Chapter 7
Saya walks into her house to see her parents setting up the table. She takes off her shoes and walks in further. "Saya, I'm so happy to see you." Her mom said walking out of the kitchen and hugs Saya.
"Hi, sorry I'm late. Kinda had to be escorted in all…" Saya chuckled, she was starting to feel a little panicked. Usually her friends were here to help when she didn't know what to say but this time she was completely alone with her parents and that realization was just sinking in.
"Escort?" her dad asked,
"Yeah, kinda under watch remember?" She said as both of her parents frown,
"So they still don't know why the Zarkon appear around you all?" Her mom asked,
"Like we said before, they don't really tell us." She said, "What's for dinner?" she attempted to change the subject.
"Tacos," Her mom said as Saya's eyes widen,
"Yes!" She cheered,
"Help me set the table and then we can eat." Her dad said patting her head and walking into the kitchen where they set up all the food on the table and sit down.
"So what did you all do today?" her mom asked as Saya finishes off a large bite.
"We had a math lesson," Saya said rolling her eyes with a disgusted look, "Then after lunch we sparred."
"Sparred?" Her dad looked confused "You were fighting,"
"Learning self-defense!" Saya tried to catch her mistake, "It's a way to exercise and learning to be able to protect ourselves is important. Especially now with the whole aliens thing."
"She does have a point." She mom said, "You made me take self-defense when I started traveling for work." She smiled at him.
"I never said it was a bad thing, I was just surprised."
Are you able to run still?" her mom asked,
"Oh yeah! I run every day," She smiles as she bites into another taco.
"Well you'll have to keep training if you want to beat Sonic." Her dad joked causing Saya to almost spit out her food.
"Sonic?" Saya asked trying to act confused,
"Because she proclaimed herself to be the fastest thing alive," her mom explained,
"Yeah well… she's probably an alien too so she doesn't count!" Saya said making both of her parents laugh.
"They probably all are, the theory articles I've read about people trying to figure out what they are is insane." Her father said,
"What are they saying?"
"Oh similar to what you said that they are aliens, others say they are magical girls and one said they're from another dimension." He explained as Saya thinks to herself that that last one was half right.
"Sweetie, I have to ask…" Her mom changed the subject as Saya starts making a third taco, "What made you decide to dye your bangs blue?" this questions threw her off, she had forgotten that she's been around people who know why her bangs were blue for so long she never thought of a decent explanation as to why they would be blue now.
"Oh… Uh… well my favorite color is blue." Saya tried to think,
"But why have you been doing it in small pieces? Wouldn't it be faster to just dye all of it at once?" her dad asked, he had a really good point and that was stressing her out more.
"I was testing out to see if I liked it first before committing… but then when I went to finish the rest, I spilt the color and was left with this." She lied, she knew she was getting better at making up these stories, but she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"You should have told us; I would have been happy to grab you some more hair dye. I can ask my stylist what products to use." Her mom said,
"Sure…" Saya said with an uncomfortable chuckle,
"Does Elias know how much longer he wants to keep you girls under protective custody?" Her dad said taking her off guard, she just shakes her head, and he lets out a sigh. "I know you girls are having fun, and I'm happy you're all safe. But at some point, you need to come back home." He said,
"Tell the Freedom Fighters to beat the bad guys faster." She joked as he chuckles,
"Do you want to take leftovers?" her mom asked as Saya looks at the table, her mom didn't notice there weren't any leftovers to take since Saya ate them all.
"Your appetite has quadrupled but you haven't grown any taller," her dad teased,
"Hey! I have an extremely high metabolism! All that running takes energy."
"But you are eating enough right?" her mom asked,
"Of course! Brandy and Caroline like to throw new meals at us all the time."
"That's a relief, you shouldn't be allowed to cook." Her dad said,
"Man, taking cheap shots now? And my cooking isn't that bad!" she stuck out her tongue at him as they all continue to talk and enjoy each other's company for the evening. She hadn't realized how much she missed having a normal life. A relaxing evening at home with parents not thinking about what tomorrow brings. It made Saya remember why she can't tell them what she's really doing. They wouldn't understand and would probably become too worried. But she needs to protect those she cares about and that was her motivation.
