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He was 5 years old when he came up with a name for his best friend.They were both hedgehogs, they both loved Uncle Chuck's Chili dogs, and they loved Mommy and Daddy and wished they didn't have to leave so much for so long.That's where the similarities ended.Oggie's best friend had bright yellow fur that always stood up and red, swirly eyes. Oggie had blue, droopy hair and olive-colored eyes. Oggie wanted to explore and travel and see the world as the legendary Sonic The Hedgehog! Oggie's best friend was quiet and shy and enjoyed shopping and was content to be Oggie's Best Friend forever.But every sidekick needed a super duper cool hero name! Oggie had cooked it up all night and was ready to tell the world.He told his uncle first.“One blue pancake for one blue boy!” Uncle Chuck declared cheerfully, placing down a plate in front of the eager boy.“Don't forget one for Fleetway!” Oggie cried, pointing at the glowing hedgehog beside him. The two turned to him, asking the same question.“Fleetway?”"Fleetway?"Oggie nodded. “My best friend!” He smiled at the yellow hedgehog.And Fleetway smiled back. Sonic was 10 years old when he decided he was glad he had chosen a name for one of his greatest enemies.Fleetway was the name he cursed in his mind after days of screaming and screaming for destruction, for blood, for suffering.Fleetway was the name he hissed when he held an emerald in his hand and had to admit that he didn't have complete control of himself.Fleetway was the name of the secret he'd never tell. It would be admitting a mistake, a failure, placing a wall in between himself and the world. Besides, how exactly do you explain to the only people who have ever given you the time of day besides your family that you're sharing a body with a power-crazy, yellow demon? "I'm not a demon!"Sonic winced at the volume of the mustard yellow demon. Sonic wasn't a liar. He told it how it was."You made me like this! you made me a monst-"Sonic shoved the Chaos Emerald in his bag, sighing in relief as the screams of the negative-fueled hedgehog were silenced. Sonic refused to look at Fleetway, heading over to join Knuckles and Tails.Ssshiz!Sonic yelped at claws razing his back, falling over to panicked cries from Tails and Knuckles.“Sonic! Are you alright?” Tails asked frantically, hands hovering over as if he was unsure how to help. Knuckles was less gentle, pulling the hedgehog to his feet. The echidna looked around for the assailant, his face showing the same concern as Tails’ voice.“What happened, Blue?” Knuckles asked, spotting no attacker.Sonic rubbed his back and glared at Fleetway.Nothing. I'm fine. He signed.And Fleetway smiled back. Sonic was 16 years old when he knew more about his greatest annoyance than his name.Fleetway's power was determined by his chaos energy. When he had a Chaos Emerald, Fleetway had more effect on him. Which did nothing to help explain to Tails why he suddenly was in the bathroom with a half dozen cuts on his legs besides claiming a midnight run into bot-infested land.But no emeralds? No threat.Sonic had been worried about the Master Emerald's effect on Fleets but it was all good. The M.E.’s energy and Fleets’ didn't mesh like the Emerald's and Fleets’.And Knuckles knew too.Not Sonic's decision but it's hard to lie to a guy who kinda saw you get possessed by your inner demon and also can see said inner demon if he tries hard enough.At least he had someone to talk to Fleets about!Nah."Ohhhhhh, Oggie!" Ugh, he still insisted on calling him that old nickname. "Wakey-Wakey! Eggs and bakey! C'mon, get up. "Fleets’ voice changed from sickening sweet to angry at Sonic's refusal to move."Get up. There's another emerald nearby. I want it."Sonic stretched on his tree branch, before raising an eyebrow at the mustard yellow annoyance. As if Sonic was collecting it for him. He hopped out of the tree, ignoring Fleetway even though they were alone. For a minute, he heard Fleets’ hiss of displeasure and was worried he'd have to explain another scar to Tails."...Fine. Ignore me. It'll make it harder for you to find it."Sonic could live with that. He bared his teeth in what seemed like a smile but was more of a threat. And Fleetway smiled back.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Something was wrong.Something was wrong.One of those stupid things must be have landed nearby and-He wasn't saying anything.He wasn't saying anything!No, nonononono, not again, he was strong, he was tough, he-he needed to get out.If he was gonna make an unwanted guest appearance, he had to make sure Tails didn't see. Tails would ask questions, Tails would want answers and he didn't have any!And what would he do to Tails anyway?He needed to get away, he needed to run.But where?Angel Island.Knuckles would probably be asleep and Angel Island was the safest place he could think of.Just get there and we'll be okay. Just get there and we'll be fine.He didn't remember running but here he was, stumbling in one of Angel Island's many forests, blacking in and out.He fell to his knees and dug his hands into the dirt, his face strangely wet.He was subconsciously aware of a growing pain that seemed to come from the inside out and would burrow its way out through him.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it st-!"Okey-dokey, Oggie!"Everything went dark.Knuckles woke up to a growing sense of panic.Something was on the island and it wasn't right.He grumbled as he followed his inner compass, annoyed at his loss of sleep.There, in the thicket, stretching like it was the most natural thing in the world, was Sonic. His back was towards Knuckles and he was humming an annoying tune.Knuckles didn't know much about Sonic, he didn't really...talk. had plenty of attitude tho, and it was not appreciated."Blue? What are you doing he-?" Sonic turned as he spoke and everything in knuckles screamed at the wrongness.Sonic's eyes were swirls of red in a white and red void, teeth sharp and mouth smiling."Ah, well, if it isn't good ole Red! Thought you'd be asleep." The last part of the sentence came out annoyed and bitter, but Knuckles was bit too shocked that he spoke at all. "But it's fine! I can work with this!"Knuckles took a step back, much to Not Sonic's amusement. His disturbing grin widened and the red in his eyes swirled faster."Oh, come on, Guardian! It's just your pal, Good Ole Sonic!" He taunted the echidna. Knuckles only watched with a cautious eye.This wasn't the frustrating blue hedgehog he knew.This was….Something else."Just tell me what you want, you freak!" Knuckles spat at the wolf in sheep's clothing. Knuckles thought he saw a glimmer of hurt flicker in that tornado of red for a minute before it was covered by layers of anger and hate."I'm not the freak here, Last Echidna." He snarled back, Knuckles flinching. "But I didn't drag this worthless hide here to get in a cat fight. I'm here for the emerald. Not the Master, we don't click. Ya know, the emerald you've been charging for emergencies?"Knuckles flinched again. He knew about that?! Well, he had mentioned it to Sonic but…."No. That's not for you to use." He said simply, trying to play it cool. Not Sonic scoffed."Please, if it's for anyone's use, it's MINE. Now, chop, chop, Guardian, hand it over." He held out a single hand for the emerald. At Knuckles' hesitation, he hissed, "You're making me angry, Red. I'd hate to add you to the list of people we've pummeled."Knuckles considered.Oh, well…. he'd find it again later.Knuckles pulled it out and held it over Not Sonic's eager palm…And hurled it into the sea below.Not Sonic dove for it and Knuckles found himself grabbing at the faker to keep him from lunging into the water below."YOU IDIOT, WHY DID YOU DO THAT, THAT WAS MINE, I HATE YOU, YOU DESERVE TO-" Knuckles hauled him further from the edge, ignoring his pathetic screams.He tore himself away from Knuckles and swirled around to face him, face contorted with fury.He opened his mouth to scream more but then angry red cleared away to panicked green and outstretched sharp claws softened to hands limply hanging by his side. Knuckles relaxed, the wrongness fading.Sonic looked at his hands before raising his head and giving a sheepish smile before opening his mouth to say,-"I'll kill you." Sonic's eyes widened in horror at his voice, hands flying to grasp his throat and Knuckles isn't sure if it's an attempt to silence himself or the voice trying to make a point."I'll kill you all for everything you did and I will make it hurt and everything will go back to normal and this stupid game will be-"Sonic gasped, as if he just resurfaced from a deep sea dive. He slowly removed his hands from his throat, red marks there from his tight grip.He opened and closed his mouth like a fish and Knuckles didn't need to know Sonic well to guess why.It must suck to worry that your voice isn't yours.Sonic finally choked out a sentence before passing out."Don't pollute the ocean, Knuxs."Knuckles sat by the unconscious hedgehog, sighing as another hour passed by without answers.He glanced at the blue hedgehog and jumped back.Sonic's arm had a huge bloody bite in it.Sonic was awake, lips pressed tight in anger and annoyance as he pressed white gloved hands to the wound.Knuckles sat back down, hating the casualness Sonic was wearing."How the heck…?"Sonic hissed in pain before answering in a quiet, hoarse voice."He's mad. The Emerald's still close. I'm fine." Sonic hissed as a small scratch appeared on the arm covering the bite. "...I always am. It'll heal. Eventually. He's actually never bite me before."Knuckles frowned at the red gloves before chewing on his lip and slowly reaching for the bitten arm."Can I..try something?" He asked tentatively. Sonic frowned but nodded, releasing his arm to Knuckles' grip.Knuckles took a deep breath and concentrated on the energy around Sonic and the Island. Soon,a steady green glowing appeared over the bite mark. Sonic sat up, feeling a shift in his natural energy."Relax," Knuckles ordered. "I got you."Sonic obeyed.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Everything hurt.Sonic tried to push himself off the cold metal floor, only to flop back down. He groaned, feeling his hunger, his exhaustion, eat at him."Oggie?"He groaned again, ignoring the voice. Fleetway had been loud lately, whatever Eggman was using to power this place must be good for him.Sonic just rolled over.Something was wrong with Oggie.Fleetway didn't like this game. He didn't like this mean old man and his weird dog.He had played along at first, laughing at all the blood. Oggie didn't scream, he never did, not since they were six.Fleetway didn't like thinking about when they were six.That was when their game started and now all he wanted was for it to end. He always forgot that they were playing and he was a good boy, a nice boy and Oggie was his best friend in real life.Oggie didn't act like it was a game or that he liked it.But then why were they still playing?

"Get up."

Oggie didn't move.

"You're fine, wimp, get up."

Oggie didn't even make a sound.What...what if Oggie wasn't playing around? What if he really was hurt? What if he...No, Fleetway, don't think that way, he's gonna be okay, he always is.

"O... Oggie?"

Right?
"C-c'mon, get up! This...this isn't funny, Oggie!"
Right!?
"Oggie, please! I..I don't wanna be alone! Please get up!"
Oggie looked over with tired, dull eyes and scoffed, rolling back over.5 months.5 months full of days like today where everything was scary and uncertain.Fleetway felt anger bubbling up, and he started playing the game again.

"Where are your so called friends, huh? Where are they now that you need them?"

It was better this way. Better that they didn't know if he was alive or not, didn't know where he was. If they knew, they could get hurt.Fleetway hissed, frustrated that his answer was probably right.

"You can't just say that! You-"

Fleetway turned at the sound of footsteps, ears falling flat on his head.He frantically turned back to his blue counterpart."Oggie, you gotta get up, he's coming and he sounds mad!"He begged. When that didn't work, he tried threatening.
"Get up now or...or... I'll…. I'll... I'll bite you! Yeah! So get up!"
Oggie didn't budge.
"Please, he seriously is coming!"
They heard the doors slid open and Fleetway almost didn't notice Oggie pulling himself to his feet, he still looked tired and exhausted but that annoying spark of defiance flared up in his eyes again."Took you long enough, Egghead." Oggie- Sonic- snarked, his voice hoarse and low. "Thought you forgot about me for a minute."Fleetway slunk to the back, watching anxiously as he had a million times.As Oggie limped, he called out, despite knowing he would ignored like a million times before.
"Stay strong!"
And then….Fleetway waited.Oggie was thrown back in and the only assurance Fleetway had to his survival was his labored breathing. His blue, dirty quills dripped water on to the cold metal floor.Water today? he asked quietly, hovering over the blue form of Oggie.He knew he wouldn't get an answer.He hauled Sonic carefully against a wall and sat him up. Fleetway floated across from him and silently watched him.
"Do you think Mommy and Daddy are okay? Do you think they miss us?…….I miss them. I miss Uncle Chuck too."
Fleetway tentatively reached a hand out and placed on his head. Did Oggie feel it? Was he scared Fleetway would hurt him? Did he remember this was all a game?Did he?
"But you know who I miss the most?"
Please don't go.
"You."
Fleetway curled up by Sonic's side and prayed that the games would be over and they could go home.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Oggie was six years old.Oggie woke up in his uncle's trembling arms and all he knew was fear. He struggled for a moment, disoriented by the fire and all the screaming."Oggie! Oggie!" Uncle Chuck shook him a little, tightening his grip on his nephew. "It's me, Sonny Boy, relax!"Oggie stopped struggling and looked around, ears pressed tightly against his head."What's going on?!" Oggie cried. He felt Fleetway hovering by his side, hand pressed against the back of his sweater.His uncle shook his head, looking as scared and lost as the boy felt. "I don't know, Sonny Boy. I don't know. "Their ears shot up as the sound of machinery and screams drew closer. Oggie heard his uncle curse as Fleetway hovered closer, his red eyes swirling with fear and confusion and disbelief. Uncle Chuck looked around desperately, eyes searching the area for a small space to hide his young nephew. His eyes finally landed on a small hole in a house wall. He dashed towards it, practically tossing Oggie in it."Uncle Chuck-!" The terrified hoglet started, only to be hushed by his uncle."Stay here. I'll...I'll come back for you, okay?" Chuck smiled, his face silhouetted by the flames and distant glints of metal."He's lying." Fleetway hissed, fear and anger mixed in his voice. Oggie frantically grabbed his uncle's arm."Please don't leave me here," he begged, near tears. "I'm scared, Uncle Chuck."His uncle's fake smile dropped like a dead fly."It's only for a minute or two." He pulled back, Oggie's small, gloved hands reaching for him. "You're a big boy now, Oggie, you'll be fine alone. I'll be back, I swear. I love you, Sonny Boy." Chuck backed away, almost hesitantly."Uncle Chuck?!"The elder hedgehog bit his lip, turned, and ran, visibly consumed by the flames."Uncle Chuck!"Oggie pressed himself as far back into the hole as he could, quills up and sharp with terror."He's gone," Fleetway sounded almost bored. "Let's go win this game."Oggie looked up teary eyed."Game?" He questioned, his rabbit heart begging for relief. Fleetway nodded, poking his head out of the hole."It has to be one of our games," Fleetway said, his voice uncertain and desperate before turning to boredom. "It's gotta be. Come on, I know how to win."Oggie stood up on shaking legs, arms wrapped around himself as he cautiously walked out. Fleetway followed, a clawed hand digging into his companion's arm as he held tight himself."Ow, Fleets, you're hurting me. Where do I go now?"Fleetway let go, mumbling an apology as he hovered ahead."You know Miss Fields' rock collection?" At Oggie's nod, he continued. "She has one of those Chaos Emeralds."Oggie ducked behind a wall as silver metal machines gilded by, whispering."You mean, those super cool magic rocks we read about in stories?" Oggie frowned, following his invisible, floating friend. "I won't have to do that stupid dance to activate it, will I?"Fleetway stuck out his tongue, not bothering to hide from enemies that couldn't see him."No. And that dance was awesome!" Fleetway pouted before a look of almost malicious joy grew on his face. "We just grab it, use it, and BOOM! Town saved."They slipped into the elder woman's house through her broken door. The house was dark blues and purples compared to outside's fiery reds.Except for a bright yellow glow hidden by a cabinet. A glow that seemed to grow brighter with every step they took towards it. Oggie felt….strange, like he was about to pass out while scorpions with extra legs crawled on his back. As Fleetway excitedly flew forward, Oggie took a step back, fighting to stay awake."Fleets...I don't think this is a good idea anymore, " Oggie stepped forward, opening the cabinet hesitantly. He turned to his best friend. "We-we should go back! Uncle Chuck will be back soon and we don't wanna worry him!"Fleetway hissed in annoyance and displeasure.
"You know how this works! The bad guys got Uncle Chuck! We have to save him!"
"I don't think this is a game, Fleets." Fleetway instantly bristled at Oggie's words, eyes swirling like a tornado with anger.
"It is. And we have to win. Grab the Emerald, Oggie."
"I don't want to! This isn't a game! We have to go back! Please, Fleetway, I'm scared!" Oggie begged, tears budding in his eyes. He didn't like this. The Emerald's glow looked warm and inviting, like it'd be warm and soft, but all Oggie felt was cold, scared and sleepy. Fleetway bared his teeth, looking like he was going to argue…before he slumped, all fire seemingly lost.

"Fine."

Oggie relaxed, about to close the mahogany cabinet when-"I'll do it myself."That was Fleetway's voice but it came from Oggie's mouth and those were his hands but Oggie wasn't moving them towards the Emerald-!Everything went dark.Oggie was six years old.Oggie woke up on a shady hill with bruised hands, a sore body, and smoke in his nose. He sat up suddenly, ignoring the burst of pain he felt.Below the hill, stood his town. It was in ruins, smoke still wafting off the remains. What happened?! Did he….? No, he was just a kid! He couldn't have some part in the destruction-!"We weren't strong enough. Don't worry, we'll find the other Emeralds and-" Oggie's eyes widened. That wasn't his voice. That wasn't his voice! "Relax, it's me, Oggie, Fleets!" No,no, no, get , get out, GET OUT!Like a weight thrown off his chest, Fleetway appeared in front of him, looking shocked and confused he had been kicked out.That quickly turned to anger and annoyance.
"What are you doing?! I got this, go back to sleep!"
Oggie shook his head, no, no, he didn't want to do that again, he didn't want to go to sleep ever again! Fleetway growled, grabbing Oggie's arm.
"Stay still! You're making this harder than it has to be!"
Get away from him! Oggie pushed Fleetway away, crawling back as his body screamed at him.
"Oggie, get back here! We're not done!"
Yes, they were! He didn't want to do this, no, no, no, no-!Oggie fell on his back with a yelp, his spine aching in response. They stared at each other, Fleetway's claw still outstretched and tipped red, Oggie's small hands pressed against his cut cheek."Oggie, I-" Fleetway reached for him. Oggie scooted away from him, tears rolling down his cheeks, his face angry and scared and hurt. He didn't dare talk, yell, anything. What if it wasn't himself?Fleetway had broken a rule, The Number One Rule. You don't hurt each other. That's what Mommy said. Don't hurt each other. She couldn't see Fleetway but she said it anyway and it was one of their few rules.Oggie pushed himself onto weak and shaky legs and ran, leaving a trail of blue behind him.Fleetway stared at his red tipped gloves."Guess I'm the bad guy than..." He mumbled to himself.Sonic was six years old.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

