New Faces

Shadow

With the doors now opened to the next zone of this void, Shadow stepped through with a determined stride, his red-tipped, black quills swaying slightly as he began skating along a winding path. The path itself was pristine, a white marble structure that gleamed faintly under the strange light of this void. It snaked and twisted across a surface of crystal-clear water, which rippled faintly with every movement in the air, though there was no discernible source of wind. Shadow kept his focus sharp, his crimson eyes scanning the endless expanse of white and grey that stretched into the sky. The void felt eerily silent, save for the faint hum of energy emanating from the path itself.

The path took a sharp bend, and Shadow slowed his pace, his gaze narrowing as a new structure loomed ahead. It was a massive archway, its intricate design reminiscent of ancient ruins. The door embedded within it was identical to the one he'd encountered near the Space Colony ARK hub—tall, foreboding, and adorned with glowing purple panels around it. The panels pulsed rhythmically, as if alive, and the air around them seemed to thrum with latent energy.

Shadow came to a stop a few feet away from the door, he began to observe it.

"Another locked door," he muttered under his breath, the faintest edge of annoyance creeping into his tone. But as he clenched his fists, his lips curled into a confident smirk. "Good. More chances to test this power."

Channeling the energy of his newly awakened power of Doom Spears, Shadow extended his gloved hand outward. The air around him crackled and with precise aim, Shadow flung five spears of chaotic red energy toward the glowing panels. Each spear struck its target with pinpoint accuracy, the impacts releasing sharp bursts of violet light. The panels absorbed the energy, their glow intensifying for a moment before they turned green.

With a low rumble, the heavy stone door groaned as it swung open, revealing another pathway that seemed to stretch into the distance. Shadow stepped through the archway, the sound of his air shores echoing faintly against the pristine floor of the void. The air here felt heavier, charged with an energy that made the fur on the back of his neck stand on end.

"This place… it's different," he murmured, his voice low and contemplative.

Shadow continued on his way, his air shoes humming faintly as they propelled him forward. The pristine white path stretched endlessly ahead, curving gently as it disappeared into the horizon. The floor beneath him was smooth, almost reflective, and seemed to shimmer faintly with an ethereal glow.

In the distance, a towering structure loomed. Though it was faded and partially obscured by the mist-like atmosphere, its intricate design stood out—a mix of white stone and gold accents, grand and imposing. Its towering spires reached upward, defying gravity and logic in this otherworldly space. Shadow squinted as he skated closer, the faint outlines of its ornate patterns becoming clearer with each passing moment.

To his sides, other structures began to emerge as the path curved and dipped slightly. They were smaller but no less intricate, built from white stone with gilded edges that shimmered faintly, catching the light in the void. Pillars stood tall, framing long-forgotten courtyards, their golden caps gleaming like stars in the muted light. Shadow glanced briefly at these structures as he passed, their lifeless beauty evoking a sense of melancholy.

The air grew heavier still as the grand structure ahead loomed ever closer. Its details sharpened—the curved archways, the engraved symbols that lined its walls, and the soft hum of energy that seemed to radiate from its very foundation. Shadow's pace slowed slightly, his gaze fixed on the massive construct. There was something about it, something pulling him forward, demanding his attention.

Then he saw it.

Just before the base of the towering structure stood another hub—white, lifeless, and barren. In front of the hub, standing still as a statue, was a figure.

Shadow's movements faltered, the faint hiss of his air shoes cutting short. He stood there for a moment to analyse what he was seeing. Narrowing his eyes, Shadow scanned the figure that stood with their back turned to him. They were clad in a black sleeveless coat. A massive blade was strapped to their back, its wide edge gleaming faintly in the dim light. But it was the hair—spiky and blonde, that struck Shadow instantly.

"I've seen him before," Shadow muttered to himself.

The figure didn't move, seemingly lost in thought as they stared at the lifeless hub before them. Shadow moved closer, his steps slower now, as if drawn by a mixture of curiosity and unease. His crimson eyes locked onto the figure, his mind racing to place where he'd encountered them. The void seemed to quiet around them, the air growing still save for the faint hum of energy that lingered in the space.

Shadow's pace came to a halt a few feet away. He stood there silently, watching, as the figure remained motionless, their presence a stark contrast to the lifeless world around them.

