{A/N}
Welcome to Act 3: Shang Mu Crisis, this is going to be...interesting to say the least.
Chapter 19: Fly High! To Shang Mu Island!
Avalice Archipelago – Above the Waters, Evening Hours
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting its last rays over the tranquil waters of Avalice Archipelago. Two planes, one red and one yellow, soared gracefully through the air, their metal frames gleaming in the fading light. The peaceful sound of the wind rushing by accompanied their calm journey towards Shang Mu Island.
Standing confidently on the Tornado's wings, Sonic was in his element. His spiky quills rustling slightly as he looked ahead with determination, arms crossed casually.
"Are you sure that's safe?" Torque asked, his voice tinged with concern as he glanced nervously at the hedgehog from his seat inside the yellow plane.
"Yeah!" Sonic responded with a grin, tapping his foot on the metal wing. "Never fell off once!"
Torque didn't seem convinced by his answer. "I still think that's really unsafe..."
Sonic waved off the concern. "Don't worry! Besides, if I ever did fall—which would never happen—Tails would scoop me right back up. Isn't that right, lil' bro?"
From the controls, Tails flashed a bright smile. "Positive!" he called back confidently.
Torque sighed, still unconvinced but too tired to argue further. "If you say so..."
As they continued their serene journey through the evening sky, the group enjoyed the peaceful moment. The shimmering waters below reflected the golden light as the planes flew effortlessly. Carol lounged in the back of her seat, her eyes half-closed in boredom as she watched the waves below, while Milla sat beside Lilac, curiously playing with her friend's long twin tails.
"They're like ropes!" Milla exclaimed with innocent fascination, tugging gently on one of the dragon's tails. "Or really long noodles!"
Lilac laughed, her voice light and cheerful. "I've heard the rope comment before, but noodles? That's a new one!"
Sonic chuckled at the playful exchange. But a thought crossed his mind, and his expression grew more serious. He glanced back at Lilac and Carol, deciding that now was as good a time as any to ask. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask—what was all that about the 'traitors' comment Spade made back in the cave?"
The atmosphere shifted slightly. Lilac and Carol exchanged uneasy glances, the playful energy from moments ago fading. The others, including Torque and Tails, perked up at the question, curious about the answer. Sonic noticed the tension and quickly added, "Hey, no pressure if you don't wanna talk about it."
Carol was the first to respond, raising a hand to stop him. "No, it's better you guys know now," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. She leaned forward, her tone more serious. "Yeah, we were part of the Red Scarves. We used to make crazy money, participating in fighting tournaments and stuff..."
Lilac nodded in agreement, her expression solemn as she elaborated. "We grew up with the Scarves. It was all we knew for a long time. We met each other in the Scarves when we were little, as well as Spade and... many others." Her eyes momentarily clouded with old memories.
The revelation left the group stunned. Tails, who had been quietly listening from the Tornado, turned to look at them with wide eyes. Torque furrowed his brow, surprised by the revelation. Only Milla seemed unfazed, tilting her head in confusion as she tried to piece together the significance.
Torque was the first to speak. "If you were raised with them, why'd you leave?" His question hung in the air.
Carol sighed, her ears drooping slightly. "Well, we—Lilac, Spade, and I—we had a set of rules we swore we'd never break, lines that we would never cross. But Spade… Spade crossed those lines and broke those rules..." Her voice grew quiet.
Everyone clearly understood the implication, but they stayed quiet, listening intently. Even though Milla still didn't fully get it, she understood that it was serious.
Lilac picked up where Carol left off. "After that, we couldn't stay with them. We didn't want any part of it anymore. So we left. We grabbed our belongings and hid ourselves away in Dragon Valley to get as far from them as we could." Her voice softened with sad memories, but her resolve remained strong.
A moment of tense silence passed between them. Tails cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Uh, W-what about Spade being Prince Dail's brother? Why would the son of the king of Shuigang be part of a criminal organization?"
Carol shrugged, her expression a bit somber. "We never really knew, really. He didn't talk about it much."
Another awkward silence fell over the group as they processed what Lilac and Carol had shared. The weight of the past lingered in the air as the planes flew over the calm ocean waters. Both Lilac and Carol gazed down at the shimmering sea below, lost in thought.
