Jayde the Hedgehog • Negative Rebound [4]

12 • Trouble✔️

Music: United - L.A.O.S Remix

Meanwhile: Emerald Coast

"Wow," Mitzy gushed, holding up her hand to allow a small chao to land, "I've never been to a Chao Garden before."

"Sonic, Shadow and I only discovered this place a few days ago after a race." Jayde spoke, carefully holding out her hands as a chao clambered on her head.

"It's so cool." Mitzy mumbled, giggling as she held a coconut for the small creature to eat before it chaoed happily at her, "Whoa, look!"

Azure eyes looked up to where her rabbit friend pointed and gasped. Two crimson orbs stared back at her before the ebony chao came out from behind the tree and flew over to her, "A Shadow chao?" she asked, reaching for it. The creature looked at her uneasily before landing softly in her palms. He held a grumpy look on his face as she raised him to eye level, chuckling at him.

"Hey, Jayde. I know that this isn't the best question but... Why did you run away?" Raiden asked, causing the Protector to tense and look at him before sighing.

Jayde petted the small animal in her hands. Since she returned to her parents, this question had been thrown at her from everyone – even herself. She knew that if she stayed, no one would've blamed her, but the guilt would've built up on her. Her ears bent backwards, "When it first happened, that's all that went through my head." She started, "It was like a permanent reminder that I failed to save Jayden. I ran because the guilt built up on me. I knew that no one would've blamed me, but I couldn't stand being there knowing that I was the one that caused everyone's pain – I was a coward." She spoke.

"You're not a coward, J.J." Mitzy told her.

Jayde smiled tightly at her before frowning, "I was, Mitz." The grey hedgehog looked away, "It was the idea that I took away your love that hurt me the most. I took away my parents' son, I took your best friend." She pointed to Raiden.

Mitzy bit her lip at this. It was true – Jayden was her first crush, her first love. She wouldn't say that it didn't kill her when he died, but she fought through it.

"I took away the person that you loved. And I was too much of a coward to be there for you after." Jayde mumbled, "It's why I didn't return. I felt, that if I did come back, everyone would hate me – hate me for running and hiding."

Mitzy gently pushed the chao off her before going over and hugging Jayde tightly, making sure that the Protector knew the bunny didn't blame her. Jayde scoffed at herself internally. She was supposed to be a Protector. She was supposed to be strong, not whimpering in her friend's arms. Jayde pulled back, "I'm fine."

Mitzy and Raiden knew that she wasn't, but they didn't question her anymore. She breathed deeply before flinching when her communicator rang, causing the chaos to quickly fly away, "Hello?"

Rouge appeared on screen, a furious yell leaving her before she landed a harsh kick on a robot, "Jayde, Station Square is under attack – we need you here, now!"

Jayde nodded, "We're on our way!" she signed off before grabbing her board, "Come on guys, they need us."

"A chance to fight these 'Eggman robots'? Just try and stop me!" Raiden and Jayde smirked at each other after his comment, "Just like old times?"

Jayde nodded, fist bumping him, "Just like old times."

Station Square

Sonic spin dashed into a large robot, leaving it to come crashing into the ground. He whooped in excitement, looking up at the mustached man above, "Long time no see, Egghead!"