Ibis Island - Part 5

Sonic & Regina:

The door to the outside hissed open, releasing a heavy metallic groan that echoed behind them. Regina stepped out first, her Chrono Blaster ready, her amber eyes narrowing at their surroundings. Sonic followed close behind, his green eyes scanning the area with sharp attentiveness.

The pair emerged into a narrow clearing bordered by cracked, rusted fencing—remnants of the facility's original perimeter. Beyond that, the jungle loomed, thick and humid. A wall of sound greeted them: the low hum of cicadas, distant growls of unseen creatures, and the occasional burst of wind shaking the leaves.

"Why does it feel like the island itself is waiting for us?" Sonic muttered, looking up at the jungle canopy. He smirked slightly. "Perfect ambush spot. I'd know."

"Stick close," Regina ordered briskly, sweeping the area with her weapon. "Tom has to be out here somewhere."

Sonic didn't argue. He sensed the unease in her voice, hidden just beneath the surface. They stepped carefully through the clearing, the thick ground underfoot a mix of vines, crumbling dirt, and scattered debris. Regina led the way, her training keeping her movements steady, precise.

But then, a sound cut through the hum of the jungle—a faint rush of wind. It was barely there at first, almost dismissible. Sonic's ears twitched immediately, his instincts flaring.

"Hey… hold on," Sonic said, his tone low and urgent. "Did you hear that?"

"What?" Regina shot back, frowning as she glanced at him over her shoulder.

The rush grew louder. A shadow suddenly swept across the ground, darkening the clearing like a passing cloud. Regina's eyes widened.

"Get down!" Sonic shouted, his voice sharp.

Too late.

With a piercing screech, a massive creature dove from the sky. Its wings spread wide, black as night, streaked with veins of swirling violet energy. Talons the size of daggers slammed into Regina's shoulders, lifting her clean off the ground. The Chrono Blaster clattered from her grip, landing hard on the dirt.

"Regina!" Sonic shouted, his voice echoing.

She cried out, the claws digging deep, blood seeping out. The pain was immediate—sharp and merciless—but the disorienting rush of being carried upward stole her focus. The ground dropped away fast. The world blurred beneath her.

"Damn it—let go!" Regina gritted her teeth, struggling against the talons, but the creature's grip held strong.

Sonic's expression turned grim as he sprinted forward. He tracked the creature's movements instantly, eyes locking onto his target. The winged monster, another Pterodactyl Heartless, let out another screech, twisting through the air as it rose higher.

Sonic leapt.

It was a burst of speed, so fast he became a blur of cobalt blue against the dark night sky. The air tore around him as he shot upward, angling himself perfectly. His body curled into a Spin Dash, the energy building with a faint crackle.

"Not today, pal!" Sonic growled.

His homing attack connected, slamming hard into the creature's wing joint. The Shadowdactyl screeched in pain, its trajectory breaking. Its grip on Regina loosened.

Sonic didn't waste a second. He uncurled mid-air, twisting just enough to catch Regina as she fell, her limp form collapsing into his arms.

"Gotcha!" Sonic said, his tone softer now, a trace of relief in his voice.

Sonic tucked Regina close, adjusting his posture mid-fall. His instincts took over. At the last second, he shifted his weight and kicked off a crumbling chunk of fencing, landing in a perfect slide. The ground tore up around him, but he steadied his balance, skidding to a stop with Regina still secure in his arms.

The sudden stillness was deafening.

Regina groaned faintly, her amber eyes fluttering open. Her face was pale. Sonic looked down at her, a concerned frown replacing his usual cocky grin.

"Hey," Sonic said softly, his voice unusually calm as he looked down at her. "You with me?"

"Ugh…" Regina groaned, trying to shift her weight. The movement sent a sharp jolt of pain through her, forcing her to grit her teeth. Her hand instinctively went to her shoulder, where the claws had raked deep. The dark red stain was spreading, soaking into her tactical vest. The grey of her body suit around her exposed shoulders had turned a deep crimson.

"Damn it…" she muttered through gritted teeth, refusing to show how much it hurt.

Sonic gently set her down, her legs folding beneath her as she sat against the soft dirt. He crouched beside her, sharp green eyes assessing the damage. Her exposed shoulders were red and raw, the claw marks jagged and cruel. Sonic's usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced with something sharper—steady, firm.

"Don't move yet," he said, his tone more of an order than a suggestion. Kneeling at her side, he reached into his quills and pulled out a glowing potion. Its soft light cast a faint glow on both of them. "Here—this'll help."

Regina blinked up at him, stubbornness flaring in her amber eyes despite the agony etched across her face.

"A potion?" she scoffed, her voice a strained rasp. "No. I don't need—"

Sonic cut her off before she could finish.

"Stop," he said, his voice low but unwavering. "Just stop for a second."

Regina froze, her usual sharp retort caught in her throat. There was no teasing grin, no playful jab—just Sonic staring at her with a look that brooked no argument.

"Look at yourself, Regina," he continued, his tone firm but not unkind. "You're bleeding all over the place. You can barely sit up. You need this."

Regina opened her mouth to argue, but Sonic's expression hardened further.

"And before you pull the tough act," he added, holding the potion up so it caught the light, "if you don't drink this, I'll just toss it into the air and let the magic do its thing. Either way, you're getting healed. Take your pick."

Regina stared at him, caught between frustration and disbelief.

"You wouldn't—"

"I would," Sonic interrupted bluntly. "So stop wasting time and drink it."

There was no bravado in his voice, no arrogance—just sincerity and unshakable resolve. It was a side of Sonic she hadn't seen before, and for a brief moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Her shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her pain finally cracking through her pride.

"…Fine," she muttered reluctantly, taking the potion from his hand. "But I swear, if this tastes like—"

"Mint tea?" Sonic quipped, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, it will."

Regina shot him a glare but didn't argue. She pulled the cork free gingerly and drank the potion slowly. The cool sensation spread through her like a gentle wave, soothing the fiery pain in her shoulders and pulling her muscles back together. Her breathing slowed, her body relaxing against her will.

Regina let out a quiet sigh, the tension leaving her face. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

"…Better?" Sonic asked, watching her closely.

Regina exhaled slowly. The bleeding had stopped, and though the claw marks were still visible, they no longer burned with every heartbeat.

"…Yeah," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Better."

"Good," Sonic replied, standing back up and brushing off his white gloves. "See? Wasn't so hard, was it?"

Regina rolled her eyes, her tough demeanor snapping back into place.

"Don't start," she muttered.

Sonic grinned, but there was a gentleness to it this time—a silent understanding that passed between them. He offered her a hand.

"Come on, Red. We've still got work to do."

Regina hesitated for just a second before taking it, letting Sonic pull her to her feet. For once, she didn't snap at him for the nickname. Instead, she looked at him with something almost resembling gratitude.

"Thanks," she muttered, shaking off the last bit of weakness.

"No problem," Sonic replied with a casual shrug, though there was an unmistakable glimmer of pride in his expression. He bent down and scooped up the Chrono Blaster, holding it up in front of her. "Here—you're gonna need this. Can't be losing your new toy this early."

