Chapter 3
A few days later, Caroline follows her usual routine of going next door to Brandy's house to make sure she ate breakfast. She was also going to give her a plate of cookies since her mother made extra. She hadn't had a chance to check up on her and the continual attacks from the Zarkon have her worried. She gets to the door it bursts open with Saya and TK standing here.
"Oh good! We were just about to come over and grab you!" Saya said as she pulls Caroline into the room and TK closes the door behind them.
"What's going on?" Caroline asked placing the plate of cookies on the table.
"Brandy transformed!" Saya said with a smile, Brandy calmly grabs the plate from the table and places it in the kitchen giving Saya a knowing look to not touch the cookies.
"That's nice, who did you transform into?" Caroline asked,
"I'm called Blaze the cat." Brandy explained.
"She's so cute!" Saya complemented, "Well, not as cute as Tails but you can't really beat a cute little fox." She said as TK looks away flustered.
"We're pretty sure you'll transform next." Brandy said to Caroline.
"Well it's more process of elimination at this point, it's either you or Sophia." TK clarified,
"Oh, okay. Caroline said with a smile, she felt a little nervous, but she wanted to be helpful to her friends.
"We should try to trigger it!" Saya said,
"I don't think that's a good idea." Brandy argued,
"Why not? It's not like we're in any danger."
"It would be interesting to see if there was a way to trigger it without any of us being in danger." TK mumbled to herself,
"See? Even TK thinks it's a good idea." Saya said in a cheeky tone.
"I didn't say that… There are too many variables where it could hinder us." TK said,
"If I can fight with all of you, I want to try it." Caroline said.
"Are you sure?" Brandy asked looking concerned. She didn't want Caroline getting hurt.
"Yeah, I want to do this." She said with a smile.
"Alright! We should head to the outskirts of town, there's something else I want to test out." Saya said as she walks towards the door.
"Did you all eat breakfast?" Caroline asked as TK and Brandy look away as Saya smiles and nods,
"Of course, I did! I wouldn't have survived this long without eating." She joked,
"And you two?" She turns to them and they both shrink back.
"TK, would you like a protein bar?" Brandy asked,
"I'd love one." TK quickly answers as they both run into the kitchen. Saya whistles at how they run away,
"Glad I ate." She joked as Brandy and TK walk back over with protein bars looking defeated. The head out of the city near a hillside with lush trees and fields of flowers.
"Are you going to tell us what you wanted to test out? TK asked,
"Have you noticed that the gems kind of glow? But after we transform back, the glow dims." Saya said,
"our transformations might be on a time limit." TK said,
"Bingo! I wanted to see if we could time it."
"But what if we drain out all of the power and then Spira shows up?" TK said as Saya looks shocked,
"Never mind that's a terrible idea," She ponders, "Oh well! We can still have fun!" She runs down the hill cheering as she rolls down a hill. They felt relaxed. It had been some time since they just enjoyed each other's company. But Caroline was still determined to learn how to transform.
"How did you trigger your transformation?" Caroline asked Brandy,
"Well, I felt terrible for getting Saya in a sticky situation."
"Ha! Pun!" Saya yelled laughing, Caroline giggles as Brandy lets out a sigh.
"I felt I needed to help. Then I heard this lady's voice in my head, and she told me to say the same words Saya and TK used to transform."
"Maybe all you have to do is say the words." TK said,
"Why don't you give it a try?" Saya said running up.
"Ok, 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." They all stare and watch but nothing happens. "Is something supposed to happen?"
"Yeah, you get blinded by a bright light and then you feel like a different person." Saya said, "I guess you have to hear the voice first." Caroline looks a little defeated.
"Here's a change of subject, who do you think the voice is?" Brandy asked trying to distract Caroline from feeling down.
"No clue, but she does sound familiar." TK said,
"I agree, we might just have to have you be in battle for you or Sophia to awaken." Brandy said.
"I'm a little scared." Caroline said.
