Max didn't feel as keenly as he would have expected for his loss. Alicia, dead two weeks now, the funeral at the end of the first…it was different, yes, but it was not as crippling as he thought it should be. When you lost a spouse you were lost, crippled. It would have done him no good, but it was disconcerting nonetheless that he didn't feel that way. He missed her, yes, he was upset, yes, but not in the way he felt was right. Peculiar.

He stood at a window in his quarters, looking out over the city and reconstruction of the walls. A glass of wine was held in one hand and his clothes, an immaculate suit, struck an imposing, noble figure in the fading light. Another blasted meeting today, this one to decide, along with the new commander, a salamander by the name of Hartley, where the remaining forces would be stationed until the current ones were finished being weeded for traitors.

That was another problem: Antoine's resignation. When he finally kicked the bucket the king had been hoping it would be his right to appoint a new general, but Antoine had beaten him to the post. Provided the general left in an honourable discharge – and it was, he had chosen to do so – he was granted his choice of general. As long as his successor was also in the force, he could pick literally anyone to take command and this Hartley character seemed far too much like Antoine for the king's liking. He was a strong commander – he had the skill at command that his predecessor had, and he was so damn stubborn…there was nothing Max could do to change him. He was stuck until he either got himself killed or chose a successor. Preferably the latter; he wanted at least one general of his choice before he hit the tombstones himself.

Succession, procession, that brought up all sorts of irritating problems. Both Sally and Elias had managed to survive the conflict, to his chagrin – Sally was too stubborn to die and Elias was on holiday – so that left him with a problem. He needed a ruler, someone who would stand up for his ideals, maintain the kingdom the way he would have wanted it. Neither of his current heirs would do that, he was sure.

"Your majesty?" he shifted slightly at the sound of the voice.

"Yes?" he replied, without turning.

"What's the problem, then?" Tails tapped his foot in irritation as he stared at the Nicole hologram in Knothole's primary lab. "You know the deal; you tell me or I find out myself."

The hologram scratched the back of her head nervously, a sign Tails didn't associate with the Knothole AI. She was normally so in control of things…something had her riled…she was hiding something. The thought hit him. He snapped his fingers in front of her, trying to catch her attention again. "Come on Nicole, I'm not waiting all day. I've got a shitload of other stuff to get off my back, so sort this out for me now."

What the hell was she hiding?

"I-uh-"

"Oh come on, spit it out. This isn't like you; you don't seem to usually need me to be so blunt, but since this seems to be an exception, I'll come out and say it – what are you hiding from me?"

"Morning everyone- Oh, you two. Don't let me interrupt." Rotor finished in a defensive tone as he plodded into the lab and dropped a mound of paperwork onto his empty desk.

"Something up?" Tails asked calmly.

Rotor glared at him. "I think you know quite well what's up."

"Excuse me, I only just-"

"Got back? Yea, I know that part. You also got my messages, and you haven't figured it out from that?"

"You're not-"

"Bloody Christ Tails, you're the whole reason for it!"

"Alright, stop cutting me off! Fuck sake, I get your messages shouting at me for roaming around the network making changes…I haven't touched the fucking thing!"

"And you expect me to believe that? I was the one who watched here ruthlessly slaughter those targets, she told me you had made the changes to 'defend Knothole through any means necessary'! She…" his rant faded, and his expression fixed into one of perplexity. "Nicole," he tried again, "how about you tell us exactly what Tails did, hmm?"
Nicole's manner changed, it became calmer, strangely serene. "I see you have me over a barrel; not a hard manoeuvre, not in this case, but nonetheless…I made those modifications."

The two organics shared a glance. One said, She shouldn't be able to do this, the other conveyed Since when?

"Oh come on! Don't tell me you didn't think I was capable of it!" she threw holographic arms in the air, "My whole purpose is all about controlling a city, and you thought I wouldn't be smart enough to make a few personality modifications?"

"We- I just don't see the point in it. It's out of line." Rotor grumbled at her outburst.

"I'm tryiiinng," Nicole replied with emphasis, "To keep this city safe. If that means going out of my way to kill faster than they kill us, sorry for trying."

"I can see this is a waste of time." Tails held up one hand to silence any continuation Rotor was about to begin, "just let me dig around the core for ten minutes or so; I'll get this sorted." He finished with a shrug, picking up a handful of screwdrivers and moving from the room. Nicole's face flickered in concern briefly then followed him, the AI hologram picking up speed to catch up.

