Hollow Bastion: First Visit - Part 1
The G.U.N ship descended from the sky with a soft hum, its engines glowing as it hovered over the busy Marketplace of Hollow Bastion. Below, a crowd of curious civilians paused their daily routines to watch the ship's arrival. A bright, focused beam of light shot down from the ship's belly, and with a quiet hiss, Team Dark and Aqua materialised on the cobblestone ground. There was a brief moment of stunned silence from the onlookers—curiosity mixed with a flicker of unease—before they recognised the familiar figures. The market buzzed back to life, the workers nodding and carrying on, murmurs about Team Dark's past exploits spreading among the crowd.
Aqua took in the sight. The 'radiant' world she remembered was long gone. The stone streets were scarred with battle marks, and scaffolding crisscrossed the once-vibrant market. Construction equipment and wooden planks lay scattered, evidence of the Restoration Committee's tireless efforts to rebuild. Makeshift shops lined the square, with banners advertising potions, ethers, and adventurer gear. The atmosphere was both lively and haunted, a world rising from its own ashes.
"It's familiar, but it's so different now," Aqua said quietly.
Shadow stood by her side, arms crossed as he surveyed the area.
"The Restoration Committee's been working overtime, it seems," he remarked, his crimson eyes scanning the scaffolding and bustling workers.
"CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS IS AT 48.9%. RESOURCES BEING DIVERTED TO PRIMARY DEFENSE SYSTEMS," Omega added, his mechanical voice resonating as he scanned the area.
"Must be quite the project," Rouge said with a wry smile. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the activity around them. "I guess rebuilding a place like this doesn't happen overnight. But we're not here to admire the view, are we?"
"No," Shadow replied, his voice firm with urgency. "Remember, G.U.N picked up reports of strange activity around here—Heartless sightings and the black-coated figures. We're here to investigate."
Aqua nodded, though her gaze remained distant.
"This world... It used to be so peaceful, full of light," she murmured, more to herself than to the others.
Before they could discuss further, Omega's sensors whirred to life.
"UNIDENTIFIED TARGET DETECTED," he announced, his red eyes glowing.
Their attention snapped to a lumbering figure waddling down the cobblestone street. It was a rotund cat-like creature with black fur, a round belly, and a large jaw with two protruding teeth. Aqua's eyes widened slightly as recognition flickered across her face.
"That's... someone I remember," Aqua said, furrowing her brow. "He called himself Captain Justice—or was it Captain Dark? Either way, he was always getting into trouble in Disney Town."
Rouge's lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
"From our intel, he's called Pete," she said, her tone light with amusement.
Shadow's expression remained cold and unimpressed.
"I've heard of him. A bumbling thug who never manages to do anything right. Yet, here he is."
"IDENTITY CONFIRMED: PETE," Omega said in his usual monotone. "LOW-LEVEL CRIMINAL WITH A LONG HISTORY OF ALLIANCES WITH DARK FORCES. CURRENT OBJECTIVE: UNKNOWN."
"He's definitely not here for sightseeing," Rouge added, crossing her arms and turning to Shadow and Aqua. "Shadow, Aqua, follow him. Find out what he's up to. Omega and I will look for Leon and the Restoration Committee."
"Understood," Shadow replied, his expression full of determination.
He then turned to Aqua, noticing the thoughtful, almost pained expression on her face.
"Let's go," he said gently. "We don't have time to waste."
"Right," Aqua said, snapping out of her thoughts with a determined nod. "Let's get moving."
"Good luck," Rouge replied with a sly smile, giving a casual wave as she and Omega turned away, blending seamlessly into the bustling crowd. "We'll catch up later."
Omega's mechanical frame moved with surprising grace as he followed Rouge, the crowd parting slightly around them. Aqua and Shadow watched them go for a moment before turning in the opposite direction, slipping into the shadowed alleys of Hollow Bastion.
The hunt was on. Whatever Pete was planning, they would get to the bottom of it.
Meanwhile...
Sonic and Tails had arrived on Hollow Bastion and moved through the Borough, observing a world slowly being pieced back together. It was a stark contrast to the dark ruins they had once fought through—a testament to the determination of its people.
