Chapter 38
Saya wakes up in the middle of the night in the infirmary with Kolt sitting next to her cot asleep. Her back throbbed with pain as she tries to sit up. Kolt wakes up to the sound of movement as they make eye contact, "How you feeling?" Kolt asked smiling softly,
"My back still hurts." Saya said, "Sorry about earlier…" She felt embarrassed at him seeing her act so scared again.
"I don't mind, as long as you feel safe." He said,
"Did you stay here the whole time?" Saya asked,
"No, we're taking shifts… though I'm not doing that great of a job since I fell asleep." He quietly chuckles,
"So it was real…" She said,
"Yeah, but TK's working on making a container to keep it where you won't feel it's energy." He said trying to reassure her. She clenches her fists holding onto the blanket trying not to cry. "Hey, it's okay." He gets out of the chair and sits next to her on the bed. "We're not going to let that happen to you again." He pulls her into a hug trying to comfort her.
"Sorry…" She said as he lets go,
"There's nothing to be sorry for. This is Eggman's fault." He said looking away, a part of him felt guilty just knowing he was close friends with Eggman's reincarnation.
"I hate feeling like this," She said wrapping her arms around her knees.
"Healing takes time, no one expects you to go back to who you were before this all happened." He said, "When we first met, you were so full of energy that is was infectious. I definitely like happy Saya better. I mean, I'm told it even changed Sophia."
"Really? Seems like she's still standoffish to me." Saya said,
"The first time I met her she was Shadow, she punched me in the gut and dragged me to Freedom HQ. All to save you." He said, bumping his shoulder against hers.
"I… Didn't know that part," Saya said with a smile. It was heartwarming to know that Sophia cared for her that much.
"You know Sophia, she likes to keep her emotions to herself." Kolt said,
"And what about you?" Saya asked,
"Huh?" Kolt looked at her confused,
"You used to keep your emotions to yourself too. Being all broody guarding the Master Emerald." She said,
"I'm not broody," He said crossing his arms,
"You're not shy either, sweeping a girl off her feet then stealing her first kiss." She teasingly grinned as his entire face goes red,
"I… You weren't… I was resuscitating you… that doesn't count!" Kolt argued sounding flustered,
"Stop teasing him," Sophia said walking into the room looking annoyed,
"But it's so easy," Saya smiles as Kolt's face becomes even more red,
"H… how much of that did you hear?" He asked,
"Just Saya making fun of you." Sophia said, "I can take it from here, go get some sleep,"
"Don't have to tell me twice," He said quickly standing up and rushing towards the door,
"Night," Saya waved as he left, Sophia and Saya were left alone in an uncomfortable silence, "So… how much of that did you actually hear?" There was a long pause as Sophia walks over and sits in the chair next to her.
"You really think I'm still standoffish?" Sophia asked, she also say Kolt embracing her, but she didn't want to bring that up.
"S… sometimes…" Saya said chuckling uncomfortably, her face turning red with embarrassment as Sophia lets out a sigh,
"I don't mean to be." She looks away,
"I'm not trying to say you haven't changed, just occasionally I can't tell what you're thinking." She said,
"You want me to open up more," Sophia said,
"Only if you want to. I figured out a while ago trying to pester you will only get me hit." Saya said as Sophia looks at her bracelet,
"It's late, you should get some more rest." She said,
"Okay," Saya said seeing that Sophia didn't want to talk. She turns away laying on her side and goes back to sleep. Sophia watches over her and Spira for the rest of the night she didn't know why but she felt angry. Maybe it was because she hears Saya and Kolt talking about her, or perhaps that Kolt brought up Robotnik while he held Saya.
The following morning Saya wakes up to see Brandy sitting where Sophia was reading a book, she lets out a sigh as she sits up. "Expecting someone else?" Brandy said moving her book away from her face with an eyebrow raised,
"No," Saya said with a stretch,
"Let me see your back." Dr. Q said walking over as Saya turns around. She sees Spira still asleep,
"How is she?" Saya asked,
"I'm not entirely sure how different her physiology is from our own, but I can say for certain, she's exhausted." Dr. Q said, "We have no idea what being turned into a robot was like."
