Ibis Island - Part 1

The air was thick and heavy, the kind that clung to your skin and made every breath feel weighted. Darkness pressed in from all sides, the towering jungle canopy above leaving only the faintest traces of moonlight to guide the way. The occasional flash of distant lightning illuminated the tangled roots and overgrown foliage, casting fleeting, jagged shadows that twisted and danced as if alive. A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, sending a faint vibration through the ground beneath their boots.

As our heroes walked through the depths of the muggy jungle, Sonic was the first to break the silence, his voice cutting through the humid stillness.

"Okay, can we just agree," he began, waving a hand around at their surroundings, "that this place is, like, peak 'things that go bump in the night' territory?"

Donald, leading the way, didn't even look back as he responded.

"Oh, quit your whining, Sonic," the duck moaned. "We landed where the World's Gate opened. It's not like I can just move it wherever you want."

"Yeah, yeah," Sonic huffed. "But seriously, Donnie, couldn't we have landed at the facility instead of… you know, here?" He gestured dramatically to the ominous jungle, where the rustling of unseen creatures kept everyone on edge.

Donald stopped and turned, making the rest of the group stop in their tracks. The duck's feathers ruffled in irritation.

"I told you! The World's Gate doesn't work that way!" he snapped back with irritation.

Sonic sighed deeply, glancing up at Sora with a dramatic shrug.

"Typical. You'd think after all this world-hopping, someone would've figured out how to make these things more user-friendly," he remarked.

Goofy chuckled lightly before chiming in.

"Gawrsh, I dunno, Sonic. Maybe the jungle's just where we're meant to start, y'know? Like a big ol' adventure," he said.

"Adventure, huh?" Sonic muttered. "Feels more like a setup for a survival horror game."

The hedgehog glanced sideways, as if expecting a zombie or something worse to lurch out from the shadows.

Sora perked up, his wide eyes scanning the dark jungle.

"This place… it feels different. Heavier, somehow," he mused.

"You're right, Sora," Goofy agreed. "It feels like there's something' watchin' us. Or maybe… waitin'?"

"But we've seen no Heartless or Nobodies yet," Donald responded. "That's what feels weird. Usually, they're everywhere."

"Right?" Sonic added, leaning closer to Donald. "But, what if there's something else out here? Something scarier than the Heartless or those Nobodies?"

Donald rolled his eyes at Sonic's comment.

"Oh, please. What could possibly scare them away?" the duck questioned.

"Well, maybe…" Sonic leaned in closer, his grin sly. "Maybe something that could eat them?"

"Eat them? Seriously?" Donald replied, his expression deadpan.

"Think about it!" Sonic replied, throwing his arms up. "Big scary jungle, creepy atmosphere, and the way you can barely hear anything but thunder. If I were Heartless or one of those Nobodies, I'd bail too."

Sora tilted his head, confused.

"You mean… the Heartless could get eaten?" he mused.

Goofy scratched his head as he chimed in.

"Uh, that'd be somethin', wouldn't it?"

Donald groaned, his feathers puffing up as he glared at Sonic.

"How many video games did you play while we were apart, huh? Where do you come up with this stuff?" the duck quizzed.

"Enough to know a survival horror vibe when I see one." Sonic smirked, then pointed dramatically at the jungle around them. "We're talking 'stay out of the shadows,' 'don't trust the flickering lights,' and 'save your inventory for the boss' kinda stuff."

"Video games are like that?" Sora asked, his brow furrowed. "I didn't know they made games about… being scared."

Sonic looked at Sora with mock disbelief.

"Wow. You're so innocent, pal. Stick with me, and I'll teach you about a whole new world of entertainment," the hedgehog teased.

"Do ya think they have video games on other worlds?" Goofy wondered aloud, scratching his chin. "I bet our pal Pence in Twilight Town would know."

Donald threw up his hands, clearly done with the conversation.

"Focus, everyone! We've got a mission, remember? Weird transmissions, missing scientist, creatures lurking around—ring any bells?"

"Yeah, yeah," Sonic replied, waving a hand dismissively. "But you've got to admit, this jungle's got a whole lot of ambiance."

