Chapter 4
The following week was quiet, everyone was doing their own thing. TK received permission from Sally to tinker with one of the airplanes. She wanted to group to have faster transportation than the helicopter they have been using. Her memories of Tails reminded her how mush Tails wanted to catch up to sonic. Her only issue now was that the plane she was working with only carried two maybe three people.
"What's up TK!" She jumps a bit not realizing Saya had entered the hanger bay and stood right behind her.
"You scared me." She said,
"Sorry, I got bored. What are you up to?" Saya asked looking at the plane.
"I'm upgrading this plane," TK explained as Saya lets out a whistle.
"It looks sweet!"
"I think I'm going to call it Twin Tornado." TK said remembering the name of the first plane.
"Hmm… That name sounds familiar." Saya pondered,
"It's similar to the name of my first plane in our past lives." TK explained looking confused by Saya's response.
"Oh… Right… Well, Sally said not to be much longer since it's almost lunch time." She said quickly changing the subject. TK noticed this before, when she first transformed into Tails it took Sonic a second to recognize her.
"Okay, I'm almost done." TK said adjusting a few gears then putting down her tools. "There, finished, she should be ready for our next fight with the Zarkon.
"Nice! Now, let's get some grub!" Saya said as she runs towards the kitchen. They were the first ones there. As Brandy and Caroline enter right after them,
"Where's Sophia?" TK asked,
"She's on a mission… it seems she doesn't want to be a team player." Saya pouted.
"You should have known this would happen." Brandy said,
"Why do you say that?" Saya asked as we all look at each other confused. They all remembered that Shadow was never an actual freedom fighter. But didn't Saya remember that?
"You know… cuz Shadow used to be a part of G.U.N." Brandy said.
"Right," Saya chuckles, "Guess I don't remember everything." Saya said sitting down looking uncomfortable. They all sit with her and eat in silence, after which Saya quickly gets up and leaves the kitchen without a word.
"I don't think it's just me in thinking that was a little odd." Caroline said.
"That's the second time she's done that." TK said.
"What do you mean?" Brandy asked,
"Well, Saya saw me working on my plane and I told her I was going to call it Twin Tornado. But she didn't recognize the name,"
"Wasn't that similar to the name of your plane in your past life?" Brandy asked,
"Exactly! I would have expected Saya to remember that…" TK said looking a little hurt like she was forgotten.
"Maybe there are parts of her memory that are missing?" Caroline suggested,
"But why only Saya? If that were the case, we should all be like that." Brandy said,
"Unless… It's because of what happened…" TK said, and they all pause.
"It… would make sense…" Caroline said,
"If that is true, we have to keep it from her. There's no telling what would happen to her mental state if we told her about… that." Brandy said,
"Agreed," TK said as they all become quiet trying not to think about it.
"Let's change the subject. We're all going over to Saya's house tomorrow correct?" Sakura asked and they all nod, "Great! I'm going to bake her parents come cookies!" She said running to the kitchen,
"I'll help," Brandy said following her.
"I think I'll go see what Sally and Elias are up to." TK said as they wave her off. She heads to me room of operation where there are computers all over the room. Like what war rooms look like in movies.
"Ah, TK" Sally greets her as she enters the room, "Maybe you can give us a hand." She said walking over.
"What's up?" she asked,
"We're trying to reach team Dark, but our feed went down… Do you think you can fix it?" Elias asked,
"I'll take a look." She said as she began to go through wires finding how everything works. She tweaks with a few wires and they hear Shadow's voice from the speaker.
"Hey! Can anyone read me? Are we clear to go in?" She asked,
"Sorry about that Shadow, we had some technical malfunctions, but TK was here to fix it. You're all good to go. Let us know what you find." Elias said
"Got it, I'll need radio silence from here on out." She said as the line cuts off.
"Thank you for the help TK, you're a life saver." Sally said.
"What is Team Dark doing?" TK asked.
"We discovered a spot that might be the Zarkon Base. Team Dark is going in to confirm if it is. If we're right and that is the Zarkon hideout than after Team Dark is clear. We'll nuke the place.
"So, why didn't you just send us?" She asked,
"To be frank… one of your members doesn't comprehend the word stealth." Elias said,
"Saya?"
"Saya…" he responded with a sigh. They all knew that Sonic specifically, likes to make big entrances. There's nothing quiet about her.
"Well, I think I'm going to head over to the gym for a bit. I gotta keep up with Saya somehow." TK waved bye to them and headed towards the gym. She sees Saya running laps around the indoor track. "Saya!" She yells. Saya stops and runs over to her.
"Hey, what's up?" She said,
"Have you been running this entire time?" TK asked,
"Yeah," She was barely breathing heavy, it didn't even look like she broke a sweat. "It helps me think."
"What were you thinking about?"
"A little bit of everything… Mostly about what we're going to talk about if front of my parents." She said. TK didn't realize how much Saya was stressing about lying to her parent further. She began to ponder if they should plan before they head over.
"We should make sure everyone is on the same page before we head over." TK suggested,
"Yeah… Hey! Do you think Sophia will be back before we head over?" Saya asked,
"I'm not sure, maybe." TK said, she didn't want to worry Saya with the thought that Sophia might be in any kind of danger.