Regina took the weapon back, her grip steady as she inspected it. She glanced at him with a mix of appreciation and faint suspicion.

"I wasn't going to lose it..." she replied with a sheepish tone.

Sonic arched an eyebrow, hands on his hips.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure you just dropped it when the Shadowdactyl—"

"Shadowdactyl?" Regina interrupted, narrowing her eyes. "Seriously?"

Sonic grinned smugly, gesturing dramatically with his hands as if unveiling a masterpiece.

"What? It's a good name! Shadow Heartless, giant pterodactyl—bam, Shadowdactyl. You know I'm right."

Regina sighed, shaking her head.

"You never change, do you?" she remarked.

"Nope," Sonic replied cheerfully before leaning in with a teasing smirk. "And don't pretend it's not growing on you."

Regina snorted but didn't deny it, holstering the Chrono Blaster with a practiced motion.

"You're impossible," she moaned.

Sonic's grin only widened, but before he could gloat further, his tone softened again.

"And for the record… I did pay for that thing. So, uh, maybe don't lose it again? The Moogles already give me a hard time about discounts. Those little fuzzballs won't even throw in a free potion."

Regina blinked, momentarily thrown by the unexpected comment.

"…You're worried about a Moogle not giving you freebies?" she questioned.

"Hey, every Munny counts!" Sonic shot back with mock seriousness, wagging a finger. "Those potions don't grow on trees, Red."

Regina stared at him for a beat before shaking her head with the faintest smirk tugging at her lips.

"You really are something else, hedgehog."

"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment," he replied with a playful tone.

With her Chrono Blaster secured and her posture stronger than before, Regina stepped past Sonic, glancing down a pathway ahead.

"Come on. Tom's still out there somewhere, and we're wasting time," she remarked.

"Right behind you," Sonic said.

But before they could get moving, Regina's communicator let out the familiar double beep, the green light flashing steadily. She froze for a second before pulling the device up to her.

"Regina, come in!" came a gruff and unmistakable voice, crackling through the line.

Regina's eyes widened in surprise.

"Gail?" she muttered, her tone caught between shock and disbelief. Even Sonic's ears perked up as he glanced up towards her, looking equally bewildered.

"Wait, I thought he was a goner?" Sonic muttered under his breath, scratching his head in confusion. "Didn't we already do the whole 'tragic demise' bit?"

Regina ignored the quip, pressing the communicator closer.

"You're… you're alive?" she asked, her voice sharper now, as if trying to confirm she wasn't hearing things.

"Alive and kicking, but not for long if Kirk has his way," Gail replied, his voice rough but steady. There was the faint sound of something metallic clattering in the background, followed by a short burst of static. "Listen up—I'm in the lower levels, tracking Kirk as we speak. The man's completely lost it."

"What do you mean 'lost it'?" Regina asked, her tone urgent.

"Those creatures you've been fighting—Heartless. They're following his orders," Gail said grimly. "From what I have heard and gathered, his heart's wide open to the darkness, and he's using it to control them."

Sonic's expression darkened, his green eyes narrowing.

"I knew it," he muttered. "The guy's let the darkness get in. Classic mistake."

Regina shot Sonic a quick glance before speaking into the comms again.

"Wait—if you're in the lower levels, that's where Sora, Donald, and Goofy went. Have you seen them?" she questioned.

There was a pause on the other end, followed by Gail's clipped reply.

"I'll rendezvous with them. You and the blue hedgehog—where are you two?" he replied.

"We're outside," Regina explained. "We found Tom, but… he was taken. That flying Heartless—" she grimaced, glancing briefly at Sonic. "The 'Shadowdactyl'—it carried him off."

Sonic smirked faintly at the acknowledgment of his name for the creature but stayed quiet, his attention locked on the conversation.

"Forget about him for now," Gail said bluntly, his voice cutting like a blade. "We need you back here. Kirk's close to the reactor, and whatever he's pulling down here isn't good. If you want to help, we need to shut him down now."

Regina stiffened by his comments.

"But what about Tom?" she quizzed. "He's still out there. We can't just—"

"Regina," Gail's voice cut through, sharp and unwavering. "Tom's a tough bastard. He'll hold out until we can circle back for him. But if Kirk pushes that reactor too far, this entire place—everything—is going to go to hell! If you want to help, you get down here to help stop Kirk. That's the priority."

The line crackled briefly, and then Gail added in a lower tone, "We don't have time for second chances."

With that, the communicator went silent. Gail was gone.

Regina stared at the device on her wrist, her expression set in a hard line as she processed his words.

Sonic sighed softly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well… that's a nice dose of pressure, huh?" he remarked.

Regina didn't respond immediately, dropping her arm back to her side. Her gaze locked somewhere far off as she turned Gail's words over in her head.

"Regina?" Sonic pressed, his tone a little softer this time. "It's your call."

"Tom could be anywhere out here," Regina said quietly, almost to herself. "If we leave him…"

"But if we don't stop Kirk," Sonic interjected, stepping closer, "Tom and everyone else won't have a chance. Gail's right—we shut down Kirk, then we can come back for him."

Regina exhaled sharply, frustration clear on her face. She looked torn, caught between her instinct to protect her teammate and the bigger picture looming in front of them.

Sonic sighed again, folding his arms as he looked out into the distance.

"It's never simple, is it?" he muttered.

Sora, Donald and Goofy

The faint echo of their footsteps reverberated through the dim corridor as Sora, Donald, and Goofy pressed onward. The air here was thick, damp, and carried an unsettling hum from the facility's deeper levels. Shadows flickered against cracked walls as the emergency lights pulsed like a heartbeat. Sora gripped his Keyblade tightly, his senses alert.

"Y'know," Goofy muttered breaking the silence, his shield at the read. "I don't like this place one bit. Gives me the heebie-jeebies."

"You and me both," Donald huffed, staff in hand as his eyes darted around warily. "It's too quiet. Heartless love places like this."

"Stay sharp, guys," Sora added, his tone firm but light. "We're almost—"

BANG! BANG!

Gunfire erupted ahead, the sharp crack of rounds ricocheting through the corridor. Sora froze, snapping his head toward the sound. Donald nearly jumped out of his feathers, and Goofy tightened his grip on his shield.

"Did you hear that?" Sora asked, already breaking into a jog.

"Gunfire!" Donald quacked in alarm. "That can't be good!"

"Come on!" Sora urged, sprinting ahead with Goofy and Donald following close behind.

They rounded a corner and entered a larger chamber where flickering lights revealed the aftermath of a firefight. Black mist—remnants of defeated Heartless—hung thick in the air, and several Neoshadow corpses were still dissolving into nothingness. In the center of the chaos, a lone figure stood.

"Gail!" Sora called out, his voice carrying over the still-settling tension.

The man turned sharply at the sound, his sharp eyes locking onto the trio. His demeanor was as gruff as ever, his movements precise and controlled even in the aftermath of battle. He lowered his firearm slightly, his expression somewhere between irritation and mild surprise.

