Chapter 10

"Ephemeral Wrath, Wrathful Dreamer"

Upon waking up after their all-too-brief rest at Acornopolis, two alarms - two different alarms - sound simultaneously, sending guards and soldiers running all over the place. Sally leads Sonic toward the top of the castle to take a look at their foes on the outside, while Elias and Metal head toward the forces more directly. Fang takes off toward the source of the second alarm: a jailbreak that seems to have the prison guards in an uproar.

Sally and Sonic spring into action as soon as the Phis get in close, with Sally starting to show off some new moves, projecting an energy blade from her armored hand while her other arm emits an energy shield of its own. Sonic fights beside her, no longer half so shocked as the thrill of the fight against an army rushes through his veins. Metal provides aerial support, taking out groups of Phis, while Elias hangs back and protects the gate alongside the soldiers.

Meanwhile, passing alongside Fang is a strange being in black, carrying a scimitar like an extension of his arm. They head to the same place, realizing the source of panic simultaneously: Tails has turned feral, and is shrouded in flame and lightning, screaming "He is sleeping!!" as he dispatches - but does not kill - guards. The feral fox darts past Fang and the mystery creature, hindering their progress with fireballs and hypnotic effects as he rushes outside.

As the fighting continues outside against the army of Phis, a wall of Metaldiers begins to form - and Tails, crackling with energy in a strange, supernatural fury, lays waste to the lot of them, finishing with a powerful explosion that knocks Slash and Simian alike far from the battlefield. Just as the battle is won, however, Tails promptly lands... and falls asleep, reverting to normal.

While Fang and the mystery creature - a fox, calling himself "Dervish of the Ronin Kitsune" - converse, and medics take an injured Elias into the medical bay, Metal holds a conversation with Metal X at a distance, with X warning Metal against fighting them now. Sonic, however, will hear none of it, and he gathers Sally, Metal, and Fang to help him take the other robots on. At first, they seem to hold an advantage, as Crusher is less able to fight while he tries to carry the fallen Slash and Simian; however, Metal X reveals his true might, taking on the whole group of Freedom Fighters and leaving them battered on the battlefield, taking minimal damage himself. No longer would Metal X perceive Metal as a wayward brother - and he swears to no longer show mercy to the living Freedom Fighters...

Chapter 9

"Acorn's Aftermath"

While Asura recovers - and Sonic sleeps - in Neo-Mobotropolis, Tails contemplates the events of the past night, realizing how much has changed about himself and everyone and everything around him. Others attempt to comfort him, but to no avail... especially when Tails goes back to work, only to find that Lobo's body seems to have walked out on its own. Metal finds that the apparent resurrection is thanks to the fox's experimental healing nanites, which can no longer be found.

Pulling at the strings of their attention, however, is another fox - one of Tails' contacts. He calls the team to the outskirts of Acornopolis, but Tails chooses to take his time and his own personal craft. After a brief meeting with Teumesian "Kit" Alopex, the oversized techie-fox, Elias, Metal, Fang, and James rest until nightfall, waiting for Sonic and Tails to arrive.

As the party reforms, they are shown a new Acornopolis - both foreboding and welcoming, techno-sigils glowing a soft neon blue. The city has been aided by a mysterious benefactor thanks to Tails, but the fox seems to have no desire to remain. What feelings of nostalgia - or confusion - they may have are set to the side as Kit detects the elite Phis from the Nightmare entering the city and searching for something. The team rushes in to investigate (with some frustration, as Tails tries to stay out of the city) and battle lines are drawn with the odd Phis, who have taken to calling themselves Biggs and Wedge. The battle is short and the robots escape as the guards provide a distraction: Arresting Tails, and leading nearly everybody else into an audience with Queen Sally Acorn. (Fang, being a hidden sniper, snuck in after them.)

Sally explains little, but her appearance has changed; one eye, one arm, and possible other hidden places have been modified with black robotics and blue sigils, and her vest, boots, and shorts are all black as well. While she introduces herself to Metal and James, Tails refuses to look at her, and Sonic is stunned into shock.

Fang, however, notices none of this, as he tries to distract the four guards outside the audience chamber with a rock.

There is a short discussion, and Sally's guests are led to their rooms: James and Sonic are given guest rooms, Fang is retained - and put on the payroll - before he's given a place to stay for the night, Metal is directed to the science lab to recharge, and Tails is put into the prison. No one offers an explanation - just a chance to rest...