"Well, it's probably time to head back before everyone starts to worry." Saya said standing up,
"Please come visit us again soon." Her mom asked,
"I will!"
"Bring the girls next time," her dad said,
"Hey, you're the one who told me it was a family dinner." Saya said rolling her eyes as she puts her shoes back on.
"I honestly didn't think you'd listed to that part," he joked, "But it was nice to just be a family for a bit."
"Agreed! Well, I'm off." She said giving them both a hug before going out the door. The armored truck was sitting in the driveway as one of the guards steps out and opens the door for Saya. "You know you don't have to do that; I have the ability to open doors myself."
"It's our job to protect you." He said as Saya climbs into the back seat,
"Yeah, yeah." She shrugs as she puts her seatbelt on. The guard sits back in the passenger seat and they drive off. The first five minutes were uncomfortably quiet just like their drive to her parents' house and it was incredibly uncomfortable. "So… do you guys have anything to talk about?" she asked but they didn't respond, "takes you jobs way too seriously… got it." She lets out a sigh,
"It's of no offence, you are an important asset to keep this world safe, and we respect that." The driver said, "But we also understand you all are still kids so sorry if we come off as standoffish."
"No I get it, just the silence was stagnating." She said, "Oh! I should probably tell the others we're on our way back." She takes out her phone,
"Elias already knows as well." The guard in the passenger seat said.
"That's good," Saya said as she messaged TK that she's on her way back.
"Did you see that?" the driver tried to say quietly,
"See what?" Saya asked,
"Nothing… it was probably just my…" he began to say as an explosion happens in front of the car creating a massive crater in the road. The driver didn't have enough time to stop the car as it falls into the crater hitting against the front then rolling upside down.
"Ow…" Saya said hanging upside down from her seatbelt, "What the heck happened…" it was dark, and she couldn't see well, "hey, are you guys okay?" she called out to the two guards but there was no response. "crap…" she struggles to try to get the seatbelt off. It finally comes free and she falls on her head. Her first priority was to get out of the car, then check to make sure the guards are okay. It all happened so fast she didn't have a chance to react. She kicks the door open and looks out, the sinkhole had to be around 15 feet deep. But she didn't have time to figure out what caused it, the two guards could be seriously hurt.
"Hey, can you hear me?" she called out as she opens the passenger door to see they were both unconscious. "double crap…" she let out a sigh as she struggled to get them out of their seat belts and pull them out of the car. "Okay Saya, no need to worry, just press your distress beacon…" she said to herself as she put her hands in her pockets only to find that the beacon and her phone were not there. They must have fallen out during the crash. She goes back to the back seat and crawls in searching for it with her hands since it was too dark for her to see. After some time she feels a small, shaped box, "There you are!" she said happily grabbing it and searching for the side with the button. At that moment when she finds the button side and presses down, she feels something grab her by the waist and quickly pull her out of the car.
Back at the bunker not just a few minutes before; Sophia decided to go talk to Elias about Saya, she didn't like that he gave her permission to go to her parents, especially after want happened at Angel Island. She decided to tell him the groups concerns about Spira's obsession with Saya. "Hello Sophia," Elias said as she enters the computer room, "Is there something I can help you with?"
"It's about Saya."
"What about her?" he asked,
"I'm not sure letting her go to her parents alone was a good idea… what if something happens?" she said,
"I have armed guards escorting her, in fact they just messaged about five minutes ago that they are heading back." He explained,
"You really think armed guards are enough?"
"I'm not sure what you're trying to say Sophia, I have trust in my men to keep Saya safe. At least long enough for the Freedom Fighters to get there."
"There's something you need to know…" Sophia said as the alarms go off, Elias turns and starts looking at the monitors, "Elias? What's wrong?"
"Transform into Shadow immediately," he said, and Sophia does so without question,
"What's going on?"
