Chapter 32
A week and a half goes by and Saya has been recovering quickly. There hasn't been any sign of Eggman giving them some time to relax. Brandy walked by the track to see Saya running with Kolt who was struggling to keep up with her.
"Morning Brandy! Care to join us on a little jog?" Saya asked walking over to her,
"She says little jog… but that's the tenth time she's done this track…" Kolt said catching his breath. "Man I'm outta shape…"
"Oh, ten isn't that many." Saya said rolling her eyes,
"How many laps have you done?" Brandy asked Kolt,
"Three…" He said as both Saya and Brandy hold in their urge to laugh,
"Good thing we weren't racing for real. I would have beat you two hours ago." She teased,
"Shouldn't you be taking it easy?" Brandy asked,
"What? I haven't even broken a sweat, how is this not taking it easy?" Saya argued as Brandy looks her over, she wasn't even breathing heavily after running ten laps.
"At least let me rest… I don't have your stamina…" Kolt said sitting down with a heavy sigh,
"Aw, c'mon Kolt you gotta keep going!" Saya tried to cheer him on,
"My thing is strength not speed, I just need to work my arms," Kolt said,
"But if the only thing you work on is your arms, your legs won't match the rest of your body." She argued,
"Then you'd be Muscles the Echidna." Brandy joked as Saya started laughing uncontrollably.
"Muscles, oh man! Good one Brandy." She continued to laugh almost in tears from how hard she was laughing.
"Then what about you? Same thing still applies," He countered,
"But I work on my arms…" She said holding up her slender arms trying to make it look like there is muscle there, "Sadly, no matter how much I attempt to lift my arms won't get any stronger."
"What are you all up to?" Sophia asked walking up to them.
"Making fun of Kolt." Saya said with a smile,
"Oh, is that all?" She said with a light chuckle,
"Hey!" Kolt glared, "Why do you all have to gang up on me?"
"Making up for lost time." Saya grins, Kolt turns his head away with a huff.
"Looks like you're all having fun in here." Caroline said walking up seeing them all grouped together talking,
"Don't tell me you're also going to pick on me," Kolt lowers his head,
"I wasn't planning on it." Caroline said looking at all of them confused,
"Relax, the teasing will end eventually." Sophia said as Saya shakes her head behind Kolt silently mouthing, no it doesn't. He quickly turns around sensing her up to something as she stops and smiles at him.
"I'll believe it when I see it." He said crossing his arms,
"What's everyone grouped around for?" TK said entering the room.
"Just giving Kolt a hard time." Saya looks at all of her friends around her feeling relieved to see all of them together. "It's so weird having all six of us together." Saya said with a smile,
"Better get used to it cuz you're not getting rid of us that easy." Sophia joked,
"I'd never get rid of you." She smiles as they all smile back. The alarms go off taking them off guard.
"Looks like the world needs saving." TK said, Saya looks away feeling a little left out not being able to join them all. Sophia puts her hand on Saya's shoulder.
"Elias wants you to stay in the Alter room while we're on a mission. Stay there till we come get you." She said as Saya nods,
"You all better come back in one piece!" Saya said running off.
"I hate leaving her here alone…" Caroline said, they all could feel how sad she felt walking away from them.
"She's not cleared for combat. We'll just have to take on Eggman until Dr. Q gives her the okay." Sophia said as they head to the computer room.
"What's going on Sally?" TK asked,
"Eggman's been spotted in Station Square. He's causing a huge scene with a massive robot." Sally said,
"What's he up to now?" Kolt asked,
"Doesn't matter, we take him down regardless." Sophia said,
"Is Saya in the Alter room?" Elias asked as they all nod. "Good, you're free to go." They all transform and head to the Tornado flying towards Station Square.
Saya walks up and sits at the top of the Alter next to the Master Emerald watching the door as she lets out a heavy sigh. Tikal appears next to her and sits down,
"Everything alright Sonic?"
"Yeah, I know they all want to keep me safe… but it's starting to feel suffocating." She said wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her head on her knees curled into a ball. All she wanted to do more than anything was run unhindered.
"Give them time, they just got you back." Tikal said,
"I know, but I want to help kick Eggheads butt too…" She pouts,
"They'll be plenty of time for that," She chuckles,
At station Square the Freedom Fighters land the Tornado and see Eggman flying next to a large robot. "Ah! So nice of you to show up Freedom Fighters." Eggman said looking around, "And no Sonic?"