"Oh well, she comes if she comes." Saya said shrugging it off, "So what are you up to?"
"Just killing time, I was going to work out for a bit but I'm not really in the mood," TK said,
"I feel ya… Oh, they have that huge screen in the conference room. If I grab my console do you think you can set it up to play some video games?" TK answers with a nod and they go and set up everything in the conference room.
They played for a few hours and Brandy and Caroline joined them after they put the cookies in the oven. They all stop and head to the kitchen where they all see Sophia waiting for them. "Bout time you showed up," Saya joked,
"How'd your mission go?" Brandy asked,
"Crappy… It was an ambush. But nothing we couldn't handle." She said as they all sit down and eat.
"None of you were hurt right?" Caroline asked looking concerned,
"Omega got a couple of cuts and bruises, but he'll be okay." Sophia said,
"So why do you think they set up the ambush?" TK asked,
"For you," Sophia looks at Saya and they all look confused, "What? It's true, they were hoping Sonic would come and make a big entrance since she's so loud and they'd spring into action."
"Good thing we didn't come along then." Caroline said.
"I'm not that loud!" Saya argued.
"Really? Saya, the person egging on the Zarkon every time we fight them?" TK said as everyone laughs as Saya pouts.
"By the way, are you joining us at Saya's parent's house tomorrow?" Brandy asked Sophia.
"If that's alright..." She replied looking away, she still felt out of place.
"Of course it's alright! We just gotta make sure our stories are straight or else they'll suspect something." Saya said.
"We'll just tell them things people normally do when they go to camp. Cook, read, swim." Sophia started to list things off.
"Yeah… that last one won't work." TK said.
"Why?" she asked,
"Well…" Brandy looks uncomfortable not wanting to say it.
"I can't swim…" Saya said looking away embarrassed.
"Yeah I can understand that you being afraid of water and all." Sophia said not surprised. She knew Sonic was not a fan of water because he also couldn't swim.
"What? How did you?" Saya asked confused as TK makes hand gestures to stop talking about it.
"Never mind… let's get back to the plan. So swimming's out what other things can we talk about?" Sophia tried to quickly change the subject. But Saya looked at her confused.
"What's going on?" She asked,
"We shouldn't let our food get cold." Brandy distracted Saya with putting more food in her face as a buzzer goes off in the kitchen,
"Oh! The cookies are done!" Caroline jumps up and runs to the kitchen,
"Please don't burn your hands!" Brandy said shoving the plate into Saya's hands and running after Caroline.
"That happened one time!"
"I think I'm going to head to my room. Elias wants a report of what happened during our mission." Sophia said standing up,
"I'm gonna go take a walk before it gets dark out…" Saya places the plate on the table and runs out.
"Don't go to… far…" TK yelled but Saya was already out of ear shot. "Why do I even try."
"What was all the waving about?" Sophia asked,
"I'm pretty sure Saya has gaps in her memory from when she was Sonic."
"Wait, she doesn't remember?" Sophia looked surprised,
"That's the vibe we've all been getting. We're fairly sure it's because… of what happened." TK said looking down,
"Oh…"
"We need to keep the past talk to a minimum until her memories come back on their own. If she finds out what happened, there may be more changes than just the blue hair."
"Change her more than how she's already changed?" Sophia tried to joke.
"I think that might be part of it. She didn't get the memories, but the muscle memories are still there." TK explained, as Caroline and Brandy walk out of the kitchen.
"That actually makes sense." Brandy said,
"So we just have to not talk about the past. That shouldn't be too hard." Caroline said. They all agreed. Sophia left to go write her report while Caroline and Brandy waited for the cookies to cool off before placing them in a bag to take over to Saya's tomorrow. TK goes back to the hanger bay and works on the Twin Tornado while she waits for Saya to get back before they all go to bed.
The following day they all get ready to head over and head over to the limo to ride over. Saya was already waiting for the others pacing back and forth while TK was failing to calm her down. Caroline walks towards them holding the cookies with Brandy walking behind her.
"Brandy, can you please tell her that everything is going to be okay." TK asked as Brandy stands in front of Saya and grasps her by the shoulders, stopping her from pacing.
"Saya, I promise, everything is going to be alright." She said not breaking eye contact.
"But what if they find out?"
"Do you really think your parents will believe we transform into animal like creatures and protect the world from aliens?" She asked,
"Well when you put it like that…" Saya paused,
"Then you have your answer. Now," Brandy looks over at TK, "We're going to go grab Sophia really quick, Caroline can you try to keep Saya calm?"
"Of course!" Caroline smiles. TK and Brandy go and look for Sophia.
"I hope this goes smoothly so Saya can stop freaking out." TK said with a sigh,
"I agree, I like it better when Saya doesn't worry about anything." Brandy said as they walked into the gym room and see Sophia.
"Hey Sophia!" TK greeted her,
"What's up?" She asked drinking some water. She had just finished a light workout.
"It's time to go over to Saya's." Brandy said.