"That was Saya's distress beacon,"
Saya already knew how much trouble she was in, as she struggles to get herself free from the massive grip of one of the Zarkon hands that was tightly wrapped around her waist holding her high enough where her feet couldn't touch the ground. Should she pretend like she's panicking? "H… hey! Let me go!" she cried out,
"Oh you're not going anywhere." Saya heard as a bright light shines on her face, "Hello, my dear," Spira said standing in front of Saya, "Or should I say, hello Sonic." She grinned.
"What?" Saya said pretending to be surprised,
"You can deny it all you like; I saw you take that cliff dive." She said as Saya stops struggling. Spira had her trapped and she knew it. But Saya knew she was able to press the distress beacon, she just had to figure out how to stall them.
"Saying I was, Sonic," She said with air quotes, "What's up with all of this?"
"You've been our priority this entire time." Spira said, Saya said as she looks confused, "And now we hold all the cards," she looks over at the two unconscious guards as two Zarkon stand over them. Saya began to piece together that this was all a trap, they were just waiting for them to let their guard down and for her to be away from the Freedom Fighters.
"Alright, you got me… Now what?" Saya knew she couldn't transform, the guards were now hostages and she knew she was trapped,
"turn into Sonic,"
"Um… what?" Saya looked confused as Spira looks at the Zarkon standing above the guards, they raise their hands to strike. "Okay, okay!" Saya waved her hands in defeat. "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 transforms into Sonic as Spira watched,
"So that's how you do it…"
"There, happy? Now leave them alone." Sonic said struggling to get free again,
"Oh yes, that will do nicely," she grins as a strange, shaped space craft lowers,
"I'm definitely in trouble…"
Back at the bunker Shadow had rushed outside before the others could even get to the Computer room. "Shadow, I already sent you the coordinates."
"No need…" Shadow could see the space craft as she begins to run in that direction. She didn't want to think what was happening to Saya.
"Shadow, we're right behind you with the Tornado, go ahead without us." Shadow heard Tails on her headset,
"I'm going as fast as I can, I just hope I make it in time." Shadow said as she could see the space craft getting closer, and she could start seeing the Zarkon standing around a large sink hole as a door opens up on the space craft.
"Shadow!" She hears Sonic cry out as she sees her struggling against a Zarkon that's starting to climb onto the ship.
"Sonic!" Shadow began to run towards her as some of the Zarkon get in her way, "Get out of my way!" She began to rage and start fighting her way through. Sonic knew she had to get free, but she can't get any speed when her feet aren't touching the ground. She had to try it, it shouldn't hurt her now that she's transformed,
"Chaos Con…" Sonic feels a heavy metal strike at the back of her head as Spira strikes her. Her vision tunnels before it knocked her out. Shadow sees Sonic slump over unconscious as more of the Zarkon get in her way.
"Stand down, or these two die." One of the Zarkon said holding up the unconscious guards that escorted Saya. Shadow stopped looking back and forth at them and Sonic,
"Let them go!" She said,
"Did you really think you'd just run in and save the day?" the Zarkon taunted, Shadow clenched her fist trying to stay calm. Her friends should be here soon.
"I will once you release them." Shadow said as the Zarkon laugh,
"Fine, take them." He said tossing the guards into the crater.
"Chaos Control!" Shadow stopped time long enough to run and catch them and place them on the other side of the crater. The Zarkon look around not knowing where she went as Shadow took this chance to run at the ship. The door was starting to close, and she could no longer see Sonic. "NO!" She yelled but it was too late, the ship began to fly off. She didn't know the inside of the ship, but she had to try to warp in there regardless. She continues to run as she concentrates on the ship and warps to what she thinks is the inside, but she appears just out of the ship midair starting to fall.
"Shadow!" Blaze calls out as the Twin Tornado flies up and she reaches out to grab her hand. She grabs her hand and Blaze pulls her onto the wing.
"Are you okay?" Tails said,
"No! They have Sonic!" Shadow said looking panicked and not knowing what to do,
"What?" Blaze said as they watch the ship fly off further and further away.
"Are you all clear of the space craft?" they hear Elias over their headsets,
"Yeah, why?" Tails said,
"We're going to blow up the ship and take care of the Zarkon once and for all." He said,
"NO!" They all yelled,
"You can't do that!" Shadow said,
"Why not? If we do that then you all can get back to your lives!" He argued,
"Sonic's on the ship." She said,
"We need to get back to HQ ASAP!" Tails said turning the Twin Tornado around.