"Wait! Wh-what are you doing?" she asked as she caught up, waving her hands to try and get his attention.

"What does it look like?" his head titled to bring her into his vision, but he kept walking, "I'm fixing this. You're making changes where you shouldn't be – digging into filled graves – you're out of line. I'm putting you back in. This was going behind our backs Nicole…don't get me wrong, I'm fond of you, but I will disconnect you if you do this again."

It was like facing oblivion. Tails knew full well how to shut her down, and worse, he most definitely would if he needed to.

"You can't! The city doesn't run properly without me!" she snapped, tracking after him.

"I believe I can. While it would be such a waste to disconnect you and stick you back in an isolated unit, a standard AI construct could fulfil your role of running the city, and your legions would be transferred to piloted drones. I keep you alive because you're a friend to me, and that can very rapidly change."

"Tails!" She interposed herself between him and the doorway at the end of the hall. "I'm trying to protect people! That's all!"

"Then why did you go under my radar? If that was all it was, to 'protect people', then you could have asked. You could have talked to me about it, making these changes before something like this. Perhaps it was part of your motive, maybe not. Tell me why you so desperately needed to hide this if that is all you wanted?"

"I- I don't know…isn't this what you organics do, hide things for reasons you cannot explain?" Tails paused. He did…his past, his feelings…but they had reasons. His past, to keep him secure, his feelings, to always appear in control."

"No…that's not true. We always have a reason, no matter how obscure." He gave Nicole the benefit of a pause herself, to see if she did have her reason.

"I guess…then…" she began slowly, tentatively, "I guess I hoped you would trust me enough." She looked back up at him from staring at her feet, and saw him in contemplation, his gaze down and brow furrowed.

"Trust…" he finally said after a long moment of awkward silence, "Is something I find lacking in this world. It cannot be measured, nor can it be guaranteed. I can see your choice…I will give you this chance now, Nicole. I hold little trust in anything, so do not do this again. You know the fate." He pushed past her, his mood grim now he had found her reason. Trust…like that ever got anyone anywhere these days.

He did want to be king, just not the benighted, emotionless shell his father was. Running the kingdom at the expense of those closest to you…it wasn't the way to do it. He knew politics, despite his father's insistence to the contrary.

"Dear, you have to talk to him." He looked up from the newspaper as his wife came in.

"Megan…I don't know how! I know what I want to say but never how to say it! He's my father, so it's not like I can just walk in and start shouting at him!" he tried to keep the note of desperation out of his voice but to no avail, though he doubted he could have concealed it from her.

"Why not?"

"He's my father!"

"And you're his eldest. It's not as if he can stop you from ruling, unless he specifically appoints your dear sister, and it's not as if you two don't get on. Come on, Elias, dear, you don't need to worry." She reached over the hardwood table and took her husband's hand in a supporting gesture.

"Don't I?" he sounded tired. "He's been trying for years to find another heir, and no-one can walk in and start accusing the ruling monarch."

"But he isn't, not to you, dear. He's your father, not everything you do has to have political consequences. I know you're worried, and we've all got a lot going on, but you really don't have anything to worry about." The sound of her voice was reassuring, at least, and the words put him at ease – somewhat.

After a few moments Elias allowed a weak smile onto his face. "You make it sound so simple…it just feels like you- like I'm missing something." He released her hand and pushed back from the table, folding the newspaper and leaving it on the table as he instead took up the cooling cup of tea, sipping from it as his brow furrowed in thought. "Since when do you know so much when it comes to politics?" he finally asked, looking back down at his wife with a wry smirk.

She sighed slowly, relaxing in the seat. "A king and his son aren't exactly politics, dear, and even then, I wouldn't do you much good if I couldn't give you somehelp every now and then." She stood herself, drifting over to him and folding her arms around his waist, sneaking up under his arm. He reciprocated the gesture and they stood in each other's embrace for a long moment until their daughter ran into the room, clinging to one of her toys. She saw what her parents were doing and squealed in girlish delight, running over and wrapping her arms around their legs best she could. Classic family hug.

Elias broke off as his pocket vibrated, and he released the other two so he could take out his phone.

Sally calling, thank god. At least she would be pressuring him like most of the others. He answered and held it up to his ear.

"Sister? How is everything?"

