Chapter 49
Sophia tries to break free from Mephiles' grasp in the darkened back room of the infirmary where there was no one within earshot. "Interesting how we manage to be in the same situation as before." Mephiles chuckles as he holds up Saya.
"Chaos…" Sophia tried to transform, but another shadow wrapped around her mouth silencing her. She quickly tries to pull it off with her free hand but there was nothing to grab.
"Now, you don't want to wake her just yet. I want to talk to you first." Mephiles said as Sophia glares at him as more shadows restrain her arms and legs pining her in place. The room was dark, and she knew he had the advantage here, so she stops resisting, "Good," He releases her mouth,
"Whatever you want to say I'm not interested." Sophia said looking at Saya, "Let her go."
"I warned you didn't I? That these pathetic humans would turn on you when they were given the chance. Look at them now, fighting to imprison you like in the past." Mephiles said as the shadow around Saya's waist forms into his arm. Sophia realizes that Mephiles might be the one spreading the rumors about her around the compound, not Abyss.
"It's not the same and you know it." Sophia tries to move but the shadows held strong. Saya starts to stir feeling discomfort from being tightly held by her stomach. She lifts her head as her eyes start to adjust to the darkness of the room. She notices that she's being held up as she turns her head towards Sophia looking at her confused,
"Soph?" Saya said half-awake, she tries to move as she turns her head towards Mephiles, "What the…" A shadow covers her mouth as she tries to speak, the shadows restrain her movement as she continued to struggle frightened and confused to what was happening.
"Shh, the adults are talking." Mephiles said petting Saya's head.
"Damnit," Sophia tried to break free,
"I told you we weren't done talking. Or do you wish for me to take her now?" He grins holding Saya's face towards Sophia, she looked panicked and scared letting out a whimper as Sophia's eyes begin to glow with anger,
"I'll…!" Sophia started to yell as the shadows shut her mouth again,
"Inside voices my dear, we don't want anyone else interrupting us." He said as Sophia tried to calm down, "Let's try this again, but raise your voice again and I will leave with her." Saya continued to struggle.
"What do you want?" Sophia said in a defeated tone,
"I want to offer you what I did last time as a curtsey. Join me and you get to keep your precious Saya safe. Refuse and I cannot guarantee either of your safety." He said as Saya quickly starts shaking her head, Mephiles tries to keep her still to not interrupt their conversation.
"Why come after me?" Sophia asked, "Your mind games didn't work on me last time what makes you think I'll join you this time?"
"Because this time you have someone precious you wish to protect. The seal will be broken at some point and you know where the scrolls are." Mephiles said as he looks over at Saya and presses his finger against her chest "Along with the rest of the Emerald." He moves his finger, Saya feels a pulsating pain as if he was trying to rip the Dark Chaos shard out of her as she lets out a muffled scream in pain, her eyes flash red for a moment.
"Stop it, you're hurting her…" Sophia panics trying to move, he chuckles at her before moving his finger off of Saya's chest and the pain subsides as she breathes heavily.
"It'll have to come out at some point, but she can keep it for now, it doesn't look like your guardian can jump to your rescue anymore. That works in my favor." He laughs while she weakly tried to struggle, "Now, what do you say Shadow, will you join me?"
"My answer is still no, even if I knew where the scrolls or the Emerald are, I would never tell you." She said as he frowns.
"I can tell by your expression that you are telling the truth." He lets out a long sigh, "As a reward you can keep her for a little bit longer." The shadows around Sophia loosen. Mephiles throws Saya at her as he reenters the shadows. "But once everything is in place I will come to retrieve her." Sophia catches Saya and she holds her tightly running to the light switch turning on the light.
"Saya?" Sophia tries to let her go to check her over but Saya doesn't move holding onto Sophia desperately as she trembled.
"W…what in Chaos is going on?" Saya asked with tears in her eyes.
"Shh, It's okay, I have you." Sophia wraps her hands around her as Saya realized that Sophia was also trembling. She moves them over to a different bed as they both tried to calm down. "Are you in any pain?"
