Chapter 37
Two weeks have passed since their Chaos Emeralds have increased in power; TK has barely left her workshop unless her friends drag her out Some of them begin to doubt if she was going to figure out how to Derobotisize Spira. Brandy volunteered to go check on her as she enters the workshop to see TK asleep at her desk, "Time to get up, there's coffee in the kitchen," She said lightly shaking her awake,
"Huh, what?" TK woke up looking around as she turns to her computer to see the computer screen flashing words simulation successful. "It worked!"
"What worked?" Brandy asked,
"I ran a simulation on my computer to see the variable outcome of the Derobotisizer working successfully and it worked!" She jumps out of her seat and grabs Brandy's hand, "We gotta tell the others!" She said dragging her to the kitchen,
"What's the rush?" Alan asked,
"I think I did it! I think the Derobotisizer works!" TK said as Saya jumps to her feet.
"Really?" She said running over to her, her eyes lighting up full of hope,
"Yeah!" TK said,
"Way to go little dude!" Saya hugs her,
"Are you positive it will work?" Sophia asked,
"All of the simulations I ran were successful… but I won't be one hundred percent sure until we actually test it on a robotisized person." TK said,
"That's not going to be easy… this isn't like Mobius where there were dozens of people Robotisized." Kolt said.
"How does it work?" Alan asked,
"It's a laser that when it hits a target that was robotisized they turn back to normal. There's a few problems though, it's powered by the Master Emerald and I can't take it out of the base…" TK explained,
"So we have to get Spira here without Eggman finding us…" Kolt said as they all ponder thinking of how they could get Spira away from Eggman,
"I have a plan!" Saya said,
"No," Sophia said,
"But you haven't even heard it yet…" Saya pouts,
"Let me guess, you as bait." She glares,
"Well… not completely…" She said as they all give her a look, "Hey, we don't really have a choice here, Eggman has been underground ever since we nabbed Alan from him. The only way he's going to come out of hiding is if I'm out in the open."
"I don't like it…" Caroline said,
"Just hear me out first before you all say no," Saya said with a begging tone,
"Fine," Brandy said crossing her arms,
"We lure out Eggman and Spira, once the fight begins, I get Spira away while some of you keep Eggman busy. After we get close enough Sophia will be waiting to warp Spira into the base where TK is waiting with the Derobotisizer. And bam plan." She said with a smile.
"How do you make it sound so easy?" Alan said,
"Uh, cuz I'm good at making plans." Saya said,
"No you're not." Kolt said as Saya sticks her tongue out at him.
"How would we lure out Eggman?" Caroline asked,
"Press conference, he sees me on TV insulting him, he'll definitely show. That dudes pride can be bruised easier than a peach." She chuckles
"I won't leave the Master Emerald unprotected." Kolt said,
"You can help Sophia and TK then and the rest can keep Egghead busy." Saya said as the rest of them think. "It's a good plan!"
"We should still run this by Elias first." TK said,
"Don't we always have to run it by Elias?" Saya said with a shrug,
"Yes but still… It's a good plan, but there are still plenty of things that could go wrong." TK said,
"That's how it is with any plan," Saya said,
"Let's talk to Elias and Sally, see if they have any ideas to add." Sophia said standing up part of her was hoping they would turn down the idea completely,
"This is great! First real mission as the full Freedom Fighters!" Saya cheered following after Sophia,
"Elias hasn't given the okay, stop jumping the gun." Sophia argued as they all followed.
They all walk onto the computer room and Saya explains the plan to Elias and Sally. "So… what do you think?" Saya asked as they stared at Elias and Sally who were silent both pf them pondered giving each other looks,
"It sounds like a solid plan… But I'm still not sure it's a good idea." Elias said,
"If this is about me being reckless, I won't be, this is about saving Spira." Saya said the rest of them look a Saya surprised to hear her say that. And she was confident that her plan would work.
"Eggman's not what I'm worried about." Elias said,
"Then what are you worried about?" TK asked,
"The reporters, are you really prepared to talk to them? They will ask questions that might make you uncomfortable." Elias said,
"Not to mention… Have you run this idea by your parents?" Sally asked,
"Yes… If your parents found out I scheduled a press conference without their knowledge I don't think your father would stop at just punching me in the jaw." Elias said,
"I… haven't told them yet. We just thought of the idea." Saya said,
"Then, we'll wait for you to do that before I give my approval." Elias said as Saya lets out a sigh,
"I'll go call them…" She said leaving the room.
