Chapter 19
Two weeks have passed since their Chaos Emeralds have increased in power; TK has barely left her workshop unless her friends drag her out Some of them begin to doubt if she was going to figure out how to Derobotisize Spira. Brandy volunteered to go check on her as she enters the workshop to see TK asleep at her desk, "Time to get up, there's coffee in the kitchen," She said lightly shaking her awake,
"Huh, what?" TK woke up looking around as she turns to her computer to see the computer screen flashing words simulation successful. "It worked!"
"What worked?" Brandy asked,
"I ran a simulation on my computer to see the variable outcome of the Derobotisizer working successfully and it worked!" She jumps out of her seat and grabs Brandy's hand, "We gotta tell the others!" She said dragging her to the kitchen,
"What's the rush?" Alan asked,
"I think I did it! I think the Derobotisizer works!" TK said as Saya jumps to her feet.
"Really?" She said running over to her, her eyes lighting up full of hope,
"Yeah!" TK said,
"Way to go little dude!" Saya hugs her,
"Are you positive it will work?" Sophia asked,
"All of the simulations I ran were successful… but I won't be one hundred percent sure until we actually test it on a robotisized person." TK said,
"That's not going to be easy… this isn't like Mobius where there were dozens of people Robotisized." Kolt said.
"How does it work?" Alan asked,
"It's a laser that when it hits a target that was robotisized they turn back to normal. There's a few problems though, it's powered by the Master Emerald and I can't take it out of the base…" TK explained,
"So we have to get Spira here without Eggman finding us…" Kolt said as they all ponder thinking of how they could get Spira away from Eggman,
"I have a plan!" Saya said,
"No," Sophia said,
"But you haven't even heard it yet…" Saya pouts,
"Let me guess, you as bait." She glares,
"Well… not completely…" She said as they all give her a look, "Hey, we don't really have a choice here, Eggman has been underground ever since we nabbed Alan from him. The only way he's going to come out of hiding is if I'm out in the open."
"I don't like it…" Caroline said,
"Just hear me out first before you all say no," Saya said with a begging tone,
"Fine," Brandy said crossing her arms,
"We lure out Eggman and Spira, once the fight begins, I get Spira away while some of you keep Eggman busy. After we get close enough Sophia will be waiting to warp Spira into the base where TK is waiting with the Derobotisizer. And bam plan." She said with a smile.
"How do you make it sound so easy?" Alan said,
"Uh, cuz I'm good at making plans." Saya said,
"No you're not." Kolt said as Saya sticks her tongue out at him.
"How would we lure out Eggman?" Caroline asked,
"Press conference, he sees me on TV insulting him, he'll definitely show. That dudes pride can be bruised easier than a peach." She chuckles
"I won't leave the Master Emerald unprotected." Kolt said,
"You can help Sophia and TK then and the rest can keep Egghead busy." Saya said as the rest of them think. "It's a good plan!"
"We should still run this by Elias first." TK said,
"Don't we always have to run it by Elias?" Saya said with a shrug,
"Yes but still… It's a good plan, but there are still plenty of things that could go wrong." TK said,
"That's how it is with any plan," Saya said,
"Let's talk to Elias and Sally, see if they have any ideas to add." Sophia said standing up part of her was hoping they would turn down the idea completely,
"This is great! First real mission as the full Freedom Fighters!" Saya cheered following after Sophia,
"Elias hasn't given the okay, stop jumping the gun." Sophia argued as they all followed.
They all walk onto the computer room and Saya explains the plan to Elias and Sally. "So… what do you think?" Saya asked as they stared at Elias and Sally who were silent both pf them pondered giving each other looks,
"It sounds like a solid plan… But I'm still not sure it's a good idea." Elias said,
"If this is about me being reckless, I won't be, this is about saving Spira." Saya said the rest of them look a Saya surprised to hear her say that. And she was confident that her plan would work.
"Eggman's not what I'm worried about." Elias said,
"Then what are you worried about?" TK asked,
"The reporters, are you really prepared to talk to them? They will ask questions that might make you uncomfortable." Elias said,
"Not to mention… Have you run this idea by your parents?" Sally asked,
"Yes… If your parents found out I scheduled a press conference without their knowledge I don't think your father would stop at just punching me in the jaw." Elias said,
"I… haven't told them yet. We just thought of the idea." Saya said,
"Then, we'll wait for you to do that before I give my approval." Elias said as Saya lets out a sigh,
"I'll go call them…" She said leaving the room.
