Chapter 14
The Freedom fighters get back to base and quickly head to the computer room to tell Elias what happened. "Kolt, go see Dr. Q, she's probably upset that I pulled you out of whatever it was you were doing." Sophia said,
"I was really close to figuring out if there were any other Dark Chaos Emeralds." He said as he glared at her, "Now I'm going to have to start over." He said walking,
"What was that about?" TK asked, she gives Caroline ad Brandy a look of confusion as they both shrug.
"Not important," Sophia said as she walks up to Elias,
"Are you two alright?" Elias asked Caroline and Brandy,
"We're okay, just a little shaken up," Caroline said,
"But we are positive now that we can save Saya." TK said looking hopeful,
"How can you be sure?" Sally asked,
"For a second, after Shadow said something to her, her eyes turned green." Bandy explained,
"And it seemed to affect her after that happened." TK said like she was struggling with herself,
"What did you say to her?" Elias asked looking at Sophia,
"I called her a faker." Sophia said crossing her arms,
"Faker?" Sally said,
"Yeah, we used to call each other that before," Sophia explained, "We didn't really get to a first name basis until I think after the third attempt to kill each other." She pondered trying to remember if it was third or fourth. They all look at her concerned, "Did you all forget that I tried to blow up the world when you first met me?"
"The way you said it just threw us off is all…" Caroline said,
"Sorry," Sophia said but her tone sounded indifferent.
"But this is good, we just have to figure out other triggers to snap her out of it." Elias said,
"I bet Dr. Q would know of a few ways to figure out triggers." Brandy said,
"Good idea, Sophia why don't you go talk to Dr. Q about it." Elias said,
"Fine," She said leaving the room.
"Does she seem off to you?" TK asked, "She practically snapped at me earlier."
"Kolt was acting a little weird as well…" Caroline said.
"She did seem more irritated than usual." Sally said, "She's probably just a little stressed, I'm just glad you girls are okay." She said heading back to work.
"Do you want to go make that pie Caroline?" Brandy said,
"Oh yes, that sounds great!" Caroline said with a smile,
"I've got a few more tests to do." TK said leaving the room. Brandy and Caroline give each other a look worried at how much TK has been distancing herself.
At the Infirmary Dr. Q started to look Kolt over as she noticed he was getting impatient and irritated. "Everything alright Kolt?" She asked,
"Yeah, Are we almost done here? I should really get back to the Master Emerald." He said,
"Why?"
"Because I'm the guardian." He said sounding confused by her question.
"Okay? Let me just check a few more things then you'll be good to go." She said as Sophia walks into the room.
"You got a minute?" She asked,
"Just a moment I'm almost done with Kolt." She said finishing up with Kolt, "Nothing looks out of the ordinary, just let me know if you feel any different." She said as she notices Kolt making side glances at Sophia, "Everything alright with you two?" she asked as they both look away. Sophia started to pick up that she was getting irritated for no reason, similar to before she transformed into Shadow the first time. She walks over to Kolt and touches his arm as they both get shocked.
"Ow! What the hell Shadow are you trying to pick a fight?" Kolt said standing up clenching his fists ready to punch her.
"You just called me Shadow." Sophia said as he stops looking shocked,
"I… I did?"
"We need to go back to the alter room." Sophia said,
"Why?" Dr. Q asked as Sophia heads to the door.
"More of my old personality is bleeding through, and it looks like that's the same issue with Kolt. I'm fairly sure it's because I interrupted that stupid ritual." She said as they follow her to the Alter room.
"Sophia… I'm sorry for snapping…" Kolt said feeling bad for letting his emotions control his actions,
"It's fine, you and I didn't really get along in our past lives. Tikal, we need your help." Sophia said as she appears.
"Is everything alright?" Tikal asked as she takes a look at them, "Oh no…"
"I don't like the sound of that," Dr. Q said.
"So you can see it?" Kolt asked,
"Your souls are unaligned." She said,
"Can you fix it?" Sophia said, "I'm trying to be less like Shadow, not turn into him." She said taking Kolt off guard for a second.