"How do the rest of you feel about this plan?" Sally asked,
"Don't like her being bait." Sophia said,
"I'm with Sophia on this one, Saya's been through a lot. I don't think putting her in danger is a good idea." Kolt said,
"Are you saying that because you don't think the plan will work? Or that you won't be around Saya to keep an eye on her." Caroline asked as they both look at Caroline shocked at her question then look embarrassed.
"When you put it like that…" Sophia said avoiding eye contact, she didn't like that Caroline was right about that.
"I think Caroline, Brandy and I can keep Saya safe from Eggman." Alan said,
"You're still pretty new to this Alan…" Kolt said,
"He's been training hard just like the rest of us." Brandy said,
"You all are allowed to worry about Saya, but if you keep treating her like she needs to be protected she'll act out more." TK said, "She's spiteful like that."
"I'm not saying we don't go through with the plan," Sophia said, "But I have to voice my concerns."
"We don't even know if her parents will let her." Sally said,
"Yeah… she's not going to give them a choice." TK said,
Saya called her parents and sat in her room while waiting for them to pick up, She knew that they weren't going to like this idea, but she was determined to save Spira no matter what. "Hey little speedster, how's it going?" Her dad said,
"It's going pretty well! But could you not put little in front of the nickname? I'm almost eighteen." Saya said,
"Are you taller than me?" Her dad said,
"No…" Saya said,
"Then you're still little." He said with a chuckle as she lets out a huff, "So what did you need?"
"I wanted to run something by you." Saya said
"Shoot," He said,
"Well, TK finished her machine and now we have a way to save Spira." Saya said,
"The same Spira that kidnapped you?" She heard her mom's voice chime in,
"Yeah… We made a truce… then we both got captured by Eggman." Saya said,
"What did you need to run by us?" Her father asked,
"So… Eggman's been in hiding ever since we saved Alan and we need a way for him to show up with Spira so we can separate them…" Saya said,
"No." He said,
"Yeesh! You and Sophia won't ever let me finish." Saya said rolling her eyes.
"I know you Saya, you thought of a plan for you to be out in the open, so he comes to attack you." He said,
"Wow, that was actually really close," Saya said,
"Saya…" She heard her mom let out a sigh,
"It's not like I'll be alone. My job is just to make him show up. Then I lure Spira away while the others keep Eggman busy."
"Can't one of the others do this?" Her dad asked,
"If he was obsessed with another blue anthropomorphic Hedgehog, yes. But unfortunately he's not, he's after me." She said, "We'll be holding a press conference to broadcast and lure him out."
"When?" Her mom asked,
"Not sure, I had to call you guys and let you know first before Elias schedules it." Saya said,
"I don't like this…" Her dad said,
"I get it, you're worried. But I'm not going to let what happened hold me back. On top of that I won't be alone." She said,
"You're doing this whether we say yes, or no aren't you?" Her father asked,
"Yep!" Saya said cheerfully,
"She gets that stubbornness from you." Her mom said,
"I'm not even going to deny that." Her dad said making Saya giggle. She was happy she could talk to them about all of this even though they still weren't fully on board with her being a hero.
"Just… Please be careful." Her mom said,
"I promise,"
Two days later the Press conference was made for the afternoon on the outskirts of Station Square. Sonic would appear on stage alone and answer questions while Blaze, Cream and Amy hid in the back waiting for Eggman to show and for him and Metal Spira to be separated. Shadow was waiting outside near the base to teleport Metal Spira when they got close while Knuckles and Tails were in the Alter room waiting with the Machine. Everything was in place as the press waited eagerly for Sonic to arrive. In a blue blur she jumps onto the stage.
"Hope you all weren't waiting long." Sonic said with a smile as the camera flashes started immediately, "Easy, Easy! You're gonna make me go blind." She said,
"Sonic! Where did you come from?" A reporter asked,
"Here?" She shrugged shading her eyes for a moment felling blinded by all of the flashing cameras,
"What are you really?" Another reporter asked,
"I'm a Hedgehog, it's literally in the name." Sonic said looking confused,
"Where are the rest of the Freedom Fighters?"
"They're on their way here. I got a little impatient and ran on ahead." She lied with a chuckle.
"Why were you working with Robotnik?" One asked, Saya's expression changes for a second surprised by the question but stays cool.
"Eggman used mind control on me. But I'm all better now." She said, Elias warned her that they would try to ask very personal questions and the best strategy was to keep the answers short and vague.
