The Wielders of Chaos part 12

"Warriors of the Mind,"

"That was just a little uncool Shadow," Sonic scolded the red emerald floating in front of him. Currently the four emeralds are residing on a windowsill in a white room. The location of the room was in a medical ward of sorts. They had the works of the sanitized rooms, cold air, and completely white walls and floors. Not a lot of detail to go by. The Ward had three levels, and it was located in east of Central City. Currently the Carriers were inside one of the rooms checking on Miles who was still unconscious after the fight with the Giant Titan monster. The emeralds wanted to have some time to themselves so they were outside the room.

"How so because I decided to take action?" Shadow responded.

"They have to learn on their own Shadow,"

"He is still but a child, he doesn't fully comprehend the responsibility he bears. However, that doesn't mean that I have to be ignorant of it just because he is,"

"He's not ignorant of it,"

"Please, Sonic, at the rate they were going they were not gonna win,"

"Yes they could," Blaze jumped in at this point in protest. "They've proven themselves fully capable,"

"If Blaze trusts them, than I see no reason why we shouldn't," Amy said in agreement.

"Yet look where we are," Shadow said coldly. The Navy Blue Emerald glowed a little bit brighter showing Sonic's displeasure of hearing this. "Trusting them, got us here,"

"No one said…. they weren't gonna get hurt," Sonic said sadly.

"But we don't have to put them through that, if we can help it," Shadow said.

"Wow…Shadow…you're coddling him," Amy said. Her voice gave off that she was smirking inside that emerald. Both Sonic and Blaze's emerald brighten as if a light bulb went off in their heads. The emeralds didn't have eyes but it was obvious to see them staring at the red emerald. Shadow was unresponsive. "I mean….you don't have to be embarrassed about-,"

"I'm not coddling him," Shadow spoke up cutting her off. "This fight isn't his, it's not even the other's fight, this is our fight. I'm ashamed that we have to come to such a level to where we bring in those who shouldn't be in this," Everyone could feel the regret and shame suddenly just pour off Sonic in waves. "Don't be so self centered," Shadow spoke up quickly before Sonic could begin uttering his apologies of his past failure. "We are all to blame just as you are, maybe even more so. If you were with us maybe we could've won, or maybe we would've all died anyway, who knows and who cares. The fact is we must protect these kids, that is our top priority,"

"Wow, I never took you as one so compassionate Shadow," Blaze said stunned.

"Death has a funny way of changing people,"

"I understand what you mean Shadow, we must protect them as best we can, but you gotta remember. There may even be a time we can't lend them our power, they may have to defend themselves," Amy said.

"I will not allow that, and I will prevent any chance of putting Cinos in that position,"

"You can't stop everything from happening to them…" Sonic said sadly. It was easy to tell he was staring at the open door in the medical ward. He was happy that the doctors said he only suffered minimal damage and would wake up soon. Good thing surrounded by all these other people who were much worse off. It made Sonic feel sick seeing all this pain, and even worse his carrier is part of it. "We just need to make the right choices, and guide them. Sometimes, we may need to rely on their strength too…"

"Hey guys," Andrea said stepping out of the room and greeting the talking emeralds. She herself sported bandages on her cheeks, forehead, and her arm. The Doctors told her she had minor burns. Good thing they were placed on the more quiet part of the ward. The most activity was going on farthing down, so no one had time to pay attention to a crazy mobian girl talking to emeralds. "We're about to find a place to stay for a little while, until we recover a bit and Miles wakes up," Andrea reached out to grab her Emerald Green Chaos Emerald. She put it around her neck just as the other carriers came out sporting bandages themselves. Sol grabbed her Sol Emerald, and Cinos half heartedly took his Red Chaos Emerald.

"Sonic you coming?" Sol asked the emerald.

"Nah, I'll wait for Miles to wake up," the hedgehog said. At that Sonic made the emerald float in the air and go into Miles's room.

"What were you guys talking about out here?" Sol asked. Sol could actually sense some kind of resolve in Blaze she hadn't felt before which is why she questioned her.

"Just about putting things in perspective," she responded. Sol raised an eyebrow at the vague response. However, she decided to let it be that seeing as she seemed to have other things on her mind.

"We'd better get to a hotel," Sol said.

"I think I saw one on our way here that's pretty close, and I should have some stashed cash to pay for us," Andrea said reaching into her pocket to pull out a small thick wallet.