"Wow, Tails," Sonic said, kicking a stray pebble down the cobbled path, "The Restoration Committee is really doing an amazing job. Hard to believe this is the same place we fought Maleficent and saved the princesses."
Tails nodded, his gaze sweeping over the partially repaired buildings and scaffolding that adorned the town.
"Yeah. And it feels like forever ago since we last saw our friends of this world. The last time was your birthday party back on Mobius, remember?"
"Man, that was a good time," Sonic chuckled, his grin widening at the memory. "From what I've heard, Leon and the crew have got some solid support from G.U.N. and the Kingdom of Soleanna. Everyone's chipping in to help rebuild."
They continued along the street, taking in the sights of Hollow Bastion as it recovered. The lively atmosphere made it clear that hope had returned to this once-broken world. But then, Tails suddenly pointed towards the square.
"Sonic, look!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Sonic followed Tails's gaze and saw their friend Aerith, she was cornered near the fountain by a group of strange, distorted creatures. They twisted and writhed, moving with an unnatural fluidity, their shapes vaguely human but warped and unsettling.
"Wait, those aren't Heartless!" Sonic said, his instincts kicking in as he summoned his speed.
"We've got to help Aerith, Sonic!" Tails urged, his voice urgent. "She's in trouble!"
"I'm on it!" Sonic replied, his feet already in motion.
In an instant, Sonic became a blur of blue energy, racing toward the creatures. The Dusks barely had time to react before he was upon them, his Homing Attacks striking with pinpoint accuracy. Each blow sent the twisted beings recoiling, vanishing in puffs of mist before they could counterattack.
From Aerith's perspective, Sonic was a streak of blue, darting around her in a dazzling display of speed and precision. Dusks tried to regroup, but Sonic's relentless attacks kept them off balance. His movements were fluid and calculated, each Homing Attack erasing another Nobody from existence.
As the final Dusk staggered backward, Sonic flashed a confident grin and delivered a swift punch, shattering the creature into nothingness. He jumped back and landed effortlessly in front of Aerith, with the sunlight catching the tips of his quills.
"Hey, Aerith! Long time no see," he greeted, giving her a cheerful thumbs-up.
Relief washed over Aerith's face as she caught her breath.
"Sonic! I didn't expect you to be here. Thank you. Those creatures... they appeared out of nowhere." Her gratitude was evident, her voice shaky with lingering fear.
"Anytime," Sonic said, resting a hand on his hip. "But what were those things, anyway?"
Before Aerith could respond, Tails hurried to join them, his expression one of concern.
"Aerith, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine care.
"Tails!" Aerith's face brightened, a genuine smile breaking through. "You're here too?"
"Yeah," Tails replied with a smile. "We caught a ride from a friend."
"A friend?" Aerith asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Yeah! She'll be here soon," Sonic explained. "I'll introduce you then. But right now, we're hoping you and the Restoration Committee can help us out. We're looking for the Chaos Emeralds, and we thought Hollow Bastion might be a good place to start."
"And we need to know what those creatures are," Tails added, glancing around warily. "They definitely didn't look like Heartless. Do you know anything about them?"
Aerith's expression grew serious, and she explained.
"Those were Nobodies. They're different from Heartless—more cunning, and they don't have hearts. But they're still dangerous."
"Nobodies, huh?" Sonic repeated, testing the word. "Sounds like they're nothing but trouble."
"I'll say. Definitely not something we want hanging around," Tails agreed, scratching his chin.
Aerith gave a solemn nod as she spoke.
"Leon and the others are at Merlin's house. We should head there to discuss these Nobodies—and the Chaos Emeralds. I think everyone will be thrilled to see you both."
"Sounds like a plan!" Sonic said, his grin returning full force.
As they started moving, Aerith suddenly looked down to Tails.
"Oh, and Tails," she added, "Cid's been working on a new defense system for Hollow Bastion, but he's hit a few snags. I think he could really use your expertise."
Tails's eyes lit up, clearly intrigued.
"A defense system? What kind of problems?" the fox probed.
"Something about unstable power distribution and the targeting system needing a major overhaul," Aerith explained.
