Ibis Island - Part 6
The open area of the facility was now a battlefield. A low, guttural growl reverberated through the air as the towering Heartless T-Rex emerged fully. Its glowing yellow eyes burned with malice, dark mist pouring from its massive body as if it were bleeding shadows. Each thunderous step it took sent tremors through the earth, its tail sweeping across the area and smashing through fencing like paper. The beast let out a bone-rattling roar, its breath like a foul wind laced with darkness.
Regina took a cautious step back, her Chrono Blaster aimed already on the beast. Sonic, next to her, grinned despite the situation.
"Well, I guess 'giant Heartless T-Rex' is a bit of a mouthful. How about…" Sonic said, pausing dramatically, a finger tapping his chin. "Terror-saurus?"
"You're actually naming it right now?" Regina scoffed, her tone was somewhere between disbelief and exasperation.
"What?" Sonic shrugged, unfazed. "It's tradition. Gotta call it something while we're kicking its teeth in!"
Before Regina could retort, the Terror-saurus lunged forward, its massive claws smashing into the ground. Chunks of earth exploded into the air as the shockwave sent Regina sprawling backward. She hit the ground hard, her weapon skidding from her grip.
"Regina!" Sonic shouted, dashing into action.
The Terror-saurus wasn't done. Its enormous head swung low, jaws snapping as it prepared to strike again. Sonic darted forward in a blue blur, closing the gap in an instant.
"Oh no you don't!" Sonic shouted, launching himself into a Homing Attack. He struck the creature's snout with a satisfying crack, deflecting its bite just enough to send it staggering back. It roared furiously, shaking its head as Sonic landed nimbly nearby.
"Stay down, Red!" Sonic ordered, darting to Regina's side. She was already pushing herself upright, her shoulder streaked with dirt but her glare sharp.
"I'm fine," she growled, reaching for her blaster.
"Fine? You almost became T-Rex chow!" Sonic shot back, his tone unusually sharp. "Just hang tight—I've got this."
Before she could protest, the Terror-saurus stomped forward again, its massive tail sweeping the clearing. Sonic sprinted ahead with practiced speed.
"Hey, Jurassic Jerk!" Sonic shouted, his voice slicing through the chaos. "I've seen museum exhibits scarier than you!"
He rocketed forward with a Spin Dash, hitting the T-Rex's knee joint with a burst of sparks. The creature bellowed in rage, stumbling slightly as Sonic ricocheted off and landed in a crouch.
Regina was on her feet now, weapon ready.
"If you're done annoying it, maybe we can take it down together?" she snapped, firing a volley of precision shots at the beast's exposed legs.
The energy blasts struck true, leaving glowing scorch marks along its scales. The Terror-saurus roared in anger, pivoting toward her, its jaws widening as it charged.
Sonic's expression hardened.
"Oh no you don't!" He sprinted toward the beast, his shoes kicking up dust in a streak of blue light.
"Move, Regina!" Sonic shouted.
Regina didn't hesitate. She dodged to the side just as the creature's massive jaws slammed into the spot where she'd been standing. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rolled to her feet, the Chrono Blaster already firing. Bright energy bolts streaked through the air, slamming into the Heartless Emblem on the creature's chest with bursts of light and smoke.
"Any other bright ideas?!" she barked, glancing at Sonic as the massive T-Rex roared again, unfazed by their efforts.
Sonic's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the beast, frustration creeping into his normally cocky demeanor. The creature's relentless attacks were showing no signs of slowing, its steps shaking the earth with every stomp.
"We need something bigger…" Sonic muttered, looking down at his Wisp Bangal. The faint orange glow of the Orange Wisp flickered, but Sonic shook his head. "Nah, Rocket's not gonna cut it right now…"
Before he could finish, an odd gargled hum echoed across the clearing. Sonic's ears perked up, twitching sharply toward the sound. He spun on his heels, green eyes widening as he spotted something small streaking toward them through the air—a faint glow cutting across the chaos.
"No way!" Sonic exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
Regina turned sharply, eyes narrowing as she followed his gaze. A small, glowing figure zipped and darted toward them, trailing streaks of cyan energy.
"Is that… what I think it is?" she asked, stunned.
"A Cyan Wisp!" Sonic confirmed, pointing as the little creature swooped closer, its shimmering energy resonating like a spark of hope. "Perfect timing, little buddy!"
The Wisp chirped in its strange language before zipping into Sonic. The moment it made contact, Sonic's body surged with a vibrant glow, arcs of energy crackling around him like lightning.
The announcer's bodiless voice rang out, booming across the battlefield: "LASER!"
"Not that voice again…" Regina groaned.
But Sonic was already moving—already transforming. His body became a streak of brilliant cyan light, surging through the air like a bolt of lightning. The creature's head loomed large as it turned toward the glow, but it was too slow.
"Here we go!" Sonic shouted, his voice echoing as the Laser tore through the air.
In a flash of searing energy, Sonic streaked straight into the Terror-saurus's head, striking it with pinpoint precision. The impact exploded outward like a shockwave, sending the massive Heartless reeling backward. Its roar of rage shook the clearing as it stumbled, the dark mist around its body twisting and swirling violently.
Regina blinked in disbelief, briefly lowering her blaster.
"Okay… that was impressive," she admitted.
Sonic reappeared on the far side of the creature, landing in a crouch, his body still glowing faintly as the Cyan Wisp exited Sonic's body and entered the Wisp Bangal on the hedgehog's wrist. He stood, flashing a confident grin over his shoulder at Regina.
"See? Told you I had this handled," he quipped.
Before Regina could respond, the Terror-saurus let out an enraged roar, its blazing yellow eyes narrowing as dark mist churned more violently around its massive form. The ground beneath their feet trembled with each thundering stomp as it surged forward, its movements now faster and wilder, fueled by fury.
"Handled, huh? You just made it mad," Regina affirmed, her tone sharp but steady.
Sonic shrugged, though his grin remained unwavering.
"Hey, progress is progress," he remarked.
"Let's hope your friends get here fast," Regina muttered, training her sights on the beast's head again as it reared back to lunge.
Sonic's smirk wavered for a brief moment as his ears twitched sharply. A distant sound caught his attention. He turned his head slightly, an almost relieved grin creeping onto his face.
"Speak of the devils…" Sonic muttered with a smirk. "Looks like backup's arrived."
Before Regina could even react, a voice rang out across the clearing.
"Sorry we're late!"
Regina turned sharply to see Sora, Donald, and Goofy sprinting into view, weapons in hand and wide-eyed at the chaos in front of them. Sora led the charge, his Hidden Dragon Keyblade glowing faintly as he took in the scene. Goofy ran behind him, his shield at the ready, and Donald brought up the rear, his staff already sparking with magic.
The trio skidded to a halt as the ground shook violently beneath the Terror-saurus's stomp. Sora stared up at the towering Heartless, his jaw dropping slightly.
"Is that a—? Is that a T-Rex?!" Sora shouted in disbelief.
"A T-Rex HEARTLESS?! Are you kidding me?!" Donald shouted out in disbelief.
"Gawrsh, that's one biiiiiig lizard…" Goofy added, tilting his head back, looking to the creature with wide eyes.
"Actually, it's a—" Sonic began to explain, but was cut off.
"Not now!" Regina snapped, glaring daggers at him before shifting her focus back to the beast.
"Alright, alright. Yeesh," Sonic replied in mock surrender.
