Chapter 5
Saya was placed on Medical watch for the next twenty-four hours after her recent trip down through chaos. Sophia has been silently raging about her actions, she knew Sonic was reckless but seeing the past like that could have repercussions she doesn't understand. She began pacing around thinking about it when the alarms go off, with a loud sigh she heads to the computer room the join the others.
"The Zarkon are attacking town square." Sally said, "And Since Saya is not cleared for battle, it'll be up to you three." She said as TK, Brandy and Sophia transform. "Shadow, you'll be on point this mission, let's stop the Zarkon in their tracks." She gave them encouragement as they immediately head towards town.
"Do you think Saya will be okay?" Tails asked looking concerned,
"I'm sure she's fine, we'll all go check up on her after this is done." Blaze said, "That sound good Shadow?" She asked as Shadow answers with a nod.
"You should be there shortly." They hear Cream say through their earpieces.
"Thanks Cream." Shadow said as they look below to see the Zarkon waiting for them. They could see Spira with them this time as well. They jump down and get ready to fight.
"Okay Spira! This time you're going down!" Tails said trying to sound like Sonic.
"Well, well, well it took you long enough Soni…" She looks around, "Where is Sonic?" She asked.
"That's none of your business." Blaze said.
"Of course it is! I have to…" She pauses, almost revealing more information. "Never mind, I'll be leaving."
"You're not going to fight us?" Shadow said.
"You're not worth my time." She said warping away. Shadow's face twists with anger. She knew they were just as strong as sonic, possibly stronger.
"Are you alright Shadow?" Blaze asked as Shadow looks at the other Zarkon looking ready to fight.
"I will be after I smash some heads." She said rolling up her sleeves as she warps in front of one and kicks it out of the way. Blaze and Tails watch as Shadow defeats every single one of them on her own, not sure how to intervene or if they even should. She was full of rage, something she hadn't truly let out before. The Zarkon flee after getting genuinely beaten.
"Do you want to check in on her?" Blaze asked Tails at they both look over seeing Shadow catch her breath.
"Sure…" Tails said hesitantly walking over to Shadow, "Feeling better?" she asked,
"Not really, but it'll do for now. Let's head back." She said as they head back to Freedom HQ and meet up with Caroline.
"How upset do you think Saya is right now?" Brandy asked,
"Do you think she'll laugh when she hears Spira left before you all fought?" Caroline joked but Sophia did not look amused,
"It's not even funny," She snapped, "We're just as strong as Saya, maybe even stronger but Spira didn't even think we were worth her time." Sophia looked insulted at what happened as she clenched her fist.
"It's alright Sophia, we all know you're strong." Caroline said with a reassuring smile,
"Thanks," Sophia said as they all walk into the infirmary to check on Saya.
"Hey!" Saya said happily as she begins to climb out of bed.
"Oh no you don't! You still have two more hours before you're free to go." Dr. Q demanded,
"What, I'm not allowed to get up at all?" Saya argued,
"No." Dr. Q glared as Saya sits back down and begins to pout.
"How are you feeling?" TK asked,
"I'm fine, I've been fine this entire time!" Saya said projecting her voice so Dr. Q could hear it.
"This wouldn't have happened if you asked me to supervise while you decided to take a trip down memory lane." She responded. "I still don't understand why a section of your hair turned blue…" she mumbled to herself. It was difficult to notice unless you were really looking but the streak of blue in Saya's bangs had become thicker.
"She's right Saya, that was reckless. You could have been trapped in your own memories." Brandy said as Saya frowns.
"How could I not when you were all keeping it from me?" Saya asked,
"We didn't know how it would affect you." TK said,
"You all do realize that we're reincarnations, right? So that means that all of our past selves died." Saya said,
"When you put it that way…" TK said looking embarrassed,
"They were worried you'd go and start blaming yourself." Sophia said,
"I mean… I was the terrible accident. Still not sure what that means." Saya said with a shrug, as an uncomfortable silence takes over the room.
"C'mon Caroline, let's go make dinner." Brandy said as Saya smiles,
"Yay food!" Saya cheered as Brandy and Caroline leave the room. "So did anything exciting happen with the Zarkon?" She asked,
"Nope! Nothing to report!" TK quickly said, "I'm going to go work on the twin tornado, I'll see you at dinner." She said leaving. Both Sophia and Saya look at one another confused,
"That was weird…" Saya said,
"Agreed, I'll go see what's up." She said following after TK.