"Leave it to me!" Tails said enthusiastically, his tails moving slightly in excitement. "I'd love to help out."
"Great," Aerith said, her relief evident. "Let's get to Merlin's and sort everything out."
Elsewhere - Dark Tower of Hollow Bastion
Pete's voice echoed through the empty chamber at the top of the dark tower, his irritation clear as he muttered to himself. He kicked a stray piece of rubble and scowled, his frustration growing.
"Maleficent! Maleficent!" he bellowed, his voice bouncing off the cold, stone walls. But the only response was silence, and Pete's face twisted in uncertainty.
"Maybe they really did finish her off," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Now what's gonna happen to our plan?"
Suddenly, a low voice interrupted him from the shadows behind.
"Looking for someone?"
Pete nearly jumped out of his skin, spinning around to see Shadow standing there with his arms crossed. Aqua was beside him, her stance poised and ready, the Lumarian Sword resting at her side with a steady grip.
Pete's eyes widened for a split second in recognition, but he quickly regained his composure, puffing out his chest in a show of bravado.
"What's the big idea sneakin' around like that, eh? This is Maleficent's domain!" he blustered, pointing an accusing finger at them.
Shadow's expression remained cold and indifferent as he replied.
"Not much of a domain anymore, is it? Looks pretty empty to me."
"So, you're the 'Ultimate Lifeform' I've heard so much about, eh?" Pete said, his voice dripping with mockery as he stared down Shadow. He then shifted his attention to Aqua, a sneer curling his lips. "And you, I remember you, girlie. You were there all those years ago, during that festival."
Aqua's expression remained composed, though a flicker of irritation sparked in her eyes. Her grip tightened ever so slightly on the Lumarian Sword.
"That's right, Pete," she replied coolly, her voice calm but cutting. "Or should I call you Captain Justice? Or was it Captain Dark? You always did have a knack for switching sides, didn't you?"
Pete let out a rumbling chuckle, his tone low and mocking.
"Hah! I've got plenty of names, sweetheart. At least I got an identity... or three!" he said with a taunting grin. His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Can't say the same for you, huh? Ain't you one of them Nobodies I've heard about? No heart, no real self. Just an empty shell, wanderin' around with no Keyblade!"
Aqua's jaw clenched, the sting of his words hitting deeper than she wanted to admit. Yet, she stood her ground, forcing herself to stay composed, even as the familiar ache of doubt gnawed at her. She met Pete's gaze with a defiant spark.
"Maybe," she said, her voice firm and unyielding, "but I'm doing something about it. I'm fighting to reclaim what I've lost. Unlike you, Pete. You're always hiding behind different masks, pretending to be someone you're not."
Pete's face twisted with anger, his earlier bravado wavering. But before he could fire back, Shadow interjected bluntly.
"That's enough," Shadow remarked, his voice low and commanding. "We didn't come here to listen to your pathetic excuses, you bumbling buffoon. Now, why are you here, Pete? Start talking before I decide you're not worth my time."
Pete's bluster deflated under Shadow's intense gaze. He opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly, a dark portal crackled open behind him, swirling with shadowy energy. Pete's eyes widened, and he glanced back at the escape route, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
"Well, well, looks like my ride's here!" Pete said with forced cheer, relief washing over his features. "Sorry, Shadow, but I ain't stickin' around to get thrashed by the likes of you!"
Without another word, he spun around and bolted for the portal, his bulky form surprisingly quick. Just before he stepped into the swirling darkness, he looked back, his face contorted in a taunting grin.
"Good luck, girlie! Don't go gettin' too lost without a heart. Or your Keyblade!" he jeered, his voice trailing off as he vanished into the dark corridor.
Shadow's eyes narrowed, a muscle in his jaw ticking as he suppressed his rising irritation. Beside him, Aqua's gaze was steady, her determination burning brighter now than ever. She took a slow, calming breath, Pete's words already fading into insignificance.
"It looks like Maleficent is back," Shadow said, his voice carrying a gravity that seemed to fill the dimly lit room. He narrowed his crimson eyes, thoughts racing.
"If she's back," Aqua replied slowly, "we can't let her gain a foothold here again. I don't want this world to fall back into darkness. We've come too far to let that happen."
