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...