"Yeah… I don't think I need to be more of a hot head then I already am…" He added.
"Come with me." She said as they climb up to the Master Emerald, "Put your hand on the Emerald." She said as they both reach out for the Emerald. Right as they touch the Master Emerald, they feel that shock again as they see each other's eyes change colors for a split second then they revert back to their original color.
"Your eyes…" Kolt looked at Sophia confused,
"When we were working earlier you had absorbed a lot of Chaos energy. Sophia interrupting your concentration literally shocked your souls." Tikal explained.
"So we're good now?" Sophia said taking her hand off the Master Emerald.
"How do you two feel?" Dr. Q asked,
"Fine, not as irritated, that's for sure." Kolt said,
"And there won't be any Chaos Poisoning we have to worry about?" Sophia asked,
"Chaos Poisoning?" Kolt asked looking confused,
"Right, you don't know. Saya almost died because she induced Chaos Control while in her human form." Sophia explained,
"She did what?" Kolt looked worried,
"Your bodies can't contain Chaos energy like your previous forms can, it's why you transform in the first place." Tikal explained,
"So, are we going to get Chaos poisoning now?" Kolt asked as Tikal shakes her head.
"All we did was push your Souls back into place. There shouldn't be any side effects." Tikal said,
"That's still vague enough for me to be worried…" Dr. Q said. "You both are now under surveillance for the next twenty-four hours."
"What?" Kolt said lowering his head looking defeated, "This is exactly what I didn't want to happen…"
"Sorry, I take responsibility for this." Sophia said as Dr. Q starts dragging them back to the infirmary.
Dark Sonic wakes up in a dream about floating through endless darkness. She feels something grab her shoulder and she turns her around. "You're not getting rid of me that easy pal!" She sees Saya in front of her striking her in the face with a fist causing her to wake up suddenly. She jolts awake hitting her head on the glass door of the chamber.
"Oh you gotta be kidding me…" Dark Sonic said grabbing her head as Eggman presses a button unlocking the chamber.
"Looks like you didn't sleep well." He said continuing to tinker,
"Blame Saya…" She said climbing out of the chamber holding her head,
"What?" Eggman stops working and turns towards her.
"She's finding different ways to fight me, have you found a way to remove her yet?" Dark sonic asked,
"No, I thought it would be like how I sealed away Professor Ivo. But somehow, she's fighting to get free… How is she managing that?" Eggman looks through his notes again,
"Maybe because she's connected to Chaos, Tikal changed her body so that Saya's human form could use Chaos Energy." Dark Sonic explained,
"What? Why am I just hearing about this now?" Eggman asked,
"You didn't ask," Dark Sonic said sounding annoyed.
"So that's how she's able to fight back… I'll need to try a few things; you should stay within the chamber." He said,
"Fine." She said climbing back in.
At the end of the week, Sophia heads to the kitchen to talk to Caroline about joining her on Team Dark's mission. "Hey Caroline, you busy?" She asked spotting her in the hall,
"Not really, what's up." Caroline asked,
"I was wondering if you could join Team Dark on a mission." She said,
"You're still working with Team Dark?" Caroline asked,
"Elias wants us to investigate Eggman's Underwater base to see if we can find any clues about Saya." She said,
"Well if there's any way I can help then sign me up." Caroline said with a smile,
"Great, we leave in one hour, meet in the hangar bay then." Sophia said,
"Alright." Caroline said as Sophia walks off. Caroline heads to the kitchen to quickly eat lunch. She sees Brandy place a plate of sandwiches on the table.
"Hey, I made sandwiches, help yourself." She said with a smile,
"Don't mind if I do." Caroline said grabbing one of them and taking a bite. "This is really good, what is it?"
"Ham and cheese with garlic spread,"
"Did you make the garlic spread?" Caroline asked,
"I did." Brandy said,
"You'll have to give me the recipe so I can give it to my mom, she'll love it." She said finishing eating the sandwich.