Shadow nodded in agreement, his gaze unwavering.
"Exactly. And if Pete's running errands for her, he might lead us straight to her base of operations," he mused.
Aqua's eyes flicked to the still-swirling dark portal that Pete had vanished into moments before. There was hesitation in her eyes, but also a fierce determination.
"You're right. We need to follow him," she said in agreement. "Whatever Maleficent is planning, we need to stop it before it's too late."
Shadow turned to her, his expression softening.
"You up for this, Aqua?" he asked, his voice almost gentle—a rare show of concern from the usually stoic hedgehog. "You've faced worse before. Don't let that fool's words get to you."
"I'm ready," Aqua said, her voice firm. "Pete's wrong about me. I might be a Nobody, but I'm not empty. I have my friends, I have my mission... and I have something to fight for."
"Good. Let's show them what happens when they mess with the wrong people," Shadow remarked with a smirk.
With a determined nod, Aqua sheathed her sword and the two of them stepped towards the dark portal, its swirling energy pulsing like a living thing. Aqua hesitated for a moment, casting one last glance around the empty room. This place, this tower—everything about it felt like a world that had been left behind, but there was no time to dwell on the past.
"Ready?" Shadow asked, already moving toward the portal, his posture tense and alert.
"Ready," Aqua replied, and together they stepped into the swirling darkness.
Merlin's House
In Merlin's cozy, cluttered home—filled with ancient scrolls, dusty tomes, and a strange assortment of magical artifacts—the rapid clacking of keyboard keys echoed off the walls. Cid was hunched over his computer, furiously typing lines of code. Yuffie stood over his shoulder, bouncing on her heels and watching with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Hey, hey, old man!" Yuffie teased, nudging Cid's arm with her elbow. "You sure you know what you're doing with that thing? Looks like you're about to make it explode."
"You want to get your nose outta my business, kid? Go juggle some ninja stars or somethin' useful," Cid grumbled, barely missing a beat on the keyboard.
Yuffie stuck her tongue out and folded her arms.
"Hmph! I could probably do it better, you know," she teased playfully.
Leon, standing nearby with his arms crossed, let out a deep sigh.
"Both of you, knock it off. Cid's the only one who actually understands this stuff. Just... let him work."
Cid smirked without looking up.
"Hear that, Yuffie? Even Mister Grumpy knows I'm the best at what I do," he remarked.
Yuffie pouted, clearly unimpressed, but before she could retort, the door to Merlin's study creaked open. Aerith stepped in, a soft smile on her face.
"Everyone, guess who's in town?" she said, a playful lilt to her voice.
Cid glanced up briefly as he replied.
"Unless it's somebody bringin' coffee, I don't care," he grumbled.
Leon's gaze shifted toward the door, eyebrows raised in curiosity, while Yuffie spun around eagerly.
Sonic and Tails strolled into the room, their smiles as bright as ever.
"Long time no see, everyone!" Sonic exclaimed, giving a confident wave.
"Sonic! Tails!" Yuffie practically squealed, rushing over to greet them. "It's been forever!"
Leon's expression remained calm, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Sonic, Tails," he greeted with a nod. "It has been a while."
Cid looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, ain't this a surprise. What's the Blue Blur and the fox genius doin' all the way out here?"
"Well, we've got a bit of a situation back home on Mobius," Sonic said. "The Master Emerald's acting weird."
Yuffie's eyes lit up with recognition.
"The Master Emerald? That's the giant gem Knuckles protects, right?" she asked.
"Exactly," Tails said, stepping up beside Sonic. "We think it's got something to do with the Chaos Emeralds. They're not around, and the Master Emerald's power is fluctuating like crazy."
"What's that mean?" Leon asked, his tone serious.
"It means," Tails explained, "that Angel Island might fall from the sky. It's happened before, and it could happen again."
"Sounds like a whole heap of trouble," Cid muttered, returning his focus to the computer. "And lemme guess, you want our help findin' the Chaos Emeralds?"
"If you've seen any around Hollow Bastion, it'd be a huge help," Sonic said, rubbing the back of his head. "We don't have any leads."
Aerith shook her head apologetically.