"How do the rest of you feel about this plan?" Sally asked,
"Don't like her being bait." Sophia said,
"I'm with Sophia on this one, Saya's been through a lot. I don't think putting her in danger is a good idea." Kolt said,
"Are you saying that because you don't think the plan will work? Or that you won't be around Saya to keep an eye on her." Caroline asked as they both look at Caroline shocked at her question then look embarrassed.
"When you put it like that…" Sophia said avoiding eye contact, she didn't like that Caroline was right about that.
"I think Caroline, Brandy and I can keep Saya safe from Eggman." Alan said,
"You're still pretty new to this Alan…" Kolt said,
"He's been training hard just like the rest of us." Brandy said,
"You all are allowed to worry about Saya, but if you keep treating her like she needs to be protected she'll act out more." TK said, "She's spiteful like that."
"I'm not saying we don't go through with the plan," Sophia said, "But I have to voice my concerns."
"We don't even know if her parents will let her." Sally said,
"Yeah… she's not going to give them a choice." TK said,
Saya called her parents and sat in her room while waiting for them to pick up, She knew that they weren't going to like this idea, but she was determined to save Spira no matter what. "Hey little speedster, how's it going?" Her dad said,
"It's going pretty well! But could you not put little in front of the nickname? I'm almost eighteen." Saya said,
"Are you taller than me?" Her dad said,
"No…" Saya said,
"Then you're still little." He said with a chuckle as she lets out a huff, "So what did you need?"
"I wanted to run something by you." Saya said
"Shoot," He said,
"Well, TK finished her machine and now we have a way to save Spira." Saya said,
"The same Spira that kidnapped you?" She heard her mom's voice chime in,
"Yeah… We made a truce… then we both got captured by Eggman." Saya said,
"What did you need to run by us?" Her father asked,
"So… Eggman's been in hiding ever since we saved Alan and we need a way for him to show up with Spira so we can separate them…" Saya said,
"No." He said,
"Yeesh! You and Sophia won't ever let me finish." Saya said rolling her eyes.
"I know you Saya, you thought of a plan for you to be out in the open, so he comes to attack you." He said,
"Wow, that was actually really close," Saya said,
"Saya…" She heard her mom let out a sigh,
"It's not like I'll be alone. My job is just to make him show up. Then I lure Spira away while the others keep Eggman busy."
"Can't one of the others do this?" Her dad asked,
"If he was obsessed with another blue anthropomorphic Hedgehog, yes. But unfortunately he's not, he's after me." She said, "We'll be holding a press conference to broadcast and lure him out."
"When?" Her mom asked,
"Not sure, I had to call you guys and let you know first before Elias schedules it." Saya said,
"I don't like this…" Her dad said,
"I get it, you're worried. But I'm not going to let what happened hold me back. On top of that I won't be alone." She said,
"You're doing this whether we say yes, or no aren't you?" Her father asked,
"Yep!" Saya said cheerfully,
"She gets that stubbornness from you." Her mom said,
"I'm not even going to deny that." Her dad said making Saya giggle. She was happy she could talk to them about all of this even though they still weren't fully on board with her being a hero.
"Just… Please be careful." Her mom said,
"I promise,"
Two days later the Press conference was made for the afternoon on the outskirts of Station Square. Sonic would appear on stage alone and answer questions while Blaze, Cream and Amy hid in the back waiting for Eggman to show and for him and Metal Spira to be separated. Shadow was waiting outside near the base to teleport Metal Spira when they got close while Knuckles and Tails were in the Alter room waiting with the Machine. Everything was in place as the press waited eagerly for Sonic to arrive. In a blue blur she jumps onto the stage.
"Hope you all weren't waiting long." Sonic said with a smile as the camera flashes started immediately, "Easy, Easy! You're gonna make me go blind." She said,
"Sonic! Where did you come from?" A reporter asked,
"Here?" She shrugged shading her eyes for a moment felling blinded by all of the flashing cameras,
"What are you really?" Another reporter asked,
"I'm a Hedgehog, it's literally in the name." Sonic said looking confused,
"Where are the rest of the Freedom Fighters?"
"They're on their way here. I got a little impatient and ran on ahead." She lied with a chuckle.
"Why were you working with Robotnik?" One asked, Saya's expression changes for a second surprised by the question but stays cool.
"Eggman used mind control on me. But I'm all better now." She said, Elias warned her that they would try to ask very personal questions and the best strategy was to keep the answers short and vague.
