Shadow the Hedgehog enters a garage and prepares his vehicle, the Dark Reaper, for a high-stakes competition. After starting the engine, he drives through a Ring Gate that warps him to the starting line, where Sonic and other racers await the signal to begin. The race, sponsored by Dodon Pa Industries, takes place on tracks that feature portals to other dimensions, known as CrossWorlds, which dramatically alter the racing environment mid-competition. As the race begins, Shadow quickly establishes himself as a fierce competitor. Jet the Hawk from the Babylon Rogues secures a powerful item and launches a volley of homing attacks, causing explosions that eliminate Amy and Tails from the race. Shadow navigates the chaos and retaliates, ramming each member of the Babylon Rogues off the track.

The race then transports the remaining competitors through a Travel Ring to Dragon Road, a course inspired by Chinese dragons. Here, Rouge finds herself trapped between Dr. Eggman and his daughter Sage. Shadow intervenes, knocking Rouge out of harm's way just as Eggman and Sage detonate their weapons. Sage takes a hit meant for her father, sacrificing her position to keep Eggman in the race. The racers then plunge into water, triggering their vehicles to transform for aquatic terrain. As they speed across the waves, the monstrous Dark Gaia Phoenix emerges and attacks, eliminating Knuckles, Silver, and Eggman. When Rouge is struck, Shadow uses a Slime power-up to cushion her fall, saving her from being knocked out of the race.

Only Sonic and Shadow remain as they burst through a final Travel Ring into Donpa Factory. The two hedgehogs engage in a fierce duel, matching each other boost for boost as they hurtle toward the finish line. In a photo finish, Shadows vehicle edges ahead of Sonics, securing his victory. This 2D animated special, produced by Studio Giggex and Simage Animation, serves as a promotional tie-in for the Sonic Racing CrossWorlds video game and features a wide roster of characters including the Babylon Rogues, Silver, and a brief appearance by the Dark Gaia Phoenix as a hazardous obstacle.