"No, it stopped when he moved his hand away." Saya said putting her hand on her chest. "Are you okay?" She looks up at her as Sophia kisses her,
"No… I'm terrified. He caught both of us in a matter of seconds and I couldn't do anything." She said hugging her tightly,
"Too tight…" Saya squirmed a little bit as she loosens her grip,
"Sorry," Sophia said,
"He was trying to use you to get the scrolls and the Emerald…" Saya said,
"Good thing we don't know where they are." She said letting out a sigh,
"I'm still so confused, Why is no one else here? Where are TK, Kolt and Sasha?" Saya said looking around. She had no idea what time it was.
"Apparently the antidote TK made was too potent and they were afraid giving it to you might harm you, so they let you sleep off the drug." Sophia explained,
"Oh, well that also explains why you're here." She lightly chuckles trying to lift some of the tension. "Guess we know that drug knocks you out for a long time."
"Let's get back to the room, I don't feel safe here." She said. Saya nods as they both walk back to their room still holding onto one another tightly.
They quietly enter the room as they both sit on Saya's bed, neither of them felt comfortable enough to leave the other's side. But seeing their friends around them put their minds at ease, at some point they laid down to try and relax and fell asleep in each other's embrace.
After a few hours pass, the others start to wake up as they all look at one another confused to see Saya and Sophia in the room. Caroline goes over and gently nudges Sophia awake. She jolts quickly sitting up with a Chaos Spear in hand breathing heavily as if woken up from a bad dream. "Easy there!" Alan said. Brandy quickly pulls Caroline away as Sophia snaps out of it and dissipates the Chaos Spear,
"S…Sorry." She said looking over Saya,
"I don't think I've ever seen you this jumpy." Kolt said concerned as he sees how tightly she's holding onto Saya still asleep in her arms. "What happened?"
"Mephiles paid us a visit after you and Elias left." Sophia said as they all look shocked,
"I'm messaging Elias." TK said,
"Why didn't you call for help?" Kolt asked looking angry,
"I couldn't… We were both at his mercy before I could even react…" She said sounding frustrated trying not to sound fearful as Saya starts to wake up,
"Soph… too tight…" Saya said squirming as Sophia loosens her grip,
"Sorry if I woke you." Sophia said looking at Saya concerned,
"It's cool, I got plenty of sleep yesterday." She lightly chuckles, moving her arms back around Sophia's waist also not trying to look scared. "Looks like they already know what happened."
"Not all of it." Brandy said,
"Let's wait on that, Elias said to meet them in the conference room ASAP." TK said as they all get ready and head there.
"Are you both alright?" Sally asked rushing over to them and checking them over,
"Still a little shaken up but we're not hurt." Saya said instinctually putting her hand on her chest remembering the painful tugging feeling when Mephiles touched her,
"Tell us exactly what happened." Elias said as they all sit down and Sophia and Saya explain to them the events from earlier.
"Damn! Is nowhere safe?" Elias slams his fist on the table making most of them jump. "Sorry…"
"No, I agree with you. Every time we think we're safe something happens just to prove us wrong." Brandy said crossing her arms,
"So he's also after the scrolls…" Alan said,
"Meaning he'll come after you at some point." Caroline looks at Kolt,
"Shit." Kolt lets out a sigh,
"TK, we put the antidote on hold until you and I build a curtain of Darkness. It's what I used to contain Mephiles last time. But we need to find a way to make it stronger." Sophia said as TK nods,
"Maybe Tikal knows a way to help," TK said,
"We can go ask her after this." Sophia said,
"Everyone in this room must have someone with them at all times," Elias said looking at Sally,
"That includes you," She said crossing her arms,
"I know." Elias said with a sigh, "As long as we don't say what information any of us have, Mephiles won't know which one of us to go after."
"We shouldn't talk to anyone about the scrolls or the Emerald… just in case." Caroline said,
"If someone else brings it up they may be being influenced by Mephiles." Brandy said,
"Then it's settled, we stay on high alert but speak nothing of this to anyone," Elias said as they all nod.