"Is it time already? I guess I zoned out." She said with a laugh, "Let me get dressed really fast and meet you up front." She said running to her room.
"I'm glad she's getting more comfortable around us." Tk said,
"Besides around Saya," They both laugh,
"Must be the whole Sonic, Shadow rivalry." TK said. Brandy knew she didn't know Shadow well in their past lives. Blaze wasn't originally from Mobius either, but she remembered that Tails explained it to her at one point. She began to zone out thinking about the past.
"You didn't have to wait for me." Sophia said running back over to them snapping Brandy out of it.
"Aw, we knew you wouldn't take long." TK said as they all head back over to Saya and Caroline.
"What took ya so long? Saya asked,
"I had to change, sorry." Sophia said.
"it's because you're too slow," She teased,
"Or you're too impatient." TK said as they all laugh and Saya sticks her tongue out at them.
They climb into the limo and head to Saya's house. Continuing to discuss what they were going to say to her parents. Saya looked like she wanted to already be over with. They arrive and walk up to the door where her father greets them.
"Hello everyone, come in." He said as they slowly walk past him and head into the living room.
"Hello," Saya's mom said walking out from the kitchen with a tray of tea and snacks. they all sit down on the couches and chairs still an uncomfortable air coming from them.
"How is everything going?" Saya's dad asked,
"Good…" Saya said hesitantly,
"Just good?"
"Yeah," She responded as her parent look at one another.
"So nothing's happened?" her mom asked,
"Nope!" TK said,
"Do you know if they've found a connection to you all and those aliens?" Saya's dad asked.
"No, they don't tell us anything, just ask questions like what we did in school and stuff, but they let us do what we want mostly." TK said making up stuff to say on the spot.
"Some days they give us homework." Caroline said as Saya winces at the sound of the word.
"They have a track so I can still run." Saya said,
"Oh that's good!" Saya's mom said handing them all a cup of tea, "I was worried you would go stir crazy there since you don't like enclosed spaces."
"Yeah, I was happy when I saw it too. But it's not like we're locked away. We can go outside whenever we want." Sophia added,
"We all have our own rooms and everything," Caroline said.
"I'm glad you girls are doing alright." She father said,
"Is there anything in particular you girls want for dinner?" Saya's mom looks at Brandy who has kept her mouth shut this entire time.
"Um… I'm fine with anything," Brandy said,
"Spaghetti!" Saya said as everyone nods in agreement,
"Alright, I'll get started on dinner. Why don't you girls go play some videogames in Saya's room." She said with a smile and walks over to the kitchen. They all agree and start heading upstairs.
"Saya, may I have a word?" Her father asked, Saya looked at the group fearful but took a deep breath.
"I'll be right up, TK, you know where my games are." Saya said as TK nods in response. They head up the stairs and wait for her to come up. Whey all feared what they were talking about.
Saya sits back down with her father trying not to show any panic in her expression.
"I wanted to warn you,"
"Warn me?" Saya looked confused,
"Do you remember that Doctor?
"The one who never got me a chili dog." She pouts,
"Of course that's what you remember." He shakes his head and chuckles. "He's been hanging by here a lot more trying to get a sample of your blood."
"Creepy."
"Agreed, I want you to let Sally and Elias know to have him on their radar. He might become dangerous with how obsessed he is about this."
"I'll let them know, thanks Dad."
"Anything for my little speedster." He said, "Now got play with your friends." She nods and heads into her room to be quickly bombarded with questions.
"Is everything alright?" TK asked,
"Did he find out?" Caroline asked
"Whoa! One at a time!" Saya said feeling overwhelmed.
"What did he want to talk about?" Brandy asked,
"Well, it seems that doctor has been harassing my parents to get a sample of my blood."
"The one you were arguing with when you were in the hospital?" Sophia asked,
"That's the one."
"He just wanted to tell you that?" Caroline asked,
"My dad just wants to make sure Elias and Sally find out so that they can keep an eye on him." Saya said. They already had the Zarkon to worry about, but they didn't think they would have to worry about a stalker.
"What's the doctors name?" TK asked, she looked like she had a theory playing in her mind.
"His name is Doctor Kintobor." Saya said. They could all see the gears turning in TK's head, but she just stays silent.
"I don't recognize that name." Caroline said,
"Neither do I. But we'll keep a lookout for him." Saya said, "Nothing we can do about it now, let's play some games!"
"They all take turns playing games until Saya's mom calls them down for dinner. They all run downstairs and begin to eat dinner enjoying the peaceful quiet. They all knew they had something to fight for. Saya has her family and her friends and she will do whatever she can to keep them safe.
"I love your cooking mom! There's nothing like it!" Saya said finishing off her third plate of food.
"Make sure you leave some for everyone else." Her dad shakes his head.
"I can't help it! It's so good." She said with a smile. They all laugh and finish their food. The evening came to an end and it was time for them to head back.
"Please don't be strangers." Saya's mom said waving them off as they walk over to the limo.
"That was nice," Caroline said.
"Yeah it was." Sophia said.
