Around the Worlds

The sun hung high in the sky, bathing a quaint town in a warm, golden light. Stone paths twisted gracefully between charming houses, their rooftops adorned with vibrant flowering plants that swayed gently in the breeze. The only sounds were the soft crunch of footsteps on cobblestone and the occasional chirp of birds hidden in the trees.

Aqua and Shadow moved in quiet determination, side by side, their gazes scanning the area with careful curiosity. The tranquility of the scene was a stark contrast to the chaos they normally faced. Their pursuit of Pete lead them through a Dark Corridor into this unfamiliar world. Now, with Pete long gone, the two were left to piece together where they'd ended up.

As they entered the town, the two immediately attracted attention. Citizens paused mid-conversation, turning their heads to look at the unusual duo. A few whispered to each other; others simply stared, their eyes wide with curiosity.

Shadow's red eyes darted towards the murmuring town's folk. His ears twitched, and he groaned under his breath.

"Why are they staring?" he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

Aqua, walking calmly beside him, glanced down with a small, bemused smile.

"I guess they're not used to seeing newcomers," she mused, her tone light. "Or maybe it's just you."

Shadow ignored the remark, his sharp gaze drifting across the town. Something familiar stood out in the distance—a red and white building. A distinct red-and-white sphere hung above the doorway, instantly catching his attention. People moved in and out of the building, several of them accompanied by creatures of all shapes and sizes.

Nearby, a small, bushy creature with black-and-white fur and zigzagging stripes pranced proudly beside its trainer. Another person walked past with a tiny blue, black and yellow coloured bird flapping close behind, its red eyes sharp and curious. Off to the side, a plump squirrel-like creature with chubby cheeks, scurried around its owner's ankles, chirping happily.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. It all clicked.

"I know where we are," he said, stopping abruptly.

Aqua paused mid-step and turned to him, her brow furrowing.

"Where are we?" she asked, taking in the cheerful creatures. Everywhere she looked, there was life and colour—something far removed from the worlds they had been to as of late.

Shadow crossed his arms, his expression firm.

"This is the world of Pokémon," he affirmed.

Aqua tilted her head, puzzled.

"Pokémon?" she questioned.

Shadow's gaze shifted, taking in the people interacting with their strange companions.

"They're creatures that coexist with humans here on this world. Some battle alongside their trainers; others are companions or helpers. This whole world revolves around them."

"interesting…" Aqua murmured. "And you know about this world?"

Shadow's expression hardened slightly.

"I've crossed paths with trainers before. There was one… Wally, from the Hoenn Region. His Pokémon fought Sonic in the Phil Cup."

"Really?" Aqua asked, intrigued.

"Yes. Back at the Olympus Coliseum," Shadow explained. "Sonic competed, and Wally's Pokémon—then a Kirlia—went up against him. Later, that same Kirlia evolved into a Gallade. They both helped us all seal the Door to Darkness."

Aqua's eyes widened in awe.

"He and his Pokémon helped seal the door?" she asked in suprise.

Shadow nodded, his tone more contemplative.

"They're stronger than they look," he explained. "Pokémon have the potential to grow—evolve—into more powerful forms. Their strength depends on their bond with their trainers."

Aqua smiled faintly, watching a fluffy, sheep-like Pokémon roll across the cobblestone path like a living cotton ball. Its flustered trainer scrambled after it, nearly tripping over his own feet as he shouted, "Wooloo, come back!"

"They sound… special," Aqua remarked, her voice tinged with amusement as she glanced at Shadow.

"They are," Shadow replied, his tone flat and matter-of-fact, though his crimson eyes tracked the Wooloo with mild curiosity.

Suddenly, Shadow's expression shifted. His brow furrowed as realisation dawned on him.

"Wait a minute…" he remarked, his sharp gaze swept over the crowd, who were now openly pointing at him. Excited whispers echoed through the streets.

"Look at that one!"

"Is that a Legendary Pokémon?"

"I've never seen one like that before!"

Shadow's ears twitched in irritation as a child tugged eagerly at his mother's sleeve, practically vibrating with excitement.

"…They think I'm a Pokémon," Shadow muttered, deadpan.

Aqua clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her laugh, her shoulders trembling with mirth.

"Well," she said between chuckles, "you do have the look of one."

Shadow's glare sharpened, but Aqua wasn't done. She grinned playfully.

"Maybe… they think I'm your trainer," she continued.

Shadow froze for a beat, staring at her in pure disbelief before narrowing his crimson eyes.

"Don't even go there," he replied flatly, his voice an even mix of annoyance and resignation. The faintest twitch of his brow betrayed his patience wearing thin.