He hated those stupid emeralds. Hated, hated, hated them.They were more trouble than they were worth, in the blue hedgehog's honest opinion.On nights when things were quiet for once and sleep didn't even look his way, Sonic wondered why they existed, how many civilizations the mystical jewels had caused to crumble, how many would, if they had always been, if they had been created, if they tasted like pop rocks. He had many questions but no one to give him answers. The history of the Chaos Emeralds had washed away with the echidnas of ancient times, as a recent adventure had revealed.….All those people he couldn't save, because he was too busy keeping his mind in one piece and fighting a water god-But that was in the past and the is no point dwelling on the past.After all, he had plenty to worry about in the present, the list including but not limited to; identity theft, Eggman (again), a space station, and the possibility of Moubis being blown to kingdom come. Yeah, just a normal day being himself.Sonic eyed the emeralds and Shadow as the miraculous gems swirled around them inside the false shrine. The glow of the emeralds were a comfort to many but, like sonic said early, they provided no such relief to him. He tried not to visibly flinch as the chaos energy was forced into him, the single voice in his head going from whispering to a demon's choir screeching. He gasped softly, raising a single hand to his head helplessly. He could tell Shadow was giving him a strange look and he glanced at the other.Shadow seemed to be in his element, the chaos in his veins doing nothing but strengthen him. Sonic felt a pang of jealousy. It wasn't fair. Why was he the only one who had to deal with…..drawbacks? Sonic quickly smothered the emotion as the duo flew into the black void of space. They were equals, he reminded the more negative part of his mind sternly, and they were going to save the world together. He had never had an equal like this before, someone who had Chaos running through their veins. It was...nice, not being completely alone for once.It was hard, keeping an eye on Shadow and the ARK and his mental state, but Sonic was used to multitasking so he did his best. But the battle cries, the inhuman screaming, the terrified but encouraging shouts of his friends? Gaia, he didn't know how much he could take?The ARK was falling. THE ARK WAS FALLING. They had to stop, he had to stop it, he-Were those rings?Sonic turned and stared at Shadow, the other's golden and silver glow renewed as two golden rings floated away from him, red eyes burning in new vigor. Sonic couldn't help but stare in awe. Was that what everyone else saw when he saved the day? Was Shadow the hero they saw?Shadow's moment of glory and strength came to an end shortly after. It took a lot of energy to use Chaos Control, so much that, for a moment, Sonic worried it wouldn't be enough.It was.Barely.His head was pounding and his body ached. He could practically feel the gold draining from his body and-Where was Shadow?Sonic looked around frantically for the darker hedgehog, feeling more exhausted by the minute. They had to get back inside NOW.Then he spotted him. Silver and gold had long since left him for dusty black fur, and Shadow's ruby red eyes were dull as gravity slowly pulled him down."Shadow!" Sonic cried out, ignoring the fact he probably wasn't much better condition and dove for the other. He grabbed Shadow and in that single moment, Sonic looked away, Sonic let go. And while his world went black, Shadow's turned a violent red and gold.Sonic wonders what Shadow saw in those moments. Did he see an ally turned enemy? Did he see a grin filled with razor sharp teeth? Did he see claws digging into his hands?Did he see red tornadoes in his eyes? Did he see chaos and death and destruction?Did Shadow see Fleetway?Sonic stood before the others. Friends, Allies, Enemies.He fell. His hands formed the half truth while Sonic screamed at the voice in his head. I tried to grab him but there was nothing I could do.He handed Rouge the golden ring, taking care to avoid her teary eyes. She didn't ask why he gave her Shadow's ring. He didn't ask why she wanted it.He waited til they were all gone, staring at the planet below, golden ring gripped in his unworthy hands.Sonic waited and waited, praying that he'd hear the airlock open and metallic shoes clink against the iron floors to either kill him or demand answers.He waited a long time for something he knew wouldn't happen.And when Sonic knew he was alone, alone except for the murderer tied to his soul, alone except for another ghost haunting him, he fell apart.He wailed, in that metallic graveyard for forgiveness and a freedom he would never be given.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Fleetway’s weight barely affected the mattress, Sonic curled up in a ball on the side."I just wanted to talk but you wouldn’t listen!" Fleetway snarled, tightening bloody hands on the edge of the floor bond mattress. Sonic tightened into a tighter ball. Fleetway turned and looked at him. "Stop crying. you look pathetic."Sonic sat up and glared at him.‘I wouldn’t be crying if you hadn’t practically torn a chunk of my arm off!” he hissed back, tears streaming down his face.Fleetway rolled his eyes."Don’t be so dramatic! It isn’t real!" Fleetway snarled back. "I wouldn’t have had to do it if you had just listened! I wouldn’t do this if you just stop all of this! I wouldn’t-"“Ugh, do you even hear yourself?! You sound insane!” Sonic cried out. “You demand for things I can’t give you, and answers to questions I don’t understand, and when I don’t do it to your satisfaction, you tear me apart! Just say you hate me and want me gone!”Sonic flopped back down on his side.Fleetway stared down at him. How had it gotten this bad? How had it gone so far? How had the game gone from Oggie and him fighting side by side to….this?Fleetway reached out, a clawed hand hovering over him before he pulled it back."…I don’t hate you, Oggie."Fleetway said quietly.Sonic turned his head to face him, emerald eyes ablaze in fury and a burning sadness and hurt.“Well, I do.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Knuckles poked at his slice of cake, mind clearly elsewhere. Sonic frowned, watching him. He waved his hand in front of the echidna's face, waiting to sign until he had his attention.Hey! Much better than the last two birthday parties, huh? Sonic didn’t mention one year Eggman had dragged them all through his past and another, he was, well, parties weren’t a concern at the time. Much better cake too. Ames is a pretty good baker, huh?Knuckles had startled at the motions, causing Sonic to repeat them.“Wha, huh? Oh, yeah, she has.” Knuckles responded absentmindedly. The two sat in awkward silence. “So, I, uh, I’ll see you later?”Sonic blinked and nodded, frowning as the echidna left. Sonic frowned at the slice of the apple and fig cake he had left behind, stuffing his face as he finished his own. Sonic tossed the two plates in the trash, puzzling over Knuckles’ latest behavior."He’s getting annoyed with you," Fleetway hissed in his ear, curling around him like a cat. "The 'Guardian' has more important concerns than you. It’s only a matter of time before that turns to hatred and you know it."Sonic froze for a second, the words curling around him like a python with its prey, the hedgehog’s own fears and doubts strengthened by the suggestion. He shook his head, scolding himself for listening to the other.“....Sonic?” Sonic startled at the unexpected, quiet voice. He turned to the source to see Blaze. “Do you have some bandages?”Sonic nodded, tilting his head in question. Blaze’s world did have sign language but it was greatly different than his world’s. This had caused some communication issues, with neither of them enjoying speaking. They eventually made an agreement where they only spoke if the words weren't mimeable.Blaze held her arm, looking a mixture of embarrassed and anxious.“Bandages.” she reiterated, avoiding eye contact. “For my arm. Ran into a bush.”Sonic frowned, gently taking her arm. It was a bloody mess, the fabric torn right through.“Bush?” he questioned, looking skeptical. Blaze’s gold eyes avoided his emerald.“Thorn bush.”Sonic looked in even greater doubt than before but didn’t question further. After all, he had made the same excuse before.Sonic pushed her sleeve, the feline hissing and flinching as air met fresh cuts. Sonic murmured apologetically, analyzing the blood stained arm.These cuts looked more like claw marks……..As he lead Blaze into his home, seating her on the coach as he searched for some bandages, he considered if she had made them herself before dismissing the thoughts.Blaze was strong, impossibly strong, one of the strongest people Sonic ever knew. She was a queen of an entire world, a hero in her own right, and a guardian of her world's gems of great power. Gems she didn't even seem comfortable with! Blaze was strong enough to survive anything, including herself.No, no, this was something else.The possibility hit him and he accidentally tightened the bandage too tight on the feline's arm.Maybe she's like me.Blaze lets out a pained hiss and Sonic startled, loosening the bandage and murmuring apologies.Fleetway circled over head, like a shark smelling blood in the water."Even if she's like you, why would you mention it?" he spoke, his voice the unsettling combination of a snarl and a purr. "To mock her for having such a weakness? And what if you're wrong? What will the pretty little kitty think?"As much as Sonic hated to admit it, Fleetway had a point. What if Sonic's guess was wrong ...?"Claw marks." he remarked quietly, his voice not questioning."Not me." Blaze answered anyway, avoiding eye contact."I know." Sonic reassured, finishing up on her arm. They sat in pregnant silence, wishing they could find the strength to open their mouths and release the truth but….I'm too weak. His hands move in silent confession and he gets a sick sort of relief to Blaze's own hands twitching in a similar manner."I'm so tired," Blaze blurted out quietly. "All my work is piling up and-"She stopped, resting her face in her paws. Sonic just nodded."I know."They sat once more in silence, but the silence was more comfortable this time, as if the words that they couldn’t say made it across anyway.Blaze looked more sullen than usual, tail twitching and arms wrapped around herself. Sonic frowned, hands stuffed in his pockets.“Hug?” he suddenly offered, opening his arms to her. Blaze stared at him for one vulnerable moment before nodding stiffly, turning and wrapping her arms around him.Blaze was naturally warm, her soft fur tickling Sonic’s nose as she rested her tired head on his shoulder. Sonic would have teased her about it if he was awake. Sonic was strangely cold, quills surprisingly cozy, Blaze noted before her exhaustion caught up to her.It was warm, they felt safe, so they did what all probably depressed and overstressed teenagers would do in this scenario; take a nap.Tails teased them both about it later.“-I think maybe she has, ya know, something like you, I mean, makes sense, she’s a different version of me, and I was thinking-” Sonic stopped, realizing Knuckles wasn’t really listening. “Knuxs?”Knuckles didn't respond, staring at one of the mountains on Angel Island, his face strangely unreadable. Sonic stood up and stepped up the stairs over to the guardian sitting by the Master Emerald. He carefully placed a hand on Knuckles' shoulder, the echidna startling."Knuckles?""What?" Knuckles' startled reply was. Sonic frowned, looking where his friend had been looking before turning his eyes back at him."Are ya alright? You've seemed kinda out of it lately and I'm here if you-"".....Shut up.""Huh?" Sonic blinked, confused. He must of misheard him or something.Knuckles growled, annoyed, before turning to look at Sonic, his face the epitome of rage."I said shut up, you stupid hedgehog, Gaia, are you deaf?!" Knuckles exploded, snapping at him. Sonic took a visible step back, expression guarded as he pulled his hand back. Knuckles froze, taking a deep breath before looking back at him. ".....I'm fine. Just, out of it. I just need some time alone."He rubbed his face, removing his cowboy styled hat."Don't you...have a movie with ...Tails tonight or something?""....Yeah." That was a lie. Sonic had done that last week but it was clear he wasn't welcome here right now. Besides he could catch some extra Z's. "...I'm here if you need me, okay?"Knuckles didn't respond."........See ya later, Knuxs."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Knuckles stared into the darkened tomb, hat snug on his head. His breath came out in icy puffs while his shawl kept the surprising cold air off his shoulders. This was a bad idea. A horrible idea, really.But…..Maybe, maybe, he could learn something that would help him be more than a gullible idiot. Maybe learn more about his heritage….?"Knuckles!" Tikal’s voice echoed in his head. "You mustn’t go down there! I can’t protect you from….. HIS influence."Knuckles was caught off guard by the strange bitterness that tainted her sweet voice.“Then tell me. Tell me who HE is. Tell me how you know him. Tell me why I haven’t been able to get him out of my head since I dug that stupid hole.” Knuckles hardened his voice and his resolve, determined to get answers one way or another.Digging into these mountains was his greatest mistake. Of course, the young Guardian couldn’t have possibly predicted the dark tomb beneath, filled with carvings of madmen and emeralds and rage at the defeat by the hand of the chieftain's daughter - by Tikal.Knuckles couldn’t have expected the silky, dark voice, that promised him everything he wanted and more, to haunt him weeks later.When Knuckles lashed out at Sonic, he knew he needed to get some answers.The silence Tikal left to his questions was huge."Knuckles….. I’m sorry but it’s too painful to remember," The sorrow in her voice left Knuckles’ chest aching but he refused to give up now, when he was so close. "Please, Knuckles, let the dead remained buried."Knuckles did what he did best in times like these; he acted on impulse.“Well, if you can’t tell me,” The red echidna growled before adjusting his cowboy hat. “I’ll find someone who can.”Without another word, Knuckles charged, descending into the unearthed grave."No! Knuckles, please! You- You’re the last, Knuckles, the last Guardian, you can not shrink your duty! Knuckles?! KnuCKLES, COME BAC-"And like that, the young echidna was alone.Knuckles wasn’t alone for long."Aaah, Boy…. You’ve returned to my home."“I came here for answers,” Knuckles got out around the knot in his throat. “Answers only you can give me.”He turned to face the speaker.“Enerjak.” Knuckles greeted, looking up, up, up at the pillar of smoke, the golden mask where a face would be glinting in an absent light.Enerjak chuckled, the smoke and shadows circling Knuckles, tendrils clinging to him."No. That’s not what you want. What you want is to protect your home, protect the Master Emerald and your people’s legacy. To protect your friends."Knuckles froze, feeling vulnerable. Enerjak hummed, clearly sensing his rising fear."Three friends, in particular. You care for them deeply."This. This was a bad idea. This was an absolutely terrible idea. He shouldn’t have come down here!"Of course you shouldn’t have," Enerjak rumbled. He was laughing. "But I wanted you to."The shadows surrounded Knuckles, suddenly pressing into him. Knuckles let out a scream as the darkness crushed him.I can’t breath, Knuckles’ mind informed him unhelpfully. The golden mask and Knuckles fell to the ground.He could still hear Enerjak but now he could hear more. Voices he recognized as friends and deceased family. All crying out. All screaming."Oh, my, you have such great fears! No wonder, after your entire tribe, no, species’ demise."The voice came from inside him now. Knuckles tried to remember the tactics he had learned from his time battling Infinite’s mind tricks but all he got was darkness and the sound of his own panting breath in his ears.`"Including your own parents ... a shame they sent you away before you even could say your final goodbyes."He knew what Enerjak was doing; he was forcing Knuckles’ fears and insecurities to the surface to leave him emotionally vulnerable, he knew how it worked, so why was it working, WHY WAS IT WORKING?!"That’s why you’ve hesitated in calling your dear friends…. Family, though that is what they are to you."The spirit was practically purring, wrapping his voice tightly around Knuckles, trapping the echidna. Knuckles froze again, not caring how the voices sounded oh so similar to the two hedgehogs and two tailed fox he’d grown to care deeply about."Be a shame if your two families should share the same fate..."“Don’t you touch ‘em!” Knuckles snarled, his protective streak burning through his fear.Enerjak laughed. The echidna's resistance was…..…...Cute."So protective, Guardian! But I’m not the enemy here. I can not harm your friends…… but there are outside forces that can.'"He...he was right. There was worse, more constant threats to those he cared.Amy screaming, crying, begging as metal squeezed her, loud and echoing laughter coming from Eggman as he tightened his machine’s grip.“Someone, please, help me! Anyone, please- !”Tails desperately pulling levers, pressing buttons, burning, burning, burning, as metal he lovingly shaped into wings curling around him into a fiery tomb.“I’m going down! Mayday, mayday, I repeat- !”Sonic teetering towards the edge, always one step away from falling, tripping and pitching into the darkness with a sharp-toothed smile and confused tears.“Knuckles, there’s something wrong with me, please you have to stop me, you have to- !” Scenarios, situations bounced around the red furred mobian’s skull, things he worried over for a minute before dismissing now coming back to haunt him.There was so many things that could hurt them, so much he couldn't protect his friends from."But surely you'll be able to shield the Master Emerald, your people's burden, the last link to your heritage, the controller of the Chaos that could ravage the world?"The words, accompanied by traitorous thoughts and memories, hit Knuckles like a hot flash, bringing him to his knees. Memories rippled to the surface, making Knuckles let loose a pained growl.Hes mocking me, Knuckles' mind burns with the thought, rage filled him for one hot second before shame at realizing he's right fills him.He doesn't move, curling into the fetal position, hoping Enerjak would just shut up.He didn't.He didn't shut up for a long time, reminding Knuckles of his shortcomings and failures, mimicking his friends and family, all the while laughing.It wore on Knuckles, chip after chip to his armor.Finally, Knuckles cracked, shivering and whimpering.The spirit was silent at last, shadows loosely swirling around. They suddenly wrapped around the trembling echidna, almost like the comforting hold of a parent."Oh ... poor Guardian… If only there was some way I could help…"The darkness nudged the golden mask towards Knuckles. Shaking gloved hands pulled it closer wordlessly. Enerjak chuckled."Yes, there's an idea…. Go on, put it on. I wonder if it'll fit you."Knuckles hesitated but brought it up to his face.The tomb was eerily quiet.Knuckles suddenly screamed, trying to pull the mask away, trying to move his hands but his body wasn't listening to him, why wasn't it listening to him-?!Silence swallowed up the chamber once more. While Knuckles' hands shook,Enerjak stood. It took him a moment to figure out Knuckles' legs but before long, he was leaving the burial chamber that had held him for hundreds of years.Sunlight glinted off the sharp edges of his shimmering mask.Enerjak smiled."Time to 'save' the world."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tails winced, tightening the pressure of the now dirty cloth around his red soaked tail. Sonic peeked behind the wall, frowning at the golden eyesore hovering above.He cursed quietly, pulling back into the security of the crumbling office building. Sonic turned back to his little brother, frowning. Before Sonic could even move his hands up to the fox’s eye level, Tails shook his head. No, Sonic, I haven’t been able to reach Knuckles. He’s not answering his communicator! Tails signed, in order to remain quiet. Sonic groaned, face palming. Of course, the one person who might know what to do about this gold wearing, flying, echidna , would be destroyer wasn’t answering his darn phone, juuuust peachy! Sonic peered around the wall once more, the shimmering pain in the butt only extending his hand and a skyscraper crumbled before him. Sonic’s eyes widened and he pulled back, rushing over to Tails. I need to get the people out of this city, Sonic signed. Do you think you could stay here for about six minutes? Like you even have to ask! Tails signed back, huffing quietly. Go. I’ll stay here and keep calling Knuckles. Sonic backed away, slowly, hesitant to leave the kit by himself in such a situation. Tails rolled his eyes, ushering him away. Sonic sighed but nodded, disappearing in a blur of blue. Tails smiled before tightening the makeshift bandage on his tail, turning on the communicator to try calling the echidna. “Knuckles, come in, Knuckles!” Tails whispered into it. His ears pricked up at the sound of his whisper playing from a similar device, just behind him. He smiled and turned around. “Knuckles!” Tails cheered. “There you-!” His smile dropped like a fly. “Alright, I think that’s everyone!” said the human EMT officer, frowning anxiously as a pink ladybug and golden cat hurried inside the last evacuation truck. “Are you certain you got this, Sonic?” “Don’t worry, Gorey!” assured the fish mobian EMT officer beside him, beaming a toothy grin. “Sonic won’t fail us, right?!” Like every time a fan asked that question, Sonic nodded, shooting a confident thumbs up. It didn’t matter whether he really believed he could or not, it was whether he let them believe in him or not. When they asked that, they weren’t asking Sonic the hedgehog. They were asking Sonic the Hedgehog, Fastest Thing Alive! “Alright! Come on, Gorey! The squad won’t wait forever!” the fish mobian dragged off her partner. Sonic watched the last group drive away, an easy-going smile slipping away in favor of an nervous sigh. “So,” Fleetway’s irritating voice came in. “I assume we are not going to join forces with this fella, kill him, and/or do anything textbook evil?” Did he always have to show up at the worst moments possible? Surely, the sentient super form had SOME kind of hobby, right? Oh, who was he kidding. Fleetway didn’t know the meaning of the word fun. “Hey, I’m not the stick in the mud here! You always stay to the same old game!” Fleetway pouted. “It’s so boring! At least ditch the little fox for good? Please? I’m the only yellow one on this team!” Sonic rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the city. It was quiet, had been for the past few minutes. His blue ears twitched. That…. Didn’t seem right. A scream rippled across the cityscape and Sonic froze, recognizing it from his deepest nightmares. “Oh, speak of the devil and he shall appear!” Fleetway chuckled, leaning close to his ear. “That was either the kid dying or our new playmate wanted to get your attention. Wonder which, eh?” There was only one thing Sonic could think of that he hated more than Fleetway; Fleetway being right. Another screech echoed the terrain and Sonic winced, dashing towards the sound. The city became like a maze, full of dead ends and forks, leading him further into his opponent’s web. Sonic knew that, of course he did, he had played more mind games than he probably should but he was in one now and they had something he couldn’t risk losing. Buildings crumbled behind him as he ran, cornering him in Station Square. Sonic covered his face as shattered glass and other building materials clouded the air, obscuring his view. As the smoke cleared, he quickly realized he was not alone in this closed square. The strange echidna’s golden armor glistened despite the dust, his mask obscuring anything but the snarl on his lips. His mask, strangely, was covered in a fine layer of dirt compared to the rest of his armor. These details, desperate checks for some sort of weak point, were disregarded as soon as Sonic realized what, or rather, who was in the maniac’s grasp. Tails gasped for air, clawing at the gloved paw that was around his neck. “Sonic, be careful! He’s- “ his panicked voice was momentarily silenced by a sharp squeeze. Sonic went to grab him free, stopping when it resulted in the direct opposite of what he wanted to accomplish; Tails getting choked more. Fleetway let out an audible sound of intrigue and floated closer to the assailant, unseen by anyone but Sonic. “Aw man, it’s been so long since someone used your friends against you! Then again, you usually fight Egghead alone. That’s probably on purpose, right?” Fleetway commented gleefully, floating inches away from Tails and the echidna. “Oh man, this could be fun! He clearly wants you for something, I mean, if he wanted to kill the little tyke, he could. Oh! Maybe he wants the Chaos Emeralds? Been awhile since we were sent on a little scavenger hunt!” “Hero,” the echidna said, his voice echoing and eerily familiar. “You are going to listen to me. You are not going to resist me. If you even consider defying me……” He squeezed Tails like he was a dog toy, as if Sonic wasn’t aware of just how much danger his little brother was currently in. Fleetway winced and giggled, poking the struggling Tails on the cheek. “Man, I like this guy! All dramatic and power! He’s giving me a run for my money!” “......what do you want.” Sonic grumbled out, ignoring the ache of talking after being mostly silent. This was why he almost preferred fighting Eggman. Eggman at least understood angry glares and ASL. New bad guys? Not so much. Those guys insisted on talking. “Nothing you can provide me, I assure you,” he said smugly and, oh, Sonic wanted to curse him out so bad. “I just require you stay out of my way. I am going to remove the warloving scum from this earth. If you do so….. I promise to end you and your little sidekick last .” “Ohohoho, big ambitions! Everyone loves war these days! And you’re so attached to the kid, I don’t think you’ll stay still for him much longer.” Sonic snarled and did his best not to make any rash decisions. He was failing. “Other ways?” Sonic bit out. “Any other way for us to come to a peaceful resolution?” the echidna chuckled, shaking his head. “No. Before we battle, and I assume we will be battling, I will introduce myself. I am Enerjak. I hope you are prepared to be crushed.” “Sonic, no-” Tails gasped out, wriggling like a worm. “He’s not what you think-” A blur of blue and a started exclamation from Enerjak, Sonic dashed forwards, aiming a powerful kick right in the smug loser’s face and wrenching Tails out of his tight grip. Enerjak’s mask went flying, unnoticed. Back at his side of the battlefield just as quick as he was in his opponent’s face, Sonic glared at Enerjak as Tails gasped for air, rubbing his throat. Enerjak growled, face turned away. “Sonic,” Tails gasped out. “It’s, he’s-!” Enerjak finally returned Sonic’s cold glare with one of his own and Sonic’s heart stopped. “Knuckles?” “Ohoho, Knuckles?! That guy is a villain?!” crowed Fleetway over the blue hedgehog’s shoulder, enjoying this way too much. “Yes and no,” Enerjak corrected, straightening up and marching over to his discarded mask. His coolly angry expression did not match the face. “I am simply….. borrowing his form. He was under the impression I would help his circumstances.” “Well, clearly you were a liar.” choked out Tails, taking over his self assigned role as Sonic’s voice. “Lie?” retorted Enerjak, shaking his head. “No, I did not lie. I do my best not to. He assumed I would help in a benevolent way. I am foregoing that for a more efficient method.” “Sonic, what do we do?” Tails whispered, glancing at the older hedgehog. Sonic remained quiet, his rage fueled determination fizzled away in light of this new development. “Ho-Holy smokes!” Fleetway cackled. “Knuckles pulled an us! Wow, it’s nice to see someone actually listen to the worst and best parts of themselves. Or give up your body to a slightly malicious fella. Either works for me.” Sonic gritted his teeth, pulling himself and Tails to their feet. He pushed Tails behind him, flashing a smirk to cover his fear. Who, what , is this guy? How did he get control of Knuckles? Was Knuckles still there? Was he okay? Sonic moved a hand behind his back, keeping his eyes trained on the golden armored echidna. Tails watched, first confused then in understanding, as Sonic’s hand signed as well as it could with the limited space to move without getting seen. Enerjak waited patiently, confident in a way Sonic knew only those with true power had. Sonic motioned back to where he had come from, over the crumpled building. Tails hesitated, before making a run for it, flying over the rubble. “Where is your little friend going?” Enerjak questioned, sounding truly curious. “He seemed quite young. Are you his only guardian? That must be tiring to care for such a genius youth all by yourself, along with protecting this planet.” Sonic didn’t respond to Enerjak, especially since he did have a point. The two slowly started circling each other, Enerjak floating slightly off the ground. “Do you even realise the pain you suffer from day to day? With my way, all of that suffering will be gone.” Enerjak said smoothly, not expecting a reply. He didn’t get one either, only a single hand symbol. Enerjak only signed, shaking his head before a glowing green orb appeared in his hand. “A shame. I wanted you to see the cleansing of this world before you were put to rest.” Sonic grit his teeth in a mimicry of a smile before charging in, leaving a stream of dust in his way. The hedgehog curled into a ball, ramming into Enerjak’s chest, disorienting the body stealer before Sonic bounced back. Enerjak snarled before hurling his green orb, it exploding as soon as it hit the ground, damaging everything around it. Sonic winced as the heat from the blast brushed against his back, barely out of harm’s way. “Oohohoho, that one was close! Think it would hurt to get hit by one of those?” Fleetway whispered in his ear, his voice honeyed like a snake’s. And thus, began a delicate dance of avoiding green horrible orbs and lasers while waiting for the show off to lower his guard, allowing Sonic to ram himself as hard as he physically could into the ancient terror. Add in the close calls and Fleetway’s riveting commentary and Sonic was starting to get a headache. It was not fun and Sonic knew he was fighting a losing battle. Of course, he knew, why else would he have Tails leave to get back up?  