Chapter 40
Sonic and Shadow jump over the wall and walk back into Freedom HQ as the sun sets. They transform back and start heading to the computer room. "How long have you been able to transform without having to use the entire chant?" Sophia asked,
"Honestly? That was the first time. I could just feel like it was going to work." Saya said shrugging,
"That'll be helpful in emergency situations." She said,
"Yeah, would have been super helpful when Eggman attacked Spira's ship." She chuckles as they enter the Computer room.
"How was your run ladies?" Elias asked, They could feel the rage coming from him,
"It was good… Was able to let out some stream." Saya said as he turns to lecture them and notices they're both bruised. He lets out a sigh,
"You're lucky Sophia was with you. We would have gone into full lockdown and that would have put us back in helping the Zarkon." He said,
"S…sorry…" She said,
"Just ask next time… I told you before, you're not a prisoner here. Not that we could lock you up." He joked.
"Fair," She shrugs, "I'll let you know next time, promise." She smiles as she stops and turns around,
"Saya? What's wrong?" Sophia asked,
"I can't feel the Dark Chaos Emerald…" She said running towards the hangar bay.
"Hey, wait!" Sophia said chasing after her, they get to TK's workshop and Saya opens the door. TK was at the far side workbench where a sphere-shaped floating field held the Dark Chaos Emerald in Suspended animation.
"Saya? Everything alright?" TK asked,
"You did it… I can't feel it at all." Saya said as TK's eyes light up,
"Really?" She asked as Saya nods, "I used an echo wave force field from the frequency of the Dark Chaos to neutralize it." She started explaining as both Sophia and Saya look at one another confused,
"Can we get that translated in English?" Saya asked as TK lets out a sigh,
"I used the Dark Chaos' own energy to cancel itself out." She said,
"Oh! That makes more sense. But this is way past cool TK! Now we have a way to handle any other shards we find." Saya said giving her a hug,
"Thanks, I'm just happy I could help." She said as Caroline walks in,
"Here you all are, you're just in time, let's go."
"Go where?" Sophia asked,
"We're having a farewell party for the Zarkon, we're all stargazing and there's snacks." She smiles.
"A party huh, don't have to tell me twice." Saya said, "C'mon you two, lets' party!" They all head out back where people were talking to the Zarkon and vice versa. Kolt walks up to them as they walk outside,
"Glad you two decided to make it." Kolt said, "Did you have a good run?"
"Saya?" TK turned and glared at her, "You told me you weren't going to do that."
"ah, ha… Oh look! Spira's waving me over." Saya runs away as all three of them let out a sigh,
"Seriously though, it she okay?" Kolt asked looking at Sophia,
"Yeah, now that TK finished the container for the Dark Chaos Emerald shard. Saya confirmed that she can't feel it anymore" Sophia said,
"Way to go dude!" Kolt gives her a high five.
"We're still going to wait to let her back in the field. Just in case." She said,
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Kolt said,
"I don't sleep," She said going over to Caroline and Brandy,
"She was joking right?" Kolt asked TK but she just shrugs.
"It's funny, a few months ago we were enemies." Saya said to Spira walking up with a smile,
"Who new one blue Hedgehog could change so much." She said,
"Me," She joked. "Thanks again, for putting your trust in me back then."
"Me and my people are indebted to you Sonic, if you ever need aid." She hands a small device to her. "We will answer the call."
"Good to know we have aliens on our side." She chuckles, "So can you point out to me how to find where you're headed?" She asked as Spira points up and starts explaining how to chart the stars using her fingers. Alan walks up and joins them while the others continued to talk.
"Did you and Saya make up?" Caroline said,
"I think so? She's so hard to read." Sophia said with a sigh,
"Seeing the bruises, looks like you did." Brandy said,
"It's funny, Saya or Sonic. She's always been one to deal with her emotions through violence." Caroline said, "Or just running away."
"I won't let her run away anymore." Sophia said as both Brandy and Caroline give her a look. "What's that look for?"
"Nothing, you'll figure it out eventually." Caroline said walking away with Brandy to go talk with more of the Zarkon. The rest of the evening was lighthearted and happy. It was a night they all truly felt relaxed and hopeful about the future. This time they won against Eggman and hopefully they will beat him once and for all
The next morning they waved off the Zarkon as they flew off back into space. "Well, a job well done. Let's go eat breakfast!" Saya said rushing off,
"Yeah!" Alan cheered as he runs with her to the kitchen.