"Don't worry Caroline, we'll protect you!" Saya said with a smile as her stomach growls. "And we should grab food!"
"We should just get a picnic basket just to feed you all the time." Brandy joked,
"Can we?" Saya asked as they all laugh. They pack up their stuff into Brandy's car and head back into town. They see an explosion back in town.
"It doesn't look like you'll have to wait long." TK said,
"Man! Can't she just give it up already?" Saya let out a sigh, "It's not like she'll win."
"We gotta be extra careful. You seem to be their target now." TK said,
"You've got a point; I'll be the bait!" she said as Brandy smacks the back of her head.
"No, you idiot! Why do you have to run right into danger?" Brandy said,
"Because the only way to go is forward! I have to keep on the move." She smiles. Brandy gives Caroling a look. The more this has gone for the more Saya's personality has changed. They began to wonder how much of her personality was Saya's or Sonic's?
They stop the car and jump out to see people running but there are no Zarkon flying in the sky. Explosions were still going off but there was nothing in sight. The four of them hide behind a small building and transform, Caroline was in awe of their new appearances.
"Stay out of sight, we don't want you to get hurt." Blaze said as she jumps up to a nearby building. Sonic runs around as Tails looks around. None of them can see anything.
"I don't get it, where are the Zarkon?" Tails asked, Sonic shrugs at her then continues looking around.
"No Zarkon today." Spira appeared on top of one of the rooftops.
"Oh good, you're here. Have you planned your surrender speech?" Sonic joked as another explosion goes off,
"I've brought something else to defeat you." She said,
"What games are you playing at?" Tails asked,
"Oh, nothing really. Why fight something you can't see?" Spira laughed,
"That laugh is starting to annoy me." Blaze said,
"Ah!" Sonic cries out as she's thrown into the side of a building.
"Sonic!" Tails flies over to her and Blaze follows.
"So, it's invisible." Blaze said,
"Crap, how do we hit it if we can't see it?" Sonic said getting back to her feet.
"With the power of sound." Caroline hears a voice in her head. She wonders if this is the voice, they all were talking about.
"Why sound?" Caroline asked,
"Because that is your specialty," The voice answered, "You already know what to do."
Caroline holds her hand to her heart praying this will work. "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." A white light glows around her. She transforms into Cream the Rabbit. Her hair in brown braids and floppy rabbit ears. Wearing an orange sleeveless collared shirt with matching skirt. Orange shoes with a yellow strap. The rest of them get distracted after seeing the bright light and seeing Cream appear.
"Wow!" Sonic said running over to Cream before any of them could blink, "Uh…"
"It's Cream." She said,
"Oh," She turns back to the others, "I lied!" She yelled back at Blaze and Tails. "Cream is the cutest." She hugs her.
"Aw, thanks Sonic." Cream said with a giggle,
"Enough of this! I will not be ignored!" Spira yelled,
"Yeah, yeah, we'll get to you!" Sonic said sticking out her tongue at her.
"Sonic, help!" Tails yelled as she'd lifted in the air by a force none of them can see.
"Hang on buddy!" Sonic yells running over to her and Cream follows. She jumps up and spin dashes near Tails striking something. The strike causes the thing to let go of Tails as Blaze catches her.
"You okay?" Blaze asked,
"I'll live," Tails said as Sonic runs next to them rubbing her head,
"It's definitely made of metal. We gotta find a way to destroy it." She said. Cream started to notice she could hear things she couldn't before. She could hear gears grinding together, it sounded like it was coming from behind Sonic.
"Sonic, behind you!" Cream yelled as she moves out of the way and not there was a hole where she used to stand.
"Whoa… I almost became a hedgehog pancake." Sonic said as Cream hears the noise around Tails.
"Tails move to your right." Cream said as she listened just as a nearby tree gets wacked.
"Okay, Cream is now our ears! Stay on your toes, Blaze, the second it's near you, light it up. That way it won't have anywhere to hide." Sonic said. Both Sonic and Tails continue to dodge when Cream tells them too while Blaze gets closer to where they would dodge.