Aqua giggled again, a playful grin spreading across her face.

"Come on, Shadow. Just imagine it: 'Shadow, use Chaos Spear!'" She mimicked a dramatic trainer's pose, pointing ahead as if commanding a battle. "That's how it works, right?"

Shadow sighed, the weight of her teasing settling visibly across his shoulders. He turned his head slightly, his stoic mask intact but a clear edge of exasperation in his tone.

"If you say one more word…" He let the silence hang for effect before finishing dryly, "I'll send you back to the Realm of Darkness myself."

Aqua gasped softly, feigning offense, but the sparkle in her blue eyes didn't fade.

"You wouldn't dare," she replied.

"Try me," Shadow said bluntly, glancing at her. His smirk just barely visible.

For a moment, the two stared at each other before Aqua broke into another laugh, her clear voice breaking the tension. Shadow, despite himself, allowed a ghost of a smile to tug at the corner of his mouth before shaking his head.

"You're impossible," he muttered.

"And you're far too easy to tease at times," Aqua shot back playfully.

Shadow merely grunted in response, his sharp gaze flicking away from Aqua. Suddenly, a soft, rolling sound echoed from behind them.

"Baaah…"

Aqua blinked and looked down, her eyes widening slightly as the familiar, fluffy creature from earlier rolled right up to her feet. Its wool-covered body stopped with a gentle thud, its eyes blinking up at her with unmistakable curiosity.

"Well, hello there," Aqua said softly, crouching down with a smile. She extended her hand carefully, and the Wooloo gave a happy little "Baah!" as it nuzzled against it.

Shadow crossed his arms, raising a skeptical brow.

"Seems like you've made a friend," he remarked.

Aqua chuckled, petting the creature's fluffy wool.

"It really likes me," she said.

Before Shadow could reply, a distant voice cut through the air, calling out with urgency.

"Oi, Wooloo! Where are you?!"

Moments later, a boy sprinted into view. He skidded to a stop near Aqua and Shadow, his breathing slightly labored but his face full of energy.

The boy was young with short, dark hair. His outfit stood out with its vibrant practicality: a blue jacket trimmed with white fur along the collar, giving it a slightly rugged look. Underneath, he wore a simple dark shirt, and his pants were dark grey. His shoes were sporty, dark in colour and built for running it seems. A green bag was slung diagonally across his back, marking him as someone always on the go.

"There you are, Wooloo!" the boy exclaimed, his voice bright with relief. He planted his hands on his knees as he caught his breath before straightening up to take in Aqua and Shadow. His eyes widened in surprise, lingering especially on Shadow.

"Whoa! Who're you guys?" The boy asked with genuine curiosity, his grin never faltering. "You're definitely not from around here."

Aqua rose back to her feet, the Wooloo circling happily around her legs.

"We're… travellers," she said kindly, keeping her explanation vague.

The boy tilted his head, his gaze moving between Aqua and Shadow.

"Travellers, huh? You're not Trainers though, are you? I mean, you've got that look, but…" He trailed off, eyeing Shadow's brooding stance and crimson stripes with a perplexed expression. "Wait a sec…" His face lit up with sudden realization. "Are you… a Pokémon?"

Shadow's eyes flared with immediate irritation.

"I'm not a Pokémon," he affirmed bluntly.

The boy took an instinctive step back, hands raised in defense, though he couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"Alright, alright, no need to get all serious about it, mate! Just looks like you could be a Legendary or something—especially with those red markings and, y'know, the attitude."

"Hmph," Shadow huffed in annoyance.

Aqua bit back a grin, clearly amused, but the boy refocused on her.

"Anyway, thanks for lookin' after Wooloo here. This little one's always gettin' into trouble." He crouched and gently patted Wooloo on the head, earning a happy "Baah!" from the Pokémon.

Aqua smiled as she replied.

"It's no problem. And you are?"

"I'm Hop," the boy said standing up straight again. "Nice to meet you."

"Hello Hop," Aqua said warmly. "I'm Aqua, and my brooding friend here is Shadow."

Shadow remained silent. He just stared at the lad, his arms folded.

Hop grinned, rocking back on his heels.

"Cool! Well, welcome to Wedgehurst in the Galar region!" He motioned around them proudly. "It's a quiet little place. Most Trainers start their journey around here—Routes 1 and 2 connect us to the rest of the region."

"Wedgehurst…" Aqua repeated softly, her gaze sweeping across the charming little town again. Flowering rooftops, cobblestone paths, and the occasional flutter of wings from passing bird Pokémon painted a serene picture. The soft rustle of the breeze only made it more enchanting. "It really is beautiful."

