Chapter 9 Damage control part 1
Authors note, Hey guys I hope you enjoy this chapter, and Happy Father's Day! Leave a review if you have time, I love hearing you guys feedback.
Jennifer's pov
The timer was counting down almost as if in slow motion. And as I pounded on the door, glancing behind me every few seconds, I broke into a cold sweat as the numbers ticked down. My heart was plummeting, and I feared I would pass out. My breathing became uneven and fast, while my mouth went dry.
30, 29, 28, 27.
I slumped down, limply falling to my knees softly as my breathing came faster still. Espios exploding shuriken had no effect on the door. And now it was too late. My body was sending me too many signals, and my mind was spinning way too fast. Someone screamed from the other side of the door, their voices laced with panic. "We can't budge it!" "Well try something else!"
My eyes widened and became glassy with tears. While my limbs trembled and shook. And in that second, I knew. I was going to die. They couldn't get the door open, and I was going to die. My body burst with emotions as I harshly began banging on the door, "Shadow, please get me out!" I scream panicked. I heard a pained cry from the other side, and I could just imagine Shadows horrified face as he realized the truth too. I looked back at the flashing numbers, begging for them to vanish.
20,19,18,17.
I could hear Charmy start crying and Shadow yelling at someone to give him something. In that moment, I felt a overwhelming sense of calm wash over me, along with bitter acceptance. I was going to die in this room. But I couldn't let them die with me. My adrenaline began pumping for a different reason as I shoved all thoughts of dying as far as I could. I needed to do something.
I couldn't bear the thought of them dying here as well when they could have got out. I sputtered for a moment my muddled mind scrambling, trying to comprehend what was happening. I wasted a few precious seconds before finally getting the words out. "You have to get out! You have to leave me." I yelled, my voice cracking. "No, don't say that! I'll get you out. I swear it!" A voice called back.
I knew it was Shadow. I shook my head fondly, my body stopped shaking as I looked at the timer, I only had seconds left. "Guys, you know I'm right now get out. Run before it's too late, please." I begged. I needed them to live, or I would lose what little sanity I had left and break down. Shouting came from the other side, and then silence. I smiled faintly before starting to cry, I knew they would make it. I looked at the bomb with grim acceptance, and closing my eyes, I muttered a prayer.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5.
I hugged myself, tears leaking down my face silently before uttering my final words. "Shadow, I love you." Suddenly a bright light flashed through the room, and I jerked from surprise. Then I froze from shock while hope swelled in my heart. "Shadow!" I yelled reaching for him. "How?" I slurred, but the stress had overcome me, and my mouth would not form words.
He snatched me up as my vision began going black at the edges and the world started to tilt. I knew I was passing out, but while I still had sense to do so I tightly wrapped my arms around Shadow. Hoping I would still hold on while I was unconscious. He swiveled around with me in his arms and lifted one of his hands up. I fought against the darkness that was still creeping into my vision, but ultimately lost, and I slumped against Shadow. I barely heard his next words.
3, 2...1..."CHAOS CONTROL!"
Third person pov
Sonic was annoyed. "How slow can we possibly go?" He muttered irritability. Sally had paired Sonic up with Amy, Maniac and Rouge. While Sally herself had gone with Vector, Tails, and Knuckles. And for the past three and a half hours, they had been walking. It was almost as if they were strolling, as Amy and Rouge were talking every step of the way. They hadn't even reached their assigned base.
However, Sonic just grit his teeth and marched on, attempting to set a slightly faster pace. Maniac had been mostly silent so far and seemed lost in thought. Sonic didn't pay much attention to it though, and continued walking a bit faster every few moments. After about another hour, they had reached the base. "Don't worry guys, I'll have this base checked out and our mission done before you can say chili dogs with extra cheese!" Sonic spoke happily. His energy and carefree attitude was back now that the long walk was over, and he could stretch his legs out.
And now he was hoping they could hurry up and get this part done, so they could go back home. "Sonic, we all came to search this place. Not have you run through it in only a few seconds." Amy scolded. "But Ames not only would this be faster, but you would be safer. Trust me, I can handle whatever is in there." Sonic replied arrogantly. "Good grief Sonic we aren't just running through to see if anyone is in there. Sally specifically said for us to see if anything looked like it was missing or anyone had been there. If you run around in there, you're gonna toss any evidence upside down in your path. Then we will never know if anyone was even there." Rouge stated while rolling her eyes.
"Why would you bring us all this way if you were just going to check the base out yourself anyway bro?" Maniac pointed out. Sonic rubbed his nose in frustration as he was out voted. "Fine, we all check it together." He relented before heading inside, grumbling as he went. Nodding gratefully Amy followed Sonic inside, Rouge and Maniac trailing after them. Inside it was incredibly dusty, with small spiders crawling about. Spider webs coated the walls like some creepy decoration, and the team could see the arachnids scurrying along them, maintaining their homes.