But Sonic, sensing the uneasiness, broke the silence with a reassuring smile. "You know," he said, turning to face the girls, "the fact that you left when things went bad shows you both have a solid sense of right and wrong. You girls turned into a new leaf, instead of going down a darker path. That takes real strength. And now you both live better lives, yeah?" he said kindly, proud of the both of them. "I think that's commendable in its own right."
Lilac and Carol exchanged glances, their spirits slowly lifting at Sonic's words. He wasn't judging them, and that meant more than they could express in the moment. A faint smile crept across their faces, appreciating his kind words.
Carol smirked, her mood lifting up. "Yeah, well, if eating instant noodles counts as a better life, then sure." She grinned, her tone teasing.
"Carol!" Lilac chided, though a smile tugged at her lips.
The group shared a lighthearted laugh, the tension easing away as the conversation moved past the somber memories. Lilac glanced at Sonic and smiled warmly, her voice soft as she muttered, "Thank you, Sonic."
Sonic flashed his trademark grin back at her. "No problem! We're all in this together now."
"Hey, heads up, everyone!" Tails' voice called out from the cockpit, breaking the moment between the two. "We're almost there!"
All eyes turned forward as the planes began their slow descent, the sprawling cityscape of Shang Mu Island coming into view. The towering buildings and neon lights that flickered to life below signaled the beginning of their next adventure.
Shang Mu Island – City of Shang Mu, Night Hours
The city of Shang Mu came alive beneath the blanket of night, a dazzling array of neon lights and lanterns bathing the streets. Towering skyscrapers melded with traditional Avalician architecture. Citizens of all species bustled along the busy streets, enjoying the nightlife. Street vendors sold their wares, and digital billboards flashed advertisements in bright colors that lit up the sky.
Sonic whistled in admiration as they approached the city. The sheer scale of Shang Mu, combined with its stunning neon glow, left him impressed. "Man, first time stepping into a big city in the archipelago. This is beautiful!" he marveled, his eyes scanning the lively streets below.
Carol grinned. "That's the City of Shang Mu for ya!" she said proudly. "We usually come here to buy stuff—it's got practically everything, even things from outside the islands! Like those things called Extreme Gears, they're so cool!" she said, fantasizing about obtaining one for herself one day.
Lilac nodded, but her expression grew more serious. "It's also the main hub for the Red Scarves." She said her voice low, but she quickly added with a smile, "But they usually keep to the more secluded parts of the city, so we won't run into them... hopefully."
Milla's eyes were wide with wonder as she stared down at the dazzling streets below. "So bright!" she exclaimed innocently from the side of the yellow plane. "So many lights! So many people!"
Carol raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her face. "What, never been to a city before?"
Milla shook her head excitedly, her tail wagging. "Nope! This is my first time in a city and on a new island!" she said, practically vibrating with excitement.
Lilac couldn't help but smile at Milla's enthusiasm, though it did make her curious. "Has she only known Relic Island?" she wondered silently. But for now, she chose to let the puppy enjoy the moment, deciding to save those questions for later.
Their attention soon shifted to the task at hand. "Alright, now where do we land our planes?" Tails wondered aloud, scanning the city from above. His brow furrowed slightly; landing the Tornado in a bustling city wasn't something he did every day.
Torque scratched his beak, glancing around the city below. "Well, there are some—"
"Halt! In the name of the LAW!" Before he could finish, a loud voice boomed across the sky.
The sudden shout startled everyone as they looked around in alarm. A squadron of flying objects rapidly approached, surrounding the two planes in the air. Below, the confused citizens pointed skywards, watching the commotion unfold.
As the objects came into view, leading them was a blue police helicopter, piloted by a large, armored Egg-Robo. This one was different from the others—its dark blue armor was styled like a police officer's uniform, complete with a star-shaped badge on its chest and a white helmet with a red siren on top. Its glowing red and yellow eyes swirled manically, locking onto Sonic and the group.
This was the Heavy Gunner, one of the members of the Hard-Boiled Heavies. Flanking him were three standard Egg-Robos, each wielding police batons as they glared menacingly at both planes.
