Chapter 42
It took Kolt a few days to recover from what happened with Chaos and everything else was quiet. Caroline dragged her feet to the kitchen, she struggled to get sleep last night. Something had her feeling unsettled and she didn't know what it was. She walks into the kitchen to see Brandy getting food ready. "Caroline? You okay?" Brandy asked looking at her concerned, noticing how tired she looked.
"Yeah, I just didn't sleep well." She said with a tired smile, "I'll be alright."
"Why don't you try to get some more sleep?" She asked,
"I'd just be lying in bed; I've never been good at sleeping in." Caroline said,
"Well, coffees ready if you want some." She said,
"Lovely," She said grabbing a mug and pouring herself some coffee and placing the pot on the table for the others. Sophia was the first to enter, she didn't look tired, but she also didn't look well rested. "Unable so sleep?" Caroline asked,
"Something like that…" She said pouring herself coffee. Saya runs into the room with a smile on her face,
"Good morning!" She said as Sophia let's out an annoyed groan. She looks to see both Sophia and Caroline not as enthusiastic,
"Good Morning Saya!" Alan said from behind her happily causing her to jump,
"Geez Alan, it's way too early to jump scare me." She said looking flustered from getting startled.
"Sorry, I just heard how enthusiastic you were, and I couldn't help myself," He smiles,
"Ha, ha… yeah." Saya goes and sits next to Caroline.
"Lot a noise in here." Kolt walked in yawning, with TK walking in half asleep behind him.
"Yikes, looks like most of you had a rough night." Saya said,
"Too early…" TK said grabbing the coffee pot.
"Well it's going to be really nice out today so I'm going to see if Elias will let me go for a run later." Saya said looking excited,
"Just through the mountains?" Kolt asked,
"Yeah, I want to get a scope of the surrounding area." She said,
"You just want to run at top speed." TK said as Saya looks like she just got caught doing something she shouldn't. She chuckles to play it off.
"Guilty." She said rubbing the back of her head. Brandy places food on the table as they all start eating.
"Anyone feel weird that Eggman hasn't shown his face ever since we rescued Spira?" TK asked as they all sit there silent.
"Yeah, I don't like it." Alan said,
"Me either, that usually means he's up to something." Brandy said,
"Whatever it is, you all can handle it." Saya said with a thumbs up, she was trying to be supportive since she was still benched from going on missions.
"Elias should hopefully let you go on missions soon." Caroline said trying to cheer her up,
"Maybe… Anyway, I'm going to go ask to take a run. See you all later." She said finishing up her food and leaving.
"I'm surprised you didn't argue with her about going running." Kolt said looking over at Sophia, "You usually get angry whenever Saya tries to do something on her own."
"She's asking Elias for permission, it's not like she's attempting to sneak out again." Sophia said giving him a look, "Why? Looking for an excuse to pick a fight with me?" they both glare at one another. "I need to get some paperwork done," She left the kitchen,
"What the heck was that about?" Alan looked at Kolt confused,
"You two need to stop making jabs at one another." TK said,
"I was just asking a question." He said,
"A pointed question," Brandy said as he looks down,
"It just annoys me how much she tries to restrict her." Kolt said,
"I agree with Kolt," Alan said,
"You two sound jealous of their relationship." Caroline said as they both stand up.
"What relationship?" They both said,
"You two are easier to read than an open book." Brandy said shaking her head.
"They're good friends." TK said, "Sophia is the type of person that once she becomes your friend, she'll guard you with her life." She said as both Caroline and Brandy shake their heads. "W…was I wrong?" She looks at them confused,
"Never mind, don't worry about it." Brandy said standing up. "I'm going to go enjoy the nice weather."
"I'll come with." Caroline said following after her leaving the three there looking confused,
"I feel like we just missed something important…" Alan said as both TK and Kolt nod,
"Oh Kolt, since Saya's going running. Would you help train with me?" TK asked,
"Sure, what about you Alan? Want to join?"
"It's not like I have anything else to do since Saya left." He pouts as he agrees.
Saya walks into the computer room to see Sally and Elias talking, "Hey!" She called out as they both turn to her,
"Good morning Saya," Sally said,
"Everything alright?" Elias asked,
"I was wondering if I could go out running? Just out in the mountains." She asked as Elias lets out a sigh,
"At least you asked this time. Be sure you have a charged tracker on you." He said as she walks over to the charger and switches out her tracker with a fully charged one.