"Well… I actually do…" Saya said,
"What?" Dr. Q and Brandy look at her surprised,
"Well, I should say Sonic knows what it feels like. It happened in my past life… I was still pretty young, so I only remember pieces but it's not great." Saya said looking distant,
"Well, you're all healed up, but let me know if you are in any pain." Dr. Q said changing the subject,
"Thanks doc," Saya stood up and so did Brandy,
"C'mon, let's head to the computer room, Elias wanted to see you after you were cleared," She said as Saya followed Brandy to the computer room in silence, "You're awfully quiet,"
"Sorry, guess I have a lot on my mind." She said with a chuckle,
"I just want to make sure you're okay." Brandy said,
"Sure… all things considered." Saya said,
"Have faith in TK, she'll find a way to keep it locked up." Brandy said,
"I know she will. It's just the fact that it showed up at all is what bothers me." Saya weakly smiled at her as they entered the computer room where everyone was waiting except for TK. They all stop and look at Saya as she enters the room. "Oh yeah, you all were definitely not talking about me." She said crossing her arms with a grin,
"How are you feeling?" Sally asked,
"I'm fine, could you all please stop asking me that?" Saya said trying not to get angry at how they were all looking at her. Like she was broken… it felt humiliating.
"I'll keep this brief then, until we're sure the Dark Chaos Emerald cannot affect you, you're benched," Elias said,
"What?" Saya said looking shocked, "You got to be kidding, the Zarkon still need to be rescued."
"And we will rescue them, but we are not taking any chances." Elias said, "Especially since TK hasn't finished a way to contain it yet.
"So what I just wait here again?" She sounded frustrated, "And you all agree with this?" Saya looks at her friends as none of them make eye contact with her, "Fine, guess I'm not needed here." She turns around and leaves. Kolt moves to follow her as Sophia stops him.
"Let her be she needs to cool off." Sophia said,
"I don't feel right about this…" Caroline said,
"I'm with Caroline, this is wrong…" Alan said,
"Saya's too unstable right now to go on a mission." Sally said, "Dr. Q agrees with us."
"Still, she's the type to make a run for it if she's held back for too long." Kolt said,
"This is only until TK can make sure the Emerald piece is sealed away." Brandy said,
"I'm still against it." Kolt said,
"Then why don't you go coddle her again," Sophia said getting annoyed,
"Excuse me?" He said turning to her, "You want to run that by me again?" They both glare at one another looking like they're ready to start swinging.
"Enough!" Elias said, "I get tensions are high, but this is not the time to be at each other's throats." They both look away from one another with a huff. "Now hopefully Spira can remember the location of Eggman's base and we can attempt to rescue the Zarkon."
"I think you should all take it easy while we wait. Maybe try to relax." Sally said trying to diffuse the tension building in the room,
"I'll go get some food ready," Caroline said walking out,
"Let me help," Brandy said following her,
"Thank you." She smiled as they walk together,
"I'm going to go see if TK needs help." Kolt said leaving after giving Sophia another look,
"Let me know if you need anything," Sophia said to Elias walking out as Alan walks after her. "What do you want Alan?"
"Just wondering what that was about? Seemed like you were angry at Kolt for some reason. Did something happen when you changed shifts last night?" Alan said,
"It's none of your business." She said as he grabs her arm to get her to stop,
"Listen, I don't know what your problem is but…" She grabs Alan's wrist and flips him over her slamming him into the ground,
"My problem is being grabbed when I'm in a bad mood." She said walking away as Alan stayed lying on the ground for a moment half shocked at what happened.
Saya was sitting outside looking out at the mountains feeling angry and frustrated. Why did she have to be benched again? Wouldn't they want her further away from the shard not closer? "Tikal?" Saya called out,
"Yes Sonic?" Tikal appears next to her,
"How far do you think I could get before they realize I'm gone?" She asked,
"At your top speed you could be on the other side of the continent before they realize you've left." Tikal said, "But will you really leave?"
"No…" She lets out a sigh, "But it's good to know I can."
"Sonic… I am concerned about the Dark Chaos Energy. I do not understand why I am unable to sense it." She said,
"I definitely can… it feels like a chill constantly down my back… Almost like it's reaching for me… And now everyone's looking at me like I'll change into Dark Sonic at any moment." Saya said with a heavy sigh,
"Try not to keep the Dark Chaos Energy in your mind. It may try to pull you in." She said as Saya nods.
"let's hope TK can contain it sooner rather than later." Saya said as the clouds begin to darken with a distant sound of rolling thunder, "I should get inside, I hate water…" She stands up as Tikal disappears. She walks over to the kitchen to see Caroline and Brandy.
