The Freedom Fighters are close to obtaining all of the Gaia Keys.
They travel to Chun-nan where they meet Dulcy the Dragon and her own band of Freedom Fighters: the Shinjin Warriors. Dulcy has come a long way from staying out of outside affairs to being part of a united force for good, and is now ready to help the friends that inspired her.
They all must work together to prevent Egg Boss Conquering Storm from taking over the local Gaia Temple, but there is one other obstacle they need to deal with: an ancient Phoenix spirit corrupted by Dark Gaia Energy.
Tropes:
- Adaptational Species Change: Dulcy once resembled a large western dragon, who was last seen in the old universe welcomed back to her old clan after being exiled for years. In the new universe, she is seen as much more sleeker like Rotor, and her attire gives off a more Eastern/Asian-style dragon look.
- The Cavalry Arrives Late: Dulcy arrives in Part 1 later than usual but helps Sonic's team take down a Silver Sonic. Justified as they were running along Dragon Road, far from their meeting spot. She apologizes regardless.
- Curb Stomp Cushion: For Sally/Dulcy and Conquering Storm's teams, both sides seem evenly matched in battle. Storm's, however, is more disciplined, numerous, and experienced while Dulcy's small group had formed a little before the planet shattering. Conquering Storm has this battle won, but the Freedom Fighters' objective wasn't exactly to beat her. It was to rescue the corrupted Phoenix and prevent the Egg Army from taking the temple and, with the Phoenix purified thanks to Chip, they now have a powerful spirit back to protect it. There's also rescuing the keyholder Zonshen, who was trapped at the temple before the heroes arrived.
- Good vs. Good: Both Sonic and the Phoenix are both good-natured characters, but are corrupted by Dark Gaia Energy; the latter of which has gone berserk like when Sonic first transformed. Sonic volunteers to take on the giant bird alone while the rest of the Freedom Fighters fight Conquering Storm's Egg Army. Once Sonic wears down the Phoenix, Chip steps in to purge the darkness out of him.
- Light 'em Up: Now that Chip has his memories and power back, he is able to purify the Phoenix after Werehog Sonic subdues it.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Similar to when Sally first formed her Freedom Fighters, Dulcy's Shinjin Warriors consists of just four people so far: Bunker the Tortoise, Cinder/Cindy the Pheasant, Jian the Tiger, and Dulcy herself. All four broke off from their own clans because they know there is a bigger threat out there. Jian is a special case because she was part of Conquering Storm's Egg Army division before defecting.