"Whose Dr. Eggman?" Another asked,
"Oh that's the nickname I have him, Crazy dude obsessed with robots. Kinda looks like an egg." Sonic
"Can you give us more detail?"
"Uh… He's a psychopath who wants to rule the world?" She shrugs, "We could spend the entire day talking about how lame Eggman is but is that all you really want to ask me about?"
"And I won't just sit idly by while you insult me you blue rodent!" Eggman said appearing, as people start to panic and run away.
"Oh no! It's Eggman!" Sonic said pretending to be shocked but has to stop herself from laughing.
"Don't patronize me!" Eggman glared,
"Aw, but you make it so easy, this is why I told them we shouldn't do this press conference. I knew you'd crash the party." Sonic teased with a lie to keep up the act as she runs up and stands on top of a nearby light post to get closer to him.
"And yet you still came alone," He said with a grin,
"What can I say, they're just moving a little slow today but I'm more than enough to take you on my own till they get here." She continues her act,
"Is that so?" he said pressing a button and Metal Spira appears, "How about now?"
"Gonna have to try harder than that Egghead!" She said with a yawn before getting ready to run,
"Metal Spira, be sure to break both of her legs." He said, as Metal Spira charges at her,
"Yikes!" She dodges Metal Spira's attack, "Getting a little dark there, let's see if she can keep up!" Sonic said running towards the mountains, right as he turns his craft to follow after them a wall of flames blocks his path.
"You're not going anywhere Eggman." Blaze said as Amy and Caroline jump out as well.
"So you were hiding in the shadows, very well. I'll play with you all." He said as more Swatbots appear.
"Part one of the plan is set." Amy said as he swings into the Swatbots leg.
"Great! Spira's right on my tail." Sonic said keeping a speed where Spira was unable to grab her. "Almost in position, you ready Shads?"
"I wish you'd stop calling me that…" She let out a sigh.
"Not gonna happen," Sonic teased. Shadow stood in position waiting to see the glow from Sonic's blue blur. "You two ready on your end?"
"We're ready!" Knuckles said standing in front on the device and Master Emerald.
Shadow sees Sonic's blur running towards them as Sonic starts slowing down to get into the correct spot. But right as she's about to reach Shadows position, Metal Spira uses a jet boost that rockets her right behind Sonic as her claws cut into her back,
"Shadow, now!" She yelled jumping back ignoring the pain holding her hand out. Shadow jumps out and grabs her hand as they both leap and grab Metal Spira.
"Chaos Control!" Shadow wared all three of them into the Alter room.
"Here goes!" Tails shots the laser but Metal Spira dodges as she throws Sonic and Shadow to the side. She lunges at Sonic as she jumps over her dodging out of the way.
"We need to slow her down." Knuckles said as Shadow tries to grab Metal Spira again, but she kicks her away,
"Tails get ready to fire." Sonic said,
"On it!" Tails charges another blast as Sonic stops moving as Metal Spira grabs her,
"Sonic!" Shadow yelled,
"Now!" Sonic said as Tails shoots the laser and it hits her and Metal Spira. The entire room is filled with a bright green light that blinds them for a moment. Their vision returns to see Sonic and Spira on the lying on the ground unconscious.
"Damn it!" Shadow runs over and grabs Sonic, "This is exactly why I didn't like this plan," Sonic's eyes begin to open,
"That was really bright," Sonic said,
"You idiot, I thought you said you weren't going to do anything reckless." Shadow said,
"We were pressed for time. But what about Spira?" Sonic sits up just as Spira starts to stir, her body back to normal, "It worked! Tails, it worked!" She cheered with tears in her eyes as Spira began to look around confused,
"Sonic?" She said as Sonic jumps up out of Shadow's arms and goes over to help Spira to her feet,
"Yeah, it's me. How you feeling?" She asked,
"It's all so fuzzy… the last thing I remember is…" She pauses and looks at Sonic's leg, "Your leg is healed…"
"Oh, yeah that…" Saya said looking down at her leg. It seemed like forever ago since Eggman forced Spira to break it.
"I'm so sorry, this arm…" Spira holds out her hand and it was no longer metal, "What?"
"The Derobotisizer must have removed all metal, But how is that possible?" Tails said,
"You're the one who made it you tell us." Knuckles said as Tails just shrugs,
"What exactly happened? How did I get here?" Spira asked,
"Guys, Spira's good, you can break away from Eggman," Shadow said,
"He already ran off." Amy said, "And we were winning too."