"Now, no need for that," Nicole spoke up. Sol removed the handheld from his pocket. "This is on the Royal Family, Sally instructed me to put any funds on the Royal Family account. Another way of saying thank you,"

"Cool…" Andrea sighed. "So, should we?"

"Yeah, we'll let him rest a while," Sol said leading the group out of the medical ward. They moved to exit with Cinos closing the door to Miles's room. They went down the stairs to the bottom level then exited out the building to hit the city streets. Central City was a nice calm little hub city. It had tall buildings, but it wasn't like they were bearing down on them. A mere glance of the eye and you could see the tallest building in the city. However, it was packed quite tightly together with few alleyways and few cars out on the road since everything was in walking distance of most things. The group walked down the street that was lit brightly with the streets lamps on every corner, clearly built to run 24 hours a day. However, only every other street light was on, probably to preserve power and energy. The hotel that Andrea saw was merely five blocks down the street. They briskly walk wanting to get out of the night air and feeling the chill lick at their burns. They entered the hotel and then approached the check out desk.

"Two rooms please," Sol said handing over Nicole in handheld form. The receptionist was confused until Nicole wireless transferred the funds needed for the rooms. Once the lady at the desk saw that the payment was complete she smiled.

"Oh, well here you go," She said handing Sol back the handheld. Sol gave a half smile then took the card keys from the woman's hands then walked away with Cinos and Andrea behind her.

"I'm sure Miles will be fine," Andrea said already knowing where Sol's mind was.

"Yeah, let's hope Andy," she said sighing. She didn't sound too optimistic.

"I'm guessing when Miles gets on his feet one room will be for us," Cinos asked extending his hand for one of the keys. Sol nods then hands over one of the card keys. Cinos looked at the card to see what number he has. "Room 302,"

"And we're 309," Sol said.

"You didn't get rooms right next to each other?"

"I got what I got,"

"Well…" Cinos said sensing the aggression in her voice. He was in much a talking mood either. Andrea felt conflicted between both her teammates. Sure she was down about the way that battle went and that Miles got hurt, but she was aware that Miles was tough and that he's gonna be fine. However, between Cinos's problems with Shadow, and Sol's pessimistic nature, it was hard to be the cheerful one. She just opted to sighing and hoping that Sol would at least open up a bit and when they got to their room.


"Oh…" moaned out Miles's voice. This brought Sonic to attention as he began hovering over to Miles's pillow. Miles let out another groan as he brought a hand to his face. "Gosh…what hit me…?"

"A gigantic monster of incredible proportions…and it was on fire," Sonic said.

"Oh yeah, how could I forget…" Miles moaned. Being unconscious wasn't as cool as they made it looked in the movies. Miles sighed as he reached over to pick up the Navy Blue Emerald. He began sitting up as he stretched his aching back.

"I don't think you should be moving yet," Sonic advised as Miles clicked the Emerald onto his belt as he threw his legs over the side of the bed.

"You know the others are lost without me," Miles said as he slid off the bed and onto his feet. He grunted a bit in pain still stretching and cracking his joints loose. Miles messaged his shoulders and then began rolling them. He found his shoes and jacket on a chair in the room, so he quickly put both on. "It hurts, but not so much that I gotta stay here," Miles said removing cords and such from his arm. "Don't think I'll be in a fight anytime soon," Miles opened the door than stepped out to hear that the hospital was dead quiet.

"You were out for a pretty long time, I think it's almost midnight," Sonic answered his unvoiced question. "The others aren't too far, I'm sure they went at that hotel Andrea had pointed out on our way here,"

"Hopefully I can get a proper night sleep there,"

"You could rest in the hospital bed, that's what you should do Miles,"

"Since when have you been so keen on my well being?"

"Since I have to protect you, and since you're hurt right now because I failed to do that too…"

"Sonic?" Miles questioned as he stopping walking and turned down toward his belt. "Is something wrong?"

"…I'm just tired of letting…people down…"

"Well if you weren't so sturdy, I doubt I'd be here, so thanks for that,"

"That's just residual ring energy from all those magic rings I use,"

"Well it works in protecting us, don't beat yourself up Sonic," Miles said as he approached the front door of the Hospital Ward. The staff wasn't around at all, probably resting from the hustle and bustle of earlier today unbeknownst to Miles. Miles stepped onto the streets of Central City looking around.