"Now!" Cream told Blaze as she throws both of her hands out and jumps into the air creating a wave of fire. The Invisibility fades revealing a large robot that begins to short circuit due to the heat then completely start melting.
"So, when I said Light it up, I meant create light so we could see it… but that works too." Sonic said,
"Sorry, I didn't get to show off last time." Blaze said,
"Remind me not to make you mad." Sonic said with a laugh as she turns to where Spira was standing only to see her gone. "And she didn't even stick around long enough for me to gloat? Rude!" She said as they all laugh. A helicopter flies over and lands in the street in front of them. A woman wearing a blue vest runs up to them.
"I need you to come with me." She yelled over the sound of the helicopter.
"What makes you think we'll come willingly." Blaze said preparing to fight again,
"Go with them" Sonic hears the voice in her head, "I can explain everything." She holds out her hand to stop Blaze.
"Sonic?" Tails said,
"Let's go with them." Sonic said,
"Why?" Cream asked, she turns to us and smiles,
"Because the voice said we should." They all look reluctantly but follow Sonic onto the helicopter ad it flies off away from town.
They fly over a military base and land where a Man waits to greet them all. The woman leads them out of the helicopter towards the man. "Sonic this is starting to freak me out," Tails said,
"Don't worry buddy, if things turn for the worst, we'll high tail it out of here." Sonic said as they all nod in agreement.
"This way," The woman said,
"Good work agent Sally," the man said as she salutes him, "Right this way ladies," He said as they follow him inside. It was an underground bunker. The building looked small on the outside, but it was bigger than two football fields. That was only the front room. They continue to walk through doors that needed a key card to open and continue forward. They get to another large room which had a racetrack and exercise equipment. Finally, they are led into a small conference room.
"As you can see this underground base was made for a specific purpose," The woman said, "Let me properly introduce myself. My name is Sally A. Cornella, and this is my brother Elias. We oversee this division.
"And what division is that?" Blaze asked,
"The unknown, similar to area 51 but we're more active in defense than in research and study." Elias explained.
"So why bring us here?" Tails asked, Sonic stood there listening intently not wanting to interject just yet.
"Because we're fighting on the same side. We both want the Zarkon gone." Sally said,
"Before, you said this place was made for a specific purpose… that is it?" Sonic asked, Sally looks at her brother and he gives a nod of approval.
"Come with me." Sally said as they follow her into another room. This room was different, there was a sense of calm and lightness in this room, almost like it was floating. In front of them is an Alter on top of a set of stairs. They begin to walk up to see an enormous green emerald that was at least the size of a kitchen table.
"It's huge!" Cream said as they all begin to circle it. They could all feel it, a connection to this emerald.
"Where did you get this?" Blaze asked,
"It was dug up 50 years ago." Elias said, "But I'll let her explain."
"Her?" Tails asked as the emerald begins to glow and a lady with orange hair and wore a tribal like dress appeared causing all of them to jump back.
"Hello everyone," she said, "My name is Tikal, and I am the spirit that resides within the Master Emerald."
"Master Emerald?" Sonic said.
"Yes," She said with a smile, "The Master Emerald is the connection to the seven chaos emeralds."
"What are the chaos emeralds?" Cream asked,
"The gems imbedded within your bracelets." She pointed to Creams bracelet, "The chaos emeralds are an energy source and when you wear them you can tap into your past lives."
"So, who we are right now were our past lives?" Tails asked, "We're we from another dimension or something along those lines?"
"Yes, your past lives were from a place called Mobius, where you fought for the people. But a horrible accident caused the Freedom Fighters to disband and the world soon after."
"Past lives, other dimensions?" Sonic looked confused and having trouble keeping track of it all, "Can we get the short version before my head breaks?"
