped toward the edge of the platform, her legs scraping against the metal floor as she tried to stabilize herself. Below her, the molten pool bubbled menacingly. N-no! her systems shrieked with fear.
Syntax, despite her damaged state, acted swiftly. Her normal tendrils extended and latched onto Metal Lilac, dragging the malfunctioning robot away from the edge.
"Retreating," Syntax announced, her tone devoid of emotion but carrying an urgency. Above them, the trapdoor opened with a mechanical clang, light pouring into the chamber as Syntax hoisted herself and Metal Lilac upward.
Lilac and Tails watched as their adversaries ascended. Metal Lilac glared down at them, her optics flickering with a mix of frustration and something unspoken.
Lilac met her gaze, her expression unreadable. For a brief moment, something passed between them—an emotion that neither could quite name.
The trapdoor slammed shut, leaving the room eerily silent.
Lilac, still panting, glanced at Tails with a small grin. "That move… That was the same one we pulled back in Iron Valley, wasn't it?"
Tails relieved smile returned. "It sure was," he said, her tone light but proud. "Though this time, it wasn't just a coincidence they collided."
Lilac laughed softly. "Tails, that was incredible. You were brave, you know."
Tails' smile faltered for a moment before he straightened, his expression growing serious. "I had to be," he said quietly. "There's no time for me to get scared—not when Torque's life is on the line. I can't… I won't lose anyone else."
Lilac placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice gentle. "You're right. Torque needs us. And so does Gyro."
Tails' eyes widened slightly. "Gyro…" he murmured, realization dawning on him.
Lilac nodded, her expression shifting to one of urgency. "He's probably way ahead of us by now! We have to catch up!"
"Right!" Tails said, his confidence rekindled as he turned toward the door.
Without another word, the two sprinted toward the exit. The door slid shut behind them with an ominous hiss, leaving the chamber behind.
There was no turning back now.
Egg Thermos – Heart of the Factory
Explosions reverberated through the metallic halls, leaving trails of twisted metal and flying sparks in its wake. The Egg Thermos was crumbling under the combined might of their efforts, robots reduced to scrap in every direction.
Yet, despite the chaos of the fight…
"Here goes another!" Milla's voice rang out, filled with excitement as she hurled a green cube toward Amy.
Amy's eyes lit up, and she swung her hammer with all her might, timing the impact perfectly. The cube rocketed toward a formation of Buzz Bombers, smashing into them with a resounding explosion of green energy.
"Homerun!" Carol cheered, pumping her fist into the air, her voice cutting through the noise.
Knuckles, on the other hand, was decidedly less enthused. He scowled as he slammed two Shade Troopers' heads together with a deafening clang. "Can you girls focus?" he barked, irritation dripping from his tone. "This is supposed to be serious!"
Carol turned toward him with a mischievous grin. "C'mon, Knux! Have some sense of humor, will you?"
"We have to stay in high spirits," Amy added, her hammer already winding up for another swing. "Besides, you have to admit—it's pretty effective!" With a graceful spin, she batted another green cube toward a cluster of Egg Pawns. The impact sent the robots flying, scattering across the factory floor like bowling pins.
"It's super-duper fun!" Milla chimed in, her tail wagging enthusiastically.
Knuckles grumbled under his breath. He couldn't deny the effectiveness of their teamwork.
As the group continued their advance, Knuckles caught movement above them. A Balkiry Badnik perched itself on a high platform, its mechanical head swiveling as it observed the scene below. Its beady red eyes glinted in the dim light, and its beak opened with a distinctive click as if preparing to speak.
"Oh, we have one more!" Carol said, spotting the Balkiry as it prepared its announcement.
"Alright, Milla, give me your biggest one!" Amy called out, her stance widening as she readied her hammer.
Milla nodded with fierce concentration, her green aura glowing brighter as she conjured an unusually large energy cube. She grinned and lobbed it toward Amy with all her might.
