You are passing near the Master Emerald region when a sudden surge of chaotic energy forces your attention toward the shrine in the distance

From afar, you witness Enerjak confronting Finitevus at the Master Emerald Shrine

Finitevus: Enerjak! What happened to you?

Enerjak: My power has been drained. I need more energy. My work is not finished.

Finitevus: YOUR work, of course.

Dark energy gathers around Finitevus’ hands

Finitevus: Servants of Chaos… Chaos is power, refined by will

Before the situation escalates further, a blur of blue speed crashes into the scene

Sonic strikes both Enerjak and Finitevus in a single motion, then leaps onto the Master Emerald

Archie Sonic: Don’t worry, Knuckles! I’ll neutralize this corruption like I did with Perfect Chaos!

Enerjak (furious): You dare use my power against me?!

Enerjak moves to attack, but Finitevus stops him with a raised hand

Finitevus: No. This might be just what I need

Black mist erupts from the Master Emerald and engulfs Sonic

You observe from a distance as Sonic collapses, his body surrounded by unstable shadow energy

Enerjak: That… worked? Was that your intention?

Finitevus: An unexpected reaction, I would love to dissect it to find out why this reaction. But that can be for later, let's continue where we left off

Sonic disappears from the top of the shrine

Something shifts

The energy around the Master Emerald distorts violently

You feel an unnatural pressure in the air

Enerjak: Something very strange is happening... And... This fog? Here?

Enerjak turns, sensing movement behind him, but is immediately stopped mid-strike

The figure stands there, holding his arm effortlessly

Chaos Hex (calm): I am not your enemy, Enerjak

Enerjak: Okay, this is being pretty unexpected. And that aura...

Finitevus: Unexpected? Everything is going according to plan… with extreme efficiency

Finitevus closes his eyes, thinking Finitevus:(The "hex" I put on the Master Emerald, made even the great hero's intentions bow to my ideals, he will stay and obey me)

Enerjak:So... he just left

When Finitevus looks again, Chaos Hex is gone

You decide to follow the direction of the disturbance

Keeping your distance, you track the residual energy signature across the wasteland

Later, you arrive near the remains of a battlefield

Scourge is present, accompanied by scattered remnants of the Destructix retreat

Fiona: Scourge? Are you coming?

Scourge (arms crossed): Actually… I’ve got a better idea. Sonic said something last time… got me thinking. About who I am now. What I can really do

Before he can continue, Fiona is abruptly pulled into a distortion of motion

Scourge: Hey—!

Chaos Hex appears in a blur of static and speed, striking Scourge away and intercepting the situation without hesitation

Scourge (shocked): Wait, he's who I think he is…

Chaos Hex circles him at high speed, the air warping around every movement

Scourge: Sonic?! What the hell did Enerjak do to you?!

Chaos Hex: He gave me a new outlook on things

A brief smile appears—then fades back into a blank expression

The fight is one-sided

Chaos Hex controls every exchange, countering without effort. Scourge is overwhelmed and driven back repeatedly until he collapses under the pressure of sustained attacks

Scourge (struggling): So… Is this your bad day? Abandoned even your "decency"?

Chaos Hex pins him down without reaction

Enerjak: Amazing work, but... I think you've gone too far

Chaos Hex: He could be a problem for our empire. It should be shot down as soon as possible

Finitevus (arriving through a Warp Ring): Yes, our empire, we are going to completely change the world. Nothing on this planet compares to the power I have awakened in you

Finitevus notices your presence

Finitevus: …A witness.

He pauses only briefly

Finitevus: Remove it.

The world distorts into static for an instant; Chaos Hex vanishes and reappears behind you, delivering a kick