"I saw your face when he described it," Blaze said quietly, studying Fiona through her cell. "When Scourge explained what the process feels like. You flinched."

Fiona's casual stance stiffened slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about, princess."

"You're not like him, Fiona. Not really." Blaze leaned forward, her voice urgent but gentle. "Someone capable of that kind of cruelty... they can't love. Not truly."

"Shut up," Fiona snapped, but there was a tremor in her voice. "You don't know anything about us. About what we've been through."

"I know he'll turn on you the moment it serves his purpose." Blaze pressed on, seeing the crack in Fiona's armor. "You think you're special? That you're different from all the others he's used and discarded?"

Fiona paced, her tail lashing. "Scourge loves me. He trusts me. I'm the only one who understands him, who's stood by him through everything—"

"And what happens when understanding isn't enough?" Blaze's golden eyes tracked Fiona's movement. "When he decides that your sympathy for his victims makes you weak? I saw how you looked away when he talked about making them suffer."

"I'm not weak!" Fiona whirled, but her hands were shaking. "You think I haven't done terrible things too? That I'm some innocent little girl he corrupted?"

"No," Blaze said softly. "I think you're someone who built walls around her heart and called it strength. Someone who mistakes cruelty for power because it's easier than admitting you're afraid."

For a moment, something vulnerable flickered across Fiona's face. "You don't—" She stopped, swallowing hard. "Scourge saved me. When everyone else saw street trash, he saw potential."

"He saw a tool," Blaze corrected gently. "Just like he's using Shadow now. Just like he'll use anyone who can serve his purpose." She paused, letting the words sink in. "Tell me, Fiona – in all the time you've known him, has he ever put your safety before his revenge?"

Fiona's silence was answer enough. She turned away, arms wrapped around herself, but not before Blaze caught the doubt in her eyes.

"It's not too late," Blaze continued. "You could—"

"Enough!" Fiona's voice cracked like a whip. "You're trying to get in my head, but it won't work. Scourge and I understand each other. We're the same."

"Are you?" Blaze asked quietly. "Because I don't think someone who flinches at the thought of torture is the same as someone who dreams of inflicting it."

Fiona moved toward the door, but hesitated. "He loves me," she whispered, but it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself.

"Maybe," Blaze conceded. "But love without mercy isn't love at all. It's possession. And sooner or later, Fiona... possessions get replaced."

"Oh, that's rich," Fiona's voice suddenly turned sharp, a predatory smile spreading across her face. "Acting all high and mighty while you're doing the exact same thing I am – letting your feelings cloud your judgment."

Blaze stiffened. "What are you talking about?"

"Shadow," Fiona purred, stepping closer to the barrier. "I saw your face when they told you their plan. You didn't beg them not to hurt Magnus. You begged Shadow not to help. Said they should just kill you instead."

"That's... that's different," Blaze faltered. "I won't be responsible for—"

"For corrupting your precious Shadow?" Fiona laughed. "Please. You're so worried about him losing his way, about him becoming something darker." Her eyes glittered. "Afraid he won't be the hero you've built up in your head?"

Heat rose to Blaze's cheeks. "This isn't about—"

"Save it, princess. You're not worried about Magnus. You're worried about Shadow's soul." Fiona's smile turned cruel. "At least I'm honest about my feelings for Scourge. You're just sitting here, pretending your little crush is some noble concern for Shadow's moral compass."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Blaze said, but her voice lacked conviction.

"Don't I? 'Someone who can't love, who would turn on you in a second'?" Fiona mimicked Blaze's earlier words. "Sounds like you're describing your fear about Shadow just as much as my relationship with Scourge. Afraid he'll turn dark? That helping Scourge will corrupt him beyond redemption?"

Blaze turned away, but Fiona pressed on mercilessly.

"Or maybe you're afraid he's already chosen his path. That when it comes down to it, he'll pick revenge over whatever this thing is between you two." Fiona leaned close to the barrier. "Here's the difference between us, princess – I know exactly what Scourge is, and I love him anyway. You're still clinging to some idealized version of Shadow that might not even exist."