"She doesn't need to be here to take you down." Tails said sounding confident, They had lasted over a month without Saya. She knew they could continue doing that for a few more missions.
"Still afraid I'll take her from you, eh? Keeping her locked away in your secret base must be torturing her." He taunted as both Knuckles and Shadow clench their fists. "Then I'll save my surprise for later. Have fun with my new robot." He laughs as he flies away,
"Tch, coward." Shadow said, looking insulted that Robotnik ran off before the fight had even begun.
"So he did just make a scene to lure out Sonic…" Cream said,
"let's finish this thing quickly," Blaze said as they charge the bot. It swings its hammer arm down as Tails grabs Knuckles' hand and flies him up to the head. Cream and Blaze keep it distracted while Shadow teleports to the head standing next to Tails.
"You got this?" She asked as Tails nods,
"Knuckles, I need you to make a hole right here." She pointed as Shadow teleports back down to help Cream and Blaze. Knuckles punches a hole and removes his hand, "I'm going to need a minute to shut this thing down." Tails grabs the wires and begins tweaking with them. The other robot hand reaches for Tails and Knuckles punches it away.
"I got your back," He gives her a thumbs up,
"Thanks!" Tails said continuing to work. The fight was going smoothly, too smoothly for Blazes liking. Something that Eggman said was troubling her as she stops. A chill runs down her spine as she remembers something… Something they all should have realized sooner.
"Tails! Hurry up!" Blaze called out looking panicked, dodging another swing from the robot.
"I'm going as fast as I can." Tail said sounding frustrated for being rushed as Knuckles knocks the hand away again,
"You don't understand! We have to get back! Now!" Blaze said,
"Why?" Cream asked,
"Eggman knows where our base is!" She said as they all stop for a moment,
"No…" Shadow said as their faces go white for a moment,
Back at Freedom HQ, Saya was circling the Master Emerald as Tikal sat on top of the Emerald and watched her. "I can't take this! How did Knuckles spend years on Angel Island just sitting here?" She said flailing her arms with a huff,
"It was his job as guardian." Tikal said,
"But it's so boring!" Saya said. All of a sudden, there's a loud noise causing the building to shake for a moment as dust falls from the ceiling as if something hit it from the outside. "Uh… What was that?"
"I do not know." Tikal said moving off of the Master Emerald and standing closer to Saya. They look around at the ceiling trying to figure out what the noise is. The door bursts open as Sally and Elias run inside carrying weapons taking them both off guard.
"Good you're safe." Elias said,
"Yeah, I'm kinda stuck in here?" Saya said. An explosion goes off above them as a hole is made to the outside, "What the heck?"
"Oh, ho, ho! Just where I thought it was!" Eggman said flying into the room as two Swatbots jump in.
"Eggman…" Tikal said shocked,
"Stay back Tikal," Saya said, taking a defensive position in front of her.
"Good, I was hoping it wouldn't take long to find you my dear." He said with a grin,
"What are you doing here?" She asked, If Eggman was here where are the others?
"Did you already forget Saya? You told me everything." He laughs as she had completely forgotten that Dark Sonic gave him all the information he needed. "Now, surrender and hand over the Master Emerald."
"Not going to happen Egghead." Saya glared,
"I thought you'd say that, so I brought you a little surprise." He snaps his fingers as a robot appears next to him it looked almost humanoid but had elongated clawed arms and large eyes. She recognized the form of this robot immediately.
"No…" Saya's face turns white with shock but then it turns to anger, "You monster!" She yelled as he laughed,
"Do you like Spira's upgrade?" He asked gesturing to her,
"Spira?" Elias said, "The leader of the Zarkon?" Eggman turns looking towards Elias and Sally wondering who was interrupting them.
"Oh! You must be the Cornella's. The guardians of the Master Emerald after your parents'… accident." He smiles,
"How does he know about that?" Sally asked Elias trying not to look shocked,
"Not the time. We need to get Saya out of here." Elias said,
"I'd love to hear more about it, but I came here for a reason. Now Metal Spira, bring me Saya. I'll grab the Master Emerald." Eggman said as a large claw drops from the bottom of his flying craft.
"Chaos Control!" Tikal said as time stops all around except for her and Saya. Saya looks around shocked seeing everything around her unmoving. "Hurry and transform, I can't hold this for long."