"What should I do?" Saya asked,
"Hiding you away isn't going to do anything, he can slip through all of our defenses. You need to stay in well-lit areas as much as possible just in case. That goes for you too Kolt." He said,
"Sleeping's going to suck." Kolt said with a sigh,
"We'll just make eye masks. I can ask my mother for help." Caroline said with a smile,
"I can ask my mom if she can give us a hand," Alan said as Caroline nods,
"I'd like to go through the footage and see exactly when Mephiles got into the infirmary. See if we can figure out how long he's been here." Sally said,
"I'll go with you." Brandy said,
"That means you're stuck going to meetings with me Kolt." Elisa said jokingly,
"Can someone trade?" Kolt said with a sigh,
"I did that for a month I'm good." Saya said waving her hands,
"You're not leaving my side." Sophia said,
"I know." She grabs her hand; Sophia could tell that Saya was still frightened, but she was trying to hide it. They all stand up and head in different directions as Sophia, Saya and TK head towards the alter room.
Alan and Caroline meet up with their parents as they could tell by their faces that something was bothering them, "Is everything alright Alan?" His mother asked,
"Just more enemies we have to worry about." He chuckles trying to laugh it off,
"Did something happen?" Caroline's mother asked,
"We're not allowed to talk about it, just to make sure we all stay safe." She said as both of their parents nod.
"We were wondering if you could help up make some eye masks to sleep in, we're going to have to sleep with the lights on for a while." Alan said,
"Of course, I'll ask around if anyone has any spare fabric we can use." Alans mother walked away. They both start to notice some of the other civilians start whispering and glance at them constantly.
"Maybe we should talk somewhere else… I'm starting to feel sick from all the prejudice whispers." Alan said loudly as the whispers stop and people start to disperse.
"Alan, you could have caused a scene…" Caroline said,
"Good, I'm at the point where I'm ready to fight these people. Sophia's done nothing wrong except do her job and they all look at her and us like we're working with Eggman." He said as Caroline's mother ushers them into her room.
"Let's get a little more privacy." She said as they both nod in agreement.
Sally and Brandy began watching over the footage in front of the infirmary to determine when Mephiles entered the compound. Brandy pays close attention to peoples shadows as she notices that Sophia's shadow was oddly shaped when she entered the compound. "Looks like Mephiles has been following Sophia around specifically." Brandy said pointing it out to Sally.
"Is it because of their past? She mentioned that he tried to get her to join him before. Why would he think it would work now?" Sally asked,
"I'm not sure… He said it was a warning… Perhaps Mephiles knows Sophia could be a threat to him and wanted to try and get her on his side before she has a chance to stop him." Brandy said,
"That means Mephiles will probably come after Sophia first if whatever he has planned gets started." Sally said,
"He said he'd come back for Saya once everything was in place, so she's at lease safe from him unless he gets the items he's after…" Brandy said,
"He didn't seem fond of your flames last time." Sally said,
"But he commented that wouldn't work a second time, Though my flames might still weaken him similar to when we weakened Chaos." Brandy said,
"Didn't you have to channel Chaos energy from the Master Emerald to keep that up?" Sally asked as she nods, "That injured Kolt severely."
"It did, so it would be too risky to do that again even if our powers have increased." Brandy said, "We should try to make sure other factors like Eggman, or Abyss don't divide our attention."
"What do you suggest we do? Abyss can change his appearance to look like anyone and Eggman has control over the majority of the world." Sally asked,
"I don't know… Chaos this is frustrating." She said, "We should try to make sure Mephiles truly left the base."
"Chao!" Hope flies over to Saya as they enter the Alter room,
"Hi Hope," Saya said as Hope nuzzles her cheek, "Okay, okay! That tickles!" She laughs as Hope lets go tilting their head,
"Chao?"
"Uh Tikal? I don't speak Chao." Saya said as Tikal appears,
"Hope senses that you are unsettled, as can I. Are you all alright?" She asked,
"That's why we're here, Mephiles came after Saya and Sophia this morning and we're trying to figure out how we can contain him." TK explained,
"You are referring to Mephiles the Dark correct?" Tikal asked as they nod, "I will help in any way I can."