"Thanks a lot, I'll be back around lunch time." She said transforming into Sonic and running out in a blue blur.
"She seems better." Sally said,
"I agree, but we don't know how much of it is an act. She could just be covering up how she's really feeling." Elias said,
"It depends on the day." Sophia said walking in, "She's doing better since they saved Chaos. I think having two pieces safely locked away and having a way to contain the other pieces gives her a little relief."
"You don't seem as stressed either." Sally said,
"Yeah, this breather after everything has happened has been nice. But I also know that can change in a matter of seconds." She said going over to a desk.
"Always the cautious one." Elias said,
"Someone on this team has to be." She said getting to work.
Brandy and Caroline were sitting outside enjoying the sun. the breeze was nice and cool as they both eventually drift into sleep. Caroline begins to dream of a place she hasn't been in a long time. She was on Angel Island, but it was night and the moon and stars were not bright enough to light up things around her. Small lights float around illuminating a path up to the Master Emerald alter. The lights danced around as something feels familiar to her. Bur as she attempts to see what was within the lights, they begin to turn black and fade away. Caroline jolts awake looking around blinded by the light for a moment. "Caroline?" Brandy slowly wakes up, she notices that there are tears in her eyes, "Hey, what's wrong."
"I keep having this dream… And I always wake up feeling sad."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Brandy asked,
"I'm at Angel Island, and there are these lights. Seeing them makes me feel happy but then they start fading away and I'm just left feeling sad and empty." Caroline explained,
"How long have you been having this dream?" She asked,
"A little over a week," Caroline said,
"Why didn't you tell me?" Brandy asked,
"I just thought it was a dream."
"Caroline, we're reincarnations of creatures from another universe. Nothing is just a dream." Brandy said pulling her up to her feet. "We should go tell the others."
"I don't want to worry them." Caroline said,
"They are allowed to worry about you, they're your friends." She said as Caroline nods and they head inside.
TK, Kolt and Alan were sparing with one another in a free for all as they all stop to catch their breath Brandy walks by with Caroline as they could see she was visibly upset. "What's going on?" TK asked as they all run over to them,
"We'll talk about it once Saya gets back at lunch." Brandy said as they all follow them to the kitchen. They enter to see Sophia already there as she looks at Caroline then at the rest of them.
"Which one of you made her cry." She said looking angry as she walks over to Caroline,
"They didn't do anything Sophia…" Caroline said trying to calm her down,
"Don't jump to conclusions." Kolt said,
"Then what happened?" Sophia asked looking skeptical,
"Let's wait for Saya so we don't have to explain it multiple times." Brandy said as a blue flash enters the kitchen as Sonic stands there stretching.
"Man that was a great run!" She said with a bright smile. She notices everyone's mood and looks confused, "Something wrong?"
"I've been having this weird dream for about a week now and Brandy doesn't think it's just a dream." Caroline said,
"What's it about?" Sonic asked transforming back. Caroline explains her dream to them in detain as they all prepare for lunch.
"It's obvious what we should do. We should go to Angel Island and investigate." Kolt said,
"Yeah, maybe there's something there you're supposed to find." Saya said,
"Do you think Elias would let us?" Caroline asked,
"I don't see there being a problem. Eggman's been quiet and we're just going to look around, not get into a fight." Sophia said,
"Does that mean I can come?" Saya asked as Sophia gives her a look, "Right… dumb question."
"I don't see any reason why she can't come." TK said looking at Sophia,
"That's up to Elias," Sophia said crossing her arms.
"We can ask after lunch." Alan said as they continue eating.
They go to the computer room and run their idea to Elias and Sally. "That is concerning that you have been having a recurring dream for that long… And you believe going to Angel Island will help?" Elias asked,
"I've had dreams like this in the past. They went away after I either went to the location of the dream or discovered it's meaning." Kolt said,
"I don't see the issue with it." Sally said looking at Elias who was glancing at Saya who was waiting expectantly for his answer.
"Fine," He said with a sigh, "And Saya, you can go with but only if you stay next to Sophia the entire time." He said,
"I can do that." Saya said with a smile,
"I wouldn't recommend going today though, it looks like a thunderstorm is heading towards Angel Island." Sally said as Brandy looks extremely uncomfortable.
"We can wait till tomorrow." Caroline said holding onto Brandy's hand.