As if to prove his point, another roll of thunder rumbled through the air, the ground vibrating faintly beneath their feet. A flash of lightning illuminated the tangled branches ahead, revealing claw-like marks gouged into a nearby tree. Sora's gaze lingered on the marks, a slight shiver running down his spine.

"I think Sonic might be onto something," Sora murmured, stepping closer to the clawed tree. "This place feels… wrong."

"See? Told ya. Survival horror 101," Sonic said smugly.

"Enough with the horror stuff!" Donald snapped, turning and marching ahead. "Let's just find out what's going on here before you scare us all into running around like headless chickens."

Sonic leaned toward Goofy, watching the Duck waddle ahead.

"You think he's scared?" the hedgehog asked with a playful tone.

"Aw, I think he's just focused," Goofy answered.

"Sure. Focused…" Sonic retorted, turning and giving a playful wink to Sora, who shook his head with a small laugh.

Suddenly, a loud commotion pierced the stillness of the jungle—a sharp crack of energy followed by a metallic ping that echoed through the dense foliage. The noise was enough to send a flock of birds bursting from the canopy, their cries cutting through the humid night air as they vanished into the dark. The ground seemed to vibrate faintly beneath their feet, and another sharp burst of sound followed—a volley of rapid-fire shots.

"WAAAH!" Donald quacked loudly, leaping a good foot into the air before tumbling into a nearby bush with a rustle of leaves.

"Donald!" Sora called out, concern in his voice as he turned toward the bush. "Are you okay?"

From within the foliage, Donald's voice came, breathless and flustered.

"I-I'm fine! Just… taking cover!" he affirmed.

"Guess he wasn't so focused after all," Sonic said with a smirk.

Goofy scratched his head, his ears twitching as he peered into the surrounding darkness.

"Gawrsh fellas… What was that noise? Sure didn't sound friendly," he mused.

"It came from over there," Sora said, his grip tightening on the Hidden Dragon Keyblade as he instinctively summoned it. The blade shimmered faintly in the dim light, its presence bringing him a small measure of comfort.

"Sounds like trouble," Sonic added, crouching slightly as he prepared to dash. "Could be that Dr. Kirk guy—or someone who needs help."

"We'd better investigate!" Sora declared, determination sparking in his eyes.

"Yeah, let's roll!" Sonic shot back, already stepping forward.

The two bolted into the jungle, their silhouettes darting through the shadows with Goofy close behind, leaving a startled Donald behind.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Donald's voice called out, muffled slightly by the foliage as he struggled to extricate himself from the bush.

A moment later, he popped free with an indignant huff, brushing leaves off his feathers as he scrambled after the others.

"Why do I always get left behind?!" he quacked in frustration, running as fast as he could to catch up.

The dense jungle opened into a small clearing, where a woman with striking red hair stood amidst a swarm of shadowy creatures. Her movements were precise and calculated, each shot from her customised Glock 34 handgun finding its mark. She wore a form-fitting black tactical suit, designed for agility and stealth, with a utility belt holding various equipment. Her crimson hair framed a face marked by determination, and her amber eyes scanned her surroundings with sharp focus.

Sora and his companions emerged from the underbrush, immediately recognising the dark entities.

"Heartless!" Sora exclaimed, gripping his Keyblade. "But who's that fighting them?"

The woman's attention momentarily shifted to the newcomers, her expression a mix of surprise and scepticism. This brief distraction allowed more Neoshadows to emerge from the surrounding darkness, their numbers swelling.

"We'd better get in there and help her out," Sora urged.

"Right!" Sonic agreed.

The group charged forward, positioning themselves alongside the woman. She glanced at them, her eyes narrowing as she assessed their sudden appearance.

"What is this, backup? Who are you?" she demanded, her tone edged with suspicion.

"No time to explain," Sora replied, readying his Keyblade. "Let's take down these Heartless!"

"Heartless?" she echoed, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Is that what you call these things?"

"Enough talk," Sonic interjected, his stance poised for action. "Let's do this!"

The woman smirked, a glint of amusement in her amber eyes.

"Fine by me. Just try to keep up," she remarked.

With that, the battle commenced, the unlikely allies facing the encroaching darkness together.