"We need to make sure that he isn't here…" Sophia said looking at their shadows,
"I can manage that, all of you please cover your eyes until I tell you it is safe." Tikal said as they all cover their eyes as she concentrates. The Master Emerald begins to glow blindingly bright until the entire room is flooded in light where no shadow could exist. The light dims as she confirms no foreign shadows were in the room, "It is safe to open your eyes."
"We're having conversations about Mephiles in here for now on." Sophia said as they all open their eyes,
"Thanks Tikal," Saya said as she smiles,
"Now let's try and figure out how to stop Mephiles," TK said,
"I had an idea about that, would you be able to create a field similar to the one Containing the Dark Chaos Emerald? Use his own power to contain him." Sophia said,
"That could work… I'll need you to list off the materials I will need to create it." TK said as they start devising a plan using the materials Sophia knew contained Mephiles in the past connected with the power of the Master Emerald before they move to TK's workshop so she can start building it.
Kolt and Elias reenter his office after another meeting, Kolt lets out a loud sigh as they both sit down, "I do not envy your job." Kolt said,
"I don't either…" Elias said letting out a sigh, "But someone has to do it." They both sit in silence.
"We're losing… aren't we?" Kolt asked,
"I refuse to accept that… even with the odds stacked against us." He said staring to read over the pile of files on his desk. They both get a message from Sophia suggesting they all meet in the Alter room for now on to make sure they are not being followed.
"It's at least good to know we have a place you and Saya can be safe." Elias said,
"Seeing Sophia jump this morning has me on edge…" Kolt said, "I've seen her scared before but that was different."
"After what happened with Erazor I don't blame her. Fleetway warned us that Mephiles getting his hands of Saya is game over. So that must have been terrifying for her that both of them were at his mercy." Elias said,
"Would we be able to use the limit rings on Mephiles?" He asked,
"Probably not, I don't think the rings can hold onto something that can turn into liquid darkness." Elias said letting out another heavy sigh, "I need some air…" He stands up,
"Fresh air sounds great." Kolt said following after him as they head outside, the weather was nice with a relaxing breeze.
"I want to ask you a favor and you're allowed to refuse." Elias said,
"Okay?" Kolt raises and eyebrow,
"If Mephiles finds out who has the information he's looking for… If you see the opportunity to silence them…"
"I'll stop you right there. I refused that request when Sophia asked me to kill her if Black Doom got into her head and I won't hurt any of my friends." He said looking angry at Elias going in that same direction,
"Should have asked Sophia," He chuckles,
"That's not funny," Kolt crosses his arms, "And she wouldn't hurt any of her friends either even if you ordered her to. Unless she was self-sacrificing herself." He rolls his eyes.
"That seems to be a trait with all of you." He said shaking his head,
"Look who's talking." Kolt said,
"That's a fair statement." Elias said as he gets a message on his communicator, "Looks like there's more work to do." He said as Kolt stops him before they head back inside,
"Do not request something like that again. I won't let you put that burden on any of them." He said as Elias gives him a nod,
"I won't, promise." He said as Kolt lets go of his arm as they head back downstairs.
Saya fell asleep at TK's workbench as her and Sophia continued to work on the Curtain of Darkness when Dr. Starline enters the room, "TK, I went to go check on Saya and…" He looks over to see her asleep on the bench, "Oh…"
"Sorry, that's my fault. We had a little incident last night and I took her back to our room." Sophia said trying to stay vague,
"Is she alright?" He asked,
"Yeah, I think she's just burnt out from stress." Sophia said walking over to check Saya. "It was too early, there wasn't anyone to tell we left." She didn't want to comment that it was weird that the entire infirmary was empty.
"As long as she's alright." Starline lets out a sigh, "While I have you here, would it be alright if I schedule a time for you to come to the infirmary for another blood sample? With all of the uproar I don't want people walking in and causing a scene."
"That's fine, but we're under strict orders to be supervised at all times." She said,
"That won't be a problem." He said with a smile, "How does next Tuesday sound? Around 7pm?"