There almost seemed to be a overwhelming amount of the tiny creatures, but the group didn't give much thought to it. After all this place had been abandoned for who knows how long. And it was only natural for some insects, to take over and make the place their own. Shuddering in disgust, Amy shuffled to the middle of the room, staying as far from the sticky webs as possible. Rouge wrinkled her nose as she accidentally stepped on a larger spider, it's squish was heard throughout the silent room.
"Oh gross." She muttered as she lifted her boot, peering beneath it and scowling. Maniac chuckled at her misfortune, "Watch out." Rouge rolled her eyes at his warning, "Too little, too late Maniac." She hissed. Amy and Sonic snickered in front, hearing the whole thing. Suddenly, they all wobbled a bit as something rocked the building slightly. "What in the world?" Amy muttered. Sonic looked out one of the windows curiously, but didn't see anything. "Stay on your guard everyone, we might not be alone." He ordered.
All playfulness now gone, the team slowly made their way around. They soon cleared the entire base, finding nothing out of the ordinary. And nothing that could have possibly caused the rumbling. As they were walking back Sonic took a glance out the window as they were passing by. Coming to a sudden stop Sonic looked closer, narrowing his eyes. "Guys, what do you suppose that's coming from?" He asked. The others crowded around peering through the glass. Billows of smoke rose in the sky, thick and black.
Amy gasped, "Do you think this has to do with that strange rumbling from before?" Sonic didn't answer, but he now had a bad feeling in his gut. Sonics watch communicator began beeping, indicating a call was coming in. He pressed down on a small button on the side and Sally voice flooded out. "Sonic, are you guys alright?" Sonic rose a brow, "Yeah we are fine, what's the matter?" "Oh thank goodness. Sonic are you all still at Eggman's base?" "Yeah, we just finished checking things out. We found out nothing. No ones been here for months. Now what is going on?" Sonic replied.
"Sonic, you all need to get out right now. Strange things are happening!" Sally ordered, now sounded panicked. Sonic was now very confused at Sally's behavior, and the way she kept avoiding his question. Suddenly, something screamed on Sally's end of the communicator. "No! Oh Chaos, Vector help him!" Sally yelled, terror filled her voice. The others froze as they heard what sounded like heavy sloshing, and unearthly shrieks. "Sally!" Sonic called. The commotion on the other end of the device grew louder, and they could hear Sally panting, it sounding like she was fighting something.
Amy shivered with fear, her eyes becoming wider and wider as they listened. "No, please stop!" Sally yelled, and it now sounded like she was running. They heard someone shout a war cry, and it sounded like Knuckles. And then a shriek pierced the air, and Sonics stomach dropped. It was Tails, and it sounded like he was in pain. "Sally what's going on?! What's wrong with Tails?" Sonic yelled.
"Sonic, get out of the base! They have traps in them, the base Shadow and the others went to check out had bombs inside! And here there are some kind of monsters! I don't know if Shadows team made it out alright. Sonic please you have to get out and..." Sally was cut off by what sounded like Knuckles screaming her name. Sally cried out her voice laced with agony, before a painful sounding thump was heard. Tails screamed again as Sonic and the others listened helplessly.
"VECTOR, HELP TAILS NOW!" Sally was now sobbing over the communicator. "SONIC GET OUT OF...NOOOO!" Sally started yelling, but before she finished the communication fizzled out and silence filled the room. Amy was breathing hard, tears silently falling down her face while Rouge and Maniac looked very pale. "We have to help them..." Maniac muttered. Sonic didn't answer, his jaw was clinched as he tried to process what had just occurred. Suddenly, Amy screamed, "Sonic, help me!"
Sonic looked up, and almost fell over from surprise. Amy was caught up in a spider web, suspended above them. However, it was the giant mechanical spider that had appeared from behind her that surprised him. Rouge cried out next to him and was jerked to the floor as another spider caught her foot in its web. And suddenly they were surrounded by mechanical spiders, their glowing red eyes piercing through the dark. Maniac growled in anger, "We were all set up, by Eggman!"
He kicked one of the spiders away from him, and gave a grunt of pain grasping onto his foot. "Ow! Alright, don't kick them, it hurts!" He yelped. Sonic rubbed his nose and shut one eye, "Alright, that's it. I've had just about enough of this." Then with a growl that would scare even Shadow, Sonic launched into action. Maniac watched the blue blur speed over to Amy and spin dash the webs that were holding her. Catching her before she fell to the floor he gently placed her down.
Rouge was now free as well, and maliciously stomping the spider that had tripped her up. A spider launched itself at Sonic landing on his back and latching on. The others began to launch themselves in much the same way, trying to overrun the heroes. They made a strange clicking nose, and they hissed angrily. Sonic fell forward struggling with the large spider trying to tear into his back. Sonic cried out as the spider started to bite him, shredding the flesh with a hiss. With a shout Amy whipped out her hammer and smashed the spider off Sonic.
