Chapter 7

Pyjamas was concerned as she waited for Ebony to return. There had been no message, nor any update if she managed to find Super Sonic.

The feline was such in a hurry, that she left all staff and even customers baffled. Pyjamas explained that there was a "personal situation" going on at the moment, and tried her best to keep things moving and keep calm. The state of the lady's bathroom was a mess, so while she was on standby, she thought best thing to do was clean up the aftermath.

Just as she stopped with the mop and bucket, the young badger waiter, slammed opened the door as he entered; almost giving Pyjamas a heart attack.

"Hey! Knock first! Someone could have been using the little lady's room!"

"But it's Ebony! She's on the phone for you!" He replied, pointing down the corridor.

Shoving the mop towards the badger, she quickly walked to the office, where the desk phone was waiting for her. As she picked it up, she could hear the rushing sound of cars and traffic. She pressed her ear down, to see if she could hear a voice.

"Ebony? Where did you go?"

But as Ebony explained, she couldn't help but feel the colour of her skin vanish slightly. Worried for Super's safety, she then suddenly picked two voices. But wasn't that Super Sonic with her? Then Ebony's explanation of the recent events, the dog simply listened in the empty office. Nodding her head, she placed the phone down.

Heading back to the kitchen, she rushed to get her coat and bike helmet. Ordering the staff to continue without her, she headed to the back exit where her old red motorbike waited for her. Adjusting the strap under her neck, she roared the engine. The small side car was still attached, but was loaded with empty containers.

She silently cursed the hedgehog, as he promised last night to remove them from his last shift at the homeless canteen.

But shaking away those simple tasks, she had one important one herself. As she set off to her rendezvous point, she continued to process everything she heard from the phone. And knew for certain, that this was gonna be more bothersome then she thought…

The rendezvous point was a small back entrance to a closed and empty bar. As she stopped the engine at the back exit, a small head popped open through the door. As she removed her helmet, she was delighted to see her feline friend unharmed. But the feline certainly wasn't happy. She was asked to come inside quickly.

Looking closely at the exit door, she noticed the lock panel had been destroyed; breaking and entering? Pyjamas gave Ebony a stern look.

"I didn't do that. It was already busted." Ebony explained as Pyjamas went through.

As they walked inside, the bar was dainty and small; certainly a few years had passed since its last call for drinks. However, the old stench of mould and alcohol, still emitted in the air. Chairs and tables were either still stacked up, or broken; most likely damaged by hooligans.

"So, where is this faker then?" She asked, brushing the heavy dust away from her hands.

But then she abruptly stopped to turn around the corner, leading toward the open bar. She saw Super Sonic sitting down on a floor in the corner, looking towards her. But standing near to him, was someone she wasn't expecting to see for a very long time. Rouge looked at them both as they made their way in.

"Pyjamas." The bat politely nodded.

The relationship was mutual, especially after their last encounter.

"Rouge. And let me guess, you're not Super Sonic, are you?" The dog boldly stated.

But the hedgehog simply pulled the cords of the hoodie tighter, hiding away his face. Pyjamas looked at both women.

"Do you think you can help us?" Ebony asked.

"I'm not sure what I can do. But I do know, you wouldn't ask me to do this, unless it was necessary." She coldly replied, to remind the ladies how much she hated her best party trick.

The bat understood clearly, as she felt the obligation to stand far back. The dog sighed as she approached the faker on the floor. The hedgehog looked startled as the dog sat down in front of her and reached her hands to the sides of the head. Metamorphia was frightened and wanted to move away. However, with a lurking witch, holding a flame towards her, she stood little chance. Pyjamas could feel her body shaking, hesitating to be touched.

"Take a deep breath and close your eyes." She calmly asked.

Her fingers crossed over the yellow fur, till she located the perfect location, to perform the mind link. As they connected, she could feel the hedgehog's body relax, her breathing had lowered. And because this wasn't her friend, it was much easier to approach her subconscious mind.

Ebony and Rouge waited in anticipation, seeing the hedgehog and dog in a state of motionless. The bat folded her arms, while Ebony hoped her idea would work. And sure enough, something was changing. The hedgehog's form started to wither away, alternating in size and height.