"That should be fine." She said,
"Excellent, I'll leave you both to it." He said leaving the room.
"It was nice of him to think of a way for you to go to the infirmary without causing a scene." TK said,
"He probably doesn't want a fight to break out in the infirmary." Sophia said with a sigh rubbing her hand against Saya's back, Saya lifts her head feeling the movement.
"Did I fall asleep again?" She said with a yawn,
"Yes you dork," Sophia said playing with her hair as she yawns again,
"Don't know why I'm so sleepy…" Saya said stretching,
"It's probably the drug, it did knock you out for over twelve hours." TK said,
"It may have been adjusted to have a lingering effect so you wouldn't be able to fight beck even if you did wake up." Sophia said,
"That's no good…" Saya said with a sigh, "Maybe I should grab a power ring."
"We don't need you bouncing off the walls either." TK chuckles,
"Besides there's nothing wrong with you sleeping." Sophia said still playing with her hair as she notices Saya's bangs, "It looks like almost all of your bangs have turned blue now." She said,
"I'm used to it." Saya said, "I just hope these changes are only cosmetic… having hedgehog ears all the time would definitely turn some heads."
"But I like your ears," Sophia moves her hand and lightly rubs her ear and Saya's head leans into it enjoying the touch not realizing she let out a soft audible purr, "They make it harder for you to hide your feelings,"
"I don't… hide my feelings." Her head bobs from feeling relaxed by Sophia's touch as she lays her head back down.
"Sure you don't." Sophia said as Saya drifts back asleep,
"Did you just make her fall asleep by petting her?" TK whispered. Sophia nods trying not to chuckle as she quietly moves back over to TK and they continue working.
Caroline and Amy finish up the eye masks and head back to their room to put them away when they see Sasha walking by. "Oh hey guys how's it going?" She said seeing the eye masks they are carrying, "Uh, why do you need eye masks, we're already underground." She looked confused,
"Due to… circumstances, we have to sleep with the lights on…" Alan said vaguely as she raises an eyebrow.
"Okay then… Have you seen Saya? I went to check the infirmary to see if she was doing alright but she wasn't there." Sasha said,
"She's with Sophia and TK in the workshop." Caroline said,
"Is she feeling better?" She asked,
"More or less." Alan said with a sigh,
"Yeah, that drug was definitely a kicker. I was out before Doc finished dosing me." She chuckles,
"Thanks again for helping TK out, That could have been really bad if Saya was tested first." Caroline said,
"Hey, I got all of your backs." Sasha said noticing people staring at them, "And it looks like you still need it…" She glares at some of them and they scatter,
"I'm seriously going to start swinging if another person tells us to stop working with Sophia." Alan said with a huff,
"She has powers just like the rest of you, what makes her different? That she looks like this Abyss dude?" She said with air quotes,
"Happy to see someone has an open mind," Caroline said with a sigh,
"We all have her back. Espio and I were talking about it and agreed that we'll make sure no one gets close to Sophia until they all educate themselves and stop listening to fake news." Sasha said,
"We really appreciate it." Alan said as they get to their room,
"Of course, you all saved my life it's the least I could do. Let Saya know I hope she's feeling better." She said waving them off as they enter.
"She really likes Saya doesn't she." Caroline chuckles,
"She better get in line." Alan jokes, as they get a message from Elias to meet in the briefing room, "Looks like it's mission time." They drop the eye masks on one of the beds and head towards the briefing room.
Everyone meets in the briefing room as the last people to enter were TK and Sophia dragging Saya behind her as she was still half asleep, "This is your fault…" Saya yawned as she sits in a chair,
"I know," Sophia chuckles,
"Are you still sleepy?" Alan asked as Saya nods,
"Maybe you should sit this one out…" Kolt said,
"Just give me a power ring and I'll be fine." She said,
"What's the mission Elias?" TK asked,
"Thanks to two speedsters going on a run recently," Elias looks at Sophia and Saya as they smile at one another, "We were able to track the shipments of Robotnik's drug. And we just got word that another shipment is being moved towards Station Square."
