#opiateshadow

That chant continued in his mind as Volt looked at the information he had been given by Nicole. All the information that the hololynx had sent him. 

[ @opiateshadow joined the takedown]

The hardest thing Volt had ever done was probably leaving the toddler with the two he considered family to meet up with Avatar on the surface. Taking the palm of his fingerless glove to his eyes to keep the tears from running down his cheeks as he walked, not wanting his friend to see him in such an emotional state before the journey.

At least now he was standing in front of the hedgehog, tail twitching behind him anxiously as the rest of him tried to keep the small bit of shaking to a minimum while offering a bit of a forced smile. Volt took a breath and slid the Warp Ring from his wrist and held it up once it was charged. 

“I can get us into the facility near the research labs, from there we’ll have to work hard and fast to get through to the mainframe and center command room.  We can set the building to blow from there and hopefully be able to get out without being shot at too much.” He wasn’t going to sugar coat the fact that they were going to be attack and most likely, the soldiers were going to be aiming for the kill when they found out it was him that was attempting to take down the entire headquarters.

The brief moment between Volt closing his eyes and remembering the lab that had brought on so many of his nightmares while holding the ring and tossing it into the air to expand into the portal they would need to take, opening them after it had expanded to look at his friend once more. 

As the door to the castle open, the hedgehog known as Avatar gave his Aunt a curious look before speaking and stepping into the home. Not quite sure why he had been asked to come back after their last departure.

“Was there a reason Uncle asked me to come to the house?” Trying to search the psychic’s face for an answer, the only thing he was able to discern was a soft smile as Satu lead the way towards the kitchen where the sound of food being prepared could be heard. The winged hedgehog’s response was only a small reply as he pushed open the door.

“Someone else made a request to see you.”

“Avani! Ya came ta visit!” 

The question that would have been shot back all but died on Avatar’s lips as he braced for impact, the indigo toddler smacking headfirst into his shins before wrapping her arms and legs around them and clinging like her life depended on it. The deep chuckle of Hark could be heard over by the stove.

Only a short time later, after a much needed snack and juice, the three hedgehog’s found themselves in the playroom, keeping the youngster occupied with a bit of music. The soft melody from Hark’s violin being complimented by Satu’s soft tapping on the drum in his lap. Avatar couldn’t hide the small smirk as Harmony got to her feet and began to try to move to the beat. 

With her tail wagging, feet moving and backside wiggling along as best as she could, Harmony was full of giggles and squeals as the music continued. Her eyes closed as she focused only on the music and swayed her hips and hands from side to side. 

“She’s well behaved, but full of energy... How does Voltage keep up with her.” Musing mostly aloud, Avatar hadn’t been expecting and answer, but got one as Satu spared him a glance before focusing back on the munchkin having the time of her life. 

“He had help from his friends and family.” 

The stunned look was given to Avani, amethyst eyes blinking in confusion at the words being sent right back before the hybrid bristled and lips pulled back to expose his teeth. 

“No I haven’t....  Don’t you realize that you’re hurting them by doing this?” 

Maybe he was crossing a line with their family on this, but he couldn’t keep standing back and watching from the sidelines. Even if it did mean that Volt was going to have to dig to get the other to see it. 

“FUCK!”

Even Harmony jumped from where she was working on a little project on floor, looking at her father in horror as he looked through the information on his handheld for something. While normally the toddler would have scolded him for his mouth, she remained silent at the look on his face.

The look of someone who was just now seeing what kind of damage he had caused.

Slowly the wrist communicator was brought closer and a message was sent to the only remaining member.

“I’m starting to loose my foothold. What even holds true anymore. I have met the same person twelve different times, each of them so different in personnality and behavior that I was questionning the existance of the previous.”

“What am I ? Am I the real “me” ? Or just another shape in this hall of mirror ? I need to think about something else. Maybe I should go and see how julie’s doing, if she hasn’t left already, as she always does, without a word. ”