Ebony raised her hands of her magic, ready in case Metamorphia would attack. But Rouge walked away, as something nearby made a small beeping sound. Distracted, she walked away from the scene.

The feline watched as the fake yellow fur altered to a darker brown, the long spikes disappear. The gloves, shoes and hoodie had vanished and were quickly replaced by the same image, she saw back at the bathroom. A long silhouette with a full purple body suit. As the mind link finished, Pyjamas looked at her. As Metamorphia opened her eyes, they were filled with a fully black hallow, with small white beady iris. Ebony didn't let down her guard, till Pyjamas shoved herself back up and placed her hand over Metamorphia's shoulder.

As Pyjamas moved away, the dog stepped towards Ebony and placed her arm over her casting spell. Certain they were safe; she was asked to step down.

"Are you sure? You do know who this is don't you?" Ebony questioned her friend, not keeping her eye away from the enemy.

Metamorphia looked at them both, looking down ashamed.

"Yes, I do. And right now, she could be our biggest help in this situation." Pyjamas calmly replied.

Not entirely sure what to do, Ebony trusted Pyjamas and gave up on her magic. But she wasn't going to let her guard down that easily as she continued to glare down at the ex-villain.

"You prefer to be called Phia now, don't you?" The dog asked.

This startled Metamorphia a bit, till she politely nodded her head.

"Good, that's settled. I don't think I could call your full name anyway; it's way too long. But I assure you Ebony, she isn't the same as before."

"But she attacked me at the bathroom!" The feline cried out.

"But only for defence! But you then…. slipped and…" Phia nervously replied, before mumbling to herself quietly.

For a moment, Ebony was shocked to hear the accusation, but when she looked at Pyjamas to defend her, the dog simply folded her arms, as if disappointed with her friend.

"You did Ebony, I saw it. You slipped backwards on the water and hit yourself on the sink. I told you many times, we need to fix those taps for overflowing."

The feline was quite stunned by her response, that it made look frustrated and trying to find a way to argue back; maybe even slightly embarrassed. Knowing she wasn't going anywhere, the feline simply huffed and stormed off to where Rouge had ventured off to.

"How did you know about that?" Phia asked.

"Don't worry about it kid, I will explain it later." Pyjamas replied with a smile.

Phia, now feeling more confident as Ebony left the room, stood up from her spot.

"What did you do to me? How did you manage to get me, to change to this phase?" Phia asked, raising her arms to show herself.

The dog simply looked at her and smiled.

"Your powers seem to link to your emotions. So, when you were scared, your body adapted to protect you. Just like it did when you nearly got hit by that car."

"Wait, if you saw that, that means, you saw my memories? Phia asked, as she tapped her fingers, to where the dogs had placed her own.

"You could say that."

"So, do you believe me? That I meant no harm?" Phia called out, looking slightly hopeful.

"That, I'm still debating." Pyjamas spoke clearly.

Phia was saddened to hear those words as she looked around her room. Phia caught a glimpse of her form in a smashed mirror on the side of the room.

"So, can you help me change me back to normal?"

"I can't I'm afraid. Unfortunately, I'm no expert on shape shifting, the only thing I really did was to help you relax, so I'm afraid you are on your own chuck. Now, shall we join the others?" The dog asked, wondering where those two had reared off two.

With slightly anticipation, Metamorphia followed sheepishly.

Both of them ventured deeper into the closed bar, where Ebony and Rouge had resided inside the small office. The floor was littered with rubbish and paperwork; even Ebony would never get hers in this state. The computer in the room, was the one belonging to Rouge, as both feline and bat, gazed onto the screen. The only sound, as they approached them, was the tapping of fingers against the battered office table.

"None of my sensors are detecting movement, back at the factory. They must be waiting for the action to die down, before moving. Some magic would really come in handy right now." The bat ended, looking at Ebony.

However, she was shaking her head, her tail frisking as it showed her frustration.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. If it did, I would have been a detective; not a manager in a café. Are you sure, they are coming back here?" Ebony asked, pointing towards the screen.