"If it's as big of a shipment that Saya and I found, he may be stockpiling them." Sophia said,
"What if he's getting ready to have all of his bots equipped with the drug?" Brandy asked,
"If that's the case than we definitely need to make sure that shipment doesn't get there." Elias said,
"The mission is simple, destroy the transport before it reaches Station Square." Sally said,
"Wings up in five, we're pressed for time." Elias said as they nod,
"Let's grab a power ring for you and meet them in the Hangar bay." Sophia said as Saya nods and they quickly leave.
"Keep an eye out, Mephiles might make a move while you're all distracted." Elias said as they all nod and head towards the hangar bay.
Sophia and Saya grab the power ring and start heading back as someone walking by grabs Saya's arm, "Hey!" She yells getting taken off guard,
"You shouldn't be near her; don't you know what she is?" The woman tried to pull Saya further away from Sophia as she pulls out of her grip.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. And you're not supposed to be over here." Saya said grabbing onto Sophia's arm. Sophia was trying to stay calm and non-threatening, but it was hard to keep her composure after seeing her grab Saya like that.
"Girlfriend? That's disgusting! You both should be locked up!"
"Listen lady!" Saya glared as Sophia pulls her away from the woman,
"Ignore her, let one of the other agents escort her back." Sophia said,
"If I see you here again I'll make sure you're the one locked up you jerk!" Saya yells back at her as they continue walking,
"You okay?" Sophia asked,
"I should ask you that." Saya said,
"I'm used to it. but she grabbed you." She said worried it would have frightened her.
"Yeah, I'm pissed. Freakin rude lady." Saya huffs as they climb into the helicopter. Sophia was relieved to hear she wasn't scared,
"Everything alright?" Caroline asked,
"We're going to have to tighten security, we just had a run-in with one of the people that despises me." Sophia said,
"You two okay?" Kolt asked,
"I'm mad!" Saya said as Sophia pats her head,
"We'll deal with it when we get back, let's go stop Eggman' shipment." Alan said as they all transform, and the helicopter takes off.
They fly overhead seeing a large transport heavily guarded as they look around, "Time to get the jump on them." Sonic said with a smile taking out the power ring and activating it, her body becomes hyper charged,
"Sonic no!" Tails tried to stop her, but she already jumped out of the helicopter over the robots She spin dashes three flying drones as she lands in the middle of the group of bots.
"Good evening Badniks, you ready to try and keep up?" Sonic said beginning to take down bots before they could react. The others stare down watching her and shake their heads.
"She's your girlfriend…" Knuckles said as they all let out a sigh,
"I know… let's go make sure she doesn't hurt herself…" Shadow said putting her hand on Amy's shoulder and warp down to the ground while the others fly out. Sonic had already taken out half of the bots as she slides to a stop next to Amy,
"Croquet special?" Sonic asked as he shakes his head,
"You're exhausting." Amy said summoning his hammer as she smiles and spin dashes. He strikes her at more of the robots. She strikes through ten on them as she pops up with a smile,
"Ten bot combo." Sonic laughs as the bots finally start shooting at them.
"Leave some for us!" Knuckles said as she runs back over to them.
"It's not my fault you're too slow." Sonic chuckles as Shadow grabs her by the collar holding her back before she can run off again,
"You're overcharged on power ring, calm down before you do something stupid." She said as Sonic lets out a sigh,
"Fine," She pouts as the other charge at the remaining Swatbots, "Aren't you going to join them?"
"You're my priority, I care less about Robotnik's robots." Shadow said,
"But smashing bots is fun." Sonic smiles as the side door of the transport. Armed guards exit the transport pointing guns at them, "Aw that's cute, they think they can hit us."
"Take the five on the right, I'll take the other five. Make sure they keep their focus on us while the others finish off the bots." Shadow said letting go of Sonic's collar as she grins.
"By order of the Eggman Empire you are to sur…" Before he could complete his threat, Sonic had quickly taken away all of their weapons. "What?" He hears thuds behind him as he turns his head to see half of his men collapsed on the ground as Shadow stood there.
