Sonic Cobalt Interlude: Jinx

SONIC COBALT
INTERLUDE: JINX

It was soon after her last mission…she was to have a talk with Princess Sally after all of this, but the return of a few of her long lost childhood friends delayed those plans. But right now the celebration was over and she could talk about her career in the Freedom Fighters. She looked at herself in the mirror, her brown fur nearly groomed, and trying to get her blonde hair in a decent style. She had tried brushing it down, ponytails or pigtails…in the end she put her haircut into some curls.

After she was dressed up, she went downstairs, where she greeted her grandmother. “Nana, I’m heading for work. Do you want me to pick up something on the way?”

Jinx’ grandmother sat in her chair, reading a magazine about jewelry. “No dear, I’m good.” She said as she put down her magazine, her teal eyes eying her granddaughter. Her fur and hair were white, but it has always been white, but the color has become less vibrant and lots of grey in the streaks. “You really want to turn down that position?”

“I’m not the right girl for the job, nana. I think someone else could do better.” Jinx replied.

“You are only in it for a short while. In my days, I didn’t get adjusted to new ranks that easily, you know. It takes time…you sure you don’t want to let it settle in first?” Nana asked.

“No…my first mission was disastrous…or it may as well could be. What kind of Sub-Commander am I to be intimidated to easily. Or to get knocked out that easily. I think I’d rather take orders then give them. I know it’s not what you had in mind, nana, but it’s my life.” Jinx said.

“Honestly, I thought you’d have done great. But it’s your life, I don’t like you less for it. Your mom and dad won’t either. But in the end you make your own choices and we respect it.” Nana replied.

“Thanks for understanding, Nana.” Jinx said as she headed out the door.

“Don’t forget your breakfast!” Nana said as Jinx scurried back, grabbed the pastry that was on the table and bolted off. “Young ones, always doing things in a haste…but they have to run with their face in a wall first before they learn lessons. Ah, to be young again.”

Jinx quickly at her pastry on her way to HQ. Her first thing to do upon arriving would be her talk with Princess Sally. Though on her way she was approached by a few people. And Jinx recognized these two. A pair of Mobian macaws, the female having a baby carrier with an egg in it. “You…miss…you are one of the Freedom Fighters whom saved me and my wife.”

Jinx knew they were some of the prisoners that they released during her last mission. She recognized the female macaw as one of the hostages taken by the Sheep Automaton. She remembered the woman being pregnant…now she had laid her egg. “Er…yes, I am…”

“I want to thank you and your team for what you’ve done for us. For a moment, me and my wife thought we were not to make it out…that we’d perish before we’d have a chance to start a family. Oh, almost forgot, we never told our names. I’m Gem, and this is my wife Jewel.” He said.

“Hi…” she muttered softly.

“Hello…I’m Iolande…my friends call me Jinx.”

“My wife’s a bit shy…we just want to thank you.” Blue said.

“Me? But…I couldn’t stop…” Jinx said.

“Don’t sell yourself short. You still had a hand in the rescue, and you destroyed those fake robot Mobians in the end. We are eternally grateful for your efforts. So I want to give you something.” He gave her something. A necklace of sorts. “I owed a jewelry shop before my capture. This was one of the few things that were left. It was meant as a lucky charm. I think you deserve it.”

“I-I-I can’t take it…” Jinx said.

“Please, take it. The one who asked for it no longer is around, and me and my wife don’t need lucky charms. We already have them. The Freedom Fighters. So all I ask to take it, you’ll need it more than me, if you are risking your life for our safety.” He told her.

Jinx hesitated but took it. She smiled. “Thanks…”

“No…thank you…you know, we don’t know if the egg will hatch in a boy or girl…but when it hatches we may name it after you.” Gem noted.

“No, that’s too much…the Cyclone Rider and Bunnie did more than me.” Jinx assured.

“Yes, but you took charge in battle even without those strange powers. We’ll reward the rest of the Freedom Fighters for their heroics…But I felt like you needed it.” Gem said.

Jinx took a good luck at the lucky charm, a red ruby heart. She smiled. “I appreciate the gesture. Take good care of your family. It’s rare for families to make it through times like these completely...I am a few of the lucky ones to still have parents myself. Promise to treasure your time with your family.” Jinx said.

“We will…” Jewel muttered silently.

“Oh, look at the time…I’m still looking for a place to open a new shop and I’m sure you have stuff to attend to.” Gem said.

“I do…good luck.” Jinx said as she left the scene. But something has changed about her demeanor as she headed to HQ…

She had made it, and she was in Sally’s office, ready to talk about where she stands in the Freedom Fighters. “So…Jinx…you are having doubts about your position?” she asked.

“I did. I felt like I botched up last time…because I couldn’t keep Frances in line or I got knocked out. But I neglected to see the good I’ve done. I had a hand in getting the prisoners to safety…defeat those Automaton…and helped a family to settle. I felt like I could have done better…But it’s also my first mission as a Sub-Commander. I thought myself to be unfit…but people assure me all the time I did good…so maybe I like to have another try before I step down…” she noted.

Sally smiled. “Jinx, you’re a good soldier, and a good person. All you need is a bit more faith in yourself. And if I can say, I believe a lot in you as well. Believe me, my first few missions didn’t go smoothly, but I grew better and people put their faith in me…and I grew as a person. I’m sure you will as well. I’m glad you keep going.”

“I always wondered if I was good enough. Other people suffered so many losses, and they got a drive because of it…I was one of the few whose family made it out and so I felt I didn’t have the same drive as the others, just doing this because it was the right thing to do. I always wondered if it would be enough…” Jinx noted.

“Believe me Jinx, trying to prevent further losses can be as much a drive as having suffered them. You are no less determined than any of them. Remember that.” Sally said. “Now…I think your team is ready to continue training with their Sub-Commander?”

“Oh…Sure…thanks for having this talk, princess.” Jinx said.

“Please, keep calling me Sally. We’re all friends here.” Sally noted.

“I’m sorry Pri-Sally…well…thanks.” She said as she nervously stepped out. Jinx felt brighter. She grabbed a cell phone and dialed Nana’s number. “Nana…I have a few things to tell you…you’re going to like it a lot…”