"I'm sorry, we haven't seen them," she admitted.
"Yeah, sorry!" Yuffie exclaimed. "If I had seen something as shiny as a Chaos Emerald, I'd have definitely snagged it for myself," she teased.
"You're still the same as ever, Yuffie," Sonic replied with a smirk.
Leon furrowed his brow as he chimed in.
"But if the Master Emerald's causing problems because of the missing Chaos Emeralds, it sounds like there's more to worry about than just Heartless and Nobodies."
"Too right, Leon," Sonic agreed with a nod.
"Those Nobodies," Tails said, scratching his chin in thought. "What's the deal with them? They sure are creepy, empty-looking things, aren't they?"
"You're tellin' me," Cid remarked as he clicked through files on the screen. "Nothin' but trouble, those things. Showin' up more and more, same as the Heartless."
"They do have that weird vibe," Sonic said, grinning as he mimicked the Nobodies' unnatural, lanky movements. "Like, what's up with their twitchy dance moves? Makes them look like they're late for the world's strangest costume party."
Yuffie snorted with laughter.
"Right?! It's like they're trying to do some creepy choreography, but they've got no rhythm," she said with a mocking tone.
Leon rolled his eyes, but a faint smile appeared on his face. Aerith giggled at the comment.
Meanwhile, Tails moved closer to Cid's computer setup, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"What're you working on, Cid? Anything I can help with?," he asked thoughtfully. "Aerith mentioned something about a defense system and some issues with unstable power distribution... and the targeting system?"
Cid shifted in his chair, making room for Tails at the keyboard. He scratched his head as he began to explain.
"Yeah, it's this system we call 'Claymore'," Cid explained. "It's designed it to get rid of the smaller, weaker Heartless—wipes 'em out quick so they don't swarm us. For the bigger guys, it's more of a distraction tool. Keeps 'em busy 'til one of us can finish the job. Problem is, somethin' ain't right with it lately. It's been glitching out, shootin' off randomly, and the power spikes are all over the place."
"Sounds like Tails is your guy, Cid," Sonic said confidently, giving his friend a pat on the back. "He's the best there is when it comes to gadgets and tech."
Leon, Yuffie, and Aerith nodded in agreement with Sonic's comments.
"I agree with ya, Blue. Back in Traverse Town, he was always fixing and tinkering," Cid admitted with a gruff smile. "No question he's got the skills. Could use a hand around here, honestly."
Tails grinned, stepping up to the keyboard with eager determination.
"I'll do my best. Let's see if we can get Claymore running smoothly again," the fox declared.
"While Tails is helping Cid with that," Sonic said, rubbing his hands together, "maybe the rest of you could help me look around town for the Chaos Emerald?"
"Sure," Yuffie replied, eager to help out.
"Absolutely," Aerith added with a smile.
Leon nodded, happy to lend a hand.
"Great. Oh, one more thing," Sonic remarked. "I've got a new friend to introduce to everyone."
Leon raised an eyebrow, intrigued, while Yuffie's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"A new friend? Who is it?" Yuffie asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
Before Sonic could answer, the door to Merlin's house swung open.
"Sonic, Tails, there you are!" came a strong, confident voice.
Everyone turned, and standing in the doorway was a woman clad in a striking red and blue uniform, the unmistakable starburst emblem shining proudly at its center. Her blonde hair shimmered, illuminated by a faint cosmic glow that danced along the strands. The energy clung to her like a second skin, crackling softly, before gradually dimming and flickering away into the air. It was as if she had just descended from the stars themselves, the residual power fading, but her commanding presence remained—solid and unshakable, ready for action at any moment.
"Thanks for waiting for me, guys!" she said with a smile, her tone playfully sarcastic as she strolled into the room.
Sonic gestured toward her with a flourish.
"Everyone, this is Carol. Carol, meet the Restoration Committee."
Aerith stepped forward with her usual warmth.
"Hello, Carol. Welcome. It's good to meet you."
"Carol?" Yuffie's face lit up. "Wait, you look like you could seriously kick some butt! What's with the fancy suit?"
Sonic smirked and shook his head.
"Well, she prefers to go by Captain Marvel. So, everyone, meet Captain Marvel!"