"Agreed, I was worried over nothing. But now let's get back to saving the world." Saya said as they head back to freedom HQ
That next morning alarms sound early in the morning. Caroline struggled with the loud noise. After she transformed into Cream the Rabbit her hearing became heightened and sounds became a constant cause of her headaches. They all head to the Computer room.
"What's going on?" TK asked,
"The Zarkon are attacking the mayor's office." Elias explained,
"You need to stop them before they get their hands on the mayor." Sally said,
"Then there's no time to lose." Saya said as they all hold out their hands, "The Seven Servers are the Seven chaos, chaos is power, power enriched by the heart, the heart in the controller, the controller serves to unify the chaos. Chaos Control!" They all say as they transform. Caroline had some hesitation fearing what happened last time they fought the Zarkon and she got caught. They fly to the mayor's office on the helicopter since the Twin Tornado was not ready yet. They all jump out, Cream helps Blaze to the ground, Tails helps Sonic and Shadow warps to the ground.
"Alright, let's just skip the whole fighting part and get to the part where you run away." Sonic said but there was no response. It appeared that Spira wasn't there.
"Where's Spira?" Tails asked,
"What? Not going to make an appearance?" Sonic taunted, "This will be a piece of cake, let's get this over with so we can grab some chili dogs," Sonic said,
"It's six in the morning." Shadow said rolling her eyes as they all charge the Zarkon.
Cream kept her distance, she could fly and had great hearing but little in the experience of actual fighting. She knew the best way to fight them was to use their strength against them. She caused a few of them to run into one another.
"Cream look out!" Blaze yelled as Cream hadn't noticed one of the Zarkon jumping at her. She was fast enough to dodge the attack and her instinct was to cove her face with her arms and close her eyes and brace for impact. She paused as nothing happened, she slowly opens her eyes and sees Shadow standing in front of her and the Zarkon was on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Shadow asked,
"Yes," Cream said looking at her shoulder. Her jacket was all torn up and she was bleeding. "You're hurt!"
"I'll be fine," She said brushing off the pain.
"You okay Shads?" Sonic asked running up,
"Just finish this already." Shadow said sounding frustrated.
"Leave that to me." Blaze said as she uses her pyrokinesis to scare the Zarkon and they run away. Cream just stared at Shadows shoulder terrified, it was her fault she got hurt.
"C'mon, let's get you back to HQ and get you patched up." Tails said as she helps Shadow back onto the helicopter.
"Cream?" Blaze goes up to her, "Are you okay?" she asked placing her hands on her shoulders. Cream just shakes her head, "Don't worry, Shadow's going to be fine." Blaze leads Cream into the helicopter.
"Maybe you should leave the heroism to me next time Shads," Sonic said jumping on right before the helicopter takes off.
"Sounds good to me," Shadow said as the helicopter lands back at freedom HQ, "And will you stop calling me that." She looked at Sonic annoyed.
"What? Shad's? I like the nickname. It makes us feel like closer friends." Sonic jumps off the helicopter and transforms back into Saya.
"That only makes one of us." Shadow glared as Saya backs away from her.
"You should go to the infirmary." Tails said,
"I'll go with you," Cream said transforming back to Caroline.
"We'll inform Sally what happened." Blaze said as her and Tails transform back and follow Saya to the control room while Shadow and Caroline walk to the infirmary.
"Shadow I…"
"You don't need to apologize. I would have done it again in a heartbeat." She said,
"But…"
"Don't worry about it Caroline, I'll be better before you know it." Caroline just realized that Shadow hadn't transformed back yet.
"What haven't you transformed?" Caroline asked,
"I have a theory,"
"About what?"
"Do you remember when Saya first transformed into Sonic?" Shadow asked and Caroline answered with a nod, "She was horribly injured but when she transformed into Sonic all of her injuries were gone. But when she transformed back her injuries returned as well. So I wondered, what if it works both ways?"
"Then if you transform, the next time you're Shadow you might still be injured,"
"Exactly, so if I allow the Chaos energy to heal me as Shadow, I won't have to worry about it." She explained,
"That's a good point," Caroline said,
"What happened?" a woman inside the infirmary rushes up to them.
"Who are you?" Shadow asked,
"I'm the head Doctor on this project. My name is Helen Quake." She said, "But most people call me Dr Q."
"She's injured," Caroline said,
"Hm…" She looked at Shadow's shoulder, "Alright, let's take off the jacket and clean that up." She said helping Shadow take the jacket off, "Here, hold this for me dear." She hands Caroline the jacket. "I didn't get your names."
"I'm Caroline, and that's Shadow,"
"Nice to meet you, it's pretty cool that you have these powers." Dr Q said beginning to clean the wound and Shadow winces in pain. "It seems the Chaos energy is helping with the healing process. The wound has already stopped bleeding." She said as Caroline looks at the long claw marks on Shadows shoulder.
"That's good news." Shadow said,
"I'll just wrap it up in bandages, so it doesn't get infected before it fully heals." She said, Both Caroline and Shadow were incredibly surprised at how laid-back Dr Q was about this entire situation.
"Thanks, See Caroline? Everything's alright." Shadow said, but Cream still felt bad it was written all over her face.
"All done, you're free to go." She said with a smile.