"See you at dinner!" Saya said as Sophia leaves the infirmary and heads to the hanger bay with TK.
"Hey," Sophia calls out to TK running up to her. "What the hell was that all about?" she asked,
"I don't think it's a good idea to tell Saya about Spira." TK said as she continues to move over to her toolbox and begin shuffling through tools.
"And your reasoning?"
"Think about it, ever since Brandy Transformed into Blaze it's like Spira is specifically targeting Sonic." TK explained as she pulls out a small wrench.
"I don't understand." Sophia wasn't there when Brandy transformed so she's not seeing the same pattern that TK is.
"That fight, Spira had a strange weapon and she waited to use it on Sonic. It shot out a sticky material and pinned Sonic down." TK began to explain while she tweaked with the Twin Tornado, "When Sonic was trapped, Spira made a comment that Sonic was wanted alive."
"Wait, what? Why am I just now hearing about this? What does she need Sonic for?" Sophia bombarded her with questions.
"I wasn't one hundred percent positive that was what Spira said, a lot of things were happening at the time. And I don't know but we can't let Saya catch on or she'll do something dumb like use herself as bait or something." TK explained, "She teased about doing it once before."
"I get what you're saying but I don't like the sound of it… What if we end up in this same situation as yesterday with the Master Emerald?" Sophia asked,
"She doesn't think everything through, she's reckless and if she thinks she's doing it for the greater good she'll put herself at risk. I know Sonic very well and she will end up doing something that'll get her hurt." TK said as they paused their argument,
"You called her Sonic." Sophia said as TK looks shocked,
"I didn't even realize… her personality has changed more into his recently…" TK said,
"Do you know why that is?"
"Her memories didn't come to her right away like they did for the rest of us, it's probably how she connected to her past life." TK theorized,
"And the blue streak?"
"That… I'm not sure, I think it might have to do with her transformation being forced but I'm not positive. It could have to do with Sonic's bond to Chaos energy."
"We should probably not let her hang out around the Master Emerald for long periods of time." Sophia said, "But back to before, I'm fine not telling Saya about Spira. But if we start to get concerned, we tell her." TK nods in agreement.
"I'm going to continue working on this, I'll see you in a bit." TK said as Sophia leaves the Hangar bay and goes to sit near the racetrack and read a book. It had been a while since she felt truly relaxed. She missed the solitude that she had before, but she also was starting to feel attached to her new friends. Something she was not used to. Even Saya was beginning to grow on her, she knew that Saya could be a pain, but she has a good heart. Sophia hears a tap as she sees Saya tapping on the wall next with her knuckle to get her attention.
"Dinner's ready!" Saya said with a smile, "Did you talk to TK?" she asked as Sophia got up to her feet.
"Yeah, she's just worried about you." Saya looked as her confused, "You're kinda reckless, you know that?"
"I get that a lot, but the only reason why I'm so confident is because I know my friends have my back." She smiles again, "That includes you Sophia."
"Then the same goes for me." Sophia said as Saya looks at her confused again, "Just… run things by us first before you leap… or we won't be able to catch you." She said looking away as Saya hugs her. "Hey! Get off!" She struggles free becoming flustered.
"I can't promise, but I'll try." She said as they both go to the dining hall where the rest of them were waiting.
"What took you so long?" TK asked,
"We were having a talk man to man." Saya said,
"Don't you both Identify as girls?" Brandy asked,
"What's your point?" Saya asked with a shrug as she sat down, and they all eat together.
The next day, TK decides to talk to Brandy and Caroline about what her and Sophia talked about. She believed they would understand it a little better than Sophia did. She walks into the kitchen which is in shambles it appears like they are working on something. Both Brandy and Caroline enjoy experimenting with cooking. "Hey TK." Brandy pops her head up from a cabinet which takes TK by surprise,
"Hello!" Caroline calls out from the fridge,
"Hi… do you guys have a second to talk?" TK asked as they both stop and walk over to her.
"What's up?" Brandy asked,
"It's about Saya, I'm worried that Spira is up to something." TK said,
"Yeah, Sophia told us." Caroline said, TK was surprised to hear that. "I agree that Saya is reckless, but I don't agree about keeping secrets from her especially what happened last time."
"I know but it's for her own safety." TK said,
"We'll keep quiet unless it's something we feel she should know." Brandy said,
"Thank you, so, what are you making?"
"Cookies!" Brandy cheered,
"Yeah, but what kind of cookies?" TK chuckled,
"Green tea with white chocolate." Caroline said,
"Sounds tasty."