"Best we just walk," Miles huffed at the idea now, but supposed Sonic was right. Miles jammed his hands in his pockets and began walking. The city was awfully deserted and crazy quiet. Which is understandable, since day-night wasn't so bad, but night-night is when things really got scary. People are sometimes affected by it in random ways, but Miles felt he was protected since he has a powerful source of light with him. However, the quietness didn't sit well with Miles, since every sound heard instantly withdrew his attention. Miles quickened his pace a bit and the hotel was in sight. He sighed with relief knowing he was close. However, something suddenly grabbed his attention like a parade marching down the street. He turned his head and saw some kid in one of the few alleyways to his left. He was running, and he was in a serious hurry. Miles saw that the boy was running toward him, and when Sonic looked back behind the boy he saw what looked like some punk motorcycle gang.

"Can't even go for a walk five blocks…" Miles groaned.

"Maybe he'll be okay…" Sonic muttered. Miles was shocked to hear Sonic say such a thing. He expected himself to complain then for Sonic to encourage him to help, then for him to complain again. Then Sonic encourages Miles, and then begrudgingly Miles enters the fight.

"Sonic, what is wrong with you?" Miles asked the hedgehog shocked.

"I have to protect you, you have to be priority number one,"

"Well until you get your priorities straight, I'm gonna see if I can help this kid," Miles said turning toward the boy the was running toward him. The boy screeched to a halt in shock.

"Oh, great," he gasped as he turned his head back at the ones chasing him and then back to Miles. "More of you tonight…"

"Actually, I'm on your side here," Miles said. The boy tilted his head at Miles.

"Wait…you couldn't be….the same kid that fought that monster?"

"Huh how did-," Miles cut himself off upon observing the boy better in the dim light of the city. He placed the voice and the face together to remember this was indeed the one who had saw that fight. "Hey, you're that kid,"

"Thanks, since that's totally my name," the kid groaned.

"Sorry, never caught it, what is it?"

"Rob, but how are you standing, that thing clobbered you pretty good," Rob asked tilting his head at Miles.

"I'm tougher than I look," Miles suddenly flashed past Rob to deck one of Rob's pursuers. There are four in all as the one Miles hit tumbled back down the steps of the alleyway and onto the other three. "What's with these guys?"

"This happens when night-night comes. People start acting crazy and attacking anything that moves,"

"They seem a bit focused on you though, and you seem alright,"

"Can't tell ya why, but I think you should worry more about yourself though," Miles glanced back at the boy while keeping his enemies in the corner of his eyes. "You can't help anyone in your condition, you may be standing but I doubt you can fight,"

"Well at least let me help,"

"I don't need it, just go about wherever you were going," Rob said waving the boy away. Miles looked a bit surprised at the shorter boy behind him. "You have friends that are probably worried about you, worry about yourself and them,"

"Who's to say you're not a friend too," Rob looked shocked at that statement. "Besides, I was conscious long enough to know you helped get me to that hospital quick enough. Any longer and I might've been even worse off," Miles faced attention to stare at the punks in front of him. "Now, why are you guys harassing my friend here?"

"He has it!" barked one of them man.

"He's gifted, he shouldn't be gifted!" cried the other.

"I wanna be special too!" cried the last of the man. Miles turned his head in Rob's direction.

"I have no idea what they're talking about, people have the tendency to be even weirder at night-night," Rob explained. Sonic hummed inside the emerald in thought.

"Miles, shine the emerald on those guys," Sonic instructed. Miles only glanced at the emerald before the man charged at him and Rob. Miles pushed Rob back as he shifted his body out of the way of a dive.

"Why?" Miles winced as his fast twitch muscles were also extremely sore. Sore enough for one of the other man to hit him in the side cause him to grunt in pain as fell against the brick wall of the alley. Miles moaned as he was trying to get his bearings just as the man raised the bar again. Miles noticed him at the last second then turned sharply with the pole hitting the wall loudly and he opened his jacket to reveal the emerald. The bright blue emerald let out a powerful light that blinded all the man. When the light subsided the man collapsed onto the ground, and out of their bodies came…creatures, that oddly enough didn't appear to be one of Mephiles's. "What are these things?" Miles cried. All three creatures turned their attention on Miles anger showing in their stare.

