Rise by The Glitch Mob, Mako and The Word Alive.
~~~

Casino Night Zone (or known as Casinopolis), put simply, was an upcoming bustling place stuffed with noise, thrills, lights and music. Still under construction, only few places were open to the public. The main attraction was Casino Park- a terrific, massive building cascaded in bright colours and neon illumination. A large sign of it's name adorned above reaching, open glass doors- surrounded by large game cards and dice. Fake palm trees sat at the left side, surrounding a fountain where a golden statue of Breezie Hedgehog herself poured the water.

Apart from a hotel and restaurants and nightclubs, other buildings and attractions were draped in scaffolding and drowned out by the workers spread all over. To enter Casinopolis, magnificent gates beneath a green and golden arch would open at the ready- where the guest would show their ticket and booking.

Luckily, they weren't here to ask for permission.

On the other side of the locked gate, Mighty Armadillo eyed the neighbouring gatekeeper who stared airily ahead. "That's unnerving." He whispered.

In the drivers seat, Vector hummed. "That's 'cause they ain't human."

At the former's side, Ray shrunk. "W-what?"

"They're robots. 'Bunch of rumours about the whole thing. You can't get too close to this place to learn for sure. Breezie don't want her loyalties to Eggman gettin' broadcast after all."

"So...she uses Badniks as her staff?" Mighty squirmed.

"Not everywhere- that'd make it obvious. Havin' looked into it, we're guessin' her news and TV shows have mobians and humans- but here?"

"It was bad enough when we thought it was just her camera equipment related to Eggman." Charmy continued. "But here practically everything you see is because of what he's given to her."

"I don't get it. When this place opens, won't she worry about the people catching on?" Ray wondered.

"Back in the day, you'll remember, the news across the world was run by Eggman- but no one said a thing-."

"Until Sonic and...you know, decided enough was enough." Charmy grinned.

"You know? You mean Sally?" Mighty scratched his head, becoming more perplexed at the pairs stiffened forms.

"You guys forget her name or something?" He tried to joke.

"Have any of you heard from her? Or the others?" Ray asked.

"No. We promised, remember?" Vector countered.

"So what- we can't even mention them anymore?"

"Well no-."

"So?"

"Places like here, it's best not to mention them. 'Sides, it's...hard."

"I get that but-."

"Sonic especially kinda makes sure we're discreet." Charmy fidgeted with his fingers and Mighty laughed.

"You've all sworn to secrecy 'cause what? Sonic doesn't want it brought up?"

Vector frowned. "Easy. He's...touchy about it-."

"Paranoid you mean."

"You said it not me. You know Sally meant a great deal to him."

"Knothole too." Charmy sunk.

"And he's never been good at talkin' 'bout things- but it ain't our place to push. If it makes it easier for him to be vague, then vague we'll be."

"I can get behind that." Mighty shrugged. "Didn't mean to judge-."

"Ah it's fine, 'lot's changed since we've last been together. You're bound to have questions."

"Hey guys?" Ray refocused. "Look."

Pointing to the seemingly frozen machine, they watched a strange ripple in the air move behind it. There came a click and a spark burst from the back of it's head. The machine jerked forward and it's cap fell- revealing the orange head beneath. The Eggpawn adorned a navy jacket with Casino Night insignia over it's breast pocket. It whirled but another crackle behind it's head rendered it useless, the unique ripple letting the robot topple to the ground.

The blurred pattern in the light breeze swirled and quickly manifested into Espio, sighing and dusting his hands clean. Before meeting his friends, he threw on the jacket and settled the hat on his head.

"I've had a look around. There's cameras everywhere- never mind the Badniks."

Vector climbed out the car and the others mimicked him. "But is Breezie here?"

"I saw her enter Casino Park. She has two Badniks with her at all times it seems, and, she came here without her car. Opted for a taxi instead."

The crocodile smirked and tapped the navy jacket. "Good thing we've got a plan."

Espio sighed.

———

"If I were a madman still hellbent on kidnapping innocent people...where would I hide them?"