Shifting his gaze past the figure to the hub before them, Shadow observed it intensely. The hub's design was starkly out of place in the endless expanse of this void. The structure was intricate and jagged. Its base rose sharply like the peaks of a canyon, with rail-like structures snaking through it in complex, looping paths. Shadow narrowed his eyes, recognizing the formation immediately.

The hub bore an uncanny resemblance to Rail Canyon—a vast, winding maze of rails, towering cliffs, and mechanical remnants. The rails gleamed faintly under the pale light of the void, weaving around the jagged rocks in a chaotic yet deliberate pattern. Shadow's chest tightened as the realisation hit him.

"Rail Canyon," he thought to himself, his expression hardening. "From when Rouge, Omega, and I formed Team Dark... Another memory, plucked from the past and thrown into this forsaken realm. Why here? Why now?"

Shadow's mind raced. What was the purpose of this recreation? And why was this figure standing before it, as if studying its every detail?

The figure raised their head slightly, as if sensing Shadow's presence behind them. Without turning fully, they seemed to take in the lifeless canyon and its swirling rails one last time. Then, with an almost imperceptible movement, they turned.

Shadow's crimson eyes met a piercing, mako-blue gaze. The figure was now fully facing him, their expression calm yet commanding, as if they had already expected this meeting. The sleeveless coat swayed slightly with the shift, revealing the fine details of its stitching and the battle-worn look of the warrior who wore it. There was no mistaking him.

"Cloud," Shadow said again, his voice sharp and direct, breaking the silence that loomed over them.

As he spoke, Shadow's mind flashed back to their previous encounter—or rather, his observation of the warrior at the Olympus Coliseum during the Phil Cup. He remembered watching Cloud in action, the sheer precision and strength of his movements leaving an impression. Yet, strangely, he couldn't recall who Cloud had been fighting. The details of that memory felt oddly fragmented, as if something—or someone—had intentionally blurred it.

Cloud tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable but tinged with intrigue.

"You know me?" he asked, his tone calm, yet his piercing blue gaze suggested he was scrutinising every word, every movement.

"I observed you at the Coliseum," Shadow replied, folding his arms across his chest. His crimson eyes remained locked on Cloud's. "During the Phil Cup."

Cloud's brow furrowed for a moment, as if processing Shadow's words. Then something clicked in his memory.

"Oh, I remember now," he said, nodding slightly. "You were the hedgehog who disappeared into that dark portal, right? You were chasing after Sonic."

Shadow stiffened slightly but gave a curt nod.

"That's right. We were saving someone trapped in the Realm of Darkness," he confirmed.

Cloud crossed his arms, tilting his head thoughtfully.

"Makes sense," he murmured. "So, are you... related to that Sonic guy? Brothers, or something?"

Shadow sighed heavily, shaking his head in mild exasperation as he dropped his arms to his side.

"No. My name is Shadow," he said firmly. "And Sonic and I are not related." His tone carried an edge of finality, though it was clear he was used to this question by now.

Cloud raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Hmm... you two have this... connection," he remarked, almost cryptically. His tone carried an air of understanding, as if he was hinting at something he wasn't saying outright. "Reminds me of someone I know," he added vaguely, leaving the name unspoken, though Shadow could sense the weight behind the comment.

Shadow huffed, turning his attention briefly back to the hub.

"And you?" he asked, his voice steady but probing. "How did you get here?"

Cloud pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting to the ground as if trying to piece together his own fragmented memories. He eventually gestured around, motioning to the void-like expanse.

"I was searching for someone," he admitted. "Then, out of nowhere, there was this burst of light. Before I knew it, I ended up here." His voice carried a note of frustration, though it was tempered by the stoic composure he seemed to wear like armor.

Shadow's expression darkened slightly as he processed Cloud's words.

"It seems to be a temporal anomaly," he explained, gesturing with a hand toward the sky. "This entire place is a distortion of time and space." He pointed upward, his red eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on the ominous structure hanging in the void above. "That... the Black Moon," he said grimly, his voice carrying a note of disdain. "It's more than likely linked to all of this."

Cloud turned his gaze upward, following Shadow's gesture. His expression remained neutral, though there was a flicker of recognition—or perhaps unease—in his eyes as he observed the Black Moon.