NeoShadow Heartless

Battle Music: Tension Rising - Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX

The clearing erupted into chaos as Sora, Sonic, Donald, and Goofy charged into the fray, their combined efforts turning the tide of battle against the swarm of Neoshadows.

Sora darted forward, his Hidden Dragon Keyblade blazing with energy. With swift precision, he slashed at the nearest Heartless, its shadowy form breaking apart into dark mist. Sonic followed suit, leaping high into the air and curling into a spin. His attack struck true, ricocheting off one Neoshadow and slamming into another with an audible crack. Donald, a few steps behind, waved his Hammer Staff and called out, "Fire!" A burst of flames ignited a Neoshadow mid-lunge, consuming it in a brilliant flash. Meanwhile, Goofy charged with his shield raised, slamming into a Heartless with enough force to send it tumbling into the jungle underbrush.

The red-haired woman held her ground amidst the chaos, her sharp amber eyes flicking between these unexpected allies. She raised her Glock 34, the silenced handgun barking quietly as each precise shot hit its mark. Dark mist erupted with every pull of the trigger as the Neoshadows dissolved one by one.

"What kind of circus act have I stumbled onto here?" she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm as her sharp amber eyes darted between them. "A duck with a magical hammer, a dog with a shield, a kid swinging a giant key, and their pet blue rodent?"

"Hey, it's Hedgehog!" Sonic shot back mid-spin, his fiery Spin Dash lighting up the clearing as it scattered several Heartless. He landed beside her with his trademark smirk, kicking up embers around his shoes. "And you're welcome."

She rolled her eyes but said nothing, already aiming at another Heartless that had leapt from the shadows. Her precise shot dropped it instantly.

"Impressive," Sora commented, flipping over a Neoshadow and slicing through two more with a fiery Keyblade combo. He landed lightly and grinned. "But we've got this too."

"Yeah, sure," she said, sidestepping a Heartless's claw swipe with ease. "We'll see."

From behind her, Sonic suddenly darted forward, his Wisp Bangal glowing with a vibrant orange hue. The clearing resonated with the booming voice of the Wisp announcer: "ROCKET!"

The red-haired woman froze mid-motion, her amber eyes narrowing in bewilderment.

"What in the hell was that?" she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"You get used to it," Sora said casually, his Hidden Dragon Keyblade slicing cleanly through a nearby Neoshadow. Dark mist erupted from the defeated Heartless, but the boy's tone remained light, as if this were just another day for him.

The woman's gaze snapped back to Sonic as a streak of fiery orange light shot skyward, the hedgehog spinning in a blazing vortex. For a moment, he was a comet streaking against the dark jungle canopy. Then, with an earth-shaking BOOM, Sonic plummeted back to the ground, landing with explosive force. The impact sent a fiery shockwave through the clearing, scattering Neoshadows like leaves in a storm. When the dust settled, charred marks dotted the ground, and flames flickered at the edges of the circle he had created.

The woman blinked, momentarily speechless as she took in the sight.

"Did that blue rat just explode?" she asked, her tone a mix of incredulity and sarcasm.

"Look lady, I'm a hedgehog," Sonic replied with a confident grin, brushing soot off his shoulders. He glanced over at her, his expression smug. "And you're welcome again."

Her lips twitched, as though caught between a retort and a smirk.

"I didn't ask for help," she shot back, her tone dry.

Sonic shrugged, already preparing for the next move.

"Good thing I'm generous like that," he said, before dashing back into the fray.

"This is going to be one long night," she muttered under her breath.

From her belt, the woman whipped out her Stun Sabre, a sleek, electrified melee weapon that crackled with blue energy. With practised precision, she swung it into a charging Neoshadow. The creature convulsed violently before disintegrating into mist.

"Whoa!" Goofy exclaimed, batting away a Heartless with his shield. "That's some fancy gear you got there!"

"Comes with the job," she replied, twirling the sabre before jabbing it into another attacker.

Nearby, Donald raised his Hammer Staff and shouted, "Barrier!" A shimmering dome of magic enveloped the group just as a cluster of Neoshadows lunged. The creatures slammed into the barrier, rebounding with frustrated hisses.