"He almost crushed you with a Swatbot…" Blaze said,
"Don't tell them that!" Amy argued,
"Eggman turned you into a robot… But we change you back." Sonic explained to Spira,
"It's coming back, but it's blurry…" She said shaking her head,
"Are the rest of the Zarkon Robotisized?" Tails asked,
"I don't know… the last thing I remember Dr. Robotnik saying something about testing out the machine before he used it…" Her face turns to shock as she turns to Sonic, "On you,"
"This is great! That means the rest of the Zarkon are trapped somewhere else. The Robotisizer was destroyed when Eggman tried to use it on me." Sonic cheered,
"We should get her to the infirmary to rest." Knuckles said,
"Who are you?" Spira looked at Knuckles confused. Something started to pull at Sonic's attention as she looks around the Alter room for the source.
"I'm Knuckles, I showed up after you took Sonic." He said leading her out of the alter room as something drops out of Spira's robes.
"You should go to the Infirmary too, that cut looks deep." Tails said to Sonic seeing her back bleeding between her spines but Saya doesn't respond. She was looking at the object that fell, "Sonic?"
"That's… a piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald…" Sonic said as both Tails and Shadow look and see a black glowing Emerald shard with a purple aura emanating from it. Sonic backs away from it her ears lowered and body trembling, "H…How?"
"Tails, take Sonic to the infirmary then meet me back here." Shadow said as Tails nods and grabs Sonic's hands,
"C'mon," She pulled her out of the room as Shadow stares at the piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald.
"Tikal, can you explain this?" Shadow asked as she appears next to her,
"I don't understand… it's right in front of me yet I still cannot sense it." Tikal said getting closer to it but not risking to touch it,
"But Sonic can?" Shadow said,
"It would appear that way, perhaps it is because of her being controlled by it for a time. Or due to going Super Sonic buy using it." Tikal asked, as Tails runs back into the alter room.
"Dr. Q and Knuckles are keeping an eye on her, but she's really shaken up." She said, "What should we do?"
"Can you figure out how to contain this?" Shadow asked,
"Hmm… it's like Chaos Energy, I could make a dampener to keep it contained." She said,
"How long?" She asked,
"Might take me a day?" She said going to pick it up,
"Only with your gloves, don't let it touch your skin just in case." Shadow said, "Let Elias know." Shadow said as Tails nods and leaves with the Dark Chaos Emerald piece. Shadow starts heading to the infirmary to make sure Sonic was alright.
"Try to breathe, I've got you." Shadow heard Knuckles as she enters to see him holding Sonic in his arms trying to calm her down.
"It can't take over… I don't want to go back there…" Sonic said, her eyes distant, as Dr. Q walks up and puts her hand on Sonic shoulder,
"I'm going to give you something for your back pain." She said injecting her, but she doesn't flinch. The sedative starts to make her dizzy as she starts to collapse. Knuckles picks her up and starts moving her to one of the cots. "Lay her on her side so I can clean the wound," She instructed as he nods,
"Was sedating her necessary?" Shadow asked,
"It would be better just in case, if that Shard could control her with Dark Chaos energy, we need to be careful." Dr. Q said,
"Tails is working on a way to contain it." Shadow said,
"How long?" Knuckles said carefully laying Saya down on her side,
"She said at least a day." Shadow said,
"We can't keep her sedated for a day." Knuckles said,
"I agree," Shadow said giving Dr. Q a look,
"Once she's healed, we'll have her as far away until it's contained," Dr. Q said.
"Is everyone okay?" Blaze asked as she, Cream and Amy walk in,
"What happened to Sonic?" Amy asked rushing over,
"She just took a hit to the back; I gave her a sedative to help her rest." Dr. Q said,
"A piece of the Dark Chaos Emerald appeared in the Alter room." Knuckles said,
"What?" Blaze said,
"Tikal looked straight at it and still couldn't sense it… But Sonic could…" Shadow said,
"Is she okay?" Cream asked as they all look over at her,
"One of us needs to stay with her until Tails finishes containing it." Shadow said,
"I volunteer." Amy said as they all give him a look, "What? You said someone needs to watch her."
"Fine, you can take first shift." Knuckles said, "You're not the only one that wants to keep her safe."
"I agree with Knuckles," Blaze said, "Besides, there's someone else we should keep an eye on as well." She looks over at Spira who was asleep on one of the cots.
