Another day of speeding around, destroying scout bots and checking up on his friends… Sonic's life, at the time, was very dull. His nemesis hadn't attacked in months. At first he'd been worried that the doctor had been planning something big, but after the 5 month mark, everybody calmed down. Yes, there were still some scout bots around and the occasional boss-bot, but nothing serious. The old location of Eggman's base had been abandoned, everything there left, as if everything moving and not automated had disappeared without a trace. It'd been 7 months without Eggman now, a chilly day on Mobius. Everybody lived in peace as life continued to move forward. Tails worked on new inventions, Knuckles resumed guarding his shrine (though extra security had been set up by Tails so he'd not have to stay there 24/7), and Shadow had resumed his secretive work as a G.U.N agent. Everybody else had just gone back to their usual lives, without a care in the world. But something nagged at Sonic. At first it was remorse, a feeling of sympathy for his lost nemesis. He may have not wanted him to take over the world and kill his friends by turning them into robots, but part of the blue hedgehog wanted him to at least turn over a new leaf.

But then it turned to hatred. The majority of him absolutely despised the doctor, wanted him to be gone for good and never return. He even went as far one time as to try and kill him. Thanks to Tails that never happened. His brother figure always kept him from doing stupid things ever since he met him when he was a kid. Even with Sonic being a legal adult, his little brother always kept him from doing dumb things. He was a rarity, and Sonic nearly lost him a few times in the past. Those times were what brought them together.

Suddenly, knocking ripped Sonic from his thoughts. His room was messy and his quills were in every possible direction. He smoothed out his sharp hairs and rushed over to the door after getting out of bed. He opened the door with a twist of the knob and there stood his little brother, a bright smile on his face. It took a few tired moments for Sonic to realize it was Tails, and nervously chuckled with a tired smile on his face.

"Eh, Tails, you sure do look happy for somebody who's usually telling me 'Five more minutes!' every morning before a run." Sonic said, a smug look on his muzzle. Tails suddenly frowned with a light blush on his face.

"Do not, Sonic!" He suddenly shook his head, sighing, and returning to his former smile. He'll always have that childish denial about him! Sonic thinks as Tails begins speaking.

"So, I spoke with the police." Tails said excitedly, his sky blue eyes shimmering. Sonic frowned down at Tails with disapproval.

"Tails, how many times do I hafta' tell you? I don't want you getting involved with… Eggman's disappearance.. Okay?" Sonic scolded, exasperated that Tails would disobey him once again. I know he's got a right to have a sense of curiosity but… I just don't want him disappearing too. Sonic thought sadly as Tails looked at him pleadingly.

"But Sonic.. They have a lead! They found some strange encrypted messages on his system and they want me to decrypt them!" Said the small fox. His brother shakes his head.

"No. Besides, can't they do it instead? They've got the tech!" The tall hedgehog declared. Tails simply shook his head.

"Sadly, they don't. I'm the only one around that's got enough info on Eggman's security to decrypt it..." Tails said, coughing at the end awkwardly. Sonic stared at him with disbelief before groaning, a hand to his face.

"Tails, I'm sorry but I've gotta say no… You'll just have to tell them to find somebody else." Sonic said, knowing this would hurt his brother's pride. Tails sighed, and turned to walk away.

"Fine." The little fox said coldly. Sonic felt a pang in his chest, and was about to call out for Tails as he walked away, but stopped himself.

May as well get ready for the day… Sonic thought before closing his door.

"Man, this place sure is dark.." Tails whispered to himself as he sneaked about the base, his tool belt quietly jingling as he crouched under some fallen metal poles. Screened flickered and old robotic parts sparked as he entered the main laboratories. He quietly walked around some limp robot arms with needles, and slid into the main server banks of the labs. Within were servers, of course, and a large desk with old dusty papers and a large office chair. Every server was off and non-functional. As Tails walked over to a server, he plugged in a silver device and downloaded all of the data off of Eggman's lab banks. It took a moment, but soon Tails had the information. Suddenly, the base comms. turned on and a robotic voice sounded. This spooked Tails to his very core, and he looked around wildly. The voice simply says this;

"Leave, little one. You are not welcome here."

Everything after that was a blur. The labs came to life as emergency self-destruct was turned on. Tails ran for his very life, dodging hostile lab bots that, despite his efforts, attacked and injured him as he spun his tails to escape the crumbling base. He had just barely made it as the base in it entirety crumbled into dust. Tails simply laid there, just beyond where the base once was, shaking madly as his injuries throbbed with pain.

"Oh… god…" He whimpers as he stands to his feet, azure eyes wide with shock.

He couldn't tell Sonic about this… He'd be so pissed if he knew what Tails had just risked for the government's police force. He instead thought of a lie, and walked home, albeit slowly, to not hurt himself any more than he already did inside of that base.