"You chose the wrong team my dude." Sonic said as she drops all of the weapons away from them.
"It's Sonic…" One of them said as another tried to run back into the transport. Shadow warps in front of him and knocks him out as Sonic takes out the rest.
"I could have grabbed him." Sonic said,
"Yeah wasn't risking it." Shadow said as the others walk over finished destroying the other bots,
"We just torch it right?" Knuckles asked as Blaze lights her hands,
"We should make sure no one else is inside." Shadow said as Cream pauses and listens for a moment.
"I hear two heartbeats inside." She said,
"Probably the pilots. Amy and I will move these guys away from the shuttle." Knuckles said grabbing three of the guards and dragging them towards the tree line.
"Cream, you and Blaze grab the pilots, I want to make sure there isn't anything else Eggman is transporting on the ship." Tails said,
"We'll come with," Sonic said as Shadow nods as all five of them enter the craft. Blaze and Cream head towards the front of the craft as the others look around,
"There's not as many crates as there were in the last shipment." Shadow said,
"This feels very trappy." Sonic said stepping closer to Shadow instinctually,
"You should go back outside." Shadow said,
"If you stay, I stay and we're not letting Tails walk around alone." She crossed her arms,
"Fine," Shadow said looking around as they notice a large box near the center,
"That definitely looks like a trap." Tails said,
"Knuckles, Amy, are you two almost done? We might need help moving these too out of the cockpit… Blaze went a little overboard." Cream said,
"He charged, I reacted," they hear her say over the coms,
"You threw him out of the window…" Cream said with a sigh,
"He's not dead." Blaze said,
"I'll come help," Knuckles said,
"Amy meet us inside there's a large crate here that we need to open before we torch the place." Shadow said,
"On my way." He said,
"Think it's a bomb?" Sonic asked,
"Robotnik wouldn't risk killing you or Knuckles." Shadow said,
"That's at least a bonus," Tails chuckles as Amy walks up,
"That's a big box…" Amy said,
"Should we just break it open?" Sonic asked,
"Amy and I will open it, you and Tails stay back," Shadow said,
"You're doing the overprotecting thing again," Sonic said crossing her arms,
"And you'll get over it." Shadow said, Sonic rolls her eyes as she and Tails step back. Amy and Shadow step next to the crate and grab the side ripping it open. They jump back just in case as Cream, Knuckles and Blaze walk up. The inside of the crate was dark as they see two glowing robotic eyes light up from within.
"I'm happy you get to test him out first, Sonic." They hear Eggman say over the speakers. The robot bursts out of the crate charging at abnormal speed. They all recognize it's form as Metal Sonic strikes at Sonic,
"Metal?" Sonic dodges the attack as Tails kicks Metal Sonic away from her.
"Priority one: capture Sonic the Hedgehog," Metal Sonic said standing back up and turning towards her.
"Oh Chaos… We do not need Metal around too!" Sonic said as Amy swings as him knocking him away from Sonic. Shadow quickly runs next to her,
"He can't take us all on," Knuckles said as Metal looks at all of them,
"Assessing situation." Metal said, "Analysis: close quarters limits attack movements." He said as the side door slams shut.
"I forgot how much I hate this guy…" Tails said,
"We need to get out of here." Shadow said looking around,
"Engaging Autopilot." Metal said. They feel the transport start to move,
"Oh, Ho, Ho! Keep them occupied until they get to Station Square Metal Sonic, I'll have drones headed your way." They hear Eggman say,
"Initiating new Priority: Incapacitate Freedom Fighters."
"I'm not liking this…" Cream said,
"We make it for the door. Sonic, you and I will keep Metal busy." Shadow said as she nods,
"Let's smash this faker." Sonic said as they both charge at Metal Sonic as the others quickly run to the door.
"We'll cover you," Knuckles said to Tails as she starts unscrewing the panel beneath the door console.
"I'll try to be quick." Tails said as they all take a defensive position around her. Sonic spin dashes Metal as he catches her and throws her at Shadow knocking them both into the wall.
"Double spin?" Sonic holds out her hand,
"Better idea," Shadow takes her hand and warps them behind Metal as they both strike him knocking him down.