Sonic let out a full screech as he was sent flying, the green orb that had been tossed behind him announcing its presence.Sonic hissed in pain as he pushed himself up to his knees and to a crouch, Enerjak floating up slowly behind him. “Farewell,” Enerjak said coolily, overshadowing Sonic with a glowing green spike in one hand. “Haunted Hero.” “Don’t think so.” Sonic half snarled, half smirked. He rolled out of the way as the sound of someone coming in for a landing reached their ears. “Leave him alone!” Amy screamed as she flew in from above, her hammer raised to smash some skulls. Enerjak’s eyes widened and he dashed back, barely able to dodge the pink hedgehog’s watermelon colored war hammer. Sonic beamed as he pushed himself to his feet, offering a thumbs up to Amy Rose, his long time friend and spiritual little sister. Amy beamed back, throwing up her own thumbs up before charging at Enerjak once more. Tails flew in just behind her, holding the daisy she usually held in her quills. Tails yelled out something he couldn’t understand in between Amy’s battle cry and Enerjak’s ‘Part Time World Destroyer, Part Time Savior’ monologues but Sonic didn’t need to. Everyone already knew the plan. Amy would distract Enerjak while Sonic went to Angel Island with the hope there would be some kind of explanation of what is going on . In normal circumstances, Sonic would go slower, enjoy the run as he searched the skies for the floating piece of landscape, but now was not the time because, as a frequent backseat driver, he could imagine perfectly how Knuckles was possibly feeling and he refused to let that stand for long. The shade from the flying island alerted him to its presence before Sonic could even register he’d seen it. He gave a low whistle and a trained army of chao flew down and scooped him up. Despite the situation, Sonic couldn’t help a snicker as he recalled Knuckles’ initial doubt and then horror at Sonic’s so-called Disney Princess Powers. ……..Sonic hopes Knuckles is okay. He hopes everyone is okay. “Oh man, this is getting interesting, ain’t it?” And right on cue, the bane of Sonic’s existence scream-laughs in his ear. Sonic grits his teeth but refuses to reply, focusing on his ascent to the slowly moving island. “Aw, Sonic, imagine if there’s no way to save Knuckles and Amy get hurt?! Imagine if your precious little brother gets hurt! Oh, man, Knuckles would be sooo sad about it! And we both know you won’t do anything to hurt your loser friends so Energy Drink over there DESTROYS everything! Oh, I so wanna see that.” Don’t be angry, Don’t be angry. Fleetway doesn’t stop talking. Won’t stop talking. Never stops talking. It makes Sonic want to tear his own quills out. The chao placed him down on the sturdy soil of Angel Island and flurry away, with a series of chirps and cooes. Sonic smiled and waved a thank you before turning to look over the island. He winced as he spied a streak of destruction carved through Angel’s wildlife leading to the mountains. ….What happened to you, Knuckles? Sonic decided he’d be better off asking the other occupants of this island than following that rabbit hole of destroyed wildlife. The Master Emerald was undamaged, thank goodness for small miracles, but Sonic checked it over for any cracks or anything just in case. Didn’t need Knuxs working himself into a tizzy because Energy Drink (okay, yeah, that nickname is kinda funny but no one needs to know that) decided to smash the magical boulder up. Sonic sighed, leaning against the Master Emerald, the cool gem comforting against his forehead. “.......I really need some answers, you two…” Sonic mumbled quietly, eyes half lidded. He was so tired…….. The Master Emerald suddenly got hot and Sonic threw himself backwards, Fleetway laughing at his reaction. Sonic didn’t even get time to be annoyed or confused before- The flash of white that hit his eyes isn’t painful, per say, but it’s certainly not pleasant. He wakes up in a field of pure white lilies and it’s… nice? Sonic’s not entirely sure, it’s all too perfect, flowers as far as the eye could see, all moving as one to a breeze Sonic couldn’t feel, the brightest green and the purest white he'd ever seen. He turned slightly and snickered a little at the sight of a passed out Fleetway. The golden hedgehog actually looked peaceful like this, mouth in an ‘o’ shape and eyes shut so that his razor sharp teeth and red swirls of eyes were hidden. It almost reminded the blue ‘hog of their childhood- Enough of that, Sonic, we’re dealing with enough as is. Sonic turns to the direction the nonexistent breeze is blowing the flowers and sees a semi-familiar sight. The pavilion that sheltered the Master Emerald was in the center of the field but it looked different, instead of stone, it’s wooden logs and leaves. Instead of a mystical gemstone at least twice Sonic’s height, there was a tangerine orange echidna talking to a hunched over god of chaos. Wait. Hold on. Back it up. Can Sonic rethink that thought again There was a tangerine orange echidna talking to a hunched over god of chaos.  Oh. Okay. So it was exactly what he initially thought. Great. Wonderful, good to know.Sonic groaned into gloved hands because for Chaos’ sake, how many potential villains can one echidna’s ancestors make? He walks over to them, giving Tikal and Chaos time to notice and finish up their conversation. Chaos nods at him as he walks before passing by him, giving Sonic a chill ( Years of Fleets tells him that level of energy is beyond safe and to get rid of the source right now before he hurts someone- ), heading towards Fleetway. Sonic wonders why for a minute before shaking his head because Knuckles was infinitely more important than Sonic’s issues and Tikal was looking at him with the promise of answers. “You are right. You need answers,” Tikal’s voice lilts in Sonic’s head like a gentle lullabye, the opposite of Fleetway’s, a heavy rock solo. “Enerjak has taken our guardian and your friend and I fear if we do not act swiftly, we will lose Knuckles forever.” Sonic winced. That…. wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear, some way to save Knuckles would have been preferred, but better than nothing. Tikal must have realized how unnecessary that statement was because she flushed and looked nervous, looking actually like a 14 year old and not a thousand year ghost guardian. “That is to say….. I’m sorry. I… would say I warned Knuckles but, in truth, I was too afraid to alert him to the true threat that slumbered on this island. Enerjak…….” Tikal chewed at her lip, looking away. “He was a dear friend, a long, long time ago. Now all is left is the anger and hatred he died with. There is no reasoning with him, no bargaining. Enerjak died with the desire to burn the world into ashes in the name of peace and the phantom of his dark desires now lurks in Knuckles’ own restless heart to achieve his horrible goals.” Sonic frowns. Knuckles’ own restless heart, huh? That was another reason for concern. Tikal sighed softly. She opened her cobalt eyes with renewed determination and stepped closer to Sonic, reaching within her chest. Sonic gaped at her hands buried within her own ghostly body before she pulled them out, tenderly cradling an emerald green flame in her palms. Sonic stares at it, entranced, not even really recognizing he’s being handed it until it’s cupped in his own gloved hands. “What…..?” Sonic’s voice doesn’t come out of his mouth but similar to Tikal’s, a hum in his head. He’s glad it sounds different than Fleetway’s. “I don’t think that you’ve come up with a name for it yet. I was thinking you could call it Chaos Transfer!” Tikal beams excitedly, waving her hands at the name, before reeling herself in, recognizing the urgency. “Ahem. Sorry. Basically, it allows you to push your own Chaos energy into someone else! Fair warning though, it’s…. contagious. Knuckles will be able to perform it once Enerjak is removed.” Sonic nods, staring at the little flame. Hope Knuckles is fine with that because he didn’t really have time or the chance to ask, ya know, cause he’s being possessed presumably against his will? He can feel the feeling you get when you start to wake up from a dream and he pulls away because Sonic has a question and he may never get another chance to ask. “Sorry, sorry, do you, um, again, sorry, but do you think you could do something about……?” he trails off, nodding his head back to where Chaos seems to be giving Fleetway a death glare. Tikal flinches, wincing. Sonic’s non-existent hopes drop because, honestly, why even consider it being that easy when instead everything in his life can be awful all the time? “........The two of your Chaos energy is too entwined for us to sever without causing you severe damage. Only you can do that. I’m so sorry, Sonic. I know how hard this is on you.” Tikal says, clearly feeling guilty. Sonic waves away the apology. Not her fault. Not Tikal’s fault in the slightest, really. Tikal sighs but nods. “Can’t do that, so….. Guess me and Fleets are for life.” “Yet.” Sonic blinks, surprised. He smirks as he connects the dots. “Amy’s been visiting a lot lately, hasn’t she?” Sonic grins. “....Her books are rather insightful.” Tikal admits sheepishly that, yes, the motivational books Amy buys Knuckles aren’t just wasting away in Knuckles’ shack. They chuckled for a minute before they fell a dark shudder somewhere and the lilies seemed to droop as one. “You have to go. He’s coming. He doesn’t like leaving loose ends.” Tikal warns seriously. “Got it,” Sonic nods, and as the world washes away, he shoots Tikal a grateful smile. “Thanks, Tik.” He doesn’t see Tikal’s eyes widen in a mixture of horror and recognition. When he comes to, Amy skids next to him with a scream of pain that shoots Sonic into action. He’s by her side in an instant, running hands over flinching away at every whimper she makes. “I’m fine, Sonic,” she reassures, as if she were the older. “What did you find out?” Sonic doesn’t get a chance to answer because Tails dashes seemingly out of nowhere and behind Sonic, the blue hedgehog automatically sticking an arm out to protect him. Enerjak floats onto Angel Island like the pompous jerk he is and eyes the trio. Sonic glares back. “Are you ready to give in?” he asks, almost politely. Tails screeches out a panicked but defiant “No!” while Amy mocks him with “We’re only getting started, old man!” Sonic bares his teeth in a mocking impression of a smile to inform what exactly Sonic might do to the gold wearing warmonger’s fingers if given the chance. Enerjak simply huffs before summoning what seems like an avalanche’s worth of toxic green spears and Sonic drags all three of them under the cover of the Emerald’s pavilion. “Stay low.” he says, more for Amy than for Tails, uncrouching. Tails grabs his hand in a panic. “What in the blazes are you doing?” I’ve got a plan. Sonic reassures in UFSL. “Oh, oh, is it the plan where we join forces or where you let me tear this guy apart!” Fleetway askes eagerly, quickly recovering from his little nap. Sonic holds back a scream. Once again, it is not the time, for crying out loud! Sonic rests a hand against the Master Emerald once more, feeling it hum with power, with energy. Instead of pushing it away, like he trained himself to do…… He allows it in and, oh , he wishes he had more excuses to go Super around the Master Emerald because it feels so good compared to the other, smaller gems. Amy watches Sonic’s mouth split into a grin full of sharp teeth he usually only shows if he really wants to be a threat. His quills float upwards, slowly and then swiftly, turning a beautiful golden color. His eyes shift from their calming emerald green into a fierce red that almost seems to spin into circles when she blinks. If the pink hedgehog was honest, she didn’t care for Sonic’s super form. It made something deep inside her feel uneasy. “You and me, Energy Drink!” Sonic’s voice sounded almost like he was cackling due to the hoarseness of it. Sonic held up two fingers. “Round two!”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sonic was a streak of gold before Amy and Tails’ eyes, slamming into Enerjak like a train. Amy winced instinctively at the sound of quills into metal. She never got used to that sound, no matter how many times or who made the sound. She glanced over at Tails, who was chewing his lip, looking anxious. She frowned and stepped closer to the young fox, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We better take cover,” she said, glancing up at the clashing shades of gold in the darkening sky. “This could get messy, fast.” Tails hesitated but nodded, following her as they hurried back to the plane they had flown here in. “Wait, wait, can you repeat that?” Fleetway asked, his shock genuine for once. Sonic dodged a spiked fist to the face, gritting his teeth. He curled up into a ball and bounced off Enerjak’s head, winning himself a frustrated cry from the body stealing jerk. Was Fleetway seriously asking for him to repeat himself? He thought using Sonic’s body to fight was one of Fleetway’s top ten dreams. “I mean, yeah, I guess doing that would be a fun change in the game but….” Fleetway admitted. “Why are you asking me to?” Sonic rolled his eyes but couldn’t respond immediately due to the foot in his chest. Once he righted himself and made sure he didn’t fall out of the sky, he turned an eye to the golden phantom. Sonic can’t pull Knuckles out of his own mind while Enerjak is trying to pummel him. Someone has to keep the war loving maniac busy and it’s best to fight fire with fire, right? “............. How do you know I won’t keep control?” Fleetway fiddled with his gloves. Sonic winced, diving under a swing of chaos energy and fists. You know the truth? Sonic doesn’t know. In fact, all of his information points to the opposite of that. But honestly? Sonic didn’t have a choice. Not if he wanted even a chance to save Knuckles. He’d just have to hope Fleetway was honorable enough to not take advantage of Sonic’s position. “..........” Can Sonic trust Fleetway to do that? “It wouldn’t be any fun if you weren’t fighting back,” Fleetway conceded, looking away with a snarl. “Your body will still be yours when you come.” Sonic barrel rolled out of danger and right into Enerjak’s face, barely avoiding Enerjak clawing at him in retaliation. He managed a smile at Fleetway before turning his attention back to Enerjak. He was gonna have to time this carefully. Afterall, he was gonna have to be pretty close to Enerjak to get inside his head. Sonic took a deep breath, visualizing the little flame Tikal had given him. He hoped this would work. He hoped this would succeed. He wasn’t sure how to do this and if this failed….. The emerald green flame flickers in his mind’s eye, shimmering in the darkness as Sonic focuses on it. His eyes flew open, green once more, before he launched himself at the armored eyesore. Enerjak met him in the middle, not noticing that when their hands interlocked mid attack, there was a spark of emerald around the connection. Sonic smirked. Now, came the really tricky part. He focused, digging deep, finding the buzz in his chest that was his chaos energy. Puuuush it out, push it through the door he was ramming open, push it past the sickening feeling that was oh so similar to Fleetway and then- Sonic grinned triumphantly as his vision bled into a white abyss and as he was pulled out of his body and felt a sickening tingle take his place with a sharp toothed cackle, he had one last thought. Oh, Chaos, let this work. Sonic was falling and it was rather unpleasant to say the least. The white had given way to a pitch black void, the darkness seeming to pull at him and his clothes as he tumbled through the air. He let out a strangled gasp, trying desperately to right himself. Sonic wondered if he’d be falling forever. Oh, nope. There’s ground! Swiftly approaching, very painful looking ground……. Oh no. Sonic flapped his arms in a pathetic attempt to avoid his true worst enemy before he landed face first into grey sand. Sonic groaned as he pushed himself up, frowning. Gravity: 101, Sonic: 0. Sonic shook his head, freeing his quills of the desaturated sand. He gaped at the landscape around him, one of trees and sand, all lacking of its color in favor of grey, black, and white. Angel Island itself in almost every way but that. It was….. discomforting. Sonic gulped nervously, standing up and brushing sand off his jeans. Okay, Knuckles, the gentle hum of Sonic’s thoughts were deafening compared to the overwhelming silence of Knuckles’ mind. I’m coming to get you. The world around him didn’t respond to his declaration but Sonic hadn’t expected anything like that. He didn’t run, he was smart enough to realize that running may get him in more trouble while in his friend’s mind. His own life? No problem, he doesn’t think at all about his own safety usually.But more was at stake here. Knuckles, Amy, Tails, the world, even. So, no. Sonic didn’t run. At least, not at first. He walked, one foot in front of each other, every muscle in his body twitching, the sand and grass wrinkling under foot. He hated this, he hated this. So Sonic did what he always did when walking or waiting or anything really didn’t work out; he ran. This was fun. This was fun! Fleetway’s, or rather, Sonic’s, face ached from the sharp toothed grin splitting his face. Enerjak hadn’t been prepared to be shifted from Sonic’s surprisingly cautious hit-and-run to Fleetway’s aggressive slash-until-they-fall tactic. Fleetway held back his laugh, for Oggie’s sake. Yes, Oggie wasn’t playing by the game’s rules but Fleetway wasn’t such a meanie that he’d embarrass Oggie in front of his friends. Besides, he was having waaay too much fun fighting to laugh. He wished he had more chances to tear his claws and teeth into Oggie’s enemies. Enerjak let out a screech of surprise as Fleetway sank his fangs into his arm, the sharp teeth cutting through the fabric in between golden armor pieces. Enerjak snarled right after, slamming the golden arm guard into the hedgehog’s face, shaking the hedgehog free. Fleetway flew right back in.Poppies. There was a trail of poppies, a strange bright red against the horrid grey of the false island. Sonic skidded to a stop, frowning at the offending plant. They….. They kinda reminded Sonic of Knuckles. Maybe it was Knuckles, trying to lead help to him?He hesitated for a second.Was he really going to follow a random trail of flowers because they somewhat reminded him of his currently possessed friend? Well, it wasn’t like Sonic had found an even slightly more useful clue in the whole….hour? Twenty minutes? Sonic didn’t know! With a groan, he resumed a much slower pace. The world seemed to grow darker as he walked, the grass sticking like tar to his feet, slowing him down even more, staining his ruby red shoes a murky color. Sonic shuddered, trying to shake the mysterious substance off of him. It was cold to the touch and it brought painful memories, his own and Knuckles’, to the surface so he decided to ignore it for now. It grew only worse as he went on, fragments of the island and other places, fragments of memories , scattered in the darkness, bland spots shaped mockingly like landscapes. He hated it.  Hated how every time his hand brushed against the sticky darkness, his mind screamed with memories he had never had before.Sonic was about to start literally screaming when he saw a pillar, a dripping mass that made him shiver. What was this? Was it like the other black inkinesss sticking to his feet? How was this connected to Knuckles- Knuckles. Knuckles was sticking out off the pillar. Knuckles? Sonic’s mind hummed out in a mixture of horror and confusion before he dashed forward, the black goo covering the poppies sticking to the bottom of his shoes as he ran. Knuckles! The aforementioned echidna was barely visible from the inky darkness, his usually bright red fur dull as his bent head stuck out. Sonic gently held his head up, wincing as he noticed Knuckles’ amethyst eyes lacking their usual passionate luster. Sonic cursed under his breath, allowing Knuckles’ head to drop once more. He turned his gaze to Knuckles’ current prison, a mirror replica to the Master Emerald Shrine, well, almost. The goo, comatose Knuckles, and lack of giant, glowing boulder kinda messed that up. …….How was he gonna get Knuckles out? When he was….. stuck, what did Knuckles usually do for him? Sonic took a deep breath, sitting down in front of Knuckles. Everything’s gonna be fine, Knuxs, Sonic swore solemnly. I’ll make sure of it. But how was the question? Amy watched as Sonic cackled, claws glancing against the armguard of the echidna. Enerjak snarled back, slamming a fist into Sonic’s face. Her friend only laughed, slowly turning his head back to Enerjak. Amy didn’t often get close enough to Super Sonic to see it, him, whatever, but she decided she didn’t like it at all. He was… off and wrong, his smiles coming too easily for the situation and his laughs carrying an echo. His fighting style changed, shifting from his seemingly careless but truthfully cautious hit and run to an insane scramble to tear his opponent apart. Amy didn’t know what caused such a change but she didn’t like it. …..Whatever Sonic’s plan was, she hoped it worked. He woke up, just for a second, but he was awake. He was tired and cold and everything hurt. He wasn’t even sure who he was anymore. He distinctly felt something like sap drip on him and hold him in place but he couldn’t move. A part of him said he didn’t deserve to. He slipped back into the sleepy darkness for a moment when he heard a….. He wanted to say a song but it wasn’t right. Remember Thanksgiving? It went. It sounded familiar. Your first Thanksgiving, I mean. No, he didn’t. The song or something seemed to chuckle for a minute. You hated it. You hated the taste of turkey, you hated that you were closed in, the only thing you liked were the yams. Tails was disappointed but I wasn’t so surprised. You were kind of a jerk at the time, I wasn’t expecting much better. I didn’t expect you to come next year. The song, no, not a song, a voice, and it was annoyingly familiar, paused before rising again. …..But you did. You came better dressed, better prepared. You tried ham, found you liked it more. You still stuck to the yams though. It was….. Nice. I was surprised. He felt…. Annoyed there, like there was something he was supposed to say to defend himself. Why did it feel familiar in the most annoying way? ….You.. didn’t stop coming. And you came to Christmas, and Tails’ birthday, and mine. You… became more than a temporary ally, you became…. Wait. He definitely knew that voice. He had to wake up. He had to wake up, right now. Knuckles, you became family, do you understand me? Knuckles, that was his name, yes, well, the name he had chosen to go by, struggled, distinctly aware of the pressure his eyelids had on his body. Sonic’s voice, yes, Sonic, one of his best friends, one of his only friends, turned to steel through Knuckles’ haze. So you better wake up, alright? This may be my 50th attempt but I’m not giving up. You never gave up on me, I won’t do that to you. Wake up, Knuckles, Wake up. He felt pressure on his head and face, but it didn’t….feel bad, like the wet pressure on the rest of him felt like. It reminded him more of his hat than that. Something wet was dripping on him though and he didn’t care for it. You better not be drooling on me… Knuckles managed to grumble out. Or at least, he thought he did. It sounded like a hum in his head, sort of like how Sonic sounded, and his mouth didn’t move at all. The pressure on his head pulled away. Knuckles?! Knuckles! Sonic sounded like he was choking on something. Oh thank chaos! I’ve been trying to get through to you for hours! Where are we? Questioned Knuckles, prying an eye open. Sonic was hovering over him, a relieved smile on his face as he whipped his eyes. His smile disappeared after that question, appearing more sheepish. We’re...in your mind? Sonic said slowly, fiddling with his gloves. Knuckles stared up at him for a minute of absolute silence, the only sound the drip of the black ooze. My WHAT?! Knuckles suddenly boomed, Sonic startling. How, what, why?! How are you in my mind?! What happened?! Sonic threw his hands up in a sign of surrender, his mouth open in that stupid nervous habit he had of smiling when he was scared. Sorry, sorry! Tikal showed me how, we didn’t know how else to reach you! Sonic defended himself. But I’m here now so we gotta figure out how to fix this. Oh. Oh no. Sonic frowned, looking uncharacteristically serious. What happened to you, Knuckles?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The two sat in silence inside Knuckles’ crumbling mind. Sonic waited for answers. Knuckles waited for Sonic to give up.

