Chapter 25
"Cream, please wake up." Blaze cried out tears streaming down her face as she holds Cream in her arms. She reaches for her coms, "We need emergency evac! Cream and Amy are down." She said still trying to wake her,
"We're on our way, hold on!" Sally said,
"Eggman took Shadow, I couldn't do anything…" Blaze said,
"It's alright, just keep an eye on Cream and Amy." Sally said. Blaze hears a loud boom as a bright blue blur moving faster than she's ever seen leaps out of nowhere striking the head off the robot that was getting away. The head explodes and the robot stops moving.
"It's Sonic…" Blaze said shocked.
Sonic breaks through the glass and sees Shadow laying unmoving on the ground. "Shadow!" She runs over and lifts her just as the robot begins to fall. She jumps out and lands on the ground lying Shadow down. "Hey, Shads you okay?" she shook her, but she didn't move. She lays her head on her chest to see if she could hear her heartbeat. "No, no, no!" She started to perform CPR, "C'mon Shadow wake up!" She said as the electrical energy still running through Sonics body began to pulsate into Shadow's. She breathes into her mouth and attempts again, "Don't leave me!" She cries as the remaining energy from the power ring jumpstarts Shadows heart as she quickly sits up. She coughs as Sonics eyes fill with tears.
"Ow…" Shadow said still coughing as Sonic hugs her tightly, "What happened?,"
"I was so scared! I thought I didn't make it in time." Sonic cried as she holds onto Shadow shakily. She thought she had lost her for good, and it would have been her fault.
"What about Knuckles?" Shadow asked still coughing,
"He's with Tails, they're on their way here." Sonic said still not letting go, Shadow could feel her trembling.
"Eggman said you made a choice…" Shadow couldn't help but ask but hearing that Knuckles was okay made her second guess her thoughts.
"Yeah, I chose a third option." She said letting go,
"Cutting it a bit close?" Shadow teased trying not to show her feeling relieved with that response.
"I'm so sorry, I thought I'd have plenty of time with the power ring... Because of me you almost…" She said looking terrified still crying as Shadow places her hand on Sonic's cheek,
"Hey, I'm okay. You did good." She tried to comfort her as Sonic embraces her again. She's seen Sonic afraid before, but she could tell this was different. Seeing Sonic look that torn up about this made her feel guilty for doubting her and letting Robotnik get inside her head. "We gotta get to the others," She said pulling Sonic off and standing up,
"You shouldn't move." Sonic said looking worried, wiping away the tears.
"I feel fine, I want to make sure the others are okay." Shadow said they head down to find the others.
Sonic and Shadow walk down to see Cream and Amy being loaded into the helicopter. They run up and climb in, as the helicopter flies off. Sonic informs Tails to meet them back at HQ as Blaze watches over Cream unsure if she's alright. They are all taken to the infirmary as Dr. Q starts looking Cream over. "Shadow, you lie down too." Dr. Q said pointing to another bed,
"I'm fine focus on them." She said,
"I can't do that when I see you staggering every few minutes." She said as Shadow didn't realize she was doing that.
"C'mon," Sonic said leading her over to the bed and sitting her down,
"Those not in a bed, leave. I need quiet." She said as Sonic starts leaving but Blaze doesn't move, "Blaze…"
"I'm not leaving her."
"You're not leaving her, but I need the room. You can wait right outside." She said as Blaze storms out. Sonic was waiting outside for her,
"Hey, Blaze I…" Blaze smacks her across the face, just as Knuckles and Tails run up.
"You just have to prove everyone wrong, don't you?" She yelled, "Cream and Amy are seriously hurt because you decided to go play detective on your own!"
"Blaze that's not fair. You can't just blame Sonic, it's my fault too." Knuckles said,
"No, this happens all the time. You may have suggested it, but she ran with it because you can't help jump without a net." Blaze yells, Sonic's ears lower as tears start to well up in her eyes.
"Blaze…" Tails said as before any of them could say anything Sonic ran off,
"Cream's strong, she's going to be okay." Knuckles said as Hope flies over by the door.
"Chao!" Hope started trying to open the door to the infirmary,
"No Hope, Dr. Q is working," Tails said,
"I… can't handle her being hurt…" Blaze said,
"I'm sorry she got hurt, it's a miracle she hasn't been injured worse before this." Knuckles said transforming back,
"Chao!"
"Hope no!" TK tried to Stop Hope from opening the door but flies in and goes straight over to Cream.
"What is that?" Dr Q asked as it circled over Cream.