"Figures," he muttered, as if resigned to the chaos of it all. "Nothing's ever simple, is it?"

His attention shifted back to the hub behind them. He turned slightly, gesturing toward the intricate structure.

"And this place?" Cloud asked. "I've never seen anything like it before."

Shadow stepped forward, moving past Cloud to inspect the hub more closely. His crimson eyes scanned the jagged, rail-like formations and the faint, pulsing energy that emanated from the structure.

"It's Rail Canyon," Shadow repeated, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of reflection. "Or at least, it's a recreation of it. A place from my past."

"Your past?" Cloud echoed, his eyes narrowing slightly, his tone cautious but intrigued.

Shadow nodded, his gaze never leaving the lifeless hub. The faint hum of energy seemed to pulse more faintly here, as if it were holding its breath.

"It was years ago," Shadow began, his voice dropping to a quieter tone. "I was on a mission there, navigating through a chaotic mess of rails, traps, and endless obstacles. It was dangerous, but nothing I couldn't handle. And now..." He paused, his fists tightening as his crimson eyes scanned the barren structure. "Now it's here, ripped out of time, pulled into this void like everything else."

"Looks lifeless and dead to me," Cloud observed, the faintest edge of distaste in his voice.

"Yes," Shadow admitted, though his voice carried no hint of defeat. "But it doesn't have to stay that way." His gaze hardened as a faint spark of determination flared in his expression. "The previous hub I entered in this place—I managed to return it to life."

Cloud turned his head slightly, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Return it to life?" he repeated, his tone contemplative. "How?"

Shadow looked over at Cloud briefly, as if weighing how much to explain.

"By reigniting its energy," he said simply, though the weight in his voice suggested it was no easy feat. "These hubs—these fragments of time and space—are like dormant embers. They've been pulled here and left to wither, but they still hold potential. A spark can bring them back to life." His gaze flickered back to the Rail Canyon hub, narrowing as his focus sharpened. "And this one needs saving... just like the ARK did."

"I see," Cloud murmured, nodding slightly. "You're serious about this. About fixing all of this chaos."

"I don't have a choice," Shadow repeated, his tone firm, his resolve unwavering. "If these hubs are tied to my past, then leaving them broken only adds to the disorder in this place. And if the Black Moon is connected to all of this..." He paused, gesturing again to the massive construct hanging ominously above them, its faint hum vibrating through the void. "...then fixing these hubs might be the key to setting things right."

Cloud regarded him with a nod, his mako-blue eyes sharp yet thoughtful. There was a quiet understanding in his gaze, an acknowledgment of the weight Shadow was carrying.

"Well, if that's the case... best of luck restoring that place, Shadow" Cloud said, his voice steady but distant. He turned from the hub, his boots making faint sounds against the lifeless ground as he began to walk away. "I need to investigate this place further. I need to find what I'm looking for. He could be here."

Shadow's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the warrior move away. He didn't press Cloud on the matter of who he was searching for, but he could sense a quiet intensity behind those words. Whoever it was, they clearly occupied a significant place in Cloud's mind—and their absence was gnawing at him.

"Then, best of luck to you, Cloud," Shadow said through the stillness, his tone was surprisingly full of respect.

Cloud stopped mid-step, his head tilting slightly to the side as he glanced back at Shadow. There was no smile, no unnecessary expression—just a quiet, respectful acknowledgment.

"Thanks," Cloud replied simply, his tone sincere. "I'll report back to you if I find anything."

With that, he turned forward again, his coat swaying slightly with his movement as he strode into the endless void. Shadow stood still, watching him disappear into the pale horizon.

The hum of the lifeless hub drew Shadow's attention back to the task at hand. His crimson eyes narrowed with renewed focus as he approached the broken structure, the faint echoes of his past rising in his mind. Whatever this place was, whatever chaos it held—it wouldn't remain in disorder for long. Shadow would see to that.

Aqua

Aqua and Silver walked together down the pristine white marble pathway, their footsteps echoing softly against the smooth stone. The void sky loomed around them, endless and still, while calm waters shimmered on either side of the path. Rising from the water were grand structures that seemed trapped in time—marble spires and arches adorned with golden filigree. Their intricate designs bore remnants of worlds lost to the void.