You have to tell me something, Knuxs,

Sonic said softly.

Or else things might go to hell in a handbasket.

Knuckles fidgeted as best as he could in a giant, goopy pillar of darkness.

I… it’s not important. Look, let’s just get me out of here, okay?

Knuckles asked. Sonic frowned but nodded.

The blue hedgehog stood to his feet and dusted himself off, wincing when his hands brushed against the black slime sticking to his pant legs.

He reached over, grabbed the hands that were stuck out, and pulled. Knuckles winced but started wiggling, refusing to let that darkness take him again, not in front of Sonic.

They spent the next ten minutes, pulling and pushing in some sad, fruitless attempt to yank the echidna free.

Knuckles, this isn’t working,

Sonic said.

I think-

Don't say it

. Knuckles grumbled.

I think we have to talk this out.

Funfunfunfunfunfunfun

funfunfunfun!

Dig your teeth into the gaps in his armor, claw at his stomach, laugh at the sight of red and the taste of copper, get smacked away, rinse, repeat.

Fleetway hovered in the air, grinning like a crazy person, waiting for Energy Drink to move. He was beating the Bad Guy! Oggie was gonna be so happy!

Maybe Oggie would let him play Good Guy more often once he saw how much of a good job Fleetway did!

"You… are not the same hedgehog who entered this battlefield," Enerjak said slowly.

Fleetway suppressed his snickers.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he finally replied, beaming. "Can we get back to fighting? That was fun!"

"Fascinating," Enerjak said, watching Fleetway. He charged up a blast and Fleetway charged forward with a sharp cackle.

"I'm gonna win!" Fleetway screeched excitedly, claws ready to tear once more.
 
The black and grey inky world shook around them, Sonic looking up with an anxious expression.

We don't have a choice! I left Fleetway up there to fight Enerjak and I have no idea how much damage he could do to your body!

Sonic stressed, tugging at Knuckles again.

You let

Fleetway

out?!

Knuckles hissed out.

I didn't have exactly a choice! I had to get you out!

Sonic retorted.

I… I really am dragging you down,

Knuckles said, head dropping. Sonic got the feeling he wasn't supposed to hear that but it was kinda hard not to when he is literally in Knuckles' head.

I'm supposed to be better than this-

What are you talking about?

Sonic interrupted, confused.

Don't act like you can't see it,

Knuckles snapped, skipping embarrassment and sadness for anger.

I've gotten the Master Emerald broken at least twice, I've done practically nothing to help you with Fleetway, I'm a terrible friend and an even worse Guardian.

You take that fucking back,

Sonic snapped and Knuckles jolted at the tone.

Because that is the dumbest thing you have ever said to me.

But I-

No!

Sonic cut in again.

Knuckles, you're only one person guarding a jewel of immense power! No one is expecting perfection from you, not even Chaos themself.

But even then, I'm still failing

you

,

Knuckles protested.

I haven't been able to save you from Fleetway-

I've never asked you to save me,

Sonic said sternly.

That's never been what I wanted from you. I just… wanted you to be there for me. No one is expecting you to protect everyone. I'm not expecting you to.

So, what, I'm just supposed to sit by and let that monster tear you apart?!

Knuckles said.

I, I don't know,

Sonic replied, as honest as he could.

But I know you need to know I don't expect anything from you but whatever you'll give me.

I don't want you to get hurt.

Knuckles said weakly.

And I don't want you to blame yourself if I do

. Sonic said.
 
They sat in silence, the world slightly shaking around them.

How about this; you and I get out of here and I promise to let you know if I need help,

Sonic said, offering a hand.

Knuckles stared up at Sonic before looking away.

The echidna nodded and pulled his arm free of the inky goo, grasping onto Sonic's offered hand.

Deal

.
 
Fleetway felt more than saw Enerjak stumble. Oggie must've found his friend! Aw, did that mean Fleetway would have to take the backseat again?

Oh, well, Fleetway could play later. Fleetway was running out of energy anyway.

“I guess playtime is over, huh?” Fleetway sighed.

“No. No! This is my body now! That child relinquished his control! It is my time! I will set this world into proper order!” Enerjak screamed, clutching his head.

“Geez, it’s not your body, you know,” Fleetway tutted, waving his finger. “You can’t just take his body and do whatever you want, it’s very rude! Very parasitic of you!”

Even Fleetway knew that. It’s why he only did it in the Game! Only Bad Guys would do something like that and he is technically a Bad Guy in the Game. doesn’t mean he’d do it out of the Game! Don’t get it twisted!

“Hypocrite,” Enerjak hissed. “You are just as much of a parasite to your host as I am to this weak guardian.”

“I follow the rules of the Game,” Fleetway hissed back, quills bristling. “We are best friends, not whatever you and Knuxies got going on.”

“Oh, trust me,” Enerjak chuckled, his armor seeming to disintegrate to energy. “You are far worse. I am an outsider. You? You are a disease he was

born

with.”

“You take that back-” Fleetway hissed, diving forward and digging his claws into Enerjak when he felt himself getting booted out, both bodies dropping.

Sonic felt the refreshing ocean breeze blow past his face, felt his body fall, seconds before he opened his eyes, before he woke up.

There was a moment where Sonic felt totally unburdened, his mind blank and the world a whooshing vacuum of air.

Then everything rushed back, including a few new aches, and Sonic was suddenly really aware of the fact he was falling into the ocean.

He let out a gasp that the wind stole and flailed in the air, trying to minimize the damage falling into the ocean from this height would give. Couldn’t drown if he was already dead from a broken skull, amirite?

“Knuckles?!” Sonic called out, his voice cracking from sudden use. Fleetway never treated his voice kindly. He saw a spot of red out of the corner of his eye and turned around. Knuckles was just as limp and out of it as Sonic had just been but he couldn’t tell if Knuckles was awake or not due to the golden mask still on his face. “Knuckles!”

Sonic reached up and grabbed Knuckles, pulling the other down to him.

“I got you!” Sonic shouted in the comatose echidna’s ear. “I got you!”

They fell for a few more seconds before they fell into the wing of the Tornado, Sonic using one arm to hold onto Knuckles and the other to hold onto the wing of the plane.

“Nice save!” Sonic’s voice cracked in the middle but Tails nodded and turned the Tornado around, landing the plane back on Angel Island.

Amy ran up to the plane, helping Sonic pull Knuckles off.

“Is he alright?” Amy questioned, more or less smacking the golden mask off of Knuckles’ face.

“I don’t-” Sonic started before choking, his voice giving out. He rolled his eyes and freed a hand to sign with.

I don’t know. I know at the very least, he should be back in the front seat. That Enerjak guy was actually pretty weak. He was really old.

“He was? How could you tell?” Tails asked.

Tikal knew him.

“Ooooooh,” Tails nodded, joining the group.

The three stared down at Knuckles, anxiously waiting for the echidna to wake up.

“What if he doesn’t wake up?” Amy asked, glancing at the other two.

“

He will

.” Tails and Sonic both replied, with word and swift hand motion. Sonic looked more certain than Tails.

And if on cue, Knuckles’ face scrunched up like eating a lemon before he squeezed an eye open, saw the group hovering over him, and groaned, rolling over so his face was in the dirt.

“Ten more minutes,” Knuckles grumbles. The trio cheers, Sonic forcing Knuckles onto his feet, Amy and Tails hugging the stuffing out of him.

“Did I do a lot of damage?” Knuckles asks, looking guilty in the direction of the city.

“You’re fine! Enerjak did all the damage,” Amy said, patting Knuckles on the shoulder.

“I’ll clean it up, the mayor’s been bugging me about the late repairs from the war anyway,” Tails waved away Knuckles’ concerns before turning to the two, Sonic leaning on Knuckles. “...What even set you off like that? That’s not normal.”

“I,” Knuckles glanced at Sonic. “I just let some of the pressure of being a Guardian gets to me. I’ve been overworking and stressing myself lately, what with the war and all…”

It wasn’t a lie but Tails could tell it wasn’t the whole truth. Tails’ face darkened and he turned away.

“Yeah, sure, just don’t tell me,” the kit huffed. “C’mon, Amy, Sonic, and I will fly you home.”

Get some rest,

Sonic signed.

I’ll see you tomorrow morning.

“Take care, Knuckles!” Amy called as well.

The flight home was quiet.

Well, quiet for Tails and Amy.

“That was fun! Can I do it again sometime? I like that game so much more! I wanna rip and tear again! Can’t you taste it? The blood in our mouth? Under our claws?”

Fleetway crowed, taking deep satisfaction in the bite marks and scratches Knuckles had walked away with. Sonic could taste the blood, and it was the most disgusting thing he’d ever tasted.

“Let me loose on Eggy! Or anyone, really! I could care less! That was so-”

That will never happen again. Sonic’s thoughts are stern as he stares over at the ocean below.

“...Wait, what?! Why! I behaved! I was good! Didn’t I earn your trust?”

Fleetway cries, leering over Sonic.

Fleetway was too much of a wildcard, a risk. It was lucky Knuckles hadn’t gotten more seriously injured. This fight was a one-time deal. It would never happen again. It could never happen again.

“But that’s not fair! You-”

Fleetway starts and Sonic suppresses a flinch as the golden demon reaches out but he’s cut off by Amy leaning onto Sonic.

“You okay?” Amy questioned. “You seem out of it.”

I’m fine, Ames,

Sonic signs with a quick smile.

Just… tired. I’ll get some Z’s and I’ll be as good as new.

Sonic choose to ignore Fleetway and Tails both saying,

“Liar.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sonic thought he was tired the first twenty minutes flying home.Then Fleetway leaned closely,

eagerly

, claws barely pricking his skin, opening his mouth excitedly to whisper something, and suddenly Sonic wanted to go out and do something while Tails’ bots restored the damaged city and Knuckles rested.

Actually, you know what I really need?

Sonic sighed, smiling.

A shopping trip.

Amy squealed so loudly it hurt both Sonic and Tails’ ears.

“A shopping trip!? Sonic, I’ve been waiting for you to ask!” Amy cheered, all of her lost energy restored. “Oh, I wanna visit the new Honey outlet, there were some dresses on sale I saw-”

“Could you guys talk about that later?” Tails requested, his tone strangely sharp. “I just wanna get home.”

“Oh, sorry, Tails,” Amy said, covering her mouth. “I didn’t mean to be so loud.”

How’s your tail, little bro?

Sonic checked in, leaning forward.

“It’s fine,” Tails glanced at the poorly bandaged appendage. “I’ll clean out the wound and wrap it up properly when we get home.”

Do you want help with that?

Sonic grimaced at the blood-stained shred of the kit’s vest.

Looks nasty.

“I’m fine,” Tails snapped. “As fine as you are. Don’t you have a shopping spree to plan?”

...alright. Just know I’m here if you change your mind.

Sonic surrendered, slowly sitting back down.

“I know,” Tails muttered darkly.

The rest of the ride was awkwardly quiet.

Tails landed the plane and immediately dashed to his room, arms crossed over his chest.

“Tails-” Amy called for him, leaping out of the Tornado after him.

“I’m fine!” Tails called back. “Just ...patching up my tail. I’m gonna head to bed early. Do whatever. I don’t care.”

...He’s brushing us off again,

Sonic signed to Amy, hesitantly.

“Is he alright? Surely we shouldn’t leave him alone,” Amy chewed her lip, glancing between the open door and Tails’ closed lab.

Now, a good brother would agree. Would stay. But how could Sonic demand Tails let him in when Sonic is just as bad, no, worse?

“I guess you’re not a good brother then, are you?”

Fleetway snickered.

“And don’t think you can get out of talking to me. I have some things I wanna do too.”

He’ll come and talk to us when he’s ready, Ames,

Sonic signed.

Let’s give him some space.

Honey’s new outlet was thankfully not in Station Square but in Westopolis.

It was business as usual, the mess and swift clean-up of Station Square distant in the minds of the folks of Westopolis. After years and years of attacks by various beings beyond the average civilian's normal strength, the general populace got used to things like that happening. So, Knuckles had at least that going for them. Honey's was a brand of clothes that Amy really enjoyed and Sonic had modeled for but for a very short time. It was hard to model dresses and dress shirts and all of that if you had to hide a lot of scars.

Sonic still modeled the occasional thing but not as much as he had before Fleetway got in the habit of using his arms as scratching posts.
 
"What do you think?" Amy asked, holding up a flower-patterned skirt to her body and giving a slight twirl. Sonic whistled and set down the pair of legwarmers he was looking at.

Oh, I love the blue and yellow against the tan!

Sonic beamed.

"Really? You don't think goldenrod and aster are off-brand or anything?" Amy said, checking the price tag and making a slight face before making peace with the amount.

Brand?

Sonic asked, batting his eyes in a fake show of ignorance.

What brand?

“Oh, you know what brand!” Amy angrily motioned to the rose delicately stitched into her green skirt and on her headband. “You’re lucky you’re my friend or I’d whack you for that comment!”

After today’s fight? I doubt it,

Sonic teased.

“Oh, we are so sparing later, you jerk,” Amy hissed but took the leg warmers Sonic had been eyeing, insisting on paying for them.

As they walked through the mall the Honey’s was attached to, they popped into the occasional store, trying on way too fancy outfits and deciding the dress wasn’t that nice after checking the price tag.

Store hopping was fun and relaxing and Sonic hadn’t had the chance to do it, let alone with Amy, in a long time. Fleetway always kept him from doing it and paying was always a challenge when it came to communication. At least most had gotten used to the world-famous hero never speaking more than two words. Sonic was pretty sure there was a compilation online of every word he’d ever spoken on camera.

But right now, Amy was more than happy to fill the silence with her idle chatter and Fleetway was just… waiting. A hovering bright yellow hedgehog, grinning in the corner of Sonic’s eye, but at least Sonic could pretend he wasn’t there this way.

Fleetway wanted something, Sonic could tell, he’d gotten more freedom than he ever had in years today so the demon was going to try and get something more while Sonic seemed to be in a more giving mood or something like that.

Fleetway would be bitterly disappointed then, seeing as Sonic had only allowed Fleetway in control in face of no other option. If Sonic could have his way, he’d be completely and utterly separate from Fleetway.

But Sonic didn’t usually get his way like that.

“Oooooh, Sonic!” Amy squealed, the sound bringing Sonic back into the conversation. Amy was bouncing up and down, pointing into a cojoined arcade at a Party Party Rebellion Game. “We haven’t played a game like that in forever! C’mon, we gotta!”

Amy grabbed hold of Sonic, pulling the hedgehog along, Sonic nearly dropping the five or six bags he was carrying.

Amy hopped on the platform first, excitedly waiting for Sonic as he paid for a Game Pass and swiped the electronic card into the game twice.

The game lit and the screen quickly showed a variety of songs, each playing a small snippet of the song as Amy scrolled over them.

How about that one?

Sonic suggested, motioning to the third song, Stalker’s Tango.

“Oh, nice choice!” Amy agreed, clicking on it. She stepped back onto the platform and smiled cheekily at Sonic. “Prepared to lose, Blue Boy?”

I’m the fastest thing alive,

Sonic grinned back, just as smug.

You’re about to get smoked, Rosy.

They got kicked out for breaking the machine.

Between the speed Sonic moved at and the ferocity with which Amy swiped the card for every rematch, it was a miracle the only sign of damage was the burnt dancing platform. The two walked in slight embarrassment and shame, pockets lighter not just from mass purchases.

“Well, ruined Rebellion aside, this was fun!” Amy finally said, smiling up at the blue hedgehog.

Absolutely. You have impeccable taste in clothes. I don’t know where I’d be without you,

Sonic signed, smiling.

“I’m just trying to give your attire a little more flair,” Amy said. “The hoodie’s nice but when did you last wash it?”

The truth? Last Tuesday. It got bloodstains on it again.

Actually, I own multiples of the same hoodie,

Sonic smirked.

You wish you had my genius.

"...Tell me you're joking. I don't know if that'd be worse or better but tell me you're joking," Amy pleaded. "Sonic, please."

Sonic laughed at her panicked face, quickly assuring her that this was the only hoodie of its kind in Sonic's closet.

Amy sighed in relief and smacked Sonic in the arm.

"... This really was fun," Amy said. "We should do it more."

Yeah, it was fun, I-

Sonic looked up.

Fleetway stood on the path. The demon smiled and tapped his wrist, almost as if he was wearing a watch. Sonic wondered if the fear showed on his face.

Oh. Yeah. Fleetway. He forgot.

I'd love to but we can't.

Sonic finished.

"What, why not?" Amy said, unaware of Fleetway leering down the road.

We just can't. I'm sorry but this is probably gonna stay a rare thing,

Sonic said, glancing away.

But, hey! That just means we won't get bored of it, right?

"Is this boring to you?" Amy asked, looking hurt.

No! No, Amy, it's not you or going shopping or anything! It's just, it's a

, Sonic hesitated.

It's a personal thing.

"... Are you okay?" Amy leaned closer, resting a hand on Sonic's shoulder.

Yeah, yeah, just,

Sonic sighed.

Tired, is all. Amy, I should go check on Tails, he's been home alone for a while.

"Sonic, if something is wrong, you know you can tell me, right? You know I'll help you with whatever, right?" Amy said, leaning closer. Sonic weakly smiled, glancing at Fleetway over her shoulder for the quickest second.

I know, Amy, if something is happening, I'll tell you, I-

Sonic almost signed 'I promise.' but Fleetway laughed and Sonic couldn't bring himself to lie so blatantly to Amy's face.

I'm okay. Really.

"... Alright," Amy relented. "I'll see you later?"

Yeah,

Sonic stretched and stuck his bags in his hammerspace.

I'll see you later.

Sonic stumbled on his way home, the familiar painful tug of Chaos energy popping up suddenly.

He slowed to a stop, eyes darting around for the miracle jewel.

"Over here!"

Fleetway called, pointing at the white Chaos Emerald in the grass.

Sonic frowned and walked over to it, picking it up and shuddering.

"Maybe you can give it to Tails, I'm sure he'll enjoy it!"

Fleetway suggested, smiling pleasantly or at least as pleasant as possible. What is his game? Fleetway said he wanted to talk about something and Fleetway never referred to Tails by his name, what was the plan here?

"I have a deal,"

Fleetway said, folding his hands into a prayer.

I'll behave and you'll let me fly."

Fly? Wait, does he mean go super?

"Yes! I'll be so good and I'll be quiet and I won't cause any trouble and you let me fly!"

Fleetway grinned.

"Please?"

No. No! That was a terrible idea, letting Fleetway get control of his body, just to what,

fly

? No, no way, that was a terrible idea-

Fleetway's grin turned deadly and he gripped Sonic's shoulders, claws going through the hoodie and pricking his skin.

"Sonic."

Sonic stilled, clutching the white emerald in-between two sweaty palms.

He'd… Sonic would see. If Fleetway behaved.

"Yes!"

Fleetway cheered, doing a loop the loop in the air.

"You won't regret this, I promise!"

Sonic sighed and tucked the Chaos Emerald away, resuming his run home.
 
God, he was tired.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tails didn’t come out that night. Or the next day.

Sonic made breakfast, on edge in the unusual silence. Even if Tails wasn’t around, an occurrence that had happened more and more lately, Fleetway usually was very much present, loud, threatening, unpredictable.

At least he’d stayed unpredictable.

This should feel like a reprieve, a moment of oasis in a desert of pain. And, yet.

It feels more like the calm before the storm.

Sonic glanced at Fleetway as he knocked on his little brother’s door. The demon was

napping

, of all things, resting in a morning sunbeam like some innocent cat. It wasn’t fair. All he did was hurt Sonic. Why did he get to be relaxed?

Tails’ door still didn’t open and Sonic stared at it with a growing sense of hopelessness.

Wasn't good at relaxing, wasn't good at being an older brother, wasn’t good at anything but running and fighting.

Sonic set down the plate in front of the door and turned away, hoping Tails would at least remember to eat.

He sat down to his own plate of food and found it completely unappetizing.

Sonic should do something today. Something he rarely did, something that fear of Fleetway kept him from doing. He shouldn’t just sit at his table, dead eyed and on edge.

He should- he should-

The door downstairs opens with a click and Sonic’s head shoots up. He doesn’t see or hear Tails leaving but he does hear the door close again and when he looks, the plate is gone, so that’s something. That’s something.

Sonic scrapes his uneaten breakfast into the trash and heads outside, the sun warming him.

A breeze blows by, gentle and comforting. Well, if you have time to worry, run, as he always said.

Sonic’ll go to the library. He never goes! Too worried that in a quiet place like that, Fleetway will be more driven to cause a disturbance and the menace had a habit of demolishing any books Sonic checked out. It'd be nice to get some reading in. 
 
There's something immediately relaxing about the library, like walking into a warm bed. Sonic's not sure if books have a smell but there's just something that… smells of books.

It's easy enough to pick a read, he never finished 1001 Arabian Nights, even after getting more or less dragged into it. That had been an interesting adventure.

He takes the thick book and finds an unnoticed corner, curling up.
 
Sonic woke up three hours later, startling awake as someone dropped a book a little too close and too loudly. He looked around wildly for a second before he sighed. That's… embarrassing.

Sonic stood up, stretching, and took the book back to the front. He knew better than to try to replace it himself. Fleetway hovered over him, clearly bored and agitated, but trying to keep his end of their 'deal'.

He glanced at the time as he walked out. Huh, 12. Perfect time for lunch, or more likely, an overly large amount of food. 
 
Luckily, Sonic's absolute favorite of all time chili dog stand is right there so Sonic buys twenty chili dogs and eats them so fast, the vendor dude looked sick. Sonic held no regrets. He had done it before, he did it right now, and he’d do it again. Sonic ate another just to get the point across.

Sonic also stopped at a quick chicken place to grab Tails a leg or two. Sonic wanted to make Tails get some lunch. He's a growing kit, kits need to eat! 
 
Tails' door was still closed when Sonic got home. It was a short moment of hesitation before Sonic knocked, holding the take-out box of chicken.

It was a moment of silence, silence Sonic thought would signal another repeat of breakfast, before the door creaked open.

Sonic took a step, giving Tails room as the fox stepped out.

How you feeling, bud?

Sonic shifted the food to one hand, lifting the other to communicate.

I got you some lunch.

Thanks,

Tails signed back, taking the food.

Can we play some Mario Kart?

Sure!

Sonic brightened.

Dibs on Luigi!

You always pick Luigi!

Tails rolled his eyes but smiled, following his big brother to the living room.
 
"I heard you leaving," Tails commented as Bowser rammed Luigi off the course and behind the hated Waluigi. "Where'd you go?"

"Library," Sonic responded, hands busy trying to reclaim his lead. Tails hummed in reply. "Got lunch."

"Thanks for the chicken," Tails said, cursing as Luigi blasted past Bowser. "And for breakfast. It was good."

Sonic smiled and nodded, bumping Tails as Luigi crossed the finish line.

Tails huffed as Bowser followed close behind, putting down the controller.

Sonic put down his own controller, watching the race recap play on screen.

I don't want to pressure you into anything. You know I value privacy over almost everything,

Sonic started, a tad bit nervous.

But if there's anything you want to tell me, just know I'm here.

"I know," Tails sighed. "Don't worry, I'm fine, cleaned up my tail and everything. I was just… tired.”

Sonic’s heard the excuse, hell, he’s used it more than he can justify. Sonic hesitates and sighs, deciding to let it go. He leaned over and bumped shoulders with Tails again.

Alright. But I’m here if you need anything,

Sonic signed before perking up, remembering something.