"Oh hello Saya… Would you like some tea?" Caroline asked,
"Sure." She said as Caroline pours her a cup and hands it to her. The sounds of thunder could be heard outside as Brandy moves closer to Caroline and hides her face in her back.
"It's okay Brandy, the storm should pass soon." Caroline said with a calming smile as Brandy wraps her arms around Caroline's waist.
"I forgot you don't like thunderstorms." Saya said as Brandy hides further behind Caroline's back. Saya starts to feel embarrassed at how close Caroline and Brandy were. "I'll leave you two alone…" She said grabbing her tea and an extra cup standing up,
"Sorry," Caroline said as she left. She decides to go back to the infirmary to check on Spira. She enters to see Elias talking to her,
"Hello Sonic," Spira said,
"Hey, brought you some tea." She said with a smile walking over to Spira and handing her the mug.
"Thank you." Spira said, "We were just discussing the location of Eggman's base."
"Oh…" Saya said looking sad,
"Is everything alright?" Spira asked as Saya glances at Elias,
"Just peachy, do you remember where it's at?" Saya asked,
"She gave details of the location and Sally's working on triangulating it." Elias said,
"That's good," Saya said sipping her tea,
"I'll leave you two to talk, thank you again Spira." Elias said leaving,
"I am quite shocked at the amount of hospitality; you do not even have a guard posted." Spira said.
"You're not a prisoner Spira. I already vouched for you and you've already gone through a lot." Saya said,
"So have you." She said placing har hand on Saya's shoulder, "I'm remembering my time when I was what you called Robotisized. The way you looked when you saw me…"
"What matters is that we freed you. And soon the team will save the rest of the Zarkon." Saya said,
"The team? Will you not be joining?" Spira asked,
"I've been benched," Saya said,
"But we're sitting on beds." Spira said looking at Saya confused as she laughs,
"It's a phrase meaning I can't come. But I'll be rooting for you all from here." She said sounding a little sad,
"That is good, and once my people are safe, we will leave Earth." Spira said,
"Just like that?" Saya asked sounding surprised,
"Yes, I believe we bit off more than we can chew? I think that was a phrase you told me once before."
"You got it," She chuckles,
"There you are," Kolt said entering the infirmary, "TK wants to see if her machine works, you feeling okay to test it out?"
"I'll be back later," She said to Spira,
"Take your time and thank you for the tea." She said as they leave. They walk in silence for a while, "Rains really coming down…" He tried to break the silence,
"Yeah…" She said,
"This might be a really random question but… Are Brandy and Caroline a couple?"
"W…what?" Saya said looking flustered,
"They always spend time together and they seem… more than friends," Kolt said.
"You'd have to ask them that…" She said looking away,
"I see," Kolt said as they get to the hangar bay, as she stops. "You can still feel it can't you?" She nods. "I'll let TK know, you head back." He walks into the workshop as she walks away.
"Where's Saya?" TK asked,
"She could feel it when we got into the Hangar bay, so I told her to leave." Kolt said,
"Dangit, this is a lot harder than I thought. I was able to create something similar in the past to hide the Chaos Emeralds from Eggman, but these energy readings are so random I'm having trouble finding a counterbalance." TK said. "How's she holding up?"
"Not great… She was really upset about Elias benching her." He said,
"Not surprised. If he keeps trying to restrict her like this she may just bolt." TK said,
"That's what I said, but all I got was Sophia snapping at me." Kolt said,
"She snapped at you?" TK asked looking at him confused,
"Yeah, on top of that apparently after we all left, Alan tried to talk to her, and she threw him to the ground." Kolt said,
"She usually only gets this angry when there's something on her mind…" TK said, "Ah! But I don't have time to go talk to her. And I still can't find my phone…" She started rifling through her papers again trying to find it,
"I can go let her know you want to talk to her." Kolt said
"Thanks, please don't try to make her angry or she'll send you to the infirmary." TK said,
"Yeah, I'll just let her know then run," He jokes leaving her workshop.
Saya walked into the training room to see Alan. He was trying to figure out how to use the lifting machine. "Need a hand?" Saya asked,
"If you don't mind, I have no idea what I'm doing…" He said moving out of the way,
"You just have to unlock it here." She pointed out then showed him how to use it,
"Now I feel embarrassed," He chuckles,
"I did the same thing when I got here." Saya said,
"You lift?" Alan said looking surprised,
"Sure, arms gotta stay fit too. Though no matter what I do they still look like twigs." She chuckles, "C'mon, I'll spot you." She said as he finished getting on the weights and got on the bench. He sits back as she stands over him.