Aqua's gaze shifted to the structures as they walked. Some were whole, while others looked fractured, their pieces suspended mid-air, as though frozen at the moment of destruction. The soft light from the water below reflected against the fragmented stone, casting a gentle glow onto their path. The air was serene yet carried a sense of melancholy, as if the void itself mourned the lost worlds it now contained.

Ahead, the pathway began to curve, leading to a clearing where another void and lifeless hub stood. Aqua's breath caught as her eyes fell on the sight before them.

The hub resembled a grounded version of Enchanted Dominion. Its towering spires rose from the cracked ground, their shimmering white stone streaked with golden hues. A faint shadow of the iconic black thorns that once encased the land curled around its base, as though remnants of darkness still lingered there. The castle stood proud yet frozen, its fireworks of red, green, and blue now faint streaks of light, barely visible against the dull glow of the void. The structure's beauty was undeniable, but its lifelessness gave it an eerie, haunting quality.

"That's Enchanted Dominion," Aqua remarked, her voice soft but filled with recognition. She stopped, her eyes scanning the castle's lifeless form as memories rushed back.

Silver, standing at her side, let out a quiet sigh. His golden eyes dimmed as he looked at the hub, a heavy expression crossing his face.

Aqua noticed and turned to him, concern etched on her face.

"You okay?" she asked gently.

Silver hesitated, glancing at the ground briefly before meeting her gaze.

"It's just… bringing back bad memories," he admitted, his voice quiet but tinged with guilt. His gloved hands clenched at his sides as if trying to suppress the weight of his emotions.

Aqua's expression softened, and realisation dawned on her. She looked back at the hub and then back at him, her tone careful.

"Oh… right. I remember now," she said, her voice carrying a note of understanding. Her eyes lingered on the castle again before she spoke. "This is where we first met, isn't it? And you…" She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

"Yeah," Silver interjected. "I thought you were one of the Triggers of Darkness." His voice held a mixture of regret and frustration, as if the words themselves were difficult to say. "I… I was wrong. About a lot of things." His tone lacked the confidence he often carried, replaced instead by a sense of self-reproach.

Aqua turned to look at him fully, her gaze filled with compassion as she looked down at hedgehog. Silver folded his arms, he looked deflated.

"Silver," Aqua said again, her tone as gentle as the light that flickered around them. "You were doing what you thought was right. None of us are perfect. But your heart is in the right place. You were trying to save your world, the future. That counts for something."

"Mistakes..." Silver echoed softly, his voice weighted by memories of regret. He unfolded his arms, his hands moving to rest on his hips. His head tilted downward, his golden eyes shut. "All I wanted to do was fix my home. But being tricked into doing what I did…" He shook his head, his voice dropping into a frustrated mutter. "It just makes everything worse, Aqua."

"I know," Aqua said with quiet compassion, her voice steady. "I know you were tricked. But that doesn't change the truth about you, Silver. You have a heart of light. That's something no one can take from you. Remember that."

Silver stood silently for a moment, his eyes closed as he absorbed her words. A flicker of doubt still lingered in his expression.

"Maybe," he muttered at last, the word hesitant, as if he wasn't quite ready to believe it. His eyes opened slowly, but his gaze didn't meet hers. Instead, it drifted to the white, lifeless ground at their feet. "But what I did, what I almost did to you, to Terra and Ventus…" He paused, his voice faltering. "It was unfathomable. I can't stop thinking about it. What if things had gone differently? What if I'd—"

He cut himself off, exhaling deeply as his golden eyes turned toward the hub. The structure of Enchanted Dominion loomed ahead, tarnished by the void's lifeless grip. Silver stared at it, his gaze deep and searching, as if the hub itself held answers to the turmoil in his heart.

"And then," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "I couldn't stop you from falling into the darkness. I couldn't help Ven. Even Terra…" He paused again, the name lingering in the air like a fragile thread. "Is he out there? Is he okay?" His voice carried an edge of despair, as though he was afraid of the answer but even more afraid of not knowing.

Aqua remained silent, her steady presence beside him allowing him the space to speak. She could see the weight of his guilt, the burden he carried from his journey, and she knew words alone couldn't lift it. Sometimes, all you could do was listen.

"And after all that," Silver said, his voice growing bitter, "being flung back into the future, nothing changed. All the fighting, all the sacrifice—nothing." His fists clenched at his sides, his frustration threatening to boil over.

