Chapter 30
Saya yells as she's engulfed in a golden light. They were all blinded by the immensely Intense light as the Chaos Sphere around them dissipates. No one had a chance to brace for the burst of energy that threw them back like an explosion went off. After the energy subsided they All slowly look up to see the room was practically decimated, along with a massive hole in the roof. They all look and see Sonic standing there but her entire body was glowing. Her spines stood up straight and her clothes were the same golden color as her hair. Sonic was now Super Sonic. They turn towards one another shocked at how this could be possible. There were only six Chaos Emeralds present.
"Being connected to the Dark Chaos energy it somehow transformed you into Dark Super Sonic." Eggman said also looking shocked at what transpired as he struggles to get back up to his feet. She opens her eyes and turns towards Eggman showing him that they were the same red color, "Now, finish off your friends," He grins as she turns towards them and begins walking towards her friends.
"Everyone, stay behind me!" Shadow said jumping back up to her feet standing in front of them defensively as they all stand up getting ready to fight. Knuckles staggers still feeling fatigued from over using his powers as Cream helps him to his feet. "I won't let you hurt our friends." Shadow knew she would only be able to hold Dark Sonic off long enough for the rest of them to try and escape. She stops in front of Shadow and reaches out. Right as Shadow is about to react, Sonic gently places her hand on Shadow's shoulder taking her off guard.
"I knew you'd find me." Sonic said with a gentle smile.
"Sonic?" Tails said sounding afraid to call out to her.
"I'm back little buddy." She said with a grin giving her a thumbs up, "And there's some trash I need to dispose of." Sonic turns around towards Eggman,
"How it that possible? Y…You should be evil!" He yelled confused and angry,
"Looks like your little trick only works once Egghead, now let's see how you like your legs broken." She said popping her knuckles and walking towards him.
"Now, now Sonic. Let's not be too hasty…" Eggman said looking around trying to figure a way out of this,
"Oh no… I've waited plenty." She stops as she feels her body pulsate. Eggman uses the moment to press a button on the consoles and a secret door opens.
"Y…you beat me this time Sonic, but there will always be another fight." He said grabbing the scroll and running through the door as it closes behind him.
"AH!" Sonic cried out, the pulsing inside her became stronger as she falls to her knees. She holds her hand close to her chest then slowly moves it away as the Dark Chaos Emerald emerges from her chest floating in front of her. Knuckles could feel that something was wrong, the clash of Chaos energy had made the Dark Chaos Emerald even more unstable just like Tikal warned them.
"Sonic…" Knuckles takes a step closer.
"Stay back!" Sonic yelled at all of them as they stop. She could also feel how unstable the Dark Chaos Emerald was. "This thing's gonna blow."
"What do we do?" Cream asked,
"We gotta get out of here!" Tails said as Sonic struggles to stand back up then walks further away from them.
"Meet you outside." She said with a smile as she flies out of the room through the hole in the ceiling.
"Outside! Hurry!" Blaze said as they all start to run back towards the entrance. Knuckles begins to fall behind catching his breath.
"C'mon," Cream ran back and helped him continue forward. They get outside and look up trying to see where Sonic went.
"There! I see her." Tails said pointing straight up and they see Sonic. They see a bright flash and streaks of dark Chaos energy through the sky then feel the aftershock of the Dark Chaos energy echoing away.
"Why does she have to be so reckless…?" Shadow asked letting out a sigh,
"Because she's Sonic, but she did just save all of our lives… That energy blast would have killed us…" Knuckles said,
"I think she's okay." Cream said as the smoke from the explosion around Sonic began to disperse and they could see her. She was no longer in her super form and she was beginning to fall.
"Her transformation ended!" Knuckles said,
"What do we do?" Blaze asked,
"Shadow, teleport me as close to Saya as you can so I can slow her down," Tails said,
"Let me help." Cream said,
"You two be ready to help catch her," Tails pointed at Knuckles and Blaze and they nod. Shadow grabs Tails and Creams' hands.
"Chaos Control!" She said and in a green flash they were halfway to where Saya was falling. With all of her strength she throws them forward then teleports down next to Blaze.