"Sorry, I couldn't stop them." TK said,
"Chao!" Hope flies down and touches Creams head where she was hurt as a bright light glows.
"What in the?" Kolt said as the light fades, Cream had transformed back, and her injury was gone.
"Caroline?" Brandy rushes over next to her as she begins to stir,
"I really shouldn't be surprised anymore…" Dr. Q said looking shocked as Hope flies over to Amy and does the same.
"They are completely healed!" TK said sounding astonished,
"So this is the power of a pure Chao." Kolt said, "Legend has it when a Chao is born after being cared for by one with a pure heart that Chao will have magical powers."
"You're going to have me out of a job." Dr Q said to Hope as they fly over to Caroline and lays in her lap. Caroline starts to wake up,
"Caroline." Brandy smiles with tears in her eyes, "Oh thank Chaos!"
"Is Shadow okay?" She asked,
"I'm alright," She said as Dr. Q goes over to check on Shadow, "I'm glad you both are okay,"
"What happened?" Caroline asked,
"You got hurt but Hope healed you." TK explained,
"Really?" Caroline looks down at Hope who was sleeping in her lap,
"Must have used too much energy." Kolt said,
"You both should rest." Brandy said, Alan slowly sits up,
"I know I shouldn't complain, but I feel like I should be in pain right now…" He said looking around, "Where's Saya?"
"She… ran off…" TK said slightly glancing at Brandy,
"What?" Shadow said transforming back, she stands up and Dr. Q sits her back down,
"Oh no you don't someone else can go after her." Dr. Q said,
"What happened?" Sophia asked looking worried, Sonic had looked so shaken.
"That's my fault… I snapped…" Brandy said,
"Brandy…" Caroline said taking her hand,
"I'm not good at controlling my emotions when it comes to you." She said moving over and sitting next to her on the bed, "I feared the worst."
"I heal just like the rest of you, that wasn't fair to take your anger out on Saya. You know she probably blames herself already." Caroline said,
"I know… I should go apologize…"
"I'll go bring her back… besides, being in here is putting me in a bad mood." Kolt said glancing at Sophia and then leaving.
"Now I know I've missed something." Alan said,
"He heard what I said to Robotnik." Sophia said,
"What did you say to him?" TK asked,
"That next time I have the opportunity to, I won't hesitate to kill him." She said as they all look at her shocked,
"Well that just got super dark…" Alan said,
"It wouldn't be the first time I threatened Robotnik." Sophia said, "Seeing both of you get injured and not being able to do anything pushed me over the edge."
"Yeah but he's also Professor Ivo, Kolts teacher." TK said,
"I told Kolt when he first got here that if I had to choose between my team and the professor, I choose all of you." She said, "I won't apologize for who I am."
"Would you really kill him?" Dr Q asked,
"Yes." She said without hesitation. "I killed an entire alien species to keep Mobius safe I would do it again in a heartbeat."
"Let's change the subject…" Dr. Q said noticing everyone was getting upset,
Outside Kolt looks around for Saya, seeing her on top of the outer wall leaning against it curled up in a ball with her head hiding. "Saya!" Kolt called up but she doesn't move, He climbs up to the top, "Man I wish I could jump like the rest of you." He said with a sigh as she still hides her face, "C'mon Saya, you know Brandy didn't mean it like that. She was just worried about Caroline."
"But she's right…" She slightly lifts her head; he could see her cheeks stained with tears. "Danger always follows me wherever I go. It's why I'm better off alone…"
"Are you Sonic or Shadow? Cuz I only have enough mental capacity for one edgy Hedgehog." Kolt tried to cheer her up but she puts her head back down, "You can't keep beating yourself up for what Eggman did."
"Soph almost died because of me…" Saya said,
"What are you talking about?"
"Eggman gave me an ultimatum… let him take you and save Sophia, or save you and loose her…" She said looking at him as there were more tears in her eyes, "I refused to choose and by doing that she almost died… I can't do this" She tries to wipe the tears away, but they just keep overflowing with guilt.
"Hey!" Kolt grabs her by the shoulders and pulls her close, "You and I both know that Eggman would have never kept his word. He would have killed us both if it meant he could make you suffer. Don't let him win."
"What if he's already won?" Saya said sounding defeated,
"Don't you dare say that!" He shakes her, "You're Sonic the Hedgehog, Sophia's is still alive because you were fast enough to save her! Stop doubting yourself!"