"He's trying way too hard…" Kolt said,
"And you're not?" Brandy smirked at him as his face starts to turn red,
"Saya was right, you are easy to tease." TK chuckled,
"Ha, ha, I get it. It's gang up on Kolt day. Well jokes on you I'm going to the Alter room." He said walking away,
"Maybe we're teasing him a little too much." Caroline said,
"Serves him right for asking around if we're dating instead of just asking." Brandy said,
"But we are dating," Caroline said as Sophia looks surprised,
"You two are dating?" She asked,
"Yeah, have been for a while." Brandy said,
"We just don't like making a big deal about it." Caroline said, "Sorry we didn't tell you."
"No it was kind of obvious… I'm just oblivious about it, I guess." She looks away looking uncomfortable, "I've got to get some paperwork done. I'll be in the computer room." She leaves.
"I think she was embarrassed," TK joked,
"Now I feel bad." Caroline said,
"Don't be, it's not anyone's business." Brandy said, "Let's go make breakfast." They all walk to the kitchen where Alan was trying to help Saya cook.
"Let me show you,"
"I know how to flip an omelet Alan, cut it out." Saya said pushing him away.
"Got too impatient waiting for us?" Caroling said,
"Sorry, I was really hungry," She said flipping the omelet, "See? Didn't need any help."
"But it would have been so romantic cooking together." He pouts as they all look at him awkwardly.
"Can I have an omelet?" TK asked as Saya smiles,
"No problem little dude!" She gives her a thumbs up and starts cooking more.
"I haven't seen you cook in a long time." Brandy said,
"Just haven't felt like cooking. Besides your cooking is way better." She smiles as she flips the omelet onto a plate. And handing it to TK, "Anyone else?" Alans eyes sparkle as she lets out a sigh and starts cooking another one.
"This is really nice," Caroline said with a smile,
"I agree," Brandy said as they all enjoy eating together.
Alan was being more clingy to Saya than usual to where it got to the point that she was getting tired of it and decides to hide ad get come peace and quiet. She opens the door to the Alter room and quietly closes it. She turns around to see Kolt sitting on top of the Master Emerald looking at her confused.
"Uh, what are you doing?" He asked,
"Shh…" She puts her finger in front of her lips, "I'm hiding from Alan… dude won't give me a break." She said.
"You're welcome to chill out in here while you hide," Kolt said,
"Thanks, what are you doing exactly?" She asks as she started walking up to the alter,
"Meditating mostly, I'm trying to understand Dark Chaos energy better. I don't like that you're the only one that can sense it." He said,
"Any luck?"
"Not really, Chaos energy is already a difficult thing to master. Trying to understand Dark Chaos which is even more unstable is proving to be a challenge." He said,
"Try not to push yourself too much." She said leaning against one of the pillars,
"That's why I'm only meditating, it doesn't take as much energy to do so."
"Oh everything happened so fast yesterday I forgot to mention. I was able to transform into Sonic with only saying Chaos Control. I didn't have to say the entire chant or incantation or whatever it's called." Saya said,
"Tikal did say our powers are getting stronger. Maybe just inducing Chaos Control is enough to make us transform now." He theorized.
"That's what Sophia thought too. I just like that it's way faster to say and harder to interrupt. Egghead was way too good at stopping me from transforming." She said,
"Guess that's better than all of our eyes glowing and being put in the infirmary." He joked,
"Wasn't that your fault?" She joked back as they both laugh,
"You wanna try meditating with me?" He asked,
"Sure, maybe it'll help me be more patient." She shrugs,
"You and patient don't go in the same sentence." He teased,
"I'm trying!" She pouts as he holds out his hand to help her on top of the Master Emerald. She places her hand onto the Master Emerald, and it shocks her, "Ow!" She pulls back,
"You okay?" He asked looking concerned,
"Yeah, must have built up too much static from running the halls earlier." Saya said as she takes his hand and climbs up. They both sit cross legged facing each other.
"Now, try to concentrate on the energy coming from the Master Emerald." He said closing his eyes as Saya does the same. "Feel how Chaos energy has a flow like a river."
"Don't like the water analogy…" She said,
"Focus…" He said as she shrugs, her eyes still closed. "Can you feel how Chaos energy moves?"
"I think so…" She said, "It feels kinda weird." She shivers at the sensation.
"Yeah, I had trouble getting used to that feeling too." He said, "Now try to relax and let the flow of Chaos energize you." They stayed silent in meditation.