"Have you talked to you mom recently?" Brandy asked,
"Yeah, I was on the phone with her last night. She's worried, especially with all the stuff their saying on the news about Sonic." Caroline frowns, "What about your parents? How are they?"
"They're still abroad so they have barely noticed," Brandy said looking away with a sad look,
"I know they love you, and that's what counts." Caroline said placing her hand on Brandy's shoulder.
"Thanks Caroline." She smiles, "I'm going to take these around to see if anyone else is hungry."
"Let me help," Caroline said,
"Okay, can you take one to TK, I don't think she came to breakfast."
"In that case, I'll take her two." She said grabbing an empty plate and a can of soda from the fridge. She places two sandwiches on the plate and heads towards the hangar bay. TK seemed to be working on something.
"Oh hi, I didn't see you there." TK said putting her tools down,
"Brandy made sandwiches, so I brought you some." She said placing them in front of her.
"Thanks but I'm not hungry." She said as Caroline crosses her arms and glares at her.
"You didn't come to breakfast… which means you haven't had anything to eat all day and I'm not leaving until you start eating that sandwich." She demanded, TK gives a frightened look as she grabs one of the sandwiches and takes a bite.
"There… happy?" She pouted,
"That better be finished by the time I get back or else." She said,
"By the time you get back? Where are you going?" TK asked looking confused,
"Sophia asked me to join Team Dark on a mission to Eggman's underwater base to look for clues." Caroline explained,
"Hopefully, you can find something helpful… I'm still struggling to figure out a way to contain Dark Sonic." TK said with a sigh. "Just make sure to be careful."
"I'll stay with Sophia, I'll see you when I get back." Caroline said walking away and meeting up with Sophia at the entrance,
"All ready to go?" Sophia asked,
"Yes, oh! Did you get one of Brandy's sandwiches?" Caroline asked,
"I grabbed one on my way here, it was really good." She said,
"Wonderful! Let's get going." Caroline said as they transform.
They head to the docks where Agent Rogue and Agent Omega were waiting for them. "Have you two been waiting long?" Shadow asked,
"No, we just go here." Rogue said, "You must be Cream, nice to meet you in person."
"Nice to meet you." Cream smiles,
"Shadow talks about you and your friends all the time, must have left a good impression." She winks as Shadow blushes,
"A…Anyway… we can head out after one last thing." Shadow said holding her hand out to Omega, "Give them to me."
"Give what?" Omega asked,
"You know what, the explosives you're hiding in your pockets." Shadow said as he frowns.
"But…"
"No you pyromaniac! We're going to an underwater base. One wrong explosion and we drown!" Rogue said as he sulks and hands Shadow a small explosive.
"And the grenades," Shadow said as he hands her four grenades, "Any compact C4?" She asked as he pulls six out of his pickets.
"Where was he carrying those?" Rogue asked looking horrified she turns to Cream who just shrugs. Shadow lets out a sigh and hands him back two of the compact C4.
"You keep two, but they are for emergencies only!" she said,
"You're no fun…" Omega said looking defeated,
"I'd rather she be no fun and alive then risk your crazy shenanigans." Rogue said as Cream giggles,
"Now we're ready to go." Shadow said as they climb into the submarine and begin their decent towards the base.
"What do we do if Eggman and Saya are still down there?" Cream asked,
"Robotnik wouldn't be dumb enough to stay in a hideout that we knew about. And if he is then we'll fight our way through," Shadow said,
"Sounds dangerous." Cream said,
"That's why you're here Hun, to make sure we're not ambushed. Besides we're here to protect you so there's nothing to fear." Rogue said,
"Okay…" Cream said as she looks out the window to see the underwater base. It sent chills down her spine as she remembered what happened last time they were here. Fear starts to overwhelm her Omega walks over noticing her panicking and places his hand on her shoulder.
"It'll be alright." He said trying to help calm her down,
"Thank you." Cream said,
"We're in," Rogue said as she docks the Submarine and they head inside.
