-Chapter 125-

Boiling Point


Station Square

A few weeks after the events at Dragon's Nest, Station Square was finally repaired enough for the schools to reopen. Chris and co. gathered together as they began heading inside.

"I can't believe I'm actually excited to go back to school," Hope remarked.

"Just a heads up, you do not have to eat the lunch my mom made you," Chris warned. "She's a horrible cook."

"Y'know, one of these days you're gonna have to break it to her," Keith pointed out.

Kat raised an eyebrow. "Is it that bad?"

"Worse," Chris said bluntly. "She once tried to bake a cake. It ended up hard as a rock, more burned than charcoal, and the kitchen looked like she set off a bomb in it. That's not even getting into her attempt at making a pumpkin pie. It was some huge slimy blob of dough, and one bite made Aunt Laura keel over and barf."

"Oh man, don't remind me of that," Keith begged. "I was terrified she'd end up dying from food poisoning."

"Yikes," Kat let out, visibly wincing.

"That explains why Ella slipped me a second lunch," Hope mused as she held up a second brown bag that simply read 'Just In Case'.

"We've actually pondered weaponizing Aunt Lindsey's cooking more than once," Keith remarked. "Just imagine what her 'cake' would do if it was dropped on a Swatbot's head."

They all began laughing at the idea

"The 6-S would have new nightmare fuel," Kat chuckled.

As they approached the school, they spotted Mr. Stewart waiting for them at the door. He gave them a wave, flagging them down.

"Looks like Mr. Teacher Spy wants to touch base," Kat noted.
Keith shrugged. "Well, let's go see what's up."

The four made their way up to their "teacher."

"Good morning, Mr. Stewart," Chris greeted.

"Morning, kids," Stewart replied. "Mind if I speak to you in private for a bit before class starts? I'll make sure to write you a note."

"No prob," Hope answered.

He led them to the teacher's lounge, closing the door.

"First off, on behalf of GUN, I want to offer you our sincerest condolences, Miss Kintobor," he began. "I can only imagine what you must be going through."

Hope nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Secondly, we were hoping now that things were a bit calmer, we could get a full account of what happened that day," Stewart added.

"Yes, of course," Keith said.

Alternating between them, the quartet explained the Chaos incident, beginning when Robotnik set him free, detailing their quest to attain the Chaos Emeralds before him and the battles with the Egg Carrier, and concluding with the flood. Mr. Stewart took extensive notes on the subject, nodding and asking appropriate questions.

"And we have nothing to fear from Chaos?" he asked.

"Nope," Kat assured. "He's residing happily in the Master Emerald with Tikal. He was just so angry that he just... reached his boiling point and never stopped."

"But Sonic took care of that," Chris added.

Stewart nodded. "Alright, good to hear. Now, I think I've kept you out of class long enough."

He opened the door and let them all file out.

"Y'know, when did it become normal for us to just have meetings with our teacher, who's actually a spy, to talk about deities suffering from depression?" Chris pondered.

"Around the same time it became normal to travel to Yurashia in a blink to babysit a dragon's egg," Kat tacked on.

-X-

The day went on peacefully, but things quickly began to go downhill after lunch. As the group were headed back to class, their path was blocked by none other than Mark Carradine. At the sight of him, everyone basically just sighed in resignation.

"Here we go again…" Chris groaned.

"What the hell are you doing here, Robotnik?" Carradine demanded. "Haven't you done enough damage? Or did flattening the entire city not sate you?"

"Why don't you shut your mouth?" Keith spat.

"What?" Carradine shot back. "The entire city was flooded and I had to sleep in Diamond Stadium, which was packed to the brim, because of her lunatic uncle, and they still let her back in?!"

"Drop it, Carradine," Kat growled. "She's not Eggman."

"Might as well be," Carradine insisted. "Only a matter of time before she starts roboticizing all of us just for shits and giggles like her psycho cousin."

"Hey!" Hope cut in. "Leave Aggie out of this!"

"So you're defending her?!" Carradine shoved Hope hard into a locker. "I knew it! I knew you were a sympathizer!"