"Chaos Shield!" Sonic traps Metal inside the forcefield as he stops,
"How's it going buddy?" Sonic called out,
"Almost got it." Tails said,
"Chaos Shield restricting movement. Initiating Chaos Dampener." Metal Sonic said,
"Chaos what?" Sonic looked confused as Metal Sonic's right arm turns into a cannon and fires a soundwave at the Chaos Shield. Sonic cries out in pain and grabs her head causing the Chaos Shield to dissipate.
"Sonic," Shadow grabs her and pulls her over to the others,
"Got it," Tails said as the door reopens,
"Everyone out! Blaze, light it up!" Shadow said as Blaze catches some of the crates on fire. Shadow picks up Sonic and they all jump out of the transport.
"Targets Escaped: Reinitiating Priority One." Metal flies out crashing into Sonic and Shadow flying them into a tree.
"Oh no you don't." Amy changes his hammer to a staff and blasts Metal's eyes as he stops moving.
"Scans damaged. Repairing."
"Run, we run now." Knuckles said as Cream and Blaze help Sonic and Shadow to their feet as Sonic holds her head staggering,
"Why's everything spinning?" Sonic said as Amy quickly throws her over his shoulder and they all run away from Metal Sonic.
"Less talking, more running." Amy said,
"What happened to her?" Cream asked,
"Since Sonic's Chaos Shields are connected to her whatever Metal Sonic did to her Shield is probably banging around in her head." Tails said,
"I'm okay…" Sonic said,
"The hell you are, we need to make as much distance between us and Metal before he comes back online," Shadow said.
"What's the plan Shadow, we can't lead that thing back to HQ." Knuckles said,
"We need Sonic to recover from that attack, now that we have more room we can try to take Metal Sonic down," Shadow said as they all nod,
"He's coming!" Cream said looking back as they see Metal flying at all of them.
"Amy throw me." Sonic said,
"What?"
"Do it!" Sonic yelled. Amy stops and throws Sonic towards Metal as she spin dashes underneath him causing him to stop his charge. She bursts up punching Metal in the head before quickly spin dashing off his arm.
"BA! Curse you Hedgehog! Why do you always have to break my robots." They hear Eggman's voice through Metal Sonic, "Metal! Return." Metal flies straight up and heats towards Station Square.
"That worked better that I expected." Sonic said letting out a sigh,
"That was reckless," Shadow said,
"Eh, desperate times." She shrugs, "If Metal was equipped to take out my Chaos Shield then he might have been equipped with the drug."
"I didn't even think of that…" Tails said,
"Always have to do the risky stuff." Knuckles said smacking her over the back of her head,
"Ow! It worked didn't it?" Sonic pouted rubbing the back of her head.
"Not the point, going towards the thing coming after you is dangerous." Cream said,
"You all sound like you did when this all started," Sonic chuckles, "Constantly getting mad at me for being reckless,"
"We wouldn't have to be mad if you listened." Blaze said,
"Yeah, yeah I get it. We should get going and let Elias know what happened." Sonic said as they all nod.
"The timing bothers me…" Tails said,
"What Mephiles then Metal?" Sonic said as Shadow holds her hand,
"Exactly, let's hope I'm just being paranoid and Mephiles and Eggman aren't working together." Tails said as they all look worried,
"I don't even want to think about that…" Amy said,
"It would explain how Mephiles knew about our past with Abyss… Let's report to Elias and see what he says," Shadow said,
"At least I know he won't bench me because of Mephiles." Sonic said with a sigh, "But I didn't even know Egghead was building Metal."
"He actually started to when he had you in the Underwater prison." Shadow said as Knuckles stops,
"You didn't tell us that." He said,
"It was in my report, besides, he abandoned it when he turned Sonic." She explained, "And we blew it up."
"I'm starting to not like our odds…" Blaze said,
"Don't say that, we're the good guys. No matter what happens we'll beat them and save the world." Sonic said with a smile that made them all feel hopeful that perhaps they could beat all of the enemies coming at them.