The creatures were unlike Mephiles's because their body didn't seem to be made partly of earth, but pure dark energy. It let out a low purple hum of energy, horns jetted out all along it's back, it has three gigantic fingers, red eyes, a tail, and radiated this strange energy that energized Miles in an odd way.

"These are Deep Nightmares!" Sonic exclaimed more shocked then surprised. "These things should exist anymore, they should all be back in the center of the planet, not here!"

"Where did these things come from?" Miles said backing off from the creatures a bit. "And more importantly how do I beat them?"

"I usually pound away at them until they just vanish,"

That's nothing special so Miles shook of his shock and jumped into the fray of battle. He slammed his fist against the first one sending it back a bit. The alley was narrow so the creatures couldn't all rush him at once, which was a great thing since Miles wasn't 100% at the moment. Miles kept his distance striking then backing off quickly before another could get in a shot. Miles pulled back then curled up into a bright blue ball as hedgehog quills made of Chaos energy enveloped his body. He then shot forward blasting through the tree monsters and sending them all flying out of the alley. Miles came to a stop on the street as he saw the monsters were stunned. Miles decided to finish them off as he performed a tug jump then slammed his feet onto one of the monster's chest. It shattered to pieces underneath his feet. One of the two monsters charged toward Miles and swung a strong downward hammer punch. Miles jumped back narrowly avoiding the attack as the creature's fist smashed the concrete to pieces. However, Miles had to gather himself a moment, but the Deep Nightmare took advantage of it as it back handed him with the same fist. Miles hit the concrete hard with his already injured body. Miles managed to land on his stomach though as he glared up at the creatures before him.

However, suddenly, one of the creatures was suddenly consumed in a bath of flames, and the other was destroyed into nothingness with bright yellow spears of energy. Miles was shocked by the monsters suddenly being destroyed as such. Miles got his answer as three figures were rushing over to him.

"Oh, hey guys," Miles said getting to a knee. Cinos was the first to get to Miles as he screeched to a halt thanks to his rocket shoes. Cinos reached down to help Miles to his feet.

"Can't you walk down the street without getting jumped?" Cinos asked him with a hint of humor and relief in his voice.

"Guess not,"

"Why didn't you just rest in the hospital?" Sol asked showing clear hostility.

"I thought it would be a quiet uneventful walk,"

"We gave that up as soon as we got these emeralds, Mephiles's creatures will always be on us!"

"Wouldn't you feel less worried if I was with you guys instead of at a hospital you guys couldn't stay at?"

"That's not the point!" Andrea exclaimed jumping in. "Point is that was stupid and you know how dangerous night-night is, and you were injured. It was a bad decision!"

"Sorry, won't happen again," Miles said. Both girls glare at Miles.

"Maybe we should get off the streets now, ya know, before something worse shows up," Cinos said making his presence known. Suddenly, all three of them heard a loud boom sound. It sounded like it was close, coming toward them. The booming got louder, as if it was getting closer. Then it was clear to notice that they were indeed footsteps. Suddenly a whole pack of Deep Nightmares came dashing down the street making all the carriers present flinch. However, instead of attacking them, the pack merely surrounded them from all sides save the one they had came. They're way of escape completely cut off, save the straight forward path, but they all had a feeling that way was the last option they wanted to take. Suddenly the creature stomping toward them made itself known. A giant creature with a giant mallet, a dark blue tint of skin, it stood at least 15' tall, a single purple eyeball in it's head, horns all over it's head and shoulder area, and finally long powerful arms with a tail.

"I'm gonna go out on a limb here…but these things aren't Mephiles's…are they…?" Andrea asked.

"No, their a bit stronger," Miles stated. "Sonic what are these things?"

"Sonic sealed them away in the center of the planet, they shouldn't be here!" Amy exclaimed.

"These creatures aren't on my world, so I would have to say this is a first for me," Blaze admitted.

"They're from a being known as Dark Gaia, but it exist only in the Earth's core, it shouldn't be stable enough to make monsters let alone, be around at all," Sonic said. The giant being known simply as Titan slammed it hammer down gaining everyone's attention. The creatures all grouped around the carriers getting ready for a fight.

"How do we beat them?" Cinos asked.

"Hit em hard!" Amy exclaimed. Andrea summoned her Chaos Piko Piko Hammer and held it ready.