"Halt! Halt! Or I will be legally allowed to shoot!" Heavy Gunner shouted, raising a massive rocket launcher with glee, his voice filled with a strange mix of authority and mania.
Panic swept through the group at the sight of the rocket launcher aimed directly at them—except for Sonic, who remained calm, a cocky smirk on his lips. "Well, would ya look at that," he quipped. "Two heavies in one day, and this one's just for us!"
"You refuse to surrender?!" Heavy Gunner barked, his robotic voice dripping with faux authority. "Then so be it, criminals! Prepare to face the rocket of justice!" He said as he aimed his rocket launcher, ready for a confrontation as the tension mounted in the air.
But before anything could escalate further, a sudden ringing echoed through the sky. Everyone froze, confusion washing over them as they glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.
Heavy Gunner, still holding his rocket launcher, reached up to his helmet, tapping the communicator. "Hold on a second," he said casually, much to the group's bewilderment as the Egg-Robo took the phone call mid-battle.
"Yes?... Ah, sir, yes, he's here… Yes, in the plane… Uhhh, there are six of them… yes, six..." Heavy Gunner continued his conversation nonchalantly, his words trailing off into a mundane exchange. Even the normal Egg-Robos glanced at each other in confusion, unsure of what was happening.
"Uh-huh… Yes… Are you sure?... Very well… Have a good night, sir!" Heavy Gunner saluted before ending the call, lowering his rocket launcher as if nothing had happened. He turned back to the group, gesturing off to the left. "Over there is the Shang Mu commercial district. You may land your planes on the rooftops. Normally, you'd be required to pay a fee, but this is a special case. Inform the guards standing there that I sent you myself."
He then pointed further into the city. "Beyond that, you'll find the grand shopping mall where Mayor Zao and Chief Officer Robotnik will be waiting for you."
With a final nod to his fellow Egg-Robos, Heavy Gunner barked, "Egg-Robos! Retreat!" The squadron of robotic officers dispersed into the night sky, leaving the group in stunned silence as they flew away. Below, the citizens shrugged off the bizarre encounter, going back to their nightly routines.
Everyone aboard the planes remained quiet for a moment, processing what had just happened.
"...What the heck just happened?" Sonic muttered, voicing the confusion of everyone present.
Lilac shook her head slowly, her voice uncertain. "Well, whatever that was, it looks like Mayor Zao and… Eggman? Are waiting for us?"
"So... what do we do?" Milla asked, her voice wavering with anxiety as she glanced between her new friends.
"I… guess we follow their instructions?" Tails suggested hesitantly, guiding the Tornado towards the indicated commercial district. Torque, piloting the second plane, followed reluctantly, both of them sensing that things were about to get even stranger.
After a smooth descent, both planes landed safely on the rooftop of a large commercial building, as directed. The area was busy with shoppers and street vendors, but there was a designated space for small aircraft parking, and the group disembarked without issue, even getting a free pass on the usual parking fees.
The commercial district buzzed with life, filled with vibrant energy. Towering billboards and neon signs advertised everything from electronics to exotic foods, while street vendors hawked their wares to enthusiastic buyers. Brightly lit storefronts beckoned customers inside, and the smell of fresh food filled the air. The streets were packed with people, enjoying the lively night scene.
But something caught their attention as they wandered deeper into the district.
Along the streets, they noticed several of Eggman's robots mingling with the locals—just hanging out. Badniks were helping citizens with various tasks, a sight that left the group thoroughly bewildered. Motobugs and Buzz Bombers assisting in carrying groceries, Caterkillers with their segmented bodies giving children rides, and Coconuts working alongside construction workers, all wearing happy smiles on their robotic faces.
"Okay, what is going on?" Tails asked, his voice filled with disbelief as his eyes darted from one badnik to another. "The citizens don't even seem scared..."
"This is so freaky," Carol muttered, watching wide-eyed as children giggled while being carried around by a Caterkiller.
"Almost pleasant, in a weird way," Lilac added, still trying to wrap her head around the surreal sight.