"Thank you, Dr. Q." Caroline said as they both leave. She hands Shadow back her jacket.
"I hope this gets fixed." Shadow joked as she transforms back into Sophia and the jacket disappears from her hand.
"I think I'm going to talk to Sally about some stuff…" Caroline said starting to walk away and Sophia grabs ger hand stopping her.
"Hey, don't let this eat at you. You can see I'm fine so there's no reason to beat yourself up over it." She said,
"I know, I'll see you later." Caroline said as Sophia lets go of her hand reluctantly. Caroline knew she was right; she knew she had to find a way to not be a burden but still be able to help. She thought Sally could help her figure out an idea. She walks into the computer room and sees Elias and Sally talking. "Can I talk to you in private?" Sally nodded and led Caroline to one of the conference rooms and they both sat down.
"Now, what's on your mind?" She asked,
"I need your help. The only things I can really do is fly and hear things well. I don't know how to fight. I feel like I'm a burden to everyone, but I still want to help." She said.
"I heard what happened, Elias and I were just talking about it and I think we've come up with a solution…"
Sally and Elias call everyone into the computer room for a meeting.
"Yo, Sal! What's up?" Saya asked,
"Caroline has something she'd like to tell you all." Sally said, as they all look at Caroline confused.
"Well… With what happened on the last mission we came to the decision that I will be sitting out until I have more combat training."
"What?" Brandy said.
"But instead of being beside you, I'll be able you tell you everything through these." Caroline holds out headsets for them and they all grab one.
"Wait… I'm still confused," Saya said,
"She's saying that she'll be with us but at a safe distance." TK clarified.
"OH! That makes more sense." Saya said,
"I'll join back with everyone after I feel more comfortable with fighting." She said.
"If that makes you more comfortable. We're behind you all the way." Sophia said,
"Thank you all, also this way you'll be able to reach Sally and Elias as well."
"She has a point. Let's make the most of this and support each other every way we can." TK said.
"Freedom fighters gonna save the day!" Saya cheers as the alarm goes off.
"Let's go! Caroline you're our eyes and ears!" Brandy said,
"Got it! Now go protect the world!" Caroline said as they leave. She felt a weight off her shoulders. It all worked out perfectly and she had no reason to worry.
The next few weeks became frustrating to Saya. She had noticed that they were all treating her differently ever since TK started to build the Twin Tornado. They were being secretive about something and she knew it had to do with their past lives. But every time she tried to bring it up, they would either change the subject or distract her. She knew the only way to get answers at this point was to go to the source. "Tikal! Hey, Tikal are you here?" Saya yelled as she walked into the Shrine room and shut the door behind her. She runs up to the Master Emerald looking around as Tikal materializes.
"I am always here, how can I help you Sonic?" she asked,
"It's Saya…"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm used to your past self."
"That's actually what I'm here to talk about. I need your help. Everyone is keeping something from me, and I can't figure out what it is." Saya said,
"Wait…" She pauses and looks at Saya for a long time almost as if she's looking through her. "You don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?"
"Your past life." Tikal said, "When you first transformed you should have acquired all of your memories when you were Sonic."
"Wait what? I don't remember anything… I mean I know some things but it's all a bit fuzzy."
"Hmmm… I think I know why." She said, "Do you remember when we first met, and I noted about a terrible accident that caused the fall of Mobius?" She asked and Saya nods in response. "You had something to do with that accident."
"What happened?"
"I cannot say,"
"Oh c'mon! not you too!" Saya huffed with frustration,
"Because I think the only way you will truly remember is by reliving the experience." Tikal explained.
"Ok… Now I'm lost…" Saya said as Tikal giggles,
"There's nothing to worry about, think of it like watching a play." She explained,
"So, I'll be safe?"
"Yes,"
"Then let's do it!" Saya said without hesitation.
"Then please sit down," She said as Saya sits down and Tikal has her lean against the Master Emerald. She could feel the energy coming from the emerald flowing through her. "Now, this may feel weird." She said as she presses her index finger on Saya forehead.
"What do you…" Everything around her fades away like a wave of black. All she could feel in the wind against her and the smell of grass.
"Sonic! Hey Sonic, wake up!" He opens his eyes to see Tails, his best friend a twin tailed fox leaning over his form in a wide grass field in Mobotropolis. "Jezz Sonic, I knew you wanted to relax but I didn't think you'd fall asleep out in the middle of a field." Tails said as Sonic sits up.
"Sorry little buddy, all this peace and quiet, I couldn't help it. I don't remember the last time we relaxed." Sonic said,
"Yeah, but it's time to go." Tails said as Sonic stands up and they both make their way to Tails' hangar bay. They walk in to see Blaze, a lavender colored cat and Cream, a tan and light brown rabbit talking to one another. They both stop talking and look at them as they walk over.
"What took you so long?" Blaze asked,
"We were worried Mr. Sonic." Cream said,
"Sorry, I lost track of time." Sonic said with a chuckle,
"He fell asleep."
"Tails! How could you rat me out like that?" Sonic said melodramatically looking betrayed.