Her body now consumed with rage that these things dared hurt her Sonic, Amy's strength magnified. With a graceful twirl, she began swinging her weapon like a mad woman. Taking down all in her path. With a wince Sonic bounced back into the fray as well, shoving his injury to the back of his mind. Maniac was giving it his all, but was slowly getting overrun with the machines. And then the worst happened as he accidentally tripped, falling backwards. They hurriedly swarmed over him, covering his body, they began to wrap him in webs while he screamed.
Maniac yelled in pain as one of the spiders legs punctured his leg, and then another swiftly scratched his face. Blood began flooding from the deep cut, and Maniac desperately tried to stanch the flow while also punching the spiders off him with his free hand. Rouge cried out at the sight, and quickly roundhouse kicked two spiders away. She slowly made her way over to Maniac, pounding the spiders in her path one by one. Sonic was bouncing around at light speed crushing the machines rapidly with his spin dash.
He was trying to reach Amy as she was surrounded by a circle of the deadly spiders. Though she was fiercely holding her own, a few were piercing her defences. Rouge had made it to Maniac, and using her signature screw kick move, quickly freed him. Muttering a quick thanks, Maniac limped backwards a bit as three spiders ganged up on him. Groaning Maniac grabbed one of the spiders legs and with a grunt lifted it into the air. Then swinging it around, he threw it at the other two.
Amy was now sporting some scratches on her arms, due to her wild hammer swinging. Though it was killing them, the spiders pointy legs kept grazing her. Panting she began to grow weary, her energy fading with each swing. And as she got slower, the more the spiders began to inflict additional injuries on her. Sonic could see this, and even though he was getting tired himself, he pushed on.
Going even faster Sonic was a whirlwind of destruction. And just as a spider was about to jump on Amy from behind, he reached her. Running Sonic spin dashed the spider as it jumped, smashing it in midair. Amy whirled around, her eyes showing surprise, before giving Sonic a smile of thanks. The spiders were now thinning out, but so was the heroes energy. "Everyone out!" Sonic ordered. Rouge threw Maniacs arm around her and helped him jog to the exit. While Amy and Sonic tried to keep their path clear, and the spiders off them.
Rushing, the quickly made it out and Sonic slammed the front door on the spiders. Gasping for breath, Sonic grimaced at the fast beating of his heart and the pain in his back. "Sonic we have to get back. Maniacs hurt, and we have to figure out what's going on." Amy said. Sonic nodded, "Yeah let's go." He agreed. The door suddenly began to shudder, and they heard screeches coming from inside, as the spiders began beating on the door in anger. Sonic jumped away from the door, narrowing his eyes in disgust. "Let's hurry." Sonic said with a frown. Turning Sonic grabbed Maniac's other arm and helped Rouge support him. Amy looked back as they were leaving and gave a shudder.
Shadows pov
This couldn't be happening. I was dreaming, no, I was having a nightmare. Nevertheless, this was very much real, and it couldn't be more horrific. The base we had gone to was completely overflowing with bombs. And not only had they been activated. But Jennifer was trapped inside a small room with one. And I could not get the bloody door open. She was panicking, and I could hear the tears in her voice. She was begging me to get her out, and I was helplessly standing just two feet from her.
So close and yet so far. I growled in frustration, Espios exploding shuriken hadn't worked on the door. But something had to work, anything! I pounded on it with my fists, even spin dashed it. Nothing was working. And then the situation got worse. Jennifer had stopped beating on the door, and silence came from her side. For a second, my heart froze and I thought something else had happened. That perhaps I had already lost her. But then I heard her voice, her sweet loving voice.
However, they were words I didn't nor ever wanted to hear. "You have to get out! You have to leave me!" She yelled. My stomach dropped, no I would never do that. That silly foolish girl, I would sit here and die with her before I left her alone to die. I could feel the familiar rage and loss welling up within me, as I screamed back at her. "No don't say that! I'll get you out. I swear it!" But I didn't know how I was going to do that, I had no ideas at all. And then Gipps stood in front of me, and with a sharp click, his chest opened up.
Inside was a dark blue chaos emerald. My breathing stopped, and hope swelled in my heart. "The princess gave me this in case of a emergency. I hope it can help." Gipps stated. I snatched the emerald, there was no time for words. I didn't know how much time we had, but I knew it was only seconds. "Grab onto me!" I snarled, and quickly Espio grabbed Charmy's hand and latched onto my arm while Gipps grasped my leg. "Chaos control!" I shouted. We were outside the base in a second, and the others swiftly released me.
"Run!" I ordered before raising the emerald again and chaos controlling back into the building. This time in the very room Jennifer was in. My eyes quickly searched for her, and found her slumped by the door. Tears running down her face, yet her features morphed into shock when she saw me. "Shadow!" She muttered reaching for me. Scooping her up into my arms, I lifted the chaos emerald up. I felt her arms latch onto my neck, holding onto me before she slumped a bit. I glanced down at her to see she had just passed out, and then I screamed the words that would save our lives. "CHAOS CONTROL!"