"Well, about time you world travellers showed up," Gail muttered, reloading his weapon with a practiced motion.

Sora blinked, momentarily thrown off.

"I wasn't up for introductions earlier in the Security Hut," Gail replied tersely. "You three and your blue friend looked weird, and frankly, I didn't care."

Donald scowled, feathers puffing up.

"We're not weird!" he quacked with annoyance.

Gail ignored him, his gaze falling on Sora.

"And you. You look too trusting, kid. That'll get you killed around here," he remarked bluntly.

Sora smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, I'm glad to see you're okay," he replied.

"Too trusting," Gail muttered again, though his tone softened. He gestured sharply toward the hallway ahead. "We don't have time for chit-chat, kids. Kirk's close—he's heading for the reactor."

"The reactor?" Goofy asked, tilting his head.

Gail glanced back at them, his expression deadly serious.

"Third Energy Reactor. It's what this whole facility was built around. That madman Kirk's been trying to unlock its full potential, and he's twisted its purpose. If we don't stop him now…" Gail let the words hang ominously before continuing. "Regina and the hedgehog have been called in. I told them to get down here—we're going to need all the help we can get."

Sora frowned, his brows knitting with concern.

"Wait, but what about Tom? Did they... Did they find him?" he questioned.

For the briefest moment, Gail hesitated. His usually sharp gaze faltered before he masked it with a hard edge.

"There's no time for that right now," he said gruffly. "Kirk is the priority. Now move!"

Sora, Donald, and Goofy exchanged uneasy glances but nodded.

"Okay," Sora said with resolve. "Let's go."

Gail Joins the Party

The metallic groans of the underground facility rattled ominously around Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Gail as they moved forward. The air grew thicker with every step—humid and oppressive, as though the facility itself could sense the looming danger.

Suddenly, Gail raised a fist, signaling the group to stop.

"Hold it," he grunted, his sharp eyes narrowing into the corridor ahead. "We're not alone."

From the flickering shadows, Neoshadows emerged. Behind them, two Dark Talons hissed and slashed at the air. A third variant followed: a Reaver Shadow, taller and bulkier, its hulking form armored with jagged black plating.

Donald clutched his staff tightly, his feathers bristling.

"Get out of the way!" he demanded.

"Stay sharp!" Sora called, spinning his Keyblade into position. "We can take 'em."

Gail glanced at Sora and the team skeptically.

"You kids better keep up. I'm not dragging you out of this if you screw up."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence..." Sora muttered.

The Heartless swarmed, the Neoshadows darting toward them first. Before Sora could charge, a single gunshot rang out, echoing like a whip crack.

BANG!

One NeoShadow dropped mid-leap, its head snapping back as dark mist curled from the precise shot.

"Keep moving!" Gail barked, his weapon—a modified BR-9 Longshot—snapping up to fire again. The weapon was sleek, almost futuristic, its matte-black frame glinting as Gail expertly pivoted. His shots were ruthless, each bullet finding its mark with military precision.

Sora grinned, dashing forward to join him.

"Let's go, guys!" he called out.

Sora charged ahead, slashing clean through a Neoshadow with his Keyblade. The creature burst into a dark mist. As another lunged, Goofy intercepted it, shield-first.

"Ya ain't gettin' Sora!" Goofy shouted, rushing into a powerful Charge Attack. His shield slammed through two NeoShadows at once, sending them sprawling before they dissolved.

Gail paused for half a second, glancing at Goofy with a raised eyebrow.

"Huh. Big guy's got moves."

Donald's voice crackled through the chaos.

"Thunder!"

A bolt of lightning split the air, striking down a Dark Talon mid-pounce. The raptor-like Heartless shrieked as it fell, its dark form curling into mist. The second Dark Talon screeched angrily and locked onto Donald.

"Watch out!" Sora yelled.

Before the creature could close the distance, Gail stepped forward with his weapon raised. He squeezed the trigger once.

BANG!

The shot connected with the Dark Talon's claw mid-swipe, causing it to stagger backward. Gail didn't let up, sliding a fresh clip into the weapon with practiced precision and firing again. The bullet hit its mark—a direct shot to the creature's head. It let out one final hiss before crumbling into darkness.

"Nice shooting!" Sora called back, genuinely impressed.

"Not bad for amateurs, either," Gail muttered, though his lips twitched in something close to approval.

The remaining Heartless—the hulking Reaver Shadow—let out a guttural roar and stomped forward, its massive claws digging into the steel floor.

"Goofy, let's take this one together!" Sora shouted.

"Right behind ya, Sora!" Goofy called back, raising his shield.

Sora dashed ahead, his Keyblade glowing faintly as he leapt into the air. He brought it down with a Strike Raid, the spinning weapon slashing across the Reaver's armoured chest. The impact sent sparks flying, but the Heartless retaliated, swinging a massive claw toward Sora.

Before it could hit, Goofy barreled in with his shield raised, catching the blow.

"Hyuck—ya gotta do better than that!" Goofy grunted, holding firm as the creature's strength pushed against him.

"Now!" Sora yelled.

With Goofy holding it in place, Sora spun back in, delivering a devastating series of combos. The Reaver staggered under the assault, and as it reared back for one last swipe, Donald finished it with a spell.

"Freeze!" Donald shouted, firing a freezing Blizzard spell that encased the creature. The Reaver froze mid-motion before shattering completely, the pieces of its form vanishing into mist.

Silence fell over the hallway as the last remnants of the Heartless dissolved.

Gail lowered his weapon, letting out a breath as he surveyed the scene.

"You're not bad in a fight," he admitted grudgingly. "Especially you, with the shield."

Goofy smiled, giving a cheerful salute.

"Gawrsh, just doin' my job!" he replied.

"And what about me? My spells didn't miss!" Donald remarked, trying to get Gail's attention.

"Yeah, yeah. You're loud, I'll give you that," Gail admitted with a deadpan expression.

Donald fumed, but Sora stepped in.

"Juts take it as a compliment, Donald," Sora affirmed with a nervous laugh.

"Bah!" Donald moaned.

Ignoring Donald's moan, Gail turned towards a large door at the far end of the hall. Its heavy steel frame loomed ominously, marked with warning symbols and faint scorch marks from prior incidents.

"This is it," Gail said, his voice dropping into a more serious tone. He glanced back at the trio, firearm held at the ready. "Once we step through here, there's no telling what we'll find. You three ready?"

Sora glanced at Donald and Goofy, the familiar determination reflected in their faces. He nodded firmly, gripping his Keyblade.

"Ready."

Donald twirled his staff confidently.

"Let's get this over with!"

"Gawrsh, I'm right behind ya," Goofy added, his shield raised.

Gail smirked faintly, a flicker of respect passing through his hardened gaze.

"Alright then. Let's move."

As they burst through the doors into the massive chamber, the sight before them brought them to a halt.

The reactor room was colossal, bathed in an eerie glow from the central reactor—a massive cylindrical structure pulsating with light. Energy arced across the walls like electric veins, and distorted shadows danced along the floor. At the far side of the room, hunched over a control panel, stood Doctor Kirk.