"Kolt if you shake me any harder my heads going to fall off…" She struggled,
"S…sorry…" He lets go, "I'm just a bit heated…"
"Seems to be everyone." Saya said,
"Caroline and Alan are okay, apparently, Hope can heal injuries." Kolt said trying to change the subject,
"Really? They're okay?" Her face lights up looking relieved,
"Yeah, why don't you go see them?" Kolt asked,
"I'll pass… last thing they should see is the reason they were injured," She lowers her head,
"Will you stop that!" Kolt strikes her in the back of the head,
"Ow!" She grabs the back of her head. "I'm going to have to go to the infirmary if you keep injuring me!"
"Then stop with the self-loathing." Kolt demanded,
"I'll try," Saya said with a sigh,
"Not good enough," Kolt said grabbing her by the waist and carrying her under his armpit,
"Hey! Put me down!" She tries to pull his arm away.
"We're going to go see the others," Kolt said,
"I can do that with my own feet!" Saya argued as she squirmed,
"And risk you running off again? I don't think so." Kolt said,
"I'm going to beat the crap out of you if you don't let go!" She said as he jumps down and starts walking inside,
"We really need to work on your arm strength." He jokes,
"This isn't funny Kolt!" Saya continues to struggle,
"I think it's hilarious." Kolt laughs as he sees everyone except Sophia leave the infirmary. "Hey guys, I found her."
"Seriously? You had to drag her back?" TK said with a sigh,
"I'm going to throw you over a cliff I swear to Chaos!" Saya argued as Kolt plops her right in front of them. There's an awkward pause for a moment, "Are you two okay?" She asked avoiding eye contact with them,
"Yeah, Hope really helped out." Alan said,
"Look… I'm sorry I…" Saya struggled to say as Brandy walks up and hugs her,
"I'm sorry too." She said as Saya holds her tightly, Brandy could feel Saya shaking.
"Can we just all try to be more careful and put this past us?" Caroline asked,
"Yeah…" Saya said wiping tears away from her eyes,
"That's not possible, Saya will definitely get into danger tomorrow." Alan teased,
"Will not!" She argued at they all laugh, "Is Soph okay?" she looks at the Infirmary door,
"Yeah, Dr Q is running a few more tests but she seems okay." TK said,
"Let's go make some food." Caroline said as they all nod and head to the kitchen,
"I think you're all good to go Sophia, the gas Eggman used on you doesn't have any delayed effects but you might feel a twinge of pain if you breathe too deeply for the next few hours." Dr. Q said,
"There's something else… would you be able to test my blood?" Sophia asked, something that Eggman said earlier was still bugging her. Was she really still the Ultimate Lifeform?
"Why would you want me to test your blood?" Dr Q asked looking at her confused,
"I want to make sure of something…"
"You're being very crypted and it's concerning me." She said crossing her arms,
"I want to make sure I'm still… human…" Sophia said,
"What? Why wouldn't you be human?"
"Ever since our abilities got hyper charged, I've felt different. I want to make sure that this isn't changing us on a cellular level." She said,
"Are you really that afraid of becoming Shadow?" Dr Q asked going over to the cabinet and grabbing a syringe.
"Yes…" She said, Dr Q takes a sample of her blood, Sophia didn't know how to explain that she hasn't been sleeping just out of fear of who might visit in her dreams again.
"It'll take me some time before I get the results. I'll come get you when it's done. But you're free to go. Try to make sure Saya is alright, will you? I don't like hearing that she ran off." Dr. Q asked as Sophia nods then leaves the infirmary. She walks down the hallway and feels the familiar scratching inside her head,
"Sophia…" She hears his voice echo in her mind as she quickly grabs her head, "Where are you?"
"Get out of my head…" She struggles,
"Sophia?" She hears Saya's voice as she feels the scratching inside her head subside, she looks up to see Saya walking up to her, "Hey, you okay?"
"I'm fine, just another headache." Sophia said looking at her relieved, it was good to see she hadn't gone far.
"Maybe you should drink tea instead of coffee?" Saya suggested,
"I need my coffee in the morning to have enough energy to tolerate you." Sophia teases,
"Ha, ha very funny! C'mon, dinner's almost ready." Saya said with a smile, the pain in Sophia's head lifts instantly. That was the smile she wanted to keep on Saya's face, not that terrified guilt ridden look she had earlier as she smiles back.
"What's for dinner?" Sophia asked,
"Tacos!" She cheers as Sophia follows her to the kitchen where everyone was waiting.
"About time." Alan said, "I'm starving!"
"Then just eat." TK said throwing a paper plate at his head. They all sit down and start eating.