"Once Spira remembers where Eggman's base is we can set up a rescue for the other Zarkon. Hopefully, we can give them what they need to leave." Shadow said, "Then we can focus on finding the rest of the pieces of the Dark Chaos Emerald so we can make sure it never hurts Sonic again.
Saya wakes up in the middle of the night in the infirmary with Kolt sitting next to her cot asleep. Her back throbbed with pain as she tries to sit up. Kolt wakes up to the sound of movement as they make eye contact, "How you feeling?" Kolt asked smiling softly,
"My back still hurts." Saya said, "Sorry about earlier…" She felt embarrassed at him seeing her act so scared again.
"I don't mind, as long as you feel safe." He said,
"Did you stay here the whole time?" Saya asked,
"No, we're taking shifts… though I'm not doing that great of a job since I fell asleep." He quietly chuckles,
"So it was real…" She said,
"Yeah, but TK's working on making a container to keep it where you won't feel it's energy." He said trying to reassure her. She clenches her fists holding onto the blanket trying not to cry. "Hey, it's okay." He gets out of the chair and sits next to her on the bed. "We're not going to let that happen to you again." He pulls her into a hug trying to comfort her.
"Sorry…" She said as he lets go,
"There's nothing to be sorry for. This is Eggman's fault." He said looking away, a part of him felt guilty just knowing he was close friends with Eggman's reincarnation.
"I hate feeling like this," She said wrapping her arms around her knees.
"Healing takes time, no one expects you to go back to who you were before this all happened." He said, "When we first met, you were so full of energy that is was infectious. I definitely like happy Saya better. I mean, I'm told it even changed Sophia."
"Really? Seems like she's still standoffish to me." Saya said,
"The first time I met her she was Shadow, she punched me in the gut and dragged me to Freedom HQ. All to save you." He said, bumping his shoulder against hers.
"I… Didn't know that part," Saya said with a smile. It was heartwarming to know that Sophia cared for her that much.
"You know Sophia, she likes to keep her emotions to herself." Kolt said,
"And what about you?" Saya asked,
"Huh?" Kolt looked at her confused,
"You used to keep your emotions to yourself too. Being all broody guarding the Master Emerald." She said,
"I'm not broody," He said crossing his arms,
"You're not shy either, sweeping a girl off her feet then stealing her first kiss." She teasingly grinned as his entire face goes red,
"I… You weren't… I was resuscitating you… that doesn't count!" Kolt argued sounding flustered,
"Stop teasing him," Sophia said walking into the room looking annoyed,
"But it's so easy," Saya smiles as Kolt's face becomes even more red,
"H… how much of that did you hear?" He asked,
"Just Saya making fun of you." Sophia said, "I can take it from here, go get some sleep,"
"Don't have to tell me twice," He said quickly standing up and rushing towards the door,
"Night," Saya waved as he left, Sophia and Saya were left alone in an uncomfortable silence, "So… how much of that did you actually hear?" There was a long pause as Sophia walks over and sits in the chair next to her.
"You really think I'm still standoffish?" Sophia asked, she also say Kolt embracing her, but she didn't want to bring that up.
"S… sometimes…" Saya said chuckling uncomfortably, her face turning red with embarrassment as Sophia lets out a sigh,
"I don't mean to be." She looks away,
"I'm not trying to say you haven't changed, just occasionally I can't tell what you're thinking." She said,
"You want me to open up more," Sophia said,
"Only if you want to. I figured out a while ago trying to pester you will only get me hit." Saya said as Sophia looks at her bracelet,
"It's late, you should get some more rest." She said,
"Okay," Saya said seeing that Sophia didn't want to talk. She turns away laying on her side and goes back to sleep. Sophia watches over her and Spira for the rest of the night she didn't know why but she felt angry. Maybe it was because she hears Saya and Kolt talking about her, or perhaps that Kolt brought up Robotnik while he held Saya.
The following morning Saya wakes up to see Brandy sitting where Sophia was reading a book, she lets out a sigh as she sits up. "Expecting someone else?" Brandy said moving her book away from her face with an eyebrow raised,
"No," Saya said with a stretch,
"Let me see your back." Dr. Q said walking over as Saya turns around. She sees Spira still asleep,
"How is she?" Saya asked,
"I'm not entirely sure how different her physiology is from our own, but I can say for certain, she's exhausted." Dr. Q said, "We have no idea what being turned into a robot was like."