Hop's grin widened.

"It sure is! Just past Route 1 is Postwick—that's where I live with my big bro Leon, the Champion."

"Champion?" Aqua asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Yup! The best Pokémon Trainer in all of Galar. Leon's unbeatable!" Hop said with excitement, puffing out his chest with pride. "His Charizard chased off this shady lookin' bloke earlier too. Showed up actin' all suspicious-like near the edge of town. My brother gave him a good scare."

Hearing this, Shadow finally spoke up, his voice sharp.

"Suspicious how?" he questioned.

Hop blinked, surprised by the question, then scratched his head as he tried to explain.

"He was a big guy, dressed real weird, y'know? Kept mumblin' somethin' about finding 'darkness' or 'power.' My bro thought he looked dodgy, so he stepped in, but right when he was about to deal with him, the guy just… disappeared. Like, poof! Into some weird black vortex."

Shadow's crimson eyes narrowed.

"A dark corridor," he remarked, his voice filled with annoyance.

Aqua turned to Shadow, her face creased with concern.

"That must be Pete," she replied.

"Pete? Is that the shady bloke's name?" Hop asked, intrigued.

"Unfortunately," Shadow muttered. "He's causing trouble."

"Well, he's not here anymore," Hop continued, hands on his hips. "After he disappeared, Leon went back towards the Wild Area to look for signs of him. Said there's been strange things happenin' lately—like Pokémon acting weird, especially over in other regions."

"Other regions? Where?" Aqua asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Orre," Hop said, a slight frown tugging at his expression. "It's far from here—off the map for most Trainers—but word's spreadin' fast. People are saying Pokémon there are turning… dark and nasty. It's like they've lost their will and attacking trainers. Leon said he's never seen anything like it before."

"Dark Pokémon…" Aqua murmured, her voice soft but troubled. She glanced down at Shadow, who was clearly processing the new information.

"That can't be a coincidence," Shadow said firmly, his voice low and serious. "If Pete's lumbering around with the Heartless, it could be the reason why these Pokémon are turning to the darkness."

"Heartless?" Hop asked, his eyes widening in confusion as he turned toward Shadow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shadow's red eyes narrowed slightly, his tone calm but firm.

"They're creatures born from darkness—manifestations of corrupted hearts," he explained. "If they're here, they could be spreading that darkness and infecting Pokémon."

Hop blinked, clearly trying to wrap his head around this new information.

"Wait, wait… you're sayin' these Heartless things are messing with Pokémon? That's why they're turning dark and attacking trainers?"

"It's possible," Aqua added softly, her expression contemplative. "We've seen the Heartless cause trouble. If they've found their way here, they might be influencing Pokémon too."

Hop looked back and forth between the two, his face a mixture of awe and growing concern.

"Blimey… that's bad, isn't it? I mean, Pokémon are strong, but if something's messin' with their hearts, it'd explain a lot."

"It would," Aqua agreed, her tone serious. "And if Heartless are involved, Pete is probably to blame."

"That buffoon," Shadow muttered, annoyed just by Pete's name being said.

Hop frowned, visibly unsettled.

"That shady bloke Leon chased… Pete, you said? If he's causin' all this mess, then we gotta find him. My bro won't let him get away if he's causin' trouble," he said, determination growing in his voice.

Shadow glanced at Hop, his sharp crimson gaze steady.

"Your brother may have chased him off for now, but Pete isn't someone who disappears easily, kid. He uses dark corridors to travel between places—he could be anywhere by now."

Hop's brow furrowed as he tried to digest this information.

"Dark corridors… so he's jumpin' around like he's got Teleport or somethin'? That's not fair!" he moaned.

Aqua managed a faint smile at Hop's comparison.

"It's similar, I suppose, but it's darkness that lets him move like that."

Hop shook his head, determination filling his expression.

"Well, he can't hide forever, can he? If there's darkness causing all this trouble, we've got to stop it before it gets worse," he declared, courage shinning through his words.

"That's the plan, kid," Shadow confirmed, giving the lad a small nod.

Hop straightened, his grin returning, though this time it was accompanied by a fiery determination.

"Then let's get to the Professor's lab! If anyone can help you figure this all out, it's her," he said.

"The professor?" Aqua asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Yeah!" Hop replied enthusiastically. "Professor Magnolia! She's the top researcher on Dynamax energy here in Galar."

"Dynamax energy?" Aqua questioned, turning to Shadow.