The Terror-saurus let out another deafening roar, the sheer force of the sound vibrating the air and kicking up debris around them. The creature's massive tail smashed into the ground nearby, sending cracks splintering across the surface.
Sora gripped his Keyblade tighter, snapping out of his shock. His expression hardened into determination.
"Okay, let's take this thing down!" he declared.
Donald groaned loudly but followed suit, his staff glowing with magical energy.
"I hope you have a plan, because I don't want to be this thing's lunch!" the duck moaned.
Goofy raised his shield and stood beside Sora, ready to charge.
"Don't worry, fellas. We've handled bigger problems before, right?"
Sonic shot the trio a grin, flexing his fists.
"Glad you guys could join the party. I'll keep it distracted—you hit it where it hurts," he remarked.
Sora nodded as he replied.
"You got it, let's do this!" he replied with fiery determination.
The Terror-saurus roared again, this time stomping forward to meet its challengers. Its glowing eyes locked onto the group, teeth bared and mist swirling like a storm around its hulking frame.
Sonic cracked his knuckles and smirked.
"Alright, Big Guy. Let's see what you've got!"
The real fight was about to begin.
Terror-saurus
Battle Music: Giant Claws - Dino Crisis
The Terror-saurus stomped forward, shaking the entire facility grounds. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto the group, and without warning, it swung its massive tail like a wrecking ball.
"Move!" Sonic shouted.
The group scattered in every direction just as the tail smashed into the ground, leaving a deep trench where they had stood. Sonic blurred forward in a streak of blue light, launching himself into a Homing Attack against its chest.
WHAM! The impact staggered the beast momentarily, but it let out a guttural growl, shrugging off the blow as if it were nothing.
"Is that all you've got?!" Sonic teased, flipping backward onto his feet.
The Terror-saurus wasn't amused. It reared up on its hind legs before slamming its claws down, aiming to crush Sonic. He narrowly rolled out of the way, leaving Regina a clean shot.
"Now!" she barked, firing a charged energy burst from her Chrono Blaster.
The blue energy bolt struck the Heartless emblem on its chest, sparking violently and forcing the creature to recoil with a roar. Its massive body wavered for a second before regaining its balance.
"Looks like we've got its attention!" Regina shouted, smirking.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy charged in next, focusing on the legs.
"Goofy! Let's knock it down!" Sora commanded.
"Gotcha!" Goofy replied, lowering his shield as he charged forward with Goofy Bash. He slammed into the Terror-saurus's left leg, the impact forcing it to stumble slightly.
"Thunder!" Donald called, raising his staff. A crackling bolt of lightning struck the creature's right leg, sending sparks into the air.
The Heartless let out a furious screech, its tail whipping around blindly. Sora saw his chance.
"Take this!" he shouted, sliding under its swinging tail and slashing at its legs with his Hidden Dragon Keyblade. His combo of strikes caused bursts of light to flare across the creature's dark hide.
The Terror-saurus staggered, its weight shifting awkwardly as it stumbled to its knees, roaring angrily.
"Nice one!" Sonic called, skidding to a stop. "Now it's our chance—let's hit it hard!"
Sonic shot forward in a Spin Dash, his fire ring sparking as he ricocheted off the Terror-saurus's body. Regina moved in alongside him, switching her stance to precision shots. Her Chrono Blaster hummed as she aimed for its head.
"Keep it steady, Sonic!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"You got it!" Sonic called back, bouncing up and striking the beast's face with a Homing Attack.
Regina took the shot. A direct hit to its glowing eyes sent the creature roaring back, dark mist swirling violently around it.
"We're wearing it down!" Sora shouted, spinning his Keyblade into another combo. "Keep pushing!"
The Terror-saurus, though wounded, was far from finished. Its massive body began to glow faintly, dark energy pooling beneath it. Its roar deepened, reverberating through the ground as its claws dug into the earth.
"What's it doing?!" Donald shouted, eyes wide with panic.
The creature slammed its claws into the ground, summoning a surge of dark energy that exploded outward in a shockwave. The force sent everyone tumbling back, sparks and debris scattering across the battlefield.
"Ugh, that hurt!" Donald groaned, landing in a heap.
Regina coughed, pushing herself up as dust settled around them.
"Alright… now it's angry."
The Terror-saurus roared again, lowering its head as its glowing eyes flashed dangerously.
"It's charging!" Goofy yelled.
The creature surged forward, it's massive jaws snapping as it chased after the group. Sonic shot into motion, zigzagging ahead to keep its attention.
"Come on, you big ugly lizard! You want me? Try and catch me!" Sonic taunted, darting just out of reach of its teeth. Each time the Terror-saurus lunged, it missed by mere inches.
Regina fell back alongside Sora and Goofy, taking quick shots to distract the beast.
"We're not making much progress here, Hedgehog!" she barked.
Sonic grinned mid-dash, his eyes glinting.
"Time to spice things up a little!" he affirmed.
Skidding to a stop, Sonic raised his wrist and the Wisp Bangal began to glow. The Cyan Wisp zipped out of the Bangle and into Sonic, merging with him in a flash of energy that crackled across the battlefield. His body pulsed with radiant light, his outline shimmering like a living laser.
"LASER!" the bodiless announcer boomed once again.
"Not another one of those Wisps… That voice drives me crazy!" Donald groaned, throwing his arms up in exasperation.
"Join the club, duck" Regina muttered, steadying herself and bracing against the shockwave of energy rippling from Sonic.
Then, in a flash, Sonic shot forward—an unstoppable streak of cyan energy slicing through the air with pinpoint precision. He spiraled like a shooting star, carving a glowing arc before slamming directly into the Terror-saurus's face with a dazzling explosion of light. The beast's massive head reared back, its guttural roar echoing as it stumbled, dark mist flaring wildly from the impact.
As Sonic reappeared midair, he flipped effortlessly, landing gracefully on the ground. He dusted his gloves off dramatically and shot Regina and the others his trademark grin.
"Boom! Direct hit!" Sonic declared, tapping his forehead with two fingers. The Cyan Wisp exiting his body and back into the Bangle. "I'd say that's a 10 out of 10 for style points."
Regina raised an eyebrow, not missing a beat as she readied her Chrono Blaster.
"Style points don't count if the thing's still standing, Sonic," she quipped bluntly.
The creature recovered, stomping its feet to send another shockwave toward them. Sora leapt into the air, spinning with his Keyblade to avoid the blast. Goofy used his shield to brace himself, sliding backward but staying on his feet.
"Donald! Go for the legs again!" Sora shouted.
"Thunder!" Donald cried, bolts of lightning raining down on the creature's knees once more. Sparks erupted, and the Terror-saurus let out a distorted roar, lowering its body in pain.
Goofy took the chance, charging in with Goofy Turbo. His spinning tackle slammed into the creature's leg, knocking it off balance again.
"It's open!" Sora yelled. "Let's hit it together!"
Sora, Sonic, and Regina rushed in at the same time.
"Here we go!" Sora shouted, slashing across the beast's exposed flank.
Sonic followed up with a devastating Spin Dash that sent him spiraling across the Terror-saurus's side. Regina fired a charged shot from her Chrono Blaster, the energy blast striking the Heartless emblem on its chest once more.
The Terror-saurus stumbled, roaring furiously as it collapsed onto its knees again. The dark mist swirling around its body pulsed erratically, cracks forming along its massive form.