"Well… I actually do…" Saya said,
"What?" Dr. Q and Brandy look at her surprised,
"Well, I should say Sonic knows what it feels like. It happened in my past life… I was still pretty young, so I only remember pieces but it's not great." Saya said looking distant,
"Well, you're all healed up, but let me know if you are in any pain." Dr. Q said changing the subject,
"Thanks doc," Saya stood up and so did Brandy,
"C'mon, let's head to the computer room, Elias wanted to see you after you were cleared," She said as Saya followed Brandy to the computer room in silence, "You're awfully quiet,"
"Sorry, guess I have a lot on my mind." She said with a chuckle,
"I just want to make sure you're okay." Brandy said,
"Sure… all things considered." Saya said,
"Have faith in TK, she'll find a way to keep it locked up." Brandy said,
"I know she will. It's just the fact that it showed up at all is what bothers me." Saya weakly smiled at her as they entered the computer room where everyone was waiting except for TK. They all stop and look at Saya as she enters the room. "Oh yeah, you all were definitely not talking about me." She said crossing her arms with a grin,
"How are you feeling?" Sally asked,
"I'm fine, could you all please stop asking me that?" Saya said trying not to get angry at how they were all looking at her. Like she was broken… it felt humiliating.
"I'll keep this brief then, until we're sure the Dark Chaos Emerald cannot affect you, you're benched," Elias said,
"What?" Saya said looking shocked, "You got to be kidding, the Zarkon still need to be rescued."
"And we will rescue them, but we are not taking any chances." Elias said, "Especially since TK hasn't finished a way to contain it yet.
"So what I just wait here again?" She sounded frustrated, "And you all agree with this?" Saya looks at her friends as none of them make eye contact with her, "Fine, guess I'm not needed here." She turns around and leaves. Kolt moves to follow her as Sophia stops him.
"Let her be she needs to cool off." Sophia said,
"I don't feel right about this…" Caroline said,
"I'm with Caroline, this is wrong…" Alan said,
"Saya's too unstable right now to go on a mission." Sally said, "Dr. Q agrees with us."
"Still, she's the type to make a run for it if she's held back for too long." Kolt said,
"This is only until TK can make sure the Emerald piece is sealed away." Brandy said,
"I'm still against it." Kolt said,
"Then why don't you go coddle her again," Sophia said getting annoyed,
"Excuse me?" He said turning to her, "You want to run that by me again?" They both glare at one another looking like they're ready to start swinging.
"Enough!" Elias said, "I get tensions are high, but this is not the time to be at each other's throats." They both look away from one another with a huff. "Now hopefully Spira can remember the location of Eggman's base and we can attempt to rescue the Zarkon."
"I think you should all take it easy while we wait. Maybe try to relax." Sally said trying to diffuse the tension building in the room,
"I'll go get some food ready," Caroline said walking out,
"Let me help," Brandy said following her,
"Thank you." She smiled as they walk together,
"I'm going to go see if TK needs help." Kolt said leaving after giving Sophia another look,
"Let me know if you need anything," Sophia said to Elias walking out as Alan walks after her. "What do you want Alan?"
"Just wondering what that was about? Seemed like you were angry at Kolt for some reason. Did something happen when you changed shifts last night?" Alan said,
"It's none of your business." She said as he grabs her arm to get her to stop,
"Listen, I don't know what your problem is but…" She grabs Alan's wrist and flips him over her slamming him into the ground,
"My problem is being grabbed when I'm in a bad mood." She said walking away as Alan stayed lying on the ground for a moment half shocked at what happened.
Saya was sitting outside looking out at the mountains feeling angry and frustrated. Why did she have to be benched again? Wouldn't they want her further away from the shard not closer? "Tikal?" Saya called out,
"Yes Sonic?" Tikal appears next to her,
"How far do you think I could get before they realize I'm gone?" She asked,
"At your top speed you could be on the other side of the continent before they realize you've left." Tikal said, "But will you really leave?"
"No…" She lets out a sigh, "But it's good to know I can."
"Sonic… I am concerned about the Dark Chaos Energy. I do not understand why I am unable to sense it." She said,
"I definitely can… it feels like a chill constantly down my back… Almost like it's reaching for me… And now everyone's looking at me like I'll change into Dark Sonic at any moment." Saya said with a heavy sigh,
"Try not to keep the Dark Chaos Energy in your mind. It may try to pull you in." She said as Saya nods.