"Bet you're excited to get back to your Island huh?" Saya said to Kolt,
"Kinda," he shrugs, "Haven't been there since I remembered everything. Maybe I'll find something there." Kolt said,
"I'm going to make sure to bring some of my tools to make sure nothing weird is going on there." TK said heading over to her workshop.
"You sure you're alright being around me for that long?" Sophia teased Saya as she grins back,
"I was about to ask you the same question." She crosses her arms, "But I'm definitely going to go find my hiking shoes!"
"Should we make sure to bring climbing gear?" Alan asked,
"Good idea there's definitely some dangerous… cliffs." Saya said with a chuckle.
"I suggest you all go in the morning so to not draw too much attention." Elias said as Sophia nods.
"We'll leave in the morning then." Sophia said. They all prep the night before going to bed early to get an early start on their plan.
That next morning they pile everything into the Twin Tornado and get ready to leave. "I think you're going to need a bigger plane soon bud, seven of us on that thing isn't going to work for very long." Saya said,
"I know, I've been thinking the same. Probably when we get back, I'll work on modifying it to accommodate our numbers." She said as they all transform and take off towards Angel Island. Tails is able to land the Twin Tornado near a beach.
"It's a very pretty day." Cream said,
"I agree, much better than thunderstorms." Blaze said, her ears lower just thinking about it.
"We should have a look around. Keep an eye out for anything strange," Shadow said turning to Sonic, "You stay close."
"Aye!" She salutes with a teasing smile as they all spread out and search. An hour passes and they don't find anything strange.
"Cream, what were you doing in your dream again?" Tails asked,
"I was walking to the alter where the Master Emerald used to be." Cream said,
"Let's check there next." Blaze said as they all head up the stairs.
"Remember last time we were here?" Sonic asked Shadow,
"You mean the time we fell off a cliff and then you almost died?" Shadow looked at her unamused,
"Yeah, you know just a regular Tuesday." She chuckles as Shadow smiles. Amy walks up behind and butts in between their conversation,
"What do you mean almost died?" Amy asked,
"I used Chaos Control in my human form… but apparently that's no good." Sonic said moving over a bit to give her some distance between her and Amy.
"Chaos poisoning is a bad thing." Shadow said,
"Well yeah, but I didn't know that would happen at the time." She shrugs as Shadow rolls her eyes.
"And now you can use Chaos in your human form all the time." Alan said,
"Which I should have attempted to do when I was imprisoned," Sonic said thinking back, "Guess I was still worried it would hurt me."
"Better safe than sorry." Shadow said as Sonic nods. They get to the top and start looking around. Kolt gets distracted staring at the alter where the Master Emerald used to be.
"You okay Knuckles?" Tails asked,
"Yeah, it's just weird seeing it without the Master Emerald." He said,
"Wonder if Angel Island would float if we put the Master Emerald back," Sonic said,
"That would probably turn some heads." Blaze said,
"Guys, I think I found something." Cream said trying to pull at some thick vines.
"Allow me." Amy said grabbing at the vines and ripping them out of the way revealing a cavern entrance.
"I don't remember there being this on the Island." Knuckles said looking at the stone walls. "These look similar to the Echidna ruins from the past but they're a little different." He said,
"What do you think is down there?" Tails asked,
"I don't know. But I'm going to find out." Knuckles said,
"Wait," Blaze said walking up next to him. "I will light the path." She said as she hand holds a flame.
"Thanks Blaze." He said as she nods. Cream goes and stands next to Blaze and they start heading down the tunnel,
"Uh… We sure we gotta go in there?" Sonic's ears lower as she grabs onto Tails' arm,
"If we wanna help Cream we really shouldn't split up." Tails said,
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that…" She said.
"You can hold onto me if you're scared." Amy said,
"Yeah, no thanks Amy…" She said still holding onto Tails.
"Aw! But what if Tails needs to use her hand for her tablet?" He tried to persuade her as Shadow starts to get angry at how uncomfortable he was making her and moves in between them grabbing Sonic's hand pulling her along.
"Hurry up or we'll lose the others." Shadow said,
"W…wait…" Sonic said surprised as they enter the cavern.
"No fair Shadow!" Amy ran after them along with Tails. They catch up to the others who were waiting at a fork in the path.
"What took so long?" Knuckles asked,
"Just an annoyance," Shadow glared at Amy, "Which way?"