Oh, wait, I got you something!

Sonic vanished for a second in a blue blur, coming back into place with a white emerald in hand.

“A Chaos Emerald?! Where did you- you hate these things!” Tails took the emerald, his eyes lighting up. “I’ve been needing a new power source! Are you sure you wanna give this to me?”

No. Sonic has no idea Fleetway will keep up this rather unantagonistic and quiet behavior and he wants to keep power out of the demon’s hand as long as possible. But Tails looks the happiest he’s looked in at least two weeks so…

Absolutely,

Sonic signed with a smile.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with, little bro.

Tails faltered but smiled and nodded.

Fleetway smiled, far more menacingly, behind Tails.

Fleetway, at the very least, was a ‘hog of his word. Sonic’s arms healed the most they had in years and he got the most sleep he’d had in forever. Amy was happy to beat Tails' Just Dance record on Gimme! Gimme! and Sonic was happy to beat her new high score. Knuckles stayed on his island but promised if Sonic's luck and good mood kept up, he'd come and show them a REAL dance. It was… nice. Really nice.

But it wasn't gonna last.

Sonic knew from day one. Fleetway had never promised how long he'd behave and there was always a trait of transaction to it.
 
Sonic hated breaking promises but truth be told, he never wanted to make this one. He couldn’t fulfill this one, Fleetway had to know that! He had to, it’s probably why he did this, just to torment Sonic because Chaos forbid Sonic get to keep any good in his life without desperately clawing to keep it!

He just wanted to talk to his little brother, hang out with his friends without this, this

thing

dragging him away the second he was happy! The second he was actually enjoying himself! Please!

“Oggie.”

Chaos, no, please, Sonic begged in his head, feeling clawed hands curl around his arms, the tips pricking his skin. It felt

worse

this time, not a slow sink into a shallow darkness, but the pull of something like honey dragging you into the deep end of the swimming pool. He didn't want to go. Please, he didn't-

"You promised, Oggie."

SONIC DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE! IT WAS THAT OR GET A NEW SET OF SCARS! THAT'S NOT A PROMISE! THAT'S NOT A CHOICE!

"You haven't been keeping a lot of your promises though, Oggie."

Sonic doesn't know what Fleetway's talking about, all he knows is he doesn't want to go back under, please-

"Shouldn't have given the kit a Chaos Emerald then, hm? Might nab another emerald, just for good measure! Didn't Stripes recently find that pretty red one?"

Fear and desperation gave way to protective anger. Fleetway better stay the hell away from the two of them! Claws dug into Sonic's arms, sharply and suddenly, and Sonic reluctantly sank his teeth into his hand to smoother the cry of pain.

"It's not your choice either way, is it, Oggie? It's my turn now and I want to F L Y…!"

Sonic was pulled under, darkness choking the air out of his lungs, feeling as if he was being buried alive.

Tails heard his door creak open and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Sonic stood in the doorway, smiling at him really weirdly.

"Tails," Sonic asked in his normally creaky voice but there was this strange singsong lilt to it. "Can I borrow that Chaos Emerald? Knuckles said he needed it for something."

"In the middle of the night?" Tails questioned.

"Yes," Sonic's smile remained painfully wide. "He might not be able to return for a while but he said it was really important."

"Hm, alright then," Tails sighed, laying back down. "It's on my desk right there."

Tails heard Sonic move to his desk and pick up the white Chaos Emerald and then move towards Tails' bed. His eyes opened again and he rolled over and looked up at the sound.

Sonic smiled down on Tails, his eyes obscured by the lack of light.

"Sonic?" Tails questioned.

"Just checking on you," Sonic replied after a second. "Sleep tight, little buddy."

"Okay, night!" Tails called after before laying back down, frowning.

Aw well. He'd ask Sonic about

that

in the morning, when he… finally confronted Sonic. Yeah. Tails was sure this'd be fine. But he better get some extra sleep. Just in case. Just in case.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Shadow was not a light sleeper. Not that he slept much, but when he did, anything could wake him up, especially in the past year or so.

It was no surprise, then, that the sound of someone in his room woke him up. It wasn’t Rouge, she would have flown, it wasn’t Omega, Shadow would have woken up before the robot even opened the door. The intruder was a stranger and Shadow remained still to see who exactly was intruding.

A familiar shade of blue was illuminated in the moonlight as the intruder picked up the ruby red Chaos Emerald, chuckling.

“Knuxies is gonna be happy to see us, huh, Oggie?” Sonic’s hoarse voice cackled out, seemingly talking to no one and yet, he waited for a reply. “...Fine, be that way. I don’t need to hear anything you have to say anyway.”

Sonic quietly crept across the room, opening Shadow’s window and sliding out.

Shadow sat up the minute the other hedgehog was gone, confused and more than a little irritated.

If this was Sonic’s idea of a prank, breaking into Shadow’s apartment and stealing his things, he had another thing coming!

...But it didn’t sound like a prank. What was with that weird comment? Sonic rarely spoke in the time Shadow had known him and any spoken word was reacted with surprise by those who knew Sonic better. And from the sound of his voice, talking hurt, Shadow winced at the memory of the cracking and hoarse voice.

Either way, Sonic had taken his Emerald and Shadow didn’t much care for thieves. He grabbed his jacket, smacking a note down on the table so Rouge would know where he went.

Sonic was easier to follow than expected, lumbering awkwardly and slower than usual, stopping occasionally to talk to air and then laugh to himself.

It was worrisome and Shadow was becoming more and more convinced something was actually wrong by the minute.

Finally, Sonic stopped in the shade of Angel Island, which was currently over Spring Valley Zone. Sonic broke into a frenzy of giggles before holding up a pure white Chaos Emerald, calling out a Chaos Control before vanishing.

Shadow cursed, looking up at Angel Island. Without an Emerald, it was incredibly hard to reach Angel Island. But if Shadow wanted to know why Sonic was acting like a deranged six-year-old on drugs, he’d have to get up there.

Spring Valley, like most zones visited by Eggman, was littered with remains of his reign, including the ever-useful Bounce Pad. If Shadow could just get enough momentum…

Shadow would rather not think about how long he bounced, it was just embarrassing. The important thing is he finally landed on the island after ten minutes.

It was eerily quiet, even for Angel Island, almost as if all the life on it was holding its breath.

And then there it was, high-pitched, hoarse laughter.

Shadow’s ears twitched towards the sound and he was off, his skates sending up slight sparks as he ran.

Sonic was on top of the Master Emerald Shrine, juggling and grinning so widely it had to hurt. Shadow ducked into the bushes. Rouge had taught him the value of stealth, in one of two ways.

“But I behaved so well, Knuxies!” Sonic said in an out-of-character singsong voice. “I helped you, I beat up that Energy Drink thing, I was quiet aaaall week, I just wanna fly a little! Please, please, pleeeeeeaase?”

“Knowing you, it’s not just flying you wanna do,” Knuckles snapped back. “Where’s Sonic? Why can’t I sense him?”

“He’s sleeping,” Not-Sonic replied, huffing and crossing his arms. “He’s been very sleepy lately, so I behaved. I behaved so I get to fly.”

“That’s not even how it works!” Knuckles tossed his arms. “I can’t make the Master Emerald turn you super.”

“But I brought the little Emeralds to trade! And I behaved!” Not-Sonic stomped his foot, repeating his questionable logic. “I rarely get to fly! Lemme fly!”

“No, Fleetway,” Knuckles snapped. “Now, get down from there!”

“No! No, no, no, no!” Fleetway(?) shouted angrily, sitting down. “Oggie’s kept me pushed down every time we got to fly!”

Fleetway paused before smiling darkly.

“Well, most times,” Fleetway corrected himself. Knuckles shuddered.

“Mind telling me what you did that you’re so proud of?” Knuckles asked, looking nervous.

“What I did? Oh, I can’t tell you, Oggie would throw a hissy fit! He’s still mad about it, you know,” Fleetway chuckled. “But it fixed itself so it’s not like it matters! He always complains about things that don’t matter. He’s silly like that and

he

gets to fly.”

“...Gimme the Chaos Emeralds,” Knuckles said, holding out a hand.

“I can fly?” Fleetway perked up.

“Yes,” Knuckles sighed. “Just hand me the Chaos Emeralds.”

“Okay, but if you double-cross me, I’m gonna make you regret it!” Fleetway said it so cheerfully, but the way he held up his arm to his mouth and Knuckles paled told Shadow this was not an idle threat.

Fleetway scooched down the roof of the shrine, holding out the Emeralds. Knuckles reached for them but then grabbed Fleetway's arm, pulling the Sonic lookalike down from his perch. Knuckles quickly had the hedgehog in a headlock, wincing as the blue hedgehog angrily screeched, digging his claws and teeth into the other's still scratched-up arm.

The hedgehog was so busy trying to break free, he didn’t notice Knuckles nabbing the Chaos Emeralds and chucking them as far away as possible.

The hedgehog screeched as if Knuckles had torn out a tooth.

“Are you kidding?!” Fleetway hollered. “Sonic’s body is already running on zero, now you take away my energy source?! You love sucking the life out of people, dontcha-”

Fleetway stopped mid-sentence, red-spiral eyes rolling into the back of his head before slumping.

Knuckles waited a moment, holding his breath before readjusting his hold. Sonic’s body went from a headlock to a bridal carry. Knuckles sighed.

“Another night, I guess,” Knuckles shook his head, turning away and slightly out of Shadow’s view. Shadow leaned forward, trying to keep an eye on the other. His cover caved and Shadow fell, letting out a yelp before he could stop himself.

Knuckles’ head snapped back towards Shadow and Shadow didn’t have time to hide again.

“Hello,” Shadow said, trying to keep his composure while lying face down in the dirt.

“Uh,” Knuckles looked equally unsure. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Awhile,” Shadow decided to just say. “What was all of that? I thought Faker hated talking.”

“He does,” Knuckles said, frowning. “Fleetway just doesn’t know when to shut up.”

It feels wrong to Knuckles, how everything Sonic has ever trusted him enough to tell him about Fleetway can be summed up in a matter of twenty minutes. Sonic wasn’t awake to tell it himself, he was slumped over between them, still passed out from Fleetway’s possession.

Shadow listened intently, nodding and interjecting questions. Knuckles didn’t have answers. His understanding of Fleetway and Sonic was as basic as it got.

“I can’t believe this,” Shadow frowned. “How can this have gone unnoticed by almost everyone for so long?”

“It wasn’t a change for most people,” Knuckles said. “He’s just always been this way for us; running off all the time, weirdly quiet but somehow still, well, our friend.”

“...Does he normally stay out this long?” Shadow questioned, looking at the still comatose Sonic.

“No, actually, he normally snaps right back to normal,” Knuckles frowned and turned to Sonic, lightly shaking the other hedgehog. “Sonic? You with us?”

Sonic’s head swung a little but the hedgehog still slept like the dead. Knuckles and Shadow shared a look of slight concern. Shadow blinked, as if opening an unseen eye, and made a face.

“He’s… not there,” Shadow said slowly, confused. “His Chaos energy.”

“What?” Knuckles questioned.

“Look for yourself,” Shadow motioned to Sonic. It took Knuckles a second but he saw it, there, a significant lack of Sonic. Not completely gone, no, that would mean he’s fucking dead and Knuckles would be freaking out but there was enough of Sonic absent to be

really

concerned.

"Something's wrong," Knuckles says, Shadow huffing at the more than obvious statement. “I’m going in.”

“You’re what-” Shadow started but stopped as Knuckles held out a hand, a small aqua green flame appearing in it.

Knuckles hesitated for a second, looking at his fist, before shoving it at Sonic’s chest. Knuckles is aware of his surroundings for about five more seconds before reality seems to shift and the echidna falls, literally and mentally.

It’s dark. Dark and muffled, like Knuckles’ eyes and ears are being covered. He’s not falling, he knows that, but he’s certainly not on any sort of ground, the surface beneath his feet shaking like jello.

It’s hard to get his balance, what with the ground’s texture and his lack of any sort of sight, but Knuckles manages.

But now that he’s standing, he has no idea what to do. None.

Sonic!

Knuckles calls out, his voice cutting through the muffled silence.

...Knuckles?

Sonic calls back after a moment, barely audible, an owl’s wingbeat in a padded room.

Sonic! Are you okay? You disappeared, you-

Knuckles starts but he’s cut off suddenly by Sonic.

You shouldn’t be here.

Wha-?

Two voices this time, one recognizable only by the childish anger in it.

YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE!

A wave of emotion, anger, fear, shame, forces Knuckles off his feet, forces him out.

Sonic-!

Knuckles wakes up with a start, Shadow reaching over to stop him from falling on his back.

“Okay, you didn’t mention anything about that,” Shadow frowns. “Is the hedgehog alright?”

“I don’t know!” Knuckles throws up his arms, nearly hitting Shadow. “He kicked me out! They kicked me out before I could even really find him! I-”

Sonic’s face scrunched up like he’d eaten a lemon, emerald green eyes peeking open before forcibly closing shut.

“Sonic, I saw that, you open your stupid eyes before Knuckles accidentally gives me a broken jaw,” Shadow ordered.

Sonic peeked an eye open, stuck out his tongue, and closed his eye again.

Knuckles brushed Shadow off, grabbing Sonic by the shoulders, and shook the blue hedgehog like a stupid little puppet.

“YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK, YOU STUPID RAT, NEVER WORRY ME LIKE THAT AGAIN, I’LL KILL YOU, I’LL KILL YOU AND GO TO JAIL AND IT’LL STILL BE WORTH IT!” Knuckles raged.

Shadow could step in and save Sonic from his fate but the biohog was enjoying Sonic’s face too much to do that.

“Sorry,” Sonic squeaks out, his voice cracking on every syllable. “I didn’t mean to!”

“I know,” Knuckles huffed, putting Sonic down gently. “What even was

that

? I couldn’t see, I could barely hear, and I’m fairly sure you kicked me out.”

“I-” Sonic’s face darkened and some small part of Shadow recognized the look and shivered. “Don’t worry about it.”

Sonic’s eyes drifted past Knuckles and landed on Shadow, a wave of terror and surprise flashing on Sonic’s face.

“Shadow?!” Sonic’s voice nearly went out mid-sentence. “What-”

“You, or rather, Fleetway, broke into my room and stole my Chaos Emerald,” Shadow explained quickly. “I followed, saw enough to ask questions, and Knuckles brought me up to speed.”

Sonic frowned and glanced away.

Sorry,

Sonic signed.

I tried to hold him off but he’d been quiet for so long so I wasn’t ready.

“It’s fine, faker,” Shadow held a hand to stop him. “I’m aware it’s out of your control.”

Sonic looked like he wanted to argue but Knuckles bumped into him and the hedgehog stopped.

I should head home,

Sonic signed.

The other emerald was Tails’, I don’t think Fleetway would have done anything but still…

“I should head home soon as well,” Shadow sighed. “I left a note for Rouge but she thinks I need sleep or something.”

Shadow looked over at Sonic.

“I do have questions I’d like to ask

you

later, Sonic,” Shadow said and the actual use of his name gave Sonic a visible shiver.

Sonic nodded and turned away, affectionately nudging Knuckles in lew of a goodbye. He disappeared in a blur of blue.

“I’ve tried to keep him safe over the past few years,” Knuckles admitted to Shadow. His voice was quiet, soft, not a cry for help but definitely some kind of call for aid. “But it’s hard to keep up with him, ya know?”

Knuckles turns to look at Shadow, his gaze vulnerable and imploring.

“...” Shadow stares back before turning away. “Not for me.”

Sonic had been there in ways many people hadn’t. When Doom demanded his allegiance, Sonic stood by him as Shadow cursed him out. When his memories were in tatters, Sonic waited with almost uncharacteristic patience for him to catch up. When people chose to believe that he had truly reverted to his villainous ways, Sonic, despite his six months of torment, was one of the few willing to try and bring him home.

Perhaps it was time Shadow returned the favor.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When there are secrets, there's tension.
 
Sonic got home, a mixture of relief and guilt in his gut, and immediately felt bad.
 
Tails was in the kitchen, his back was to the front door. Tails was cooking, never a good sign.

Sonic and Tails were both nervous cookers, it was one of the ways they were, well, readable.

At least, Sonic knew Fleetway didn't hurt Tails now. Not that Fleetway usually did hurt anyone besides, well, Sonic.
 
Sonic knocked twice on the wall as he stepped in, the sound reverbing in the empty hall.

Tails jolted, two tails puffing up, before Tails turned to face Sonic.

“Oh! Sonic!”  Tails said, his voice for Sleep cheerful. “How is Knuckles?”

On one hand, okay, good, Tails didn't notice anything up with Sonic last night. On the other hand, or did he?

“

He seems upset,

” Fleetway hissed, clearly excited. “

Think he noticed?

”

Sonic nodded, giving an uneasy smile to both questions.
 
Sonic entered the kitchen, taking over a half-burnt omelet, diverting an anxious Tails to the table.

“It's a little burnt but I thought we could give it to a dog or something,” Tails said, trying to justify the terribly cooked thing in the pan. Sonic made a face before dumping it into the trash. “Ha, yeah.”

It was quiet while Sonic cooked, both siblings preparing to fight in an insurmountable battle.
 
“So I-” Tails said, just as Sonic set down the plates of omelets to sign the same thing.

You first,

Sonic signed, adding a gesture to go ahead just to make sure his point got across.

“Okay,” Tails nodded, taking a deep breath. “ Sonic. I know we're not the most honest with each other. I don't tell you things and you don't tell me things. And for the most part, I'm fine with that. But, Sonic, there's something that has to be said. it's been causing a lot of tension between us.”

“

He's onto us!

” Fleetway snickered in excitement.

Sonic's suppressed panic must have shown because the kit frantically waved his arms, trying to dissuade his fear.

“N- no one's in trouble! or in danger!”  Tails quickly reassured.”I- I just have a confession to make. A personal one.”

Sonic set down, hands folded, ready to listen. Tails take a deep breath.

“I’m trans,” Tails said and Sonic’s stomach did a strange flip flop move. “I’m- I’m a girl and I’ve… known for a few months now but I didn’t know how to tell you-”

The young girl was shaking, near tears, and Sonic had dashed around the table and pulled her into his arms before she could even hiccup out a sob.

“Hey,” Sonic croaked out, a sound still hoarse from the night’s events that made him flinch at the noise. He went on though, Tails clearly needed to hear something. “Hey, you’re okay. You haven’t done anything wrong. Look at me, Tails.”

Tails lifted her head, tears clearly in her eyes.

“You’re okay, okay? Say it for me, huh?” Sonic said.

“I’m… I’m okay,” Tails sniffled.

“Again.”

“I’m fine.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Sonic reassured. “This does explain your recent moods though.”

Tails just nodded and leaned on Sonic.

“I’m sorry,” Tails sighed, wiping her nose. “I just… I was so unsure and worried and….”

“Hey, hey, you’re okay,” Sonic ran a hand through Tails’ fur. “You’re okay. You’ve done nothing wrong, you and I both know that.”

“Yeah…” she nodded, wrapping her tails around Sonic’s leg.

“Hey, even if I wasn’t gay and trans myself, I’d still always love and support you, little br-

sis

,” Sonic said.

“Yeah, I know, I just-” Tails froze and looked up. “Wait. did you just say you’re not only also trans, you’re gay?”

“Uh, yeah?” Sonic tilted his head, slightly confused. “Isn’t it painfully obvious?”

Tails’ face paled as she frantically relived her entire life with Sonic, every moment where Sonic was very much not straight or cis flashed before her eyes.

“Yeah, Amy’s trans too! She’d love to go clothes shopping with you,” Sonic beamed, unaware of Tails’ dilemma. “Actually, a lot of our friend group is queer, as far as I know.”

“Are you kidding?!” Tails pulled away, socking her older brother in the arm. “You’re telling me I was panicking this whole time but everyone is already queer?!”

“You didn’t know?” Sonic snickered.

“No, you jackass!” Tails huffed, smacking him with her tails lightly.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” Sonic laughed before his voice finally gave out with a wince.

“Ugh, I’m going to my lab, call me when it’s lunch time,” Tails shook her head, snatching up her omelette and heading out of the kitchen.

Sonic shook his head affectionately and turned to leave the kitchen. Here was hoping Fleetway would let him catch that missed night of sleep.

“Hey, uh, Sonic?” Tails’ voice piped up, the same vulnerable tone as her earlier confession.

Sonic turned slightly back. “Thanks. For accepting me. Remember to eat breakfast, okay?”

Sonic just smiled and nodded as she descended hurriedly down the stairs and her door slammed closed.

Sonic turned back to the table and reached for his now room temperature omelette.

“

See that? That’s what a good, honest sibling looks like. You lie to her, to everyone, constantly, and yet, yet,

” Fleetway’s voice is a jealous and furious hiss, curling around his ears and down his spine. “

Yet you pretend to be on the same playing field as them! You just can’t stop lying, can you? Even to me, you lie. Kinda rude, Oggie.

”

Sonic’s plate falls to the floor, egg and plate shards mixing on the floor.

Oh. He… he hadn’t meant to do that. He’s gonna have to clean this up. He’s gonna have to clean this up right now.

Sonic took a deep shuddering breath and grabbed the broom.

“

You can’t lie to everyone forever,

” Fleetway went on. “

You can’t lie to me.

”

Sonic squeezed his eyes shut and sweeped up the broken pieces, quickly dumping the mess in the trash.

“

When are you gonna stop trying?

” Fleetway asked, claws digging into Sonic’s shoulder.

Sonic tossed away the broom, massaging his shoulder. “

Aren’t you going to get some breakfast? Are you going to be even more of a liar?

”

Sonic needed a nap. He had lost his appetite.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tails’ coming out surprised most, but Sonic was only the first to accept her. Tails’ fellow girls welcomed her into the group with open arms and the gentlemen saluted her graceful exit.

Tails also seemed a lot happier with it off her chest, coming out of her room more, smiling more, and being open about how she felt.

Amy was probably the most excited for the upcoming shopping trip in the following week, sorting through her outgrown dresses and store coupons for the most suitable for an active genius like Tails. Tails was woefully unprepared for the world of fashion but Amy was dragging her in, kicking and screaming.

Fleetway’s renewed energy aside, Sonic was so, so relieved to see Tails coming out of her shell again. She deserved this happiness she now had, this feeling of safety and comfortability with herself, she glowed with it.

And, sure, Sonic was quickly going through a downhill spiral considering he couldn’t wake up his last possession but he did wake up! He just needed the added terror of being more open and vulnerable about how truly messed up he was to someone who had taken Sonic’s mental stability as his responsibility to do so! That’s fine! That’s fine. Sonic could handle it, he’d handled worse! ...right?

“Faker,” Sonic startled at Shadow’s voice, nearly falling out of the tree he had been thinking in. “I’ve been talking to you for ten minutes.”