"let's hope TK can contain it sooner rather than later." Saya said as the clouds begin to darken with a distant sound of rolling thunder, "I should get inside, I hate water…" She stands up as Tikal disappears. She walks over to the kitchen to see Caroline and Brandy.
"Oh hello Saya… Would you like some tea?" Caroline asked,
"Sure." She said as Caroline pours her a cup and hands it to her. The sounds of thunder could be heard outside as Brandy moves closer to Caroline and hides her face in her back.
"It's okay Brandy, the storm should pass soon." Caroline said with a calming smile as Brandy wraps her arms around Caroline's waist.
"I forgot you don't like thunderstorms." Saya said as Brandy hides further behind Caroline's back. Saya starts to feel embarrassed at how close Caroline and Brandy were. "I'll leave you two alone…" She said grabbing her tea and an extra cup standing up,
"Sorry," Caroline said as she left. She decides to go back to the infirmary to check on Spira. She enters to see Elias talking to her,
"Hello Sonic," Spira said,
"Hey, brought you some tea." She said with a smile walking over to Spira and handing her the mug.
"Thank you." Spira said, "We were just discussing the location of Eggman's base."
"Oh…" Saya said looking sad,
"Is everything alright?" Spira asked as Saya glances at Elias,
"Just peachy, do you remember where it's at?" Saya asked,
"She gave details of the location and Sally's working on triangulating it." Elias said,
"That's good," Saya said sipping her tea,
"I'll leave you two to talk, thank you again Spira." Elias said leaving,
"I am quite shocked at the amount of hospitality; you do not even have a guard posted." Spira said.
"You're not a prisoner Spira. I already vouched for you and you've already gone through a lot." Saya said,
"So have you." She said placing har hand on Saya's shoulder, "I'm remembering my time when I was what you called Robotisized. The way you looked when you saw me…"
"What matters is that we freed you. And soon the team will save the rest of the Zarkon." Saya said,
"The team? Will you not be joining?" Spira asked,
"I've been benched," Saya said,
"But we're sitting on beds." Spira said looking at Saya confused as she laughs,
"It's a phrase meaning I can't come. But I'll be rooting for you all from here." She said sounding a little sad,
"That is good, and once my people are safe, we will leave Earth." Spira said,
"Just like that?" Saya asked sounding surprised,
"Yes, I believe we bit off more than we can chew? I think that was a phrase you told me once before."
"You got it," She chuckles,
"There you are," Kolt said entering the infirmary, "TK wants to see if her machine works, you feeling okay to test it out?"
"I'll be back later," She said to Spira,
"Take your time and thank you for the tea." She said as they leave. They walk in silence for a while, "Rains really coming down…" He tried to break the silence,
"Yeah…" She said,
"This might be a really random question but… Are Brandy and Caroline a couple?"
"W…what?" Saya said looking flustered,
"They always spend time together and they seem… more than friends," Kolt said.
"You'd have to ask them that…" She said looking away,
"I see," Kolt said as they get to the hangar bay, as she stops. "You can still feel it can't you?" She nods. "I'll let TK know, you head back." He walks into the workshop as she walks away.
"Where's Saya?" TK asked,
"She could feel it when we got into the Hangar bay, so I told her to leave." Kolt said,
"Dangit, this is a lot harder than I thought. I was able to create something similar in the past to hide the Chaos Emeralds from Eggman, but these energy readings are so random I'm having trouble finding a counterbalance." TK said. "How's she holding up?"
"Not great… She was really upset about Elias benching her." He said,
"Not surprised. If he keeps trying to restrict her like this she may just bolt." TK said,
"That's what I said, but all I got was Sophia snapping at me." Kolt said,
"She snapped at you?" TK asked looking at him confused,
"Yeah, on top of that apparently after we all left, Alan tried to talk to her, and she threw him to the ground." Kolt said,
"She usually only gets this angry when there's something on her mind…" TK said, "Ah! But I don't have time to go talk to her. And I still can't find my phone…" She started rifling through her papers again trying to find it,
"I can go let her know you want to talk to her." Kolt said
"Thanks, please don't try to make her angry or she'll send you to the infirmary." TK said,
"Yeah, I'll just let her know then run," He jokes leaving her workshop.
