Lost Star

9.

"This cannot be real, this cannot be real."

"Star?"

I whirled towards professor Rouge.

"There is something you should see, quickly."

She rushed to my side and took a glance at the informations on the screen. Shock took over her features and her eyes drifted to me.

"This crystal has powers like you!" She cheered

She hugged me before putting the crystal in my hands.

"Try absorbing it!"

I looked down and a yellow glow started floating around me. The light connected with the crystal and all of a sudden, I felt more alive than before. The crystal started to turn to dust and soon, only the yellow glow was left around me. I looked up at professor Rouge to see her a few steps away.

"That. Was. Awesome!" She cheered

She slowly walked closer.

"Could you...stop manifesting your aura? It's getting really hot in here."

I apologized and the glow disappeared to be replaced by my ice coloured lights. The room soon became an acceptable temperature and she sighed in relief, letting herself fall in the chair next to me.

"Do you remember anything new?"

I looked down at my thighs, concentrating on my memories.

"I do not." I answered

She sighed and wrapped her arms around me tightly. We spent a bit more time together, analyzing my own energy to perhaps find a change, a weakened lock on my mind, anything, really, without much success.

A sudden flash of electricity coursed through the room and I covered professor Rouge with my body as a few sparks menaced to reach us. When it calmed, I looked around the room, lights off, screens offline and eery silence despite the occasional crackles. Professor Rouge seemed afraid, but unharmed. I gently pulled her to her feet.

"W-What happened? What's going on?" She questioned

I shook my head to indicate my lack of knowledge. I pressed a finger on my communicator.

"Star to Light laboratory, Star to Light laboratory. Do you copy?"

Only static answered and I frowned.

"This is not normal, he would leave me a message if he could not answer."

"L-Let's get out of the lab first. The unusual silence is creeping me out."

I nodded and we walked to the door.

Everything has stopped. Not a single electronic machine works. Robots have succumbed to something that seems to keep them offline. I was lucky to be in my human appearance, I would have hated for attention to befall on us. I gently grabbed professor Rouge's hand and tugged in the direction of Thomas' laboratory.

"We must go see Thomas. I believe he might be in need of assistance with his family."

She only nodded, clutching my hand shakily. She did not seem to like the eery silence, and it was starting to remind me of my time floating aimlessly in space. I shook my head at the thought, I couldn't waver now, my friends were in need of help.

We reached the laboratory after close to an hour of walk. Professor Rouge had resorted to remaining attached to my back as her legs couldn't hold her. I held her carefully, now out of others' sight and transformed again. I reached the door and pushed it open with my tail. The lab was plunged into obscurity, making professor Rouge's grip tighten. The lights of my armour lit up and I caught sight of Thomas, another functioning robot master, and another human.

"Star! Thank heavens you're alright."

I hummed and gently let the woman on my back down.

"I had a feeling you might be in need of assistance."

He only walked closer and hugged me, startling me ever so slightly. I gingerly pat his back and he let go before asking me to come along. He gestured to the two unknown beings.

"This is dr Pedro Astil, an old colleague of mine." He introduced

I shook the human's hand then turned to the robot, who smiled at me uneasily. My design certainly isn't very reassuring, that I know. I shook his hand.

"I'm Plant man, nice to meet you."

"My name is Star, or Dragon woman as other robot masters call me. It's a pleasure."

I turned to Thomas. Next to him laid my older siblings, Rush and Auto, all four of them offline with no signs of waking up. I looked around at all the blank screens and darkened lights. The sun itself barely came through.

"Power is most important for now, isn't it?"

He nodded and proceeded to explain what happened on Rock's birthday out in the streets. I let out a sigh.

"I will be of assistance with the power, but it will keep me unable to do anything else."

Professor Rouge looked at me worriedly.

"Are you sure, Star? It's going to weaken you considerably." She asked

The males looked at me in shock as I nodded.

"I must. It might be our only solution for now."

Thomas hesitantly nodded in agreement to my statement and I kneeled. I pressed my hands together and a soft golden glow started to float around me. My price jacks connected with two outlets and the laboratory suddenly sprung to life. I closed my eyes, feeling my body enter a sort of stasis.

"The world now depends on you, good luck." I muttered

All sounds disappeared from my captors, all lights turned dark before my eyes, and the last image was Thomas' worried face.

Please be quick.