"We'll let you know when they are done." Brandy said with a smile.
"TK!" They all hear Saya run into the kitchen yelling which causes them all to jump, "Come spar with me!"
"What?"
"Come Spar! I asked Sophia but she's reading so she just glared at me… And obviously Brandy and Caroline are cooking so you're my last hope." She begged,
"Okay, let's go." TK agreed with a laugh as she follows Saya to the training room.
"Alright, we fight as ourselves first." Saya said beginning to stretch.
"Wait, why?"
"Because, what if we're attacked and can't transform? We have to be able to defend ourselves. It's what all the superheroes do in the comics." She explained. She had been giving this a lot of thought, Saya remembered her father warning her about Dr. Kintobor and it sparked her idea to practice self-defense, but TK looked as her confused. She's never spared before so she's not entirely sure what to do. "Try to attack me."
"Okay…" TK said swinging a punch at Saya. She moves to the side and grabs TK by the wrist and throws her to the side making her fall to the ground not knowing how she got there.
"You've gotta pay attention to everything around you, don't act like you're fighting me. Act like you're fighting one of the Zarkon." She said helping TK get back to her feet.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?"
"Well, now that I have my old memories, I can tap into them. Just because we're not transformed doesn't mean we can't use our skills to our advantage. You're building the Twin Tornado, aren't you?"
"You have a point," TK said as they begin to spar again, Saya giving TK pointers on footing and stance for the next few hours until Brandy and Sakura walk in.
"Come try our cookies!" Brandy said as they stop and run over.
"Wait, you're not trying to poison me, again right? Saya made a look at Brandy,
"It's not my fault that someone forgot to mention a Mint allergy!" Brandy argued, "Just eat it!" She said as they both take a bite out of a cookie.
"Mmm, Tasty!" Saya said shoving the rest of the cookie in her mouth.
"Let's go give some to Sophia before Saya eats them all." Caroline jokes as the alarms go off.
"Looks like that'll have to wait," TK said as they all run to the computer room and see Sophia waiting for them.
"What's going on?" Brandy asked as Caroline hands Sophia a cookie.
"The Zarkon are attacking a nearby city." Sally said,
"Then let's go greet them." Saya said as they all transform and head out. They arrive to see Spira and the Zarkon gathering people into the park.
"What are they doing?" Shadow asked,
"Not sure, Let's go ask them" Sonic jumps out of the helicopter midflight taking them all off guard.
"Sonic!" Tails yells jumping out and grabbing her by the arms and slowly flying her down to the ground. "Don't jump out of a helicopter when you can't even fly."
"The Helicopter wasn't that far away from the ground; I would have been fine." Sonic said as Shadow and Blaze jump down.
"Look who decided to grace us with her presence." Spira interrupted, "Feeling better?"
"Not that it's any business of yours, yes, now, how 'bout you let them go so we can get to the part where we beat you to a pulp." Sonic said, Spira jumps down off the floating platform and walks up to Sonic.
"I won't be doing that because this time you'll lose." She said as her mechanical hand quickly made a grab for Sonic, but she jumps back and runs behind her in a blue blur,
"Sorry, but I don't think we're at the friend stage to have hugs yet. Especially with scary metal hands." She joked as four Zarkon jump out to attack her, but she just moves out of the way. "It'll take more than that to get the jump on me."
"Now she's just showing off…" Shadow said with a sigh as Sonic runs back over to the group,
"You all going to join the fight anytime soon or are you all in awe at how awesome I am?" She joked as they all shake their heads in unison and join the fray. Spira swings her mechanical arm at Sonic, "Whoa!" She jumps out of the way again as Tails runs over to watch Sonic, she knew she needed to make sure Spira doesn't actually grab her.
"I got your back," Tails said.
"Aw Yeah! This should be fun." Sonic said as they clasp hands and fly up as Tails throws Sonic at the Zarkon and she spin dashes them. Spira changed to fighting Shadow and Blaze was fighting the Zarkon that were surrounding the people.
"Shadow, let's switch dance partners." Sonic said as they high-five as if she's being tagged in. Sonic starts fighting Spira and Tails stays close keeping an eye on both. Another Zarkon jumps at Tails and Sonic and they dodge in opposite directions. Tails hears a noise behind her but before she could try to dodge Spira grabs her by the neck and lifts her off the ground.