"Low down. He'd want them out of sight and out of mind, kid."

"Chao chao!"

"It's okay Cheese. We're so close. Rouge?"

"Yeah, hun?"

"They'll....they will be-."

"They've stuck with us this long. They're okay."

"Right. How many do you think Eggman's managed to...you know?"

"I...there's no point in wondering until we're there."

"Rouge. Tails." Large claws went to their shoulders respectively.

"That might get us to where we need to be."

Ahead, a glass elevator met them at the end of the white hall. With a delicate number pad at it's side, the four hurriedly and cautiously made their way over. With steels walls on the back three, the elevator entrance consisted of blue toned glass doors.

"This is definitely an upgrade from the last Eggman base." Rouge remarked prior to the doors dinging open.

"Which unnerves me." Tails stepped to her side with Omega towering behind and Cheese on the robots shoulder.

"Chao?"

"It means we've given Eggman too much time to make himself comfortable. The better the base, the more fortified it probably is."

"Quiet." A claw went over Tails' mouth and blue eyes followed where Omega pointed.

Two Eggpawns and a Bee-bot rounded the distant corner. The former pair shoved each other by the arms, only stopped by the insect-like machine flying between them.

"Crap." Rouge murmured, pressing the lowest floors button in excursion.

"Hurry!" Tails muffled out.

With a ding the elevator thankfully began moving just as the Eggpawns focused, optics observing the top half of the lift descend.

———

"Is that him?" Ray inquired, noticing a nearing strange wobble in the air.

Four hats and jackets floated with it and from the gates other side, Espio made himself known. He slipped the clothing items between metal bars before kicking the latch loose. His friends adorned the uniforms and slipped by the entryway, treading in a single file line and slowing their movements- attempting to match the Badniks movements.

"So we visit Breezie, destroy the camera and take her in?" Mighty whispered, eyeing directional signs beside them as they passed.

"We'll try- she could easily argue against the case we make." Vector replied.

"That does not mean we do nothing. The most important thing is we retrieve the camera." Espio prioritised.

"Hey guys?" Charmy gulped, staring at a couple nearing Eggrobo's.

"Relax."

"I'm trying but I think they're onto us."

"So act normal. We're almost-."

"Oof!" Charmy had looked away for a second, but it was enough for an Eggpawn to bump into his side.

The young bee sweat dropped and statically moved his arms up and down. "Zeep zorp?"

Vector glanced to his right where elegant, carpeted stairs climbed to Casino Park. He thickly swallowed and moved to stand in front of Charmy, posturing himself as stilly as possible. In the corner of his eye, he acknowledged a wavy section of air before the two robots sparked from behind and tumbled- narrowly caught by Mighty and Ray who set them down.

"Let's hurry." Vector hushed and led the way.

"Aren't we kinda obvious? Even with the uniforms?" Mighty pondered.

"The Badniks have not been warned of our arrival, so their sensors for danger are off. If they're like Eggman's usual makes- and I'm assuming he wouldn't give his best even to Breezie. As far as they're concerned- we look close enough." Espio explained, halting at the end of the inner entrance where two staircases descended to the main casino below.

Many machines lined the walls and as the group moved to the centre, they noticed double doors between the stairs. Towering, golden painted pillars reached to the dome ceiling where a chandelier hung back down. Garlands spread from it to decorate the glass half-circle and rosy carpet snuggled beneath their shoes. Neon trims of light zoomed around the many clusters of slot machines and to the right settled a stretching, empty bar. In the centre of the glittering space were Poker and Roulette tables, each set with miniature spears and statues in their middles.

"This place is amazing!" Charmy buzzed.

"Oh boy. Sure is pretty, but that's all part of it."

"Let's focus." Espio urged, pointing left and right.

"Two sets of corridors on our sides. I'm presuming they lead to private booked rooms, bathrooms and such."

"So where's Breezie's office?" Mighty asked.

Vector paled, gesturing to the windows overlooking the room, extending to an office beyond. "I'd say that's a good place to start."