"It doesn't seem like anyone is here." Omega said,
"Hear anything Hun?" Rogue asked Cream,
"No, just the sound of the water against the outer walls." She said,
"Keep your guard up, there could be trip alarms." Shadow said as they begin to sneak around but it was silent and abandoned, there wasn't a Swatbot in sight. They get to the second floor where they had their first encounter with Dark Sonic and continue down the hallway Knuckles went down to search for Saya until they eventually make it to a hole in the ceiling above them,
"What happened here?" Rogue asked,
"Our friend had to break through to get to Sonic. Eggman kept her hidden." Shadow said as Cream helps fly up with Rogue and Shadow warps her and Omega up to that floor.
"He's a terrible person…" Cram said,
"Agreed, not lets search for Robotnik's lab, it must be nearby." Shadow said looking around,
"I think I found it." Omega said,
"What makes you sure?" Rogue asked,
"The doors broken off." He pointed at the door that was completely broken and bent in. They look inside, fear struck Cream as they saw a lab table in the middle of the room. She fought back tears as Rogue walks up to the computer looking at the console.
"Darn, it looks like he pulled the hard drive. I'm going to check to see if he kept a backup." She said as Omega and Shadow started looking around the room.
"Keep an eye out for anything." Shadow said,
"I found some syringes," Omega said as Shadow walks over to him,
"He was experimenting on her?" Shadow said,
"I… I need a moment." Cream said running out of the room unable to hold back the tears any longer. She tried not to think about it but the thoughts of what Eggman might have done to Saya overtook her mind. She just wanted to cry but she took deep breaths to try and calm down as a light from another room caught her eye. She goes towards the door and looks inside. It looked like hanging from one of the walls was a robot, but it was too small to be a Swatbot. She entered the room to get a closer look as she instantly recognizes it. It was a half-finished Metal Sonic and the chest piece was flickering.
"Cream! Where are you?" Shadow yelled sounding panicked running out of the lab looking for her,
"H…Here!" She calls out as Shadow bursts into the room,
"You can't just go off on your own its…" She flips on the light switch and gets a full view of the room, "Dangerous," Her eyes widen as she walks up next to Cream,
"He tried to build Metal Sonic…" Cream said,
"With how far off it is it looks like he almost completed it." Shadow said going through a pile of papers in a desk next to Metal Sonic, Cream follows her still keeping an eye on Metal Sonic fearing that it might move. "These say he was trying to copy Sonic by using her blood, but it didn't work… he was trying to figure out how her speed worked to build Metal Sonic. He trashed it, saying he doesn't need a replica when he has control over the real thing." She crumples up the paper in her hand, "I'll kill him…" Cream could tell that Shadows rage was beginning to overwhelm her.
"We can't leave it here…" Cream said grabbing her hand,
"You're right," She said snapping out of it, "It needs to be destroyed, if this was ever finished, we'd be in a lot of trouble." She pulls out one of the packs of C4 and places it on Metal Sonics chest piece. "I've set it to go off in one hour, if we're lucky the explosion will take this whole place out as well."
"Okay…" Cream said as Shadow walks out of the room and she follows,
"We're leaving," Shadow said on the head set at Rogue and Omega meet up with them.
"Sorry, I couldn't get anything from the computers," Rogue said looking defeated,
"Does this mean I can blow something up?" Omega asked as Shadow hands him back all of his explosives.
"Set them on a timer so we have enough time to get out of here." She said,
"Yes boss!" He said with a smile as he runs off while they start heading back to the Submarine. Cream couldn't get Metal Sonic out of her head; she only saw him twice in her past life. First when he attacked her and Amy when they were protecting a Chaos Emerald… that was also when she first met Shadow. The other time she saw Metal Sonic was when he was on TV in a race with…
"Shadow!" Cream yells as both her and Rogue jump,
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Shadow said flustered that she freaked out,
"I know how we can get Sonic back!"