Sophia finished up her paperwork and headed to the kitchen to get herself a cup of coffee. She sees Alan walking around. "Hey Sophia, have you seen Saya?"
"No, I've been working. Did you check the track?"
"Yeah I checked both, she's not there." Alan said with a sigh,
"Maybe she's avoiding you." Sophia said,
"No way! I just have to find her. Maybe she's hanging out with TK." He runs off, she gets to the kitchen and pours herself some coffee.
"Feeling tired?" Brandy asked as her and Caroline walk in.
"I always feel tired after paperwork." She said with a sigh as she starts drinking it.
"I don't envy you." Caroline said,
"It's what I get for joining Team Dark." She lets out a sigh, "Anyone know where Saya is? Alan was looking for her." She asked,
"She's probably hiding somewhere." Brandy said, "She'll pop out at some point for food."
At the same time back in the alter room Kolt opens his eyes to see Saya fell asleep. He rolls his eyes and shakes her awake, "Saya," He calls out,
"Wha, huh?" She looks around still half asleep,
"You fell asleep." He said as she chuckles,
"Sorry, guess meditating was a little too relaxing." Saya chuckles, "Man I'm hungry. We should go grab some food," She jumped off the Master Emerald. Kolt lets out a sigh and follows her.
"Thanks for indulging me," He said with a smile as they walk to the bottom of the alter.
"I actually enjoyed it. I may have fallen asleep, but it really helped me feel relaxed." She said as she stops, she could hear something behind her that made her head tilt, "Uh, Kolt… did you leave the water running?"
"There's no water in here…" He said as he could now hear it too, the sound of water trickling down onto the floor. They both turn around to see water dripping from beneath the Master Emerald and pouring down the stairs.
"I don't remember the Alter having a water feature…" Saya said backing up.
"That's because it doesn't…" Kolt responded as the water began to move unnaturally and takes on a rough humanoid like form. "It can't be."
"Isn't that Chaos?" Saya said, "Yo bud, what are you doing here?" Saya asked but Chaos says nothing. "Right, forgot you're not the talkative type. Hey Tikal?" They wait a moment, but she doesn't appear.
"Something's not right," Kolt said,
"Let's juice and go tell the…" Saya points her thumb at the door as Chaos' arm quickly outstretches and grabs her by the neck then pulls her towards him. "Hey!"
"Saya!" Kolt runs towards them as Chaos' other arm smacks him away and he goes flying hitting the wall.
"I Didn't know spirits were ones to hold grudges. I thought we were cool after our last tussle." She said grabbing at the water wrapped around her neck and kicking her feet trying to reach the ground. Chaos pulls her close to his face as she looks into his yellow eyes and for a second they flash red. She looks shocked as she turns her sight towards Kolt who was starting to get back to his feet. "Kolt! Chaos is…!" The water around her neck covers her mouth preventing her from talking.
"Let her go! Chaos Control!" Kolt said as he transforms into Knuckles surprised that it worked for a moment. He runs towards Chaos and takes a swing, but it goes right through him. Chaos starts walking towards the door. "No you don't!" He charges again but Chaos smacks him away. Saya continued to struggle but she couldn't rip off liquid as the water wraps around her wrists preventing her from pulling them away. Chaos rips off the door and continues walking out into the hallway. He continues walking down the corridor as Alan turns the corner. He look confused at first but then he recognizes Chaos and sees Saya struggling to get free.
"Hey!" He yelled, "Let her go!" He screamed as Chaos grabs him by the waist and throws him down another hallway. "You're not taking her on my watch! The seven servers are the seven Chaos. Chaos is power, power enriched by the heart, the heart is the controller, the controller serves to unify the Chaos, Chaos Control." He transforms and hits one of the emergency alarms that are all over the walls of the bunker.
The others hear the alarms go off as they quickly jump up and look around, "Chaos Control!" Sophia said transforming into Shadow, "Hurry up and transform, something's happening." She said running down towards the computer room as Brandy and Caroline transform and follow after her.
"Shadow, we have a situation." Elias said,
"What is it?" Shadow asked,
"Some strange creature is inside the base and it has Saya." Sally said showing them all the screen as Tails runs into the room.
"That's Chaos! What's he doing here?" Tails said looking shocked.
"You can fill us in on the way, has anyone seen Kolt or Alan?" Shadow asked as she sees Knuckles and Amy on the screen fighting against Chaos, "Never mind, let's move." She said as they run to help them out.
