Chapter Text
“To your left!”
Green eyes shifted and kicked the approaching robot away as a wall of fire scorched its remains, the offending creature’s metal body melting under the heat.
Sonic flashed Blaze a wink before continuing through the hoard of enemies, spin dashing through the coral beneath him and littering stray shrapnel of metal and wires across the cave floor while Blaze assisted with the exterior of the cave entrance, roaring flames leaving the robot remains smoking.
They both reunited in the center of the battlefield back to back and surveyed the area, scanning for any missed enemies.
“There!” Blaze shouted. A faint rustle echoed through the cave and the two figures braced for battle, cautiously approaching the sound.
Drawing closer, the rustling became whimpering, which became crying and Sonic halted Blaze with a swipe of his arm. “Hey, wait a second…”
Annoyed by the gesture Blaze turned to scold him but before she could, Sonic ran ahead of her towards the noise, carefully maneuvering through the metal husks before settling on a pile and digging through it as though he was looking for something.
“Where are you, pal? Make some more noise for me.”
Blaze watched the display and tapped her boot in annoyance. Sonic was a well-seasoned fighter; he knew better than to drop his defenses so easily. The cat sighed and made her way cautiously towards the hedgehog before jumping back startled when Sonic shouted an “Ah ha!” that shook the cave walls.
In his hands was a small orange chao, teary-eyed and spooked.
Sonic tsk’d and wiped the creature’s eyes with his gloved thumb. “Hey, hey, don’t cry.” He cooed in a soft voice. Blaze had never seen her friend dote on something like he did just then, it made her feel awkward.
Blaze cleared her throat. “A chao? How did it get here?”
“Little guy must’ve wandered in before we got here and got caught in the fight.” He emphasized by poking the chao’s belly softly and it responded with a giggle.
“You misunderstand, how did he get here? Chao are not native to my world.”
“No kidding?” Sonic whistled. “You think he got sucked into this world with me then?”
“Seems so…” Blaze sighed. “Though I wonder how long it’s been, this isn’t the first time you’ve visited.”
“Who knows?” Sonic hoisted the chao up “Little guy, do you think you can fly?” The chao responded with a small whine before throwing itself into Sonic’s chest. “Ha! Clingy, aren’t you?”
“So, you plan on returning home with it, do you not?”
“Sure, I bet he misses the other chao.” Sonic paused, “Though I guess the emeralds aren’t ready to take us back yet.”
Blaze perked up in surprise. In the times they would visit the other’s dimension, the emeralds would guide them on their return home, encasing them in a warm glow until they’d safely find themselves where they had been just before being transported. The Sol Emerald Blaze held that guided her to the cave where she found Sonic fighting the hoard of robots was dull in her hand. Its lackluster sheen refused to send the hedgehog and chao back.
“How odd.” Blaze‘s brow furrowed as she placed her hands on her hips. “What do you suppose we do?”
Sonic shrugged and strutted towards the cave’s entrance. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. How about we just enjoy our time? Maybe you and this little guy can get to know each other.” Sonic smirked at the princess who responded with a deadpan stare.
“Very well, Sonic. Though don’t expect me to get too attached.”
Sonic grinned mischievously. “Don’t worry, you’ve already got enough trouble dealing with me.”