"Kolt I…" Sophia tried to break the uncomfortable aura between them,
"Don't, I understand where you're coming from. Just know if I have a chance to stop you I will." Kolt said as she nods,
"You wouldn't be you if you didn't." Sophia said sitting down,
"There was one bonus of today." Saya said,
"What's that?" Caroline said as she was petting Hope who was still sleeping in her lap,
"We have power rings," Saya said,
"That definitely came in handy today," Kolt said, "You broke the sound barrier."
"It was pretty cool." TK said,
"We should make sure to harvest the rings whenever we can," Brandy said,
"I hang out in the alter room the most so I can keep an eye." Kolt said. As they nod and continue eating. Saya stops as her phone begins to buzz.
"That's my parents, I'll talk to you guys later," She said waving them off as she leaves the kitchen,
"Kolt, grab two power rings as soon as you can. TK, tomorrow morning We'll have you analyze my inhibitor rings so that you can replicate them." Sophia said as they nod,
"Still don't like it…" Alan said,
"You can get over it, it's for all of our safety, including hers." Brandy said as he pouts,
"I'll go check now and take it to the workshop." Kolt said leaving.
"I hope I can replicate them…" TK said as Sophia puts her hand on TK's shoulder,
"If anyone can it's you." She said as TK smiles with determination.
"Better get a good night's rest then," She said excitedly as she leaves,
"You sound like Sonic when you encourage her like that." Caroline said with a giggle,
"Y…yeah…" She blushes, "I'm going to turn in too, it's been a long day.
"Good night," Brandy said as they all turn in for the night. Sophia stays up still not wanting to sleep, if she lost concentration, she feared he'll get in her head again. but she only avoided the inevitable before the fatigue from the day took hold and she fell asleep.
She wakes within her dream back where she could only assume was the inside of the Dark Arms ship. She looks around as the one who kept speaking to her though her mind appears in front of her again, "Why do you continue to fight me?" he asked looking upset with her constant resistance.
"Because I want nothing to do with you." She said crossing her arms, "I don't know who you are, but I'm not interested,"
"How rude of me not to introduce myself to my sister." He bows, her eyebrow twitched hearing him call her that. "My name is Abyss, general of the Dark Arms for our leader Black Doom,"
"I'm not your sister." She scowled,
"But we have such a strong connection." He smiles as she feels the scratching inside her head, "Now tell me where I can find you."
"Not going to happen!" She fought through it as she runs up and kicks him away. But the scratching inside her head got worse as she got closer to him. She grasps her head trying to fight it.
"Why do you resist? We are the same!" He said,
"Because I made a promise that I intend to keep, and we are not the same." She said,
"I see…" Abyss said grabbing her head as she cries out in pain, "I will take your world if I have to." He said as she pushes him away and the dream begins to fade. Sophia wakes up again breathing heavily. She didn't know what info he took from her head, or how much longer she could keep this up before he does take the information he wants. She told herself that once she found the results of the blood test, she would tell the others.
That morning TK quickly heads to her workshop to get everything prepped, she sees the two power rings that Kolt left on the work bench as she starts turning on her computer as Sophia walks in, "Oh, you're earlier than I was expecting. Give me a minuet for my computer to warm up." TK said,
"I'll grab some coffee, want some?" Sophia asked,
"Sure," TK said as Sophia nods and heads to the kitchen, she sees everyone else talking as she walks over to the coffee pot.
"Two cups of coffee is a bit much." Saya teased,
"One's for TK," Sophia said,
"You helping her with something?" Saya asked,
"Yeah," Sophia said quickly leaving,
"She looked like she hasn't slept…" Caroline said,
"She also had another headache yesterday." Saya said looking worried,
"I'd keep your distance then; last time she was like this she threw me to the ground for just touching her arm." Alan said remembering hitting his head.
"I don't want to bother them then…" Saya said,
"Besides, you really should stay away from the Dark Chaos Emerald." Kolt said,
"Oh yeah, that's true… I was hoping to talk to TK, but I'll just message her and ask if we can talk later." Saya said letting out a sigh.
"Anything we can help with?" Alan asked, she jolts startled at the question as her face turns red.
"N…Nope! It's not something you can help with." She said quickly standing up, "I'm going to run the track for a bit." She said leaving before any of them can stop her.