"That should be easy then," Andrea said charging toward the Titan. Sol turned to Cinos.

"Leave the big guy to Andy and I, you take care of Miles, and get out of here," Sol instructed then turned to back up Andrea before Cinos could utter a word.

"We can't just leave em," Miles said.

"I know, but you're hurt,"

"And you're mostly healed unlike the rest of us. We really need you here Cinos,"

"I know…but…" Cinos looked down regretfully. "I don't think I can handle this anymore, maybe, I am over my head,"

"What, who gave you that idea?" Miles asked. Miles leaned off of Cinos to stand on his own and get a better look at his surroundings.

"…I just…well…thought that if I can't handle this power…then maybe I shouldn't have it…"

"That's crazy talk!" Miles exclaimed. "We need you here, and it was no coincidence you formed a bond with Shadow. You can handle this, you just can't let the power overwhelm you," Miles turned toward the awaiting monsters, and then glanced over to Sol and Andrea. It seemed the Deep Nightmares were gonna hang back and enjoy the show, that and the Titan was pretty uncaring of who it hit be it friend or foe. The Titan was gonna cause the most damage so it should be taken out first and foremost. "Let's go," Miles said grabbed Cinos arm and leading him toward where the girls were fighting Titan.

The Titan was growing angry as it reeled back it's hammer over it's head then brought it down. Andrea came up fast coming in the opposite direction. Both mallets clashed letting out intense sparks of energy. Andrea, however, could hold off the creature's immense strength for long as she began to waver. She tried to come up with an illusion but she couldn't stretch his focus far enough and the stress of the situation was getting to her. Sol came in spinning like a top with fire surrounding her whole body as she slammed into the creature's chest forcing it back and off Andrea. A Deep Nightmare tried to pick off Andrea while she tried to catch her breath, but a blue and red flash decimated the creature before it could hit her. She gasped as she watched both flashes charged toward the Titan. The two past Sol in a flash making her hair and jacket blow with the wind as she almost lost her footing. Titan cringed as two spin attacks slammed into it's chest the force of a wrecking ball. This threw Titan off his feet and to the ground harshly. Miles and Cinos kicked off the creature on contact and were sliding back on their feet while leaning forward with their arms behind them to gain leverage to stop.

"Alright!" they both exclaimed giving each other high fives and then a thumbs up.

"Alright, let's fry him now!" Sol said as she began spinning like a top and flames began to dance around her body. Soon her entire body was consumed with the blaze of fire as it was spinning. Sol was unable to get the flames any bigger because it already took extreme focus to get the flames like this. Blaze could easily, but still had much to learn. So, Miles and Cinos helped out by running around her in a circle fanning the flames and speeding her up a bit. Both boys backed off when the flames got much bigger as Cinos got Andrea to safety. Sol was able to direct the flames toward Titan as best she could despite having little control. Control, the Titan sensed she lacked. While the fire tornado consumed the lesser Nightmare, Titan, would not go out so easily. The giant beat swung it's hammer hold back the tremendous amount of pressure being pushed against it. The Titan was able to muscle the tornado however simply because Sol was not in full control of it. Titan batted away the flames then slammed it's hammer into the ground throwing Sol into the air. Sol was about to hit the ground harshly but Miles was quick in coming in to catch her bridal style. The force however made him fall over as well just as he caught her.

"Guys look out!" Cinos exclaimed. Both Miles and Sol look up to see Titan tower over them with hammer raised. Both of them panic especially with Miles not any condition or position to move at the moment. Cinos charged toward them two as fast as he could but noticed he wouldn't be in time. "Chaos…Control!" In a sudden flash of light from Cinos's Chaos Emerald Cinos was gone, and in the next second so were Miles and Sol. Andrea gasped as she saw the mallet go down.

"OH NO!" Andrea yelled about to go crazy on Titan.

"Andrea we're alright!" called Miles's voice. She turned around to see Cinos standing with his hands on both Miles and Sol's shoulders.

"But that was close," Sol gasped.

"Why is it so hard to take this thing down!" Shadow growled in annoyance not liking a repeat of their earlier battle. "Sonic, you've battle these creatures before, some directions would be helpful,"

"Well granted, I did have super strength when I took these things on, which was a big help in the long run of things. I don't really know how to fight them like this," Sonic admitted.

