"Finally!" Tangle exclaimed as she reaches Tails' workshop on her bike. "I thought I'd never get there, I hope they're home!"

Once she walks in, she finds Sonic running in a giant hamster wheel connected to a machine, and Tails and Trixie reading the data from said machine.

"Oh, Tangle! I didn't know you were coming for visit," Tails admitted.

"I didn't either, but then something happened and I had to tell you guys and who are you?" Tangle turned to Trixie.

"I'm Trixie Lulamoon!"

"Got it... so this is what you guys do for fun in downtime? Who the hell am I kidding that looks like fun! Can I try it next?"

"Ha! Sure! I don't think I can infect Metal stuff," Sonic joked.

"You definitely can't- I test for that, you're in the clear."

"Sweet! You think that did the trick?"

"Hard to say based on what Twilight said to me you went straight here from the mine... so maybe drove to remission," Trixie replied. "In other words, you cured yourself."

"Excuse me! What!?" Tangle asked not knowing what happened.

"Sorry! Let me bring to speed," Sonic explained. "We tried to keep it down low but Dr. Eggman lost his memory, and became Mr. Tinker and lived peacefully in a remote village, but he was grabbed by some jerk named Dr. Starline. who also managed to release Cozy and Chrysalis as well and got the Egghead his groove back. Eggman's developed this gunk that turns living things into zombie-like robots, which in Twilight called 'Zombots'. I don't even think about rolling your eyes, Tails, and Trixie, Twi thought of the name and it sounds fine! Anyway, I got tangled with a couple of Zombots. Turns out their touch spreads the effect of the gunk and I got infected."

"Are you contagious?"

"That's one of the things Tails, Trix. and I was trying to test. It was kinda close, but it looks like I beat it."

"That nuts! Was anyone with you?"

"Amy, Twilight, and Sunset, Amy told me to book to Tails' place. I'm sure they made it back by now probably should let them know I'm okay."

"I think we should warn everyone to keep an eye out for signs of these...Zombots. Eggman's robots are already in your town once. I'd hate for it to be targeted again."

"Aww! Thanks! It's pretty lively since oh! That's what I wanted to tell you about!"

Meanwhile in an elevator in the Final Egg.

"I got to say, Doctor. you always amazed me, but this is phenomenal," Starline said as he, Eggman, Cozy, and Chrysalis were riding to the top. "How did you manage to build a new flying fortress so quickly?"

"Rather easy when you two things," Eggman explained. "One, an unparalleled genius, such as my own. Two, an army of tireless robot slaves."

"I didn't think the Badnik was that dexterous," Cozy said seeing the place.

"Some were meant for building not for war, but the size of my force is limited by the time it takes to construct the shells. round up animals to power them, and combine the two. But soon will be a thing of the past. Orbot! Launch!"

"Initiating launch sequence now, boss," Orbot replied.

"Up, up, away!" Cubot exclaimed as Orbot launched Eggman's new fortress into the sky.

We've reached cruising altitude, boss. All systems are stable. Heading to your first target now."

"We have some time before we arrive. Care for a tour?"

"Glady!"

"Very well! First, I'm sure you've noticed I'm keeping your gift of the Chaos Emerlands close at hand! Thus throne doubles as the power generator for the entire faceship!" He shows off the Chaos Emeralds which are fashioned above his throne.

"Faceship..."

"A short walk away is this lovely viewing area, where I can see my brilliant plan unfold-all from a safe altitude."

Eggman then leads Starline downstairs to automated mixers that blend his secret formula for the Metal Virus. "Here is where the magic happens! Automated mixers blend my secret formula to mass-produce the Metal Virus! Once it's applied to every living thing in the world. I will have an unstoppable army of robot slaves!"

"I love the idea, but please forgive me... It's practically impossible for you to create enough metal virus to infect both our worlds." Cozy explained.

"That's the beauty of my plan, Cozy, I don't have to!"

"Once we drop the first batch, the infected will wandered in every direction spreading it for me. I only need to make a few more drops and then the Zombots will do the rest."

The Faceship arrives at Windmill, which by Eggman's command drops the large batch of Metal Virus to be dumped over Windmill Village. The virus floods the entire village, reaching many of the citizens. Elder Scruffy is quickly infected after attempting to shield a child. Another villager horrifyingly sees a fellow villager get turned into a Zombot very quickly. Some villagers try to escape by climbing on top of the rooftops but one of them has the virus spread from their legs and swiftly infects them. A mother and son look outside of their window, terrified of the sight. Soon, their door is broken down and several Zombots come inside, separate them, and infect them.

"So just like that," Chrysalis said seeing it. "So when does the real fun begins?"

"It has already begun," Eggman told her.

Back at Tails' workshop, Sonic, Tails, and Trixie have finished listening to Tangle's story. Tangle asks what is next for them to do. Tails state that Amy had found evidence of Eggman building a new fortress, most likely to spread his mechanizing agent. Tangle believes that if they manage to find the fortress before it launches, they can stop Eggman's plans before they even start, which Tails already agreed with. Tangle excitedly springs into the air, telling the duo to call on her when they find the battleship as she would gladly help. As Sonic and Tangle are about to high five, Sonic's left-hand shows signs of infection again. Sonic quickly dodges Tangle, leaving her to faceplant on the floor. Sonic shows Tails that the infection has started again. Tails deduce that while Sonic's speed can burn the infection off and keep it in check, it cannot cure it. Tails suggest running some models but Sonic refuses, wanting to find Eggman's battleship instead. The hedgehog takes off ignoring Tails' calls after him. Tangle tells Tails that she is sure Sonic will be fine as she believes Tails will find a cure.

As the day passes in the empty Windmill Village, a Flicky can be seen resting in its nest inside the hole of a tree. However, the Metal Virus spreads through the tree and soon infects the Flicky itself. By sunrise, the Zombot Flicky flies out of its nest and towards the nearest city over.

Next Chapter: Plague Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 18 Minutes