"Wh-." Ray trailed off, eyes landing on the teal hedgehog that stood waving with a red suit.

"Breezie beat us to it, huh?"

———

The elevator dinged and the first thing Rouge noticed was how abruptly cold it became. When the glass doors separated, it was far darker than the rest of the base too. Omega's optics brightened to cast a murky red hue, but it was enough for them to explore.

The corridor was narrow. Concrete. Chilly and silent. Tails wasn't all that surprised to soon catch sight of metal bars the length of the wall, but it unnerved him all the same. He glanced at his Comlink, finding some solace in Sonic or the others not calling yet. All they had to do was keep Eggman distracted long enough for them to escape with the captives. If they managed to take him down in the process, well, all the more better.

"Chao chao." Cheese whined with a shiver.

Omega reached to pat his head. "It is okay. We will be victorious today."

"Hey." Rouge ordered, finger to her lips as her ears twisted.

Tails did the same, manoeuvring to crouch at her side with a perplexed expression. She only gestured ahead and the pair became puzzled when the red illumination seemed to grow brighter.

"In here!" Omega hushed and pulled the two with him behind some of the bars, pushing the door back in place.

"Why isn't it locked?" Tails whispered before covering his own mouth as three Eggrobo's passed.

"Are they all like this?" Rouge wondered after a while, creeping ever so slowly out to open the one opposite- succeeding in doing so.

"They are empty." Omega stated and Cheese sobbed.

The twin-tailed inventor cringed and reached to cradle the creature. "I'm sure Vanilla and Cream are here! D-don't panic. We haven't checked them all yet."

Rouge stepped to do so, but a distant thud made her ears sharp and her wings flutter. She caught a murmured curse and taking Tails' hand, hurried to where she believed the noises came from. Omega was quickly behind and his optics showered the room in ruby light.

None of it mattered to Tails though. All the worry and frustration melted as his eyes locked with wide, rather scared cinnamon brown. The warm girl they belonged to snuggled against their patient mother, both tired and slightly battered, but alive.

"Tails?" The young girl rasped, blinking and scrambling up with a brilliant smile fighting its way onto her muzzle.

"Cream! You're okay!" The fox's hands instantly rested over the bunny's who's settled on the bars.

"I knew you'd come save us!"

"Well of course! A-are you okay?"

"It's been scary, but it's over now."

"Thank you." Vanilla stood and traipsed to stand beside her daughter.

"He didn't hurt you too badly, did he?" Rouge wondered.

"Actually, we haven't seen him at all. His Badniks would come down here and retrieve who they sought after but...."

"Chao chao!" Cheese squealed, zipped off Omega's shoulder and tackled Cream with the tightest embrace he could.

"Cheese! Oh I'm so glad you're okay! I'm so sorry for leaving you!"

"Chao!"

"Any other survivors?" Rouge pushed.

"A couple." Vanilla pointed to the cell opposite. "It's okay, dear! These are our friends."

A squirm and shuffle but soon a light blue hedgehog peaked from the shadows, hands gripping the cell bars. Dappy Hedgehog. A few cells down and similar sounds proceeded and a wolf squeezed their head out, giving a cautious wave.

"That's Miss Lupe Wolf." Cream introduced.

"Where's...where's everyone else?" Tails gulped.

"Taken. We...don't see them come back, but their cells remain unlocked." Vanilla sighed.

"Do you know what happens to them?"

"I can guess." Dappy interjected, slowly standing.

"He wants to carry out Robotisization without having to do all the work. Focus on the mind and all that. Don't think he's managed to do it yet-."

"Got caught up with catching a cold, didn't he?" Lupe laughed.

"He's ill?" Tails echoed.

"That's what the more sentient robots say."

"Makes this easier." Rouge shrugged.

"It would've- if he hadn't found a cure." Dappy shrunk.

"Cure?"

Vanilla repeated a sigh. "We think he's found the answer and, unfortunately, it needs Shadow's DNA."