"We've got it on the ropes!" Sonic shouted, landing beside Regina and Sora.
"Yeah, but it's not done yet," Regina said grimly, eyeing the creature as it began to rise again, dark energy pooling beneath its claws.
The Terror-saurus let out one final, deafening roar, and its body exploded with darkness, sending another shockwave through the ground. The cracks glowing along its hide sealed up as its form began to shimmer with renewed energy.
Sora's eyes widened.
"It's changing!" he gasped.
"Oh no… I don't like this!" Donald said in disbelief.
The creature's body pulsed with power as it pushed itself back to full height, towering even taller now. Its eyes glowed brighter, and dark tendrils whipped through the air as its roar echoed across the clearing.
"It's not over yet," Sonic muttered, clenching his fists, his sharp green eyes locked onto the monster.
Regina slammed a fresh energy cell into her Chrono Blaster, the weapon humming back to life. Her expression was cold and focused.
"Time for Phase Two," she declared.
Sora gripped his Keyblade tighter, stepping forward. The ground trembled beneath the Terror-saurus's stomps, but the resolve in his voice burned like fire.
"We're taking it down. Together!" he remarked with defiance.
The beast roared again, its dark aura erupting outward. Massive shockwaves blasted through the ground, sending stones and debris flying like shrapnel. Sora, Sonic, Regina, Donald, and Goofy were forced to scatter, narrowly avoiding the eruption.
"Scatter!" Sonic yelled.
The Terror-saurus then opened its massive maw, dark energy swirling within. With a low growl, it released a beam of black fire that scorched across the battlefield.
"Move!" Sora yelled, diving to the side in a dodge roll.
Regina rolled into cover, popping up to fire a charged shot directly at the creature's chest.
"Focus fire on its weak points!" she barked.
Donald and Goofy followed suit. Goofy raised his shield and charged toward the legs again.
"I'll draw its attention!" he affirmed.
The King's Captain spun into his Goofy Turbo move, crashing into the creature's knees.
Donald lifted his staff.
"Blizzard!" he commanded.
The duck mage fired an icy blast that struck the Terror-saurus's flank, freezing part of its armor momentarily.
Sora ducked beneath the beast's swinging tail and unleashed a flurry of combos with his Hidden Dragon Keyblade. Each strike erupted with bursts of light, sending sparks flying.
Sonic, darting in from the side, called out, "We need to knock it off balance again!"
"On it!" Regina replied, aiming her weapon with surgical precision. She fired an explosive round that hit just below the beast's knee, forcing it to stagger slightly.
Sora took the chance, leaping into the air and spinning his Keyblade.
"Take this!" he shouted.
The Keyblade wielder slashed in a descending arc, striking the Heartless T-Rex's chest. The blow sent shockwaves rippling outward.
The Terror-saurus roared in anger and swiped a massive claw downward, slamming into the ground. The impact sent Sora flying backward.
"Sora!" Donald shouted.
Regina sprinted forward, sliding next to Sora and covering him with a volley of shots.
"Get up, kid—we're not done yet."
Sora winced, gripping his Keyblade tightly as he pushed himself to his feet. He looked at Regina, a thought sparking in his mind.
"I have an idea," he said, urgency in his tone. "Regina, do you trust me?"
"What?!" Regina barked, eyes flicking to the Heartless as it began charging another attack.
"Do you trust me?!" Sora repeated, stepping closer.
Regina glanced at him, her brows furrowed.
"You pick the worst moments for this, kid!"
Sonic skidded to a stop nearby, his green eyes darting between the two.
"Guys, it's now or never! It's charging up for something BIG!" he shouted out.
Regina let out a frustrated breath, her instincts screaming against it. But something in Sora's steady gaze—so confident, so unshakable—cut through her doubts.
"…Yes. I trust you," she answered.
Sora's face lit up with a determined grin.
"Great! Let's do this!" he remarked.
"What exactly are we doing?!" Regina asked sharply.
"You'll see. Just follow my lead!" Sora called out, stepping forward as his Keyblade began to glow brightly. "Donald, Goofy—cover us!"
"Another one of those plans?" Donald muttered.
"Yeah-hyuck, but it's always worth it!" Goofy replied, raising his shield defensively as he took a protective stance.
Sora extended his Keyblade toward Regina, energy swirling around him.
"Regina, focus your power and light with mine!"
Regina's eyes widened in confusion, but Sonic, watching nearby, grinned knowingly.
"Oh, I get it now—this is like that Limit move Sora pulled off with Mulan, right?" he mused.
Donald perked up, feathers fluffed.
"Yeah! That one was good!" he admitted.
"Enough talk—let's go!" Sora shouted.
Regina, despite her doubts, leveled her Chrono Blaster and aimed it at the Terror-saurus.
"What now?!" she called.
"Let the light flow! Trust me!" Sora replied, his voice carrying an infectious energy.
The ground beneath them began to glow. Light swirled upward from Sora's Keyblade, wrapping around Regina like a golden current of energy. Regina felt the power surge through her, her Chrono Blaster humming louder as it began to glow with radiant light.
"This is insane!" she shouted, her voice nearly drowned out by the roar of the Terror-saurus preparing its next attack.
"No, this is teamwork!" Sora shot back with a grin. "The power of friendship!"
"Friendship.." Regina muttered. "You're way to trusting, kid!"
Sora ignored the comment and the light intensified, building to a crescendo as Sora shouted, "Now!"
"FIRE!" Regina roared.
Together, they unleashed their combined attack. Sora swung his Keyblade forward, releasing a massive beam of golden energy that shot toward the Heartless. Simultaneously, Regina's Chrono Blaster released a precision-enhanced, charged shot glowing with synchronised power.
The beams combined midair, spiraling together into a blinding light lance that struck the Terror-saurus square in its chest. The energy detonated on impact, engulfing the creature in a burst of radiant light. The roar of the Terror-saurus echoed across the battlefield as cracks erupted across its darkened hide.
Sonic stared, his mouth slightly agape.
"Whoa… Okay, that was awesome," he remarked in awe.
Donald flailed his arms excitedly.
"It worked! It worked!" he quacked loudly.
The Terror-saurus, now weakened and staggering, let out a distorted roar of defiance as it collapsed to one knee. Its glowing energy began to flicker, signaling the end.
"We've got it now!" Regina called out, the light around her fading.
Sora clenched his fists, light still crackling around him.
"It's time to finish this!" he declared.
Sora raised his Keyblade, golden energy beginning to swirl around him once again.
"Donald, Goofy—let's end this together!"
Donald stumbled forward, still panting, but raised his staff.
"Right behind you!"
"Count me in!" Goofy shouted, shield ready.
Sora's body glowed as he activated Valor Form, his second Keyblade—Spellbinder—materialising into his left hand. His form shimmered with brilliant light as his movements became sharper, faster.
"What the hell?" Regina remarked in suprise. "The kid's clothes has changed? And he has two Keyblades?"
"That's his Valor form!" Donald explained. "It's powerful!"
"Valor form, huh?" Regina replied, impressed. "Well then, I will leave this big guy to you then!"
Sonic, meanwhile, grinned as he raised his wrist and activated the Orange Wisp.
"Time to take this home!" he called out.
"ROCKET!" the bodiless announcer bellowed.