The Ultimate Lifeform saw Aqua staring down at him and he could only shrug. He didn't know what it was either.

"Sorry, Hop," Aqua said, now turning back to the lad. "But you're going to have to explain it to us."

"No problem, Aqua. Dynamax is this energy that makes Pokémon grow super huge and super strong in certain areas," Hop explained. "It's incredible, really—but it's also pretty dangerous if it's not controlled."

Shadow's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information.

"An unstable energy source," he said flatly, his tone sharpening. "If the darkness is already causing issues in the Orre region, it could interfere with Dynamax energy here too."

Hop blinked, surprised by how quickly Shadow pieced things together.

"You reckon the two are connected, mate?" he quizzed.

"It's a possibility," Shadow replied, his crimson gaze fixed ahead, focused and calculating. "Darkness has a way of corrupting anything it touches. If this… Dynamax energy is as unstable as you say, it might be vulnerable to corruption."

Aqua's expression grew serious as she considered this.

"If the darkness influences it, it could cause catastrophic results," she added quietly.

"Exactly," Shadow confirmed, his voice low. "If something as powerful as this Dynamax energy is thrown out of balance, it could be disastrous—not just for Galar, but for the entire world."

Hop's confident expression faltered slightly as he processed their words, but his resolve quickly returned.

"Then we've gotta stop it before it happens! The professor might not know much about this 'darkness' you're talkin' about, but she knows more about Dynamax energy than anyone else. If something's messin' with it, she'll figure it out."

Aqua offered a reassuring smile.

"That's a good place to start, Hop. Thank you for helping us," she said kindly.

Hop grinned, his optimism shining through.

"No worries! If there's trouble in Galar, I'll help however I can," Hop affirmed bravely. "Leon always says it's a Trainer's duty to step up and protect their world when it's in danger."

Shadow gave a small grunt of approval, a rare flicker of respect showing in his crimson eyes.

"That's a good attitude to have, kid," he said.

Hop grinned, the determination radiating off him as he gestured ahead.

"Come on, follow me and Wooloo! We'll get to the professor's lab in no time."

"Baaah!" Wooloo chimed cheerfully, happily rolling along the cobblestone path, as if it didn't have a care in the world.

Shadow and Aqua exchanged a look, their expressions serious but aligned with purpose. Aqua gave a small nod, her soft smile breaking through the tension of their journey. Shadow, stoic as ever, nodded back.

Without another word, the two followed Hop and his Wooloo down the winding path toward Professor Magnolia's lab, the sun dipping slightly in the sky, casting long shadows across the vibrant fields of Galar. Their next steps were set, but the mystery of Pete's whereabouts, the darkness in Orre, and the unstable energy looming over this region weighed heavily on both their minds.

Tails' Workshop - Mystic Ruins - Mobius

Outside Tails' familiar workshop, Team Chaotix—Vector, Espio, and Charmy—were growing increasingly impatient. The sun beat down on the metal structure, and the only sound was the faint rustling of trees nearby.

Vector, ever the loudmouth, stood at the front door, pounding on it with his fist.

"Yo, Tails! Open up already! You in there or what?!"

"We've been standing here for ten minutes," Espio muttered, arms folded and expression unimpressed. "Maybe he's busy or not in."

Charmy hovered behind them, his bee wings buzzing noisily as he tilted his head.

"Or maybe he's on a top-secret mission with Sonic! You know, saving worlds, finding emeralds, stopping bad guys—the usual."

Vector groaned dramatically, throwing his hands in the air.

"Nah, nah, nah. He has to be home. We saw the Tornado parked out back. If he's not in there, then where else would he be?"

Espio raised an eyebrow, deadpan.

"You do remember he can fly with his two tails, right?" he replied bluntly.

"Yeah, and he can run really fast too!" Charmy added enthusiastically, zooming around Vector's head in spirals.

Vector paused, gears turning in his head before he growled, "Would you two quit it?! I'm trying to stay focused here!" He knocked again, harder this time. "TAILS, COME ON! WE'RE ON THE CLOCK!"

Suddenly, from behind them came the sound of footsteps and cheerful chatter. Turning as one, Team Chaotix found themselves face-to-face with Team Rose—Amy, Cream, Cheese, and Big, with Froggy lazily perched on the cat's shoulder.

"Well, well, well," Vector said, crossing his arms with a smug grin. "If it ain't Team Rose. What're you guys doing here?"

Amy stepped forward confidently, resting her hands on her hips.

"We're here to see Tails. We need a ride," she replied.

"A ride? What, to the grocery store?" Vector teased.