Sonic frowned as they continued walking, his eyes narrowing as the massive shopping mall they had been directed to loomed ahead. A giant sign at the top of the building read "ZAO." The mall itself was a grand structure with a blend of ancient Avalician and modern designs, intricate carvings adorning the walls, and golden accents framing the entrance. Inside, the lights sparkled, casting a luxurious glow over the countless shops and entertainment venues within.
"What are you planning, Eggman?" Sonic muttered under his breath as the group entered the grand shopping mall, their steps echoing against the polished floors as they prepared for whatever awaited them inside.
Commercial District – Inside Zao's Shopping Mall
Entering Zao's shopping mall was like stepping into a carnival of excess. The vast interior was lit by a kaleidoscope of lights, with shops selling everything from trinkets to luxury items. Gacha machines lined the walls, their flashing lights enticing customers to try their luck. Disco balls spun from the ceilings, casting shimmering light across the polished marble floors. The scent of freshly made food wafted from the food court, mixing with the sound of laughter and the hum of conversation. Every corner of the mall was adorned with large, colorful posters of Mayor Zao, his face plastered over advertisements and propaganda, with slogans boasting of his "grand leadership as well as something called the 'City Ruby'"
As the group walked further in, they noticed badniks patrolling the mall, not in an aggressive manner, but assisting shoppers or merely strolling around. Some of them briefly glanced at Sonic and his friends but quickly lost interest, continuing their tasks as though they were ordinary mall employees.
"This place could easily be one of Eggman's casinos..." Sonic muttered, eyeing the extravagant decorations with suspicion. The vibrant lights, flashy colors, and loud music felt more like a ploy than genuine fun.
Carol sighed, her eyes wandering over the various shops. "I should have brought some money… I really wanna buy a new bike," she grumbled, remembering how her old one got destroyed in the chaos.
"After this, Carol," Lilac said firmly, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of Eggman or Mayor Zao. Torque walked beside her, equally alert.
Meanwhile, Milla, overwhelmed with excitement, dashed from one point to another, pointing at everything that caught her eye. "What's that?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide as she pointed at a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.
Tails, always eager to explain, smiled. "That's a disco ball! They use it for parties and stuff. The lights reflect off it to make everything more fun!"
Milla gasped in awe, then pointed at a colorful gacha machine nearby. "And that?"
"That's a gacha machine," Tails said, his tone becoming a bit more cautious. "You put money in, and it gives you a random prize. But, uh… don't get too into them. They can be pretty addictive."
Nodding enthusiastically, Milla continued to ask about everything she saw. "What about that one?" she asked, pointing at a Motobug lazily rolling by with a basket of groceries.
"That's a Motobug," Tails said, chuckling at Milla's boundless curiosity.
"And that one?" Milla pointed at a Buzz Bomber flying overhead, carrying balloons.
"Buzz Bomber," Tails responded, smiling as the two continued their back-and-forth exchange.
Lilac, watching the interaction, couldn't help but smile. Despite everything, seeing Milla and Tails bonding so quickly was heartwarming. It seemed like Milla had found a friend in the young fox, and the two were getting along like old pals.
As they walked through the mall, Milla's eyes darted around, full of curiosity. "Uh, and what's that one's name?" she asked, pointing to a badnik strolling nearby.
Tails smiled, ready to answer, but then hesitated, frowning. "Oh, that one is… uh…" He paused, scratching his head. "I… don't actually know."
The group's attention turned toward the strange badnik. It was a humanoid, dome-shaped orange robot that looked like a friendly version of Doctor Eggman, complete with a painted-on smiling face and colorful outfit. It moved leisurely through the mall, selling balloons to passersby.
Sonic raised an eyebrow, just as surprised by the unfamiliar design. "That's a new one," he muttered, watching the robot with suspicion.
"You like them?" a familiar voice echoed through the mall, stopping the group in their tracks. "They're prototypes, so they don't have names yet. Although I think 'Egg-Pawns' sounds catchy enough." The voice was followed by hearty laughter.
"Oh, I wholeheartedly agree, Ivo!" chimed in another voice, this one whiny and energetic.
The group turned to see the source and were met with an unexpected sight. Doctor Robotnik, sitting comfortably at a table outside a lavish restaurant, wearing a red and gold suit that mimicked the colors of Shang Mu. His infamous mustache twitched as he waved at them with a wide, unnerving grin.
