Chapter Text
[Deep within the corridors of Hidden Palace Zone, a harmony wafts through the air. A Red Panda, known to others only as Spectra, is playing a tune on her flute. She’s kept this tradition for years, playing tunes for any birds that would happen to hear it.]
[…A chameleon, by the name of Espio, was investigating the cave. Seismic activity was recorded near Mystic Cave Zone, so he decided to see if anything out of the usual was going on down there. In his travels, he discovered an entire castle, forgotten for eons.]
Espio - “Hm. Strange. There was seismic activity reported around here, but there seems to be no sign of the Doctor.”
[As Espio muttered this, his face contorted into a scowl. After all, if Eggman wasn’t near, why was the seismic activity level so high? Nevertheless, he continued his trek through the castle. …he was investigating this castle, he heard a compelling harmony, as if it was calling out to him. He decided to follow it, while keeping himself hidden.]
[As Espio followed the tune, sticking to the shadows, he sighted Spectra playing a tune on her flute, with several birds near her. While the harmony was playing, Espio took time to listen to it. It was a very nice sound.]
[As Spectra shifted from one tune to the next, she seemed to be nearing a stopping point.]
Spectra - “Okay, pals, that’s enough for today. Sorry that it was shorter than usual, I just need some more time to… Work.”
[Spectra’s face, having a sheepish expression at first, seemed to change as she said “Work.” her eyes moved away from the birds, who flew away. She began to move towards an unknown location, but Espio decided to break his silence.]
Espio - “…It was a nice tune.”
[Spectra, caught off-guard by Espio’s sudden talking, jumped and spun around, looking flustered.]
Spectra - “Oh, th-thank you! You look d-different from the people who normally come here… What’s your name? I’m S-Spectra!”
Espio - “…The name’s Espio. Do you mind if I ask a few questions?”
[Spectra’s head tilted sideways, indicating her confusion.]
Spectra - “O-Okay? What are they?”
Espio - “I’m looking for someone. He goes by Doctor Eggman, and there has been seismic activity, tremors around here as of late. Have you noticed anything… Out of the ordinary?”
[Spectra thought about this, then answered.]
Spectra - “Well, if I’m being honest, there’s always been those tremors. They occur so often I have designated shelters for them. And who’s this “Doctor Eggman” character?”
[Espio’s expression became solemn for a brief second, before becoming neutral again.]
Espio - “Eggman isn’t good news. He’s got a big mustache, and if you see him, it’s best to get away.”
[Spectra pondered on this, as if registering Espio’s words.]
Spectra - “Okay!”
Espio - “…Sorry to take up your time, miss.”
[Spectra shook her head.]
Spectra - “Don’t worry about it. The last time someone was here, they broke all of my TVs, and were gone in a matter of minutes.”
[Espio thought about this for a moment, before saying something back.]
Espio - “If you ever see anything…”
[Espio gave a business card to Spectra, with the Chaotix Detective Agency’s number on it.]
Espio - “Let us know. Anything could be useful.”
[Spectra caught the card, before turning back to Espio and smiling.]
Spectra - “Will do! Have a great day!”
[Espio nodded, and left.]
Spectra - “…So cool…”
[The ground began to shake, another tremor was occurring. Spectra quickly darted into one of her shelters. Out of the ground, an Egg Mobile rose, with drill attachments. Spectra peeked out of her shelter to make sure the coast was clear, spotting Doctor Eggman.]
[Spectra, keeping as quiet as she could, dialed the number Espio gave her on her flip phone.]
Eggman - “This is where the energy signature is, it must be close.”
[…Unfortunately for Spectra, the call wasn’t picked up, and a very loud ringtone belted out.]
“WELCOME TO THE CHAOTIX DETECTIVE AGENCY, WE AIN’T AT THA’ PHONE AT THE MOMENT, SO LEAVE A MESSAGE!”
[Spectra, panicking, muttered “Oh fiddlesticks”. Eggman, of course, noticed the noise.]
Eggman - “OH HO HO! A LOCAL!”
[Eggman’s vehicle sped over to where Spectra was hidden, and she was picked up by her tail.]
Eggman - “I’m looking for a very IMPORTANT artifact. Where is it?!”
[Spectra, panicking, shouted.]
Spectra - “H-Hah! Bold of you to assume I kn-know! …Say, ya sure do look funny!”
[Spectra yanked Eggman’s mustache, eliciting a howl of pain from him. Eggman, furious, slammed Spectra against the wall.]
Eggman - “Why, you LITTLE!-”
[Spectra winced, although she kept up her taunts.]
Spectra - “You’re awfully egg-shaped, Mustache Man!”
[…A glow emanated from behind Spectra.]
Eggman - “Perfect.”
[Eggman tossed Spectra to the side forcefully, and began drilling into the wall. Spectra, thinking fast, broke off a panel on the back of the Egg Drill, and climbed in.]
Eggman - “Here it is! Hah, once I break this, I shall be led ever-closer to my goal!”
[Eggman held up a Chaos Emerald he had obtained earlier, making the artifact he had found begin to glow. As this was happening, Spectra had curled into a ball.]
??? - “HehehehahahaHAHA! …Doctor Eggman, I presume, you have freed me from this BOTHERSOME seal, and for that, I am grateful. I shall grant you ONE wish-”
[Spectra preformed a rudimentary spin dash, destroying much of the machine’s insides.]
??? - “We shall continue this ELSEWHERE, Doctor.”
[Eggman jumps out of the vehicle, as it begins to fall apart. The being then makes Eggman as well as itself disappear in a flash of purple energy.]
Spectra - “…Ow…”
[Spectra lost a few rings, but she quickly got them back. When she looked up, Eggman’s drill had created a pathway to the outside, where a wall had once been. It was a pathway to Mystic Cave.]