"Tails!" Blaze yelled as the fighting stops. Tails grasps at the mechanical hand trying to pry herself free, but the metal grip is too strong,
"Let her go!" Shadow demanded,
"Not until you surrender," She said tightening her grip, Tails was struggling to breathe. She began to see what Saya meant about watching her surroundings.
"We're not going to surrender." Sonic said,
"Then you'll watch your friend die." She said as Sonic lifts her hand,
"No, because I'm going to save her."
"How are you going to do that? If you move, I'll snap her neck." She said as the Zarkon begin to surround them. Sonic closes her eyes focusing her concentration,
"Chaos Sphere!" Sonic said opening her eyes and a light blue force field surrounds Tails as she falls to the ground unharmed with a severed robotic hand next to her. The force field cut off Spira's robotic arm. Before Tails can react to what happened, Sonic was already standing in between her and Spira.
"How?" Spira said grasping her broken mechanical arm.
"I learned a new trick," Sonic said as Spira disappears like mist as do the rest of the Zarkon.
"What just happened?" Blaze asked,
"Now that I remember everything, I thought of the shield I made using Chaos energy, Pretty cool right? Although I wasn't sure if it was going to work."
"So, you put Tails' life to chance?" Shadow said,
"Kinda…" Sonic said looking horrified.
"Thanks for the save Sonic." TK said reassuring her.
"I'll always have your back little buddy." Sonic said as the Helicopter lands.
"Let's get out of here before the press attack." Blaze said as Tails grabs Spira's robotic hand. They climb back into the helicopter and fly off. Midflight Sonic transforms back into Saya, they all look at her confused,
"Why did you transform?" Shadow asked,
"I… Didn't…" Saya said,
"You should still have plenty of time left." Blaze said,
"I guess Chaos Sphere takes a lot out of the Chaos Emerald." Saya said,
"You should refrain from using it then." Shadow said as they get back to Freedom HQ.
"I'm sorry…" Tails said feeling like that only happened because she wasn't fast like Sonic. Saya looks at TK confused and just smiles,
"You'd do the same for me, don't worry about it. Besides, it looks like you got a souvenir out of it." She joked pointing at the robotic hand. "Now to take some more cookies!" she said running off.
"You better save some for everyone else!" Brandy yelled running after her,
"What are we going to do?" Shadow asked as she transforms back into Sophia,
"I'm not sure… But I'll be here in the hangar bay if you need me." Tails said turning into TK and looking down at the hand. "I have work to do."
A few weeks pass after their last encounter with Spira, everything was quiet, but Brandy felt restless. Recently she's felt different, her body felt off and she didn't know why. She stayed in bed later than the others to the point where Saya goes up to her room and knocks on Brandy's door before walking in. "Hey Brandy, you feeling alright?" She asked before sitting at the foot of the bed.
"Yeah," Brandy said stretching, "I just didn't want to get out of bed, what's up"
"You didn't show up to breakfast and everyone was worried, so I came to check up on you." She said,
"Oh, sorry about that. I'll be up in a bit." Brandy said sitting up,
"Okay! Caroline and I are just sparing so come join us whenever." She said standing up and walking towards the door.
"Sounds good," Brandy said as Saya leaves, Brandy takes a couple of minutes before rolling out of bed to force herself out of her room. She gets dressed and starts heading to the Gym to join the others, wishing she could shake the feeling she was having. The alarm sounds, she lets out a sigh as she transforms into Blaze and heads to the computer room to meet up with the others.
"What are they doing this time?" Shadow asked looking annoyed,
"It's strange, we got a call about the Zarkon, but they aren't attacking. They're in a field outside the city." Sally said,
"They're waiting for us?" Tails said,
"But why so far away from the city?" Elias asked, "they must be setting up a trap."
"Then we'll spring the trap before they catch us off guard." Sonic said,
"This is how you end up in the infirmary." Cream said as Sonic laughs uncomfortably feeling called out by the comment.
"None the less, they are up to something and have to be stopped." Sally said,
"Then let's get this over with." Shadow said. They quickly leave and fly over to where the Zarkon were located just outside of the city. The entire ground was coated in a blanket of ice and snow.
"I thought it was May…" Tails said,
"Something tells me this wasn't caused by the weather." Blaze said,
"Let's finish this quickly, I'm not fond of the cold." Shadow said as the helicopter comes down close enough to the ground for them to jump down. The ground was solid ice and before any of them could react Sonic slips and falls.
"It's been a while since I've been on Ice." Sonic said as Tails helps her to her feet.