"Carradine…" Kat began, her tone dangerous. "Cut it out now."

"Screw off, Winters. This is between me and her."

Carradine looked Hope right in the eyes.

"You wanna die, Kintobor?" he smirked cruelly. "Just like your grandma?"

Chris and Keith's jaws dropped, and Hope gasped, tears coming to her eyes at that. Hearing that, Kat snapped. Letting out an enraged scream, she plowed into Carradine, knocking him off Hope. He rolled back, getting to his feet as he glared at Kat.

"Oh, you are so fu-"

He was cut off by Kat's boot solidly connecting with his face. She didn't say a word, but her hair was ablaze with light, her eyes blood red and cold. She pounced on top of Carradine and began wailing on him, not holding back. He tried to block her attacks, and his arms cracked after the first blows fell. Before long, he was reduced to whimpering in pain and fear, pleading for mercy. Just as Kat had her hands around his throat, her hair beginning to darken, Sam rounded the corner, having been drawn by the noise. Immediately, he grabbed her arms, trying to pry her fingers loose.

"Kat, stop!" he shouted. "STOP! You're killing him!"

Those words seemed to snap Kat out of it. Her hair suddenly lost all light and her vision cleared. Upon realizing what she was doing, she dropped Carradine, scrambling backwards in shock and horror as she looked him over. He was barely conscious, bruised and bloody, letting out groans of pain before passing out. Kat looked at her hands, stained with his blood and began shaking and hyperventilating.

"What have I done…" she let out. "What have I done…"


Some time later, Carradine was taken to the hospital while Kat was taken to the principal's office. Outside, the rest of the Freedom Fighters had gathered, where Hope and the boys told them everything

"Carradine said that to you?!" Sonic exclaimed, getting a nod from Hope.

"Even if I stopped Kat, no matter how I try, I just can't feel sorry for the douchebag," Sam admitted. "He's been tormenting Hope non-stop for months. Every day it gets worse, and the crap staff here doesn't do a damn thing about it!"

"Even so, this isn't a good situation," Sally remarked. "One of our own just assaulted and almost killed someone. This is not going to reflect well on any of us."

"We'll handle it, Sal," Sonic assured her. "Make sure this doesn't get out."

"Mr. Stewart's already working on containing the situation," Tails informed her. "Our only big problem is the Carradines themselves."

-X-

Inside the office, the Carradines are in a complete uproar, yelling at the Principal. Kat just sits meekly in her chair, Lara-Le and Locke sitting on either side of her.

"I'm not defending Miss Winters' actions in the slightest, but I will have you know that she did so in defense of her friend Hope Kintobor," the Principal informed the erratic parents. "Your son has been bullying and harassing her for quite some time."

"What?!" Mrs. Carradine shouted. "Since when?!"

"Ever since Dr. Robotnik's first assault on South Island. So at the very least, a year. What provoked this attack was Mark making light of the death of Miss Kintobor's grandmother in the flood."

"Even if this were true, it doesn't merit this... this psychotic girl beating him to death!" Mr. Carradine shouted.

"What Kathryn did was excessive, yes, but your son's lack of discipline and remorse are also at fault," Locke pointed out. "Neither side is pure here."

"Agreed," said the principal. "Agreed. Thus, I highly recommend that Mark be transferred to a different school so similar incidences do not occur."

"Why should our son have to transfer?!" Mrs. Carradine demanded.

"Actually, that is reasonable," the principal pointed out. "It gets him away from his victim, as well as his attacker."

"And this little psycho gets away with it?!"

"I didn't say that. Miss Winters' actions will be met with discipline. Starting with a three week suspension, as well as her expulsion from the baseball team."

"That's more than fair," Lara-Le agreed.

"And what about our son?!" Mr. Carradine shouted. "He's in the hospital because of her!"

"The Freedom Fighters will cover all medical expenses," Locke cut in. "They said as such."

There was a moment of silence at the irate parents took time to contemplate the offer.

"Alright," Mr. Carradine said, albeit begrudgingly. "However, we will be filing for a restraining order. and she better start receiving some psychological help. Someone that mentally unstable should not be around normal children."