His fingers flew across the console, typing with frantic precision, as holographic displays flickered around him. He didn't even flinch as the group stormed in.

"Kirk!" Gail barked, his voice echoing off the steel walls. "Step away from the controls!"

Kirk straightened slowly, turning to face them. His expression was smug, his lips curled into a knowing smirk. The faint light made his features look gaunt and hollow, his eyes glinting with unsettling arrogance.

"Ah, you're here," Kirk said smoothly, his tone dripping with condescension. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

"This ends here, Kirk!" Gail snapped, leveling his weapon at him. "Your experiment's done, and you're coming with us."

Kirk tilted his head slightly, his smirk never faltering.

"And what makes you think you can stop me?" he sneered. "Do you have even the faintest idea of what's happening here?"

"We know enough!" Sora interjected, stepping forward with his Keyblade ready. "You're messing with this reactor and bringing the darkness here. Stop it now!"

Kirk chuckled—a low, sinister sound that made Donald's feathers bristle.

"Oh, you fools. You really think you can comprehend the brilliance of what I've achieved?" His voice rose with manic pride as he gestured to the reactor. "The Third Energy—it's no mere power source. It's a gateway. A key to something far greater."

"What are you talking about?" Goofy asked warily.

Kirk's grin widened as he explained.

"The rifts in time and space—the distortions you've seen them? They're my doing. It's all connected. By harnessing the Third Energy and embracing the darkness, I've torn open reality itself!" His eyes gleamed madly. "And now, I'll create something unstoppable!"

"Why would you do this?!" Sora shouted, gripping his Keyblade tighter. "Don't you see how dangerous this is?"

Kirk ignored him, his gaze falling on the console again.

"You wouldn't understand. None of you would. But in time, the world will see the brilliance of my work."

"Enough talk!" Gail growled, advancing a step. "Step away from that panel, or I'll—"

Kirk's hand shot out, slamming a button on the console.

Suddenly, the entire facility shuddered violently. The reactor roared to life, its energy flaring brighter as the floor trembled beneath them. A deep, metallic groan echoed through the room, and arcs of unstable energy lashed out from the reactor's core.

Above Ground:

The humid air pressed in on them as Regina and Sonic stood amidst a narrow clearing outside the facility, the chain-link fencing surrounding the area swaying slightly from the storm's breeze. A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, a constant reminder of the island's volatile atmosphere.

Regina paced slightly, still torn between Gail's blunt orders and the unresolved fate of Tom. Her grip tightened on her Chrono Blaster, the weapon a small reassurance as her mind raced.

"We shouldn't even be out here," she muttered, her voice edged with frustration. "We're wasting time."

Sonic sighed, resting his hands on his hips as he glanced up at her.

"Regina, I get it, okay? But standing around second-guessing isn't gonna help anyone."

Before she could respond, the ground beneath them shuddered violently. Dirt shifted and a low, thunderous rumble seemed to roll up from the earth itself.

"The heck was that?!" Sonic shouted, his green eyes darting around as the trembling intensified. He dropped into a ready stance.

Regina instinctively braced herself against the fencing, her amber eyes scanning their surroundings. The shaking stopped as abruptly as it started, leaving an eerie silence behind.

"What the hell?" Regina muttered under her breath, recovering quickly.

Before they could process it, her communicator crackled to life—the familiar double beep cutting through the tension. Regina raised her arm to listen and communicate.

"Regina, you there? You and Sonic okay?" Rick's voice rang through the device, sounding unusually strained.

"We're fine," Regina replied quickly, her tone sharp. "But what was that? The whole ground just shook."

"Yeah, no clue," Rick admitted. "But I'll bet my lunch it's Kirk's doing. Something big is happening down there."

"Big?" Regina repeated warily, her grip tightening on the communicator. "Like what, exactly?"

Before Rick could answer, a deafening roar split the air—deep, guttural, and impossibly loud. It echoed off the facility walls and sent a chill racing down Regina's spine. She turned sharply in the direction of the sound, eyes narrowing.

"Oh, great," she muttered, her voice laced with grim recognition.

Sonic tensed up. His cocky demeanor faded as he focused, his ears perked.

"You've gotta be kidding me," he groaned. "It's never simple, is it? Another spanner in the works."

The roar came again, louder this time.

Sonic glanced over at Regina, his expression serious now.

"Come on. This thing could tear the whole place apart. We can't let that happen," he remarked.

Regina hesitated, the weight of Gail's words still lingering in her mind. But the sound of the approaching creature left little room for debate. She exhaled sharply and nodded.

"Fine. We'll deal with it." She slung the Chrono Blaster over her shoulder, her eyes fixed on the treeline. "Sora and the others will just have to handle Kirk. For now."

Sonic grinned faintly, his confidence returning.

"Atta girl. Let's go."

And with that, the two of them rushed toward the source of the roar. The hunt was on.

Lower Levels

The deafening hum of the Third Energy Reactor filled the air. Sparks of unstable energy crackled across the control panels, and arcs of purple electricity flared to life, dancing across the room's metallic walls. The air itself felt wrong, heavy with an oppressive energy that made every breath feel strained.

"What the heck did you do?!" Donald shouted, feathers puffed and staff gripped tight.

Doctor Kirk stood near the control panel, his fingers hovering smugly over the keys, a wicked grin plastered across his face. The glow of the reactor cast deep shadows across his angular features, giving him an almost demonic appearance.

"I've done it!" Kirk declared, his voice ringing out over the chaos. "You have no idea what you're witnessing. The Third Energy has surpassed its limitations! This… this is the key to a new era!"

"You're messing with powers you can't control!" Sora shouted, his Keyblade at the ready. "Stop this before it's too late!"

Kirk turned his icy gaze on Sora, his grin never faltering.

"Control? Oh, I am in control, you ignorant child. These creatures, the distortions—they're proof of it! With the energy I've harnessed, I can bridge realities, bend time and space to my will! Dinosaurs, Heartless, Nobodies—there's no limit to what I can summon."

"You're insane," Gail growled. "Shut it down. Now."

Kirk tilted his head, mock amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Oh, you're still barking orders? Haven't you realised yet? You're too late. I've already opened the door."

Suddenly, the ground shook again, this time harder, sending Sora and Goofy stumbling. An ominous crack! echoed through the room as a strange, pulsing distortion rippled into view near the reactor. It shimmered, warping the air like a heatwave, but this time it wasn't just an anomaly.

The distortion widened.

"Get ready," Sora muttered, his Keyblade gripped tightly.

Suddenly, the distortion ripped open. A shockwave of dark energy blasted outward, sending loose debris skittering across the metallic floor. The lights flickered, plunging the chamber into intermittent shadows.

Then it stepped through.

The creature emerged from the distortion like a nightmare made flesh. It stood nearly seven feet tall, its body hulking and sinewy, a grotesque blend of prehistoric savagery and dark, futuristic design. Its jet-black armoured hide gleamed faintly under the flickering lights, streaked with glowing purple veins of energy that pulsed like corrupted lifeblood. Sharp, metallic scales ran along its back and shoulders, each one jagged like the teeth of a sawblade.