"No," Amy replied sharply, rolling her eyes. "We need to get to Twilight Town."

"Twilight Town?" Espio cut in, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Why?"

"Because we want to visit our friends!" Cream chimed in sweetly, her gentle voice full of excitement. "We haven't seen Hayner, Pence, and Olette in such a long time."

Big nodded with a relaxed smile.

"Yeah. Me and Froggy miss them too."

"Rippet," Froggy croaked in agreement.

"Twilight Town, huh?" Vector repeated, scratching his head. "That's the place you guys ended up when Mobius got swallowed by the darkness, right?"

"Yes, Detective Vector," Cheese clarified. "Big, Froggy, Cheese and I ended up there."

"Chao Chao," Cheese added.

"And what about you, Mr. Big Detective? Why do you need Tails?" Amy interjected, wanting answers.

Vector hesitated, his earlier bravado faltering slightly.

"Uh… well… we've got a case! Yeah, a case! Real serious stuff."

Amy smirked, leaning in closer.

"Let me guess—you're heading to Hollow Bastion?" she mused.

Espio raised an eyebrow as Vector stammered, "W-what?! Hollow Bastion?! How'd you—"

Cream giggled softly as she spoke.

"I bet it's because Detective Vector wants to see Miss Aerith again!" he teased.

Vector turned crimson, his jaw hanging open as Charmy exploded into laughter, buzzing circles above him.

"Ooooooh, Vector's got a crush!" Charmy teased.

"N-no, it's not like that!" Vector spluttered, waving his arms frantically. "It's for a case, I swear! STRICTLY BUSINESS!"

"Sure it is," Amy teased with a wink, clearly enjoying herself.

"Actually, he's right" Espio said, stepping in smoothly, his tone calm but serious, "we might have a lead on the true Ansem case we've been working on."

Amy blinked, her playful expression replaced with curiosity.

"Wait, really? You're still working on that?" she questioned.

"Yup!" Charmy chimed in, buzzing excitedly. "Detective stuff never sleeps, Amy!"

Cream tilted her head, her big, innocent eyes looking between the Chaotix members.

"Ansem? Isn't he the evil man who made Mobius get lost in the dark?" she asked.

Cheese let out a soft "Chao!" in agreement.

Big's ears perked up, and his voice rumbled as he scratched his head.

"Hey yeah… that's him, right? The guy who sent our world into the darkness?"

Vector shook his head firmly, his tone more serious now.

"No, no, no. That wasn't the real Ansem, folks. That was an imposter—someone usin' the real Ansem's name for his dirty work."

"Oh," Cream said softly, clearly surprised. "So… there's more to it?"

"You could say that," Espio added, his arms folded thoughtfully. "This case has had a lot of twists, but we've been piecing it together bit by bit. The imposter may have caused the fall of Mobius and many other worlds, but the real Ansem is a different story altogether."

Amy nodded as things started to click in her head.

"Yeah, I remember now. That impostor… he called himself 'Ansem,' but it wasn't really him. You guys were digging into that back when everything went dark."

"Exactly," Vector replied with a satisfied snap of his fingers. "We found part of a ripped-up report before. Now we've got a new lead, and guess where it points us?"

Amy placed a hand on her hip, smirking.

"Let me guess… Hollow Bastion?" she quizzed.

"Bingo," Vector said, pointing a finger toward her dramatically. "The clues lead back there. That castle's basement is practically screamin' for answers, and we're gonna find them."

Cream looked up, her brow furrowed slightly.

"That sounds scary…" she admitted softly.

"Chaooo," Cheese added.

"It is," Espio replied, his voice calm but reassuring. "But it's something we need to do. The truth about Ansem—the real Ansem—might help us understand so much more about what has been going on."

"Plus, y'know…" Charmy chimed in with a grin, "Vector really wants to see Aerith again."

"WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF?!" Vector roared, his face instantly turning red as he waved his arms wildly. "We're talkin' about serious stuff here!"

Amy chuckled at the crocodile's flustered state but then turned to Cream and Big with a kind smile.

"So, you guys didn't know about this case, huh?" she asked.

Cream shook her head.

"No. But I'm glad Team Chaotix are trying to find the answers," she replied.

Big nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful.

"It's important to know what happened. Maybe it'll help make sure it doesn't happen again."

Suddenly, a loud buzzing sound echoed from the door, and everyone instinctively stepped back. A faint hum filled the air, followed by a burst of soft blue light. Before them, a familiar figure flickered into view—a holographic projection of Tails, standing perfectly still with his usual cheerful smile.