Beside him sat none other than Mayor Zao, the eccentric red panda wearing royal robes in the same red-and-gold color scheme. His large hat resembled an air balloon with a gold crown perched in the center, jewels glimmering on the sides. Zao sipped a milkshake, kicking his legs in childlike glee.
"Eggman?" Sonic said, his tone a mix of confusion and disbelief as he stared at the villain casually sitting at a table like they were all on friendly terms.
Robotnik's smile twitched slightly at the name but held his cheerful facade. "Correct! Sonic, it's good to see you brought your friends along! Come, sit! I've already ordered something for you all to eat!"
"Yes! Enjoy these wonderful milkshakes with us!" Zao chimed in enthusiastically, kicking his legs even faster.
+5 Enthusiasm
The group exchanged wary glances but eventually sat down at the table, keeping their guard up. The situation was bizarre, and the sight of Robotnik and Zao chatting like old friends only made things more unsettling.
Carol leaned closer to Sonic and whispered, "Are we sure that's him and not, like, his good twin or something?"
Sonic shrugged, still confused himself. "I'm starting to wonder..."
Milla, staring wide-eyed at Robotnik, whispered innocently, "He's so… bald." Looking in awe at his shinning head.
Tails stifled a chuckle but kept his focus on the situation. "What is he planning?" he muttered to himself, suspicion growing with every passing moment.
Lilac, her eyes darting around nervously, whispered, "Should we wait to find out?"
Torque nodded subtly. "We don't have much of a choice. Let's see what happens."
Their whispered discussion was abruptly interrupted by Robotnik's booming voice. "Why are we whispering, my dear friends?" He stood suddenly, making the group jump in surprise. "No need for secrecy! We're all friends here, aren't we?" He grinned wide, his usual arrogance shining through his cheerful facade.
Sonic folded his arms, unimpressed. "I think we have different definitions of 'friends,' Doc."
Robotnik chuckled, waving off Sonic's remark with a dismissive hand. "Oh, Sonic, always the skeptic! But no matter! Thanks to you and your amazing friends, the Kingdom Stone is ours!" He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "But let's keep that between us, hmm? The citizens don't know yet."
Lilac, her eyes narrowing, was about to protest. "But we didn't help you—"
"Correct!" Zao interrupted excitedly, his voice rising. "And thanks to Ivo here, I'm going to win my re-election as mayor!" He giggled, kicking his legs in gleeful anticipation.
+5 Enthusiasm
The group stared at Zao, stunned by the casual admission. Re-election? They thought in unison. That's why he stole the Kingdom Stone?
"And in exchange," Robotnik added with a sickeningly sweet smile, "I get a lovely position of power on this island." He glanced at the group before turning back to Zao. "A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"
Zao clapped his hands, beaming as the waiter brought a tray of drinks to the table. "Oh, look! The milkshakes have arrived! Have a nice dessert, my friends!" Robotnik clapped as well, signaling the group to drink. "Go on, drink to your heart's content!"
Reluctantly, the group accepted the drinks. As suspicious as they were, the milkshakes were surprisingly delicious, with Sonic even noting the cool, refreshing taste.
As they finished, Zao stood from his seat, beaming with pride. "I heard from my good friend Ivo that you helped us obtain the Kingdom Stone!" He eagerly shook each of their hands.
+5 Glory
"But we didn't—" Lilac started, only to be cut off once again.
"As a token of my gratitude," Zao continued, ignoring her protest, "I have a special reward for you!" He clapped his hands, and one of his guards stepped forward carrying a chest.
"Whoa, a reward?" Carol perked up, excitement lighting her eyes as the guard opened the chest.
Inside, Zao pulled out six red coupons with a flourish. "Ta-da! Coupons for you six to stay at the Egg-Zao-Zao-Egg Hotel!"
"…What?" Carol's enthusiasm deflated instantly as she stared at the coupons, dumbfounded.
Zao, oblivious to the group's disappointment, continued proudly. "That's right! You will stay at my luxurious 7-star hotel! And not only that, you'll have the best view of my special announcement tomorrow in the plaza!" He handed the coupons to Lilac, who accepted them reluctantly.