Its head was unmistakably reptilian, shaped like a Tyrannosaurus skull but sleeker and sharper, its mouth lined with serrated fangs that gleamed like obsidian knives. Two glowing, yellow eyes burned beneath its armored brow, filled with a cold, predatory intelligence. The Heartless emblem glowed ominously on its chest, pulsing in sync with the reactor behind it.

But it was the creature's weapon that set it apart—a massive, bladed halberd with a serrated edge that looked capable of cleaving steel. Dark mist trailed along the weapon, as though it was alive with malevolent energy.

Kirk grinned triumphantly, gesturing toward the monstrosity like a proud creator unveiling his masterpiece.

"Magnificent, isn't it? This is the pinnacle of my work. The Third Energy has bridged the gaps between realities, pulling this marvel from a timeline far beyond our comprehension! A futuristic predator—sharpened by the darkness and forged for war!"

The creature let out a low, guttural snarl as it approached. Dark mist trailed behind it, coiling like living shadows.

Sora took a step back, his face filled with determination but also wariness.

"What… is that thing?" he remarked

"It's like lookin' at a walking weapon," Goofy said, raising his shield instinctively.

Donald, wide-eyed and clutching his staff, he couldn't find the words, left speechless.

Gail's weapon snapped up, his aim fixed on the creature's glowing chest.

"That's not a dinosaur," he growled. "It's a damn freak show."

Kirk's dark chuckle echoed through the reactor chamber, blending with the low hum of the unstable Third Energy Reactor. He took a deliberate step back, the flickering lights casting sharp, jagged shadows across his face as he gestured toward the monstrous creature.

"I call it the Dread Saurian," Kirk announced, his voice filled with a twisted pride. "A harbinger of what's to come. Do you see now? The power I've unlocked? The true potential of the Third Energy! And thanks to the darkness I now command…" He spread his arms wide, almost theatrically. "It obeys me."

The air grew heavier, thick with tension as the creature shifted, its armor creaking faintly. The pulsing glow of the Heartless emblem on its chest seemed to synchronise with the hum of the reactor, as if the two were beating with the same malevolent energy.

Kirk's voice dropped lower, colder, a deranged satisfaction threading through his words.

"The man in the black coat was right… Embrace the darkness, he said. Let go of your doubts. Unlock your potential, and you will achieve the impossible." His lips curled into a sneer, his gaze sharp and wild. "And I have."

Sora's eyes widened as the pieces clicked into place.

"A man in a black coat…?" he repeated in suprise.

"You don't think…?" Goofy pondered.

Donald, feathers bristling, looked both incredulous and alarmed.

"It's gotta be them!" he replied.

Sora tightened his grip on the Keyblade, his voice sharp with realisation.

"You mean Organization XIII? They were here?!"

Kirk's smug expression faltered for just a moment, irritation flashing across his face before he snarled and jabbed a finger in their direction.

"That is none of your concern, boy!" His voice rang out, sharp and venomous. "You think you can interfere with my work? You're just a bunch of clueless fools playing hero!"

"Your work is hurting people!" Sora shot back, stepping forward, his Keyblade gleaming in the flickering light. "And now you're messing with powers you don't understand!"

Kirk sneered, his composure returning.

"Understanding is irrelevant. Results are all that matter. And you… you will be the first to witness the dawn of a new age!" He turned his gaze to the Dread Saurian, his voice dropping to a commanding growl. "Now… crush them!"

The chamber seemed to freeze for a split second. The Dread Saurian lifted its massive, jagged halberd, the dark mist swirling around its blade coiling and writhing like serpents. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto the heroes—cold, calculating, and devoid of mercy.

And then it moved.

With a bone-rattling roar, the Dread Saurian lunged forward, its jagged halberd carving a deadly arc through the air. The group scattered, diving in all directions as the blade smashed into the ground, splintering the floor and sending shockwaves rippling outward.

"Spread out!" Sora yelled, rolling to his feet. "We've got to keep it moving!"

Dread Saurian

Battle Music: The Encounter - Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMiX

The Dread Saurian reared back, its halberd glowing with malevolent energy. Without warning, it slammed the weapon down, sending dark waves shooting across the ground. Sora dodged with a well-timed Dodge Roll, his Hidden Dragon Keyblade flashing to his side.

Donald, staff raised, cast Thunder.

Bright arcs of lightning crackled through the air, striking the Dread Saurian's armour. The beast staggered slightly, yellow sparks dancing across its body—but it growled, unfazed. It whipped its tail around with terrifying force.

"Watch it!" Gail barked, diving and rolling under the tail sweep. In one fluid motion, he brought up his weapon and unloaded a precise burst of shots into the creature's exposed flank. The rounds struck true, erupting in flashes of energy, forcing the Dread Saurian to roar in irritation.

"Nice shot!" Goofy cheered as he charged in. "Let's get 'im!"

Goofy swung his shield with Goofy Bash, slamming it into the creature's leg. The Dread Saurian stumbled backward, its massive form faltering just enough to expose an opening.

"Sora!" Goofy called.

"I'm on it!" Sora dashed forward, leaping into the air. He unleashed a powerful Upper Slash, sending the creature's head snapping back with the force of his strike. The halberd wavered in its grip as dark mist hissed from the wound.

But the Dread Saurian was far from done.

Its yellow eyes flared as it let out an ear-piercing screech. Shadow Heartless materialised around it, they then darted toward the group with gleaming claws.

"More Heartless?!" Donald quacked, backing up.

"Guys, keep em busy!" Sora ordered.

"Gotcha!" Goofy yelled, spinning into Goofy Tornado, battering two Shadows into wisps of darkness.

Donald raised his staff, his voice sharp.

"Freeze!" he commanded.

Frigid winds whipped through the room, freezing three Shadows mid-leap. With a grunt, Gail shot them to pieces, the ice shards exploding into nothing.

"Duck, I like your style," Gail said, reloading with a sharp click. He spun and fired another volley at the Dread Saurian, targeting its joints.

"Over here, big guy!" Goofy taunted, holding his shield up. The beast swung its halberd in a wide horizontal arc, but Goofy planted his feet and absorbed the blow with a Guard, sparks flying off his shield as he skidded back.

Sora lunged forward, summoning Strike Raid. His Keyblade glowed as he hurled it forward like a spinning boomerang. The weapon crashed into the Dread Saurian's chest, forcing the creature to stumble back with a roar.

The moment it faltered, Sora caught the returning Keyblade and charged.

"Let's go!" he called out.

He struck fast—quick combos of light and precision—every hit sparking as it connected with the beast's armour. Fire and Thunder magic erupted with each blow, searing the creature's hide.

The Dread Saurian staggered and roared again, its armour now smoking and chipped. But then its halberd pulsed with darkness, and it slammed the weapon into the ground.

"Move!" Gail shouted.

The impact released shockwaves of black energy, shattering the floor in jagged lines. Sora barely dodged, while Goofy was flung backward. Gail grunted as the force knocked him into a railing, but he stayed on his feet.

"Donald!" Sora called as he noticed Goofy injured.