"It's the best hunch I got love. But if we decide to move too early, those robots are gonna detect us easily and who knows where they would take him next."

Ebony and Rouge turned around, as they heard the sound of footsteps heading towards them. Phia stepped forward, to suddenly spot the little chao sleeping away on a man-made pile of paperwork and old office chair. She felt sorry for the poor thing as she stepped forward towards it. But when it sensed movement, it yawned and looked directly at her. Phia moved quickly her hand, not to be bitten by the little critter. Cheese looked up and instantly growled.

"Cheese, it's alright. She's not a threat." Pyjamas called out, also speaking in front of anyone.

Rouge stopped tapping the keyboard, turning to the other women.

"Look familiar Ebony?" adjusting the angle of the screen for Ebony to see.

The feline moved forward to get a better view. Curious also, Metamorphia caught a glimpse.

"Damn right I do. They're the ones who exploded a whole forest into ash. If it weren't for Super at the time, we all would have been the same." Ebony explained.

Shaking her head with annoyance, the bat recalled that terrible event; mainly because her odds were no longer in her favour.

"Well thanks to those lovely drones and those idiot robbers, I think my "death" cover has been blown. What about you Meta-"

"Just Phia will do; its shorter." Phia quickly explained.

"Ok then. I'm guessing you have no clue, to whom owns these?" Rouge asked, letting Phia take a better look.

"I've never seen them before. But they do look…. Robotnik?" Phia asked.

Rouge shook her head.

"No, don't think so. He hasn't been seen for a while and of course, if he was at large, he wouldn't be hiding in the shadows to do it. No, this is my ex-boss's work. Unfortunately, not even I know really who he or she is. But one thing for sure, they are not nice to meddle with Sweetheart."

"But why after me?" Phia spoke in annoyance.

"If I'll be honest here, most likely to recruit you. Problem is, they didn't exactly "Get" you, did they?"

Nope, they certainly got someone else indeed. Most likely the most powerful being on this planet. Phia pondered the thoughts in her head like a wedge hammer; just on how bad the situation was. How could she put him in danger like that? But what if he were to join this hidden villain? What if everything that happened to him today, made his mind up? Was it all her fault? Overthinking was making her anxious.

"Phia, take some deep breaths." Pyjamas calmly approached her.

As she suddenly was brought back to the here and now, her body had transformed as spikes started to rise from her skin. Startled by her appearance, Rouge had stepped back, while Ebony rose her magic again. Closing her eyes tightly, she felt the spikes revert back to her skin as she took instruction by Pyjamas, and slowly calmed down.

Opening her eyes, she kept calm as she looked at them. Rouge seemed to have relaxed, but not sure about Ebony. She watched the feline, lower her hands however didn't flex her fingers; as if ready to take a stance in seconds.

"Don't worry. Super Sonic isn't the same you knew from before either. He's changed, just like you." Pyjamas spoke calmly.

And somehow, especially with him being so nice to her today, she believed that. Or for her case, she wanted to believe it dearly. Thinking back to that sweet smile and nice comments he made, made her slightly smile. However, looking at the feline, the realisation was that, they weren't for herself; they were for Ebony. And then it hit her again, just like back at the café. The stabbing knife of jealousy started to rise. Confused with emotions, she kept quiet as they discussed their next move.

"So, what can we do? We can't just sit and wait." Ebony spoke in frustration.

"I'm afraid that's all we can do, until we see movement. They'll most likely head out at night, so we might as well make ourselves comfortable." The bat spoke as she closed the computer down to standby.

As they continued to bicker among themselves, Phia was starting to get exhausted. She sat down on the floor, letting her feet rest, while Pyjamas took a nearby chair, dusted off the rubbish and sat down quietly. They decided it wasn't safe to go back to the café that soon; those robots could be anywhere. And if the robots found out they had caught the wrong animal, it could endanger Super Sonic's life. They had to be ready in an instant. As they continued discussing plans, Pyjamas thought it was a good idea to head back to the café for drinks and food.