"Ha! Can't touch this!" Donald taunted, smirking triumphantly.

"Nice one, Donald!" Sora cheered, darting forward to take advantage of the opening. He called out, "Fire!" A blazing orb shot from his Keyblade, colliding with a Neoshadow and reducing it to ash.

Elsewhere, Sonic zipped around, his fiery Spin Dash corralling several Heartless into a tight cluster.

"All yours, Goofy!" Sonic shouted, uncurling from his last move.

"Gotcha, Sonic!" Goofy replied, spinning into the group with his shield. The Neoshadows were sent flying into the air.

"Fancy finishing them off, pal?" Goofy asked with a grin.

"Don't mind if I do!" Sonic quipped, leaping high. His Homing Attack struck each airborne Heartless in rapid succession, breaking them into mist with precision. Landing gracefully, Sonic turned to the red-haired woman, crossing his arms smugly. "That's how you do it, Red."

She sighed, gripping her Stun Saber tightly.

"You're definitely the group's comedian," she said with a deadpan expression.

"Gotta keep the mood light, right?" Sonic replied, dashing off to intercept more Neoshadows.

The woman shook her head in exasperation, her amber eyes scanning the battlefield. The newcomers weren't just holding their own—they were surprisingly coordinated and effective.

"You guys do this often?" she asked, firing another shot.

"All the time!" Sora replied, flipping backward to dodge a swipe and landing lightly. "You get used to it."

"Speak for yourself," she muttered, electrocuting another Neoshadow with a swift jab of her sabre.

Sonic zipped in again, ricocheting between several Heartless with a series of Homing Attacks. He landed beside her, smirking.

"So, you impressed yet?" he asked.

"You're flashy, I'll give you that," the red-haired woman admitted, firing another precise shot to dispatch a lunging Neoshadow. Her voice carried a hint of reluctant approval, though her amber eyes remained skeptical. "But I'm not convinced."

"Oh, you will be," Sonic quipped, his trademark smirk spreading across his face. He launched into a fiery Spin Dash, the flames spiraling outward as he raced around the remaining Heartless. A blazing wall of fire encircled the creatures, trapping them in a searing ring of light and heat. He skidded to a stop, pointing at Sora. "Your move, kid!"

Sora nodded, determination lighting up his features. With a quick step forward, his Hidden Dragon Keyblade ignited in fiery red energy. In one fluid motion, he charged into the center of the blazing ring, unleashing a series of powerful, spinning strikes. Each slash cut through the trapped Heartless, their dark forms dissolving into wisps of mist. The last one vanished with a low hiss, leaving the clearing quiet once more.

"Now that's what I call teamwork!" Sonic declared, standing tall and brushing off his hands as if the victory was effortless.

"Great job, fellas!" Goofy added, lowering his shield and giving a warm smile as he turned to the woman. "And ma'am!"

The woman surveyed the battlefield, lowering her Stun Saber as the faint crackle of its energy blade subsided. Her stance relaxed slightly, though her eyes remained calculating as she studied the group. Finally, she raised an eyebrow and spoke.

"So… what do I call this band of misfits?" she asked, her tone carrying equal parts curiosity and sarcasm.

"Simple," Sonic replied, puffing out his chest with confidence. "We're Team Sonic!" He struck a dynamic pose, his grin wide.

The woman's amber gaze lingered on him for a moment before she let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head as she holstered her weapon.

"Figures," she muttered under her breath, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at her lips.

Rank: S

The last of the Neoshadows dissolved into dark mist, leaving the clearing eerily quiet except for the faint crackle of lingering energy from the woman's Stun Saber. She holstered the saber and her Glock 34 with practiced ease, her sharp amber eyes scanning the four strangers before her. Crossing her arms over her sleek black tactical suit, she exuded an air of authority tempered by skepticism.

"Alright," she began, her voice cutting through the heavy silence, "mind telling me who you four are and what you're doing in the middle of this jungle? This isn't exactly a tourist spot."

Sora stepped forward, his Keyblade now resting at his side.

"I'm Sora," he said with a friendly smile. "And these are my friends: Donald, Goofy, and Sonic."

