In flashback, we see how Dr. Eggman and Salem came to work together, while in the present, the villains begin the next phase of their plan.
Tropes in this chapter
- Ambition Is Evil: This is how Eggman and Salem start bonding as Eggman notes her goals are similar to his own.
- Call-Back: Metal Sonic mentally continues to refer to Sonic as his "loathsome copy".
- Call-Forward: Cubot remarks "Say bye-bye to scary Kansas!" as they leave Remnant, same as he'll say "Say bye-bye to Kansas!" when they return in the first chapter.
- Continuity Nod:
- Sonic Unleashed
- Dr. Eggman comments on how the Grimm remind of Dark Gaia Spawn.
- When showcasing Sonic's skill, Eggman uses footage of his attack on the Egg Fleet from the start of the game.
- Eggman returns to Earth when he artificially induces a Chaos Control, recalling how Sonic once did the same with a fake Chaos Emerald.
- Sonic Unleashed
- Dies Differently in Adaptation: Tuckson croaks when Metal Sonic gives him a Neck Snap instead of whatever gory fate Mercury and Emerald were planning.
- Immediate Sequel: The story becomes this from Eggman's perspective, as it begins immediately after The Stinger to Sonic Colors.
- Shout-Out: Eggman paraphrases a line associated with Sherlock Holmes when he answers Watts with a line of "Elementar, my dear Watts".
- Surveillance as the Plot Demands: How did Eggman get that footage of Sonic attacking the Egg Fleet, especially when the ship in question blew up?
- Underestimating Badassery: Salem's gang proves rather doubtful of Eggman's claims about Sonic until they see some footage of him in action.