"Oh, hey everyone!" Tails greeted, his voice as chipper as ever. "What's going on?"

Vector blinked, his mouth hanging open for a second.

"Wait a minute… Tails? You're a hologram? Is this some kinda new experiment?" he asked.

Charmy zoomed closer, circling the projection with wide eyes.

"Whoa, this is so cool! You're like… a ghost! But not spooky!" he exclaimed.

Espio raised an eyebrow, his arms folded.

"Interesting. How does this projection work, Tails?" he questioned.

Tails grinned, clearly pleased with his invention.

"It's a system I built for when I'm not at the workshop. It lets me communicate remotely, even from off-world. Pretty neat, huh?"

"Wait, off-world? Tails, where are you right now?" Amy probed.

"Hollow Bastion," Tails replied casually, as if he were just next door.

"HOLLOW BASTION?!" both Vector and Amy exclaimed at once, their voices overlapping in surprise.

Vector threw his hands up in disbelief.

"Are you serious?! We need to get there pronto!" he shouted out.

Tails blinked, a little surprised at the outburst.

"Wait, you guys need to get to Hollow Bastion? Why?" he asked.

Vector jabbed his thumb toward himself and proudly declared, "We've got a lead on the Ansem case, and it's takin' us straight back to the castle. There's some stuff in that basement we need to investigate—strictly detective business!"

"Strictly business," Espio echoed with a nod, though his tone was drier.

Amy, meanwhile, crossed her arms and spoke up.

"Well, we need to get to Twilight Town. Cream and Big want to visit some friends there, and we thought you could help us out, Tails."

"Oh, Twilight Town, huh?" Tails said thoughtfully. "That's pretty far, but I can probably sort something out…"

Cream clasped her hands together, looking hopeful.

"You can? Oh, thank you, Tails!" she said sweetly.

Big nodded slowly, his voice as calm as ever.

"Yeah… Froggy and I really want to see Hayner, Pence, and Olette again," he explained.

"But wait a sec," Charmy interrupted, hovering up to the hologram, "if you're on Hollow Bastion, what are you doing there, Tails?"

"I came here with Sonic to help look for the Chaos Emeralds," Tails explained. "But after we got here, I stuck around to help Cid and the Restoration Committee upgrade their defensive systems. There's been a lot of Heartless and Nobody activity lately, and they needed an extra pair of hands."

"So Sonic's there, too?" Amy asked, her curiosity piqued. "What's he up to?"

"No, not right now. Sonic's off adventuring with Sora, Donald, and Goofy," Tails clarified.

"Sora, Donald, and Goofy?" Amy repeated, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "They're back at it again?"

"Yep!" Tails confirmed. "They're helping Sonic search for the Chaos Emeralds while also dealing with Heartless and Nobodies on other worlds."

Vector rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Huh. Well, I guess it's no surprise those three are wrapped up in this again. They're pretty good at takin' care of business," he admitted.

Espio nodded in agreement.

"If Sonic and Sora are working together, they'll cover a lot of ground quickly," he said.

"Exactly," Tails replied. "But what about you guys? If you need transport, let me make a call. I might know someone who can help you out."

Amy tilted her head.

"A call? To who?" she asked.

Tails smiled mysteriously, his hologram starting to flicker slightly.

"Give me a minute. Stand by, and I'll see what I can do."

With that, the blue light of the projection blinked out, leaving the teams standing there in silence for a moment.

"Who's he gonna call?" Charmy wondered aloud, scratching his head.

Vector shrugged, his usual bravado returning.

"Doesn't matter. As long as it gets us to Hollow Bastion, I don't care if he calls a flying toaster," he remarked.

Amy smirked, shaking her head.

"I just hope we don't have to wait too long. Cream, Big, don't worry—we'll figure this out."

Cream smiled brightly, her optimism unwavering.

"I know we will, Amy," she replied warmly.

"Yep. Me and Froggy are patient. We can wait, too," Big confirmed, with Froggy still perched on his shoulder.

Espio turned to Vector.

"We may not have a ride yet, but at least we know Tails is working on it," Espio said thoughtfully.

"And when we do get to Hollow Bastion, we're gonna crack this case wide open!" Vector exclaimed.

Amy smirked at Vector's enthusiasm.

"Just don't forget to say hi to Aerith while you're there," she teased.

"I TOLD YOU IT'S STRICTLY BUSINESS!" Vector shouted, his face turning beet red.

Charmy burst into laughter, while Cream and Cheese giggled softly. Even Espio allowed a faint, amused smirk to cross his face.

With the promise of Tails' help and the teams' shared determination, they stood ready to tackle their next steps.