+5 Awesomeness
"Isn't it wonderful?!" Robotnik chimed in, his smile far too wide, clearly devoid of genuine joy.
"Of course, it is!" Zao declared as he bounced from his chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must rest for tomorrow's main event! Ciao!" With a flourish, Zao and his guards exited the mall, confetti falling from above as they departed.
"I'll catch up with you shortly, Mayor!" Robotnik called after him, maintaining his smile until Zao was out of sight. Then, his smile slowly twisted into a scowl. "Annoying little trash panda," he muttered, spitting the words. "I still wonder how he does that..."
The group tensed up, the familiar sneer of Robotnik reminding them of who they were dealing with.
"So, it's all just a political game, Eggman?" Lilac crossed her arms, glaring at the doctor.
"It's Robotnik! And of course, it is!" Robotnik shouted, his frustration now on full display. "Have you seen that midget? No way I'd willingly work with him unless there was something in it for me!"
Milla, taken aback by the sudden shift in Robotnik's demeanor, asked, "Wait… you're not a nice man?"
Robotnik sneered down at the new addition. "Oh, would you look at that. You brought a puppy with you," he said mockingly. "Where'd you find her, Sonic? The nearest garbage dump? Because you certainly picked the ugliest one!"
Milla flinched at the cruel remark, but before she could respond, Tails stepped in front of her protectively. "Back off, Eggman!" he shouted.
Lilac, too, stood up, glaring daggers at the doctor. "You stay away from her!" she snarled, her fists clenching as she took a step closer, her protective instincts flaring.
Robotnik blinked for a moment before he merely smiled, leaning forward to taunt her. "C'mon, goat, hit me" he said softly making the group look at him with surprise. "Hit me. Go on. Let's see what happens." he taunted.
The tension in the air was palpable, the group looking around at the citizens of the mall. Some were casting weary glances while others were casting hostile ones at them—not at Robotnik, but at them.
"Try it," Robotnik taunted again, his grin growing wider. Lilac was just about to lash out when Sonic stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Easy," Sonic said softly, his eyes scanning the hostile onlookers. Lilac looked as well as she saw the citizens glaring at her, she paused for a moment before reluctantly backing down, but her glare never left Robotnik.
Robotnik grinned with satisfaction as he clapped his hands, turning to the onlookers with his practiced, fake smile. "Don't worry, folks! Nothing to see here! Just a little disagreement, but it's all sorted now!" he lied smoothly, a couple of seconds passed and soon the crowd relaxed, returning to their shopping and conversation although some still cast some weary glares.
"You want to know what I've been doing in these islands?" Robotnik asked sarcastically, spreading his arms. "I've been building bridges! The people here adore me, and why wouldn't they? I provide them with technology, protection, progress!" His voice dripped with false sincerity.
The group exchanged uneasy glances, realization dawning on them. Robotnik was being protected here. Any move against him could spark a conflict with the people of Shang Mu. It was a dangerous game.
Sonic, his patience wearing thin, sighed. "So, what's your plan, Eggman? Because this doesn't make any sense."
Robotnik smirked, leaning back. "In due time, pests, in due time. But for now, I suggest you enjoy those hotel rooms." He straightened up, ready to leave. "You'll need a good night's rest before the main MAIN event."
"What main MAIN event?" Tails asked, his curiosity piqued.
Robotnik's smile turned sinister. "You'll see soon enough," he said cryptically, turning away as he started to walk toward the exit. "Enjoy your stay, because tomorrow morning, everything changes."
With a final wave to the bystanders, who smiled and waved back, Robotnik disappeared into the crowd, leaving the group in anxious silence.
They exchanged worried looks, the weight of his words hanging heavily over them. Eggman working with Zao, the people adoring him—it was all far from what they expected.
"Do… do we go?" Milla asked innocently, her voice breaking the tense silence.
The group collectively nodded, realizing that for now, there was little they could do but follow Robotnik's suggestion. They headed toward the Egg-Zao-Zao-Egg Hotel, bracing themselves for whatever the next day might bring.
As they walked away, Lilac glanced at the back of the tickets, indicating where tomorrow's event would take place.
Shang Mu Plaza.