Aqua placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm yet comforting.

"Silver," she said softly, her voice cutting through the haze of his regret. "You did what you could. And even if the future didn't change the way you hoped, that doesn't mean you failed. It means you're still fighting for it, even now. You're here, in this place, helping me. That means something."

Silver looked up at her, his golden eyes searching hers for the truth behind her words. Slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased, and he nodded faintly.

"Maybe," he said again, this time with less doubt and more resolve. His gaze turned back to the hub, the structure standing as a silent reminder of the battles they had fought and the ones still ahead.

Aqua moved away, her arm falling to her side again, turning to face the hub once more.

"I'll save this world's heart," she declared, eagerness in her voice to succeed. "And hopefully, one more step forward to understanding who's behind all this."

Silver absorbed her words, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He turned to Aqua and nodded firmly, her conviction inspiring him to press on. Before he could respond, an unexpected voice echoed through the void.

"Oh, new faces!" The voice sounded pleased, almost cheerful.

Both Aqua and Silver snapped their attention toward the source, their focus shifting from the lifeless hub. Emerging from the other side of the dormant structure were two peculiar robots. One was spherical and red with sleek black accents, while the other was cube-shaped, painted yellow with black markings.

"Why, hello there," the red robot greeted with a polite wave, its tone smooth and welcoming.

The yellow robot's eyes widened as he pointed an awkward finger toward Silver.

"Hey, ain't that Silver?" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a hint of surprise. "The time traveller from the future?"

The red robot tilted its head slightly, as if analysing Silver with curiosity.

"Why, I think so," it replied thoughtfully.

Aqua and Silver exchanged puzzled glances. These robots were unlike anything—or anyone—they'd encountered before. Their designs and surprisingly friendly demeanour stood in stark contrast to the hostility they expected.

"Who are you two?" Silver demanded, his tone cautious as he took a step forward.

The red robot straightened itself, performing a courteous bow.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Orbot, and this is my counterpart, Cubot," he said, gesturing to the cube-shaped robot beside him.

"Nice to meet you!" Cubot added with an exaggerated nod, his voice cheerful.

Aqua studied the two robots with a mix of curiosity and intrigue.

"You both seem... friendly," she remarked, keeping her guard up. "I'm Aqua."

"Aqua?" Cubot repeated, his yellow body tilting slightly as if he were pondering her name. He turned to Orbot. "Do we know an Aqua?"

"Hmm," Orbot mused, placing a metallic hand on his spherical head. "No, I don't believe we have any records of an 'Aqua.'"

"I didn't think so," Cubot replied. He shifted his focus back to Silver. "But we definitely know you! The boss kept tabs on you a few years back after all that Eggman Nega business."

"Eggman Nega?" Silver asked, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait… your boss. It's Eggman, right?"

"Correct," Orbot confirmed, his voice polite but tinged with hesitation. "Or, rather… he was our boss."

"We're, uh… temporarily unemployed," Cubot admitted with a shrug. "At least, I think we are. Honestly, it's a little unclear."

"What do you mean, 'was'?" Aqua asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Cubot hesitated before sighing dramatically.

"We heard he was… well, you know…"

"Terminated?" Aqua interjected, her voice quieter, her mind flashing back to Metal Sonic's ominous words on the Destiny Islands when that world was trapped in the Realm of Darkness.

"Yes," Orbot confirmed, his tone subdued. "That's what we were told. Sonic told us that Metal Sonic declared the Doctor's termination"

"We were with Sonic when Metal told us," Aqua admitted, her expression growing thoughtful. "It was in the Realm of Darkness when Metal appeared and dropped that bombshell."

"That's right," Silver chimed in, his own memories surfacing. "He literally appeared out of nowhere and just... announced it!"

"Sounds like Metal Sonic," Orbot said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Always one for theatrics and dramatics."

"I take it you don't believe him?" Aqua asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at the pair of robots.

Orbot shook his head, his mechanical limbs moving with a refined precision.

"Sometimes, you have to take Metal Sonic's words with a pinch of salt," he affirmed.

"Or metal scraps," Cubot added with a grin. "We robots don't do salt, you know."

"Uh huh," Silver muttered, glancing at the two with a mix of confusion and amusement.