"This might be difficult." Blaze said,
"Hello Freedom Fighters," Spira appears with a large robot, "Do you like our battlefield for today?"
"It's a little cold but I think it'll be fun." Sonic said, "I like what you've done with your hand, silvers a nice color for you." She jokes,
"Yes and I intend to keep it, so you'll be fighting this today. He's sure to send a chill down your spine." She said as the Robot walks over,
"Ha! I see what you did there," Sonic Laughed as she slips and falls again, Blaze helps her to her feet as she looks confused at Shadow. "Hey Shads?"
"Don't call me that."
"How are you able to stand on the Ice? Blaze has really good balance and Tails can fly so why is it you're able to stand?" She asked,
"Hover shoes," Shadow said,
"Aw, c'mon that's totally cheating!" Sonic said,
"Not it's not." She said as the robot attacks, Blaze grabs Sonic by the arm to move her out of the way as they all dodge.
"Well that was rude." Tails said,
"I don't think it cares," Shadow said as she attacks. The robot deflects and points a cannon at Shadow,
"Shadow, get out of there!" Blaze yelled as Shadow uses Chaos Control to get out of the way. The beam blasts into some trees and they are coated in a block of ice.
"Yeah… Stay away from that…" Sonic said fighting to keep her balance.
"Heads up!" Tails yelled as the robot shoots again and they all dodge. Slowly throughout the fight Sonic was starting to figure out her footing trying to skate more than run. But she was still occasionally slipping.
"You seem to be having a difficult time Sonic," Spira said,
"Nobody asked the peanut gallery!" Sonic said as she jumps and strikes the robot almost causing it to fall over. Blaze stops moving, she starts feeling weird again, but this time it was different, it felt warm and familiar. "Missed me!" Sonic taunted the robot as she slides out of the way of its strike.
"Be careful," Tails said as her and Shadow strike it again. Blaze strikes it with a fireball and is staggers.
"Looks like the robot's weakness is fire." Shadow said,
"Alright, keep it busy. Blaze try to aim your attacks at its feet to slow it down. Once it's slowed down, we'll knock it off balance and we'll destroy the cannon." Sonic said giving the lead, they all nodded to the plan of attack and the three keep the robot distracted as Blaze starts to slowly walk to the side.
"Now!" Shadow gave the signal when she noticed an opening. Blaze created a fireball in her hand ready to throw it, but she stopped again… that warm feeling began to resonate with her body, it felt similar and warm. She knew this energy. The energy of a Soul Emerald.
"Blaze move!" Tails yelled as she snaps out of her trance to see the robot pointing the cannon right at her. The robot fires the cannon, and she knew she wasn't fast enough to get out of the way in time before it hit her. Before she could try an attempt to dodge, she feels a strong push as Sonic appears in a blink knocking Blaze out of the way of the blast and getting hit with it instead.
"Sonic!" Blaze screamed as the snow blast dispersed to show Sonic incased in a block of ice. Blaze was in shock at what just happened, in a flash Sonic was able to save her only to get herself trapped instead.
"Well… that was a lot easier than I thought." Spira said, "This will make things more manageable when transporting her."
"What do you want with Sonic?" Tails asked,
"That's none of your business little fox." Spira said as her and the robot move closer. "Now move or you'll become Ice cubes as well." Tails and Shadow stand in between Spira and Sonic. They weren't going to let Spira take her.
"You will not touch her!" Blaze raged as she walked towards them most of the rage was towards herself. Sonic was trapped again for knocking her out of the way. Shadow and Tails get out of her way feeling the heat radiating from her. The ice melts beneath her feet with each step as she's surrounded by rings or fire. As the Robot begins to charge another attack Blaze jumps into the air above it, blasting the rings of fire at the robot as they pulsate and explode until the robot begins to break down and melt. Shadow and Tails look at one another horrified at the amount of power she just used, Spira was making a similar face as Blaze turns her glare at Spira ready to continue to fight. "If you wish not to have the same fate, I suggest you run.
"F…Fine! But good luck getting Sonic out of that ice alive." Spira said disappearing.
"Blaze, Spira's right, if we don't get Sonic out soon she'll die." Shadow said,
"I'll melt it before that will happen," Blaze said as her hands catch fire ready to melt the ice.
"Wait!" Tails pleads, "If you melt the ice too fast, she'll end up like that robot…" she looks over at the pile of metal.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Blaze asked still trying to calm down.