"You act more like him every day," Tikal said with a smile,
"Uh, okay…"
"To put it plainly, the Master Emerald and the seven chaos emeralds came here to help keep the balance of chaos, but when the Zarkon attacked you had to be awaked prematurely to help protect this world."
"So, the reason Sonic wasn't feeling well before the attack was you trying to get her to transform." Tails said,
"That wasn't fun for me." Sonic said,
"I apologize, it wasn't supposed to happen yet," she looks at Sonic with a sad expression.
"It's cool, I wouldn't have become the fastest thing alive otherwise," Sonic smiles,
"So that comes to our question," Tikal said as the four of them look at her confused. "Will you join us?" They all look at one another.
"May we have a moment in private?" Blaze asked as the three of them nod and they walk down to the bottom of the alter.
"What do you think?" Cream asked,
"I'm still skeptical," Tails said,
"I think we should help them." Sonic said,
"I do agree with Sonic, they know more about us than we do and having this knowledge may come to our advantage." Blaze explained,
"That does make sense," Cream agreed,
"You gotta admit Tails, it would be great to have backup." Sonic said.
"Well, I guess we can leave if we ever feel uncomfortable." Tails said,
"It's not like they can stop us." Sonic said with a smile,
"Then we've agreed?" Blaze asked and they all nod. They walk back up the alter.
"We'd be happy to help!" Sonic said with a thumbs up. They all smile,
"Excellent news, we can plan to get supplies transported here immediately, it would be safer for you all on base." Elias said planning out loud,
"That won't be a problem for me since I live alone." Blaze said as they all transform back into their original selves.
"Well I guess that confirms there's a time limit." TK said,
"AH! Does anyone remember when we started fighting?" Saya panics as Elias and Sally look at them shocked to see their appearances. "Oh right, we should introduce ourselves."
"You were the one who was seriously injured in the attack at the school." Sally said with a concerned look, "I read the report, how are you not in a hospital bed?"
"I might be able to explain that." Tikal said, "The chaos emeralds have massive amounts of energy, and the power of chaos is an unknown element. I remember one case where the power of chaos brought a close friend back to life."
"So, I was healed by the chaos emerald." Saya said looking at the blue emerald.
"Yes," she answered,
"I didn't realize you all would be high school students…" Elias said thinking to himself. "Now we'll have to ask your parents for permission. We should go now before the end of the day." He started walking towards the door,
"I will see you all later," Tikal said as she fades into the Maser Emerald. They leave the compound and go to each of their houses. Elias gave a speech of how they were in danger due to the Zarkon and that the government wants to keep them safe by keeping them on base. TK's parent struggled at the idea, but Sally was able to convince them. Caroline Mother agreed only if her and Brandy stay together. Saya's parents were more reluctant.
"I still can't believe you were at every incident." Her father glared at his daughter, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I knew you'd act like this…" says said "And it's not like I did it on purpose!"
"And you think you can keep her and her friends safe?" her mom asked,
"We have only the best, think of it like they started summer school early. I even have lessons thought up to accommodate for their loss of school time." Sally said,
"You never said anything about studying," Saya pouted.
"What do you want to do Saya?" her mom asked,
"I want to go with them," She said, "Not because I think they can protect me better than you can, but because I can't protect you... and besides, everyone else got permission to go so... I kind of want to stay with my friends and make sure they are ok."
"On one condition," her dad said, "You have to come to visit every once in a while."
"That can be arranged." Elias said.
They complete their discussion and then head back to what Saya dubbed Freedom HQ. Sally leads them to a hallway with multiple doors with simple rooms Saya and TK's rooms were the first in the hallway then Brandy and Caroline.
"Please try to get some rest." Sally left them as they all piled into one room sitting on Saya's bed excited and a little nervous about the future.
"What do you think will happen next?" Brandy asked,
"We find the other servers." Saya said,
"There should be seven" TK said,
"And we already know where one chaos emerald is!" Saya said as they all plan for the next day.