"You think he's alive?" Aqua asked, her tone probing as she tested the waters of their belief.

"The Doctor has a… habit," Orbot replied, pausing for dramatic effect, "of returning from the dead."

"Like an evil boomerang!" Cubot added enthusiastically. "He always comes back around!"

Aqua chuckled softly at Cubot's analogy, finding the duo oddly charming despite their circumstances.

"That's one way of putting it," she admitted.

Silver, however, remained skeptical.

"I'm guessing you haven't seen him since then, huh?" he asked.

"Nope," Orbot confirmed.

Cubot perked up with a hopeful glint in his electronic eyes.

"So, I don't suppose… you two might've seen him around? Prove Metal Sonic wrong? Please?" he quizzed.

Aqua sighed, her expression apologetic.

"Sorry," she said gently, shaking her head.

Cubot slumped dramatically.

"Unemployed and abandoned!" he moaned. "Maybe we should apply to work for another villain. What about that Hades guy? He's always got something going on, right?"

Orbot rolled his eyes—or at least, mimicked the expression as best as a robot could.

"Cubot, have some dignity!" he muttered.

"Dignity? I'm literally a robot of cube design. What dignity do I have left?" Cubot replied with a huff.

Aqua couldn't help but laugh at the exchange. She found their banter oddly endearing.

"You two are… entertaining," she said with a smile.

Silver, though, wasn't ready to drop his questions.

"So, you two don't get along with Metal Sonic?" he asked, crossing his arms as he studied them.

Orbot's voice carried a note of honesty as he replied, "Let's just say Metal Sonic has a… superiority complex. He's not exactly a team player."

"Yeah," Cubot added with a nod. "He's all 'I'm the ultimate robot,' and we're over here just trying to get by. Total diva."

Aqua's smile faded slightly as she remembered her recent encounter.

"I fought a version of Metal not too long ago," she said, her tone more serious now. "But… the one I fought wasn't like the one I met before."

Orbot tilted his head, his robotic mind clearly turning over the information.

"A version, you say?" he mused. "Would you call it… a variant?"

"That's exactly what we thought," Silver said, nodding in agreement. "Something was definitely off about him, from what Aqua told me."

Cubot leaned in, his tone conspiratorial.

"Variants, huh? What's next, multiple Eggmen? Maybe one that's a cowboy? Yeehaw, partner!"

"Cubot, shush!" Orbot snapped, his voice tinged with annoyance. "This is serious."

Aqua chuckled again, shaking her head slightly at the two robots.

"You two are so much better than Metal Sonic," she said, her voice light with amusement.

"We do try," Orbot replied, giving a small bow, his tone polite and measured.

Silver, however, wasn't done with his questions. He turned to the two robots, crossing his arms as his curiosity got the better of him.

"Okay, okay, but how did you guys get here?" he asked, his tone firm but not unkind.

"Ah, an excellent question," Orbot said, straightening up. "We were searching for any trace of the boss at one of his bases. You see, we hadn't given up hope just yet."

"Yeah," Cubot chimed in, waving his hands for emphasis. "Then something weird happened. A bright light just swept over everything, and then—presto! We were here!"

"Since then, we've been looking for answers," Orbot continued, gesturing around to the endless void. "Exploring, investigating... Well, the best we can in a void like this."

Cubot threw up his arms dramatically as he chimed in.

"We don't even know what time it is! Seriously, what's the time? What day is it? Is it morning, noon, or night?" His voice chip seemed to glitch, giving his final words an overly dramatic echo.

Aqua watched the two robots, her expression softening. Despite being creations of Eggman, they didn't seem threatening. In fact, they seemed lost—two innocent, quirky machines stranded in a strange place. Her compassionate nature couldn't ignore their plight.

"You know," Aqua began, stepping closer to them, "you could join us."

Both robots froze, their glowing eyes widening in surprise.

"Join you?" Orbot asked, tilting his head.

"Yes," Aqua said with a warm smile. "It's better than being alone in this place, right?"

"You mean it? We could actually tag along?!" Cubot exclaimed, bouncing slightly.

"Wait, really?" Silver interrupted, turning to Aqua with a raised brow. "You're serious about this?"

"Look at them, Silver," Aqua said, gesturing to the two robots. "They're not like Metal Sonic or any of Eggman's other creations I've gone up against. They're friendly, and they're just... trying to figure things out like we are."