As they waited, Phia watched the little chao starting to get closer to her. But every time she gave a weak smile and reach out her hand, it would hiss and move back. But when food and drink arrived, Phia tried to reassure the little creature with a bit of her food. Cheese seemed to be interested, but still kept its guard.

Pyjamas watched as the little chao munched at the sandwich as Phia carefully stroked its back. Pyjamas smiled as she sipped on her coffee.

"You know why she doesn't trust you, don't you? Ebony, I mean?"

Phia simply nodded, still watching Cheese eat away.

"I know what I did in the past. I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Robotnik wanted this area first for his citadel, but the rebellion was too strong. So, he sent me to attack and enslave the citizens. But still, a lot of you didn't give up. That's when the orders were to relocate the citadel and then later on, come back to fully take over the area with reinforcements. But if you can "see" my mind like that, then you already know."

"Oh, I already know chuck. Me and Ebony were the ones leading that rebellion." She smiled.

Phia then looked up. The dog sipped on her drink and looked down at her.

"So, when did it all change for you?"

Phia continued to watch Cheese; however, the topic wasn't uplifting.

"When Robotnik gave me the sack and turned me into a Super Badnik. But even that time, I failed him." Looking disappointed and saddened.

"I mean this; to become Phia?"

Confused at first, Phia understood the question then.

"An opportunity, I guess. Tails could have still arrested me, but he didn't. He just let me go."

"And why do you think he did that?"

"I don't know." Phia quietly replied, shaking her head.

"Maybe because, he wanted you to have a new life. A life not controlled but of complete freedom. Tails must have seen the good in you and wanted you to flourish."

"Or just to tell me I can do better than Robotnik. Daft thing to say it, but I actually had a crush on him once. That if I did good for him; defeated his enemies, crushed Sonic, that he would look at me with appreciation and praise. Boy; I really didn't know anything better back then." Phia joked, as she gave a weak smile.

"In the end, you were just being used by him. I'm sorry to say it my dear." Pyjamas spoke saddened.

"No, don't be. I was just a fool really. Just like now."

"Why do you think that?" Pyjamas asked, looking concerned.

But her response came harsh, as the dog could hear the pain in Phia's voice.

"Because I'm an idiot to think, that I could simply move on with my life. Go to college, apply for University; just like any normal creature on this world. Not even thinking that the past could bite you back; just stupid." She muttered the last comment to herself, wiping away tears of frustration with her hand.

"You remind of him." Pyjamas stated.

"Who?"

"Super Sonic."

"How can me and him be alike?" Phia asked.

"Well, I'm sure you now know who he is."

"To be honest, it was the name I recalled; not the face. But his reputation from the old job; certainly." Phia replied back.

"And? What did you make of him today?"

The sudden question caught her by surprise, that she couldn't help but to blush slightly.

"He was…sweet. I think he knew was something was up, but even then, he tried cheering me up; especially with those bad jokes."

"I tell you what, when all this has settled down, ask him, why? Why the bad jokes? But really Phia, you and him are very similar to each other. A past none of you like and the determination to become better, then the creators that made you both."

"I could never be like Grimer; not now. He wanted my powers, to hurt; even to please that fat sicko. But now, I don't want that. I want something…. more than that. I want to help; I want to do good in my life. But…maybe as Phia the bear, but never like this; never as Metamorphia. But if I can't control it, then what's the point of, having it? I made peace with it when I lost my powers all that time ago and thought that I could help in other ways. But now, with it back…I don't know. Maybe, I'm just wasting my time. Damn it all!" Phia shouted in frustration.

Pyjamas saw she was upset, but then suddenly, she was surprised, as Cheese had finished the sandwich and slowly started to approach her. Phia shifted her seating position, as the little chao snuggled up on her legs, with a fully belly. Phia carefully placed her hand to stroke its tiny head and was happy, that it gave a little squeak and fell asleep.

"Hmm, seems that doesn't matter to Cheese. And honestly, if you let others into your life, tell them your story, they will understand you more. Because in the end, hiding behind a mask, will only crack in time. Let them see the real you; the one you WANT to be." Pyjamas finished, only realising she had finished her drink.