"Can you melt just a small portion so that you can grab Sonic's arm?" Tails asked,
"I can." Blaze said with a deep breath, finding her center as she places her hand onto the ice and begins melting it until she reaches Sonics arm and slowly melts just around her arm trying not to burn her. "Alright, now what?"
"Take your arm out." Tails said as Blaze does as she said, "Shadow, will you be able to induce Chaos Control and warp Sonic out of the Ice?"
"I can try." Shadow said as she reached into the ice and grabs Sonics arm, "Chaos… Control!" She yells as she warps five feet away from the ice with Sonic with her. Sonic lets out a gasp for air as she starts to collapse but Shadow catches her. "Easy, take slow breathes." Tails and Blaze run over as Sonic looks around confused not knowing what happened.
"Whoa… Wipe out… What happened?" She said as they could all see her shivering.
"You were turned into an ice cube." Tails said,
"That would explain the brain freeze." Sonic joked but that only triggered Blazes anger,
"Are you insane? What were you thinking pushing me out of the way like that? You could have died!" Blaze yelled as Sonic's ears lower as she gives her a sad look.
"But if you became frozen… you would have died. You're the only one who could melt the ice." Sonic said as they all look at Sonic shocked. She was able to piece together that if Blaze was trapped in ice, they wouldn't have had a way to save her in time. She would have frozen to death before aid could even come help them. But Sonic knew if she was incased in ice instead that Blaze could get her out. She figured that out in a matter of seconds mid battle… "And I'm out now so that's in the past." She said rubbing her shoulders, "Cold…" Shadow takes off her jacket and wraps it around Sonic's shoulders.
"Please try to be more careful…" Shadow said,
"That'll never happen," Tails said,
"Mmm… Shadow coat is warm." Sonic smiles as they all laughed. "So Blaze, want to tell us why you froze mid attack… pun intended."
"I thought I sensed the Soul Emeralds." Blaze said,
"But that's impossible." Shadow said,
"That's why it threw me off."
"Well let's check it out just in case." Sonic said,
"Are you sure? We should get you back to HQ." Tails said as Sonic stands up,
"A couple more minuets won't hurt." She said, "Lead the way Blaze." Sonic said as Blaze focuses on what she felt before and begins to follow it. They all follow her as they make it to a small nearby crater.
"Is it here?" Shadow asked,
"Wait… I fell it too." Sonic said moving towards the hole. They look within and there as a fist sized crystal similar in color as the Master Emerald. Blaze reaches down and grasps it.
"I don't feel anything," Shadow said,
"This is not a Soul Emerald." She said,
"It feels like the Master Emerald." Sonic said as they all notice she was starting to shiver again.
"We can investigate it back at HQ, c'mon Dr. Q is going to want to check on you." Tails said.
"Fine," Sonic said as the head back to Freedom HQ, they all walk Saya to the Infirmary where she was waiting with blankets and tea.
"Caroline told me what happened," Dr. Q said wrapping the blanket around Sonic as she transforms into Saya,
"You're overreacting Doc I'm just a bit cold." Saya said as she hands her the tea.
"Still, the human body isn't meant to be encased in ice. Not even one with superpowers. So you'll be spending the night in here again. I want to make sure there are no side effects."
"At this point we might as well put my bed here in the infirmary." Saya complained as Sophia smacks her in the back of the head, "Ow."
"Then next time be faster." She said walking out of the room, Saya looked shocked at the jab she made at her.
"Actually Doc, I think I'm all better. It seems Sophia was able to warm me up with that burn." She chuckles as she sits on the bed.
"We're going to go figure out what this is." Brandy said as Tikal appears in front of her.
"you found a shard of the Master Emerald!" She said,
"Wait the Master Emerald isn't whole?" TK asked, as Tikal shook her head,
"Some of the pieces broke off during the calamity."
"You mean when I died." Saya said,
"Yes,"
"That must be why I mistook it for Soul Energy, they are very similar." Brandy said.
"Do you know how many pieces are missing?" TK asked,
"I'm not sure." Tikal said,
"Side Quest!" Saya cheered,
"Not until I clear you." Dr. Q said as Saya pouts again,
"It shouldn't be a big deal, if you come across the feeling again Blaze you might want to look into it." Tikal said, "For now let's return this piece," she said as TK and Blake follow Tikal to the alter room.