"Elias there are two agents out of commission near the crater." Shadow said,
"I'll have some men go and pick them up," He said as they head back to Freedom HQ.
They all run into the computer room where Elias, Sally and Cream were waiting for them. "Alright Shadow, explain to us what happened." Elias said,
"When I had gotten there it was too late, they already had Sonic. I tried to get to her, but they had hostages,"
"The two Agents you mentioned." Sally added as Shadow nods in response.
"I should have just gone after Sonic…"
"Those men are still alive thanks to you." Elias said, "We are keeping track of the space craft now so we can make a plan to get her back." They all look at the screen showing a blinking light out of Earth's orbit.
"Tails, how long would it take you to build a rocket?" Blaze asked,
"It would take me a while even with all the proper materials… Maybe about three weeks." She said,
"Unless we can use a premade rocket." Cream added,
"Whoa, a rocket? Are you crazy?" Sally interrupted, "There's no way that would work."
"We're not going to just stand here." Blaze argued as Shadow kept her eye on the monitor. The dot that was the Zarkon ship began to flicker and then disappears.
"Where did it go?" Shadow said as they all turn back to the monitor,
"This can't be…" Elias looks at one of the men working the computers, "What happened?"
"I… I don't know it was there but now it's…"
"Let me look," Tails said as the man moves out of her way, Cream notices Shadow shaking in fear. She stands next to her placing her hand on Shadows shoulder,
"It's okay Shadow…"
"No it's not!" She yelled shrugging off Cream's hand, "Sonic's gone and it's your fault!" She turns at Elias, "If you kept Saya here this wouldn't have happened,"
"Shadow that's…" Sally tried to say but Elias held up his hand,
"You're right Shadow, but this is not the time to point fingers, you can be mad at me all you want but we need to focus on getting her back." What Elias said took her off guard. She was so angry that she didn't notice that he was also shaking but was trying to keep his composure.
"I…" She looks away,
"We should check for any clues," Tails said, looking away from the computer giving a defeated look, she wasn't able to get the signal back.
"I have a team going to the site now, I want you girls to stay here until we know it's safe." He said, "I don't want to lose anyone else." He said as they all transform back,
"I think you girls should try to get some rest… we'll be here all night trying to find Sonic." Sally said. They all nod without a word, they were all in shock. None of them knew how to react or how to console each other as they all felt helpless. Their friend was gone, and they had no idea how to find her.
None of them could get any sleep that night, All of Freedom HQ was in a panic now that Sonic was gone but to TK is was unsettlingly quiet. She only got a glimpse of the battlefield from the air but the massive crater she saw was bugging her. She can't just lie in bed when her best friend is missing. She gets up and sneaks out into the hangar bay, luckily most of the people on base were too preoccupied with what they were doing to notice her. She transforms into Tails as flies off knowing the Twin Tornado would be too loud to use at the moment. It was a close enough distance, she knew she could make it there flying on her own. She sees the crater blocked off; it was early enough in the morning that there were only a few agents patrolling. She lands in the center of the crater to see the flipped over car. She knew there had to be something here… anything.
"Tails?" She's taken off guard as she looks up to see Blaze standing at the top of the crater jumping down, "Had trouble sleeping too?"
"Yeah… something like that." She said walking over to the car.
"I couldn't sleep either. I needed to know what really happened here." Blaze said walking over to Tails,
"Me too… this doesn't make sense, why go through all of this trouble?" Tails said as she sees the distress beacon in front of the car door.
"Do you think Spira found out Sonic's identity?" Blaze asked as Tails climbs into the car looking around.
"I think you're right?" Tails said climbing out of the car holding Saya's cell phone.
"Saya's phone…"
"It looks like the crater was made first in front of the car while it was moving." Tails started walking around trying to trace what happened,
"Which caused the car to flip over," Blaze added while they continue to look around, "Saya was in the back and wasn't injured from the crash."
"But looking at the front the agents weren't so lucky, it looks like after Saya got out of the back she dragged them out of the car."
