Chapter 19: Helping Destinee

                                    

                                          
Once Sonic and the Chaotix were out of the Labyrinth, they ran off to a space at least three meters from the exit. When they arrived, Espio puts Destinee down gently. He kneeled beside her with a concern look on his face, but he also felt fear that Destinee's heart would not pound at all. What he did first is leaning his left temple on her chest to feel her heartbeat. Turns out, he heard a faint beating sound.
                          
Now, everyone else had gathered around the two chameleons to see if Espio managed to handle the unconscious Destinee. All eyes watched them carefully, but they're also full of concern wondering if Destinee is okay.
                          
Espio moved his head away from Destinee's chest. Then, his palms made contact with it. This time, they're pushing her chest to get the heartbeat to work again. After a few attempts, he decided to do one thing had to do. He laid his head down and his mouth was pressed into hers. He blew his air down into her lungs to make it work. Before the whole situation, he covered her nostrils with his finger. He knew Charmy might think of it as wierd, but he also knew he had no other choice.
                          
Vector covered Charmy's eyes to prevent him from watching the whole scene, even though he really, really wanted to see what's happening. Sonic seemed to not mind at all, but on the inside... well, let's just say things might be a little odd on the inside.
                          
After a few minutes, Destinee finally picked up her senses. Her eyes shot open and quickly rose into her sitting position. She began coughing out water with Espio patting her back for support.
                          
Sonic, Vector and Charmy didn't hesitate to take a few steps forward, thus giving the two some space for a moment. Espio managed to finally shield himself from fear mentally before making contact with her full of concern.
                          
Once all the water was coughed out, Espio asked her still in concern, "Are you okay, Destinee?"
                          
She nodded slightly in response. Then, she managed to get her words out. "I'm fine. Thanks to you. I've... never been underwater in my life before."
                          
Espio laid his right hand on her left shoulder. "I'll teach you what I know about swimming... when we have the time."
                          
Destinee's lips stretched out a small warm smile in response. Her eyes were full of love, helpfulness and heartfelt. Now, hope that she'll know how to swim after getting everyone's memories back and finding the memory thief started igniting inside of her.
                          
After a few moments of eye contact between Espio and Destinee, Sonic's words snapped them out of it. "So, what happened before I showed up?"
                          
All heads turned to him. Then, a grin appeared on Vector's face. "Well, I'm glad you asked! I think it will be better if Espio shares the story since he's more concerned about Destinee than us!"
                          
"Yeah! Even so, we both see Destinee as a sister!" added Charmy referring to himself and Vector.
                          
"Very well then," said Espio.
                          
And so, he began to explain the whole story.
                          
"After we're sucked into the portal, we somehow ended up in the underground cave. Before we pointed out where we are and why we're here, badniks suddenly appeared out of the shadows. We fought together the best we could, but somehow, more badniks are coming. The whole time, I tried to protect Destinee. At the same time, we were all trying to find a way out of this cave. But in the middle of the battle, I heard a scream. I turned around... and she was pushed off in the water by one of the badniks. In one second flat, I told Vector and Charmy to hold them off while I go underwater to save Destinee. That time, that's where we met again. I'm assuming you know the rest."
                          
Sonic nodded in response, his reply full of concern in his voice. "Yeah. I know the rest." With that, he knew how much Destinee and Espio mean to each other. Partially because of the prophecy. But mostly because of how much they have in common.
                          
"Well, now that Destinee 's okay, should we go to Eggman's base to save Amy like you said before?" Vector asked Sonic.
                          
"Huh." Sonic then wiped his nose with his thumb in response. He had a smile on his face this whole time. "Well, I thought you'd never asked."
With that being said, he suddenly sped off to find Eggman's base, but he managed to decrease his speed just one bit just to wait for the Chaotix to keep up with him. Even if he didn't know the direction, he looked back at the Chaotix right in the corner of his eye.
                          
"Race ya!" he told them.
                          
"Hey! Wait for us!" called out Charmy.
                          
With that being said, the Chaotix went to keep up his pace with Sonic.