"Do you think they can do it?" Blaze asked,
"That's why we're the backup," Shadow said. Cream and Tails fly and attempt to catch Saya but stumble and fall with her for a moment as they grab her and start to slow down. The others stand ready to catch her as they place her in their arms and lie her down on the grass. Both of them land and catch their breath.
"Saya?" Blaze calls out but there was no response,
"Check her pulse…" Tails said as Shadow takes off her glove and presses her finger against Saya's neck.
"I don't feel anything!" Shadow yelled sounding frightened as all of their eyes fill with tears and they all freeze from shock.
"Move!" Knuckles moves Blaze out of his way and begins to do CPR. He pushes against her chest three times then blows air into her mouth. He puts his ear to her Chest to see if she's breathing as the others watch unsure of what to do. He begins to push down on her chest again, "Damnit Saya! I've barely gotten to meet you, so you're not dying on me! Not again!" He yelled blowing air into her mouth again and then push against her chest as a gasp of air comes out of her and she begins to cough.
"Whoa… wipe out…" Saya said starting to breathe normally. They all stare at her as she struggles to sit up. They sit around her without a word. "What's everyone staring at? You look like you've seen a ghost." She smiled. Tails hugs her first followed by Cream and Blaze and Shadow holds onto all of them as they cry,
"You're really here." Tails said,
"I won't be for much longer if you all hold me any tighter." She said as they quickly let go, she holds her side in pain, "I think I broke a rib?"
"That's my bad…" Knuckles said, as Saya looks at him confused.
"We need to get back so Dr. Q can take a look at you," Tails said,
"But you shouldn't move, we don't know what other side effects there were from the Dark Chaos Emerald," Knuckles said.
"Are you going to carry me again like a knight in shining armor?" Saya teased as his face turns completely red. Shadow stands up, leans down, and picks her up taking her off guard.
"He's in no condition to carry you." Shadow said as Saya looks at her surprised,
"My hero!" She joked as Shadow also begins to blush,
"Shut up before I decide to drop you." Shadow said with a smirk, she had missed her carefree attitude.
"We should get going before Eggman decides to come back." Blaze said as they all climb into the Twin Tornado and head back to Freedom HQ. They all stayed quiet of the trip back. None of them believed this was real, that they actually got Saya back and were afraid saying something would jinx them.
"This is Tails, we are landing now." She said as the make it back. As the Twin Tornado stops, they all turn to see Saya fast asleep in Knuckles arms in the second seat. Tails takes out her phone and starts messaging Saya's parents.
"I got her," Shadow said as Knuckles helps her out of the seat.
"Give me your hand," Blaze says to Knuckles and she helps him out of the seat. They all transform back and head towards the infirmary. Elias and Sally run up as they get there.
"Is she?" Sally looked at all of them worried,
"She fell asleep on the ride back." Caroline said as TK opens the door for Shadow. Sally smiles with tears in her eyes putting her hand on Elias' shoulder as she notices he's trying to hold back tears.
"Oh thank goodness," Dr. Q said running over from the far side of the room, "Put her down here." She points to a bed that already had a table of medical supplies ready. She then sees Kolt, "You lie down there," She points to the bed beside it. Brandy helps him to the bed as Sophia lies Saya down, "I need to know everything that happened." She said checking Saya's vitals.
"Robotnik was waiting for us," Sophia said,
"He had Saya trapped in some kind of device that forced her to use her Chaos Sphere." TK explained,
"Wait, she was being forced to use her Chaos Sphere in her human form?" She asked as TK nods.
"If Tikal didn't change her to be able to withstand Chaos energy, that would have probably killed her." Kolt said,
"You get some rest, I assume you used your ability to control Chaos again," She looks at him as he avoids her eye contact, "That's what I thought." Saya starts to stir awake from hearing all the talking,
"Man, what's it take to get a nap in around here." She starts to yawn as she sees Dr. Q. "Hey doc," She smiles as she notices Elias and Sally there too. "It's good to see you all again."