"Very well," the principal said.

-X-

The meeting ended and the two families emerged. The Carradines marched right out of the office, not even giving the Freedom Fighters a second glance. When the Echidna clan emerged, the Freedom Fighters converged.

"What's the damage?" Sally asked.

"She's suspended for three weeks and kicked off the baseball team," Lara explained. "The Carradines are filing a restraining order and demanding she get professional help."

They all breathed sighs of relief.

"Not the worst outcome," Sally noted.

"We're going to take Kathryn home for now," Locke told them. "I imagine she needs time to reflect on her actions."

Kat just gave a slow, silent nod. They departed at that, leaving the Freedom Fighters to discuss things.

"An outburst like that doesn't just come out of nowhere," Tails mused. "Kat's been dealing with issues like these for a while now."

"That's not even the worst of it, Chris said. "She flared up with Chaos Energy, and near the end, just before Sam stopped her... her hair was turning black."

"Just like me…" Sonic realized.

"She was going Dark, and almost did," Keith noted. "If Sam hadn't pulled her off…"

Sonic stepped forward at that, already having an idea. "I'll talk to her. See if I can convince her to get help."

"I get the feeling that'll be an easy sell," Hope mused.


Angel Island

On Angel Island, Locke and Lara-Le informed Knuckles of what had happened.

"Damn…" Knuckles let out.

"I had a feeling that her sudden rise in power would lead to complications," Locke noted. "I just never thought it'd lead to this."

"Kathryn is a good girl, but she's troubled, and her time with us hasn't always been as supportive as it should have been," Lara noted. "We need to help her work out her issues."

"The type of help she needs, we cannot give her," Locke remarked. "She requires professional help."

"Sounds like I got here just in time," Sonic's voice called out.

The echidnas all turned to see the hedgehog emerging from a warp ring. Knuckles turned to Sonic, his worried expression voicing all of the questions he couldn't put into words. Sonic just gave a small nod.

"Where is she?" he asked.

"Her room," Knuckles replied.

Sonic gave an appreciative nod, then headed for the house.

-X-

Kat was sitting in her room, curled up on her bed with Chuckles in her lap. The little Chao was nuzzling her, doing everything in his power to comfort her, to no avail. Sonic slowly approached, sticking his head in. Upon seeing her, he let out a small cough, then put on a horrible German accent.

"So, how is ze young lady doing today?"

Kat looked up, snorting at that.

"You know how I am," she replied. "Also… the accent? Really?"

"Hey, it got a small laugh out of you," Sonic retorted in his normal voice before shifting back. "Now, tell me what's been bothering you."

"What's bothering me?" Kat turned to face him. "I almost killed someone, Sonic. I haven't felt that much uncontrolled rage since Naugus."

Sonic took a seat. "This has been building up for a long time, Kat. I'm not mad at you, none of us are. If anything, we're kicking ourselves for not doing something about it sooner."

"I thought I was managing it," Kat told him. "I knew I had a temper, I knew I snapped easily, I even warned him to back off, was already stepping to retreat… then he said that and… and something in me just broke."

"But that's not what scares you, is it?" Sonic guessed.

Kat shook her head.

"I was gonna kill him. I wanted to kill him. I had my hands on his throat and all I had to do was squeeze." She looked down at her own hands, which were shaking badly. "I almost went Dark, Sonic. If I did that… with how strong I am… How volatile I already am…"

She shuddered at the idea, repulsed and shaken by it.

"Been there, done that," Sonic remarked.

Kat stayed silent, still shaking from fear, self-loathing, and disgust.

"Look, Kat. I'm gonna tell you what Dr. Sorders told me. Bottling up negative emotions and trying to push them down just makes things worse. Let them out slowly, no fuss, no mess. But let the pressure build up…"

"And you'll pop," Kat chimed in.

"I know you're careful not to vent on people, but you need a more constructive outlet for your rage," Sonic went on. "And you need help finding the source of your anger."

"Is this where you tell me I need to find a shrink?" Kat asked.

"It's either that, or you explode again. And next time, someone may not be able to stop you."