"That was weird." Kolt said,
"You don't think…" Caroline looks at Brandy,
"Could be." Brandy shrugs,
"It definitely looked like it to me." Alan said nodding to both of them,
"What are you all talking about?' Kolt asked looking at them confused,
"You really haven't figured it out?" Brandy asked,
"Figured what out?" he asked,
"Kolt… don't ever change." Alan said,
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kolt glares at him,
"Your cluelessness it too pure for this world." He chuckles as Kolt stands up with rage in his eyes,
"I'll kill you!" Kolt said,
"And that's my que to run away." Alan said running out of the kitchen,
"Get back here Alan!" Kolt yelled running after him, as both Brandy and Caroline laugh,
TK was busy working with Shadow leaning against the door with one inhibitor off as TK is scanning it through her computer. "Are you going to be okay with it off?" she asked,
"It's only when I use Chaos Control will I be at risk and I'm still wearing one of them, so it's still weakening me enough," Shadow said,
"I still never really understood why you would need the inhibitors." TK said,
"In my case there's such a thing as too much power and not having it in check exhausts me too quickly. It's one of the things that could actually kill me… well could actually kill Shadow." She said,
"I see, and these rings should do the same to Sonic then, it wouldn't hurt her would it?" TK asked, as Shadow shakes her head,
"They don't hurt me at all, it will only prevent her from tapping into her full strength." She said,
"I see, well after I figure out how yours work, I'll have to figure out a way, so she won't be able to take them off." She said as Shadow nods.
"Good idea, they won't be very helpful if she can just take them off on her own." She agreed as TK's phone begins to buzz.
"Oh no…" She said reading her message looking worried,
"What is it?" Shadow looked worried,
"Saya wants to talk… that's never good." TK said,
"Do you think it's urgent?" Shadow asked,
"No, she said whenever I'm available, so I want to make sure this is completely scanned first." She said typing on the computer, "In the meantime why don't you take a nap or something, you look like you didn't sleep well."
"That's cuz I didn't." She said letting out a sigh,
"Bad dream?" TK asked,
"Something like that…" Shadow looks away, her head was still throbbing and Abyss' comment about taking her world bothered her. She feared he might already know where Earth is.
"Do you want to talk about it?" TK said,
"Not really." She didn't want to discuss it until she was positive about her fears.
"Oh crap! What do I say if Saya asks what I'm doing?" TK quickly said taking Shadow off guard for a moment as she lets out a sigh,
"Tell her you're working on a backup for the Dark Chaos Emerald container." Shadow said,
"That's… a really good idea!" TK said sounding surprised. "You're a little too good at lying." She chuckles,
"Did you forget I'm a secret agent?" She chuckles as well,
"I'm just glad you're on our side." TK said,
"Me too." Shadow smiles,
TK finishes later in the afternoon working on scanning Shadow's inhibitors and now has her computer running algorithms while she goes to see why Saya wanted to talk to her. She walks outside to see her running around the track. For a moment it looked like there was a blue streak glowing behind her as she ran just like it did while she's Sonic. "Saya?" TK called out as she suddenly stops, the glow behind her fades,
"Hey TK! How goes the experimenting?" Saya asked,
"It goes." She chuckles,
"What are you working on again?" Saya asked as she grabbed her water bottle and walked over to TK.
"I… I'm making a backup container for the Dark Chaos Emerald." TK lied,
"Good idea, better safe than sorry." She said with a smile, TK felt a pain in her chest, she hated lying to her best friend.
"We're you running at full speed just now?" TK asked changing the subject,
"What? No, I was just jogging." Saya said, but TK knew what she saw.
"Anyway, what did you want to talk about?" TK asked,
"Let's take a walk." Saya said with a smile as she hops over the wall, TK pauses for a second and sighs,
"I'm not Tails, I can't fly all the time." TK called out crossing her arms,
"Whoops. Sorry," Saya chuckles as she jumps back and helps her up. "Guess I've gotten to use to having my abilities." She shrugs as they start walking down the trail "We should check out the Chao Garden while were out here." She smiles,
"Good idea." TK said smiling back,
"Man it's beautiful today." Saya said stretching,
"Why are you dodging? The whole reason were out here is because you wanted to talk." TK said giving Saya a look.
"Ha, ha… You don't miss a beat." Saya said scratching the back of her head, "I haven't said it out loud yet and a part of me is afraid to admit it." she looked distant as she said that starting to absent mindedly play with her pony tail.
"Now you have me worried… spit it out already!" TK demanded as Saya jolts,
"I… think I may… have feelings… for Sophia…" Saya stops and looks at TK who is staring at her with a blank expression. "Uh… TK?"
"About time!" TK said letting out a sigh as she shook her head, then continues walking forward,
"Wait what?" Saya asked looking flustered as she follows after TK, "What do you mean, about time?"