"So let me get this straight, the next time we get into battle, you plan to keep the Swatbots at bay while I challenge Dark Sonic to a race where we will continue racing until her Chaos Emerald runs out?" Sophia said in the conference room with everyone,
"It might actually work, if her Emerald runs out, she should go back to Saya." TK said excitedly,
"What if her Chaos Emerald doesn't run out of energy?" Sophia asked,
"We won't know until we try," Caroline said,
"Okay then, what about me? There's a chance my Chaos Emerald will run out of energy before hers." Sophia said,
"Tikal and I have been trying to figure out how to extend the Chaos Emeralds energy." Kolt said,
"I need some time to think about this…" Sophia said standing up.
"We won't go through with this plan unless you are confident in it." Elias said as Sophia gives him a nod and leaves the room.
"Why isn't she excited about this idea? We could get Saya back." TK asked,
"I think she's afraid of getting her hopes up." Brandy said,
"Shadow could still be in her head…" Kolt said remembering earlier last week when their souls were unaligned,
"What do you mean?" Caroline asked,
"She tries not to be like him, but it's also a part of who she is. One thing I remember about Shadow was he knew that sometimes hard decisions needed to be made. Even if it wasn't one others would be fond of." He said,
"What do you think is going through her mind?" Sally asked,
"I hate to say it… But she might be thinking of a worst-case scenario. If this doesn't work she'll have to fight Dark Sonic on her own…" He paused as he looks at the others, he didn't want to say something that might scare them.
"Sophia isn't Shadow!" TK said standing up angrily, "She wouldn't do that!"
"TK, calm down he's just saying…" Brandy started to say,
"Saying what? That She'll kill Sonic?" TK said as a chill covered the entire room,
"I…I don't think she'd go that far… but she'll definitely hurt her if she has to…" Kolt said looking away feeling bad for even bringing it up. TK lets out a huff and quickly leaves the room,
"TK!" Caroline called out about to follow after her as both Brandy and Kolt stop her,
"Give her time," Brandy said, "This is hard for her."
"I think you all should take some time to think about this plan." Elias said, as they nod. The three of them leave walking towards the kitchen as Caroline remembers the crystal, she got for Kolt when they went to the Farmers Market.
"I'll be right back, meet you in the kitchen." She said leaving Kolt and Brandy alone.
"How have you been holding up? You seem pretty calm." Kolt asked,
"I'm concerned, but I think their idea could actually work. But I'm also worried about Sophia... Like you said, she's internalizing worst case scenario and it's causing her to doubt herself." Brandy said,
"How do you think we can help?" he asked,
"By having confidence that this plan works." She said as Caroline runs back up to them,
"You two alright?" Caroline asked,
"Yeah, just trying to figure out how we can convince Sophia." Kolt said as Caroline hands him the crystal.
"I saw it at the Farmers market and thought you would like it. Though I'm not sure what type of crystal it is." Caroline said,
"It's a green Quarts, it's known for its healing properties. Like absorbing…" He pauses and thinks for a moment realizing something, "Caroline, you're a genius!" He said picking her up by the waist and spinning her with a bright smile.
"Uh… I am?" She looks at Brandy confused as he puts her down.
"Go find Sophia and tell her to meet me in the alter room." Kolt said running off.
"That was weird…" Brandy said,
"Let's go look for Sophia," She said, as they split up to go look for her.
Dark Sonic was within the dream fighting back against Saya. She was trying to take her off guard again. "That trick's not going to work twice you little brat!" Dark Sonic said as they held each other at bay.
"I'm still distracting you aren't I? That's still a win in my book," Saya said with a grin, she might not be able to get control of her body, but she had to at least try and make it more difficult for Dark Sonic.
"Chaos you're annoying!" She glared,
"And I'll continue to be annoying until you give me my body back!" Saya said as Dark Sonic stops blocking her making Saya lunge forward taking her off guard.
"This is my body now!" Dark Sonic knees Saya in the stomach before knocking her to the ground and pinning her there. "Now stop fighting!" the darkness beneath them quickly restrains Saya before she could push Dark Sonic off of her.
"No!" Saya struggled, "I'll never stop fighting! My friends will…!" Dark Sonic covers her mouth.