Sora charged forward with both Keyblades, light trailing behind him as he slashed into the creature's legs and chest in rapid, fluid strikes. Donald launched an enhanced Thunder spell, lightning bolts exploding across the Terror-saurus's body. Goofy barreled in with Goofy Turbo, bashing into the beast with spinning force.
Above them, Sonic rocketed into the air, orange sparks behind him as the Wisp powered him forward.
"Let's see how you like this!" he shouted.
Sora leapt high into the air alongside him, his Keyblades glowing with blinding light.
Together, they descended.
"NOW!" Sora and Sonic shouted in unison.
Sora's dual Keyblades struck the Heartless Emblem dead center as Sonic's Orange Rocket Attack exploded into its skull, creating a shockwave of golden light and fire.
The Terror-saurus let out one final, guttural roar as dark mist erupted from its body. Cracks of light spread like spiderwebs across its form before it shattered into a thousand motes of light and darkness.
The battlefield fell still.
Sora landed lightly, his Valor Form dissolving as his Keyblade returned to one. Sonic landed back on the ground, dusting his gloves, the Orange energy from his bangle fading.
"It's… finally gone," Regina muttered, exhaling sharply.
Donald immediately flopped onto his back, staff clattering beside him.
"I'm… never fighting a dinosaur again…" he moaned.
"Gawrsh, you did great, fellas. That was one tough critter!" Goofy remarked with a slight chuckle.
Sonic grinned, sauntering toward Sora and Regina with his usual carefree swagger.
"You two make a pretty good team. That Limit move? Chef's kiss." He added an exaggerated hand gesture for dramatic flair, as if sealing a performance.
Regina blinked, giving Sonic a skeptical look before turning to Sora.
"Limit move?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sora perked up, his usual earnest smile lighting up his face.
"Oh, it's when I team up with a friend! You know—trusting each other, combining their strength, and using the power of friendship and light to fight back!" He gestured excitedly with his free hand, his enthusiasm practically bouncing. "It's like… our hearts connect, and that energy makes something amazing happen!"
Regina stared at him for a beat, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed, shaking her head.
"Power of friendship, hearts, light… you're serious, aren't you?"
Sora just grinned wider, completely unfazed.
"It works, doesn't it?" he replied.
Regina shot him a sideways glance, her lips quirking into a small, reluctant smirk.
"Well, don't get used to it, kid… but that wasn't half bad," she admitted.
"Told you to trust me," Sora replied, his tone warm but playful.
Sonic clapped his gloved hands together and stretched his legs before flashing his usual mischievous grin.
"Well, that's another big bad Heartless down, and you know what that means…"
"Oh no," Regina muttered, narrowing her eyes. "What does that mean?"
Sonic wasted no time. With a dramatic backflip, he landed in a breakdancing spin, his shoes kicking up dust as he twirled effortlessly on one hand.
"You're extinct, Jurassic Jerk!" he declared triumphantly, throwing his arms up and landing in a pose that might as well have had spotlights shining on him.
Regina blinked.
"What… is happening?" she asked in bewilderment.
Sora chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"It's just Sonic being Sonic. This is… normal," he explained.
Goofy gave an approving nod.
"Oh yeah. He likes to celebrate after a big win," he added.
Donald pushed himself up halfway, feathers ruffled, groaning in frustration.
"Does he have to do it every time though?" he muttered. "We had this all last time we teamed with him!"
"Of course I do," Sonic replied smugly, crossing his arms and striking another victory pose. "It's tradition, Donnie. You don't mess with tradition."
Regina, now utterly baffled, turned to the others.
"You're all just… fine with this?" she mused.
Goofy grinned, scratching his head sheepishly.
"You kinda get used to it after a while, Regina," he affirmed.
"It's actually kind of fun once you stop asking questions," Sora said with a bright smile.
Regina huffed a short laugh under her breath, shaking her head.
"I swear, this day keeps getting weirder," she moaned.
Sonic shot her a look, that cheeky smirk never faltering.
"Hey, weird's what we do best. And we won, didn't we?"
She couldn't argue with that. Begrudgingly, Regina holstered her Chrono Blaster and walked past him.
"Fine. Celebrate all you want, hedgehog. Just don't sprain something. I'm not carrying you."
"Not gonna happen, Red," Sonic shot back with a wink, following after her.
RANK: S
Limit Move: Chrono Burst
When Sora and Regina unleash Chrono Burst, they combine the power of Sora's Keyblade and Regina's Chrono Blaster into a devastating synchronised attack. Activated by trusting teamwork, Sora channels radiant energy into Regina's weapon, enhancing it with pure light. Together, they unleash a spiraling beam of energy and precision firepower, forming a massive Lance of Light that strikes enemies with pinpoint accuracy. The attack deals massive damage to a single target, staggering even the toughest foes. Perfect for breaking heavy defenses or interrupting devastating attacks, Chrono Burst blends Sora's Keyblade with Regina's firepower into an unstoppable force.
New Shield Unlocked: Primal Guard
Forged with reinforced alloys salvaged from the ruins of Ibis Island, the Primal Guard boasts a rugged, metallic design with a sleek, dark gray finish. Embedded into the center is a glowing red insignia shaped like a raptor claw, surrounded by faint cracks emitting pulsing energy. Jagged edges along the shield's outer rim resemble the serrated teeth of a dinosaur, giving it a fierce, prehistoric look.
Cyan Wisp Unlocked
Sonic can now harness the power of the Cyan Wisp, granting him the ability to transform into a high-speed Laser! This form allows Sonic to zip across the battlefield at light speed, ricocheting off surfaces and targeting enemies with pinpoint precision. Activated through the Wisp's energy, Laser can bypass obstacles, deal heavy damage to foes, and reach inaccessible areas. With its blinding speed and accuracy, this new power adds a tactical edge to Sonic's arsenal. Use it wisely to outmaneuver enemies and turn the tide in battle!
The team stood together in the stillness, the last remnants of dark mist curling into the air where the Terror-saurus had finally been defeated. For a moment, the battlefield was silent—no roars, no tremors, just the faint whistle of the wind sweeping through the open space.
Regina exhaled sharply, holstering her Chrono Blaster.
"It's over—for now. But we need to move," she said.
Sora nodded, stepping forward.
"Yeah, we should head back to Gail in the lower levels. He's probably still waiting for us—and I hope Rick's there to shut down that reactor thing."
Regina turned to Sora, raising an eyebrow.
"So that's what was creating those distortions?" she asked.
Sora glanced at Donald and Goofy, sharing a quick look.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice steady. "We're not exactly scientists, but we know what it's doing."
Goofy nodded eagerly, scratching his head as he added, "That reactor is messing with the timeline or somethin'. That's why the dinosaurs showed up here—'cause of those distortions."
"And the darkness didn't help either," Donald chimed in. "It merged with the dinosaurs and made everything worse."
Regina's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, her expression hard as she processed the information.
"So, Kirk's Third Energy, somehow tore holes in space and time, and that let all this chaos in?" she probed.
"Exactly!" Sora said, his enthusiasm returning. "That's how the dinosaurs got here. And once the darkness got involved… they changed."
Regina shook her head slightly, muttering under her breath.
"Figures. One man's obsession with power nearly ends the world."
Sonic, who had been standing off to the side with his arms crossed, suddenly grinned.
"Well, enough talking about it. Let's go lend Gail a hand wrapping up this mission."
Sora nodded, already moving to follow Sonic.