"You've had feelings for her for a long time now, but you're too dense to actually see it." TK said as Saya's face is entirely red,
"Why didn't you say anything then!" She whimpered,
"Because this was one thing you had to figure out for yourself Saya. Besides love isn't really my specialty." TK said,
"I said like… I… I didn't say… love…" Saya said, her face turns more red making her ears turn red as well,
"Wow, Sophia is right, red is a good color on you." TK teases,
"Now you're just being mean!" Saya covers her face, as TK notices the tree roots in front of Saya's feet.
"Saya look out!" TK tried to stop her as she trips over a tree root with a thud.
"Ow…" She said getting back up, "At least I protected my face." Saya brushes off the dirt,
"Maybe not cover your face while walking?" TK said,
"Maybe not embarrass me to the point where I want to hide my face?" She crosses her arms with a pout, her face was still red.
"Alright, alright! So what made you realize your feelings?" TK asked, as Saya stops walking,
"When I saved Sophia yesterday… That moment she wasn't breathing it felt like the world stopped as my mind raced thinking how I couldn't live without her." She looked down at her hands seeing that they were shaking, "That was more scary than almost being robotisized…"
"Saya…" TK goes up to her and gives her a hug, "Don't forget Sophia's the Ultimate Lifeform she's stronger than most of us."
"I know… That doesn't change how I feel… I don't want to lose her." Saya said,
"Okay, now that you kinda figured out your feelings, what are you going to do?" TK asked waiting expectantly to hear this great plan to how she was going to confess to Sophia. Saya pauses as she thinks for a moment.
"Run away."
"NO!" TK yelled as she facepalms shaking her head, she questions how the previous hero of Mobius could be so ridiculous.
"I don't know what to do TK, that's why I wanted to talk to you!" Saya said,
"Okay this is going to be harder than I thought." TK said as they get to the Chao Garden,
"I'm a little scared, I've never told anyone I have feelings for them… Alan made it look so easy." Saya said sitting down.
"You don't have to tell her right this second, besides, I think she didn't get a lot of sleep. So now might not be a good time." TK said,
"But when is the right time? How do I say it? Should I do what Alan did and go to a romantic spot?"
"That flower bed by the cliff that you showed me was really pretty." TK said,
"Right? Still need to take Caroline up there. But maybe not a good idea to use the same spot that Ala confessed to me." She said,
"I would say bring her here but it's a little too far out to ask Sophia to privately without her getting suspicious. Before you have a chance to tell her." TK said,
"Flower bed is way past closer." Saya said,
"I think Sophia would like the privacy when you do tell her, not to mention you'll probably want the privacy also." TK said,
"That makes sense, and she's a pretty straight forward person so being upfront would be best." Saya said thinking,
"See? You're figuring it out." TK said with a smile,
"I feel like you're patronizing me…" She glares,
"Only a little bit, have to tease by best friend every once in a while." TK giggles,
"Thanks for helping me out with this… I'm… really nervous…" Saya said fidgeting.
"It's okay to be nervous Saya, feelings are complicated." She said,
"What if she doesn't feel the same?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there, don't rush to the finish line before you get to the race."
"Ha, ha! Good one." Saya chuckles as she pauses and takes a deep breath, "You're right! I'll just figure out the right time and tell her!" She said looking determined,
"Good, and no running away." TK said crossing her arms,
"Right…" She chuckles, "We should head back before they think we've been gone too long." She said as they head back,
Sophia gets a message from Elias to meet him in the computer room. She heads over there and see him and Sally with Rogue and Omega. "Good, you're all here, we have a mission for Team Dark." Elias said,
"What's the situation?" Sophia asked,
"We found one of the scrolls Eggman might be looking for. It's one of a set of three." Elias explained,
"The scroll Eggman had Dark Sonic steal?" Sophia asked,
"The very same, it's written in the language that Kolt can read meaning not only is Eggman after those scrolls, you can bet he'll try to lure out Kolt again." Elias said,
"You going to bench him?" Sophia asked,
"I haven't decided that yet, but we cannot let this second scroll fall into Eggman's hands." Elias said,
"What about the third scroll?" Rogue asked,
"That scroll is already secure." Elias said,
"Alright, how soon do we leave?" Sophia asked,
"You leave right after this briefing, keep in mind this will be overseas and will be a long trip." Sally said as Sophia nods.
"Let the others know I'll be gone for a while," Sophia said as they start prepping to leave. They head towards the hangar bay as Saya and TK see them walk by,
"G…Going on a mission?" Saya asked slightly flustered not expecting to see Sophia so soon,
"Yeah, I'll be gone for a few days. Try not to cause trouble." Sophia said continuing to walk by down the hall out of sight, Saya lets out a sigh as TK chuckles,
"Don't laugh!" Saya said blushing,
"You're just relieved that now you have time to plan how you want to talk to her." TK teased; she didn't realize how quickly Saya would start getting flustered around Sophia after discovering her feelings.