"Knuckles where did Chaos come from?" Amy asked swinging his hammer, but the water just moves out of the way.
"He came out of the Master Emerald. On top of that I can't reach Tikal…" He said trying to take a swing as Chaos moves Saya in his way causing him to stop as he grabs Knuckles and throws him onto Amy. "And we can't do much while he has Saya like that." The water restraining Saya began to rise higher as she could no longer breathe desperately trying to hold her breath. Knuckles and Amy help each other up as the others run down the hall.
"The calvaries here guys!" Tails said,
"Great, please tell me you have a plan we're running out of time." Knuckles asked Shadow.
"I need to get close enough to grab Saya, think you all can cover me?" She said as Blaze lights her hands.
"We got you, Cream, Tails, block it's exits." Blaze said,
"Got it." Cream said as they get into position.
"Let's go." Shadow said charging forward with Knuckles and Amy next to her while Blaze threw bolts of fire when Chaos tried to strike at them. Chaos reeled back after getting hit with Blazes fire as Shadow grabs Saya's waist, "Chaos Control!" She said as she teleports her and Saya behind Blaze.
"I hate water…" Saya said coughing water,
"You okay?" Shadow asked,
"Not really," She coughs again, "But that's beside the point, Chaos is infected with a shard of the Dark Chaos Emerald."
"Blaze, it doesn't seem to like your flames," Tails said. Chaos looks around and makes eye contact with Saya,
"And he definitely has an issue with me…" Saya said as she transforms, "I won't be caught off guard again."
"Let me take care of this." Blaze said walking forward, she blasts Chaos twice and he backs up. His form changes back into a pool of water and starts escaping.
"He's getting away!" Amy said as Blaze tries to throw another flame at it, but it moves quickly and disappears into the floor.
"Shit…" Shadow said,
"It's gone… I don't sense it." Sonic said coughing again.
"What did you do now?" Tails said turning towards Sonic,
"Nothing!" Sonic said,
"We were just leaving the Alter room when he just appeared." Knuckles said,
"Tikal!" Sonic said running towards the Alter room.
"Damnit Sonic, don't run off on your own when a freakin water monster just attacked you!" Shadow yelled running after her as the rest chase after.
"He's not a water monster… more like a water spirit. Tikal? Tikal!" Sonic calls out in the Alter room, "Knuckles why isn't she answering?" She looked at him concerned as he walks up to the Master Emerald.
"I call upon the powers of Chaos…" He said as his eyes glow the same green as the Master Emerald then Tikal appears.
"Thank you Knuckles," She said,
"What happened?" Sonic asked,
"Chaos was blocking her from leaving the Master Emerald." Knuckles explained,
"I tried calling out but you all couldn't hear me… And Chaos, he's never acted like this." She said,
"I can definitely recount another time he was like this but this time it's because he's infected with Dark Chaos." Sonic said,
"How? Are you sure?" Tikal asked,
"Yeah, when he made eye contact with me his eyes flashed red and I could see it inside him. Like a window was open for a second." She explained,
"But why attack you?" Amy asked,
"Cuz I could see it?" She shrugs,
"We have to help Chaos…" Tikal said,
"How? The only one who could actually hurt Chaos was Blaze." Tails said,
"Of course, your flames are made from Chaos energy. We may be able to use it to contain Chaos long enough for Sonic to remove the Dark Chaos Emerald shard." Tikal said,
"Whoa wait, what? Remove it? How do you expect me to do that?" Sonic looked surprised,
"You are the only one who can sense the Dark Chaos." Tikal said,
"We'll find another way; I don't feel comfortable with Sonic being that close to one of the Dark Chaos Shards." Shadow said,
"I'm with Shadow with this one." Knuckles said,
"I may be able to do it if Sonic directs me." Blaze said,
"Sonic could use her force field to grab the shard without touching it!" Tails said,
"That could work," Cream said,
"For now we all just need to be on our toes, Chaos has the element of surprise since he can sneak in at any time without any of us knowing." Shadow said,
"Well who wants to guard the accident-prone hedgehog first?" Saya said jokingly as Amy raises his hand. "Okay but you're not going anywhere near my room," Sonic crosses her arms, they head to the infirmary so Dr. Q can check Saya's neck and then she wasn't allowed to go anywhere on her own. It felt suffocating but she would rather do that then almost drown on land again. The next few days were quiet and there was no sign from Chaos.