Hollow Bastion - Merlin's House

Tails disconnected the call back to Mobius, his holographic interface winking out as he sighed deeply. He stood at the center of Merlin's, rubbing the back of his head as he thought out loud.

"Hmmm… who can I call to help them out?" he pondered, his tails twitching behind him.

Near the back of the room, Merlin hummed quietly to himself as he pored over his ancient tomes. Yuffie sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, twirling a kunai idly, while Cid clattered away at the computer, muttering under his breath as he typed furiously.

"You look like you're about to explode from thinking too hard, Tails," Yuffie teased, grinning up at the fox.

Cid huffed without looking up, his voice a low grumble.

"Just spit it out already. If ya need somethin', don't just stand there lookin' like a broken gearbox."

"I am trying to figure it out!" Tails shot back, his frustration peeking through. "Team Chaotix needs a way to get here, and Team Rose needs a ride to Twilight Town—but there's no ship available right now. I can't exactly ask Sonic to turn around mid-mission, and I don't have Carol to call this time."

"Hmm…" Yuffie hummed, propping her chin on her hand. "Sounds like you're in a real pickle."

"Indeed," Merlin chimed in, flipping a page in his book. "A rather tricky situation, I'd say."

The door creaked open, and Aerith entered with her usual calm and gentle smile, followed closely by Rouge and Omega. Rouge was flipping through a small communicator, her eyes focused as if mid-thought, while Omega's heavy metallic steps clanked loudly as he entered the room.

"We are back," Aerith said warmly.

"Nice, but where is Leon?" Yuffie asked, looking over.

"Leon had to check something in the bailey," Aerith explained softly, setting a basket of supplies on a nearby table.

Rouge arched an eyebrow, looking at Tails' conflicted expression.

"You look troubled, Tails. Something on your mind?" she asked.

"THE FOX REQUIRES ASSISTANCE," Omega said bluntly, his glowing red eyes fixated on Tails like he was analysing a problem.

Tails let out a small sigh of relief at their timely arrival.

"Yeah, you could say that. I need to get two teams off-world: Team Chaotix needs to get here to Hollow Bastion, and Team Rose wants to go to Twilight Town. But without Captain Marvel or a ship of my own, I'm stuck."

Rouge smirked, leaning her hip against a nearby table.

"So you need transportation? Well… there is someone who owes G.U.N. a favour or two," she revealed.

"Oh yeah? Who's that, bat?" Cid mused.

Rouge tapped on her communicator with an air of smug confidence.

"Actually, make that two heroes. They're good at this kind of thing," she said.

"Who are you talking about, my dear?" Merlin asked.

Omega suddenly spoke up, his voice booming and unmistakable.

"RATCHET AND CLANK."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Who?" Tails asked, ears perked up.

"WHO?" Yuffie echoed, sounding just as confused.

"Who the hell are they?" Cid grumbled, turning fully in his chair to face the group.

Omega turned his head toward the group, his red eyes flaring as though offended by their ignorance.

"RATCHET AND CLANK. A LOMBAX AND HIS ROBOT COMPANION. GALAXY-RENOWNED HEROES, ENGINEERS, AND SPECIALISTS IN INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL."

"A Lombax?" Yuffie tilted her head. "What the heck is a Lombax?"

Rouge smirked as her communicator buzzed and Ratchet's familiar voice crackled over the line.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" she remarked.

The communication screen near Cid's computer flickered to life, and the image of Ratchet appeared on the monitor. Clank was stood beside him with his ever-composed demeanor.

"Rouge? Hey, long time no speak!" Ratchet greeted warmly. "What's the occasion?"

"Good to hear you're still kicking, Ratchet," Rouge replied smoothly. "You keeping busy? Dealing with that Nefarious guy again, or maybe Qwark's oversized ego?"

Ratchet let out an exaggerated groan, rolling his eyes.

"Don't even get me started on Qwark. The guy just tried to take credit for my last victory. Again," he moaned.

Omega's voice cut in with its usual bluntness.

"CAPTAIN QWARK. AN UNRELIABLE AND INSUFFERABLE PRESENCE. I DO NOT APPROVE."

Ratchet blinked at Omega and stifled a laugh.

"Heh, well, Omega hasn't changed. Good to see you too, big guy."

"ENOUGH SMALL TALK, LOMBAX. ROUGE REQUIRES YOUR ASSISTANCE," Omega stated plainly.

"Right," Rouge agreed. "We need a lift, Ratchet. Two teams need transport across the worlds, and you owe G.U.N. a favour, remember?"

