Chapter Eight: Alliances

It has been the end of my first month here on Mobius. It has been pretty hectic here; Golem attacks are on the rise as we get closer to my departure. Miles still hasn't figured out how or why the Golem's disappear after we beat them, and Nika still hasn't taught me chaos sense! Well, I guess all will come in good time. The field had pretty much gone to pot, with the Golems stomping around and making huge holes in the ground. Currently I'm with Nika and Swift on the edge of the forest.

"Are you sure this is a smart thing to do?" Swift questioned. Me and Nika were contemplating going into the forest and searching out the source of the Golems.

"No, Swift, I'm not sure. But what other way is there to prevent the Golems from returning?" I said. Nika nodded, she agreed. We all knew the Golems were getting stronger, and we all wanted them to stop. There was no other solution that any of us could see. Suddenly Swift's dot became an exclamation point and his eyes grew wide with excitement.

"Nika, Terry, I know exactly what you need!" we both looked at him; we had no idea what he was talking about!

"What do we need?" Nika asked with a question mark hovering over her head.

"A partner! I mean you two are partners, but Krystal needs a partner!" we looked at Swift and smiled.

"That's perfect!" Nika said with a heart hovering over her.

"Well..." I trailed. "I do have someone in mind...but...I don't know if she'll be able to handle it."

"What do you mean handle it?" Swift and Nika said simultaneously.

"I mean she is a little...what's the word...ecstatic, constantly excited, and a little crazy!" both chao had those little swirls on their heads. "I mean," I continued "at the sight of you guys she might not be able to control herself." I finished. Swift reassured me

"I wouldn't worry about that, if your friend is only that ecstatic in the beginning, than we won't get mad."

"Maybe you could go home early and convince your friend to come!" Nika exclaimed.

"That is a great idea!" Swift was really excited, he had a very large exclamation point and his eyes were wide with anticipation. "We can send you right now!" he rushed over to H.Q. and into the entrance. Nika gave me a suspicious look which I returned, yet we gave chase.

I admit I was curious, I didn't even know how they got me here, and I was totally in the dark on how they'd get me back. Nika and I were once again in the basement chao lab. I was cuddling Nika, for what I hope wasn't the last time. Swift was explaining how the plan would work

"We will align our time with earth's time while you call your friend and then send us another email, we will use the same computer to transport."

"I understand."

"Ok, fire it up Miles!" Swift instructed. Miles nodded as he typed some commands into his computer. We were in the bare room again, except it wasn't completely bare anymore. A laser gun was set up at the far end of the room and hooked up to Miles' computer. I was the only one in the room while my three chao friends were in the adjoining room. The laser was powering up. The tip was glowing red. Suddenly it shot a beam and opened up the same portal. I waved to my friends and stepped through.

...

I landed in Lina's room unharmed and to my surprise...Lina was there too. She was in her bed, but sitting up and looking at me. I smiled at her and she smiled back. I ran over to her and embraced her.

"Why are you back early, I am glad you're back, but is there something wrong?"

Lina had an excited yet concerned tone in her voice.

"Let me explain..."

...

"Wow! Ter, you're asking me...to come back with you?" she shrunk back at those words

"Yes, Lin. they need you, I need you, and you said you're parents are out for the weekend, right? So they will never know you're gone when the chao switch from nano-time. So...what do you say?" I looked at her expectantly. She struck a thinking pose and I watched her ponder her predicament...and I watched...and watched. She finally spoke

"Of course silly! I would never let down a friend...and I might even get to meet Sonic!" (Did I mention Lina is a sonic fan to the extreme? I guess not!) I hugged her and smiled.

"So Lin, go get dressed and take care of anything you may need to take care of while I send an email to my parents." she nodded and went to get some clothes. "And make sure they are comfortable!" I called after her. I then proceeded to send my parents the email that stated I was staying the whole weekend at Lina's to work on a project. I hated to lie to my parents, but this time it was necessary. I finished it and sent it off to my house. By that time Lina was ready to go.

"All set?" I asked

"completely." she said. I turned my attention back to the computer and started typing a new email for the chao to detect. I pressed send. Me and Lina waited a couple minutes and then the portal appeared once more. Lina was looking a little scared so I took her hand and we both stepped through.

...

Lina and me both ended up in the field and Lina's eyes were wide, taking it all in.

"Follow me Lin!" I started running to H.Q. and Lina was right behind me. I stopped at the boulder and waited a couple of seconds before the door opened. I ran into the garden and showed Lin the group of chao. Nika was waiting for me and she jumped into my arms. I cuddled my friend warmly while Lina played with the other chao in the garden. She was squealing in delight and amazement.

"Wow! Look at all of you! You are so cute! I could stay here the rest of my life!" I smiled at my friend and looked back at Nika and cooed

"I missed you, little one."

"I missed you too. Swift and Miles are with the children, they are waiting for you and your friend."

"That's right! I forgot to introduce you guys! Nika this is Lina, my very best human friend, Lina this is Nika, my very best chao friend." I could swear Lina's eyes were sparkling when I introduced them.

"Hello! You two look like the best partners!"

"Hello to you too. I have heard a lot about you from Terry, you guys have been friends for a long time."

"Awww, really? That's so sweet Ter!" Lina squeaked.

"Ok Lina, we can't leave Swift and Miles waiting, so lets go to the juvenile garden and Nika you come, too, I have an idea." I proceeded to lead the way to the juvenile garden and both of our chao friends were waiting. I introduced Lina to Swift and Miles, who explained to Lina the process.

"Got it." Lina assured us. I turned around to speak to Nika and silently whispered my plan. Lina was going crazy over all the cute chao. I slapped my forehead in frustration. I just wanted her to pick one. But finally she came back to the front of the garden with a girl chao in her arms.

"Her name is Talia." our whole group greeted Talia and she introduced herself.

"Hi guys! It is so great to meet you all! I know we'll have some great adventures together!" while the rest of the group talked me and Nika planned

"Ok Nika focus on Lina and Talia and see if they have the same chaos energy, I trust you." she nodded and focused on the two, after a few minutes she told me

"They are compatible," she stated

"Thanks Nika, I just wanted to make sure neither of them was disappointed."

"My pleasure!" we smiled at each other and looked back to acquaint ourselves with our new friends.