Kat gave a nod. "Well, I am supposed to seek professional help, per school's orders. But I don't think Dr. Sonic, PhD counts."

"I recommend Dr. Sorders," Sonic suggested.

"If you trust her, I will," Kat decided.

"And about Hope's bullying issue, I've already worked out a plan to deal with that. I just need to have a chat with your teacher-spy to pull it off."


Station Square

The next day, the Freedom Fighters, along with Danny, Frances, Sam, and Helen, watched off to the side as all the students filed into the school's gym for a "special assembly". There were murmurs among the crowd about what the assembly was about.

"Why are we over here and not with the others?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, why are we standing off to the side like a bunch of weirdos?" Frances added.

"Trust me, it's better over here," Hope assured.

Mr. Stewart took the stage, a microphone in hand.

"Students, today we'll be having an assembly about bullying." he announced.

At that instant, Chris, his hand behind his back, pressed a red button. Hatches opened up in the ceiling, and the students were all pelted with a slew of water balloons.

"Does that answer your question, Danny?" Keith deadpanned.

Danny just nodded, and Sonic dropped from the rafters, expertly hitting the ground with two legs and his left hand.

"Nice entrance," Helen remarked. "Bonus points for the superhero landing."

The crowd gasped as Sonic rose to his feet.

"That's right, kiddies," he announced. "I'm the one giving you the lecture on bullying. You all know who I am... unless you've been living under a rock for the past year. And today, I want to tell you about a very good friend of mine. A friend who has been the victim of bullying and hazing because of their family. I think you all know exactly who I'm talking about, because you've either participated in the bullying, or passively watched it occur and did nothing."

Several students looked aside in shame, realizing who he meant.

"So here's the deal. If I hear from Chris, Keith, Hope, their friends, or anyone that anyone in this school has been bullying anybody, I'll personally bring your folks down here, take them to the principal's office, and have a talk with both you and them. Think I'm joking and don't know how to get in contact with your moms and dads?"

His eyes sparked briefly. "Try me."

There was a general murmur throughout the entire crowd as he smiled.

"Excellent. You're all dismissed. And remember: bullying is not cool. You wouldn't like it if it happened to you, so don't do it to others."

Once everyone began filing out of the gym in a large, sopping wet line, Sonic rejoined the group.

"Hopefully that takes care of this problem," Sonic said. "Now Carrabine."

"He's transferring out," Hope pointed out. "He shouldn't be a problem."

"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure he's already had the fear of Aurora pounded into him," Keith added.

"Even so, I want to make sure some other kid at his new school doesn't suffer like you did, Hope," Sonic insisted.

"Sonic-" Sally began.

"Relax," Sonic assured. "I'm not gonna hurt him. I'm just gonna scare him straight."


At Station Square General Hospital, Sonic walked in, surprised to see Eggatha standing in line in the waiting room with a suspiciously full backpack on her back.

"Hi, I'm here to see Mark Carradine," she greeted.

Sonic raised an eyebrow before walking up next to her. "And so am I."

Eggatha turned, looking surprised.

"Sonic! Hi!" she greeted. "How's Hope? She okay?"

"She's fine," Sonic assured.

As they headed to Carradine's room, he turned to her.

"Please tell me you don't have something like a blaster in that bag of yours."

"I don't have something like a blaster in this bag of mine," Eggatha insisted.

"Agatha…" Sonic began reproachfully.

"I don't!" Eggatha insisted. "I'm not allowed to handle blasters. Uncle says not until I'm sixteen."

"Then what is it?"

Making sure no one was looking, Eggatha opened the bag. Sonic's jaw dropped at the sight of a brand new chainsaw and hockey mask inside.

"I know what you're thinking," Eggatha began. "Stop thinking it. I'm just using them for intimidation; scare the guy away from Hope and any of his other victims. I'm morally gray, Sonic. Not psychotic."

"Okay good, because I was worried there for a moment," Sonic sighed. "Seems we have the same goal in mind."

Eggatha nodded. "So how do you wanna play this? Good cop, psycho cop?"

"That's the plan," Sonic answered.