Oh, sorry!

Sonic motioned down.

I didn’t see you! Guess I was out of it!

“Hmph,” Shadow arched an eyebrow at Sonic. “Are you too out of it for a race?”

Sonic perked up and swung down from his perch, landing less than two inches from Shadow. Sonic got even closer to Shadow, visibly excited.

“Whoa-” Shadow took a step back, caught off guard.

A race?! What are the rules? No fighting? Yes fighting? Where are we racing to?

Sonic beamed.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!

Shadow shook his head, rolling his eyes.

In the end, it was agreed they’d race to Mt. Ebott and the only limit was no biting because both of them had flesh-tearing fangs.

Sonic stretched his legs while Shadow flexed his hands, no doubt preparing to toss a myriad of Chaos Spears at Sonic’s smug face.

If there was something not even Fleetway could make him hate, it was running. Running and racing, Sonic did not pick out and base his entire identity around just to hate it.

Sonic and Shadow stand next to each other, Sonic doing a quick little stretch. No one wants a leg to cramp up mid-race, that hurt like a son of a bitch.

Everything was still and quiet for just a moment, a smidge of a moment.

And then they were both just blurs of color in the wind.

The world around Sonic blurred into colors and shapes and shades, the only truly visible things were Shadow and his feet beneath him.

The mountain was an oncoming mass of greens, specks of branches and rocks rising up in between them. Sonic was careful to avoid them. If leg cramps mid supersonic speed were bad, tripping was just as bad.

It was pretty easy to recover before you actually hit the ground but, in a race, one second can be the difference between bragging rights and dealing with Shadow’s snide comments.

The wind was whistling in Sonic’s ears, so loud he could barely hear himself think and far too loud for Fleetway to get a word in on any thoughts. When Sonic was running, he felt capable of anything, of kicking anyone and everyone in the butt, and he was gonna prove that true right here, right now-

A pebble, small, insignificant, caught Sonic’s heel. It was a second of a stumble, leaning forward, but it was and would be enough. Sonic bit his lip as he recovered his step, glancing towards Shadow’s position-

Shadow was still there. He was still there, his red eyes turned towards Sonic in a look of almost concern. He turned away the second Sonic looked at him but Sonic saw that, he knows he did.

What the hell was that?

The view from Ebott was as beautiful as ever, rolling hills and their respective valleys, patches of distant trees and flowers. It was a lovely sight Sonic viewed constantly, while Shadow was probably getting his first look of it. Shadow paused as he caught up to Sonic, looking out towards the landscape.

Sonic wished he could just let them relax and enjoy the sights but Sonic was curious and maybe… a little worried.

You didn’t take the opening,

Sonic signed, frowning.

“What do you mean?” Shadow said, raising an eyebrow.

I tripped,

Sonic explained.

I saw it, you saw it. But you didn’t take advantage of it. In fact, I think you actually slowed down. Are you okay? Was the terrain too bumpy or something?

“The terrain wasn’t bumpy at any point,” Shadow shrugged. “I didn’t see you trip at any point.”

Sonic eyed Shadow. Yup. Something was up. The indifference and even annoyance, it was so surface layer, fake.

“

He’s lying,

” Fleetway whispers in his ear and Sonic would deny it usually but Shadow isn’t meeting his eyes and last Sonic checked, Shadow doesn’t have an eye contact issue.

You’re lying,

Sonic has to practically shove himself into Shadow’s line of sight so he had to see Sonic’s accusation.

Why’d you slow down?

“I didn’t,” Shadow denied yet again. “You’re seeing things.”

“

Oh, I see what it is,

” Fleetway hissed and the words were like poison dripping down his ears.

“

He pities you.

”

This was Fleetway’s trick, picking on Sonic’s insecurities, on his fears, digging deep into his fears. Usually, Sonic could use that knowledge to pretty easily dismiss Fleetway’s comments but Sonic had the awful, terrible feeling that Fleetway was, somehow, right.

What the hell, Shadow.

Sonic’s hands move faster than his head and Sonic must have been frowning harder than he meant to because Shadow is immediately startled and on guard.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Shadow says and it’s starting to get annoying, it’s starting to get frustrating. It’s one thing to pity him, it’s another to lie about it but who wants to admit to pity, right?

If you’re going to make an ass of yourself lying,

Sonic means the harshness this time and he can imagine how he would say these words, the sharp sounds he'd make, the way he’d bare his teeth. But Fleetway has sharpened too many sounds and too many teeth so Shadow is not allowed Sonic’s full frustration just yet.

Find something better to lie about.

“I’m not lying, Sonic,” Shadow insists and they’re both annoyed now. “You’re just letting Fleetway get to you-”

“Shut up,” Sonic snaps out and the words cut his throat as much as they cut Shadow’s ears. “You don’t get to say that. Not to me.”

Shadow stays quiet but his silence is in itself an apology. Sonic accepts it.

You pity me,

Sonic hates the circular motion of the word itself, or maybe this situation itself is what he hates.

Because of that demon, don’t you?

Shadow doesn’t deny it. He has the smarts to look away guiltily.

Don’t. I already had this argument with Knuckles years ago. If I have to repeat with you, you will regret it,

Sonic glares at the end of the sentence. Shadow nods.

Things may be less than… desirable but I am not someone to pity. Don’t even start.

“I won’t,” Shadow sighed.

Good,

Sonic signs before stretching, getting into a good running position.

“Again?” Shadow questions. Sonic nods sharply.

Sonic wins again. This time, it’s well deserved.

The knock in the hall resounds throughout their house. There’s a burning smell again but there’s also people laughing. Maybe it was a group effort to burn down Sonic and Tails’ home.

Sonic poked his head into the kitchen.

Amy was laughing, carefully taking away the spatula from Tails, the two girls trying to make a… crepe? It looked like either a burnt crepe or they put fruit on a burning pancake for fun.

“

They’re having fun!

”

Fleetway remarks and Sonic is surprised by how chill and nonaccusatory it is. He nods once in agreement.

“

Remember when we’d have fun like that?

”

Once his mother had to go out to work but forgot to make him lunch. He’d had all the stuff to make it so he and Fleetway had pulled the chair up to the stove. Sonic had hopped on top and Fleetway would hand him ingredients.

They forgot to turn the stove on so his mother hurried home around noon to see Sonic alone confused on why the ramen he was making wasn’t boiling.

It was… a nice memory. Both for the apology his mother gave Sonic before properly making him lunch and for the laughter that had followed two children’s attempt to boil water without heat.

The corner of Sonic’s vision started to white out and Sonic yanked himself

back into his body,

back into reality. What the hell was that?!

Fleetway wrapped around Sonic, like chains.

“

Something’s changed, Oggie,

” the yellow furred demon hissed, pleased. “

You’re weaker now. I’m getting more room to breathe!

”

Sonic shook his head violently free of the wisps of Fleetway’s whispers.

“Sonic?” Tails’ voice piped up and Sonic startled to attention. The two tailed fox was watching him, frowning. “Are you okay?”

Sonic nodded, giving her a smile. He walked up to the stove, yanking the spatula from Amy, holding it over both the younger girls’ heads, much to their dismay.

Tails finally obtained by flying up.

“We’re making crepes,” Amy said, crossing her arms with a huff. “And we were gonna make you one too but now I don’t feel like it!”

Sonic dramatically gasped, dropping to his knees, grasping Amy’s aporn like a beggar at a rich man’s robes. He turned big green eyes up to his adoptive sisters.

“Oh, fine, I guess we can make you one,” Amy sighed, shrugging. Tails giggled at her older siblings’ theatrics. “But you have to help and do exactly what we say!”

Sonic beamed, blurring into a blue blur for a second. When he came back into focus, he was wearing his own aporn and a crooked chef’s hat, mockingly saluting.

“Nope! That’s our hat! We’re the cooks here, not you!” Tails declared, pointing at the hat. Sonic took it off  and put it on Tails, bowing as if she was a queen. “Yes! I am the master chef!”

“Hey, master chef,” Amy interjected. “Your crepes are burning.”

“Huh?” Tails blinked in confusion before startling to action, hurriedly flipping the frying piece of dough. “Oh no!”

Sonic swallowed down another piece of burnt strawberry, chanting to himself that this was for Tails, don’t throw up, this is for Tails-

“Well, how is it?” Tails asked eagerly, Amy stacking the dirty dishes in the sink. “I felt really good about this one. I think it’s gonna be great.”

Through tears, Sonic nodded, giving a thumbs up. Tails looked at Sonic’s scurnched up face and sighed.

“I burnt it again, didn’t I?” Tails deadpanned. Sonic responded by spitting out the three pieces of somehow undercooked yet burnt crepe and the two pieces of smoked strawberries back onto the plate. “Dang it! There has to be an easier way to do this!”

“Be patient, maybe?” Amy suggested. Both Sonic and Tails looked at her like she was crazy. “Oh, right.”

“I’ll build something. A timer or an automatic cooker! Maybe combine the two so it flips right at the perfect time!” Tails rambled to herself, hurrying down to her lab. “Don’t move, you two! I’ll be back!”

“And she’s gone,” Amy sighed. “She’s been a lot more chipper though!”

Sonic nodded in agreement, scraping his plate into the trash and depositing his plate into the sink.

“And you,” Amy said. “You’ve been pretty upbeat too! I get her but what’s caused your attitude change?”

Fleetway had left him alone. It had been nice, quiet, even, but it was all just a bid to get control. Control that was now apparently easier to rip from Sonic. He was scared, so scared, but he’d gotten to be closer to his friends, his family, more than he’d had the chance to in years. He’d… he’d gotten used to it. To joining conversations and cooking and all the little things, all without a demon over his shoulder, trying to claw his ways into the reigns.

And it was gone now. Fleetway hadn’t done anything though… maybe trying to take control tired him out?

Sonic shrugged to Amy’s question.

Amy frowned.

“This… isn’t a phase, right? You’re actually doing better?” Amy asked. Sonic smiled and nodded. Sonic smiled and

lied

. His room down the hall called to him, a place of equally torment and relief, but Sonic couldn’t leave, not now, not yet. “Good. I’ve been… worried about you and Tails. You both can be so closed off and it’s hard to remember because when you’re here, you’re really, truly here. Do you get what I mean?”

Sonic shook his head. He didn’t.

“That’s fine,” Amy sighed. “I’m not sure what it means myself.”

Tails came running up the stairs, arms full of machine bits and half written blueprints. It was a good thing Sonic and Amy had already cleared off the table, Tails dumping her armfuls onto the table.

“Okay!” she declared, straightening up her piles into something coherent. “So, I’m thinking that if I put this here or have that there or, or, or that and that and this in this area, maybe I could make something work!”

Let’s give it a try!

Sonic signed, no clue what anything meant but happy to make his baby sister happy.

Sonic, six hours, a burnt kitchen, a scrapeheap in the trashcan, and a lifesaving haircut later, tucked the little engineer into bed. Tails slumbered on, a few snores causing Sonic’s ears to flick.

Sonic pulled her blanket up to her chin, leaving her comfy and cozy. He crept out of her room, as quiet as a mouse.

He met Amy at the entrance of his house.

“She’s asleep?” Amy asked, Sonic nodding.

Sorry about the…

Sonic motioned to her quills. Amy reached to the back of her head, where a clump of fur had to be chopped off after the Crepe-Flipper Mark. 2 had accidentally set it on fire.

“No, no, it’s fine, I’ve been meaning to get a haircut anyway,” Amy reassured, smoothing down her long pink quills. “I can just get it on the trip this Tuesday. You can distract Tails and Cream for me while I get it down.”

Sonic frowned. This Tuesday? As in this upcoming tuesday? As in tomorrow’s tomorrow?

“You’re coming with us… right?” Amy asked, folding her hands almost pleadingly.

“

Oh, you’ll dissapoint her if you say no!

”

Fleetway supplied, wrapping his arms around Sonic’s neck to whisper in his ear.

“

But you have a habit of disappointing your friends, don’t you?

”

Sonic smiled, tense and forced, and nodded. It’d be fine. He could do that. Just… have Knuckles on dial or something. Just in case. But Fleetway had behaved recently, maybe he’d behave now? Probably not but Amy was asking and she’d be so sad if he said no and he’d already agreed and he’d gotten used to saying more yes than no, so shut up!

Amy beamed, lighting up the hallway as the sun dipped down.

“I’ll see you then!” Amy said chipperly, practically skipping out the door as Sonic opened it for her. “Bye!”

Sonic closed the door.

Somewhere in between his hand on the door knob and a blink, the oncoming night had passed and Sonic was in the kitchen, a knife in his hand. The sun was rising like an orange in the sky.

One hand was splayed out, the other, the one with the knife, was held up.

“

I was bored! I wanted to play the knife game!

”

Fleetway immeditally said in his defense. The problem was Sonic had no idea of how much of his current position was a threat and how much of Fleetway’s excuse was the genuine truth. Both weren’t pretty pictures.

Sonic carefully set the knife down and stood. His body felt like he was walking through sludge.

His floor mattress was a cruel but comforting mistress, stained with blood from his fights with both Eggman and his literal inner demon.

He wanted to close his eyes, wanted to sleep, but he was… scared.

The fear was old but new at the same time. It was surprising how just a few days could make years of torment fade from mind.

It was worse now. He was usually somewhat present when Fleetway possessed him but that was the second one where he had no recollection of what he did or of the time passing. Why? Why now? He was only, what, sixteen?! Why was he suffering from this now?!

Sonic reached over and pulled his pillow over his face, screaming for a moment. His voice cracked like thin ice over a lake.

He moved his pillow off his face, grumbling.

Fleetway was hovering over his face, frowning.

“

We don’t have to do this, Oggie,

” Fleetway said.

“I’m calling an official time-out.”

Time out? What the hell was Fleetway talking about? The golden demon floated over, stealing Sonic’s pillow as he did so. He sat crosslegged on the bed and clutched the pillow tight.

It always confused Sonic, Fleetway’s ability to interact with certain objects and only those objects. The mattress didn’t sink under his weight but the pillow was squeezed like a two year old hugging a puppy.

“

I thought this was gonna be something new! Something interesting! But it’s not, it’s same push-pull we’ve been doing for like ever,”

Fleetway huffed, like his complaints made sense, like he made sense. “

I get your weirdly obsessed with this game and all its little characters or whatever but I wanna have fun too! You never let me have any fun, especially when I’m playing the Bad Guy!”

Sonic gave Fleetway a look. Oh, wow, Sonic doesn’t want to hand control of his body over to a person willing to hurt him and others for their own personal gain. What a shock.

“

It’s all part of the Game! Geez, Oggie, you take things way too personally. I don’t wanna lose but I’m getting bored!

” Fleetway insisted. “

I wanna go home, to Mommy and Daddy and Uncle Chuck. This has gone on long enough.

”

Sonic bit back an insult or a scream, he wasn’t entirely sure what. Acting like this was, what, a game? Bringing up the family either Eggman or himself had slaughtered? Asshole.

He rolled over, face into the mattress and out of Fleetway’s view.

“

Wha- hey, Oggie!”

Fleetway exclaimed. “

...you keep acting like I’m the jerk here. I just want to end the game you started and go home. Why do you keep making me feel bad about that?”

Go to hell.

“

Fine. Fine! Whatever, we can just keep going forever then, I guess!

” Fleetway hissed and Sonic bit his lip as claws dug into his arm, Fleetway’s voice terribly close to his ear. “

But know this, Oggie. I’m winning this Game.

”

“You look like shit,” Tails said as Sonic joined her for breakfast. Sonic frowned at her. “Oh, sorry.”

Sonic sat down besides her, pouring himself a bowl of two month old Lucky Chao. It had been a rough night to say the least but it was back to a worrying calm.

“I was thinking of working on some stuff in my lab, you?” Tails asked, scarfing down her food. “Yesterday gave me some ideas on another project I’m working on.”

What was Sonic gonna do today? Maybe go to Angel Island and scream into the soil. Yeah, that didn’t sound like a bad plan. Been awhile since he did that. Good exercise on the old windpipes, yup, look on the bright side.

Just go for a run, probably,

Sonic signed, punctionating with a shrug.

Ain’t got any set plans.

“Oh,” Tails hummed in reply. “You’re still coming shopping with us?”

Tails smiled up at him, unaware of the golden demon hovering behind her, mouthing her words in a mocking fashion.

Sonic nodded back and smiled as well, pushing his still full bowl aside.

“Great!” Tails said as Sonic stood and left the table, waving as he walked out. “I’ll see you at dinner!”

Sonic firmly pointed to himself, raising his eyebrows purposefully.

“Alright, alright, yeah, you’re cooking!” Tails laughed. “Bye!”

Sonic closed the door on Tails’ smiling face and took a few steps back to look at the place he had called home for, what, five years now? Maybe more?

…he wished it was a place he could feel safe in. he wished there was any place he could feel safe in.

“Sonic,” Knuckles said, his voice coming from directly above Sonic. “You better not be screaming into my dirt again!”

Sonic hadn’t been, at least not yet.

“Sonic, get up, you can’t lie here all day.”

Watch him.

“Look, Sonic, you’re gonna get dirty and scare off the wildlife,” Knuckles huffed. “If you’re gonna be here, you’re gonna help me.”

The echidna reached down and pulled Sonic up to his feet, the blue hedgehog going all jelly baby on him for a second before actually standing on his own two feet.

“Come on, the temple’s still a mess, you can help me clear out the debris,” Knuckles said, leading the hedgehog.

The island was indeed still a mess but it was also clear that Knuckles had been doing his best to fix it. Sonic didn’t feel up to anything really but Knuckles was his friend, it couldn’t hurt to lend a hand.

Knuckles squinted at the Master Emerald, wiping away some dust on it. His reflection showed in the surface, slightly distorted and green but still him. It was strange for that thought to be a comfort but a comfort nonetheless it was.

A light thud sounded out behind him and Knuckles frowned, turning back.

“Sonic, if you can’t lift something, you can just- Sonic, what the hell?!” Knuckles screeched on deaf ears because Sonic was fucking unconcious. How the hedgehog hadn’t fallen on a rock and cracked his head like a watermelon was a miracle in of itself.

Knuckles dashed down the stairs, running over to Sonic.

“Sonic, Sonic, get the hell up, what the hell?!” Knuckles shrieked, shaking Sonic. He remained unresponsive, eyes barely open and staring out into nothing. His breathing was normal and there was no external injuries to suggest this was his body finally forcing him to heal.

The only time something like this happened was… but Fleetway took control first! Sonic only passed out after his body was separated from whatever was causing the influx of Chaos energy, not before. There wasn’t even anything for Fleetway to latch onto as a power source!

Knuckles scooped up Sonic and hurried back up the stairs to the shrine with the Master Emerald. He carefully dipositied Sonic’s body against the mystic jewel, uncertain of what to do. He was always so unsure what to do. All he wanted to do was help- how the hell was Knuckles supposed to do that when there was no way to help!?

Sonic only came back to conscious two hours later, gasping as his eyes flew open. Knuckles startled from his sitting position, grabbing Sonic’s arms as he frantically reached around in blind terror.

“Sonic? What was that?” Knuckles hissed out.

“I don’t know,” Sonic panted. “I, I, I don’t know! He shouldn’t-”

His eyes darted up and past Knuckles, a typical sign of that golden bastard talking to Sonic. Sonic’s face paled and he looked away.

“What?” Knuckles demanded. “Sonic, what did he say?”

“...he realized he didn’t need the emeralds,” Sonic said in almost a whisper. “...Enerjak didn’t.”

“I- Enerjak was an outside invading force! That’s, that’s different, right?” Knuckles tried, flinching at the echidna warmonger’s name. Sonic didn’t respond. “He can’t do that to you, can he?”

“Fleetway knows my body and its workings better than anyone ever has or ever will,” Sonic said, almost resigned. “All he needs now is energy and time.”

“Then why’d you pass out? He certainly didn’t make an appearance!” Knuckles shot a glare where he assumed Fleetway was based on where Sonic was looking.

“I didn’t let him,” Sonic shrugged. “I felt him starting to take over and push me back and, well, I dragged him in with me. Guess that made me pass out or something.”

"You can do that?!" Knuckles exclaimed.

"I guess so," Sonic said, watching Knuckles stand up and start pacing in tight circles. Sonic frowned, looking guilty. "Look, I can't control any of this and I know as much as you, okay?”

“You’re not leaving my sight until we, we figure out how to stop

this

,” Knuckles declared, pointing defiantly at Sonic. “You’re not leaving this island, period! Hand me your phone, I’m telling Tails you’re staying with me until further notice!”

“...I’d told the girls I’d go shopping with them tomorrow,” Sonic said quietly, a cough cracking the middle of his sentence.

“No. No, Sonic, we just found out you could either get randomly possessed by a being that treats everything and everyone like a game or pass out in the middle of nowhere,” Knuckles shook his head violently. “I do not think I need to state exactly why this is a bad idea.”

“I promised!” Sonic protested, his emotions bleeding through the cracks in his voice. “My whole life, I’ve made and broken promises and hated every minute of it. If I can keep even one more promise before things get

worse!

”

Knuckles pursed his lips.

“Don’t talk, you’re hurting yourself,” Knuckles said softly. “Can’t you, I don’t know, say you’re sick or something?”

I promised,

Sonic signed before folding his hands in a plea.

“...Okay. maybe if you stay here right until you’re supposed to meet them,” Knuckles agreed “and I’ll call you after three, two, hours to bring you back.”

Sonic smiled and nodded. Knuckles sighed again.

Please let him be wrong about how much of a bad idea this was gonna be…

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sonic probably should have listened to Knuckles. He just really didn’t want to disappoint Tails, Amy, and Cream! The girls had been so excited!

And so had Fleetway, unfortunately. He was out of Sonic’s line of sight but he wasn’t causing too much trouble at the moment, he was sure he’d be fine. Just a few more minutes and then he’d be out of here.

At the moment, Sonic was more than happy to be the girls’ pack mule.

“I’m telling you, red would look good on you!” Amy insisted. Tails shook her head.

“No way, red is so overdone,” Tails huffed, counting off the red-themed people in their friend group. “Knuckles, Shadow, you, hell, even Sonic has some red theming!”

They look back at Sonic, the blue hedgehog motioning to his trademark red shoes while juggling the few bought bags already.

“Sonic’s more blue than red,” Amy protests. “But I get your point. What colors do you want to look for then?”

“Um… yellow and green are nice,” Tails says, shrugging.

“Oh, those would look nice on you, Tails! Amy showed me some nice overall dresses the other day!” Cream suggested, Cheese cooing in agreement.

“Oh, great idea, Cream!” Amy clapped. “C’mon, Sonic, I know where we’re headed next!”

Sonic smiled and nodded, hurrying after them. They were pretty easy to keep an eye on, Amy was like a pink flag waving out in a crowd of, while not drab, darker colors.