"Why was Saya able to sense the Chaos emerald where Sophia and I were not?" TK asked Tikal,
"You all have a connection to Chaos, that is why you were all bonded to the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic's senses to Chaos could be heightened due to her memories returning." Tikal said,
"So it might be temporary." Brandy asked,
"I do not know," The walk up to the alter and like a magnet the piece of the Emerald Shard connects to the Master Emerald. "But you should keep an eye on Sonic regardless, her body has reacted to chaos energy differently than the rest of you."
"Her hair turning blue." TK said,
"Yes, that could also be a side effect."
"Will it hurt her?" Brandy asked,
"It could,"
"Great, add that to the list of reasons Saya is in danger." TK joked sarcastically. "Thanks Tikal, we'll see you later." She said leaving.
"You okay?" Brandy asked following her.
"No, Spira's getting smarter with her tactics of trying to capture Sonic. We gotta be ready."
"What are you going to do?"
"I have a plane to finish." TK said heading towards the hanger bay.
That following day Brandy and Caroline meet in the kitchen to plan what they want to make. They had both agreed that today would be a good day for homemade chicken soup. They knew it would be nice for Saya to have after being frozen solid. "What should we put in it besides chicken?" Brandy asked
"Noodles, carrots and celery?" Caroline asked,
"Spices?"
"Of course!"
"Caroline?" They both hear Elias say as he walks into the kitchen. "Could you come with me?"
"Sure," Caroline said quickly washing her hands and following Elias to the computer room. "What do you need?
"We need your help assisting Team Dark on a mission. They are currently heading to a location which might be the base for the Zarkon."
"Why me?"
"Your super hearing might help." Elias said holding out her headphones,
"That makes sense." She said transforming into Cream and taking the headphones.
"You should be able to talk to them." Elias said as she places the headphones on her rabbit ears. She had started to get used to wearing them after the last few missions.
"Um… hello?" Cream called out turning on the mic.
"Hey, we're almost there. How do you want us to proceed?" Cream hears Shadow's voice on the other end,
"Shadow?"
"Cream? Is that you? Wait, you're leading this mission?"
"Shadow, who are you talking to?" Cream hears a voice she doesn't recognize,
"Oh, Cream the woman's voice belongs to one of my teammates, her code name is Rogue, and our other member is Omega." She explained,
"Hello," Rogue said,
"Hi…" A soft voice said sounding distant.
"Alright Cream, What's the plan?" Shadow asked, "We just arrived."
"Um… Find a way inside?" Cream said, she was still confused to what she was doing but she felt okay since Elias was there monitoring.
"I get to blow it up?" Omega asked as both Shadow and Rogue let out a sigh,
"No Omega, you can't blow it up." Shadow said,
"This is where I come in. Be right back." She said,
"it would have been easier if I just blew it up." Omega said,
"If you did that, they would know we were here." Shadow said,
"I found a vent behind some bushes; it looks large enough for us to get through." Rouge said,
"Great, we'll meet up with you and head inside." Shadow said as Cream listens to them moving. She felt off just listening into a situation and not having a visual. She hears metal bending and creaking.
"Alright we're inside." Rogue said,
"They made it inside," Cream tells Elias,
"Good, tell them to have a look around but stay out of sight." Elias said as Cream repeats his orders.
"Roger," Rogue said as Cream can hear them walking. For the first few minutes they don't say anything. "Shadow, what's wrong?"
"This place… it feels… familiar." Shadow said,
"What do you mean?" She asked,
"Never mind…" Shadow said, Cream hears a light clicking noise,
"Um, what was that sound?" Cream asked,
"Omega! Put that…" Shadow's voice cuts out as the sound on an explosion reverberates in Creams ears making her disoriented. She rips the headphones away from her ears and slips out of the chair.
"Cream!" Elias panics as he helps Cream back up. "Someone go grab Helen!" He ordered as Sally runs out of the room,
"Shadow…" Cream reaches for the headphones putting them back on her ears, "Shadow! Are you okay? Shadow!" She yelled as she heard coughing.
"We're okay," She responded as Cream lest out a sigh of relief.
"What happened?"
"Ask the crazy person with the bombs…" Rogue said,
"One of the pins got loose… besides, it was only a little explosion…" He responded,
"Are you crazy? How is this a little explosion?" Shadow asked,
"If it was a large explosion, there wouldn't be a building left." He said as they pause.
"Okay, how was he cleared for duty?" Rogue asked,
"We can figure that out later, we have a different problem." Shadow said,
"What?" Cream asked,
"Our way out was blocked off by the explosion."