PIKO
Amy swung her hammer in a powerful arc, and the oversized cube shot upward like a comet. The Balkiry squawked in alarm, barely managing to dodge as the projectile exploded behind it, showering sparks across the platform.
"Egad!" the Balkiry squawked indignantly, flapping its mechanical wings frantically as it glared down at them. "You animals, don't you have any decency?!"
The group froze for a moment, their eyes widening in shock as they recognized the voice.
"Eggman!" they shouted in unison, their voices a mix of anger and surprise.
"Robotnik!" the Balkiry corrected with a huff, its metallic feathers ruffling as if insulted. "It's Doctor Robotnik, thank you very much. Honestly, your lack of respect is appalling."
"Whatever," Carol hissed. "Couldn't even bother showing up in person, huh?"
"Yeah! Where are you hiding, Robotnik?!" Amy demanded, her grip tightening on her hammer.
"Show yourself!" Knuckles roared. "And give me back my emerald!"
The Balkiry tilted its head, its beak clicking mockingly. "Your emerald? How quaint." Robotnik's voice crackled through the speaker, laced with disdain. "Unfortunately, I'm rather busy at my main base, thanks to your little playdate with Metal Sonic and the Heavy King. Oh, they're fully repaired, by the way. You'll be seeing them again soon enough."
The Balkiry paused, its glowing eyes narrowing as Robotnik's tone shifted to one of mocking amusement. "But, ah… let's change the subject, shall we? I must say, I'm surprised to see you all here, given what happened to that insufferable rodent."
Amy's eyes flared. "Sonic isn't gone! He'll come back—he always does!" she shouted, her voice unwavering.
"Amy…" Milla whispered, her voice tinged with sadness as she glanced at her friend.
"Hehahaha! Like hell he will!" Robotnik's laughter echoed through the room. "This time, his fate was sealed the moment he fell into the ocean! All alone, with no help whatsoever!"
The words cut through the group like a blade, leaving a tense silence in their wake as the reality of Robotnik's taunt settled over them.
Knuckles clenched his fists. "Is this the only reason you're here? To rub it in our faces?!" he demanded, his voice a low, furious growl.
Robotnik's chuckle deepened, the malice in his tone palpable. "Hahahaha, of course, but not only that! The real reason I'm here is merely to observe, Echidna. As I understand it, the goat and fox have just entered the room where the Master Emerald is secured and ready for transport. And, well… I'm curious to see how they'll handle my main guest of the Thermos."
"Main… guest?" Milla asked, her voice trembling as she wiped her eyes.
The group exchanged confused glances, tension crackling in the air like static as they tried to piece together what he meant.
"Why, you didn't think we'd leave the Master Emerald in the hands of simple robots or those Shuigang buffoons, did you?" Robotnik continued, his voice turned cold, yet gleeful. "He rather insisted on coming himself."
Carol's ears flattened as realization dawned on her. "The alien guy…?" she muttered, her voice tinged with alarm.
"Brevon," Amy whispered, the name escaping her lips, her face paling as she realized what it meant.
"Correct!" Robotnik crowed, his tone jubilant. "Lord Arktivus Brevon himself has decided to collect the Emerald personally. Isn't it marvelous? They're about to meet the big guy himself! Right after me, of course."
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Knuckles roared, stepping forward with renewed resolve.
But before he could take another step, the doors around them slammed shut with a deafening clang, sealing them inside. The sound of hissing steam filled the air as vents along the walls began to release waves of heat. The temperature in the room spiked rapidly, the metal walls glowing faintly with an ominous red hue.
"Wha—hey, Egghead, let us out!" Carol shouted, her voice tinged with frustration and panic as she pounded her fists against the nearest wall.
"Tch tch, can't have you fools ruining their surprise," Robotnik chided mockingly. "Now, how about you stay here and relax in the beautiful thermal steams of my wonderful factory? I did work hard on making it just right."