"That's enough of that." She hissed. Her eyes glowed brighter and changed to hypnotic spirals as a red glow outlined Saya's eyes, "Now just relax," her tone changed becoming more calm. Saya tried to fight it but the moving spirals of Dark Sonic's eyes were mesmerizing. "There's no reason for us to fight." Dark Sonic moves her hand away,
"No reason… to fight…" Saya stops struggling enthralled my Dark Sonic as the dark tendrils holding her start pulling her under as she sinks further into the darkness.
"Good, now go back to sleep." Dark Sonic smiles as she watched Saya completely disappear within the darkness.
Dark Sonic wakes up and knocks on the glass getting Eggman's attention. He releases her from the chamber as she climbs out, "Finally awake I see, feeling better?" He asked,
"Much better," She said stretching her legs, "I think I finally shut her up... At least for a little while,"
"Good, because I have a job for you." He said turning to his monitor,
"Is it beating up the Freedom Fighters again?" She said,
"Not exactly, but that will probably happen." He shows a building on the screen of a museum, "There's a scroll in here that I need."
"A scroll? What for?" Dark Sonic asked,
"Research, none of your concern." He said as she shrugs,
"Whatever,"
"Take a few bots with you in case the Freedom Fighters do show up." He said pressing some buttons and her bracelet beeps as he finishes,
"What, don't think I can take them?" She said sounding insulted,
"I know you can take them. But your priority is the scroll," He said.
"Fine, one moldy old scroll coming up!" Dark Sonic said leaving,
Caroline finds Sophia sitting on the rooftop looking out over the horizon. Sophia was deep in thought thinking about what would happen if their plan didn't work and she'd be alone to fight Dark Sonic by herself. Her thoughts begin to spiral as Caroline walks up to her and puts her hand on Sophia's shoulder, "I knew I'd find you up here." She said with a smile,
"Am I that predictable?" Sophia asked,
"A little bit, C'mon, apparently Kolt wants to show you something in the Alter room. He seemed really excited." Caroline said holding out her hand to Sophia,
"Alright," She said taking her hand and standing up, following her to the Alter room. Kolt was standing next to the Master Emerald waiting,
"Glad you could join us." Kolt said with a teasing grin, "I've found a solution to your running out of Chaos energy concern." He holds up a palm sized clear quartz. "Tikal?" He called out, she appears, and he hands her the crystal. "Crystals are known to absorb energies; we can store Chaos energy within the Quarts and when you are ready to refill your Chaos Emerald, just touch the crystal to the Emerald and it will absorb the energy." Tikal places the Clear Quartz on top of the Master Emerald and begins to chant. The Quartz changes to a green color identical to the Master Emerald.
"This… Might work…" Sophia said starting to believe that they might actually have a chance of making this happen. Even if depleting Dark Sonic's Chaos Emerald doesn't turn her back to normal she would still be weakened enough to incapacitate her long enough to drag her back to HQ.
"Sophia, I know you can bring her back." Kolt said as she looks up at him,
"How can you be sure?" Sophia looked away doubting herself.
"Because if anyone is able to pull Sonic back, it's her rival." Kolt said with a thumbs up. The alarms start to sound as they all look at one another. Kolt grabs the Chaos charged Quartz and holds it out to Sophia. "You can do this!" He said not breaking eye contact. She grabs the Crystal and gives him a light smile before they all run and meet TK and Brandy in the computer room.
"Dark Sonic is attempting to break into the museum," Elias said, "It doesn't seem like Robotnik is with her."
"Why a museum?" Caroline asked,
"We're not sure but whatever the reason, she needs to be stopped." Elias said as they all look at Sophia wondering if she had made a decision. She looks down at the Crystal in her hand.
"Then let's stop her once and for all." Sophia said as they all smile. Sally walks up to her and hands her a small tracking device and a different earpiece.
"The minute you start racing we'll be tracking your every move." She said, as Sophia nods to her putting in the earpiece.
"Can I say it for good luck?" TK looked as Sophia as she lets out a sigh,
"Only because I haven't had to hear it for a while," She said as they all transform.