"Shadow is nothing like Scourge," Blaze snapped.

"No?" Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Then why is he out there right now, helping Scourge torture someone? Face it, Blaze – your perfect Ultimate Lifeform isn't so perfect after all."

"He's only doing this because—" Blaze caught herself, but too late.

"Because of you?" Fiona's laugh was hollow. "And you think that makes it better? That he's willing to compromise everything he believes in, just to keep you safe?" She shook her head. "At least Scourge is honest about who and what he is. Shadow's just proving he's capable of the same darkness – and you're the excuse he's using to justify it."

Blaze sank onto the cell's bench, the truth in Fiona's words finally seeping in. She had been so focused on saving Shadow from this path, she hadn't considered that she might be the reason he was on it in the first place.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Fiona's voice softened slightly. "Realizing love makes monsters of us all."

She turned to leave, pausing at the door. "Maybe you should worry less about my relationship with Scourge, and more about how your feelings for Shadow are turning him into exactly what you're afraid of."

The door closed behind her, leaving Blaze alone with the uncomfortable realization that perhaps she wasn't so different from Fiona after all. They were both watching the people they cared about walk deeper into darkness – the only difference was, Fiona had accepted it, while Blaze was still fighting to prevent it.

And she wasn't sure anymore which of them was right.

—-

The soft thump of boots hitting the floor made Blaze look up just as Fiona's footsteps faded away. Rouge landed gracefully from the ventilation shaft, her expression grim as she took in Blaze's condition.

"Oh honey," Rouge whispered, approaching the cell. "What have they done to you?"

Blaze didn't answer immediately, and it wasn't just the physical exhaustion that made her movements slow as she stood. Fiona's words had cut deeper than any wound.

"I've had worse," Blaze managed, but her usual fire was missing. Her eyes, normally bright with determination, seemed dimmer somehow.

Rouge's fingers flew over to her wrist watch. "Just give me a minute to see how we can get you out. G.U.N. training has to be good for something."

Rouge circled the cell, her trained eye scanning every detail. The bars weren't standard issue - they gleamed with an odd metallic sheen that spoke of specialized engineering. Her fingers traced along the lock mechanism, finding it surprisingly simple compared to the high-tech setup.

"A regular key lock? That's almost insulting." Rouge pulled out her lockpick set. "Give me two minutes."

Blaze slumped against the far wall, sliding down until she sat on the cold floor. Her usual perfect posture abandoned, shoulders curved inward. "Does it matter? Shadow's out there right now, compromising everything he believes in. Because of me."

Rouge's picks clinked against the metal as she worked. "Sugar, that's his choice to make."

"No." Blaze's voice came out hollow. "It's my family's fault he exists at all. The Sol Kingdom funded those experiments. We created him to be a weapon, and now..." She closed her eyes. "Now I'm the weapon being used against him."

Rouge paused in her work, studying the princess through the bars. The usual fierce determination that marked Blaze's features had vanished, replaced by something that looked dangerously close to defeat.

"You really care about him, don't you?" Rouge's voice softened.

Blaze didn't answer, just pulled her knees closer to her chest. The motion made her wince - her injuries from Fiona's special bullets still raw and painful.

Rouge returned to picking the lock, her movements more urgent now. "Listen, whatever your ancestors did, that's not on you. And Shadow-" The lock clicked. "He's survived worse than this. We all have."

The cell door swung open with a creak, but Blaze didn't move. She stared at the floor, lost in thoughts of Shadow's moral corruption and her role in it all.

Rouge planted her hands on her hips, tapping her boot against the floor. "Look, we can have this pity party later. Right now we need to move."

Blaze didn't budge from her spot on the floor. "I can't even access my powers. I'll just slow you down."