She hadn’t gotten a haircut yet so she’d put her quills up in a ponytail to hide the patch of burnt quills. Sonic quickly caught up to them, holding the three bags of things they’d already gotten. He glanced at a clock in a shop as they walked through the mall, noting the time. Twenty more minutes. Okay. everything was fine, he was fine-

Fleetway, unlike Sonic or even most people, did not have to worry about weaving through the crowd. He just floated through it, his body rippling like the disturbed surface of water as he was passed through. The golden demon floated just behind Amy, her words blending into nonsense in Sonic’s ears, pretending to thoughtfully consider something on her.

After a moment, Fleetway grinned, reached up, and pretend to grab Amy’s quills. Sonic felt his face pale. Fleetway’s claws crossed the skin of her exposed neck.

The sounds of bags dropping were drowned out by the sound of people but the sound of a world-famous hero collapsing in a very public place was much louder.

Amy turned to see what the whole screaming and gasping in surprise and terror thing was about. Tails joined in the minute she saw what was happening.

“Sonic!” Tails cried, running over to her brother. He’d dropped like a sack of potatoes out of nowhere, Tails running over to him.

“What happened?!” Cream asked, rushing to join her friend.

“I-I don’t know! I just don’t know, he was fine a second ago!” Tails exclaimed. Amy rushed over and easily picked up the older hedgehog. People always underestimated her strength and Sonic’s body weight. Idiot forgot to eat all the time and was built for speed, not strength, unlike Amy, who is the tiny pink version of a brick shithouse.

“Let’s head back to your house,” Amy said. “I’m… I’m sure Sonic’s just overdone it!”

Amy is not sure and Tails, who would know best of all, looks away with a dark expression.

Sonic is deposited on their couch, tucked in while Amy beats the many red (

blood, so much blood, why is one hedgehog bleeding in one room, why is his mirror shattered into a million little pieces on the floor, why are there claw markings on almost every surface, what is all of this?!

) stains out of his mattress. Cream was hurriedly taken home.

If Amy is disturbed and concerned, Tails was doubly so. Her face paled as she stepped into the room, eyes darting to every surface.

“I’ve only been in his room once,” Tails confessed to Amy as she tucked her older brother in an old quilt, his shoes tossed into the shoe closet. “When I was younger, there was a storm. I got scared and I was still getting used to a house, to separate rooms. I went into his room.”

She winced, rubbing her face. Amy felt her heart sink.

“It wasn’t…. As bad. But it still worried me,” Tails went on. “He told me it was a one-time thing, that he’d had a nightmare and had freaked out. Ever since, whenever there was a storm, he was either immediately in my room or in the living room.”

“Did you know something was wrong?” Amy pried gently.

“Of course, I knew something was wrong!” Tails snapped before flinching at her own tone. “I didn’t know how bad it was though. I thought it was… never mind.”

“Tails?” Amy asked.

“I thought he was depressed or something,” Tails said after a moment. “But this last week… he was better. Better than he was even when I met him. I thought it was a sign, a sign something was better, something was good, but… I think it was just the calm before the storm. I think his passing out might just be part of a bigger and far older problem than just sleep deprivation.”

She pulled out her Miles Electric, the surface lighting up.

“What are you doing?” Amy asked, standing up and over her.

“I’m calling Knuckles,” Tails responded. “Sonic and he have always snuck around me with this. I’m going to finally demand him tell me what’s going on.”

Oh, what a shock, what a surprise! Something had gone wrong! Oh, if only someone had warned Sonic of this! Oh, wait, Knuckles did.

And now he was facing down the combined worried wrath of both Tails Prower and Amy Rose. Great. Wonderful. Knuckles should have punched Sonic off his island and into the sea the first chance he got.

But he didn’t so now he’s here.

“I’m tired of this, Knuckles!” Tails snapped up at him. “My brother has been lying and sneaking around since the moment I’ve practically met him and you’ve been helping him almost from the moment you met him! I want answers!”

“Tails-” Knuckles tried to say.

“And we don’t want any excuses! Sonic could be hurt!” Amy added on and Knuckles could feel her piko piko hammer slamming into him. He was screwed.

He glanced past the ladies to Sonic on the couch. He looked… fine, no physical harm done. His Chaos signature was faint, like before, but still present. As soon as this passed… well, Knuckles wasn’t sure what’d he do but he knew Sonic was okay. For now.

“It’s really not my secret to tell,” Knuckles confessed. “I promised.”

Tails’ face went red and her eyes watered. Oh no.

“My brother passed out in the middle of the mall,” Tails spoke with forced calm, her voice barely shaking. “And something has clearly been wrong with him for years. He’s in danger, he’s my family, and you won’t tell me anything because he made you promise?!”

Knuckles flinched as Tails’ sentence ended in a scream.

“Look, Tails, I want to tell you, I really do but I do, Sonic might never trust me again,” Knuckles pleaded. “He might not let me help him. I can’t risk it.”

Amy’s face shifted from anger to horrified understanding, though Knuckles doubted Amy actually knew what was happening.

“Tails,” Amy said softly. “This might be something you have to talk to Sonic about-”

“No!” Tails screamed and both older teens jumped back. “No, he won’t answer me! I’ve tried asking, I’ve tried leaving him alone, but I can’t anymore! I'm scared! I'm scared

for

Sonic!"

Knuckles closed his eyes and looked away, maybe that would help him to keep his mouth shut and not betray Sonic's trust. The truth would just hurt Tails because the truth was complicated and messy and Tails would want to fix it.

Shadow was a confession brought out by the inability to cover or deny anything. Sonic had not been happy about it.

Tails was a completely separate and different case.

Tails was… it was complicated.

"I just…" Tails sniffled, rubbing her face. "I'm not sure how much longer I can do this."

"Tails…" Amy tried to comfort and Knuckles felt himself crumble, about to give in when-

Knuckles' eyes darted up and widened, pushing past the girls to get to Sonic.

"Don't you dare!" Knuckles screamed, shaking the comatose hedgehog. "That's suicide, you hear me, suicide!"

Sonic didn't respond but it didn't seem to matter. Knuckles was panicking.

“Don’t you go in there, wherever it is, I won’t be able to get you out!” Knuckles shouted down. “Sonic! Sonic, don’t you dare!”

Sonic was many things. Hero. Vessel. King. knight. Knave. Hedgehog of Legend. Trigger. Brother.

Most of these things are not ones he chooses. They were usually pushed upon him, titles and responisiblities packed in desperate pleas. Sometimes, he had no choice because no one else would.

But the one role he’d choose over and over again, plea or no plea, competition or no competition for the role, was as Tails’ brother.

Sonic knew he wasn’t the best at it. Knew he let her down a lot. Knew he let a lot of his chosen friends and family down a lot.

He felt like he was in sludge or molasses. It had never felt like that before now. Before he’d been in water, unable to breathe but able to see and move, barely, but better than he could now.

He’d been clawing his way to the surface of the muck for what felt like hours, voices becoming muffled instead of silent.

Before they’d be absolutely clear, he’d been able to see, able to hear, even capable of stopping Fleetway from a few actions.

Now… now…

Sonic had felt Fleetway pulling him back, claws on the edge of his mind. He’d grabbed back onto the demon, dragged him down with him. Sonic had been proud of himself, having averted disaster for the most part but-

"I'm not sure how much longer I can do this."

Sonic had almost been out, his fingers starting to breach the thick jello-like surface, but Tails sounded so scared, so

defeated

.

No. No, this was enough, this was more than enough. If Fleetway wanted to raise the stakes, fine. Sonic can play that game.

He hears the vaguest echoes of Knuckles' voice as Sonic sinks down but Sonic doesn't care.

He's putting a stop to this or die trying. 
 
The molasses are more than happy to take him back, the hedgehog having the sensation of falling further than ever before.

It was terrifying, frightening, falling down through the molasses and then back out of them, falling through the air.

Sonic knew this all wasn’t real, just his brain trying to make sense of what was happening to him, but it felt real, the fall, the sinking, all of it.

It also felt real when he finally hit the ground, somehow his face landing and burying itself in the earth. Sonic pushed himself up, rubbing his face as he struggled to find his footing.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a field. There were flowers as far as the eye could see, golden buttercups making Sonic feel like he was standing in a river of gold. It was beautiful but Sonic had to focus.

Fleetway was somewhere here, and it was time to boot this unwelcome guest permanently.

He started walking, trying to think about how others had cast off their own possessions. There had been a couple he'd seen.

There was Shadow with his

sperm donor

, Black Doom. The world changed around Sonic as the thought crossed his mind, a busy city street, a red sky, black alien forms dropping from the sky, and in the center of it all, one elusive hedgehog and an alien overlord.

Sonic still was unsure of a lot of what happened but he did know there was some minor mind control going around.

How had Shadow dealt with that?

Oh. yeah, he’d killed off the entire race of flesh-eating invaders and sent their comet-shaped ship far, far away.

The surroundings changed again, this time to the platform that they’d all been frozen on. It had been awful.

Sonic couldn’t remember a lot of situations where he had felt so

helpless

. Unable to move, unable to run, unable to fight, the only hope for this world being an identity-confused hedgehog who couldn’t decide whether to be good or bad. And yet…

The platform was washed in golden light and Sonic turned his head up towards the light. It was fuzzy and formless but Sonic remembered what he saw. Shadow had looked angelic, the super form looked good on him.

Sonic was almost envious of Shadow but yet so, so relieved for his presence. If something happened and Sonic couldn’t be the hero, there was someone who could. A lot of people who could but Shadow was on his level in a way not a lot of people were.

…and at the same time, so much better. Shadow had cast off Black Doom, the Black Arms, had shrugged them off without a moment of hesitance. Sonic had no idea

how

. He wouldn’t find his answers here.

The light vanished and Sonic rested in darkness for a moment.

“What are you doing, Oggie?”

Fleetway’s voice hissed out and Sonic felt a chill down his spine.

“Fixing things,”

Sonic spat back out, raising his dukes up. 
“This is going a bit far, don’t you think? Oggie, I’m your friend!” Fleetway sounded strangely… hurt? “Trying to get rid of me just because I’m not playing exactly how you want?!”He wasn’t showing himself so Sonic just lowered his fists and kept walking. He’d get rid of Fleetway. Okay. okay, who else-Blaze?An elegant city street near a crystalline sea materialized out from under his feet, the feline appearing just ahead of him. No. while she had the same, or at least, similar problem, she seemed to be in the same position he was. He wouldn’t find any solutions for her but maybe if this worked out, he could help her. Focus on helping yourself first, Sonic, you’re useless at the moment. Maybe…The city street flickered into a field but it didn’t have the flowers like before. It was familiar but familiar in a way that pained his chest.Blaze had also vanished but she’d been replaced by a complete stranger, a human girl. She looked vaguely familiar, white and orange but her crown was missing a feather.Sonic… wasn’t sure how he knew that. He shook his head and the familiar but alien landscape and person vanished, leaving Sonic in darkness once more.Sonic frowned and rubbed his head. It was weird but he thought he’d known more people who’d dealt with and solved the problem of possession. But it seems like they’d either hadn’t solved it yet, like Blaze, or it was some outside force, like Shadow and Knuckles. “I AM NOT A PROBLEM FOR YOU TO SOLVE!” Fleetway screamed and the sound echoed around Sonic like he was in a cave or something. For a moment, he’s aware of being on a couch, his couch. There’s a blanket over him. It’d be cozy if he wasn’t aware of Fleetway trying to make his body move.Sonic grabs a hold of Fleetway in a panic and they both fall back into the abyss of Sonic’s own psyche.“Then why do you keep trying to ruin my life?!” Sonic shouted back. “It’s a part of the Game! It’s what I’m supposed to do! But you’re not playing by the rules!” Fleetway argued, sounding like a whiny child. “You’re trying to actually hurt me! That’s no fair! You’re no fair!”The hedgehog was too stunned to speak. Trying to actually hurt him? No fair? No fair?! “I don’t care if I end up in a god damn coma, I am kicking you out of my brain for good and I am going to relish every second of it!” Sonic hissed and Fleetway’s shock washed over him like a wave. “Oggie-?!” Fleetway just sounded even more hurt but Sonic could not have given two shits if he tried. He wonder just how much control he really had to drive this parasite from his brain. It was shattered and sharp, Sonic knew how sharp it could be, how different would it be to be driving the knives in instead of being the one stabbed?“And stop calling me that! My name is-” Sonic screeched. “Sonic!” Knuckles’ voice came out of nowhere and Sonic froze. His mind was once more a sharp trap and he had to get Knuckles the hell out. “Sonic, I know you’re still in here! Where-”“Get OUT!” Sonic and Fleetway screamed in a single moment of unity and the red poppies of Knuckles became dust on the imaginary wind. It was the equivalent of a Chaos Blast, Knuckles slamming into the other wall of the small house. Tails flinched at the slam and the wave of energy sent through the house. “Ah- he kicked me out again!” Knuckles exclaimed. “He’s kicking you out?!” Tails exclaimed, running over. “How is he able to do that? You didn’t!”“To be fair, I wasn’t prepared for Sonic to be in my brain! I probably would have tried,” Knuckles groaned, rubbing his head. That had hurt on the inside and the outside. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get in again, even barely. It was harder than before just now!” Tails suppressed a scream. The fading light of the sun outside made her feel even hopeless. It had been hours since Sonic had randomly passed out. She’d sent Amy home after a while but had basically forced Knuckles to stay put. He was the only one with possible answers and even if he wouldn’t share them, they could help fix this. “I’m sorry, Tails,” Knuckles said and Tails knew, she knew he was being honest. “I am, I just, I wish-”“Why can’t you just tell me?” Tails choked. She had said this so many times in the hours since Knuckles arrived at their home. They were just talking in circles. Knuckles wouldn't tell Tails because he'd promised Sonic he wouldn't and was unsure how he'd be able to help if Sonic cut him because he broke his promise. She could tell Knuckles was near his breaking point though. Maybe a few more times…Knuckles didn’t reply, just looked away at some old stain on the carpet. “At least tell me this,” Tails huffed, turning back to Knuckles. “When you were in there… was he okay? Is he gonna be okay?”Knuckles looked up at Tails and glanced over at the aforementioned comatose hedgehog. The echidna mustered a smile up. “Of course he is! This is Sonic we’re talking about, that idiot doesn’t know the meaning of giving up!” Knuckles said. Tails relaxed, uncrossing her arms and nodding. “Hey. Go get some sleep, okay? Sonic will feel terrible when he comes to if he finds out you stayed up all night, worrying over nothing.”“Yeah,” Tails says absent mindedly before pointedly nodding her head. “Yeah. you’re right. You’ll keep an eye, won’t you?”“It’s what I’ve been doing practically since I’ve met you two,” Knuckles snorted.“Oh, of course, where would we be without you?” Tails rolled her eyes, heading down the hall. “Good night, Knuckles.”“Good night, Tails,” Knuckles said, taking a seat off the floor and into a more comfortable armchair. He heard a door open and close.It was fine that Tails lied, lied about going to bed, and was instead heading down to her lab, probably venting her feelings of helplessness into her inventions so she felt in control, even if it didn’t actually affect the situation at all. It was fine and Knuckles wouldn’t confront her or even stop her and make her go properly to bed. It was fine because Knuckles lied too. Earlier, when he said Sonic would be okay, when he said Sonic would wake up soon. He hadn’t seen much when he was in there but what he had seen was… not promising. It had been dark and like walking into a pit of tacks, sharp and painful. Years of grief, of anger, of a broken fledgling trust, stabbing into Knuckles for the few seconds he’d been in there before being tossed out by Fleetway and Sonic once again. Knuckles’ mind, eerily, brought up the mental image of a thorny bush of buttercups or something similar to the flower growing over chocking the life out of a small patch of forget-me-nots, only for the forget-me-nots to be on fire. It was not a reassuring mental image.But he’d promised, both Sonic and Tails, and so Knuckles would stay. Stay and watch and pray, oh, please, Chaos, they’re important to me, please.Pray.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Two boats on the water, both struggling to stay afloat as the storm wages.

The storm is in a circle of sharp rocks and the boats are doing their best to send the other careening on the deadly spikes. The boats are also tied to each other.

That’s how Fleetway would describe this sudden argument Oggie was starting up. It was not fun.

Oggie kept showing him things, terrible things, awful things, and Fleetway’s senses burned. It’d never felt like this before, being in Oggie’s mind. Oggie’s mind had been like a second home with a warm bed for Fleetway to curl up on when he didn’t feel up to the Game that day. Now he can’t even leave.

Real fights and arguments never were fun, unlike play fights and all of that. Fleetway didn’t know why Oggie was acting like this! Sure, most of this game, Oggie had acted annoyed and testy with Fleetway, yelling at him, name-calling, avoiding him, but that made sense in-game! In-game, Fleetway was a Bad Guy! In-game, Fleetway deserved all those horrible things because, well… their backstories didn’t matter.

Fleetway didn’t like thinking about how this game started. Game starts are always hard, always confusing because which bit of it was the Game, or was Fleetway and Oggie trying to get into in the groove?

Anyway, Fleetway was confused and upset. Oggie was being really mean and unfair, genuinely trying to hurt him for no reason! What, Oggie didn’t like that Fleetway didn’t like Oggie’s other characters?

The pink hedgehog was one of Fleetway’s least favorites. He just wanted to get rid of her stupidly long pink quills. She was always so loud and excitable and Oggie always added her when he and Oggie were alone. She kept butting into their conversations!

Sure, she couldn’t see or hear him but a character as annoying as her didn’t deserve to stick around!

But that just made Oggie mad and now he’s trying to stop being friends with Fleetway?! But that’s-

No. No! It’s not fair and it hurts and Fleetway hates it, hates it, hates it!

Sonic's energies were as turbulent as the sea, Fleetway and Sonic crashing against each other violently.

Knuckles wondered what it was like, this battle in Sonic's consciousness.

Was it hand to hand, like Sonic fighting Shadow or Amy?

Maybe it was more conceptual, a fire burning a forest being washed out by a sea.

Maybe it was like a really bad argument, just the two of them screaming.

Probably a mixture of both. As long as Sonic's body was fine and his Chaos energy was consistent, Knuckles… Knuckles wouldn't lose his mind.

Sonic had dragged himself down into the deepest recesses with a demon who had been tormenting him before Knuckles knew him. Fleetway would tear him to shreds if Sonic let up his assault for less than a moment.

Knuckles had seen it, a moment where Sonic's eyes had started to open with red spirals and Knuckles had had to deal with the terror of what to do before they closed yet again. He was grateful Tails hadn't been in the room for that. 
 
Knuckles' Miles Electric buzzed and the echidna jolted up. Shut up, maybe he'd been starting to doze off, shut up!

Knuckles picked the device, blearily rubbing his eyes.

Knuckles. Heard Sonic was under the weather. Gold related?

Shadow's message was to the point and precise as expected but Knuckles' mitten-handed reply was… considerably less so.

Yreqah. KEwping etye ion uit.

Was what it said before handy dandy autocorrect kicked in, oh thank Chaos.

Yeah. Keeping an eye on it.

Let me know if you require aid.

And Shadow went offline again.

Knuckles sighed and nodded. What time was it anyway? A glance at the clock just made the echidna grimace.

"Really keeping me up, huh, buddy?" Knuckles asked Sonic pointlessly. He wished Sonic would answer. He was used to silence but silence and lack of movement?

Knuckles left his chair and rested his back against Sonic's sofa. He closed his eyes, just listening to Sonic's breathing. 
 
Sonic wasn't sure how long he was doing this. Could be years, could be seconds but all Sonic knew was he was exhausted. He’d never been more tired in his life and one time, he hadn’t been able to sleep due to being in a completely separate body and a whole world in crisis for about, what was it, a week?

The point was the world around him was a shifting mirage changed by every passing thought, good and bad.

He was in a pit, he was on a boat, he was in the water itself, he was the water, the boat, the dangerous rocks surrounding the boats, the delicate flower-scented cargo, he was everything and nothing all at once and so was Fleetway at the same time, somehow, impossibly.

He must’ve triggered it when he tried to jab Fleetway with his memories and, well, it caused this.

He didn't know how to make it stop and he didn't know how to get rid of Fleetway. Sonic was hurting him, he knew that, Fleetway howled and screamed it enough for Sonic to know. It was really childish.

"You're hurting me, you're hurting me, stop! Ow, ow, ow!"

Like a child when their hair got pulled in a fight.

Sonic wasn't even sure how it was hurting

Fleetway

, he was pulling out his own worst memories-

(Flooded Station Square, shattered world, a cold cell room, a thousand moments, a thousand terrible moments, the lives he'd failed to save, the friends he'd lost, the times he himself almost died, nightmare upon nightmare-)

And Fleetway was usually quite jovial about them. It shouldn't hurt Fleetway, not really, but Sonic wasn't going to look a gift horse in the face.

In return, Fleetway had been doing his best to escape back into Sonic's body and do God knows what! It was terrifying to feel Fleetway start to withdraw and it was exhausting to keep pulling him back.

At this point, Sonic wasn't sure if he even could claw himself back into awareness, even if he wanted to.

It was… he couldn't not fight, even if it'd be so much easier to just sleep…

Would Tails be mad if he just…
 
Knuckles' eyes flew open and he shot up, shoving himself into Sonic's sleeping face.

It was a moment of deep terror before Sonic finally inhaled and Knuckles relaxed.

That was… for a moment, there… it was nothing. Just Knuckles' imagination.

Sonic was safe. People don't just- just randomly die.

But it wouldn't be randomly, would it? Either Fleetway killed him or Sonic couldn't make it back to his body. Oh god.

"Morning, Knuckles," Tails said, jumping when Knuckles jolted up. "...Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Yeah, yeah, everything is fine! Do you want me to make you some breakfast?" Knuckles asked.

"You can cook?" Tails questioned, raising one of her eyebrows in doubt.

"Of course, I can!" Knuckles argued. Oh, now it was a matter of honor!

"Then prove it!" Tails declared. Knuckles was on his feet and into the kitchen in just a minute.

Tails paused, watching him run out before turning to her brother.

She crept closer, her tails brushing up against her sleeping sibling’s form. His breathing was weak, a few seconds slower than what she was used to hearing as he stalked the halls late at night. His face was flushed and his brow furrowed, if Tails didn’t know better, she would have assumed he had simply caught a fever.

She knew better. Not much, but better.

"I don't know if you can hear me," Tails whispered and pulled out a Chaos Emerald. "But I hope this can help you."

"Tails!" Knuckles called from the kitchen.

“Coming!” Tails shouted back before turning back to her brother. “Just come back to us, Big Brother.”

She hurried away, leaving the ruby red emerald on her comatose brother’s chest. It shimmered as sunlight peeked through the blinds of the living room window, bathing the whole room in bright morning light.
 