Sophia wakes up to her phone vibrating. She hasn't been sleeping well since the events at the school. She ignored the phone, but it continued to buzz. She turns away from her phone and closes her eyes, but the buzzing doesn't stop. She lets out a loud sigh then turns back to her phone pulling it off the charger and looking it over.
There were multiple messages from a group a chat she didn't recognize. But the name of the group gave it away, Freedom Fighters.
Saya Hey! I made us a group chat!
Brandy Is this a good idea?
Saya It's in a private chat so it's just us!
Sophia sat up while she continued to read beginning to regret ever giving them her phone number.
Saya Hey Sophia what are you doing tomorrow we should talk.
TK I'll make sure it's private.
Caroline What should we make for food tomorrow Brandy?
Brandy We can figure it out later
Saya Now I'm hungry.
TK Then go get food!
Brandy Didn't you make this chat to reach Sophia?
Saya Oh yeah!
Saya HEY SOPHIA ARE YOU AWAKE?
Caroline It says she's offline.
Saya Well crap! We told them we'd talk to her.
Sophia was starting to get concerned. What was it that they need to talk to her about? She gets up and starts getting dressed while she continues to read the chat feed.
TK she'll see all of these when she looks at her phone.
Brandy You just have to patient.
Saya …
Brandy Never mind, just wait till the morning I'm going to bed.
Saya Night!
The timeline on the chat skips and then the messages continue
Saya Good morning!
Saya We're planning on getting breakfast do you want to come?
TK Spamming the chat isn't going to make her see it.
Saya But I'm hungry!
Caroline Then let's go get breakfast.
Saya Great Idea! Sophia we're going to head over and pick you up
Sophia puts her phone down to tie back her black hair as the phone buzzes again. She grabs the phone and just sees the message on the lock screen.
Saya Here!
"Sophia!" She hears her mom say from downstairs, "There are some girls here to see you." She sounded bewildered looking at the four girls standing at her doorway. "I'm so happy she's finally made some friends." She said with a smile and they all smiled back.
"Yeah me too." Saya said as Sophia rushes down the stairs seeing them in the doorway with her mother. "Hi Sophia!" she said as Sophia glared at her causing Saya to jump a bit,
"I'm going out for a bit mom…" She said grabbing her jacket.
"Alright, have fun with your friends." Her mom waves by to all of them and Sophia closes the door behind her. They all back up a bit to give her room as she turns back at them glaring, "How the hell did you find where I live?"
"That's a long story." TK said,
"We can talk about it over breakfast!" Saya said as everyone nods, and they all walk towards the street. Sophia hadn't noticed that there was a large hummer limo parked outside her house.
"What the heck is all of this?" She asked,
"Let's just wait till we get to breakfast." Caroline said with a calming smile. She agrees and climbs into the limo with them all as they take an uncomfortably quiet ride to a small pancake house right outside of town. There were no other cars in the parking lot as they climbed out. Sophia wanted to say something, but she felt nervous about all of this. There were even men in black suits seated in the dinner watching them as they walked in.
"Sorry about this… We're still trying to reason with them." Saya said.
"What do you mean? What is this about?" She said getting impatient,
"Well you see, it seems we're been recruited by a secret organization that was built to train us." Brandy said.
"Apparently the gems in our bracelets are called Chaos Emeralds and they are a connection to our past lives." TK tried to explain a little further.
"Wait, what?" Sophia asked now realizing that Sonic was who Saya was in a past life. She was becoming overwhelmed with this new information.
"So, we dubbed it Freedom HQ and we want you to join us!" Saya said as the waitress brings them their food. "Don't make a decision just yet, Food's here!" She said quickly beginning to eat. She was beginning to wonder if Saya was always like this. She was a nuisance at school constantly bugging her during lunch at school, but her personality has profoundly changed.
They all finish eating after they all go into detail about who they all transform into. Brandy breaks through the casual conversation to get back to why they brought Sophia here.