Milla's breathing quickened as she glanced around the room, panic creeping into her voice. "W-we're trapped! The heat—it's getting worse!"
"We have to find a way out!" Amy said firmly, though her own voice wavered slightly as she scanned the room for any possible escape route.
Knuckles struck the door with all his strength, his fists creating loud thuds but leaving no dent in the reinforced alloy. "These walls… they're too tough! Way too tough!" he growled, sweat forming on his brow as the temperature continued to climb.
"Hehe, good luck with that," Robotnik sneered. "Arktivus's metal alloy, combined with my own, makes these walls indestructible. You'll be roasting before you find a way out."
The bird tilted its head mockingly, as if considering its next words. "Although… I must say, I'm a little disappointed in you all. And someone in particular," it added with a faux sigh. "Traitorous panda, we thought we had something special, but you really disappointed me there, Spadey boy…" Robotnik's voice dripped with mock sentimentality. "But don't worry. He's a bit too preoccupied right now to come save you. I'm sure he'll enjoy his own little surprise soon enough."
Robotnik's laughter echoed one final time before the line went dead, leaving only the sound of hissing steam and the steadily rising heat.
Knuckles banged his fists against the door again, his frustration boiling over. "We have to get out of here, now!"
Amy grabbed Milla's hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "We'll find a way out. Don't worry," she said, though her gaze remained fixed on the glowing walls as her mind raced for a solution.
Time was running out.
Egg Thermos – Control Room
Spade moved swiftly through the labyrinthine corridors, his steps silent but purposeful. Every now and then, a badnik or Shade Trooper would step in his path, and with a flick of his wrist, his sharp cards sliced through their armor like paper, sending sparks and shattered metal flying.
His movements were precise and relentless, his gaze fixed forward as he approached his destination.
As he rounded another corner, his sharp eyes caught sight of a small object glinting on the ground—a keycard. Spade knelt to pick it up, inspecting it briefly before looking up at a locked door ahead. With a smirk, he inserted the keycard into the reader. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a large room illuminated by the glow of monitors.
Finally, he reached the control room. The walls were lined with screens, each one displaying different parts of the factory. Spade took in the scene, noting the chaos unfolding in various sections, the others were clearly holding their own. Some of the monitors, however, were completely black, indicating areas of the facility where something—or someone—had disabled the surveillance.
"Psh, too easy," Spade muttered to himself, striding confidently toward the main control panel at the center of the room. The array of buttons, levers, and screens meant little to him, but he didn't need to understand the technical details. He only needed to destroy it.
Pulling out one of his cards, he aimed for the delicate wiring beneath the control panel. With a quick flick, he sent the card flying toward its target, but just before it could connect—
CLANG!
A green card sliced through the air, intercepting Spade's and deflecting it harmlessly to the side.
Spade's eyes widened, his shock palpable as he stared at the deflected card. It was unmistakable—he recognized that design anywhere. His voice dropped to a near whisper, thick with disbelief.
"No way…"
From the shadows at the edge of the room, a figure stepped forward. His silhouette was instantly familiar.
"Dail…?" Spade's voice trembled slightly as he turned to face his brother.
Prince Dail stepped fully into the light, his once-pristine royal robes now tattered. His piercing red eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a chill down Spade's spine, and the cold fury in his expression was unmistakable.
"What are you doing, Spade?" Dail asked, his voice low and sharp. "I thought you were supposed to be finding the Chaos Emerald."
Spade took a cautious step forward, his hands lowering slightly, though his cards remained ready. "Dail… I'm trying to stop this madness," he said, his voice firm. "They've brainwashed you, little brother. Brevon—he's using you!"
"Using me?" Dail repeated, his tone dripping with venom. He clenched his fists, his entire frame radiating hostility. "You think I'm being used, Spade? I am avenging our father! I am restoring the glory of Shuigang!"