Like a wave hitting the beach, cool energy, with distant whispers following it, washed over Sonic. Whatever the hell made up him in this mindscape place was reignited, forcing Sonic to reignite with it.

It was weird. Sonic could tell it was a Chaos Emerald but it didn’t hurt? Normally, it-

It… gave Fleetway energy. Huh. it was never Chaos hurting him. It was always Fleetway. Fleetway shoved his way into every aspect of Sonic’s mind, body, life, until it ached. How much of his life, of himself, did Fleetway really take up?

“Oggie? Oggie! Oh thank goodness, you woke up!”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

“You went really quiet and at first, I thought you’d calmed down but then you were starting to disappear! I’m so glad you’re okay!”

Sonic didn’t reply, he was busy trying to resettle himself. Fleetway was still here, unfortunately, but Sonic was here too and had just got his second wind. Fleetway’s going, one way or another.

“...are you still mad? What’s even got you in such a tizzy, Oggie? You’re just being a jerk for no reason!”

Fleetway materialized in Sonic’s mind’s eye, a polar mirror to Sonic’s own ragged appearance. Where years of fighting, both Eggman and Fleetway and a myriad of others, really, left their mark on Sonic, the only sign of growth from Fleetway was his size. He even moved like a kid, puffing his cheeks out and crossing his arms.

Pouting.

Sonic saw red.

“Oh, mad doesn’t even begin to cover it!”

Sonic shouted back, frustration at the brick wall that was talking to Fleetway.

“I’ve been mad for years! I’ve been furious, upset, hurt for, what, ten years?”

Fleetway paused, counting on his fingers before shaking his head, waving away the time like an annoying fly.

“It hasn’t been that long, Oggie! You’re overacting,”

Fleetway huffed.

“You always overreact now, you’re no fun.”

“I’m ‘no fun’ because of you!”

Sonic retorted, pointing at Fleetway.

“I have to dance around you to do anything! The only thing I can do without you getting in the way, and that’s barely as is, is fight Eggman!”

“You never fight him right! You’re always too nice to the bad guys! Something about second chances or something stupid and cheesy,”

Fleetway, somehow, rolled his eyes.

“Good guys are supposed to kick bad guys’ butt! The only bad guy you’re not nice to me and that’s not fair! I’m your real friend!”

“We are not friends,”

Sonic hissed out.

“You’re an unwelcome parasite in my head.”

That seemed to have some effect. Fleetway’s expression crumpled somewhere between confusion and hurt.

“What- Oggie, you invited me in,”

Fleetway said, almost softly.

“What?”

Sonic paused, lowering his accusing finger.

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t remember?”

Fleetway tilted his head and the world around them stopped being the deep void of the sea and was the field of buttercups yet again.

“Oggie, you let me in.”

“Sonic’s still asleep?” Amy asked, her voice slightly tinny over the Miles Electric.

“Yeah,” Tails nodded. “I’m on the couch with him right now.”

She glanced over at Sonic. She counted the seconds between breaths and frowned. It had shortened for a while back to a normal rhythm but now it was starting to spread out again. Was that a sign of decline?

The Chaos Emerald’s glow seemed to glow in time with his breathing so maybe it wasn’t. Tails couldn’t tell.

“He’s doing alright,” Tails said, turning back to Amy’s small picture in the Miles Electric. Tails wasn’t sure if she learned how to lie from Sonic or if it was just an inherent skill. When she came out, she’d been hoping to lie less. Seems like that was a dumb idea. “Knuckles is okay too.”

“Oh, I could care less how Knuckles is!” Amy huffs, crossing her arms and turning away from the screen. “But really, he’s okay?”

“He’s like a dog that’s eaten something he shouldn’t,” Tails replied. “Walking around with his head hanged low, doing random chores.”

“You haven’t gotten him to crack? You’re going soft, Tails,” Amy teased.

“I’ve tried! But Sonic must have said something seriously guilt-tripping,” Tails shrugged. Or maybe Sonic’s secret really was so serious…

She shook her head. That was a worry for an awake Sonic.

“Well, if you need any help, Tails, you know I’m just a call away,” Amy reassured. “I’m going to hang up now. Call me if you need me, Tails, seriously.”

“I will, Amy. See you,” Tails smiles until the call ends, the expression dropping like a fly or, maybe, like how her brother dropped in the middle of a mall.

Amy had sold it to anyone who asked that it was just exhaustion but Tails

knew it wasn't.

Knuckles' reaction would have been enough but Sonic just felt wrong. She couldn't put it in words but he just felt off, distant, wrong.

"You're an asshole, Sonic," Tails flopped over on top of him, making sure the Chaos Emerald stayed on him. "I'm letting Amy hit you when-"

Sonic's face scrunched up, shaking back and forth.

"Sonic?" Tails sat up. Sonic curled up on his side, like he was trying to burrow into the couch itself. Was he having a nightmare? 
 
Sonic couldn't move.

Oggie, on the other hand, was enjoying himself, running through the field, brushing his hands through the rows of buttercups.

He tripped and fell on his face and sat up, frowning.

The small hoglet then dug through the flowers, pulling an emerald out. A Chaos Emerald. Oh.

Oggie looked it over curiously before his ears pricked up, turning towards the noise.

Sonic couldn't hear anything, even the wind was mute here.

Oggie, the emerald in his little hand, hurried over to the sound.

Fleetway was small once, Sonic had forgotten. Fleetway had grown with Sonic and so it was a small formless mass of gold Oggie found crying in the field.

Oggie knelt and spoke, words Sonic didn't remember. The golden mass, Fleetway, looked up.

Oggie nodded in response to something before standing, offering his hand.

When Fleetway took it, he gained form, a small, floating, golden hoglet.

Sonic let him in. Sonic had taken the monster by the hand

and walked with him home.

"I was really scared, you know? And alone. But you showed up and I wasn't so alone. You said I could stay with you, that I'd be safe with you,"

Fleetway was behind Sonic, claws creeping up Sonic's arms.

"It really wasn't that long ago. You promised, Oggie."

"Call me Oggie again and I promise you, I'll make you regret it,"

Sonic hisses out, shoving Fleetway away. He can feel the memory of Fleetway's rages crawling up his arms, ghosting over his scars.

"What, huh? But that's your name!"

Fleetway pulled his hand close to his chest, daring to try and look the victim.

"My name is Sonic and have been for the past ten or so years,"

Sonic corrected.

"Stop being weird! It hasn't been ten years, it hasn't even been more than a day! Our games never last longer than that!"

Fleetway threw his hands up.

“You’re just- you’re just being mean for no reason!”

“You’re insane! You keep insisting we’re in the past but it has been years! Why are you so weird? Either you’re a maniacal asshole or you’re acting like a little kid!”

Sonic said.

“We are little kids! We just turned six and, I guess, six-year-olds are buttholes, judging by you!”

Fleetway shouted and the world around them started to go dark.

“And I’m getting annoyed with it!”

Sonic felt like he was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, being pulled around. Sonic clung to himself, refusing to let himself get distracted or pulled away.

What the hell was Fleetway talking about?! They weren’t kids, they weren’t even close to being six! He was being childish, insisting on this and screaming about this being a game-

…Being a game.

Oh. Oh no.

"It has to be one of our games," Fleetway said, his voice uncertain and desperate before turning to boredom. "It's gotta be. Come on, I know how to win."

Fleetway thought it was a game. Genuinely, seriously, Fleetway thinks this was all a game and no time had really passed and, oh my god, how the hell was one spirit hedgehog so deep in his own delusions to notice the passage of time?!

Well, it did make this problem somewhat easier to solve. Well, no, not really, Sonic was still pissed and wanted Fleetway out but Sonic at least understood why this all suddenly went to hell when they were kids.

“Stop it!”

Sonic screamed out and the emotion storm stopped, Sonic and Fleetway just floating in the darkness. Fleetway looked around, frantic, trying to restart the storm.

“I don’t want to talk to you, you keep hurting me!”

Fleetway said, trying to go backward away from Sonic. Sonic wasn’t sure where he was trying to go but Sonic wouldn’t let him go far, he was trying to put an end to this after all.

“Fleetway, we need to talk. I’ve just realised something pretty serious that would recontextualize the couple last years of my life,”

Sonic started. ;

"And if I don't want to?"

Fleetway retorted.

"You said it yourself; I invited you. That makes you my guest, which means you have to listen to me,"

Sonic shot right back.

"...I guess that makes sense,"

Fleetway agreed quietly.

"Though you've been a terrible host."

Fair enough. Most ‘hosts’ would have recognized and cleared this up already but better late than never.

“Fleetway, this is all real. And I don’t mean in here, that’s kinda debatable, I mean, the past ten years, yeah? It’s real,”

Sonic went on.

“This game you think this all is? It’s real. Time has passed, things have changed, for real, seriously.”

“...That’s not funny, Oggie,”

Fleetway said. There was an anxiety in how he fiddled with his hands.

"I'm not trying to be,"

Sonic agreed.

"But it's true-"

"It's not,"

Fleetway insisted, shaking his head.

"It can't be because if it was, then- then-"

The world around Sonic crumpled like shredded paper as Fleetway finally forced some distance between them.
 
Fleetway was a good boy. He was good. He knew this like he knew his name, knew Oggie, knew anything.

He followed Mom's rules, he played nice with Oggie,

he was good.

The very notion of the alternative was unbelievable.

Was unthinkable. Fleetway had to be good because.

Those feelings Oggie forced on him came back and the shape of those feelings, those memories, were familiar.

It was a

game

. A game Fleetway was bored and annoyed with, a game that Oggie kept insisting was actually reality. But it couldn't be.

Because Fleetway would never hurt Oggie. Sonic was free game, he was a character in a game, a mask Oggie wore to play pretend, not actually Oggie.

Oggie was Fleetway's best friend, he'd never hurt him! Mom made it a rule and Fleetway would follow it.

...He missed Mom. How long has it been since he saw her?

It couldn't have been

ten y

ears. Fleetway would have noticed the time passing. Right? Ten years.
 
Sonic was crying. Tails didn't know why. She hated the helplessness yesterday and today had brought with it.

He felt different though. Not good, not bad, just different. Tails just hoped it meant he would wake up soon.

Knuckles noticed it too. He looked hopeful too.

"He'll get up soon, Tails," Knuckles smiled. "Trust me."

Tails didn't trust him but, Chaos, did she hope.
 
Oggie called him a demon. Called him a parasite.

Oggie, at the moment, was a scattered stream of consciousness, struggling to keep himself coherent.

That gave Fleetway time to… reflect and come up with a totally legit reason that Oggie was dead wrong! It couldn't be ten years, Fleetway was not a parasitic monster, and Fleetway had not been consistently emotionally and physically hurting his very best friend.

That wasn't true. It couldn't be.

"We were six,"

Oggie said, cobbling himself together with practiced ease.

"We were six, remember? We were six and you told me it was a game."

"You didn't believe me. I thought it was part of the game. I wanted to believe the fire, Uncle Chuck, Eggman, everything, that it wasn't real,"

Fleetway replied. His chest ached. Why did it hurt?

"I need it not to be real."

"It was real, Fleets,"

Sonic said and his voice was almost comforting, almost soft, but the soft only made the hurt worse.

"We might not see our old family ever again."

"You weren't creating a supporting cast, you were making a new family,"

Fleetway pressed his hands to his chest. Ache, ache, that's all change is, ache, so make it stop.

"You moved on. I didn't."

Sonic didn't reply to that. He didn't need to. He had. That was an old ache while it was a fresh bruise for Fleetway. No, the fresh hurt for Sonic was…

"Was I actually hurting you?"

"Yeah. You were,"

Sonic didn't hesitate.

"You may not have meant to but you did. I don't think I'll ever forgive you for everything you did to me. You constantly took my life from me, sometimes literally."

Possession and scars were hard to forget, huh.

Fleetway's body hurt and he felt like that little burst of energy so long ago, alone and crying, like a baby.

He rubbed his face, trying to hold the tears back, but he was a monster, he had no home, no family, and he had burnt bridges he hadn't even known were there.

Pain, pain, oh, pain. Change was nothing but pain and Fleetway just- just

couldn't

.

"Hey,"

Sonic knelt in front of him, his eyes full of pity. Fleetway wished it was humor, it's a joke!, or forgiveness, it's all good.

"You'll get used to it."

The pain? No. No, Fleetway wouldn't. No. Fleetway was not made for this pain. It’s why his tattered and forgetful soul had clung to a child. Blind following the blind, except the leading blind could see eventually.

"I don't know,"

Fleetway sniffled.

“...Can I get a hug?”

“Sure,”

Sonic sighed after a moment. Fleetway threw himself at Sonic, tightly clinging to the other. His claws dug into Sonic’s back. Sonic grimaced but forced himself to relax, hugging back as much as he could muster.

The field was back and Sonic had to admit, it was actually rather calming. Would probably be better without that eye-soring yellow everywhere.

“I’m gonna go now,”

Fleetway said.

“I’m not gonna hurt anymore. I’m not gonna hurt you anymore. I’m sorry I did for so long.”

He went limp in Sonic’s arms, dissolving into nothing.

Sonic watched as the wind seemed to carry what was left of Fleetway away. He felt himself relax, his sigh of relief seeming to echo in the suddenly empty space.

Buttercups wilted around Sonic, forget-me-nots in baby blue rising to take their place.

Sonic didn’t care much. He just fell backwards into the grass and felt himself slowly wake up.

It was pretty dark outside when Sonic woke up. He yawned, stretching. He almost knocked Tails off of him doing so, but he’s an older brother. He is well trained in the art of moving from places his sister is sleeping without disturbing Tails.

Not so skilled in dancing around a sleeping Knuckles but he’s perfectly able regardless. Geez. he must’ve really worried them.

He’d wake them up after he got a glass of water.

One glass of water later, Sonic walked back into the living room.

Knuckles and Tails, both mid frantic pointing at the empty couch, turned to Sonic as he walked in.

“Sonic, you piece of absolute SHIT-” Tails screamed, hurling herself through the air at a half-awake Sonic. Thankfully, it wasn’t an attack, it was a hug! Tails used confusion! It was super effective. “YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK.”

“Are you alright?” Knuckles asked, hurrying up behind the sniffling Tails.

Sonic paused. Hm. was he? Yeah. yeah. He was.

“Yeah,” Sonic said. “I’m good.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sonic woke up in his room and stayed in bed for a moment, relishing the silence.

The absolute quiet, the slight chirps of birds just outside, the sounds of life moving, so consistently it seemed to be standing still.

Sonic felt a sleepy kind of contentedness in his chest, warming him from head to toe.

With a yawn, Sonic sat up, stretching.

His feet hit the floor, his new mattress frame creaking as he stood up.

Amy had forced him to buy it not long after seeing his room.   Sonic had never gotten around to buying one because, well, he didn’t think he wanted Fleetway to have any more ammunition against him.

But Sonic supposed he didn’t have to worry about that anymore, huh?

Sonic’s room was still a mess, after all, a room isn’t completely repaired in a month.

A month. That’s how long ago Sonic passed out in a mall and woke up in his living room.

That’s how long Fleetway’s been gone.

It… still doesn’t feel real. Fleetway was a constant presence, a constant force of chaos on his life.

For him to be just gone so suddenly and unexpectedly…

Should Sonic throw a party?

As joyous as he should feel, Sonic couldn’t help feeling like… he missed Fleetway. Well, maybe his consistency. Sonic was suddenly thrown into a life where he had to figure out who he was when he wasn’t constantly being torn apart by a demon.

Except… Fleetway hadn’t been a demon.

Sonic groaned, running a hand through his quills.

He didn’t want to think about that right now. He’d spent a lifetime thinking about Fleetway, so sue him if he didn’t want to ever think about Fleetway ever again.

Sonic glanced at his communicator, making a face at the time.

Damn it, he’d slept in. again.

Enough moping about, let’s get to work.
 
And so it was that at 6 am, did Sonic the Hedgehog wake up. It was the same daily routine as ever, you know, brush his teeth, put on his soft, actually clean, warm hoodie, make sure his shoes are on his feet and out the bedroom door.

Tails was still asleep, hopefully. If she’d gone to bed. Sonic’s 80% sure she did.

Sonic hums as he steps out into the hallway, the sound seeming infinitely loud with the quiet of the house that morning.

Sonic stepped into the kitchen, ducking under the counter.

Not a lot of stuff for breakfast… Maybe it was time to go shopping? Later.

There was enough for pancakes!

Sonic reached in and pulled out the pancake mix, the half empty bag rustling as it was yanked out.

He poured some into a bowl, stirring slowly so as to not get flour on himself.

Once that’s taken care of, it’s just a matter of turning on the stove and slowly pouring the batter onto a dented pan.

The batter sizzles as it hits the buttered up hot pan, slowly pooling into a small circle. Sonic nods at it, satisfied, and moves on to the next.

Seven pancakes. That’s four for Sonic and three for Tails.

Sonic placed them on their separate plates. Sonic remembered how Tails liked her pancakes.

A little bit of butter on top, some syrup drizzling down, and, lastly, a light dusting of crushed mint candy.

Then there was Sonic’s. He liked his whole and toppingless.

He set them down on the table, walking over and knocking on the door.

No response. Sonic opened the door, only for a loud alarm to go off.

Sonic yelped and jumped back, slamming the door shut.

The alarm turned off after a moment and Sonic backed away from the door as steps started to storm up the stairs.

Tails swung the door open with a sharp glare, a laser gun in hand.

“Sonic, it’s seven o'clock, what the hell is your problem?” she snarled, her bedhead making her look like an absolutely feral beast.

“Sorry, sis!”

Sonic chuckled sheepishly.

“I made breakfast! Pancakes!”

Tails looked past him, seeing the pancakes at the table.

“...alright,” Tails grumbled, setting down her gun on the kitchen counter. “But could you wake me up properly next time?”

“I tried to! The alarm went off when I opened the door!” Sonic explained himself. “What are you doing down there anyway?”

Tails’ eyes got a sharp spark in her eyes, gleefully sitting down at the table.

“Just a project,” Tails explained. “I want it to be a surprise.”

Sonic groaned and he went to sit down at the table across from her.

Man, he wanted to know so bad! He was so curious but, well, if Tails wanted to keep it a secret…

Tails slowly cut her pancakes into small pieces, eating her three pancakes bit by bit. Sonic picked up a pancake with his bare hands and bit into it like a hamburger.

Tails made a face as her brother tore, literally, into his breakfast.

“You’ve been in a better mood lately,”

Tails commented.  Sonic hummed at that, swallowing the last bite of his pancake down whole.

“Been sleeping in,”

Sonic signed in between his first and second pancake.

“Might be because of that!”

Tails was quiet as Sonic ravished down his second pancake, her own fork tightly gripped in her head.

“So you’re still not telling me,” Tails finally said after a moment, a growing anger in her voice. Sonic paused his eating.

“Would it make you feel better if I told you that would never happen again?”

Sonic signed, setting down his half eaten pancake.

Tails frowned thoughtfully, genuinely thinking over her response.

“No,” Tails finally admitted and Sonic drooped.

“But… it’s better, I guess. Usually you say you will try to make it not happen again. You seem… confident.”

“I am confident,”

Sonic responded with a huff.

“I’ll swear if you want.”

“Nah,”

Tails shook her head. She looked up, smiling hesitantly.

“I’ll believe you. But don’t think you can keep avoiding this forever. One of these days, we are going to talk about it!”

Sonic smiled and nodded. Well… maybe.

Sonic doesn’t want to think about Fleetway anymore. He doesn’t want Tails to know about Fleetway, about the way Sonic was a ticking time bomb for years.

How long Tails had actually been in danger this whole time, from the claws of a child playacting a villian.

Sonic didn’t…

Sonic resumed eating, ignoring the impulse to just leave his food and run.

“Any plans for today?”

Tails asked, resuming her own food.

“Just a flight,”

Sonic replied. 
 
When you aren’t racing for them, the Chaos Emeralds are a surprisingly easy item to find.

Then again, it could just be Sonic.

It was strange, picking them up didn’t bring up that supernatural sleepy feeling, didn’t make him feel like he was sinking out of his very body.

It actually almost felt… good.

But Sonic didn’t have time to dwell on that, he was collecting the Chaos Emeralds for a reason.

Well, a very silly reason but… he had to know.

The Chaos Emeralds certainly didn’t seem to mind. Everytime he was holding one but wasn’t directly looking at it, he could have sworn he heard laughter.

Which was weird, right? No one else hears that? No one else finds that weird?

Sonic found it weird. Sonic didn’t like it.

But it wasn’t Fleetway’s laughter and that was good enough to make Sonic smother his reservations. He had to know.

With the seven collected, Sonic stopped in an empty field. If he was wrong and something went… bad, the only person who’d end up hurting is Sonic himself. He can handle a lot of hurt too so…

Sonic took a deep breath, two in the palms of his hands, the other five arranged in almost a circle around him.

As he exhaled his fear, his anger, his worry… he breathed in the feeling of pure utter power.

His quills floated up and his feet lifted off the ground, Sonic felt a feeling of uncontained joy and freedom flow through him.

The Chaos Emeralds vanished, absorbed into his being, and Sonic breathed out steam.

He opened his eyes, now a crimson red, and glanced down, noting how the wildlife seemed to trying to crawl up to him.

Sonic was still here. This didn’t hurt.

Sonic let out a laugh, twirling and soaring into the air.

He’d have to keep an eye on his energy, going super could tire him out pretty quickly and he didn’t want to get stuck exhausted somewhere.

But where could he go?

The answer, as always, was anywhere but there was something different about it.

Sonic laughed again, just for the sake of laughing. It was a little too loud, a little too close to a crackle but it was his laugh, his joy, no one else’s.

Maybe fly up to see the stars? There was a meteor shower later tonight if he remembered right, Amy might appreciate some pictures right up there with them.

Sonic’s aura was a warmth and a light in the dark abyss of space, making him feel almost like he was a star himself.

Sonic squinted out into space. Wait, what was that?

From a distance, Sonic could see the barest pinpricks of light. Something was there and it was approaching, approaching rather quickly.

They did not seem friendly, as far as Sonic could tell from this distance and there was quite a lot of them.

Well, rest for the wicked, huh?

Stories. Legends. Rumors. That’s all she was relying on.

She would feel almost foolish for doing so, but what other choice did she have?

It was the last goal, the last wish of her people to defeat the Metarex. How could she ever hope to refuse, even as she felt unbearably certain they would not win, no matter if they had some legendary Chaos emerald wielding hedgehog on their side or not?

The pod was meant for escape, in the case of an emergency. It was all that remained of her original ship, now little more than space debris.

The little sapling was correct to fear failure. But the Metarex had their own designs for this mysterious flesh sack of a hero.

Best to have someone… on the inside.