"And what if it all goes wrong? That they will only see the person I was before?" Phia spoke gently, as not to wake up Cheese.

"Then the true friends that you have made, will step behind you no matter what." The dog smiled.

Who I really want to be?

Phia smiled at the motion, as she continued to stroke the sleeping chao.

But then Pyjamas gazed at her, looking down at her what felt like piercing eyes underneath her bushy hair.

"By the way. You were gone with Super Sonic for quite some time; care to explain what you two were talking about?"

This caught Phia completely off-guard, as she waved her hands in defence and stuttering her words. But as she tried to explain her actions, the redness of her face started to glow. How was she going to explain that?

Meanwhile a bit further away in the bar, Ebony and Rouge had resided at the drinking station. Ebony sat on the only stool eating her grub, while Rouge was looking around if there were any drinks left.

"Are you sure we can trust her?" Ebony stated.

"Not at all, who's to say she would join sides with them? And what makes you think Super Sonic won't change sides either?" The bat asked, holding an empty bottle in her hand.

This got Ebony annoyed as she squeezed her sandwich tightly. The bat got the hint and waved her hands in defence.

"I'm just kidding. I think in his situation, he wouldn't dare think of it."

"And why would you say that?"

"Because he has you." Rouge replied with a wink.

Frustrated and slightly blushing, she sipped more on her drink. Calming herself down, she changed the subject.

"So, it's been a while, are you any closer to finding out who this Boss really is?"

"Unfortunately, not. I hoped to infiltrate some of their safe houses for more info. But they were either destroyed, or deserted. One thing for sure, they certainly don't like leaving trails. However, just like today, there have been robberies not just in Metropolis, but also in other zones. My guess is, that to recruit a few members, a few pennies need to be spent and they defiantly don't like using their own cash. So why not nick a few banks to pay your workers off?"

"So why are you here?" The feline asked as she wiped excess of food from her lips with her handkerchief.

"Because I found a clue to their whereabouts, thanks to those idiots. No concern for them as I was just following a lead, but when I saw their interest in Metamorphia, a few alarm bells sprang up. If they ever did recruit her, it could mean a lot of trouble for us and this whole thing could explode back in our faces."

"Told this to Johnny? I presume you haven't come to the police with all this?"

"This girl works alone; so, I don't need to tell my babysitter every place I go to." The bat smirked.

"So, meeting you again was a complete coincidence? Not helped yourself to the stolen money yourself?" Ebony smirked back as she sipped on her drink.

"I have a "shinier" collection, then a single petty coin."

Then suddenly a beep was emitted from the laptop. Both of them raced to the screen and just as they hoped, the white van moved in and headed toward the abandoned factory. But the sensor only saw them arrive; the others were simply too far away to be activated.

"We should get going." Ebony boldly stated, but the bat shook her head.

"Not so fast kitty. We have robbers with strong fire power and the annoying androids. If we storm in now, we'll be blown to smithereens."

Suddenly, the bat looked confused to see her small communicator lit up. As she looked at it, she was puzzled to be receiving a call; the name "Rabbit Sugar" lit up. Ebony smiled as she folded her arms, knowing all too well, that Rouge didn't work completely alone.

Annoyed by this realisation, the bat sighed and answered the call.

"I thought we agreed you only called me, to inform me the world was doomed." She spoke in annoyance.

But Ebony watched as Rouge's face changed. She was dead silent as she listened, looking serious.

"When did he arrive?"

Then silence from Rouge. Then suddenly, a face of frustration.

"Blast! Thanks for the heads up, let me know if there any updates. Yes, I have the girls with me; I'll let them know." Rouge spoke as she ended the call.

"What's wrong?" The feline asked, looking worried.

"Sonic is in town, and a full force squad is after his yellow backside." The bat stated.

"So, what do you suggest then? Super Sonic is in danger right now!" Ebony yelled out.

"Calm down. If your boyfriend is smarter than his blue counterpart, he'll know what to do. In the meantime, we wait for the other sensors to activate. Then that will be our cue…"

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "The Interrogation!"