"But why didn't she call for help then?"
"Her phone and distress beacon fell out." Tails explained,
"And when she went to find her phone…" Blaze,
"Spira grabbed her."
What are you two doing?" Shadow yells jumping down into the crater, Both of their ears lower looking guilty "Do you have any idea how worried everyone has been? All of HQ is in panic mode because you two disappeared!" She said as they both cower.
"S…sorry… we couldn't sleep. So we thought we'd look for clues…" Blaze said,
"So leaving without telling anyone seemed like a good idea?" Shadow said,
"I didn't think we'd be in any danger… seeing as Spira got what she wanted…" Tails said,
"That's not an excuse," Shadow sighs, "Just, let someone know next time you decide to go play detective… I don't want to lose anymore…" she stops herself; they could tell she hadn't slept either.
"We're sorry Shadow… We found Saya's cell phone so let's head back before Elias' head explodes." Tails said,
"Pretty sure that already happened," Shadow said.
"I really hope Saya's okay…" Blaze said,
"We'll get her back… I know we will." Tails said.
They all head back to freedom HQ where Elias, Sally and Caroline were waiting. "Not even a day has passed, and you ignore my order for you all to stay here…" he said,
"We're sorry… but we can't just sit on the sidelines." Blaze said, as Caroline runs up and hugs her.
"I'm glad you're okay," She said,
"I understand, but Sonic or not you are all assets of this base and losing any more of you would be detrimental to the safety of the world." He said as Sally hands them all small devices,
"These are trackers, they will let us know your locations at all times." Sally said,
"So now we're on twenty-four-hour surveillance?" Shadow asked,
"Not entirely, just in situations like this when one of you leaves without a word." Elias said,
"Fine," Shadow said as she transforms back and puts the tracker in her pocket.
"Now, were you able to find anything while you were out there?" Elias asked,
"We found Saya's Cellphone and distress beacon." TK explained her and Brandy's theory of what happened to Saya,
"But if that's how it happened, when did she transform? She was Sonic when I got there." Sophia said,
"We're fairly sure Spira made her transform. But I'm not sure why." TK said, Sophia began to think of when she was pushed off the cliff. Now she knows for sure that it is her fault that Saya's identity was revealed to Spira. Caroline grabs Sophia's hand to snap her out of her spiral,
"Don't worry Sophia, we'll get her back." Caroline said,
"Caroline's right, we've beat the Zarkon before and this time will be no different," Brandy said,
"You're right… Thanks guys." Sophia lightly smiles as Sally listens to someone speaking to her through her headset.
"Girls, you're going to want to see this." She said turning on one of the computer screens showing the news.
"Tragedy struck today as an explosion created a massive crater downtown." The reporter said, "It happened earlier this evening where we were able to get footage of the so-called aliens called the Zarkon boarding their ship right next to the crater." The screen shows the clip, "This is the first clear video we have been able to get of the Zarkon… but that's not even the worst part…" The camera zooms in and they can see Sonic on the screen, "I appears that our hero; and leader of the Freedom fighters, Sonic the Hedgehog has been abducted… What does that mean for Earth? Will the Zarkon take over? Are the other Freedom Fighters enough to protect us? What do the Zarkon want with Sonic? We'll keep you posted…" Sally turns off the screen.
"This is bad…" Brandy said,
"This is what Spira wanted…" TK said,
"What do you mean?" Caroline said,
"Think about it! It was a big show, Grabbing Sonic, creating the crater. It was all to create fear and panic all through the world." She explained,
"Makes sense, a world full of panic is harder to keep uniformed and easier to attack…" Sophia said. They all look at her for a moment surprised at what she said, "What?"
"We just forget you used to be a secret agent sometimes," Brandy said,
"But she's right. We have to be prepared for when Spira makes her next move." TK said,
"Which is why you're all going to bed." Elias said,
"What? But there's so much work to be done," Sophia said,
"And that can wait. You all haven't slept, and you will be useless if you're exhausted," He stated, "We'll figure out our plan of attack then."
"I agree with Elias, you all look really burnt out." Caroline said, "Let's try to get some sleep."