Her gaze flicked over each of them, pausing momentarily on Sonic.

"So let me get this straight," she said, arching an eyebrow. "You're a spiky kid with a giant key, a talking duck, a shield-carrying dog, and... a super fast blue hedgehog. What is this, a circus?"

"Hey, the circus has a great ringmaster—you're looking at her," Sonic shot back, smirking.

"Adorable," the woman replied, her voice flat.

"So, what's your name, ma'am?" Goofy asked politely, stepping forward with his usual charm.

"Name's Regina," she answered. "I'm with S.O.R.T."

"S.O.R.T.?" Donald repeated, tilting his head.

"Special Operations Raid Team," Regina explained, her tone brisk. "We're here to locate Dr. Kirk and secure his research."

"What's so special about this Dr. Kirk guy?" Sora asked.

Regina's expression hardened.

"That's classified," she replied curtly. "But let's just say his work has some… dangerous implications."

"Yeah, we got a weird transmission about him," Sora said, glancing to Regina. "From someone named Tom. Any idea who that could be?"

"Tom?" Regina's eyes narrowed slightly, her posture tensing. "He's one of ours. He went undercover here."

"Well, looks like he's gone MIA, huh?" Sonic guessed, now leaning casually on a nearby tree.

"Seems that way," Regina admitted, her voice edged with frustration. "But let's get something straight: how did you four even intercept one of our transmissions? Because last I checked, classified S.O.R.T. intel doesn't just fall into anyone's lap."

Donald puffed out his chest, clearly about to give a blustery explanation, but Sora cut him off.

"We kind of… stumbled across it," Sora admitted, his tone earnest. "We're here to help."

"Help," Regina repeated, her eyes narrowing further. "And what are you? Freelancers? Special agents? Because no government agency I know of has a hedgehog on their payroll."

"Hey, first of all, hedgehogs don't work for anyone, Red," Sonic quipped, now standing up straight. "We're free spirits. Secondly—"

"Don't call me 'Red,'" Regina interrupted sharply, her voice icy. "I have a name. Use it."

Sonic raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning.

"Alright, alright, Regina. Better?" he asked with a playful tone.

"Marginally," she replied, her deadpan expression unchanging. Her gaze shifted to Donald, her curiosity piqued. "And what about you, duck? You've been oddly quiet for someone carrying a magical looking hammer and wearing no pants."

Donald's feathers bristled indignantly.

"Hey! That's classified!" he quacked loudly. "Top secret!"

"Oh, sure,'" Regina drawled, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "You sound just like Gail."

"And you sound more like my pal, Shadow," Sonic chimed in. "Blunt, impatient, and it seems both of you love raining on everyone's parade, Re-."

"Don't," Regina warned, her amber eyes narrowing. "Last time, Hedgehog. I mean it."

Sonic smirked, clearly enjoying the banter, but Sora stepped forward to steer the conversation back on track.

"Look," he said earnestly, "we're just trying to figure out what's happening here. If Dr. Kirk's connected to the Heartless, we need to stop him."

"Heartless," Regina muttered, her gaze sharpening. "You keep throwing that word around like it's supposed to mean something. They're monsters, sure, but they don't match anything we've encountered before. And then there's you four, popping up out of nowhere with access to classified transmissions."

She paused, her eyes flicking between them, before her expression shifted slightly.

"Wait a minute…" she said, her voice thoughtful. "You're not from here, are you?"

Donald flapped his arms in protest.

"That's classified! You don't get to know that!" he protested.

Regina ignored him, her tone matter-of-fact.

"You're world travellers. S.O.R.T. 's heard the rumours. You've been bouncing between places, dealing with who-knows-what," she remarked.

Sonic leaned closer to Donald with a grin.

"See? Everyone knows about world travellers these days," he mocked.

"That doesn't mean we tell them!" Donald snapped.

Regina cut in, her tone firm.

"Enough. If you're serious about helping, you'd better prove you're not liabilities. Because if Kirk's experiments are as dangerous as you think, I don't have time to babysit amateurs."

Sora nodded, his expression resolute.