"Yeah, we can't waste any more time. If Rick can't shut down the reactor, we'll have to help him figure it out," he admitted.
"Or," Sonic added with a smirk, "if all else fails, we just smash it."
Regina whipped her head toward him, her amber eyes narrowing sharply.
"Excuse me? You'll do what now?" she asked in disbelief.
Sonic shrugged nonchalantly, already walking ahead.
"If it's still causing trouble, just break it. Problem solved."
Regina let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temple.
"That's dangerous," she muttered.
Sonic glanced back over his shoulder, his trademark smirk still firmly in place.
"Dangerous? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely."
"You've got to be kidding me…" Regina groaned.
Sora, catching the exchange, suppressed a small chuckle.
"You know," Sora said playfully, "Sonic's kind of grown on you, hasn't he?"
Regina stiffened slightly, blinking in surprise as she turned to look at him.
"What? What are you talking about?" she questioned.
Sora's grin widened.
"Oh, come on. You know what I mean," he teased.
Regina frowned, brushing a strand of red hair out of her face as she stared ahead.
"He's… tolerable. That's all."
"Tolerable?" Goofy chimed in from behind with a knowing smile. "That's what ya say when ya start likin' someone, y'know."
"Yeah!" Donald quacked, smirking smugly. "You can't hide it."
Regina shot them all a glare that could cut through steel.
"I don't like him. He's reckless, annoying, and he never shuts up."
"Aw, that's just part of his charm!" Sonic called out from ahead, clearly hearing every word. He didn't even turn around, waving a hand casually as he added, "Admit it, Red—you'll miss me when I'm gone."
Regina scowled, quickening her pace toward him as the others laughed softly behind her.
"You're impossible," she muttered.
"And you're warming up to me," Sonic replied, unfazed.
Sora exchanged amused glances with Donald and Goofy as they all picked up their pace, following behind.
"Come on," Sora said cheerfully. "Let's finish this mission."
Together, the group moved toward the facility's entrance, their steps quickened by a renewed sense of purpose. The echoes of their banter faded into the quiet hum of the facility, leaving only the promise of what awaited them below.
Undetected by our heroes, high above them, a lone figure stood atop the fractured rooftop of the facility. Cloaked in the black coat of Organization XIII, his presence seemed to melt into the shadows, a wraith watching from on high.
As silence reclaimed the clearing, the figure slowly pulled back his hood. Sharp features emerged—his face angular and harsh, framed by black dreadlocks tied back into a thick ponytail. Stray strands twisted and danced in the breeze, like serpents tasting the air. The wind carried the faintest hiss, but his eyes… his eyes were what stilled the air. Cold, piercing, and devoid of empathy—pools of calculation that gleamed with a dark intent.
"Greed," he murmured, his voice low and filled with scorn, the word curling on his tongue like poison. "A man so desperate for power… yet blind to the consequences of the doors he's opened."
He chuckled—a humourless, hollow sound that disappeared almost as quickly as it began.
"Kirk's ignorance serves a higher purpose," he continued, his gaze shifting toward the dark depths of the jungle beyond. "What he's begun will carry far beyond this island… far beyond his understanding."
A breeze swept past, carrying the faint howl of the storm clouds gathering in the distance, as if nature itself recoiled from his presence.
"One man's folly… is another's gain."
Darkness swirled at his feet, tendrils of shadow rising like smoke and coiling around his boots. The figure stood unmoving, a black pillar of malevolence against the pale sky. As the shadows reached his knees, he cast one last glance downward, the faintest trace of a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"And so… the game begins anew."
With that, he vanished, sinking soundlessly into the dark vortex as if consumed by the very shadows he commanded. All that remained was the whisper of the wind, carrying his chilling words across the empty battlefield.
Where the figure had stood, nothing remained—no trace, no sign—only an unsettling quiet that hung heavy in the air like a warning left unspoken.
After some time navigating their way back to the lower levels, the heroes finally reached the Third Energy Reactor Room. The hum of the colossal machine filled the air, its ominous glow casting faint shadows across the walls.
Inside, Gail stood with his arms crossed beside a seated Kirk, who now appeared oddly subdued, his manic energy dampened. Nearby, Rick was at the control panel, his hands working quickly as his eyes darted across lines of text and blinking indicators.
The group approached, their footsteps echoing softly in the chamber. Gail turned first, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly, while Rick glanced over his shoulder, offering a brief, relieved smile before turning back to his work.
"I knew you guys could do it!" Rick called out, his voice a mix of relief and triumph. "Everyone's alive and kicking—I'll take that as a win."
"You all survived," Gail added, his tone gruff but approving. "Good."
"Yeah, nice to see you alive too, buddy," Sonic retorted, his trademark grin flashing.
"Gail's a man of very few words," Regina added, shooting him a smirk. "But deep down, I can tell he's happy to see us."
"Don't push it, Regina," Gail shot back. "I've got a reputation to hold here. I can't go soft like the Kid."
"Hey!" Sora shouted indignantly.
"Take it on the chin, Sora," Regina said, shooting him a sideways glance.
"Fine…" Sora grumbled under his breath, earning a quiet snicker from Donald, while Sonic shook his head with a chuckle. Goofy scratched his head in confusion as he watched the banter.
Gail uncrossed his arms, his serious demeanor returning.
"So, I assume you all managed to take down whatever thing this lunatic unleashed?" He gestured to Kirk, who sat quietly, his face disturbingly smug despite his situation.
"It wasn't easy," Sora admitted, straightening. "But we managed to take down a Heartless T-Rex."
"A T-Rex?!" Rick called out in disbelief. His expression was a mixture of awe and horror. "You're joking."
"Nope. Huge, mean, and full of darkness," Sora replied.
"Yeah!" Donald chimed in, puffing up his chest. "It was enormous!"
"Sure was a big, powerful lizard," Goofy added thoughtfully, adjusting his shield. "And it wasn't too happy about us bein' there."
"And with all that darkness Kirk pumped into it, it was one angry beast," Sora said.
"But we smashed it!" Sonic interjected enthusiastically, smacking one hand into the other for emphasis. "Took teamwork, but we pulled it off."
The group turned slightly toward Kirk, who hadn't said a word. Instead, his expression twisted into something disturbingly close to pride—his lips curling faintly, his gaze fixed on the machines's glowing core.
"Something funny, Kirk?" Regina asked sharply, her voice cutting through the hum of the room.
"Yeah, what's the big idea?" Donald questioned, feathers ruffling as his irritation bubbled up.
Kirk tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with a faint, unsettling satisfaction. He didn't speak, but the silence was enough to fill the room with tension. It was the look of a man whose failure still felt like a victory.
"Yeah, I thought so," Regina muttered, narrowing her gaze. She turned to Rick, who was still at the console. "So, what's the situation here? Can you shut this thing down?"
"I'm working on it," Rick replied, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "The reactor's locked up with Kirk's security override. It's a mess—nothing's shutting it down cleanly. I can probably force it to go offline, but it's going to take a minute."
"We don't have a minute," Gail growled. He leaned closer to Kirk, gripping the back of his chair. "Listen to me, Kirk. You're going to tell Rick how to stop this machine, or so help me—"
"Fools," Kirk finally murmured, his voice quiet but laced with disdain. His gaze remained fixed on the machine. "You'll never understand… the power I've uncovered. The energy… the darkness… it's alive now. You can't stop it."