"You're supposed to be on my side about this not making fun of me!" Saya crosses her arms,
"Best friend contract says I have to do both." TK shrugs,
"I want that in fine writing!" Saya argued,
"Well, why don't you run off some steam, I've got to get back to work." TK said heading back to her workshop. Saya lets out a huff and walks away.
Kolt was sitting in the Alter room meditating as Tikal appears next to him, "You seem troubled." Tikal said,
"I don't want to accept that Professor Ivo is gone… but what if he is? Sophia, Caroline and Alan were seriously injured because of me…" Kolt said still feeling guilty about what happened yesterday.
"Knuckles, there's nothing wrong with hoping that there is always good in people." Tikal reassured him. That was one of the things she likes about him, how big his heart is when it comes to trust.
"I know… and I can't blame Sophia for having the mindset that she has. She's always been straight forward about her feelings; however heartless they may be sometimes…" Kolt said still remembering her words.
"Do you believe your soul is separate from your past lives?" Tikal asked,
"Saying yes would be lying but saying no is worse… it means that deep down Professor Ivo was always Robotnik." Kolt said as Tikal shakes her head,
"You have it reversed." Tikal said as he looks at her confused, "Deep down, Eggman is capable of good. And you have seen it firsthand." Those words brought him some hope,
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Kolt said with a smile, "I'll figure out how to save Professor Ivo somehow."
"Hey Kolt!" Saya said running into the room taking him by surprise,
"What now?" Kolt said rolling his eyes, as Tikal chuckles.
"Come spar with me." Saya said,
"Don't you ever take a break?" Kolt asked, Tikal disappears as he walks down towards Saya.
"What? Afraid I'll beat you Red?" She teased,
"You're on Blue!" he said transforming and they both head outside.
Caroline and Cream were in the kitchen with Hope who kept stealing the frosting they made for the cookies that were baking, "Hope those are for the cookies!" Caroline said,
"Chao!"
"I know it tastes good, but you need to save some for the others." She chuckles,
"It always shocks me that you can understand Chao." Brandy said,
"You pick up a few things when you're around them your entire life." She smiles, Brandy kisses her on the cheek,
"You always find new ways to surprise me." Brandy said putting the cookies in the oven.
"Do you think She'll say anything?" Caroline asked,
"Sophia will be gone for a while so probably not." Brandy said,
"I hope one of them says something soon." She lets out a sigh.
"Me too, I'm tired of how dense they've been. Even after I said something to Sophia…" Brandy grabs the bowl of frosting before Hope puts their hand back into it and places it in the fridge, "And you'll spoil your dinner!"
"Chao!"
A few days pass and everything in Freedom HQ is quiet giving TK plenty of time to work on the limit rings. She believes that she's made them perfectly and messages Kolt to come to her workshop to test them out since Sophia wasn't back yet.
"Alright," Kolt said transforming into Knuckles, "Let's see if they work." He said holding out his wrists as TK places them on him.
"How do you feel?" she asked,
"I feel… drained…" Kolt said looking exhausted to the point he might almost fall over,
"I think they are limiting too much… I can weaken them a bit if you think it won't hurt her," TK said as Knuckles shakes his head,
"You forget how powerful Saya is, if it drains me it's a good thing." Knuckles said,
"Try to get them off." TK said as he reaches and grabs at one of the rings as the two become magnetized and stick together.
"What the heck? They're stuck…" Kolt said now just trying to pull his arms apart.
"If the rings touch while activated, they will become magnetized to one another restraining the wearer." She explained,
"Going a little above and beyond huh?" He said holding out his hands, "I still think we should test them on Shadow and if we get a similar result, they should be perfect." He said as TK takes out a small thumb sized ring and touches the inhibitor rings and they fall off his wrists onto the ground. "Really nice job TK."
"I also went ahead and made an extra set, just in case if we lose these." She said,
"Great idea," Kolt said rubbing his wrists. "I hope we never have to use them…"
"Me too." TK said looking sad, she still felt bad that she made these in secret.
"When do you think Sophia will be back?" Kolt asked,
"She messaged me earlier saying they should be back this evening... I should go talk to Saya." TK said leaving the room,
"Talk to Saya about what?" Kolt asked following after her looking curious,
"It's girl stuff." She teases, knowing saying it like that would stop him from prying further,
"O…oh…" He said looking away, "I think she's outside training with Alan."