"We're not amateurs," he said. "We've dealt with things like this before, and we'll do it again. You don't have to trust us completely, but we can help."

Regina studied him for a moment, her gaze unreadable.

"Fine," she said finally. "But let me make one thing clear—I'm in charge of you four. You follow my lead. Got it?"

"Got it!" Sora agreed enthusiastically.

"Fair enough," Sonic added with a shrug. "But just so you know, we're pretty good at improvising."

"Wonderful," Regina muttered, rolling her eyes as she turned sharply toward the faintly visible jungle path.

The humid air hung heavy around them, thick with the sound of rustling leaves and distant thunder. Regina took a moment to adjust the strap on her tactical belt, her movements brisk and purposeful.

Suddenly, the soft double beep of her communicator pierced the silence. The faint green glow on her wrist lit up her sharp features as she raised her hand to her ear.

"Regina, where the hell are you?" came a sharp voice over the line. Tense and impatient.

"Still in the jungle, Rick" Regina replied flatly, the red light blinking as she spoke. "Ran into some… unexpected company."

"Unexpected?" Rick repeated, his voice edged with frustration. "What kind of company? Don't tell me it's Kirk's goons."

"Not quite," Regina said, her tone clipped. She glanced at the odd assortment of strangers standing a few paces away: Sora, Sonic, Donald, and Goofy. Her eyes lingered on the spiky blue hedgehog, who smirked knowingly as if he could sense her scepticism. "Let's just say it's been an eventful night."

"Eventful?" Rick's voice rose slightly. "We're waiting for you at the main gate of the facility. Gail's ready to blow a gasket. Hurry up—this place isn't exactly getting safer!"

"Got it," Regina replied curtly. "Keep your pants on. I'm coming."

"Regina, seriously, you don't get it," Rick pressed, his tone lowering slightly. "This whole island… there's something wrong here. Gail's already on edge, and we're not exactly swimming in options. Just get here, okay? And fast."

"Copy that," Regina replied, ending the call with a quick tap of her wrist.

The red light blinked off, leaving the clearing in silence once more.

"That Rick of yours sounds like a worrier," Sonic commented, leaning casually against a tree. "Bet he's a blast at parties."

Regina shot the hedgehog a sharp look.

"Rick's a worrier because he's usually the one keeping the rest of us alive with his intellect. And Gail's going to have both our heads if I don't get moving soon." Her tone softened slightly as she muttered under her breath, "Not that he's wrong to worry."

"What's this Gail guy like, Regina?" Goofy asked curiously.

"Focused," Regina answered simply. "And impatient. He's waiting at the facility gate with Rick, and if we don't get moving soon, I'll be hearing about it all night."

"So, what's the holdup?" Sonic asked, spreading his arms wide. "You've got us now. We're like your VIP escorts. Let's get to it."

Regina's lips twitched, though whether it was amusement or irritation was unclear.

"If you're tagging along, stay out of my way. I've got enough on my plate without babysitting a… 'VIP escort.'" She gave Sonic a pointed look before glancing at the others. "The facility's where the real danger is. If you're coming, you'd better keep up."

"We've handled worse," Sora said confidently, gripping his Keyblade. "We can help."

Regina's amber eyes studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she gave a short nod.

"We'll see," she remarked.

She turned toward the jungle path, her stance tense as she glanced toward the distant facility. The shadows seemed to thicken around them, and the faint sound of distant movement echoed through the trees. Regina's hand hovered near her holster, her instincts sharp and alert.

"Stay sharp," she said, her voice low. "This place hasn't run out of surprises yet."

Part 1 is officially complete!

What a dynamic clash of personalities we've had here—our heroes and Regina are off to quite an interesting start. With Rick's cautious nature and Gail's no-nonsense demeanor waiting at the facility, it's safe to say things are bound to get even more tense. How will everyone work together when the stakes rise?

It's also fascinating to see how the concept of the World Order is gradually becoming known across different worlds, adding another layer of intrigue to this adventure.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as much as I've enjoyed writing it! For now, I'll be pausing this story to shift focus to Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons next week so I can catch up on that project.

As always, thank you so much for your support—it truly means the world to me. Stay tuned for more adventures soon!