"Oh great," Sonic muttered, rolling his eyes. "Now he's monologuing."
"You're insane," Regina snapped. "This ends here, Kirk."
"The darkness has warped his heart," Sora said softly, his expression serious and contemplative. He turned toward Rick, who was frantically working at the console.
"I'm doing everything I can to shut it down," Rick huffed, slamming a frustrated hand against the control panel. "But this system's a mess."
Sora's gaze lingered on the machine, the ominous hum of the Third Energy Reactor filling the air. Suddenly, he felt it—an unshakable pull, like a whisper in the back of his mind. His hand twitched, and in an instant, the Keyblade materialised in his grasp, its familiar weight grounding him.
Everyone froze.
Even Kirk, still seated, looked up, his eyes narrowing with something between curiosity and disdain.
"The Keyblade?" Regina muttered, her voice edged with surprise. She turned toward Sora, brows furrowed. "Did you… summon it?"
Sora shook his head slowly, his blue eyes fixed on the machine as if seeing something no one else could.
"Not intentionally," Sora admitted, his voice quiet but resolute. "But I feel it… I know what's coming next."
"What do you mean, 'coming next'?" Gail cut in sharply, stepping forward, his gruff tone masking a sliver of unease.
Rick turned in confusion.
"Wait, hold on—what are you talking about? What do you feel?" he asked.
Regina looked puzzled by Sora's comments, but kept quiet.
Donald and Goofy exchanged knowing looks, while Sonic crossed his arms, smirking faintly. They'd seen this happen before.
"Just watch," Sonic said simply.
"You'll see," Donald added confidently, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and tension.
Sora stepped forward, his grip on the Keyblade tightening as he exhaled slowly, centering himself. Around him, the ominous hum of the Third Energy Reactor filled the room, and faint tremors rattled through the facility's structure. The others watched in silence, sensing the shift in the atmosphere as Sora prepared to act.
With steady hands, Sora pointed the Keyblade downward, its tip hovering just above the ground. A soft, thin golden glow spread outward, the shape of a crown gradually materialising around him. The light pulsed faintly, the energy growing with every beat, as if in rhythm with Sora's heart. His eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the task ahead.
The crown-shaped light beneath Sora exploded upward, spiraling into radiant beams that wrapped around him like threads of energy. The room itself dimmed as the light overtook everything, and Sora became the center of it all, his figure outlined against the brilliance.
The beams twisted and snapped skyward, piercing through space and reality, creating ripples that seemed to extend far beyond the room. Around Sora, the walls of the facility began to blur and fade, replaced by swirling dark clouds, their depths alive with unnatural energy. Shafts of light pierced through the darkness like cracks in a storm, struggling to break free.
Sora looked up, now surrounded by this new, ethereal realm, a place caught between light and darkness. He could feel it—the energy of the Third Energy distortion, the pull of something dangerous and unnatural. But as he focused deeper, something shifted. Above him, the clouds began to part, swirling in chaotic motion until a shimmering Keyhole appeared, brilliant and undeniable, high in the darkened sky.
"The Keyhole…" Sora murmured, instinct guiding him forward.
A beam of pure light erupted from the Keyblade, slicing through the air as he pointed it toward the Keyhole. The light connected, and for a brief moment, the entire realm held its breath. The Keyhole pulsed in response, growing brighter with each passing second until the light began to spread outward, blanketing the clouds in its radiance.
The darkness writhed and retreated as the light consumed everything, spreading across the skies and tearing through the storm. Sora stood firm, the Keyblade steady in his hands, as the blinding brilliance expanded until everything turned to white.
Sora found himself back in the room, his Keyblade lowered as the glowing light around him slowly faded. Everything looked the same, but the atmosphere felt different—lighter, like a weight had been lifted from the room. The Keyhole was gone, but the reactor's ominous hum remained faint, as if the machine itself was hesitating, unsure of its next move.
Regina stepped forward first, her sharp amber gaze flickering between Sora and the machine.
"What happened?" she demanded, her tone a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Yeah—what was that?" Rick added, perplexed.
Sora exhaled and turned to face them, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"The gate is open," he said simply.
"The gate?" Regina repeated, narrowing her eyes.
"Yep!" Donald exclaimed, hopping forward enthusiastically. "That means the Keyhole opened the gateway! It's like a bridge to another world."
"A gateway?" Regina pressed further, still not entirely sold.
"Uh-huh! It'll lead us to the next world that needs our help," Goofy explained.
"You mean…" Gail's gruff voice cut through as he stepped closer, his arms folded. "A gateway opened through the Lanes Between, right?"
Sora blinked, surprised by Gail's knowledge.
"Wait, you know about the Lanes Between?" he questioned.
Gail smirked faintly, though his expression remained as stony as ever.
"We know about World Travellers, remember. People who come and go between places like they're walking down the street. Of course, we understand the Lanes Between."
Rick let out a low whistle, clearly out of his depth.
"Well, I didn't…" he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I missed that training day at the S.O.R.T Academy."
"Don't worry, Rick—I'll send you a copy of Jiminy's Journal. It's got all the details. You'll feel like a pro in no time," Sonic chimed in.
"Jiminy?" Rick asked, turning to Regina for help.
Regina shrugged, holding up her hands.
"Don't look at me. I still don't understand half of what they're talking about," she admitted.
"Hey, did I hear my name?" came a small, cheerful voice out of nowhere.
The room went silent. All eyes turned toward Sora's shoulder as a tiny figure hopped into view, holding a small leather journal in his hand. It was Jiminy Cricket, his face lit up with a kind smile as he adjusted his tiny hat.
"Jiminy!" Donald exclaimed.
"Good to see you pal," Goofy added.
"I hope you've been writing everything down about this world," Sora remarked with a smile.
Sonic straightened, smirking as if nothing about this was unusual.
"There's our guy! Rick, Regina, Gail—meet Jiminy Cricket, keeper of the journal," Sonic introduced.
Rick blinked, mouth slightly agape as he leaned closer, as if trying to confirm he wasn't hallucinating. Regina raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, while Gail just crossed his arms, a single skeptical look passing between him and Regina.
"Uh… that's a talking cricket," Rick said slowly, disbelief written across his face.
"Yep!" Sonic replied without missing a beat, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Rick stared harder, trying to wrap his head around the situation.
"That's weird," he said.
Sonic gave him a smug look, smirking as he waved a hand casually.
"Dude, come on. You've dealt with a kid with a key shaped sword, a talking duck mage, a dog knight, me—a blue hedgehog—and dinosaurs infused with darkness today. And a cricket with flawless fashion sense and impeccable manners is where you draw the line?"
Rick opened his mouth to argue, but the words didn't come. Regina snorted faintly, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.
"The hedgehog's got a point," she admitted, shooting Rick a side glance. "If this is the weirdest thing you've seen all day, count yourself lucky."
Rick threw up his hands in defeat.
"Fine, fine. Good point," he replied.
Regina tilted her head slightly, studying Jiminy with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"So, Cricket, you keep a journal, huh?" she questioned.
Jiminy puffed out his chest proudly.
"That's right, ma'am! I keep records of all our adventures—notes, findings, allies, enemies—everything we come across. If you ever find yourself scratching your head about what's going on, my journal might have just the answers you need."
Gail raised an eyebrow, his voice dry.
"So, you're telling me this cricket keeps better notes than Rick?" he taunted.