"Right!" Saya said snapping out of it then transforming into Sonic. Time starts again as Metal Spira crashes into her throwing them both away from the Master Emerald. "Elias, Sally! Keep Eggman away from the Emerald! I'll keep Spira busy." Sonic said kicking Spira away from her then spin dashing her in the chest,
"On it!" Elias started shooting at Eggman,
"Bringing a gun to a robot fight? Not your best idea." He said. He presses a button as the two Swatbots walk towards them.
"Sally to the Freedom Fighters, We're under attack! Get back here as soon as you can." Sally said over her headset as she fires at the robots.
"We're on our way now, hold on!" Tails said over the headset.
"The others are on their way back." Sally said out loud so Sonic could hear it.
"Good… Cuz I'm going to need a hand here…" She said as her and Metal Spira were in a stale mate. Metal Spira lets go and grabs Sonic by the wrists then throws her across the room.
"Damnit! We're such idiots!" Shadow said as they are flying to freedom HQ, "How did we forget that Dark Sonic literally told us Eggman was watching our base?"
"It's why Eggman didn't attack right away. He was giving us a false sense of security thinking Saya was finally safe. But we can beat ourselves up later. What's the plan?" Tails asked looking at Shadow seeing she looked panicked and angry trying to get her to focus,
"Eggman's gotta be after the Master Emerald." Knuckles said,
"I hope Saya's okay…" Cream said.
"She can handle herself until we get there." Blaze said,
"Our priority is Saya and the Master Emerald. Knuckles, you secure the Master Emerald while the rest of us support Saya and the others. Tails, get the Tornado back to the hangar bay after we're all engaged in battle and meet up with us." Shadow said as they all nod.
Sonic runs back to Metal Spira and pins her against the wall, "I know you're in there Spira. You gotta fight back!" Sonic pleaded giving a sorrowful look but there was no response.
"You and I both know she can't hear you," Eggman laughed as he hovers over the Master Emerald.
"No!" Sonic yells getting distracted as Metal Spira breaks out of her grip and kicks Sonic away. The giant claw lowers and opens to grab the Master Emerald. Elias runs up the Alter and shoots at the claw trying to break it.
"You nuisance!" Eggman said swinging the claw. He tries to get out of the way but there wasn't enough room as the claw strikes through one of the Alter pillars hitting Elias and throwing him off of the Alter.
"Elias!" Sally called out as she dodges the attacks from the two robots. The claw grabs the Master Emerald and lifts it off the Alter.
"Stop playing and restrain her Metal Spira!" Eggman said, "The Freedom Fighters will be back any moment,"
"I'm not letting you take the Master Emerald!" Sonic said running up the Alter and jumping towards the Emerald. If she could just touch it, she knew she could teleport it away from Eggman. But just before her fingers make purchase with the Master Emerald, Metal Spira flies up and grabs her.
"Oh, ho, ho!" Eggman laughs, "Jumping in the air was a mistake Sonic." Sonic struggles to get free of Metal Spira's long metallic claws what gripped her waist tightly. She stops noticing something behind Eggman and grins. "What's that look for? I've won." He looks at her confused and frustrated, hating that cocky grin.
"Because the calvaries here." She said as he turns around to see the Twin Tornado heading towards them.
"Crap." He said,
"Eggman! Put down the Master Emerald!" Knuckles raged,
"You guys have great timing!" Sonic said sounding relieved to see them,
"A…All of you stop! I already have Sonic as my hostage!" Eggman tried to get them to stop,
"Chaos Control!" Shadow warped next to Sonic and strikes Metal Spira's arms knocking Sonic free.
"Aw yeah! Let's give him the fast ball special!" Sonic said as Shadow grabs her hand and spins throwing Sonic at the top of the claw, she spin dashes through it freeing the Master Emerald. Knuckles flies off the Tornado while Cream flies Blaze down so they can help Elias and Sally. Knuckles catches the Master Emerald as it begins to fall and flies it down to a corner of the room.
"Tikal are you okay?" He asked looking over the Master Emerald,
"I'm alright." Tikal said appearing.
"Good," Knuckles lets out a sigh of relief.
"Looks like you lose Egghead!" Sonic said. She lands on the ground as Metal Spira appears in front of her getting ready to strike.