"It's nice to see you too." Sally said smiling back,
"Welcome back Saya." Elias said, "I need to get back to work, I'll be back later to check in." He said leaving.
"Was it something I said?" Saya looked at all of them confused as Dr. Q shakes her head.
"He's just not good at showing emotions to others, like another certain Hedgehog we know," She joked,
"You do realize I'm still in the room." Sophia glares crossing her arms.
"Yes I do." She said, "I'm going to put in an IV, you may heal quickly but I just want to be sure your recovery goes smoothly." She holds a needle as Saya flinches away out of instinct. Dr. Q quickly notices her frightened expression. "It's alright I'm not going to hurt you." She holds Saya's hand.
"Sorry…" Saya said closing her eyes as she puts in the IV.
"Nothing to be sorry for, you're safe." Dr. Q smiles, "I think it'd be best for both of them to rest, you all can come by later and see them."
"We'll go make you some food," Caroline said as her and Brandy leave followed by Sally. TK looks at her phone waiting for a message as she walks out however, Sophia continues to stand there.
"You too Sophia." Dr. Q said, Sophia gives a huff and leaves the room, but she doesn't go far as she waits outside the door.
A few hours pass and TK gets a message from Saya's parents that they are on their way to see her. She decided to go to the infirmary to give Saya a heads up since she doesn't know yet. She gets to the door to see Sophia still standing outside.
"Have you been standing out here this whole time?" TK asked,
"I'm not risking it." She said,
"Saya's home now, I think you can relax." TK said as Sophia looks away. She walks into the room to see Saya lying down as she slowly sits up after hearing the door open,
"Hi TK!" Saya said with a smile, Dr. Q was in front of Kolt checking up on him.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" TK asked walking up to her.
"I've got my energy back, finally having my Chaos Emerald fully charged helps." Saya said stretching her arms,
"You're still not leaving." Dr. Q said as Saya pouts,
"I had a broken leg for a week I've done enough resting." She complained,
"You both are on twenty-four-hour watch and that is final." Dr. Q said,
"Wait, why me too?" Kolt asked,
"You think overexerting your body with too much Chaos energy doesn't merit concern?" She glared at him,
"Sorry…" Kolt looks away,
"And if you even try to get out of that bed Saya Hedge, I will tranquilize you!" She turned her glare towards Saya.
"I'm not going anywhere." Saya said with an uncomfortable chuckle feeling the authoritative tone in Dr. Q's voice,
"I wanted to let you know that your parents are on their way here." TK said,
"What?" Saya looked surprised, "They could find out our secret."
"Yeah… about that…" Kolt said giving TK a look,
"What did you do?" Saya said as her face turns white with fear.
"I… told them everything." TK said,
"Oh Chaos, I'm going to die…" She said,
"All things considered, they actually took it pretty well." Kolt said,
"That's sugar coating it don't you think?" TK said,
"You were the one who was blunt to them about it." Kolt said. The door bursts open as Saya's parents rush in.
"Saya!" They both yell as her mom runs over to her and hugs her tightly,
"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" Her mom asked as she squishes Saya's cheeks with her palms.
"Mom, I'm fine." She said as her mom lets go. Her dad sits next to her and pulls her into his shoulder.
"You don't have to keep up appearances," He said as TK started to notice that Saya was shaking.
"I… I thought I might never see you again…" Saya holds back tears as her dad hugs her tightly. She had been trying to stay strong through all of this but she finally felt safe.
"We're here now, you're safe." Mr. Hedge said as Sally and Elias enter the room,
"It appears we came at an odd time," Elias said,
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Hedge." Sally said as Mr. Hedge let's go of Saya and walks up to Elias punching him right in the jaw.
"Dad!" Saya yelled jumping up out of bed as her mother runs over, her father grabs Elias by the collar.
"You said you were protecting our children, not putting them in harm's way!" He yelled,
"Honey, we didn't come here to fight. We came here to get our daughter." Saya's mother said grabbing his arm as he lets go of Elias.
"Come to get me?" Saya said,
"Yes, once you're feeling better we're leaving." Mr. Hedge said.
"I don't think that would be wise." Elias said rubbing his jaw.