Rick shot Gail a glare.
"Hey! I can write notes just fine. I just don't… wear hats while I do it."
Jiminy laughed warmly, waving off the tension with a flick of his hand.
"No need to compare, fellas. There's plenty of room for teamwork. I just happen to have a knack for details and organisation," he confirmed.
"That's our Jiminy!" Donald remarked proudly.
Sonic grinned, folding his arms.
"See? The little guy's a pro. Now, you guys can finally stop asking us what the heck we're talking about every ten minutes."
"Yeah, sure," Rick muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "We'll definitely look at the cricket's journal."
"You'll thank me later!" Jiminy said cheerfully.
Kirk, still in his chair, glared at the group with disdain, his voice dripping with bitterness.
"Unbelievable… I'm surrounded by fools playing at being heroes," he spat.
Sonic crossed his arms, tilting his head with a smug grin.
"Hey, we're not playing—we're just that good."
He smirked, tapping his foot for emphasis as he continued.
"But hey, if you'd rather hang out with dinosaurs and shadows all day, be my guest."
Kirk shot him a look, but said nothing, his scowl deepening.
Jiminy hopped off Sora's shoulder and onto the control panel near Rick, holding his journal high with pride.
"Let me know when you have time to read it," Jiminy said kindly.
Rick, rubbing his temples as if trying to fend off a migraine, muttered under his breath.
"Man, I need a coffee… or maybe ten."
"Make mine a double..." Regina added.
But before anyone else could react, Jiminy's sharp little eyes caught something flickering on one of the nearby monitors. The once-active displays were dimming, the rhythmic pulse of the reactor fading away into silence. Jiminy turned, stepping closer to the screen.
"Say, Rick," Jiminy said, his tone shifting to something much more focused, "I think this machine is… shut down."
The words echoed in the room like a pin dropping. For a moment, no one spoke, no one moved. Even the hum of machinery had fallen into eerie stillness. All eyes turned to Jiminy standing confidently near the now-quiet control panel.
Wait, what?!" Rick stammered, spinning back to the panel. His fingers danced frantically across the keys, trying to confirm it.
"What did you just say?" Regina asked sharply, her brow furrowing as she stepped forward.
Jiminy nodded calmly, adjusting his little hat as if this was perfectly routine.
"It looks like the reactor is not active anymore. Hmm, must have powered down," he answered.
Even Kirk, still sat, visibly paled. His jaw slackened, his pride and confidence draining from his face like water through a sieve.
"No… that's impossible," he muttered hoarsely, staring at the monitor in disbelief. "It was unstoppable. The energy—my work…"
Sonic raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling onto his face as realisation hit him. He shot a quick glance at Sora, his green eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Well, looks like someone got the job done already." He pointed casually toward Sora with his thumb. "I'm betting your Keyblade did more than open a gateway, buddy."
"Wait… what? Me?" Sora replied in suprise.
Donald folded his arms, squinting thoughtfully.
"It kinda makes sense, I think. "You used the Keyblade on the Keyhole, right? Maybe that shut this thing off too," he said with uncertainty.
Goofy tapped his chin, tilting his head as he considered the theory.
"Gawrsh, maybe the Keyhole was linked to this Third Energy thing? Like it was part of the darkness in this world?" he mused.
"We're not scientists," Donald quickly added, throwing his hands up. "That's just our guess."
"Whatever it is, it worked!" Sonic said confidently, giving Sora a grin and a thumbs up. "Nice going, Sora."
But the atmosphere in the room shifted. Kirk's face twisted into something between disbelief and utter despair. His hands clenched into trembling fists, his entire body straining as if trying to deny the reality unfolding before him.
"No… no, no, no!" Kirk suddenly snapped, his voice rising in anger and sorrow. "You fools! Do you have any idea what you've done?! The Third Energy was everything! My work—years of brilliance—ruined by your… meddling!"
Kirk's outburst echoed through the room, his face flushed and wild as he thrashed against the chair.
"You've destroyed progress! Power beyond comprehension!" Kirk's voice cracked, his words reverberating through the now-silent room. He stared at the lifeless monitors, their empty glow reflecting the void in his eyes. "It wasn't darkness—it was evolution! Do you hear me? Evolution!"
Gail had heard enough. He stepped forward, his boots echoing sharply on the steel floor as his voice sliced through Kirk's manic tirade like a knife.
"Calm down. You're lucky we stopped this when we did. You weren't unlocking progress—you were tearing holes into who-knows-where and dragging in monsters. That's not progress, Kirk—that's chaos."
Kirk's furious expression crumbled into one of despair, his voice breaking as he lashed out with trembling desperation.
"You don't understand! None of you understand!" he shouted, his voice almost pleading. "I was so close… so close to unlocking power that could change everything! I could have saved us all!"
Regina wasn't buying it. She stepped forward, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her glare sharp enough to cut steel.
"Look at what your 'power' did, Kirk," she shot back, her voice cool and cutting. "Distortions ripping reality apart. Heartless and Nobody dinosaurs. Tom and Cooper—still missing. How many people nearly died because of you?" She took another step forward, her amber eyes locked onto him. "You were playing with fire, and you burned yourself. That's not evolution—it's recklessness."
Kirk's shoulders slumped further, his head drooping forward. His body trembled slightly, his voice dropping to a faint murmur.
"It… it wasn't supposed to be like this…" he whispered, the weight of his actions finally sinking in. It was hard to tell if it was anger, grief, or some twisted mix of both.
Sonic shook his head from where he stood, his arms crossed as he observed Kirk with a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Yeah, not to mention you almost pulled this whole world apart. Good job, genius," the hedgehog said dryly, his usual humor absent, replaced by a stern edge.
Kirk didn't respond. His defeated posture spoke louder than his silence.
Meanwhile, Rick was hunched over the control panel, fingers flying across the keys as lines of code and diagnostic systems scrolled rapidly on the remaining functioning monitor. Jiminy Cricket perched nearby, his tiny figure observing the console with quiet intensity.
Sora turned toward Rick, Keyblade still in hand, his voice steady but concerned.
"Rick—are you sure this thing is turned off?" he asked.
Rick paused for a moment, his hands hovering over the keys. The faint hum of the machine was gone, replaced by a stillness that almost felt unnatural. He exhaled sharply, his tension melting away as he nodded firmly.
"Yeah… it's done," Rick confirmed, straightening. "Whatever you did with that Keyblade, Sora—it shut everything down. The distortions are gone. The system's reading a full shutdown. We're in the clear."
Jiminy nodded proudly, hopping off the console and back onto Sora' shoulder.
"I'll make a note of that, Rick. Great teamwork everyone!" he exclaimed.
Regina finally let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction.
"Let's just hope you're right," she muttered to Rick, before casting one last, critical look at Kirk. "Because if this world starts falling apart again, it's on you, Kirk. And we'll be back to clean up the mess—again."
Kirk didn't move. He sat motionless, staring blankly at the floor.
Sora, feeling the room's tension start to shift, turned to Rick with a small smile.
"Thanks for everything, Rick. You helped us shut this thing down," he remarked.
Rick smirked faintly, the weight of the situation still lingering, but a hint of relief in his voice.
"Don't thank me, Sora. You're the one with the magic key sword. I'm just the guy pushing buttons," he admitted.
Sonic grinned, nudging Sora with his elbow.