"I'm on it!" Donald rushed to Goofy's side, casting Cure. A green aura surrounded Goofy, and he staggered back up.

"Thanks, pal!" Goofy said.

Sora looked up to see the Dread Saurian preparing its next move. Its halberd darkened, now wreathed in a vortex of black energy.

"It's getting serious," Sora muttered.

The Dread Saurian slammed its weapon into the reactor core, feeding off the energy. A pulse of darkness exploded outward, knocking everyone to the ground. When Sora looked up, the beast's armour was glowing with dark veins of power, its halberd now crackling with unstable energy.

"Oh great, it powered up!" Donald yelled.

"We're not stopping now," Sora growled, determination blazing in his eyes. "It's time to finish this."

"The kid's right," Gail agreed. "Let's end this freak!"

The Dread Saurian charged, faster than ever before, its heavy footfalls rattling the chamber as it became a blur of darkness and rage. With a guttural roar, it swung its halberd, the massive blade tearing through the air and sending shockwaves of dark energy cascading across the floor. The ground split apart in jagged cracks, and debris erupted like shrapnel.

"Watch it!" Sora yelled, diving into a desperate Dodge Roll.

He hit the ground and slid, the halberd slicing inches above his head with a metallic whoosh. The force alone sent him sprawling, his Keyblade clattering against the floor. A stray shockwave slammed into him, knocking Sora to his knees.

"Sora!" Goofy shouted, charging forward to intercept the beast.

Goofy barreled into the Dread Saurian's side, shield-first, with a thunderous Goofy Bash, staggering the monster just enough to halt its assault. Sparks flew as Goofy braced against the creature's tail, his muscles straining to hold his ground.

Gail, seeing an opening, leveled his weapon and fired precision shots at the Dread Saurian's head. Each bullet struck its armoured plates with sparks and dark mist, forcing it to recoil and snarl.

"Kid, now's the time!" Gail roared, his eyes flicking to Sora. "Do something big—I'll cover you!"

Sora pushed himself to his feet, summoning the Hidden Dragon Keyblade back to his hand. His pulse raced, his heart pounding as he looked inward, feeling the power surge within him. The connection to his friends burned bright—a bond stronger than the darkness before them. A golden light erupted around him, shimmering like a star.

"Power!" Sora shouted, his voice echoing across the chamber.

The light flared brilliantly, and in a burst of radiant energy, Sora shot forward, now wielding two Keyblades—Hidden Dragon in his right hand and Spellbinder in his left. His movements blurred, a streak of light and motion.

"oh yeah!" Donald shouted out.

"Hot dog!" Goofy exclaimed. "This should settle things!"

"What in the blue hell is going on?" Gail exclaimed, his weapon smoking as he fired another shot.

Sora grinned, confidence gleaming in his eyes.

"This is my Valor Form. Here, let me show you what it can do, Gail!"

"Then get it done!" Gail shouted, taking aim again.

The Dread Saurian, its fury now uncontained, let out a deafening roar and charged, dragging its halberd behind it. The massive weapon scraped across the ground, sparks erupting before it swung the blade forward in a devastating horizontal arc.

Sora sprang into action. With blinding speed, he ducked under the swing, the wind whipping through his hair as the blade skimmed over him. Before the beast could recover, Sora lunged forward in a flurry of rapid strikes—Keyblades flashing like lightning as he unleashed a relentless combo of spinning slashes and precise jabs.

"Goofy! Donald! Let's end this together!" Sora called, his voice ringing with determination.

"Right behind ya!" Goofy shouted. He sprinted toward the Dread Saurian, tucking his shield close to his chest. "Take this!" he cried, launching into a devastating Goofy Turbo, a spinning tackle that slammed into the creature's knee joint. The impact sent the monster staggering to one side, its massive form trembling as it tried to regain its balance.

"Fantasia!" Donald yelled, raising his staff high into the air.

From the tip of his staff, orbs of brilliant light erupted and swirled through the chamber. The magical spheres arced gracefully, weaving in and out of the air before bombarding the Dread Saurian. Each impact exploded with blinding flashes, leaving smoking cracks across its armor. The beast writhed and roared, dark mist spilling from its wounds like a living shadow.

Still reeling, the Dread Saurian raised its halberd high, preparing a final strike.

"End it!" Gail ordered, aiming his weapon at the beast.

"Now's our chance!" Sora shouted, his Keyblades blazing with energy.

He dashed forward, his movements almost too fast to follow. Twisting and weaving between the creature's attacks, he closed the distance in the blink of an eye.

With a final leap, Sora launched himself high into the air, both Keyblades gleaming with radiant light.

"This ends now!" he roared.

The Dread Saurian tilted its head upward, its glowing yellow eyes widening in what could almost be fear. Sora spun in mid-air, crossing both Keyblades into an X-shaped arc. With one final cry, he brought them down in a devastating slash, striking the beast directly across the chest.

Time seemed to freeze.

The impact shattered the Dread Saurian's armour, cracks spiderwebbing across its body. A surge of light exploded outward, consuming the creature in a blinding glow. Its halberd clattered to the ground as it staggered, its roars now distorted and fading. The dark mist around it erupted violently, as though the darkness itself was breaking apart.

With a final, guttural scream, the Dread Saurian exploded into a swirling maelstrom of black mist and glowing fragments. The chamber trembled as the energy dissipated, leaving behind only silence and the faint hum of the reactor.

Sora landed lightly, his Keyblades dissolving back into one as Valor Form faded. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders rising and falling as the aura dissipated.

"Gawrsh… that was one tough creature," Goofy admitted, lowering his shield.

"I'm never fighting one of those again!" Donald added.

Gail, standing off to the side with his weapon lowered, let out a low whistle.

"Kid, I'll admit—I didn't think you had that in you," he said, shaking his head with a rare smirk. "You're tougher than you look."

"Thanks, but we're not done yet," Sora replied with a grin. "Kirk's still here, and we've got to stop that reactor."

"Right you are!" Gail agreed.

RANK: S

They heroes toward the reactor console, where Kirk had been lurking. He was still there, backed against the control panel. His once-composed demeanor had eroded, replaced by a manic glint in his eyes. Sweat dotted his brow, and his mouth curled into a deranged grin as the hum of the reactor vibrated through the room.

"No! You fools can't stop me!" Kirk barked as the group approached.

Before Kirk could slam his hands on the controls, Gail moved like lightning. In a swift motion, he lunged forward, tackled Kirk to the ground, and pinned him there with his knee. Kirk thrashed around, but Gail was unyielding.

"It's over, Kirk!" Gail growled, pressing him down harder. "You're done."

Sora stepped forward, his Keyblade still glowing faintly as he pointed it toward the reactor.

"Stop this, Kirk. Shut down the reactor. Now!"

Kirk cackled darkly beneath Gail, his eyes wild as they flicked between Sora and the control panel.

"You think I'll stop? You think I'll undo this beautiful chaos? Never! The distortion is open! You're too late!"

Gail grit his teeth, clearly losing patience.