"Alright team! Let's do it to it!" Tails said cheerfully as they run to the Twin Tornado and head towards the museum.
Tails lands the plane as Dark Sonic climbs out of the hole made in the museum wall holding a scroll in her hand. "Well, well, well, look who decided to show up. I was beginning to think I was going to get out of here without any trouble" Dark Sonic said jumping over some rubble and standing in front of them. "Ready for another beating?" She grinned,
"Says the one who ran with her tail between her legs last time." Shadow said taking Dark Sonic by surprise,
"Oh! Shads got some spunk today!" She laughs, raising her hand ready to tell the Swatbots to attack.
"Got a lot more than that." Shadow walked up close to Dark Sonic getting right in her face, "I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening," Dark Sonic said looking intrigued,
"We have a challenge, just you and me. Winner takes all." Shadow said,
"What's the challenge?" She asked,
"What we do best, we race." Shadow said as for a split-second Dark Sonic's eyes flicker to a green color again before going back to red.
"A race huh? What's the prize?" Dark Sonic said sounding excited,
"I win, you give me the scroll,"
"And if I win, I kill one of your friends." Dark Sonic said putting the scroll inside her vest as the rest of them flinch for a moment.
"Do you accept? Faker." Shadow taunted,
"You're on!" Her eyes turn green again, "What's the finish line?"
"It's an endurance race, around the country. First one back here wins." Shadow said,
"Sounds good to me," Her eyes go back to red, "Let's do this." She said as they both line up.
"Cream, could you count us down?" Shadow asked,
"S…Sure! On your marks, get set, GO!" She yelled as Shadow and Dark Sonic run off out of site. The rest of them look at the Swatbots just standing there.
"Well at least we have something to pass the time." Knuckles said punching his fists together as they attack the robots.
Shadow and Dark Sonic were already miles away from the city keeping up with one another. She knew this was going to take a while, possibly two hours with them at their top speed to get to the other side of the country and that was when Shadow predicted Dark Sonic's Emerald would run out. She just had to keep her distracted long enough for Dark Sonic to not realize her Chaos Emerald is running out of energy.
The first hour and a half passes without any issues, neither of them had broken a sweat and they were still neck and neck trying to get ahead of one another.
"Feeling tired yet?" Dark Sonic teased,
"You wish," Shadow said as she glances at Dark Sonic's Emerald and it was diming faster than she expected racing at top speed bust be burning the Chaos Emeralds energy faster. Dark Sonic looks down to see what she was glancing at and Shadow knew she had to keep her distracted. "Do you remember what you told me before you died?" She asked as Dark Sonic turns back towards Shadow, her eyes flickering long enough for her to forget about her Emerald.
"I told you to be the fastest thing alive for me…" Her eyes change back to red, "But I'm back, so that's no longer necessary." She said trying to trip her.
"Hey!" Shadow dodges,
"What? You thought I'd play fair?" She laughs,
"Enough talk faker! Let your speed do the talking," Shadow taunted back and again her eyes flickered. She knew Saya was trying to fight, she was sure of it.
Back at the museum the others were picking up the pieces of now scrap metal Swatbots from their fight. "Do you think it'll work?" Tails asked starting to have second thought now worried that Shadow might get hurt or that She might have to hurt Sonic. Knuckles walks up next to her and places his hand on her shoulder.
"Shadow can do this," He said giving her a thumbs up.
"But we should still head after them just in case she does needs backup." Blaze said,
"And to bring them home." Cream said with a smile, they all climb into the Twin Tornado and fly off in the direction that Shadow and Dark Sonic went.
They get close to the other side of the country when Shadow notices her own Emerald was getting dim. She quickly grabs the Crystal from her pocket and presses it against her Chaos Emerald hiding it from Dark Sonic. The Crystal changes back to its clear color as the Chaos Emerald glows brightly again. "Looking a little tired Sonic. You can always quit now." Shadow said egging her on,
"Not a chance!" Dark Sonic said, Shadow looks down at her Chaos Emerald again… any second now… "There's no way I'm going to let a faker beat…" In a blue flash Dark Sonic transforms back into Saya. She trips and begins to fall to the ground at full speed.