"Oh for-" Rouge strode into the cell and grabbed Blaze's arm. "Up. Now. Shadow's out there playing nice with that green menace, and here you are wallowing when we could be stopping this mess."

Blaze stumbled to her feet, pain flashing across her face. "You don't understand. The things my family did-"

"Sugar, I've got about zero patience left for your guilt complex." Rouge wrapped an arm around Blaze's waist, supporting her weight. "You can write a formal apology letter later. Right now, we're getting out of here before Fiona comes back."

They took one step forward. Blaze's legs buckled.

Rouge caught her with a grunt. "Perfect. Just perfect. The one time I need your flames, and you're running on empty."

"I told you-"

"Yes, yes, you're useless and everything's your fault. I got the memo." Rouge adjusted her grip, practically dragging Blaze forward. "But unless you want Shadow actually turning to the dark side instead of just pretending, you're going to work with me here."

Blaze's feet scraped against the floor as she tried to coordinate her movements. Each step looked like it cost her, but Rouge noticed the princess's jaw set with fresh determination.

"That's more like it," Rouge muttered. "Now let's get you somewhere safe before my perfect infiltration gets ruined by your limping."

—

They made it halfway down the corridor before a door slammed in the distance. Rouge froze, her ears twitching at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Change of plans." Rouge yanked Blaze toward a narrow maintenance passage. "In here."

Blaze bit back a groan as Rouge maneuvered them into the tight space between pipes. Steam hissed overhead, the heat making Blaze's injuries throb worse.

"Well, well." Fiona's voice echoed through the main corridor. "Looks like we have a bat problem."

Rouge pressed Blaze deeper into the shadows, positioning herself between the princess and the entrance. "Stay quiet, princess."

Fiona's boots clicked against the metal floor, drawing closer. "Come on out, Rouge. We both know you're here. I can smell your overpriced perfume."

"Chanel No. 5 is a classic." Rouge stepped out of hiding, leaving Blaze concealed. "And you're wearing knockoff boots."

Fiona's lips curled. "Where's the princess?"

"Probably halfway to G.U.N. headquarters by now." Rouge examined her gloves. "You really should upgrade your security. That cell was amateur hour."

"Lying doesn't suit you." Fiona's hand moved to her hip holster. "Neither does playing hero."

"Who's playing?" Rouge shifted her weight, ready to move.

Fiona drew her gun. "Last chance. Where is she?"

"Right here." Blaze stumbled out of hiding, her legs barely supporting her weight. "Leave Rouge alone."

"Honey, we talked about the martyr complex." Rouge didn't take her eyes off Fiona. "It's not a good look on you."

Fiona's smile widened as she aimed the gun at Blaze. "Two for one. Scourge will be pleased."

"About that." Rouge's boot connected with Fiona's wrist, sending the gun flying. "I don't think so."

Fiona spun into a roundhouse kick, but Rouge caught her leg mid-air. The two women grappled across the corridor, trading blows in a blur of movement. Rouge's combat experience showed in her precise strikes, while Fiona fought with desperate intensity.

"Getting sloppy." Rouge ducked under a wild punch. "You never were a good spar partner."

Fiona snarled and charged forward, but Rouge used the momentum to flip her opponent over her shoulder. Fiona crashed into the wall with a metallic clang.

Blaze pressed against the pipes for support, her breath coming in short gasps. The world tilted sideways as she watched the fight, her injuries making it hard to focus. She spotted Fiona's gun lying forgotten near her feet.

Rouge landed a solid kick to Fiona's stomach, sending the fox stumbling backward. But Fiona recovered faster than expected, producing a hidden knife from her boot.

"Always prepared." Fiona slashed upward, the blade catching Rouge's arm.

Rouge hissed in pain but maintained her fighting stance. "Cute toy. Won't help you though."

Blaze's fingers closed around the gun's grip. The weight felt wrong in her hand, foreign compared to her usual flames. She raised it with trembling arms.

"Drop the knife." Blaze's voice came out steadier than she felt.