Leon's eyes narrowed slightly as he sized Carol up.
"Captain Marvel, huh? Sounds impressive," he remarked.
Carol chuckled and gave a nod, her stance relaxed yet ready.
"Nice to meet you all. I've heard a lot about what you've been doing here from Sonic and Tails."
"It's not easy work," Leon said, his tone respectful but cautious. "But any friend of Sonic and Tails is welcome here."
Tails looked up from the keyboard, grinning.
"Hey, Carol! Just in time. We're sorting out some technical issues with Cid's defense system. Maybe you could give Sonic a hand while I'm working on this."
"Sounds good to me," Carol replied, giving Tails a nod. She turned to the rest of the group, her expression becoming serious. "So, I'm guessing it's those Chaos Emeralds you told me about on our way here from Mobius, right, Sonic?"
"Right," Sonic confirmed with a nod. "I was hoping we could search the town for one, but there's something else..."
"Something else?" Leon asked, intrigued.
"What is it, Sonic?" Yuffie added, leaning forward.
"Well, it's strange, but I've got this feeling," Sonic said, scratching his head. "A hunch, you could say."
"Really?" Carol interjected, crossing her arms. "You didn't mention this on the way here."
"I needed to be sure," Sonic admitted. "But once we got here, it's like I know I'm going to be proven right."
"So, what is this feeling you have?" Aerith asked gently, her tone curious.
Sonic took a deep breath as he explained.
"I don't know why, but I've got a strong feeling we're going to run into our old pals—Sora, Donald, and Goofy."
"Wait, really?" Yuffie said, eyes widening. "Weird, because I've had that same feeling, too."
"Me too," Aerith added, nodding. "It's like they've been on my mind a lot recently."
"Yeah," Cid shouted over from the computer, his voice gruff. "Had a feeling they'd roll into town sooner or later. Can't shake it."
"Hold up," Carol interjected, looking around in surprise. "You all thought the same thing, or had this hunch?"
Leon folded his arms, nodding slowly.
"It's funny, but yeah. We all said the same thing the other day," he explained. "It's like... we forgot about them for a while, but then remembered them all at once."
"That's weird," Carol admitted, brow furrowing. "How do you just forget about three people like that, and then suddenly remember them together?"
"Beats me," Yuffie said with a shrug. "It's not like they're forgettable."
"Sonic and I had the same thought," Tails said from his position at the computer, fingers still tapping away at the keyboard.
"Must be the connection we all share with them," Aerith said thoughtfully, as if trying to make sense of it.
"They're three great friends," Sonic added with a smile, glancing up at Carol. "We've been through a lot together."
"Well, you never mentioned them before," Carol replied, tilting her head. "It's strange that they'd just slip your minds like that."
"Yeah, well," Sonic said with a chuckle, "it's not every day you just forget about friends like them and then suddenly remember. But that's what happened."
Carol gave a slow nod, still looking puzzled.
"Well, if they're as important as you say, then I guess we'll just have to wait and see if your hunch is right."
"Exactly," Sonic said, grinning. "So let's split up and get to work. We've got a Chaos Emerald to find, some Heartless and Nobodies to clean up, and maybe... just maybe, we'll run into Sora, Donald, and Goofy while we're at it!"
Yuffie pumped a fist in the air, clearly excited by the prospect.
"Let's do it!" she exclaimed.
Leon's serious expression softened just a bit, a determined look in his eyes.
"Alright. We'll cover the town. Let's move out."
Aerith smiled warmly at the group, giving a nod of encouragement.
"I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for."
Carol turned to Sonic, an excited glint in her eyes.
"Ready when you are, Sonic. Let's show them what we can do."
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Sonic replied with a confident grin. "Let's go!"
Elsewhere in Hollow Bastion...
Rouge and Omega made their way through the bustling streets of Hollow Bastion, the sound of construction and restoration echoing all around them. As they walked, Rouge kept trying to reach their teammates, a look of growing frustration on her face.
"Shadow, it's Rouge. Come in," she repeated into her communicator, her tone growing more impatient with each attempt. "What's the intel on Pete? Shadow, Aqua, anyone, do you read me?"