"You're lucky we're not on the clock." They hear as Shadow a black hedgehog with red streaks in his spines walks up to them from another room. "You're late as always." He said with a sour face.
"I go with the wind; you should know that by now Shad's." Sonic said as he just rolls his eyes at him.
"SONIC!" He hears footsteps behind him, and winces and he jumps out of the way as Amy Rose, a Pink Hedgehog rushes up tackling Tails to the ground.
"Amy, please let go…" Tails said as Amy lets go and helps Tails to his feet.
"Sorry Tails, Sonic wasn't supposed to move out of the way." She glared at him.
"What? Force of habit." Sonic shrugged, they were just waiting on one more person.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to make sure the Master Emerald was in good hands before I left." Knuckles, a red Echidna said walking in.
"Team Chaotix looking after it?" Tails asked,
"Yep," Knuckles said,
"I guess that means we're all here." Amy said,
"Are you sure you want to come Cream? This is going to be dangerous." Blaze asked,
"Oh course Miss Blaze! Amy and I promised to help you get the Soul Emerald's back. That includes getting them back from Dr. Eggman." Cream said.
"Okay… But stay by my side." Blaze said and Cream nodded. Blaze fit in well with the Freedom Fighters, so it was easy to forget that she was from another dimension and was the guardian of the Soul Emeralds which was her worlds equivalent to Mobius' Chaos Emeralds. But Eggman, an evil genius and Sonic mortal enemy, got a hold of them by fooling Blaze into thinking she could save Shadow's teammates, Rogue and Omega… But it was too late. Now Eggman has all the Soul emeralds and all the Chaos Emeralds. None of them know what he plans to do with that amount of raw power.
"Alright, Let's get going!" Sonic said as they all climb into Tails' Tornado Rocket. After he stole to Soul Emeralds Eggman fled Mobius and stayed on the space colony ARC and this time… They won't let him escape.
"Everyone strapped in?" Tails asked as They all check, Blaze checks to make sure Cream was buckled in correctly.
"We're good for lift off!" Sonic said with a thumbs up and they blast off. Both Shadow and Knuckles were glaring at one another. They were both remarkably close to Rogue, but now she was gone and it's hard for them to come to terms with it especially since Knuckles blames Shadow. Sonic understood that anger and frustration, he's felt the same ever since they lost Sally and Elias…
"We're almost there." Tails said as Sonic snaps out of it, this was no time to drift into the past. Eggman needed to be stopped. They dock the Tornado Rocket and burst into the ARC expecting a welcome party… but there was no one.
"Where is everyone?" Cream asked,
"I don't know Cream. Let's have a look around but keep quiet." Sonic said as they begin to walk in further. They hadn't seen a single swat bot since they arrived. They all began to doubt if Eggman was here. The get to a corridor that leads to four different hallways.
"Now what?" Knuckles asked sounding frustrated,
"Blaze, can you sense the Soul Emeralds?" Amy asked,
"No, it's weird… this place feels off. I can sense that they are on the ship, but I know not of which direction." Blaze said. At that moment, Sonic feels a strong surge of Chaos energy coming from the left corridor. But no one else seemed to notice. He knew this was Eggman's way of challenging him to a one on one fight.
"Well then, it's going to take forever if we take one hallway at a time. Let's split up to cover more ground. Cream will go with Blaze down the far-right corridor. Shadow, you and Amy go down the next one and Knux and Tails the third one and I got the last one here on the left." Sonic said,
"I don't know if we should split up." Knuckles said,
"It'll be fine, that's why you're in groups." Sonic said,
"You're not in a group." Blaze said crossing her arms,
"That's because I can move faster on my own and can catch up to another group after I look down my hallway." Sonic said,
"I could do the same, why don't you go with Amy?" Shadow said as Amy looks at Sonic with sparkles in her eyes,
"Because she'll be too distracted by me to look." Sonic said as Amy pouts,
"Here, take these walkie talkies so we can keep in touch." Tails said handing Sonic, Amy, and Blaze one. "If any of us find Eggman, we'll call the others and they'll come running."
"For once Sonic you have a good idea." Shadow said,
"Hey! What do you mean, for once?" Sonic said looking insulted, "Eh whatever, I'll see you after I run down this hallway." Sonic said as they all go down their respective corridors. Sonic runs ahead, he knew they all came to fight Eggman together, but he didn't want to lose any more friends…this was his battle. Sonic knew only one of them was getting off the space colony ARC, alive.
He checked every room he passes but no luck finding Eggman. He reaches the very end of the corridor that opens to a large open observatory type room. The entire planet could be seen through the glass. Sonic lets out a whistle in amazement at how beautiful the planet looks and how far down it was… The door shuts behind him.
"Oh, Ho, Ho! I knew you'd come Sonic! Only you could feel that flux of Chaos energy." Sonic turns to see Eggman inside of a giant robot with huge spikes on its back.
"Eggman…" Sonic braces himself getting ready to fight. "Of course I'd come, this is between you and me. Winner takes all!"
"I agree, you little rodent! Let's finish this!" He said as the robots large arm lunges at Sonic. He dodges and as he does the spikes on the fists burst out almost hitting him.