"Cool thanks again for your help," She said waving him off. Kolt decides to head over to the Alter room, something had him feeling unsettled, but he didn't know why and hoped meditating would help.
"Alan you need to have a better stance, or you'll get knocked over." Saya said as she easily slips behind him nudging his leg with her foot and he falls over.
"Why are you so fast?" Alan said trying to catch his breath,
"Uh, fastest thing alive? It's in the title? I thought you were my biggest fan." Saya teased as she sticks her tongue out at him,
"How about this?" He jumps up as his hammer appears, she barely dodges it not expecting it to appear.
"Whoa! Since when can you do that?" Saya said looking shocked,
"Two days ago," Alan said swinging his hammer over his shoulder, "There was a spider in my room and… I kind of panicked." He chuckles looking embarrassed,
"I didn't know you were afraid of spiders," Brandy said as her and Caroline were sitting outside in the sun while Hope slept in Caroline's lap. Saya showed an evil grin,
"Now I have a way to counter your teasing." Saya said,
"Oh hey Sophia welcome back," Alan said waving as Saya turns around surprised, she sees no one was there as Alan starts laughing.
"W… Why you!" Saya's face turns red as she tackles him, and they start sparing again. TK walks out to see them full wrestling on the ground,
"Hi TK," Caroline said,
"What did I miss?" TK asks looking at them confused,
"They're just teasing each other." Caroline responded,
"Alan's afraid of spiders!" Saya yelled loudly jumping on top of his hammer,
"Don't tell the whole world you brat! I don't go around yelling your secrets!" He swings her off with his hammer.
"Two can play at that game, Chaos Shield!" She said as Alan is encompassed in a force field,
"No fair!" He said as it starts rolling, "Oh no… Why is it rolling? Saya make it stop!"
"Fine, fine." She chuckles releasing the shield just before is starts rolling downhill,
"I don't understand how you spin like that…" He said looking dizzy,
"Lots of practice?" Saya shrugs,
"We should get dinner ready," Brandy said standing up,
"Alan were you still going to help us grill?" Caroline said,
"You bet! I love grilling!" He said standing up and following them inside, TK walks up to Saya and smiles,
"So Sophia told me she's going to be back later tonight, do you think you're ready?" TK asked,
"Yeah! I can totally do this!" Saya said as her confidence breaks and she starts to look nervous, "Nope, can't do this." She turns to run as TK grabs the back of her collar.
"Oh no you don't!" TK said, "Saya, you've been prepping for the last week. Now, tell me the plan again."
"I message her to meet me out here," Saya said explaining to plan,
"Yep," TK nods,
"I take her to the flower field by the cliffside." She looks over in the direction of the cliffside,
"Uh huh," TK nods again,
"Then I panic and jump off the cliff…"
"NO!" TK smacks the back of Saya's head.
"T… Then I tell her how I feel… Chaos I'm nervous…" She said rubbing the back of her head, her face completely flushed.
"Don't be, You're Sonic the Hedgehog! You got this." She said holding her fist out as Saya smiles and they fist bump. They head inside and have dinner together. After they finish eating, Caroline and Brandy go to the lounge and read for a bit while TK went back to her workshop to make sure the inhibitor rings were calibrated correctly and Alan and Kolt went to work out in the reck room.
Sophia gets back later that evening and goes to the kitchen to grab herself some food, it wasn't too late after the sun set but the base was mostly quiet, she places her phone down as she grabs some leftovers from the fridge, "Oh Sophia, I'm glad I found you." Dr. Q walks in,
"Hey, everything alright?" Sophia said eating,
"I got your bloodwork back…" Dr. Q paused,
"And?" Sophia looked at her concerned,
"You're still human." She said as Sophia lets out a sigh of relief, "but there's something more…"
"Damn…" Sophia said rubbing her temple she started feeling the scratching inside her head again. She had gotten some relief while on mission but ever since she's been back on base it's come back.
"I haven't seen anything like it, what is it?" Dr. Q asked,
"It's Dark Arms DNA… I'm… turning part Alien…" Sophia said looking down, her worst fears becoming realized.
"Because of your past lives?" She asked,
"Yes…" as Sophia nods, Dr Q begins to think,
"The others are also exhibiting the ability to use their powers outside of their transformations too… is this because the seven Chaos Emeralds are in close proximity?"
"I don't know… but I need to talk to the others…" She said quickly leaving the kitchen knowing that what she has to do next won't sit well with her friends, but she has to have a counter measure in place now that she knows that the Dark Arms are a potential threat.