"Oh you would say that." Mr. Hedge said getting angry,
"No you don't understand, Saya is still in danger." Sally tried to explain attempting to diffuse the situation,
"And who's fault is that?" he yelled as TK and Dr. Q notice Saya begin to stagger. TK runs over and helps her back into the bed before she collapses,
"I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. This is not helping her recovery." Dr. Q demanded,
"Let's continue this outside, I'll explain everything." Sally said as they follow Sally and Elias out the door as Sophia enters the room shutting it.
"Saya are you alright?" Sophia asked as Saya nods,
"I told you not to get out of bed," Dr. Q said,
"Sorry, my dad kinda threw a curve ball there." Saya said catching her breath. "I wasn't thinking." She hadn't realized how burnt out she actually was despite feeling better.
"You need to rest." Dr. Q said,
"I'll go make sure your dad doesn't kill Elias," TK said,
"Thanks little buddy," Saya said lying her head down and shutting her eyes.
"I'll make sure to keep them quiet," Sophia said as she steps outside with TK to see them all talking.
"I still don't understand why that means we can't take our daughter home." Mrs. Hedge said,
"The man who took Saya knows who she is, that means he knows everything about her. Where she lives, where she goes to school, her closest friends. Eggman will stop at nothing and being out in the open is what started this mess in the first place." TK interjected.
"When she came to have dinner…" Saya's dad realized as TK nods, "So she's trapped now?"
"Sir, we're going to keep your daughter safe along with you both." Sally said,
"What makes you think we need protection?" Mr. Hedge asked sounding insulted at the notion,
"Eggman knows where you live… I wouldn't put it past him to come after you two to lure Saya into a trap." TK said,
"What should we do?" Mrs. Hedge asked,
"You could stay here on base with your daughter but that would make it problematic for your jobs, but we could also put a 24/7 security detail on you both to keep you safe." Elias suggested, "And you're welcome to come here to see your daughter anytime."
"And she's safe here?" He asked,
"Yes," Sophia said still leaning against the wall next to the door. "I'm not leaving here until she's well enough to defend herself." They all pause feeling how protective Sophia was being.
"We'll need time to think it over, for now I would like to be with my daughter." Mrs. Hedge said as the walk back into the infirmary.
"Please keep an eye on them." Sally asked Sophia as she nods, they walk away as TK goes over to the kitchen to let Saya rest. She was shocked at how Mr. Hedge acted; she'd never seen him that angry. She gets to the kitchen and sees Caroline and Brandy in the kitchen cooking they both see her enter.
"How's Saya?" Caroline asked,
"Not great, her parents are causing unneeded stress," TK said sitting down with a sigh,
"Saya's parents are here?" Brandy said,
"Yeah, Mr. Hedge punched Elias in the face." TK said,
"Oh my!" Caroline gasped,
"Almost caused Saya to collapse." TK lets out a sigh,
"The Dark Chaos energy must have taken a huge toll." Brandy said,
"Look what using too much Chaos energy did to Kolt's body… I'm really worried about Saya." Caroline said,
"At this point all we can do is keep a close eye on her, a very close eye." TK said,
"Once she's feeling better, we should ask Tikal to see if there is any more Dark Chaos energy." Brandy said,
"At least the Dark Chaos Emerald was destroyed, now we don't have to worry about it." Caroline said.
"But we still have to worry about Eggman…" Brandy said as they all pause,
"We need to stay on guard until Saya and Kolt are feeling better." TK said as they all nod in agreement,
"Have you seen Sophia?" Caroline asked changing the subject,
"She's guarding the infirmary." TK said, "I don't think she's going to let Saya out of her sight."
"I don't blame her; She was fighting back tears after the race." Brandy said,
"Me either, so what did you guys decide to make?" TK asked as they both smile.
"Chili Dogs." Caroline said,
"That's going to make her smile," TK said, "Can I help?" they nod as they all start cooking. Saya's parents watched over her while she sleeps, and Sophia didn't move from the entrance from the infirmary. She accepted that things would never go back to the way they were a few months ago, but she was determined to make sure that Saya stayed safe.