"I don't know if I'll be able to." Sophia said,
"You should still try, you can't save Saya if you are tired." Sally said as Sophia nods her head and they all leave the room and head to bed.
"Have Dr. Q talk to Sophia tomorrow; she might put herself in danger to save Saya and we don't need another reckless Hedgehog." Elias said with a sigh.
"Should I have her talk to the others as well?" Sally asked,
"Not yet, but we should keep an eye on them. We all just lost an important member of this team and we need to make sure they are prepared for worst case scenario." He said,
"Do you really think Spira will kill her?"
"If she wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have taken her alive. No, Spira is still planning something and we need to be ready… Tikal" He said as She appears in the room with them,
"Yes Elias?"
"We're going to need your help if we want to get Sonic back, I know I've asked this before, but can you find the other Servers?"
"After Blaze and Sonic found a few more pieces of the Master Emerald I have been trying… But I will continue my search." She said disappearing,
"You should get some sleep too Elias," Sally said,
"How can I sleep knowing I'm to blame for what happened… It is my responsibility to protect those girls and it only took one slip up for Spira to get the upper hand." He said rubbing his temple.
"But it's just like you told Sophia, you can't help anyone if you're exhausted." She said placing her hand on his shoulder. He lets out a sigh,
"No you're right. We can work on getting Saya back after some rest." He said as they all turn in for the night, Sally stayed up a little longer making sure all of the defenses were up so that the girls could have a quiet rest.
The next morning, everyone meets in the kitchen, but all sat in silence. Sophia already blamed herself and the others didn't know how else to console her. "Good Morning ladies," Dr. Q walked into the kitchen,
"Hello Dr. Q." Caroline said,
"Hello Caroline, how are you all doing?" She asked as none of them could make eye contact with her. "As well to be expected… Sophia, when you're done eating would you come to the infirmary?"
"Why? Is there something wrong?" She asked,
"No, just a checkup. See you it a bit." Dr. Q said grabbing her coffee and walking out.
"That was a bit weird," TK said,
"Yeah, do you want one of us to go with you Sophia?" Brandy asked,
"No it's fine…" She said, "I'll come find you guys once I'm done.
"Okay," Caroline said as Sophia leaves the kitchen heading to the infirmary. She walks inside to see Dr. Q sitting at her desk.
"That was fast,"
"I wasn't very hungry," She said, "What is this about exactly?"
"Please have a seat," She gestures to the chair in front of her desk. Sophia pauses for a moment then sits down. "How are you feeling?"
"What?"
"How are you feeling?"
"I don't think this is the time to be talking about feelings?" Sophia said,
"You have gone through multiple traumatic experiences in a short amount of time. You were in an alien attack, witnessed a friend seriously injured, became a superhero, and witnessed that same friend risk her life for you and your friends on multiple occasions. One which recently had you thrown off a cliff and her inducing Chaos Control in her human form nearly killing her. And you watched as the Zarkon flew away with her." Hearing Dr. Summarize what has happened these last two months put her in shock, "You don't have to be afraid of your emotions Sophia."
"I… I don't know how I feel…"
"That's okay, sometimes it's hard to understand or put into words how you are feeling. What is the first thing that pops into your mind? A place, an object…"
"Saya…"
"What about Saya?"
"Is she okay? That… that question keeps repeating in my head…"
"What do you feel when you think of Saya?" Sophia pauses trying to sift through all of her emotions.
"Fear…"
"Afraid for Saya? Or afraid for you?"
"Afraid for me?" Sophia asked confused,
"Are you afraid what might happen to Saya? Or are you afraid of the guilt you feel because you blame yourself?"
"I'm not afraid for myself!" She said getting defensive,
"Are you afraid the others would blame you?" Sophia's face turns white to her words. Was that really why she was afraid? That the friends that she had recently learned to care for might now reject her for loosing Saya?
"I… no…" She begins to shut down, she didn't know how to respond. Dr. Q walks around the desk pulling her chair closer to Sophia,
"You're allowed to be afraid of losing people you care for. You are not just Shadow the Hedgehog, Ultimate life form and lone wolf. You don't have to carry this burden alone." Sophia just nods, "What else are you feeling besides fear?"
