-Blaze-

I look up at the sound of footsteps, though in fact I knew someone was coming already. I act like I don't know some of what I know because it makes them nervous. It's Chess; I can't see behind her, but I know Trick and Gaze are there. I look into her eyes for a few moments before she looks away. Not many people hold my gaze for long. I suppose there must be something strange about my eyes. Her own green-gold eyes are large and slanted, brushed at the tops by her long fringe. She looks relieved.

"Chess." I acknowledge her presence. I can't help sounding like I expected her, unless I really try hard. "I knew you'd turn up. Crossfire's back here too. He got hit on the head, but he'll be fine in a little while." In the shaking when the missiles hit, some of his stuff fell off its rack and hit him. I'd just moved out of the way, or I'd have been hit, too. I don't quite know how I do that, but it's always been my way, to sidestep an instant before something hits the spot where I was standing. I don't dodge; I don't ever have to. Dangerous things and I just never exist in the same place at the same time.

My brother Crossfire is the exact opposite. In battles, he gives the most damage, but he also gets hit worst. Sometimes it's like he's in a storm of shots, most of them blazing out from one or another of his weapons, but others aiming unerringly for him. Crossfire doesn't talk much, and when he does he argues with everyone but me, over things as trivial as who knocked into who, but together we're a perfect team. Most people I've met - not too many - think that's odd, because we're almost exact opposites, but there you have it. In truth, I think we're more opposites than anyone knows. Crossfire knows how to hate, has a cold, diamond-hard anger burning in him all the time. I don't. I can't hate. It's not in my makeup, I simply couldn't do it even if I wanted to. I can fight, and do, though.

Trick looks in, past Chess, eyebrows raised questioningly, her expression saying, how's Crossfire? and I know that's what she's going to say.

"He's fine." I get up, putting down the piece of dully polished metal I've been absently holding. Then I bend down again, pick up Crossfire. For all his size - apart from Trick and Gaze, he's the tallest of us - he's pretty light, and I can carry him easily. Even asleep or unconscious, his features never really relax, the cold flame of his anger showing through. Crossfire never really looks peaceful. I'm told I look open and unguarded, but not quite vulnerable, and I'll have to take Trick's word for it, seeing as I can't see myself when I'm asleep. Chess is going to go and find Amy next; I get up and follow her.

When we reach the control room, Amy and Tails are standing, looking at - Sonic. He's awake, and he's here. He's looking at Shadow, who's standing against the wall, eyes half-closed. Sonic looks concerned, sad, a little overwhelmed by everything he must have just been told. I sit my brother against the wall, not exactly gently, but in the right way so he won't so much as have a stiff neck when he wakes up - which he will soon. I don't know how I know that, I just do. Like everything else I know.

"Sonic," I say. He turns and looks at me. "The others call me Blaze. This is my brother, Crossfire." Sonic stares into my eyes, holding my gaze. I want to look away, but something tells me not to - and I always trust my instincts. After a while, he looks away, to Tails.

"Tails, what happened to the Chaos Emeralds? Do you have them?"

"No, except for one. But that's not important anyway. You wouldn't be able to go Super, I'm afraid."

"Why in the world not, Tails?"

"Because Eggman destroyed one of them - that's what Shadow was trying to stop him from doing. We had all of the others, then, but Shadow was holding them, so we lost them."

Sonic's mouth drops slightly open. Tails nods. "It was the blue one - not the pale blue, the other one. Now we only have the green. I think Robotnik has the rest."

I interrupt their discussion. Somehow, I feel Sonic needs time to think.

"Sonic, you should take Shadow someplace safe, where he can rest. Your old bed is probably the best place." Sonic nods and does as I say, but there's an odd look in his eyes. A little like the one the others sometimes get when I tell them something. Supporting Shadow, who's practically asleep on his feet, Sonic leaves the room.