Spade flinched at the raw hatred in his brother's voice but pressed on, desperation creeping into his tone. "Dail, you don't understand! Brevon—he's the one who killed our father! He's manipulating you, manipulating the kingdom! This isn't revenge—it's a trap!"
"HOW DARE YOU!" Dail roared, his voice reverberating through the room. His eyes blazed with fury as he drew his blade. "How dare you slander Lord Brevon's name! He has given me purpose, Spade! He will bring glory to Shuigang, while you…" His voice dropped to a cold, bitter edge. "You've betrayed me. You've betrayed our family, our kingdom… You've betrayed everything."
"Dail—"
"You leave me no choice," Dail interrupted, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "Prepare to face justice, traitor."
Spade's chest tightened at the venom in his brother's words, the warmth he remembered now replaced with icy disdain. For a fleeting moment, he faltered, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. But he quickly steeled himself, his jaw tightening as he drew his cards once more.
"I'm sorry, big bro…" Spade said, his voice tinged with regret. "But if you think I'm going to let you stay Brevon's puppet, you're dead wrong. If I have to fight you to bring you back, then so be it!"
With that said, the two lunged toward each other, clashing with a sharp clang that echoed through the room. Sparks flew as Spade's card met Dail's blade, the force of their collision sending both combatants skidding back.
The room erupted into chaos as the two brothers clashed, their battle personal and devastating.
Egg Thermos – Final Chamber
The metallic door slid open with a groan, revealing the cavernous main chamber of the Egg Thermos. Lilac and Tails bursting into the main room, their breaths heavy from the frantic sprint.
The sight before them froze them in place—a massive green gemstone, glowing with a brilliant, almost hypnotic light, sat atop a pedestal in the center of the chamber.
The Master Emerald sat on an elaborate pedestal, its brilliant green glow filling the chamber with an otherworldly light. The emerald's glow cating eerie shadows across the walls, reflecting off control panels and blueprints displayed on monitors showing countless designs of badniks and robots. But neither of them focused on the details.
"We… we made it," Lilac breathed, her voice trembling with relief. Her wide, determined eyes softened as she realized how close they were to accomplishing their mission.
"Yeah! Finally, we—Ah!" Tails' excitement faltered abruptly as his gaze darted past the emerald.
It was Gyro.
The small wisp was trapped in a red, cylindrical capsule on the far side of the room. His tiny form trembled violently, his hands frantically banging against the glass. His high-pitched cries were muffled, but his panic was unmistakable.
"Gyro!" Lilac and Tails shouted in unison, their focus now entirely on their friend. Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the capsule.
"Hang on!" Lilac called out, her heart pounding as she closed the distance. Tails ran beside her, his brow furrowed.
But Gyro shook his head frantically, his tiny form pressing against the glass as he tried to shout through it, his voice muffled and desperate. He waved his arms, trying to signal them to stop.
"What's he doing?" Tails asked, confused, but then his eyes widened in realization. "Wait! Lilac—!"
Tails barely had time to shove Lilac aside before a shadow descended upon them.
BOOM!
A massive figure landed between them and the capsule, the force of the impact shaking the entire room. Lilac tumbled backward, rolling to a stop as she scrambled to her feet. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight before her.
Towering over them was a hulking green figure, his sharp red eyes glowing like coals beneath his thick orange unibrow. His hulking form radiated power, his armor imposing.
An alien.
Lilac's breath hitched, her body tensing instinctively.
In one of his massive hands, he held Tails, his grip unyielding as the young fox struggled. Tails clawed at Brevon's arm, his wide eyes filled with terror as he gasped for air.
"You finally decided to arrive, the main scorns in my plan." the alien sneered, his deep voice carrying a venomous edge. He tightened his grip slightly, causing Tails to choke. "And you, you're the one Ivo based his latest creation on. Sash Lilac, was it?"
"Tails!" Lilac screamed, her heart clenching with fear. Her gaze flicked between the alien and Tails, panic rising like bile in her throat. "Let him go!"