But all she got was static, and it only fueled her irritation. They were in the middle of a mission, and radio silence was not what she had expected. Omega, who had been walking beside her with his heavy, mechanical strides, suddenly paused, his sensors blinking with urgency.
"SHADOW AND AQUA'S POWER LEVELS ARE NOT BEING DETECTED ON THIS WORLD," Omega announced, his mechanical voice carrying a note of concern.
Rouge's eyes narrowed as she stopped, turning fully to the machine.
"What do you mean they're not being detected?" she asked.
"ANALYSIS COMPLETE. SHADOW AND AQUA ARE NO LONGER PRESENT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THIS WORLD," Omega announced with chilling precision. "IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THEY HAVE LEFT THE PLANET VIA DARK CORRIDORS."
"Oh, for crying out loud," Rouge muttered, letting out a frustrated sigh as she lowered her communicator. She placed a hand on her hip, irritation evident in her stance. "Just perfect—now we've got Shadow and Aqua going AWOL. Not exactly what we needed, Omega."
Omega's sensors beeped suddenly, causing Rouge to snap out of her frustration.
"WHAT NOW?" she demanded, seeing the giant machine's eyes glowing a faint red.
"DARKNESS LEVELS HAVE INCREASED IN THE VICINITY OF THE CASTLE," Omega reported. "LIKELIHOOD OF SHADOW AND AQUA ENTERING THE DARKNESS: HIGH."
Rouge sighed, rubbing her temples.
"So they went straight into the heart of darkness, huh? Of course they did," she said, rolling her eyes. "Well, that explains why I can't reach them. They're probably knee-deep in trouble by now."
Just as Rouge was about to start moving again, Omega's sensors gave another alert.
"SIGNAL DETECTED. KEYBLADE ENERGY LOCATED IN THE MARKETPLACE," he said.
Rouge's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait, Keyblade energy? Are you saying... Sora's here?" she asked, her tone suddenly lighter.
"PROBABILITY OF KEYBLADE WIELDER IDENTIFICATION: 90 PERCENT CERTAINTY," Omega confirmed, his optics locking onto Rouge.
"Hold up—when did you get the ability to pick up Keyblade energy?" Rouge questioned.
"G.U.N. UPGRADE. ENHANCED SENSOR ARRAY TO TRACK SPECIFIC POWER SIGNATURES, INCLUDING KEYBLADES," Omega stated matter-of-factly.
Rouge smirked, her mood lifting slightly.
"Well, colour me impressed. I guess all that tinkering actually paid off," she said impressed. "If Sora's in the Marketplace, I bet he's got Donald and Goofy with him."
Omega nodded, the whirring of his mechanics shifting as he set his sights on their new target.
"CONFIRMED. DESTINATION: MARKETPLACE."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go hunt down our spiky-haired friend," Rouge said, already moving ahead at a brisk pace.
With that, the two set off. Omega's heavy footsteps thudding in sync with Rouge's lighter ones as they retraced their path back toward the center of Hollow Bastion.
"Sora..." Rouge muttered to herself. "Let's see if you still have that knack for getting mixed up in the thick of things."
Part 1 of the First Visit to Hollow Bastion is done!
It's a bit late, but ... Happy Sonic x Shadow Generations release day! Has anyone been playing it? I'm playing Shadow's campaign at the moment and it's awesome!
Thanks to all the support as ever. All the follows, favourites and reviews help massively with my writing.
Captain Marvel has arrived. If you want to see her meeting Sonic and Tails in the series, go check out Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons.
We roll onto Part 2 now, which will see Sora, Donald and Goofy enter the scene. We are getting closer to Sonic finally catching up with his old pals!
Onto the second part. This will be released in a few days time.
Also, before I forget. With the release of Shadow Generations, I'm in the planning stages of Shadow's story in Chain of Generations. Brainstorming ideas currently, but could look at starting the first few chapters very soon! This will also look into Aqua's story, seeing she was with Shadow in Chain of Generations. However, this may lead to rewrites for Sonic's side of things. If this is the case, I will make you all aware of these changes. But, for now, the focus is on Sonic Colors and this story!
Thanks all!