"Chaos Control!" She stops time long enough to run in front of her and catch her before she crashes into something. They both crash into the ground as Shadow held Saya tightly. "Saya? Saya!" She yelled, Saya hadn't moved but then quickly opens her eyes and gasps for air like she couldn't breathe.
"Sh… Shadow?" Saya moves her hand to her head, as she begins to realize she has control of her body.
"It worked!" Shadow said with tears in her eyes as Saya sits up. "I can't believe it worked!" Saya notices the metal bracelet and quickly remembers what it does. She attempts to pull off the bracelet quickly beginning to panic realizing she was running out of time. Saya turns to Shadow who was still in shock that their plan worked as she grabs her by the shoulders.
"Where's your tracking device?" Saya asked snapping Shadow out of it,
"What?" Shadow asked confused,
"Your tracking device, I know Sally wouldn't let you leave without one. Where is it?" Saya said shaking Shadow.
"Here…" Shadow pulls the tracking device out of her pocket and holds it out to her. Saya swipes it from her hand, throws it in her mouth and swallows it. "Did you just eat my tracking device?" She looked very confused as Saya hugs her tightly taking her off guard for a second before she hugs her back. She didn't want to let go of the hug feeling at peace knowing her friend was back.
"Thank you for not giving up on me." Saya pulled back from the hug, "Now try not to panic, I know you'll find me." She said with a calm smile as she hears the bracelet start to beep,
"Find you?" Shadow looked confused, "But you're right…" In a flash Saya disappeared right from her arms, "No…No!" she screamed, realizing that Saya was trying to remove the bracelet. It must have had a return function. She raged as she knew Robotnik was one step ahead of them once again.
"Shadow? Shadow can you hear me?" Sally reached out over the headset, "Shadow is everything alright?"
"I lost her… I had her, she was in my arms and then…" She starts running back towards Freedom HQ wiping the tears away from her face,
"What do you mean?" Sally asked,
"It worked Sally, everything worked perfectly… But again, Robotnik was two steps ahead of us." Shadow said trying to run faster.
"Where are you?" She asked,
"I'm a little over an hour out." Shadow said as she sees the Twin Tornado fly above her, "Make that a few minutes." She uses Chaos Control to teleport onto the Twin Tornado.
"It didn't work?" Kolt asked looking defeated,
"No it did." Shadow said,
"Then where's Saya?" Brandy asked,
"I'll explain back at HQ." She said as TK turns the Tornado around and they get back to Freedom HQ where Elias and Sally were waiting in the Hagar bay.
"Okay Shadow, what happened?" Elias asked as she transforms back. They all walk together to the computer room.
"Everything went according to plan; her Chaos Emerald ran out and she turned back into Saya. But apparently Eggman thought this might happen, remember the bracelet Brandy and Caroline told us about?"
"Yeah, she commented that it was how Eggman kept track of her." Brandy said,
"It started to beep right before she vanished," Sophia said,
"There must have been a teleportation device inside." TK said,
"That's what I thought, but there's something else." Sophia said,
"What is it?" Caroline asked,
"Saya ate my tracking device." Sophia said as Sally looks shocked as she runs over to one of the computers.
"That's what happened!" She said typing on the computer, "I was tracking your movements when you started racing but then your signal disappeared,"
"Saya knew she didn't have much time; she must have planned this for a while." Brandy said,
"She was fighting from the inside the whole time." Caroline said,
"Got it!" Sally said, "The signal is coming from the Mountains east of the city."
"Take the time to let your Chaos Emeralds fully charge. Saya gave us this opportunity to strike while Robotnik is off guard and we won't waste this chance." Elias said.
"This time for sure, we'll get her back." Kolt said, as Sophia hands the Clear Quartz back to Kolt.
"Eggman might have outmaneuvered us this time but now we have the upper hand!" TK said,
"Let's go visit Robotnik." Sophia said,