"Whoa! Cool trick Egghead, what else can it do?" he taunted,
"Oh, much more. Thanks to the Chaos Emeralds."
"What about the Soul Emeralds?" Sonic asked as he dashed the arm, but it barely dents it.
"I have other plans for those, let me show you." He stopped his attack and turned around. He turns back to face Sonic holding a Soul emerald in one hand and a Chaos Emerald in the other.
"Wait! Don't do it! You don't know what damage it could cause!" Sonic yelled running towards him,
"Let's see which is stronger, Chaos energy or Soul Energy." He said as he touches the two emeralds together.
"NO!" he yelled but it was too late as they are blinded by a flash of light as he's blasted back from the force which shakes through the entire ARC. Sonic gets back up to his feet after the light begins to fade to see both Emeralds still in his hand. But then the Soul Emerald turns from a vibrant blue color to a solid black then shatters in Eggman's hand.
"It looks like Chaos energy wins… Let's see how the Guardian reacted to that?" He said as a screen lowers and Sonic can see Blaze and Cream on the screen. Blaze seemed to be on the ground Shaking in pain.
"Miss Blaze what's wrong?" Sonic could hear Creams voice through a speaker.
"The Soul Emeralds… they're gone… My whole world… is gone." She said. The aftershock of the soul emeralds being destroyed caused Blaze's entire dimension, to disappear.
"Hm… Looks like there are some side effects if the Emeralds of a world are destroyed." Eggman said,
"You Monster! You just killed billions of people and you don't even care." Sonic yelled in a rage and he quickly attacks but it is deflected.
"Don't be hasty," Eggman said as two more screens lower and Sonic can see the rest of his companions. He stops running, Eggman controlled the entire ARC. All of this was an elaborate trap. And Sonic knew he held all the cards.
"Leave them out of this!" He yelled,
"And fight fair? I don't think so." He attacks and Sonic barely dodges. At this point, until he can think of a plan all he could do was try to stay out of the way of those sharp spikes.
"Hey… Sonic, do you read me?" They both hear Tails through Sonic's Walkie Talkie. Eggman stops his attack.
"Tell him anything, and he and Knuckles will be jettisoned into space." Eggman Threatened. Sonic knew Eggman was just toying with him and he didn't want it to end any time soon.
"Y…yeah Tails I read you, what's up?" Sonic responded to the Walkie Talkie,
"Have you found Eggman yet? Our path led to a dead end." Tails said,
"Nope, mine was a dead end too, I'll come join you shortly. Then we'll see if the others had any luck." Sonic lied.
"Okay, don't take too long, that weird quake we just felt has Knuckles worried." Tails said,
"Don't worry little buddy, everything's going to be just fine." He said as he feels a sharp pain in his side. He hadn't noticed that one of the spikes slithered behind him while he was keeping an eye on Eggman and stabbed him in the back. He drops the Walkie Talkie as the spike pulls out of his back causing him to collapse and start to bleed out.
"Ahahahahahaha! Yes! I've finally done it!" Eggman said jumping out of the robot and running over to Sonic who was having trouble moving. "I won! And now I get to watch you die!" Sonic knew he couldn't die here… All of his friends are counting on him. He desperately looks around and sees a large lever that looks like it controls the eject window. If he was going to die here, he was taking Eggman with him.
"I… I'm not… going down… that easy…" with a burst of his remaining strength he runs up to the lever and grabs it with both hands.
"Wait! What are you doing? No… Don't!" But before Eggman could run over, Sonic pulls down the lever and the window opens. Sonic holds onto the Leaver tightly as all the air and anything not nailed down is sucked out into the vacuum of space… Including Eggman. Sonic was barely holding on, but the Lever begins to glow as it moves back into position closing the window. Something helped him, he looks around to see he was alone. It was finally over, Eggman was gone. An Alarm sounds as the Entire ARC begins to shake. Sonic knew there wasn't any time, he had to get to the others, but he could barely move.
"Please wait Sonic." He hears as the seven Chaos Emeralds float around him, and Tikal appears in front of him.
"It was you; you were the one who saved me. Thank you." Sonic said, he was beginning to feel dizzy from the blood loss.
"There isn't much time, if you don't hurry, you'll all die." She said,
"But I can't really do anything like this." Sonic said looking down at his wound.
"I may have a solution for that. If you go Super Sonic, your injury will go away long enough for you to save everyone."
"But…" Sonic knew there would be a catch. There's always a catch.
"After you and your friends are safely back on Mobius, your injury will come back… and you will die." She said with a pained look.
"Do it." Sonic said,
"Are you sure? Once we do this there's no going back." She said,
"If I have to choose between me and my friends. I will always choose my friends." Sonic said as the Chaos Emeralds spin around Sonic and enter his body transforming him into Super Sonic. Sonic gives Tikal a thumbs up as he no longer feels the pain from the injury, and she fades away. Sonic Breaks through the door and fly's off to go find his friends.
"Sonic!" He hears Amy and Shadow run up to him, "Where's Eggman?"