Her fists clenched as she gathered her energy. With a shout of fury, she launched herself at the alien in a blur of motion, her dragon boost igniting as she aimed directly for him.
Brevon's twisted grin widened as he unsheathed a serrated blade from his coat, the edge glinting with a sickly green liquid that dripped to the floor with a faint hiss. In one fluid motion, he swung the blade with terrifying precision, the strike too fast for Lilac to counter.
The knife sliced across her midsection, the venomous edge searing into her skin. Lilac let out a pained cry as the impact sent her spiraling through the air. Her signature strand of hair—the one that had withstood countless battles—was severed.
She slammed into a metal wall with a deafening crash, the force denting the steel and leaving her dazed. Lilac crumpled to the ground.
"L-Lilac…" Tails gasped, his voice weak and trembling as he dangled in Brevon's iron grip. His struggles were futile against the alien's overwhelming strength.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Brevon hurled Tails to the ground like a ragdoll. The fox hit the cold metal floor hard, his body bouncing slightly before falling still.
Brevon sneered down at the limp form before him, his contempt palpable. Then, as if Tails were no more than an afterthought, he shifted his attention to Lilac. She was struggling to push herself up, her limbs trembling from pain and exhaustion.
Before she could rise, two Shade Troopers emerged from the shadows, their mechanical hands gripping her arms and forcing her back down to her knees. She cried out, her chest burning as she fought against them, but her strength was rapidly waning.
Brevon's heavy footsteps echoed ominously as he approached, each step deliberate and calculated. His form loomed over Lilac as he knelt, one hand gripping her chin and forcing her to look up at him. His red eyes burned into hers, a cruel light flickering within them.
"Now," he hissed, his voice low and venomous, "before you throw your pathetic life away trying to stop our mission, ask yourself one important question…"
He leaned in closer, his breath chilling against her skin despite the heat of the room.
"What makes you so special?"
Lilac's eyes glimmered with defiance, but the fear twisting in her chest was undeniable. Her breathing was ragged as she glared up at him, refusing to let him see her crumble.
Brevon sneered at her silence, his expression twisting with mockery. Then, with a brutal motion, he slammed her into the metallic floor.
The impact sent a jolt of pain through Lilac's body as her back collided with the cold steel. She let out a choked cry, her vision blurring from the force.
Brevon stood over her. "I'll be waiting for your answer once you wake up," he said coldly, stepping back as he motioned to the Shade Troopers.
"Take her away," he barked, his tone sharp and commanding. "And the fox as well. Prepare the airship for transport. The Master Emerald and Metal Lilac are coming back to Shuigang."
The Shade Troopers hauled Lilac to her feet, her legs nearly buckling under her weight. She managed a weak glance at Tails, who was being dragged by another set of robots. His form looked so fragile, his fur matted and his breaths shallow.
As she was forced toward the exit, Lilac caught sight of Gyro, still trapped in the red capsule. The wisp's tiny hands were pressed against the glass, his small body trembling in terror.
"Stop… please…" Lilac's voice was barely a whisper, her heart breaking as she saw Gyro's terrified expression.
Brevon approached the capsule, his large hand tapping the glass lightly. His tone shifted, almost soft, though it only made the moment more sinister. "Now, little creature," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "tell me… what makes you so special?"
Gyro whimpered, shrinking back as Brevon's crimson gaze bore into him. The wisp's tiny squeaks were inaudible to anyone but himself, his fear palpable in the tense air.
Brevon's smile widened as he leaned closer. "Don't worry," he said mockingly, "I'll find out soon enough."
Lilac's legs faltered completely as darkness began to creep in at the edges of her vision. Her body was failing her, but her thoughts clung to her friends. Their faces filled her mind, those she had to protect.
As the Shade Troopers dragged her, Brevon's cold laughter echoed in her ears, the sound reverberating through the factory.
Her world went black.
{A/N}
Ho boy, ho boy! Guys the scene! That scene is about to happen!