"I haven't lost yet Hedgehog!" Eggman said as Shadow warps next to Sonic pushing her back,
"I'll destroy your robot before you can even try!" Shadow yelled. Her entire body began to radiate red energy as she was about to unleash a Chaos Blast.
"Shadow no!" realizing what she was charging up, Sonic dashed in front of Shadow guarding Metal Spira from the attack she was about to let off.
"What are you doing? Move!" Shadow yelled still charging up Chaos energy,
"I won't let you destroy Spira!" Sonic yelled back taking her off guard as the glow around Shadow fades,
"What?" She said looking confused looking back and forth between Sonic and Metal Spira,
"Now that she says that… I see the resemblance." Blaze said as her and Cream finish off the Swatbots, Tails flies into the room to join the fighting.
"Sonic behind you!" Tails called out as Sonic turns around in time to see Metal Spira reaching for her, she jumps back next to Shadow.
"She's been robotisized…" Sonic said, "We can't destroy her." Shadow looks conflicted after all that Spira and the Zarkon did to them why was Sonic so adamant to protect her? Metal Spira swings at them again and they both jump back.
"Then how do you intend to fight?" Shadow asked sounding annoyed,
"She's after me, I'll keep her distracted while you get Eggman." Sonic said,
"If she hurts you, I will destroy her." Shadow said,
"She'll have to catch me first." Sonic gave her a thumbs up as she looks at Tails, "You got my back bud?"
"I've got you Sonic!" Tails said as Sonic winks then starts to run, Metal Spira flies after her as Shadow runs towards Eggman and Tails follows after Spira.
"Now, Now Shadow, you're going to miss all the fun if you come after me." He presses a button as three more Swatbots appear. "Besides, who will protect your friends?" Sally was helping Elias get to his feet, Blaze and Cream were guarding them and Knuckles was guarding the Master Emerald.
"You're not laying a hand on my Emerald!" Knuckles said running up to one of the bots. The door to the Alter room swings open as Dr. Q walks into the chaos wondering what all the noise was about.
"What in the world?" She looked around shocked,
"Helen, get out of here!" Elias yelled as she sees him injured and runs over to him, trying not to get hit by one of the Swatbots.
"Not without you," She said taking him from Sally and pulling his arm over her shoulder helping him to the door.
"It looks like more of your friends have joined the fight, Maybe I should add some friends too." Two more robots show up. "What will it be Shadow? Me? Or your friends?" He grins as she stops knowing she can't fight him while she worried about her friends. She quickly turns back to help them. Eggman turns towards Metal Spira as she chases Sonic around the room while Tails tries to keep up.
"Damnit, you shouldn't be here…" Elias said as Dr. Q continues trying to get them away from the fight.
"Neither should you." She argued as Sally shot at the robots heading towards them.
"Sally look out!" Cream called out as Shadow strikes the robot charging at them down,
"You three get out of here! We can't fight and help Sonic if you're all in danger." Shadow said as they nod, Shadow, Cream and Blaze cover them as they escape.
"Metal Spira, Change targets!" Eggman said, he knew chasing after Sonic wouldn't get very far with her speed so trying to distract her and take her off guard would be his next tactic. Metal Spira stops and turns around charging towards Tails,
"Hey!" Sonic suddenly stops and runs towards Metal Spira realizing who her new target was, "Tails look out!" Tails dodges out of the way as Metal Spira makes a grab for her. But then Spira strikes her in the back making her crash into the ground.
"Now Metal Spira!" Eggman said as Metal Spira dives at Tails,
"No!" Sonic cries out terrified that Tails was going to get hurt as she burst speeds faster than she's ever managed to in the past and spin dashes at Metal Spira taking off her arm. She jumps in front of Tails and guards her, her green eyes seemed to glow with rage as her spines puff out defensively.
"You didn't have to damage her!" Eggman said as Metal Spira stops, sparks coming out of her shoulder where her arm used to be, "It looks like I'll have to repair her, you got off easy today Sonic!" Eggman said as he disappears along with all the robots including Metal Spira, the metallic arm remaining on the ground in front of her. The glow from Sonic's eyes dims and her spines relax as she turns to Tails,
"You okay?" Sonic asked helping her to her feet, looking her over worried.
"Yeah, I'll be okay. Thanks for the save." Tails said with a cough, Metal Spira's hits we nothing to laugh at.