"Alright, back to business, so Sophia… Will you join us?" She asked,
"No." She replied standing up from the table to go pay for her meal.
"No?" Saya repeated looking confused, they all stand up and follow her to the checkout stand.
"May we ask Why?" TK asked.
"Because I don't feel like it." She said as she finished paying.
"Why not?" Saya asked,
"Because this is too much!" Sophia yells causing them to back away. She noticed recently that her anger would control her, and it was beginning to scare her. "I… I need to go…" She said running off. She questioned all that has happened to her and wished she never touched the bracelet and for things to go back to normal.
"Let me go talk to her." Caroline said,
"Please don't go too far." Brandy asked as she nods and runs off after Sophia.
"Sophia!" She yells out for her, "I caught up to you…" She stops catching her breath, "You're really fast."
"Really? I never noticed." She said,
"Can I walk with you?" She asked and Sophia answered with a nod. She never had an issue with Caroline, and she felt comfortable around her and was hoping being around her would help calm her down.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't want to push, but I feel you made your decision a little fast." Caroline said, "There must be another reason why you don't want to help us."
"I just want life to go back to normal, I never asked for this." She said,
"I know, I sometimes fell that way too, but everything happens for a reason." Caroline said, "If you try too hard to deny the change it could come back to haunt you."
"I guess." Sophia agreed with her reasoning and let out a loud sigh.
"Now I'm not saying you should join us but why don't you see us in action and then make a final decision, that way you will be one hundred percent sure you don't want to join the freedom fighters."
"Freedom Fighters?"
"It's the name Sonic gave the group, I like it." Caroline said with a smile. Sophia couldn't help but smile with her. She could feel the good and pure heart Caroline has and it was soothing. "So, what do you say?"
"Fine, I'll come watch." She agreed, Sophia was learning it was hard to say no to her.
"Great! Let's go and tell the others." She said as they walk back to the diner. They see everyone standing outside transformed into their other selves.
"Caroline, you need to transform. Spira is terrorizing the city again." Sonic said. Sakura transforms into Cream the rabbit and they all climb into a helicopter. Sophia just not realizes that it was there and wondered why she didn't notice it sooner.
"Sophia, you coming?" Cream asked holding out her hand. She grabs on and pulls her aboard.
"Yeah! You won't regret watching us in action!" Sonic said, Sophia looked at her annoyed at how much energy she always has.
They arrive to their destination and see the streets deserted. Blaze helps everyone out of the helicopter and then it flies away.
"Go hide behind that building over there. It'll give you a clear view of everything and will be far enough away from the battle, so you won't get hurt." Tails said, Sophia gives her a nod and quickly runs over to the spot she pointed out. It gave her the perfect vantage point.
"Alright Spira! Come on out, we know you're here!" Sonic yelled as a large group of Zarkon runs out. They all looked angry and ready to fight. Spira floated above them watching.
"I've been waiting for you Freedom Fighters." She said,
"See? I told you the name would stick." Sonic said as they all chuckle and shake their heads.
"You seem pretty cocky, even though the battle has yet to begin." Spira said,
"You also forget that Sonic and the rest of us have beaten you four times now." Blaze added,
"All with close calls if you remember. And it seems you haven't brought a new member today."
"We don't need backup to beat you!" Sonic said,
"Then by all means, let the battle begin," She said as thy charge at one another. It was a lot for Sophia to keep track of with how much was happening. Blaze was in the back taking out any Zarkon that came close. Tails and cream were preventing any from jumping on top of the buildings. And Sonic was defeating any Zarkon in her path in a blue blur. She was beginning to enjoy watching them work together as a team. Sonic was good at leading them. She was confident they would win. But why was Spira so calm?
The battle was almost over only three of the Zarkon besides remained standing. All four of them were starting to look tired.
"ready to give up yet?" Sonic said, hiding that she was tired. She didn't want the others to lose faith.
"Oh, I've only begun." Spira said. Cream began to hear something behind them. As she turns around, she's grabbed by a large robot.