Saya walked into the training room to see Alan. He was trying to figure out how to use the lifting machine. "Need a hand?" Saya asked,
"If you don't mind, I have no idea what I'm doing…" He said moving out of the way,
"You just have to unlock it here." She pointed out then showed him how to use it,
"Now I feel embarrassed," He chuckles,
"I did the same thing when I got here." Saya said,
"You lift?" Alan said looking surprised,
"Sure, arms gotta stay fit too. Though no matter what I do they still look like twigs." She chuckles, "C'mon, I'll spot you." She said as he finished getting on the weights and got on the bench. He sits back as she stands over him.
"Thanks for the help," He said starting his regimen as she spots him.
"No problem, you should have asked for help before you started. It's dangerous to lift alone." Saya said,
"Hard to ask someone when everyone seems to be doing something." He said finishing the set then putting the bar back up.
"It's definitely been crazy." She said with a sigh,
"Wanna do a set?" He asked,
"Sure,"
Kolt looked around the base until he found Sophia in the computer room talking to Elias. "Hey Sophia, TK wants to see you when you have a sec." Kolt said starting to leave,
"Thanks," She said as he walks away,
"Are you sure you're alright Sophia, you've been on edge since this morning." Elias said finishing up his paperwork.
"I'm fine, just been feeling a little off…" She said,
"Why don't you take some time to talk to Helen, I'm sure it'll help you figure out your own thoughts." He said,
"Maybe after all this is over and the Zarkon are off our planet. I'm going to go see what TK wants." Sophia said,
"Alright, be sure to let her know about the plan." He said as she heads towards the hangar bay.
"Hey TK, you wanted to see me?" Sophia said closing the door behind her and right at she does TK throws a journal that hits her in the head. "What the hell?"
"I should be asking you that, Kolt told me you attacked Alan." TK said looking frustrated,
"I… I was a little angry so when he grabbed me it set me off." Sophia said looking away,
"That's not an excuse, we're supposed to be a team. First you suggest Saya be benched and now you're picking fights with the others?" TK said as Sophia picks up her notebook and walks over to hand it back to her.
"It's not safe until we can contain the Dark Chaos Emerald…" She said,
"Yeah, leaving her alone on base worked so well the last time." TK said taking her notebook, Sophia could feel the chill coming from her words, "There's something else bothering you, now spill."
"I'm just tired of Saya being in danger," She said,
"That's not all of it," TK said knowing she was dodging her question.
"I'm angry alright! ever since that Chaos wave of energy blasted us, I've felt different." Sophia said as TK looks at her shocked at her honesty and the rage behind it.
"It's not just you." TK countered as Sophia's expression changes, "I've, felt off too. Yeah I'm already smart but now it feels like my senses have been heightened."
"I was worried it was just me…" She said,
"Well if you opened up a bit more, I wouldn't have to throw notebooks at you." TK said with a huff.
"Sorry," Sophia said,
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Alan. You could have seriously hurt him." She said as Sophia nods.
"I will…" She said turning around to leave, "Oh, there's been a change in plans. Elias wants this to be a covert mission. And we're going to need a tech person since Rogue is out of the country. You alright joining Team Dark for a mission?"
"Really? I wasn't expecting that." TK said,
"You're the only other person I trust to be able to hack into Eggman's tech." Sophia said,
"We'll I can't refuse with a response like that. When do we leave?" She asked,
"Later tonight, try to get some sleep before then. I'm going to go see if I can find Alan." She said leaving. She felt frustrated, like she moved in reverse. Working so hard trying to find a balance between her and Shadow but now even her thought process is more like him. She walks by the training room to see Saya and Alan talking.
"And she made me drop my tacos." Saya said sounding sad as Sophia walked up. Saya turns and makes eye contact with her then looks away, "Anyway, I forgot I was going to call my parents. Thanks for spotting me Alan." She quickly leaves.
"Kill joy." Alan said as an aura of anger comes off Sophia for a moment but then she lets out a sigh.
"I'm… sorry about earlier… You we're just trying to help, and I acted poorly." Sophia said,
"Apology accepted; I shouldn't have grabbed you either so I'm sorry about that." Alan said, "Mind if I ask why you were so angry?"
"Sadly, I'm just angry most of the time now so it's hard to know the cause." Sophia said crossing her arms. "It's something I need to work on."
"Hey, being able to acknowledge the issue is a great first step. My mom's a psychologist so she shoved this stuff down my throat. One thing that always helped me is writing down my thoughts." He suggested,
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." She said leaving him to go back to the computer room. She needed to make sure everything was ready for the mission. She wanted to save the Zarkon so that they could leave, and they could focus on making sure Saya was safe.