"Listen, Kirk! We don't have time for games! If you won't shut this thing off, then me and my team will!"

Kirk's laughter echoed through the chamber, but his words slurred slightly.

"Fools... You'll never understand. The energy—the power—it's too late now… It's alive… Alive!"

Donald groaned, slapping a hand to his face.

"Oh, here we go," he muttered.

"Gawrsh, the darkness really scrambled his eggs…" Goofy replied with a frown.

Donald shot Goofy a look.

"Still think Goldman's worse?" he asked.

Goofy scratched his head, considering for a second.

"Well, Goldman had speeches and near dead creatures, but Kirk's got crazy eyes and dinosaurs. I think he wins," Goofy answered.

Donald sighed dramatically.

"Great. Just what we needed. A villain upgrade."

Sora frowned, his instincts buzzing with the tension in the air. He turned to Gail urgently.

"Do you want me to radio Rick, Gail?" he asked. He might know how to shut this thing off."

Gail glanced down at Kirk, who was now mumbling incoherently about darkness and energy. He gave Sora a sharp nod.

"Good call, kid. Rick's our tech guy. If anyone can guide us through this mess, it's him."

Just as Sora reached for his communicator, a familiar double beep cut through the tension, the small green light flashing on his wrist. Sora quickly raised it to his face.

"Sora, come in!" Regina's voice came through the comms, her voice was tense.

"Regina?" Sora replied in surprise. Goofy and Donald perked up immediately, crowding closer.

"Have you stopped Kirk yet?" Regina demanded.

"Yeah! He's detained. We've got him here, but we're still dealing with the reactor," Sora explained. "Where are you and Sonic? We're going to need you!"

There was a pause, followed by Regina's measured voice.

"We've found something outside. Something big. Huge," she answered.

Sora's brows furrowed.

"What is it?" he asked.

Regina's next words came clipped, the urgency unmistakable.

"We found a weird shimmering… thing outside. Like a portal. And—"

Her voice was drowned out by a low, guttural roar in the background—so loud and monstrous it echoed over the communicator. Sora's eyes widened in alarm.

"You hear that, that loud roar came from it," Regina added.

"A loud roar? A shimmering portal?" Sora repeated.

Donald and Goofy turned to each other, eyes wide, and said in unison:

"The Distortion!"

"The Distortion?!" Regina asked. "The hell does that mean?"

"No time to explain," Sora admitted. "We will be there soon, just be careful."

"Ok, we will," Regina answered before disconnecting.

"What the heck's coming out of it?!" Donald quacked, his voice rising an octave.

Kirk, still pinned beneath Gail, let out a deranged chuckle that sent chills through the group.

"Yes… yesss! The portal is open. The veil is torn! What emerges now… I dare not even think!"

Gail snapped, his frustration boiling over.

"You bastard! What the hell have you done?!" he demanded

Kirk's only response was a laugh that sounded more unhinged than before.

Sora, clenching his Keyblade tightly, turned to Gail.

"We need to get to Regina and Sonic," he said with urgency. "If something is coming out of that distortion, they're in trouble."

Gail shot him a glance, considering. Finally, he gave a sharp nod and yanked Kirk to his feet by the collar.

"You three go. I'll hold onto this lunatic and get Rick on the line," he explained. "One way or another, we'll shut this reactor down."

Sora hesitated for a moment.

"Are you sure?" he quizzed.

"Go!" Gail barked, practically shoving Kirk back toward the console. "I'll keep him in check."

Sora looked to Donald and Goofy, both of whom nodded with determination.

"Let's move!" he said firmly.

As they turned to leave, Gail called after them, his voice gruff but earnest.

"Kid!"

Sora glanced back, surprised.

"Be careful out there," Gail said, his weapon raised as he held Kirk in place. "And don't come back empty-handed. You bring Regina and that hedgehog back safe, you hear me?"

Sora grinned, giving a firm nod.

"We will, I promise," he replied.

The trio rushed toward the exit, their footsteps echoing through the metallic chamber as the hum of the reactor pulsed ominously behind them. Gail turned back to Kirk, his glare sharp as steel.

"Let's get one thing straight, Kirk," Gail growled. "This ends today. Whether you like it or not."

Sonic & Regina:

The massive open area was eerily quiet, save for the occasional howl of wind and the distant creak of metal. Regina and Sonic stood a few feet away from the strange ripple shimmering in the air. The distortion was unlike anything they'd seen—a warped tear that bent and twisted the space around it. Every few seconds, it pulsed, rippling like water disturbed by a stone. The faint echoes of a deep, guttural roar seemed to linger in the air, as though coming from somewhere far beyond the distortion's veil.

Regina lowered her arm, having just finished a brief call on her communicator. She turned to Sonic, her face tense but composed.

"Kirk's detained and Sora's on the way," she said. "I heard this thing is called a distortion, apparently."

Sonic, however, wasn't even looking at her. His green eyes were locked on the rippling distortion ahead, narrowing slightly as it pulsed again. The air around it warped, almost as if reality itself was struggling to hold together. He crossed his arms, his brow furrowed.

"Whatever's behind this distortion is closing in," Sonic muttered. "And that roar? It's definitely getting louder."

Regina glanced back at the distortion, her expression unreadable as she took a slow step closer.

"We just need to keep an eye on it," she replied, her tone steady. "Whatever it is… we'll be ready."

Sonic suddenly perked up, as if struck by an idea. He reached into his glove and pulled out a gleaming golden ring. It shimmered faintly in his hand as he held it up to the light.

"What are you doing?" Regina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Testing a theory," Sonic replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He cocked his arm back and flung the ring toward the ripple.

The second the ring hit the distortion, the air warped violently. The ring twisted unnaturally in midair, bending and stretching like a piece of rubber caught in a vortex. For a split second, its glow dimmed—and then it snapped apart with a loud crack, disintegrating into a spray of golden light that faded into nothing.

Sonic's eyes widened in shock.

"No way…" he gasped.

Regina blinked, stumped as she stared at where the ring had vanished.

"What the hell just happened?" she demanded, looking back at Sonic. "That ring thing of yours—did it just break?"

"Yeah… and that's not supposed to happen," Sonic admitted, his tone a mix of disbelief and concern. "Those rings? They're pretty much indestructible. But this?" He gestured toward the rippling distortion. "This distortion thing just… broke one."

Regina frowned, processing the information.

"So what does that mean?" Regina probed, her amber eyes locked on Sonic.

Sonic shook his head, still staring at the rift as it pulsed ominously, each ripple sending a chill through the humid air.

"I don't know yet, but I don't like it," he admitted. "If Tails were here, he'd probably have it figured out in five seconds flat."

"Oh, your smart tech friend?" Regina asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Sonic replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "He's a genius with this kind of stuff. This would be his moment."

He fell quiet for a second, his gaze drifting downward.

"Or maybe Cid? He's good with all the tech stuff too, but then again… I don't think I've ever heard him talk about space-time," Sonic remarked in thought.

Regina tilted her head slightly.

"Anyone else you're keeping in your back pocket, hedgehog?" she probed.