Eggatha grinned, then they approached the room.

"You first."

Sonic opened the door, seeing a battered Carradine in bed, practically mummified in casts and bandages.

"Hey there, Mark," he greeted casually. "How're you feeling?"

Mark just groaned

"For the record, I don't condone Kat's actions, but either way, you brought it on yourself by terrorizing Hope for so long. That's why I'm here. I'm only gonna say this one: leave. Hope. Alone. Never bother her again. Stop bullying altogether. If you don't, I'll know. And you can either deal with me... or my little frenemy."

Seeing her in cue, Eggatha burst through the door, brandishing the chainsaw and wearing the hockey mask as she jumped onto Carradine's bed

"Hey, do you wanna see my new chainsaw and hockey mask?! "

Carradine let out a muted scream before wincing in pain, and they heard the sound of liquid rapidly dripping into metal, realizing what it was.

"Ooh, good thing you had a bedpan handy," Sonic remarked.

"Oh yeah," Eggatha agreed as she lifted her hockey mask, grinning in a way that truly made her look like Robotnik's niece. "You called my cousin a Roboticizer and a monster, and belittled her grandmother's death. My Uncle wanted to come down here and personally tear you to shreds. Next time, I won't talk him out of it. Do we understand each other?"

Carradine nodded without hesitation. Her grin became much more pleasant.

"Excellent," she said before hopping off the bed and stowing her stuff. "Bye Sonic. See you next scheme."

Sonic just waved as she went before turning to Carradine.

"Oh, and if you tell anyone I was here, I'll deny it. Your word against mine, Marky. You can't prove anything."

He gave a two fingered salute, then zipped off in the blink of an eye.


Knothole

He joined the rest of his friends at Knothole, seeing his Uncle Chuck handing something to Kat.

"What's this?" Kat asked.

"Sticks dropped by her old burrow and picked it up for me." Uncle Chuck explained.

Kat opened her hand, revealing a Chaos Shard like the one on Sticks' spear made into a necklace.

"A Chaos Shard necklace?"

"It reacts in the presence of high concentrations of Chaos Energy, much like your own," Uncle Chuck explained. "I figured that it could serve as an early warning system, inform you of your rising power so you can take steps to avoid a meltdown."

"Wow… thanks," Kat smiled. "This'll really come in handy."

They turned to see Sonic enter at that.

"Ah, Sonic," Uncle Chuck greeted. "Done with your bully hunting?"

"Yep," Sonic nodded. "Got some surprise backup from Eggatha too. Between the two of us, it's safe to say Carradine won't be bothering anyone anymore."

"You didn't hurt the boy, did you?"

"Unc, this is me we're talking about," Sonic assured. "He's been through enough."

"I'm just glad things didn't get any worse," Mina remarked.

Uncle Chuck glanced over at Mina, looking surprised. "My dear, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you yet."

"Oh!" Mina let out. "Sorry, I've been helping with the messes in Station Square. I'm Mina Mongoose."

"Mongoose…" Uncle Chuck repeated. "You're Arthur and Isabella's little girl, aren't you?"

Mina blinked. "You knew my parents?"

"I fought with Arthur during the Great War," Uncle Chuck explained. "And you look just like your mother."

Mina was still surprised.

"What... what was my father like?" she asked. "I don't remember him very well. He died when I was only four."

Uncle Chuck smiled, then wrapped an arm around her. "Come. I'll tell you all you want to know over some hot cocoa."

As they walked off, Sonic turned to Kat, who finished adjusting her new necklace.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"A little," Kat replied. "Dr. Sorders is amazing and I think seeing her is something I've needed for awhile."

"Just know this: You're not alone. No one here is," Sonic assured. "If you ever need anything, you just have to ask."

Kat smiled before hugging Sonic gently. He returned the hug in kind, everyone smiling at the gentle scene before them.


Author's Note:

Well, that's that. Hope's bullying issue is finally dealt with, and Kat's working out her issues.

Also, the assembly with the water balloons was inspired in part from Kristen Verne's fic Friends and Fools, as well as the classic Sonic Says segments.

Please R&R. Until next time!