"Dead, and it looks like he's trying to take us all with him. We gotta get out of here. You two head towards the Tornado Rocket, I'll find the others." Sonic said as they nod and part ways as Sonic finds Tails and Knuckles.
"What's going on?" Knuckles asked,
"No time! Get to the Tornado I'll get Blaze and Cream!" Sonic said as he flies off to find them. He finds them in the same spot he saw them on the screen. Blaze was still on the ground.
"Mr. Sonic, I can't get Blaze up!" Cream said panicked as Sonic easily picks her up.
"C'mon, follow me." He told Cream as they both fly to the hangar bay and find the others just in time for Blaze to wake up.
"What happened?" she asked as Sonic lets her down.
"We'll talk about it later." Sonic said,
"The Tornado Rocket is gone… We're trapped!" Tails said,
"I'm scared," Cream said holding onto Amy,
"Everyone get close to me." Sonic said as they make a small circle, "Tikal! Lend me your power!" He said as he begins to focus Chaos energy surrounding them in a shield. The ground beneath them crumbles until all the ARC became floating space junk. Sonic could start feeling the pain in his side again. He knew he was running out of time. He focuses on floating the Shield back down to Mobius and everyone lands gently in the grass field Sonic was previously sleeping earlier that day.
"Amazing…" Knuckles said,
"We did it!" Tails and Cream cheered as Sonic's super form fades as he and the Chaos Emeralds fall.
"Sonic!?" Amy Screams with a gasp barely catching him before he hits the ground. She gently lowers him laying his head in her lap.
"What happened? How did you get like this?" Shadow asked looking concerned,
"Eggman got a good shot in before I sucked him into space… I don't have much time." Sonic said looking at Blaze. "Blaze, I'm sorry I couldn't save your world." He said,
"You tried your best." Blaze said with a pained look, "Now I must find a new home."
"You still have a home here. Who knows, maybe you'll want to join the Freedom Fighters. Even with Eggman gone someone will try to take his place." Sonic said as she shows a small smile.
"You're going to be okay… right Mr. Sonic?" Cream asked with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Cream, I'm not going to lie to you… But you gotta stay strong. You're a freedom Fighter now." Sonic said as she continues to cry and hugs onto Blaze.
"Shadow," Shadow kneels next to Sonic, "You stay they fastest thing alive for me." Sonic said as Shadow answers with a slow nod.
"Amy…" Sonic looks up to see Amy already crying.
"No… No…" She shakes her head; he reaches up and wipes the tears away from her eyes.
"I'm sorry I could never return your feelings… But I want you to know that you are the strongest woman I have ever met and there will always be a place for you in my heart." He said as she grabs his hand and continues to cry. Sonic looks over at Tails, his eyes were full of tears, but he was trying to be strong.
"Hey, be strong little guy." Sonic said,
"But… But… You can't leave! We've always been together… What will I do without you?"
"I know… But I need you to be strong… You're the leader of the Freedom Fighters now and you've got to be an example." Tails nods still crying as Sonic looks at Knuckles, "Knux…"
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare say it!" He yelled angerly, he couldn't take losing any more friends.
"I need you to listen!" Sonic raised his voice snapping Knuckles out of his rage. Sonics vision was getting blurry. "There's a huge favor I need you to do for me…"
"What?" He asked as Sonic looks at Tails,
"I'm not asking you to join the Freedom Fighters or anything just… every now and then… check up on Tails for me… He's still a kid after all… Can you do that for me pal?" Sonic asked, his breath was becoming shallow.
"I promise…" Knuckles said, "Damnit! This isn't fair!" He yells as he begins to cry, "You can't die like this! Not after all we've been through!" He falls to his knees and punches the ground.
"Sorry… But life's like… the wind… it just… drifts away…" The wave of black floods Sonic's vision,
"NO! SONIC!" Knuckles' cries were the last thing he hears as everything goes dark.
"Saya! Damnit, Saya wake up! TK go get Dr. Q and hurry!" Saya hears Sophia's voice as she starts to gain feeling in her body again.
"Okay!" Tk said running out of the room. Saya's eyes open slowly to see Caroline and Sophia staring down at her.
"Um… hi…" Saya said trying to get up, the last think she remembered was leaning against the master emerald but now she's lying on the ground.
"Don't move, Dr. Q is coming to make sure you're okay." Caroline said,
"Everyone out of the way!" They hear Dr. Q as she pushes them out of the way and kneels next to Saya. "Hey Saya, let's make sure you're not hurt anywhere."
"Guys, I'm fine…"
"I'll be the judge of that." She said flashing a light in her eyes, Saya notices Tikal also standing over her.
"I'm sorry Sonic, but you didn't wake up when you were supposed to, so I called the others." She said,
"It's Saya…"
"You idiot! What were you thinking?" Sophia yelled,
"Well, it's your guys' fault! You were hiding something, and I don't like secrets." She argued.
"We were planning on telling you…" TK said looking away.
"What, that I'm at fault for our world being destroyed?" Saya said, they all look away from her not knowing what to say.
"That's not true…" Tikal said as they all look over at her confused. "Sonic, your death was the terrible accident." She said as they all look back at one another not knowing how to process this new information.
"WHAT?"