"Whose Dr. Eggman?" Another asked,
"Oh that's the nickname I have him, Crazy dude obsessed with robots. Kinda looks like an egg." Sonic
"Can you give us more detail?"
"Uh… He's a psychopath who wants to rule the world?" She shrugs, "We could spend the entire day talking about how lame Eggman is but is that all you really want to ask me about?"
"And I won't just sit idly by while you insult me you blue rodent!" Eggman said appearing, as people start to panic and run away.
"Oh no! It's Eggman!" Sonic said pretending to be shocked but has to stop herself from laughing.
"Don't patronize me!" Eggman glared,
"Aw, but you make it so easy, this is why I told them we shouldn't do this press conference. I knew you'd crash the party." Sonic teased with a lie to keep up the act as she runs up and stands on top of a nearby light post to get closer to him.
"And yet you still came alone," He said with a grin,
"What can I say, they're just moving a little slow today but I'm more than enough to take you on my own till they get here." She continues her act,
"Is that so?" he said pressing a button and Metal Spira appears, "How about now?"
"Gonna have to try harder than that Egghead!" She said with a yawn before getting ready to run,
"Metal Spira, be sure to break both of her legs." He said, as Metal Spira charges at her,
"Yikes!" She dodges Metal Spira's attack, "Getting a little dark there, let's see if she can keep up!" Sonic said running towards the mountains, right as he turns his craft to follow after them a wall of flames blocks his path.
"You're not going anywhere Eggman." Blaze said as Amy and Caroline jump out as well.
"So you were hiding in the shadows, very well. I'll play with you all." He said as more Swatbots appear.
"Part one of the plan is set." Amy said as he swings into the Swatbots leg.
"Great! Spira's right on my tail." Sonic said keeping a speed where Spira was unable to grab her. "Almost in position, you ready Shads?"
"I wish you'd stop calling me that…" She let out a sigh.
"Not gonna happen," Sonic teased. Shadow stood in position waiting to see the glow from Sonic's blue blur. "You two ready on your end?"
"We're ready!" Knuckles said standing in front on the device and Master Emerald.
Shadow sees Sonic's blur running towards them as Sonic starts slowing down to get into the correct spot. But right as she's about to reach Shadows position, Metal Spira uses a jet boost that rockets her right behind Sonic as her claws cut into her back,
"Shadow, now!" She yelled jumping back ignoring the pain holding her hand out. Shadow jumps out and grabs her hand as they both leap and grab Metal Spira.
"Chaos Control!" Shadow wared all three of them into the Alter room.
"Here goes!" Tails shots the laser but Metal Spira dodges as she throws Sonic and Shadow to the side. She lunges at Sonic as she jumps over her dodging out of the way.
"We need to slow her down." Knuckles said as Shadow tries to grab Metal Spira again, but she kicks her away,
"Tails get ready to fire." Sonic said,
"On it!" Tails charges another blast as Sonic stops moving as Metal Spira grabs her,
"Sonic!" Shadow yelled,
"Now!" Sonic said as Tails shoots the laser and it hits her and Metal Spira. The entire room is filled with a bright green light that blinds them for a moment. Their vision returns to see Sonic and Spira on the lying on the ground unconscious.
"Damn it!" Shadow runs over and grabs Sonic, "This is exactly why I didn't like this plan," Sonic's eyes begin to open,
"That was really bright," Sonic said,
"You idiot, I thought you said you weren't going to do anything reckless." Shadow said,
"We were pressed for time. But what about Spira?" Sonic sits up just as Spira starts to stir, her body back to normal, "It worked! Tails, it worked!" She cheered with tears in her eyes as Spira began to look around confused,
"Sonic?" She said as Sonic jumps up out of Shadow's arms and goes over to help Spira to her feet,
"Yeah, it's me. How you feeling?" She asked,
"It's all so fuzzy… the last thing I remember is…" She pauses and looks at Sonic's leg, "Your leg is healed…"
"Oh, yeah that…" Saya said looking down at her leg. It seemed like forever ago since Eggman forced Spira to break it.
"I'm so sorry, this arm…" Spira holds out her hand and it was no longer metal, "What?"
"The Derobotisizer must have removed all metal, But how is that possible?" Tails said,
"You're the one who made it you tell us." Knuckles said as Tails just shrugs,
"What exactly happened? How did I get here?" Spira asked,
"Guys, Spira's good, you can break away from Eggman," Shadow said,
"He already ran off." Amy said, "And we were winning too."