"Sure thing, I remember," Ratchet replied. "So where do they need to go?"

"One team needs to come here to Hollow Bastion, the other to Twilight Town," Rouge explained.

"Twilight Town?" Ratchet repeated, rubbing his chin. "Huh. That's a nice spot. Quiet and full of mystery—Clank liked it."

"It was quite serene," Clank agreed with a small nod.

"Perfect," Rouge said with a victorious grin. "We'll send the coordinates. Think you can handle it?"

"You got it," Ratchet replied with confidence. "We'll be there in no time. We've been itching for a little adventure anyway."

As the call ended, Aerith turned to Tails with a smile.

"Looks like Team Chaotix will get their ride to Hollow Bastion after all," she said thoughtfully.

Yuffie groaned playfully, slumping her shoulders.

"Oh great. That means Vector's coming," she moaned.

"Come on, Yuffie. He's nice," Aerith replied with a serene smile.

Yuffie raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Nice, huh? What do you see in that guy anyway?" he questioned.

Cid grumbled, shaking his head.

"Yeah, what's the deal with you and that croc? I mean, really," he probed with a groaning tone.

Aerith's smile grew a little brighter, her voice soft but sincere.

"He makes me laugh," she admitted.

Yuffie let out an exaggerated groan.

"Oh nooo, not the laughter defense," she teased.

Cid rolled his eyes and turned back to his computer.

"You're all crazy," he muttered.

Tails, meanwhile, let out a relieved sigh, finally seeing the pieces fall into place.

"Thank goodness that's sorted out. At least they'll get where they need to go now," he said.

"Just remember, Tails," Rouge added with a sly grin, "you owe me for this one."

Tails chuckled, already moving back toward his work with renewed focus.

"I'll add it to my tab," he remarked with a smile.

With the plans set and Ratchet and Clank on their way, the group began to settle back into their tasks. It wouldn't be long before the teams set off on their journeys, and for now, the sense of progress brought some much-needed calm to Merlin's house.

"Well," Yuffie said, tossing her kunai into the air with a grin. "This just got a whole lot more interesting."

Twilight Town – Clock Tower

The sun hung low over Twilight Town, its golden light spilling across the rooftops in a serene glow. The clock tower loomed high above the town, its face quietly ticking as it overlooked the distant plaza. It was peaceful, almost deceptively so.

Standing on the edge of the clock tower's platform was Silver, staring out over the sprawling town below. His silver quills swayed gently in the breeze, but his golden eyes were sharp and filled with purpose. He'd been in Twilight Town for what felt like days, scouring every shadow, every alley, every suspicious corner.

"Still no sign of him..." he muttered to himself.

Silver clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up.

"Axel… I know you're here somewhere," he murmured under his breath. "I can feel it."

The hedgehog's mission was clear—find Axel, the fiery member of Organization XIII. Silver had been certain that Axel was lingering in Twilight Town. He hadn't been destroyed after the fight with Roxas—that much Silver believed. There was something… off about the flow of events here, and wherever there was a shift in the balance, Organization XIII wasn't far behind.

"Where are you hiding?" Silver whispered to himself, his voice carried away by the wind. His gaze scanned the town below once more—empty rooftops, quiet streets, and the shadow of the clock hand as it moved steadily across the town square.

He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. It wasn't like he hadn't hit dead ends before. This was part of his mission—patience, observation. It didn't mean Axel wasn't here; it just meant Axel didn't want to be found.

Suddenly, a chill crept down Silver's spine, interrupting his thoughts. It wasn't cold, not in the usual sense, but something shifted in the air behind him. A presence.

His instincts kicked in immediately. Silver tensed and turned on his heel, ready to fight.

A soft, familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Silver."

Silver froze, his golden eyes widening.

There, standing in front of him, was Blaze the Cat.

Silver stared at her in shock, as if trying to confirm she was real.

"Blaze…?" he remarked in suprise.

She didn't respond immediately. She simply watched him, her expression calm yet purposeful, like she'd known where to find him all along.

Silver swallowed hard, his mind racing. How is she here? She wasn't supposed to be here—was she? Yet here she was, in Twilight Town, looking at him like she'd been searching for him just as much as he'd been searching for Axel.

"Blaze… what are you doing here?" Silver finally managed to ask, his voice soft but tinged with disbelief.

Blaze tilted her head slightly, her expression unwavering.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," she remarked.

"It's a long story," Silver admitted.

"I've got time," she replied calmly, the faintest hint of curiosity cutting through her usual stoicism. "Why don't you start from the beginning?"