"Hey, don't let him fool you—pushing buttons is harder than it looks," Sonic said with a teasing tone.
Rick gave a short laugh, shaking his head as he turned back to the console.
"Yeah, yeah. Now let's make sure this thing stays off," he affirmed.
"Well, shucks, fellas—I think we did somethin' pretty important today. Gawrsh, what a fight that was," Goofy remarked.
Donald huffed, hands on his hips.
"Important, yes. Exhausting? Definitely," he admitted.
Jiminy chimed in cheerfully from Sora's shoulder, his tiny voice carrying a warmth that cut through the tension lingering in the room.
"All in a day's work for heroes like you!" he exclaimed.
The group nodded in agreement, sharing a quiet moment of accomplishment. However, it was Sonic, ever curious, who broke the silence.
"So… what's next for Kirk and you guys?" he asked, tilting his head toward the still-defeated scientist.
Gail stepped forward, his tone firm as ever.
"Kirk's coming with us. He's got a lot to answer for when S.O.R.T. higher ups get their hands on him."
Rick, still hunched over the console, let out a long sigh.
"And we've got to write a full report on this. Pages and pages of paperwork…" he admitted with a deflated tone.
"That sounds… boring," Sora said with a frown.
"Trust me, it is," Gail said dryly, shaking his head.
"More importantly…" Regina chimed in, her voice quieter this time as her gaze drifted toward the floor. "We need to find Tom and Cooper. I just… I hope they're alive."
Her words hung heavy in the air for a moment. Sonic, stepping beside her, spoke up with unexpected sincerity.
"They will be," he said, his tone unwavering. "If they're anything like you, Regina—tough as nails—they're going to make it through this. You'll find them."
Sora nodded, smiling warmly.
"Sonic's right. You'll find them, Regina. I know it," he added.
Regina looked at them, the faintest hint of surprise flickering in her amber eyes before she quickly masked it. She scoffed lightly, though there was no real bite behind it.
"Don't get soft on me, guys," she said, her voice wry. "Especially after the crap I gave you all during this mission."
Sonic shrugged with a confident grin.
"Trust us, we've teamed up with sterner," he said.
"Shadow, right?" Regina guessed, her sharp instincts cutting through.
Sonic blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"Yeah. How'd you—"
"Lucky guess," she interjected, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "He sounds like my kind of team mate. I hope to meet him one day."
Sonic laughed softly, crossing his arms.
"You two? Oh, you'd get on like a house on fire," he answered.
"Sounds about right," she shot back, the small exchange bringing a bit of life back into her tone.
Gail, who had been watching quietly, turned to face the group.
"So, I'm guessing you kids are off to save more worlds, huh?"
Sora smiled and nodded, his Keyblade now resting on his shoulder.
"Yeah. We've still got a lot of work to do," he explained.
"We have to keep moving! There are still worlds that need our help," Donald chimed in.
"And depend on us," Goofy added with a warm smile. "Gawrsh, it's what we're here for."
Regina glanced at the group, her expression softening slightly, though she quickly looked away.
"Well… don't get yourselves killed out there," she said.
Sonic raised a brow, his smirk returning.
"Am I sensing you're not good at goodbyes, Red?" he teased.
Regina turned sharply, glaring at him.
"Don't push it, hedgehog," she moaned.
Gail shook his head, a faint smirk breaking his usually stoic demeanor.
"You four are something else. I'll admit—S.O.R.T. wouldn't mind having you on board if you ever want a change of pace."
Rick, still by the console, turned back to the group and added, "And hey, if things go south here again, will you come back here? We might need you."
Sora nodded without hesitation, his voice steady.
"Of course. You can count on us," he confirmed.
Goofy chimed in with his usual cheer.
"We're never far away! Just give us a holler."
Regina's gaze lingered on the group a moment longer than necessary, her demeanor softening even more, though she quickly masked it with a sigh.
"Well… good luck out there," she said.
Sonic, never one to miss an opportunity, smirked and tilted his head toward her.
"You know, Red, for someone who gave me a hard time this whole mission, I think you're going to miss me."
Regina rolled her eyes dramatically, though the corners of her mouth twitched into the smallest smile.
"Don't flatter yourself, hedgehog," she replied bluntly.
"Oh, I'm taking that as a yes," Sonic quipped, grinning.
Rick let out a laugh, shaking his head.
"You two are something else," he teased.
Gail, finally stepping toward Kirk, gave the group a firm nod.
"Take care, all of you. And kid…" He turned to Sora, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "Good job back there. We'll keep this place locked down. Go save those worlds."
"Thanks, Gail. Take care of Regina and Rick," Sora replied with a warm smile.
As the group turned to leave, Sonic couldn't resist one last jab towards Regina.
"Don't worry, Red—I'll leave you my autograph for when you miss me," he teased once more.
Regina groaned, running a hand through her hair.
"For the love of—just go already," she countered.
Donald snickered as they walked away.
"He's really grown on you, huh?" the duck called out.
"Not another word, Donald," Regina snapped, but there was no hiding the faintest smile on her lips as she watched them go.
Sora, Sonic, Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy—perched on Sora's shoulder—made their way toward the exit. The hum of the facility faded behind them, the weight of their victory sinking in.
The adventure wasn't over—far from it. But as they stepped forward, one thing was certain:
Whatever came next, they'd face it together.
New Keyblade Unlocked: Primeval Fang
Design:
The Primeval Fang is a jagged, prehistoric-themed Keyblade with a sleek but dangerous aesthetic. Its hilt resembles reinforced black metal bones, layered like a dinosaur skeleton, with sharp claw-like guards curving outward. The handle wraps are made of a leathery crimson material, mimicking dinosaur hide. The Keyblade's blade is a serrated, fang-shaped structure that glows faintly with green energy veins—similar to the effects of the Third Energy distortions. Near the tip, an embedded Heartless emblem is cracked and faintly pulsing, symbolizing the chaos of Ibis Island. The teeth of the blade resemble the jaws of a T-Rex, lined with jagged, glowing teeth ready to "bite."
The chain's token is a miniature fossilized T-Rex skull, shimmering faintly in green light.
Abilities:
Prehistoric Pulse: Grants Sora the ability to unleash a ground-shaking finisher. Sora slams the Keyblade into the ground, creating seismic shockwaves that damage surrounding enemies.
Third Energy Surge: Temporarily boosts Sora's attack power and magic strength when landing consecutive hits, making it ideal for aggressive playstyles.
And that's Ibis Island done! This first visit was an absolute blast to write. Mixing the dark and gritty world of Dino Crisis with the adventurous tone of Kingdom Hearts added a unique twist, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I'm sure the second visit is going to be even crazier!
Thank you all so much for your continued support. It truly means the world to me and keeps me motivated to keep writing these stories.
Here's what's coming next:
Jiminy's Journal Entry for Ibis Island.
Character Files for the new additions.
A quick chapter to check in with other characters—Shadow & Aqua, Team Chaotix, Team Rose, and more—so we can see what's going on with them after two worlds.
After that, I'll be shifting focus to my other projects—Chain of Generations ReMiX and When Legends Meet—through the Christmas and holiday season. I plan to pick up KH II: BBE again in the new year, along with Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons.
A huge shout-out to Aragorn II Elessar for the brainstorming help on this world and the upcoming chapters. Your input has been invaluable!
Anyway, enjoy the next two chapters coming soon, and thank you again for being part of this journey!