"A lot of anger…"
"Towards yourself?"
"Some of it, but a little at Elias… and Spira." She said clenching her fists,
"I heard that you snapped at Elias, did yelling at him make you feel better?"
"No…"
"He's responsible for all of your safety, you may be surprised at how much this is hurting him as well."
"I don't disagree with you… I know I lashed out, like I did when Saya was poisoned with Chaos energy." She said letting out a sigh, "I should go talk to him…"
"I'm sure he'd like that." She said with a smile, "Are you feeling any better?"
"A little. I just want to get Saya back safe." Sophia said,
"Can you do one thing for me?"
"What is it?"
"If you're starting to feel overwhelmed, talk to your friends. I'm sure they feel just as lost as you do right now. And if you're not ready to talk to them about your feelings, my door is always open."
"Thanks Doc." Sophia said, "I'm going to go find Elias," she waived her off leaving the infirmary. She did feel a little lighter talking through some of the things she was feeling. And she understands that lashing out isn't going to save Saya. She enters the computer room to see it bustling with people, there was a person to every monitor and Elias was swarmed with people that he was either handing or receiving papers from. He notices Sophia walk up and waves them away,
"Everything alright Sophia?" He asked,
"Well… no" She paused, this was a lot harder than she thought, "I just…"
"Let's talk in private," He said leading her over to one of the empty conference rooms, "Now, what did you want to talk about?"
"I wanted to say… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It wasn't fair of me." She said,
"Thank you for the apology, I will be honest, I deserved it. If I had pieced together that Spira was after Sonic sooner this wouldn't have happened." He said sitting down with a sigh,
"But we're to blame as well… TK had a theory that Spira was after Sonic, but she didn't want to give that away to Saya."
"She would have done something crazy and probably gotten kidnapped faster…" Elias said, "It was smart to keep it close to the chest, but I do ask in the future to be included in these secrets. You and I both know that's part of our work."
"Yes sir." She nodded,
"Besides that, are you doing alright? All things considering of course." He asked,
"I feel a little better. Talking to Dr. Q helped. I assume that was your doing?" Sha asked and he answered with a nod,
"It was of no offense I assure you. Now that Sonic is gone the Freedom Fighters need another leader. And I needed to be sure you were mentally prepared to lead." Sophia was shocked but she understood.
"I understand, I'll try my best."
"I know you will, please try to get some rest, we don't know how long it will be before we hear any news." He said as Sophia nods and leaves the room. So much has happened, and she knew that things were going to continue changing whether or not she likes it. But she knew she couldn't save Saya alone. She walks into the gym to see TK, Brandy and Caroline sitting on the bench in silence,
"What are you guys doing?" She asked as they all came to their senses and look over at her,
"Oh Sophia, how was your checkup with Dr. Q?" Caroline asked,
"Have you all been sitting here this entire time?" She asked,
"Honestly… I didn't even realize." Brandy said.
"We can't keep going on like this, you're all acting like Spira already won." Sophia said,
"But she did…" TK said.
"No she didn't, sure she captured Saya, but that doesn't mean we give up. Do you think Saya's given up?" Sophia said, as they all shake their heads, "I know I'm… not the easiest person to talk to. Just like my past self I'm a quiet loner and prone to anger but I have something Shadow the Hedgehog never had."
"What's that?" Caroline asked,
"A family." She smiled softly as tears all fill their eyes. Caroline quickly stands up and hugs Sophia. TK and Brandy join as they group hug feeling comfort in each other's arms.
"We'll get her back," TK said,
"No matter what!" Brandy said as they all let go and smile, wiping away the tears.
"We don't know how long it'll be before we receive any news, but we gotta stay proactive." Sophia said, "TK, see if you can help in the computer room, you're probably smarter than most of the people in there so try to lend a hand. Brandy, I want you to stay on your mission to find the Soul Emeralds, see if Tikal can help you find a way to locate them. And Caroline, we need to get you combat ready, so I'll be helping you train." She said as Caroline nods in agreement. "We're going to save Saya and defeat the Zarkon no matter how long it takes."