Silver still looked hesitant.

"But... they're Eggman's robots," he remarked. "They could be spying on us for all we know."

Orbot raised a hand, as if in protest.

"I assure you, Silver, we are not spying," he confirmed. "We don't even have anyone to report to!"

"Yeah," Cubot added quickly. "If we were spying, we'd be way sneakier about it. Like, hiding behind rocks or bushes or something."

"Not exactly reassuring, Cubot..." Silver sighed.

"Well. I trust them," Aqua said. "And I think they can be valuable allies. Besides, we can't just leave them. It's not right."

Silver looked at her for a long moment before sighing again.

"Fine," he relented, though his tone made it clear he wasn't fully convinced. "But if they do anything suspicious—"

"You'll be the first to know!" Orbot assured him, giving another polite bow.

Cubot, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! This is way better than wandering around aimlessly!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"Absolutely," Orbot agreed, his tone more subdued but still enthusiastic. "It will be nice to have some direction again."

"Welcome aboard, you two," Aqua said with a smile.

"Thank you, Aqua!" Orbot replied.

"Yeah, this is gonna be great!" Cubot added, his enthusiasm overflowing. "So, uh... what do we do first? Find an exit from here? Find lunch? Figure out what day it is?"

Aqua shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. She raised her hand, pointing toward the lifeless hub of Enchanted Dominion behind them.

"I have to save the Enchanted Dominion," she explained, her tone resolute. "Its heart needs rescuing from the distortions. Bringing back the light is the only way to restore it."

Silver stepped forward, his expression firm as he added, "Aqua can only go. Her Keyblade is the key to sealing the Keyhole of the world trapped here. She already did it at the other hub we found."

"Wait, there are others in distress?" Orbot asked, his voice filled with intrigue.

"Yes," Aqua said thoughtfully with a nod. "I don't know how many, but I've already saved one. This is the next one."

Orbot and Cubot exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They turned back to Aqua, their robotic forms standing straighter.

"We'll scout the area," Orbot declared. "See if we can find any more of these hubs or clues about what brought us here."

"Yeah!" Cubot added, raising a hand in mock salutation. "And maybe figure out what time it is while we're at it!"

Aqua chuckled softly, her gratitude evident.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

Silver placed a hand on his hip, looking up at Aqua.

"I'll scout around too," he offered. "It's best if you focus on saving this place. You're the only one who can."

Aqua met Silver's gaze, her determination mirrored in his. She nodded.

"All right," she said. "Be careful out there."

Orbot and Cubot saluted in their own quirky ways, Orbot's precise and elegant while Cubot's was a clunky imitation.

"Good luck!" Orbot said politely.

"Yeah, don't worry about us!" Cubot added. "We'll be fine. I mean, what's the worst that could happen in a creepy void like this?!"

Silver sighed, shaking his head at Cubot's remark as Aqua turned back toward the hub, her Keyblade appearing in her hand with a flash of light. She took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead. With her unlikely allies and Silver on the lookout, Aqua knew she could concentrate fully on restoring the Enchanted Dominion's heart. One more step forward in saving this fractured realm.

Another chapter completed, and we're moving onto two exciting new hubs: Rail Canyon and Enchanted Dominion. These settings are bound to add fresh layers of intrigue and challenge as the story continues to unfold.

Introducing Cloud to the roster has been a highlight, especially on Shadow's side of the story. It creates a compelling dynamic, finally bringing Shadow and Cloud face-to-face.

Orbot and Cubot are stepping into bigger roles in this story, which has been a refreshing change. I wanted to elevate their presence, especially within Aqua's journey. Their quirky personalities bring a unique flavor to the story, and their interactions with Aqua help to add levity and depth. Plus, it's much better than finding ship parts! (Who else is tired of that in Shadow Generations? lol.)

The next chapters will be rolling out soon, but only after I wrap up Ibis Island in Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix – Blue Blur Edition. With the holiday season fast approaching, my writing time will be a bit more limited—Christmas prep always takes priority! But rest assured, I'll still be working hard to bring the next installments to life.

As always, your support means the world to me. Thank you for sticking with this project—it truly motivates me to keep pushing the story forward. Stay tuned for what's to come!