"He almost crushed you with a Swatbot…" Blaze said,
"Don't tell them that!" Amy argued,
"Eggman turned you into a robot… But we change you back." Sonic explained to Spira,
"It's coming back, but it's blurry…" She said shaking her head,
"Are the rest of the Zarkon Robotisized?" Tails asked,
"I don't know… the last thing I remember Dr. Robotnik saying something about testing out the machine before he used it…" Her face turns to shock as she turns to Sonic, "On you,"
"This is great! That means the rest of the Zarkon are trapped somewhere else. The Robotisizer was destroyed when Eggman tried to use it on me." Sonic cheered,
"We should get her to the infirmary to rest." Knuckles said,
"Who are you?" Spira looked at Knuckles confused. Something started to pull at Sonic's attention as she looks around the Alter room for the source.
"I'm Knuckles, I showed up after you took Sonic." He said leading her out of the alter room as something drops out of Spira's robes.
"You should go to the Infirmary too, that cut looks deep." Tails said to Sonic seeing her back bleeding between her spines but Saya doesn't respond. She was looking at the object that fell, "Sonic?"
"That's… a piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald…" Sonic said as both Tails and Shadow look and see a black glowing Emerald shard with a purple aura emanating from it. Sonic backs away from it her ears lowered and body trembling, "H…How?"
"Tails, take Sonic to the infirmary then meet me back here." Shadow said as Tails nods and grabs Sonic's hands,
"C'mon," She pulled her out of the room as Shadow stares at the piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald.
"Tikal, can you explain this?" Shadow asked as she appears next to her,
"I don't understand… it's right in front of me yet I still cannot sense it." Tikal said getting closer to it but not risking to touch it,
"But Sonic can?" Shadow said,
"It would appear that way, perhaps it is because of her being controlled by it for a time. Or due to going Super Sonic buy using it." Tikal asked, as Tails runs back into the alter room.
"Dr. Q and Knuckles are keeping an eye on her, but she's really shaken up." She said, "What should we do?"
"Can you figure out how to contain this?" Shadow asked,
"Hmm… it's like Chaos Energy, I could make a dampener to keep it contained." She said,
"How long?" She asked,
"Might take me a day?" She said going to pick it up,
"Only with your gloves, don't let it touch your skin just in case." Shadow said, "Let Elias know." Shadow said as Tails nods and leaves with the Dark Chaos Emerald piece. Shadow starts heading to the infirmary to make sure Sonic was alright.
"Try to breathe, I've got you." Shadow heard Knuckles as she enters to see him holding Sonic in his arms trying to calm her down.
"It can't take over… I don't want to go back there…" Sonic said, her eyes distant, as Dr. Q walks up and puts her hand on Sonic shoulder,
"I'm going to give you something for your back pain." She said injecting her, but she doesn't flinch. The sedative starts to make her dizzy as she starts to collapse. Knuckles picks her up and starts moving her to one of the cots. "Lay her on her side so I can clean the wound," She instructed as he nods,
"Was sedating her necessary?" Shadow asked,
"It would be better just in case, if that Shard could control her with Dark Chaos energy, we need to be careful." Dr. Q said,
"Tails is working on a way to contain it." Shadow said,
"How long?" Knuckles said carefully laying Saya down on her side,
"She said at least a day." Shadow said,
"We can't keep her sedated for a day." Knuckles said,
"I agree," Shadow said giving Dr. Q a look,
"Once she's healed, we'll have her as far away until it's contained," Dr. Q said.
"Is everyone okay?" Blaze asked as she, Cream and Amy walk in,
"What happened to Sonic?" Amy asked rushing over,
"She just took a hit to the back; I gave her a sedative to help her rest." Dr. Q said,
"A piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald appeared in the Alter room." Knuckles said,
"What?" Blaze said,
"Tikal looked straight at it and still couldn't sense it… But Sonic could…" Shadow said,
"Is she okay?" Cream asked as they all look over at her,
"One of us needs to stay with her until Tails finishes containing it." Shadow said,
"I volunteer." Amy said as they all give him a look, "What? You said someone needs to watch her."
"Fine, you can take first shift." Knuckles said, "You're not the only one that wants to keep her safe."
"I agree with Knuckles," Blaze said, "Besides, there's someone else we should keep an eye on as well." She looks over at Spira who was asleep on one of the cots.
"Once Spira remembers where Eggman's base is we can set up a rescue for the other Zarkon. Hopefully, we can give them what they need to leave." Shadow said, "Then we can focus on finding the rest of the pieces of the Dark Chaos Emerald so we can make sure it never hurts Sonic again.