Fiona froze mid-strike, her eyes darting between Rouge and the weapon aimed at her chest. "You won't shoot me. You're too noble."

"Try me." Blaze's finger rested on the trigger. "I've learned a lot about compromise lately."

Rouge used the distraction to deliver a precise strike to Fiona's wrist. The knife clattered to the floor. In one fluid motion, Rouge pinned Fiona face-first against the wall, twisting her arms behind her back.

"Nice bluff, sugar." Rouge pulled a zip tie from her belt. "Though I'm not sure you even know how to use that thing."

Blaze lowered the gun, her arms shaking from the effort. "I don't. But she didn't know that."

Rouge secured the zip tie around Fiona's wrists while keeping her pressed against the wall. She tapped her communicator with her free hand.

"Sonic, I've got our fox friend secured and the princess is with me. Any sign of our brooding boys?"

"They went through a dimensional portal about twenty minutes ago," Sonic's voice crackled through. "Lost their trail after that."

Blaze slumped further against the pipes, her face paling. "Magnus. They went for Magnus."

"Who's Magnus?" Rouge asked, maintaining pressure on Fiona's restraints.

"He worked with my father." Blaze's voice came out strained, each word an effort. "Years ago, they experimented on people. On Scourge. All to perfect power inheritance." She pressed a hand against her side where Fiona's bullets had struck. "To ensure the next heir would be born with pyrokinesis."

Rouge's eyes narrowed. "And they succeeded with you."

"Yes." Blaze's gaze dropped to the floor. "Magnus helped develop the procedures. The tests they ran on Scourge..." She shook her head. "They're bringing him back here. To these cells."

"Why bring him here?" Sonic asked through the comm.

"Revenge." Blaze's fingers dug into the pipe for support. "Scourge wants Magnus to experience what he went through. The same pain, the same kind of containment."

Fiona laughed against the wall. "You don't know the half of it, princess."

Rouge yanked the restraints tighter, silencing Fiona with a grunt. "And I'm sure you're just dying to tell us all about it."

"They'll be back soon," Blaze said, her breathing becoming more labored. "With Magnus. We need to-" Her legs gave out completely.

Rouge caught her before she hit the ground, still maintaining her hold on Fiona. "Sonic, we need extraction. Now. The princess isn't looking so good."

"No can do." Sonic's voice crackled through the comm. "Shadow and Scourge just portaled in. They've got this Magnus guy with them."

"Damn it." Rouge dragged Fiona toward the open cell.

She shoved the fox inside, slamming the door with a satisfying clang. The lock clicked into place as Fiona crashed against the bars.

"You won't get far," Fiona spat.

Rouge ignored her, rushing back to where Blaze leaned heavily against the wall. "Up you go, princess." She maneuvered Blaze onto her back, wrapping the cat's arms around her shoulders. "Hold tight."

"I've got the hedgehogs," Sonic said through the comm. "Just get her out of here."

Rouge adjusted her grip on Blaze's legs, cursing under her breath. The added weight made flight impossible in these narrow corridors. She'd have to find another way out.

"Stay with me, sugar." Rouge started down the hall at a steady pace, keeping close to the wall for support. Blaze's head rested against her shoulder, the princess's breathing shallow but steady.

The sound of chaos energy erupted from somewhere above them, followed by the crash of breaking glass. Rouge picked up her pace, heading deeper into the facility's maze of maintenance tunnels.

"Any chance you remember the blueprint layout?" Rouge asked, taking a sharp left at an intersection.

"Third right leads to loading docks," Blaze mumbled against Rouge's shoulder. "If they're still there."

Rouge's boots echoed against the metal floor as she ran, the weight on her back making each step more challenging. But she'd carried heavier loads during G.U.N. training. This was just another extraction mission. Just another day at the office.

Except the princess in her arms was burning up with fever, Shadow was compromised, and somewhere above them, Sonic faced off against two chaos-powered hedgehogs.

Just another Tuesday, really.