"We'll have to find another way out." Rogue said,
"At least we know there's no one here." Omega said,
"What makes you say that?" Cream asked,
"Because no one came to greet us after all that noise that explosion made," Shadow said,
"Good point," Cream said as Sally and Dr. Q run over to her. She pulls the headphones off Creams head gently and starts checking her vitals.
"How are you feeling?"
"I feel better, it just took me off guard," Cream said,
"Well, let's just check and make sure." She said flashing a light into her eyes, "Do you feel tired at all?"
"No," Cream said starting to feel anxious, she knew Shadow was in trouble and needed help. "Um… I don't want to seem rude ma'am, but I need to know what's happening to Shadow."
"Well, you seem alright. Just come over to the infirmary after you are done so I can make sure you are truly alright." She said with a smile,
"I will," Cream said putting the headphones back on, "Shadow? Can you read me?"
"Yes, what happened? You went quiet for a long time." Shadow said,
"Dr. Q was making sure I was alright. How is everything on your end?" she asked,
"We started walking around but haven't had any luck finding an exit." Rogue said,
"I'm sorry… Next time I'll blow the place up after we leave." Omega said,
"When we get out of here, we're limiting the number of explosives you're allowed to carry." Shadow said, Cream starts to hear wind in her right ear.
"Are you near a window?" she asked,
"No, why?" Shadow asked,
"I hear wind coming from the right."
"The right you said?" Rogue said as they walk in that direction, "There's a door over here."
"Let's check it out." Shadow said,
"It's another corridor." Omega said,
"Which way Cream?" Shadow asked,
"What?"
"You can hear wind, right? Which way is it coming from?" She asked as Cream focuses on the sounds.
"The left." They take the path and open a door.
"Looks like a hanger bay of some sorts." Rogue said,
"But it's completely empty… like it wasn't in use yet." Shadow said, "There appears to be a door over there, Rogue could you find the controls and get it open?
"Got it."
"Or I could blow it up." Omega said,
"NO!" All three of them yell at him,
"Just let Rogue open it." Shadow said,
"Alright, that should do it." Rogue said as Cream hears a garage door like sound.
"We made it out." Shadow said as Cream lets out a sigh,
"Well, that was a waste of time." Rogue said,
"At least we got out alive." Shadow said,
"Please don't take away my explosives…" Omega said,
"We'll talk about it later; Team Dark is heading back to HQ." Shadow said,
"See you soon." Cream said taking off the headphones, "They're on their way back." She said looking over at Elias.
"Good, Thank you for the help. Now, why don't you check in with Dr. Q in the infirmary and make sure you are okay." He said.
"Okay," She said transforming back and heads to the infirmary. She walks in to see Saya sitting up in her bed reading a comic book.
"Oh! Hey Caroline." Saya said as Dr Q walks over to Caroline,
"Everything go well for team Dark?" she asked,
"yep, they're headed back now."
"Good, let's make sure you're okay." She said gesturing her over to the bed next to Saya.
"How are you feeling?" Caroline asked Saya,
"Better, I'm not cold anymore." She said,
"That's good."
"What about you? Are you okay?" She asked looking concerned.
"I'm alright, I was just helping Elias with some stuff and there was an explosion, I'm a little too sensitive to sound." She said,
"Looks like everything checks out. Just let me know if you feel disoriented." Dr. Q said,
"I will."
"And you're free to go as well." She looks over at Saya,
"Yes!" Saya said jumping out of bed, "Perfect timing, I'm starving!" She said as Caroline giggles.
"Caroline!" Brandy walks in, "Is everything alright?" she asked,
"Everything's fine now."
"Okay… Well, I'm about to start on dinner if you want to come join me."
"Hey! I'm glad I found you all." Tk said running up.
"Wow, I jump out of bed and everyone goes crazy." Saya joked,
"Just come with me." TK said grabbing Saya by the hand and pulling her towards the hangar bay as the others follow. "Alright, it took me a little longer than I thought but here it is!" she said placing her hand on a button as a light turns on showing a blue airplane. It has two tails on the side and could seat two people comfortably. "The Twin Tornado is complete and ready for battle."
"Way past cool TK!" Saya said, "Now we don't have to rely on the helicopter anymore."
"That was the point, I'm proud of what I accomplished,"
"Cool plane." Sophia said walking up,
"Welcome back," Caroline said with a smile,
"Well the gang's all here, let's go eat!" Saya said running out,
"Wait! Dinner isn't even finished yet!" Brandy yelled running after her as the others laugh and slowly follow. They had all begun to accept that this was their new normal and were beginning to like it.