"I'm not sure." Knuckles said,
"Let's just pick one and head that way." Tails said,
"Left!" Amy said,
"Let's go left then," Blaze said as her and Cream walk forward.
"You don't think this place is haunted, do you?" Cream asked,
"Don't say that Cream…" Sonic said looking terrified, Shadow could feel her hand trembling. She didn't understand why she was scared.
"If there are any ghosts, I'll just punch them." Knuckles said as they continue walking,
"You can't just punch a ghost… that's how you get possessed." Amy argued,
"I've punched ghosts in the past and that never happened to me then," Knuckles said,
"Will you both stop." Tails said letting out a sigh, "I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary on my scanners."
"You wouldn't be able to see ghosts on your scanners." Amy said,
"Can we please stop talking about ghosts!" Sonic whimpered,
"Hang on, I think I see something up ahead." Blaze said, they all look forward seeing an unnatural blue light coming from the next room,
"I am way past over this…" Sonic said holding onto Shadow's arm.
"C'mon, let's take a look. But be careful." Shadow said as they walk forward. They enter a room with blue glowing braziers illuminating the room where there were strange markings and pictures on the walls.
"Whoa…" Cream said as they all look around.
"What do you think it means?" Amy asked,
"Something about the… great purge? Or something?" Knuckles said as they all look at him,
"You can read it?" Blaze asked,
"Yeah, It's similar to the language of the Ancient Echidna's so I can get the general gist of it, It's the same language carved into our bracelets." He said,
"Wait a mondo minuet! You can read the bracelets?" Sonic asked,
"Why didn't you tell us!" Tails asked,
"You never asked," He shrugged, "I thought you all could read it."
"Do we look like Echidna's to you?" Sonic said looking annoyed,
"What else does it say?" Shadow asked,
"Give me a minuet…" He said looking back at the wall as Cream gasps. Sonic gets startled and tightens her grip to Shadow's arm.
"This picture looks like a Chao." She pointed out,
"Hey, it does," Tails said taking multiple pictures of the walls, "I'm going to take as many pictures as I can to look at later."
"Good idea," Knuckles said,
"Um… Sonic…" Shadow said,
"Yeah?"
"I know you're scared… but would you mind loosening your grip a little bit?" Shadow asked trying to not look embarrassed, Sonic's face turns red as she lets go.
"I… I'm sorry." She looks away,
"It's… fine… you were just squeezing my arm a little too tight…" Shadow said,
"S…sure…" She starts looking around, "W…wonder what's keeping the lights lit?" She walks over to one of the braziers.
"It's not fire…" Blaze said, "I feel no heat coming from it."
"Weird…" Tails said jotting something down.
"Guys… these walls talk about Mobius." Knuckles said,
"What?" Amy said surprised,
"Yeah this is talking about the Master Emerald and Dark Chaos… I can't believe this…" Knuckles said looking shocked,
"What is it?" Cream asked,
"If I'm reading this right… this is Mobius…" Knuckles said turning towards them looking shocked,
"That's impossible… Mobius was destroyed by the Dark Chaos." Blaze said,
"Not according to this… it's saying that the Dark Chaos triggered a Genesis wave…" He said,
"No way!" Sonic said shocked,
"The Dark Chaos rewrote the entire universe?" Shadow said as she begins to think about her talk with Spira about the Dark Arms. This would explain why they still exist.
"G…guys…" TK said pointing up. "We got company!" They all look up to see a large mechanical spider the size of a large car on the ceiling.
"That looks like one of Eggman's robots…" Cream said moving closer to Blaze.
"Oh, ho, ho! This is a fascinating turn of events." They hear Eggman's voice over a speaker coming from the robot.
"What in Chaos are you doing here Egghead?" Sonic said as Shadow moves in front of her defensively. She knew the first one he'd target would be Sonic and she wasn't going to let that happen.
"Same as you, exploring these ruins. Though I'm curious where you came in from. This place must have multiple entrances." He said,
"You're not welcome here Eggman!" Knuckles said. "I won't let you damage this sacred place!"
"And how do you intend to stop me?" He said as the robotic spider drops off the ceiling and slams on the ground causing the ground beneath all of them to shake.
"We gotta get out of here before he brings the whole place down." Amy said as the ground beneath all of them begins to crumble.
"Amy give me your hand!" Tails reaches out as the floor collapses and they all begin to fall into darkness.