Sonic crossed his arms, tapping a finger against his bicep thoughtfully.

"Well, I guess Carol might've had some ideas. And if Shadow were here? Pfft—he'd probably just Chaos Control the problem away."

"Chaos Control," Regina echoed, her tone flat but curious. "You mentioned that before—bending time and space, right? Sounds handy."

"It is," Sonic replied with a nod, though his voice was softer this time, laced with the faintest edge of frustration. "Shame he's not around."

Regina scoffed lightly.

"Yeah, shame you didn't bring your entire A-team. Would've been real helpful right about now," she replied bluntly.

Sonic shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Team Sonic's a big group. We all have our own missions. Tails is with Cid, handling tech issues, and Shadow's… well, Shadow's always doing his own thing."

"And this Carol?" Regina pressed, her tone probing. "Who is she?"

"Carol Danvers, or as she likes to go by, Captain Marvel," Sonic explained. "She's one of the strongest heroes in the universe. She helped me and Tails save the Wisps a while back on that Interstellar Amusement Park."

Regina blinked, processing that for a moment before shaking her head.

"The amusement park thing again? You've mentioned it before, but I didn't think you were serious," she admitted.

Sonic chuckled, his confident tone returning.

"Oh, I'm always serious. It had space roller coasters, Wisps needing saving, and more bright lights than you'd ever believe. Eggman was behind the whole thing, but we sorted him out—well, me, Tails, and Carol. She kicked serious butt."

Regina exhaled, giving him a sideways glance.

"You live a bizarre life, you know that?" she remarked.

"Yeah, well, bizarre works for me," Sonic quipped, flashing a grin. But his expression quickly turned more serious as he looked back toward the rippling distortion, the tension in the air still palpable. "This? This isn't just bizarre. It's something else entirely."

Regina sighed, adjusting the grip on her Chrono Blaster.

"Well, your genius friends aren't here, and neither is this Captain Marvel, so we're just going to have to figure it out ourselves."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Red," Sonic replied with a smirk.

Before Regina could fire back, the roar from the ripple shattered the air like thunder, echoing through the wide-open expanse of the facility grounds. Sonic's ears twitched sharply, his confident demeanor faltering as he spun toward the distortion. The ripples, once erratic and faint, now warped violently, distorting the very space around it. The air grew heavy, thick with an unnatural pressure that made the ground tremble beneath their feet.

Sonic tensed, his eyes narrowing as he dropped into a defensive stance.

"It's coming through," he said, his voice tight and urgent. "And I've got a feeling it's going to be a big problem!"

Regina gripped her Chrono Blaster tighter, taking a step back as the tear began to stretch open like a jagged wound in reality. The shimmering light around it pulsed rhythmically, each wave accompanied by a guttural, bone-rattling roar that made the air itself vibrate. Dust and debris skittered across the ground as a low rumble coursed through the earth, growing stronger with every passing second.

The rippling distortion suddenly exploded outward in a burst of shadowy mist and deafening sound. A monstrous claw—black, twisted, and glistening with dark energy—burst through the portal, slamming into the ground with an earth-shaking crash. The impact left a crater, cracks spiderwebbing across the dirt as Regina staggered to maintain her footing.

"What the hell…" Regina breathed, her amber eyes wide as she stared at the massive claw.

Before they could process it, the rest of the creature began to emerge. Dark mist poured from the widening tear like a suffocating wave, and with it came the outline of something huge, its shape twisting unnaturally as it forced its way into this world. First came its other claw, then the gleaming yellow eyes—cold, predatory, and glowing like lanterns in the dark mist.

And then it roared.

The sound ripped through the open space like a shockwave, deafening and primal, shaking the very earth beneath them. Out of the tear came the massive form of a Heartless T-Rex, a creature of pure nightmare. It towered above them—easily three stories tall—its black scales writhing with veins of darkness. The Heartless emblem burned on its chest, and dark mist clung to its massive jaws like vapor. Jagged teeth glistened as it opened its maw, roaring again as if declaring its arrival.

Sonic stumbled back a step, his quills standing on end as he stared up at the monstrous beast.

"Oh, come on!" he exclaimed, voice tinged with disbelief. "It had to be this big?"

Regina was frozen for a moment, her Chrono Blaster trembling slightly in her hands as she took in the creature's size. But then her sharp instincts kicked back in, and she steadied her weapon, locking eyes with Sonic.

"We've got a serious problem here, hedgehog."

"No kidding!" Sonic shot back, his voice low but urgent. "This thing could level the whole facility if it wants to."

The Heartless T-Rex stomped forward, each step sending a seismic shock through the ground, shaking the surrounding fencing and causing nearby structures to groan under the force. The beast tilted its head downward, its glowing eyes locking onto Sonic and Regina like prey.

Sonic clenched his gloved fists, the wind from the monster's presence whipping around him.

"Well, looks like we've got front row seats to the end of the world," he quipped, though his tone lacked its usual smugness. "You ready for this, Regina?"

Regina didn't reply immediately. She exhaled sharply, then straightened up, her finger hovering over the Chrono Blaster's trigger.

"I don't think ready matters," she said grimly, her gaze never leaving the T-Rex. "We don't have a choice."

The creature let out another earth-shaking roar, dark mist swirling around its massive frame as it began to charge forward, each step making the ground quake. Sonic and Regina stood their ground, both bracing themselves for what was about to happen.

"Here it comes!" Sonic shouted, his muscles tensing as he prepared to move.

The Heartless T-Rex loomed larger and larger, the rippling distortion still pulsing behind it as if more horrors were waiting to come through. Its eyes gleamed with malice as it opened its jaws wide, a swirl of dark energy crackling within.

Regina gritted her teeth, aiming her Chrono Blaster.

"Sora, you'd better get here fast…" she muttered.

Part 5 is done! We're closing in on the endgame of Ibis Island's first visit, and what a ride it's been!

This chapter turned out to be a long one, but there was so much to cover—from Regina and Sonic's tense teamwork to Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Gail facing off against the Dread Saurian. I wanted this to feel like the stakes were climbing higher with every scene, building up to that massive Heartless T-Rex reveal at the end.

The Dread Saurian itself was a blast to create. I pulled inspiration from a few different sources—Digimon's WarGreymon played a big role with the concept of a warrior-like dinosaur from another reality, mixed with the ominous style of Heartless. I also had fun imagining a world where dinosaur warriors exist, blending it with darkness to give it that apocalyptic, otherworldly feel.

Just like in Dino Crisis, Gail made his surprise return. But this time, I thought it'd be a great twist to see him teaming up with Sora, Donald, and Goofy—letting the gruff S.O.R.T. veteran see the trio's unique combat style in action (and maybe respect Goofy a little!).

Doctor Kirk's descent into madness is fueled by the Third Energy's energy and the darkness taking hold of his heart. His growing instability stems from being influenced and manipulated by a mysterious member of Organization XIII, who planted the seeds of his obsession, coercing him to embrace the power of the void.

Part 6 will be the grand finale of Ibis Island, and another world crossed off for Sora, Sonic, Donald, and Goofy.

Thanks for all the support!