"We must beat this creature somehow," Blaze said. Again out of nowhere the a laser beam hit the creature in the eye making it growl in pain. It took a couple of steps back as it brought a hand to it's eye. The Carriers were surprised by the sudden attack as they all turn to see Rob with a smoking glove.

"Rob?" Miles questioned. Rob ran up to them and turned to Miles ignoring all present.

"Look, I saw that you weren't gonna be smart and run off like you should've when I did. So I decided to help you, you crazy kid!" Rob exclaimed jabbing a finger in Miles's chest. Miles was surprised by this. "Alright Makela, do your thing already!"

Suddenly a girl fell from the sky landing in front of the Titan. She suddenly raised her hand and it was glowing and suddenly, the Titan's hammer began glowing the same odd energy. She yanked her arm back also pulling out the mallet from the Titan's hand. The Titan removed it's hand to look and see where it's hammer went. The girl swung her arms like she was swinging an imaginary baseball bat. The mallet mimicked her as it slammed into the Titan's face making it fall back a bit, then she swung the imaginary bat upwards and the mallet copied launching the Titan into the air, then she raised her hands then brought them down quickly slamming the mallet down on top of the beast and slamming it into the ground. The Titan began to try and get back up after such a brutal attack.

Cinos moved in dashing forward as he leaped forward grabbing two of the horns. He twisted his body sharply as he actually managed to throw the Titan when his momentum was factored in. Titan went sliding against the ground and rolled into a building. Cinos raised his arm then allowed it to bathe in the discharge of his next attack.

"Chaos Spear!" he said waving his arm. Yellow spears of Chaos Energy went flying toward Titan and exploded on contact destroying the beast completely. Cinos touched down on the ground smirking. "Yes!"

"Nice job," Shadow commented. Cinos smirked at the black hedgehog's compliment. "Then again that guy was as big as a house, so it would've been embarrassing if you did miss," Cinos's smirk quickly fell into a frown as displeasure as he rolled his eyes.

"Man that was close," Andrea said sighing. She looked over to Rob who was still staring down Miles pretty hard. "Thanks for the rescue, I guess we aren't really in top form yet…"

"Yeah you guys really weren't, pretty lousy fighting back there," Rob said folding his arms. Andrea glared at him not wanting him to be so blunt.

"But thanks for the save anyway," Miles said to Rob as he grabbed Rob's hand to shake it. Miles raised an eyebrow feeling the material of Rob's gloved hands. Miles also turned back to the girl walking over to them. "And thanks to you to…miss…" the girl giggled slightly as she shyly approached Miles. Miles noticed that the girl stood taller than him by a good 3 inches.

"No miss needed, my name is Mikaela nice to meet you, mr…."

"No mister required. My name is Miles, this is Andrea, Sol, and last my bud Cinos," Miles introduced everyone. "Judging from how Rob called you out here I'm guessing you guys know each other," Mikaela nods.

"Yeah, this time period is kinda new to me, so I'm glad he's been around to help," Mikaela said.

"Time period?" Andrea asked curiously.

"Oh well I'm from the Future," Mikaela said.

"Then…who's powers do you have?" Cinos asked.

"Well I am the Carrier of Silver the Hedgehog hero of the future," she said with a small bow as a show of respect. The girl has brown hair she wears in a high ponytail, hazel colored eyes and soft white skinned complexion that she didn't come across as pale. Her attire is turquoise cargo pants with a loose silver white shirt with a blue cat silhouette in the center. She has these strange boots on that's mostly covered by her pants. She wears black fingerless gloves with strange glowing bracelets around them. Finally, she wears a cobalt blue cat collar necklace with a heart shaped tag around her neck. She reached into her pants pocket to pull out a white Sol Emerald.

"Hey guys!" cheered voice from inside.

"Silver, long time no see," Sonic stated.

"We should probably get out of here you guys," Rob said breaking up the small reunion.

"Why?" Miles asked. Suddenly lights began beaming down on them from helicopters and in no time official looking vehicles began surrounding them cutting off their exits. Soldiers with uniforms rushed onto the scene pointing their weapons at them.

A soldier who stood more out of place among the others held up a blow horn, "All of you stay where you are and put your hands in the air, you have 10 seconds to comply, 1-," All the kids in question shot their hands into the air.

"That's why," Rob sighed.