"Help!" She cries out being lifted by the robot away from the rest of the group.
"Hey!" Sonic yelled,
"The others were a distraction so we wouldn't notice the robot sneaking behind us." Tails said.
"That's right little fox, now all of you. Stand down." She said moving next to Cream. Her robotic hand becomes a blade that she points at Creams neck. "Unless you want your cute friend to get hurt."
"You Bastard!" Sonic yelled as Tails and Blaze hold her back, there was real concern on her face. Sophia had never seen her make a face like that before.
"You must help them." He hears the voice in her head. Her heart began to race as she knew that this was her decision.
"How?" She asked,
"You already know what to say…" The voice said.
"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!" She yells as she's enveloped in a bright red light. Her appearance changed to spiked black hair with red streaks. Wearing a black leather jacket and Black pants. Her red hover shoes making her float just above the ground. She remembered who she was, what she was. The Ultimate Lifeform, and she knew she'd be able to save Cream.
"Don't keep me waiting Sonic," Spira demanded, A black and red Blur runs in front of all of them and slices the hand of the robot holding Cream. None of them notice that time stops and before any of them can blink. Cream was in the arms of this stranger next to Saya.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" She said,
"How?... Who are you?" Spira was astonished to what just happened.
"I'm Shadow the Hedgehog, the ultimate lifeform." She said.
"How many of you are there?"
"It doesn't matter, because the five of us is all it'll take to defeat you!" Tails said,
"We'll see about that!" Spira said disappearing in a flash,
"That was way past cool!" Sonic said as she jumps with joy, "Man Shadow, Thanks for the save. I don't know what we would have done if you weren't here." She said.
"Thank Cream for that." Shadow said putting Cream down,
"Are you alright?" Blaze asked Cream circling her and making sure she wasn't hurt anywhere.
"I'm okay, thank you Shadow." Cream said with a smile, Shadow turns away trying to hide her face. All this attention was making her uncomfortable.
"I guess you made your decision." Tails said.
"Yeah, but don't think we're a team, I'm only going to help you save the world. Then I'm going back to my quiet life." She said.
"Deal!" Sonic cheered running up and hugging Shadow,
"Get off me!" She pushes her off,
"Yeesh! Looks like your past life was broodier than you are." Sonic joked as she sticks her tongue out at Shadow.
"You two can bicker later, let's get out of here before we change back. They all agree and take Sophia back to Freedom HQ where she meets Tikal, Elias, and Sally. She calls her mother to make sure her staying there would be alright. Afterwards Sophia sits on the roof looking at the sunset.
"Did you have any trouble convincing your mom?" Caroline asked as she climbs up to sit with her.
"No, it was rather easy. My mom thought of it as a way for me to make more friends. So, she literally threw me out the door." She said as they both chuckle.
"I'm glad you're a part of the group. I know Saya can sometimes be hard to put up with. But she's a good person." Caroline said as Sophia curls up her knees.
"You all have a good heart… I'm not sure about mine."
"What do you mean?" She asked,
"I remember my past life being more like an antihero… Where Sonic was in the spotlight doing good and being a ray of hope. I was the one in the shadows working the jobs heroes shouldn't have to." Sophia said. "I can't help but feel out of place."
"That will change over time, besides. You're think as if you're Shadow. You need to remember that you aren't him anymore. You're Sophia now." Caroline said with a smile. "C'mon, I think Elias was looking for you." The head back inside and Sophia looks for Elias.
"Ah, there you are. May I speak with you in private?" he asked. She nods then waves off Caroline as the two of them enter an empty conference room. "Tikal explained who you were in your previous life a bit and I believe your skill set might be able to help us get some intel on the Zarkon base." He places some files on the table for Sophia to read while he was talking. "I've put a small team together to check it out and I was wondering if you were willing to lead them? They call themselves Team Dark, what do you say?"
"When do we start," Sophia said with a slight grin.