Eggman Land was impossible to miss.
From miles out at sea, the skyline broke the horizon like something out of a fever dream — glittering spires, colossal ferris wheels, roller coasters curling around skyscrapers, holographic fireworks that never stopped. It was equal parts theme park, fortress, and a declaration of sovereignty.
Cecil Stedman had dressed it up as a "joint government program," but everyone here knew the truth — this was Eggman showing off. And for once, the Guardians of the Globe and their families weren't here to fight anyone.
The transport ship eased into dock, flanked by Eggman's egg-shaped security drones. The Guardians disembarked first:
Duplicate and her brother Duplipaul, already bickering about which rides they'd hit first.
Immortal, stiff and regal, walking beside Alana the Green Ghost.
Darkwing, silent but scanning every corner like a hawk.
Black Samson, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Red Rush, already rushing around.
Aquarus and Queen Aquaria, effortlessly regal despite the strange setting.
Omni-Man and his wife Debbie, with their teenage son Mark Grayson in tow.
They weren't alone — Cecil had also invited someone… fast. The blur of blue sneakers and quills was impossible to mistake. The so-called "Blue Blur" himself, who seemed to be vibrating with barely contained excitement as he hopped from foot to foot.
The sound came first — a deep, mechanical whirring, almost like a helicopter — then the iconic silhouette descended from above.
The Eggmobile, polished to a mirror shine, hovered just inches above the dock. But this was no simple craft — this one bristled with subtle upgrades: compact thrusters, hardened armor plating, and six shimmering gems mounted around its central frame. The Chaos Emeralds, or so rumor said.
Most of the Guardians assumed they were just decorative trophies. Only a few noticed the faint, pulsing energy coming off them.
Eggman emerged from the cockpit, standing tall in his crimson coat and tinted glasses. He swept into a dramatic bow — not to Cecil, not to Omni-Man, but directly to Queen Aquaria.
"Your Majesty. It is truly an honor," Eggman purred.
Aquaria inclined her head graciously. "Your hospitality is… impressive."
The group began their tour. MRCE units — Medical, Rescue, Combat Eggbots — greeted guests, served snacks, and operated rides. Entire plazas teemed with attractions: anti-gravity bumper cars, looping monorails, holographic stunt shows.
Red Rush lifted Mark effortlessly when the teen tried to get a better view of the Emeralds on Eggman's craft. "Pretty, huh?" Rush grinned.
"They're not just pretty," Mark muttered, though he couldn't say why, only that he'd seen murals somehwere out in orbit.
While Nolan drifted toward Eggman, Debbie was intercepted by two small, floating robots — Orbot and Cubot.
"Mrs. Grayson!" Orbot said cheerfully. "If you'll follow us, we have a private tour of our culinary district prepared just for you."
Debbie blinked. "Culinary… district?"
Cubot leaned in conspiratorially. "Translation: we're feeding you until you can't walk."
Debbie laughed and followed them, unaware of the glance Nolan shot after her — or the way Eggman's smile sharpened when he noticed it.
Nolan finally approached. His eyes lingered on the six Emeralds. "Doctor… those stones—"
Eggman cut him off smoothly. "Come, Omni-Man. We have much—no, in fact, little—to discuss."
Without waiting for a reply, Eggman guided him toward a tower that loomed above the park. Nolan followed, his mind already cataloging potential threats, escape routes… and wondering why Eggman seemed entirely unafraid.
The observation deck was silent save for the distant hum of the park below. From here, they could see everything: the ocean, the rides, the drones lazily circling in perfect formation.
"Terrible, isn't it?" Eggman asked.
Nolan approached the glass, still looking at the Emeralds mounted on the Eggmobile far below. "No it's incredible," he admitted. "A marvel of engineering."
Eggman's voice dropped to something quieter — and sharper.
"Not that idiot."
Nolan frowned. "Excuse me?"
Eggman stepped closer, hands clasped behind his back.
"You come from a race of alien conquerors. Your kind sweeps through civilizations like wildfire. Yet here you are… softened. Boiled down by human love."
Nolan turned sharply, anger flashing in his eyes. "Careful, Doctor—"
But before he could swing, Eggman stepped sideways, and suddenly speakers were positioned right next to Nolan's ears.
It hit him instantly — the realization that Eggman knew about the Viltrumites' equilibrium for their flight. Knew that destabilizing the inner ear meant grounding even the most powerful of his kind.
In that split-second of surprise, Eggman's hand darted out and slapped a small, metallic chip against the skin just beneath Nolan's ear.
Nolan staggered, then collapsed, unconscious before he hit the floor.
Eggman knelt beside him, adjusting his glasses.
"Good night, Omni-Man. When you awaken, you will… have a new set of perspecticoles. Heh-heh-heh."
A pair of MRCE units arrived without a word, lifting Nolan's limp form and carrying him away toward a private suite. Eggman didn't watch them go. He was already descending the tower, humming a little tune.
The smell hit the park before he did — savory, spiced, unmistakable. Eggman rolled into the central plaza in his Eggmobile, now loaded with trays upon trays of chili dogs.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he announced. "And assorted aquatic royalty! A feast, for a new tomorrow!"
The Guardians were caught off-guard, but even Immortal took one when offered. Mark grabbed two. Red Rush grabbed five. Debbie rejoined the group, laughing, still unaware that Nolan was nowhere to be seen.
But one man wasn't smiling.
From a quiet corner of the plaza, Cecil Stedman watched it all with the expression of a man trying to solve a puzzle and realizing the puzzle pieces were rearranging themselves behind his back.
To Cecil, Eggman was an unknown variable — unpredictable, brilliant, and far too comfortable holding power. And if there was one thing Cecil hated, it was not having control.
The crowd parted in a streak of cobalt light. A voice rang out before the figure stopped moving.
"Well, well, well! Doctor Eggman. Can't say I don't feel honored to be invited by a 'celebrity'."
The Blue Blur himself — Sonic the Hedgehog — stood there, arms crossed, grin wide. His gaze flicked over the Guardians, lingering on the younger Mark Grayson. "You guys are the government's muscle still? Cute."
He didn't wait for an answer before sauntering toward the chili dogs and grabbing one… then two… then three in the space of seconds.
Eggman watched him, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Definitely not like me. Still… my natural counterpart.
And somewhere, deep inside his fortress disguised as a theme park, Omni-Man slept — the chip humming softly against his skin, rewriting his perspective one silent pulse at a time.
Tomorrow would be… interesting.