"I always got your back." She said putting her hand on Tails' shoulder, she could tell Sonic's hand was shaking,
"Sonic?" She looks at her worried as Sonic lifts her hand from Tails' shoulder seeing her hand tremble.
"I'm okay… Just angry." Sonic said grabbing her hand trying to get it to stop shaking. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she was terrified.
"Everyone alright?" Knuckles called out,
"We're okay." Cream said as She helps Blaze back to her feet.
"Let's get to the infirmary and meet up with the others." Shadow said as Cream and Blaze head down the hallway with Knuckles behind them carrying the Master Emerald. Tails grabs the robotic arm to look at later.
Shadow waits for Tails and Sonic to get to the door. She grabs Sonic by her collar and pulls her close looking enraged, "What the hell was that? That was reckless!"
"You were charging a Chaos Blast; I wasn't going to let you destroy her!" Sonic argued,
"And your instinct was to jump in front of it? What if I had already released the blast? You could have gotten hurt!" She continued to yell not understanding why she would do something so stupid for an enemy no less.
"So what? I can heal! If you destroy Spira it's game over for her!" Sonic yelled back looking infuriated grabbing Shadow by her collar.
"I don't give a damn about her! Eggman almost took you again!" Shadow said, her anger and fear taking over as they both start clenching their fists ready to start fighting each other.
"Both of you stop it!" Tails yelled forcing her arms between them and pushing them apart. "We need to go make sure Elias is okay." They glare at one another for a moment before both looking away.
"Fine, C'mon Tails." Sonic said walking down the hallway. Shadow steps next to the wall and punches it trying to release all of her rage leaving a hole in the wall then follows after them.
They all get to the infirmary as Dr. Q is wrapping up Elias' arm, Knuckles was in the corner checking over the Master Emerald.
"Are you alright Sonic?" Cream asked as she runs up and hugs her,
"I'm fine, you all made it just before things started to get a little dicey." She joked, "How you feeling Elias?"
"I'll be fine…" he said as he winces in pain,
"After you heal from a broken arm and a concussion." Dr. Q said with a huff, "Is anyone else hurt?"
"Just a little bruised but nothing serious." Tails said as Shadow walks into the room. Sonic and Shadow give each other a glare then look away from one another as Sonic walks over to the Master Emerald.
"You okay Knux?" Sonic asked as they all transform back,
"Yeah, just angry." Kolt said, "I should have been here, the Master Emerald wouldn't have been in danger…"
"This is my fault… When I was…" She pauses for a moment then takes a deep breath, "When I was Dark Sonic, I told Eggman everything. I had completely forgotten…" She turns away from them avoiding their gaze.
"You have nothing to blame yourself for Saya." Sally said,
"We were planning to move Freedom HQ anyway; this just moves the time frame up." Elias said,
"When were you going to tell the rest of us this plan?" Sophia said,
"After it was finalized." Elias said, "We need to start preparations." He said starting to stand up,
"Absolutely not! Sally can work on that, you need rest." Dr. Q said moving him back onto the bed,
"You all should go pack your belongings, we'll be moving out as soon as possible." Sally said,
"I'm not letting the Master Emerald out of my sight," Kolt said crossing his arms.
"Saya will guard the Emerald while you grab your stuff Kolt," Elias said, "Besides, I need to have a word with her. Alone."
"Fine, but I'll be right back." He said in a huff as they all leave.
"What did you want to talk about?" Saya asked walking over to him,
"Are you okay?" He asked, as she looked shocked at his question half not knowing how to answer. "That was a really close call."
"I…" She looks away hiding the tears that were trying to well up in her eyes, "I'd be lying if I said I was fine… but at the same time, if I wasn't benched, I wouldn't have been here to hold back Eggman from getting the Master Emerald."
"I'm glad you were here." Elias said putting his hand on her shoulder. "Sally and I would have been in a lot of trouble without you." She turns back and smiles at him. "We can talk about Spira when we get to the new base," He lays down,
"Yes sir…" She said looking back at the Master Emerald. She didn't know how to tell Elias that she was terrified during that fight. Seeing Spira robotisized brought back all the terrible things Eggman did to her and it was starting to make her angry. How can she fight at full strength if there's a chance she could hurt Spira again? She was starting to second guess herself and didn't know who to talk to.