"Thanks for the help," He said starting his regimen as she spots him.
"No problem, you should have asked for help before you started. It's dangerous to lift alone." Saya said,
"Hard to ask someone when everyone seems to be doing something." He said finishing the set then putting the bar back up.
"It's definitely been crazy." She said with a sigh,
"Wanna do a set?" He asked,
"Sure,"
Kolt looked around the base until he found Sophia in the computer room talking to Elias. "Hey Sophia, TK wants to see you when you have a sec." Kolt said starting to leave,
"Thanks," She said as he walks away,
"Are you sure you're alright Sophia, you've been on edge since this morning." Elias said finishing up his paperwork.
"I'm fine, just been feeling a little off…" She said,
"Why don't you take some time to talk to Helen, I'm sure it'll help you figure out your own thoughts." He said,
"Maybe after all this is over and the Zarkon are off our planet. I'm going to go see what TK wants." Sophia said,
"Alright, be sure to let her know about the plan." He said as she heads towards the hangar bay.
"Hey TK, you wanted to see me?" Sophia said closing the door behind her and right at she does TK throws a journal that hits her in the head. "What the hell?"
"I should be asking you that, Kolt told me you attacked Alan." TK said looking frustrated,
"I… I was a little angry so when he grabbed me it set me off." Sophia said looking away,
"That's not an excuse, we're supposed to be a team. First you suggest Saya be benched and now you're picking fights with the others?" TK said as Sophia picks up her notebook and walks over to hand it back to her.
"It's not safe until we can contain the Dark Chaos Emerald…" She said,
"Yeah, leaving her alone on base worked so well the last time." TK said taking her notebook, Sophia could feel the chill coming from her words, "There's something else bothering you, now spill."
"I'm just tired of Saya being in danger," She said,
"That's not all of it," TK said knowing she was dodging her question.
"I'm angry alright! ever since that Chaos wave of energy blasted us, I've felt different." Sophia said as TK looks at her shocked at her honesty and the rage behind it.
"It's not just you." TK countered as Sophia's expression changes, "I've, felt off too. Yeah I'm already smart but now it feels like my senses have been heightened."
"I was worried it was just me…" She said,
"Well if you opened up a bit more, I wouldn't have to throw notebooks at you." TK said with a huff.
"Sorry," Sophia said,
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Alan. You could have seriously hurt him." She said as Sophia nods.
"I will…" She said turning around to leave, "Oh, there's been a change in plans. Elias wants this to be a covert mission. And we're going to need a tech person since Rogue is out of the country. You alright joining Team Dark for a mission?"
"Really? I wasn't expecting that." TK said,
"You're the only other person I trust to be able to hack into Eggman's tech." Sophia said,
"We'll I can't refuse with a response like that. When do we leave?" She asked,
"Later tonight, try to get some sleep before then. I'm going to go see if I can find Alan." She said leaving. She felt frustrated, like she moved in reverse. Working so hard trying to find a balance between her and Shadow but now even her thought process is more like him. She walks by the training room to see Saya and Alan talking.
"And she made me drop my tacos." Saya said sounding sad as Sophia walked up. Saya turns and makes eye contact with her then looks away, "Anyway, I forgot I was going to call my parents. Thanks for spotting me Alan." She quickly leaves.
"Kill joy." Alan said as an aura of anger comes off Sophia for a moment but then she lets out a sigh.
"I'm… sorry about earlier… You we're just trying to help, and I acted poorly." Sophia said,
"Apology accepted; I shouldn't have grabbed you either so I'm sorry about that." Alan said, "Mind if I ask why you were so angry?"
"Sadly, I'm just angry most of the time now so it's hard to know the cause." Sophia said crossing her arms. "It's something I need to work on."
"Hey, being able to acknowledge the issue is a great first step. My mom's a psychologist so she shoved this stuff down my throat. One thing that always helped me is writing down my thoughts." He suggested,
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." She said leaving him to go back to the computer room. She needed to make sure everything was ready for the mission. She wanted to save the Zarkon so that they could leave, and they could focus on making sure Saya was safe.