Manic & Shadow

The sun casts a golden glow over the trees as Team Chaotix crouches behind the thick bushes, observing the strange blue robot moving ahead. Its mechanical frame glints brightly in the sunlight, but there's something unsettling about its presence. The robot enters a large, shiny, newly constructed amusement park. The gates creak as it shuts behind it, leaving an eerie silence. Espio watches closely. Vector grabs Espio's shoulder, stopping him from moving. Vector: Not so fast, Espio. Something feels off. Espio: What’s the matter? Vector: A brand-new amusement park, out of nowhere… You don’t think that’s suspicious? It could be a trap set by Dr. Eggman. Espio: I guess… Vector: Let’s be careful. We don't know what we're dealing with. Espio nods, but Charmy’s excitement is impossible to contain. His eyes are wide, buzzing with childlike energy." Charmy: Trap or not, that place looks amazing! Do you think they've got cotton candy? Before Vector can stop him, Charmy zips out from behind the bushes, squeezing his tiny body through the bars of the park gate. Vector: Charmy! Get back here! This child… Come on, Espio! Charmy! Espio: Roger! The two quickly follow, climbing the gate—only to find it isn’t locked. The gate creaks open on its own. They exchange looks but step through cautiously. The park before them is pristine, empty, and eerily quiet. The air feels thick with a strange mist. The park has an unsettling atmosphere. The stands are decorated with unfinished robots—some barely moving but staring at the team expectantly. Espio’s eyes narrow, scanning the surroundings with suspicion. Out of nowhere, a robotic figure emerges from the mist. It’s tall, humanoid, and theatrical in its posture.

Showmaster: (booming voice, with a light Russian accent) Welcome to my new amusement park! I am the Showmaster, and I am also the Showmaster of this park! The figure stands tall, glistening in a mix of metallic greens, greys and blacks. His silver glowing eyes seem to pierce through them as he grips a metallic cane with flair. His attire is elegant, almost theatrical—red, black, and grey with a hint of extravagance. He carries an air of mystery. Vector: Showmaster? Showmaster: (his tone theatrical) Yes! Indeed, I am the Showmaster! Charmy: (buzzing with curiosity) What makes you a Showmaster? Showmaster: Because I say so. A Showmaster hides the real person behind a mask. You can never know how the real person behind this mask is. Anyway… why are you here? The park is still incomplete. It needs its final polishing. Vector: We followed your blue robot friend here. Showmaster: A blue robot? The Showmaster turns slowly, his gaze lingering on something unseen in the mist. Showmaster: Ah! Neo! You mean my little brother, Neo! A second, much more ominous figure steps forward—a robotic figure much like the first. The figure is sleek, intimidating, and strangely familiar. Behind the Showmaster stands Neo—a taller, menacing robot that bears a chilling resemblance to Metal Sonic, but with noticeable differences. His glowing silver eyes mimic the Showmaster's, and his body is a cold fusion of black, grey, and a bright, almost electric blue. Some parts of his limbs have been warped, as if the metal melted and solidified in strange shapes. His presence feels as cold and calculating as the eyes staring back at Team Chaotix. Neo stares at them silently, his movements smooth but mechanical, radiating an aura of strictness and power. Team Chaotix exchanges uneasy glances. Vector, trying to remain composed, crosses his arms. Espio’s eyes remain narrowed, wary of the situation. Charmy buzzes eagerly but keeps a bit of distance from Neo.

Showmaster: Well… since you are here, and I don't want you to leave so soon, I have a very good offer for you. I mentioned that the park has some flaws, right? I would like you to test some attractions here, so I can improve them later. In return, I will pay you for your performance. Sounds like a good deal, yes? Vector: Testing a new park… for money? Deal. Espio: Vector, you don’t even know what you’re agreeing to! Vector: What? We’ve got rent to pay, Espio. Charmy: (excitedly circling around) Yeah! Got rent to pay! (Pauses mid-flight) "Do you think they have cotton candy, too? Vector: Who doesn’t want to check out a brand-new amusement park for free? I bet they’ve got all kinds of good food in here! Charmy: And candy! Showmaster: Oh, sadly, you will have to pay for the food here… I cannot give everything for free. That would not be good business. Vector: (grinning, giving a thumbs up) You have a deal, Showmaster. Showmaster: (silent giggle) Rent… His brother hit him. Showmaster: Excellent! Neo knows the park better than anyone else. He will be your guide around this place. You may ask either him or me for help. But I caution you—don’t treat us as your friends. Neo is one of the main attractions here, and some of the attractions could be… dangerous. Even deadly. Please be careful. And above all—have fun!

With that, the Showmaster gives a final, mysterious smile before turning and walking off, disappearing into the mist. Neo steps forward, motioning for Team Chaotix to follow him. Espio wasn’t sure how to feel about the situation. There was too much about this place that felt off. But with no choice left, the team followed Neo through the park. As they ventured further into the eerie, almost hauntingly quiet grounds, Espio’s suspicion grew stronger.

The park was filled with strange, robotic creatures—some incomplete, some malfunctioning. They were strangely beautiful, but also unnervingly unsettling. As they walked deeper into the park, Espio remained cautious, never letting his guard down, while Charmy eagerly asked Neo a hundred questions. Neo remained silent, his movements eerily precise. Espio couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.