Jayde the Hedgehog • Negative Rebound [4]

24 • To Mazuri ✔️

Music: Airborne Robots - F-777

Tails' Workshop

Slowly, the purple orbs of the echidna peeled open, straining at the new-found light. Every part of his body ached as he tried to remember where he was and what had happened. The last thing he remembered was being slammed into the Master Emerald and hearing the tinkling of the shards as they split across the floor.

He twitched; the bright, harsh eyes that bore into him still permanently scarred into his mind. That was not Jayde. She would never use the Master Emerald for it's powers nor would she shatter it – she knew the cost of that.

But the being that had taken over her had.

Knuckles turned his head, seeing the ivory bat with her head laid on his arm, sleeping peacefully. He could see the tear stains down her muzzle and his heart clenched – she should never have witnessed his defeat. His gloved hand moved over his body and gently placed on her muzzle, startling her awake.

"H-ey," Knuckles squinted at how scratchy his voice sounded, but that didn't bother Rouge, "Hey." He spoke again, more clearly.

The female's orbs filled again, and she gently wrapped her arms around him, a few more tears of relief silently leaving her, "I thought she killed you." She whispered, tensing as she said it.

Knuckles didn't answer but tried his best to hug back, feeling happy that Rouge was safe and unharmed, "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Hey, Knucklehead." A familiar voice was heard, and the blue blur walked through the door of the room, soon followed by Amy and Manic.

"I guess Jayde gave you a run for your money this time." Manic chuckled slightly, trying to lighten up the mood.

Knuckles smirked, but it was soon washed away, "That wasn't Jayde."

"It was Knuckles." Amy whispered before continuing, "That being it still Jayde, no matter how much she hurts us. The Jayde we know is still in her, we just don't know how to get her out."

The echidna suddenly gasped, "What happened to Angel Island? Is it okay?"

"It's fine, Tikal is keeping it up for a bit and trying to bring the Master Emerald back together. She just needs you to complete the ritual when you're healed." Sonic answered quickly to avoid the male worrying in his current condition, "It's a good job none of the shards were missing."

The Guardian nodded before Rouge helped him to sit up, propping up his cushions comfortably, "I've never seen anything like Raven." He sighed, "That was not the same Raven as last time."

"She's more experienced this time," Amy spoke, "She's understood her powers through Jayde's eyes and she knows all of our weaknesses."

"Has she attacked anywhere else?"

"So far, no." Rouge answered, "Only Glyphic Kingdom and Angel Island have been attacked. We've no way of knowing when or where the next will be."

"We've just got to keep on our feet." Sonic grinned, his signature smirk on his face.

"And that you will be." The four looked towards the door as the purple swallow stood there with a device of Tails' in her hands, "Jet and Storm have picked up traces of Eggman's ship heading towards Savannah Citadel. If Eggman gets a hold of that fortress, he could easily take over Mazuri."

Sonic clenched his fists and nodded, "I'll go there right now."

Amy shook her head and she grabbed his hand before he could run off, "You're not going alone, I'll go with you!"