"You mean apart from the obvious?" He heard her choke back a watery sob. "I just…we didn't talk much at the funeral, and I was hoping we could get together, catch up or something…"

"I- of course! We haven't seen each other in months! When would you like?"

"Are you busy?"

"No-"

"Then why not today? We're still at the palace…" She longed for interaction – she needed someone.

"Maybe you should come here-" Elias cut across his sister's explanations, "I'm not really ready to have another shouting match with dad. My throat's still hoarse from the last one."

"Y-yea, I'll be right there. Can Sonic come?"

"Sure. Is there anyone else I should know about?"

"No…the others went back to Knothole. We all lost someone in that war, Elias. We lost our mum; they lost their brother-in-arms. Retis died to save others." Despondent again.

"Damn. Come over, we can talk things out, relax a bit now this turmoil has resolved."

Sally smiled, though her brother could not see it. He was always polite if he could be – caring, but not polite to the point of detachment. "Thanks Elias, I'm glad you still like to see me."

"What?" came his reply down the phone, "Are you joking? When I stop caring about you, that will be the day I am no longer fit for the throne. Come on over, we'll enjoy each other's company and catch up on time sorely missed."

"Thanks. See you in a few, then. Bye Elias, love you bro."

"See ya, sis, love you too." He had unconsciously mirrored her gesture, and it elicited a single giggle from the princess as she closed the phone, having gotten him to momentarily drop that loveable formality with which he greeted everything. "Sonic?" she said over her shoulder, "we're going to see my brother."

"Ant, hun, ya didn't have to throw ya job away foh me." Bunnie cooed in his ear.

"Ah wanted to, Ma Cheri; eeht would not be very generous of moi if I got myself killed in tze wars, no?"

"Mah dear, always thinkin' of others, s'why I wanted to be with ya in the first place. Ah left ya in the first place 'cause ah wanted ya to be happy, but Sal talked me back in ta comin' back."

Absent-mindedly he patted the side of her head as the two sat in one of the few undamaged parts of the Mobotropolis wall, looking out over the jungle. Antoine sat on the rim of the firing lane, relaxed and calm after the turmoil, while Bunnie half-sat, half-lay under his right arm. She too felt much more at ease, but her mind was still assailed by decisions, whether or not Antoine would truly be happy with her.

"Eeht was not ze most sound decision you have ever made." He agreed, a smirk slowly crossing his features.

"And why not?" she snapped, irritated by intrigued.

"I could never remain happy without you." The words rocked Bunnie, and she shook, visibly shook, double-checking what Antoine had said as the retired veteran slid off the back of the firing-step, searching himself for something. Finally, he produced a small ivory box, and determined to do this by tradition, dropped to one knee and flipped the lid open, exposing the small treasure within. For a moment Bunnie, as she sat up and turned, didn't quite grasp what was going on. Antoine eventually had to explain before she caught on.

"Bunnie, eeht would d-do this veteran a-a great honour if you would m-marry me." He stuttered, unsure of himself, having spent this long gaining courage enough to even propose. Even then, it seemed to take a few seconds to sink in before she went through the age-old process of collapsing slightly. Her robotic legs seized up to prevent this unwanted stagger, and she remained on her feet instead of tipping to the ground, so the swoon wasn't as dramatic as you would have expected, but nonetheless, it happened.

"Ah- wha…?" she was speechless.

"Eeht is the only way to make sure you do not run from me again. I could not bear tze pain of losing you a second time." He said it jokingly, but there was a serious note to it. "Bunnie, I love you, please, do not do this to me again."

"There ain't no-one else?"

"Why would there be?" he couldn't understand it. Did she not want to marry him?

"I ain't exactly perfect, and with this damn mutation…" she held up her robotic hand in front of her face, spinning it on the wrist joint, the plates rippling as weapons ran through weapon checks. "No chance for a family, ah don't see why you would…"

Antoine interrupted before she could criticise herself further. "Eeht is of no moment, we cannot choose who tze love of our life is, and I cannot love another. And do not worry about tze children, we will work something out, I swear. But…I still await and answer." He titled his head to the floor in a respectful, solemn gesture, waiting for a reply. He was trembling in his clothes, his life hanging in the balance.

"Yes! Alright! If ya want to throw ya life away on me then I must be mad not to say yes!" it came out almost as a shout, not girlish but reserved, confused still…so self-depreciative.

Still, she had accepted, and that was a step in the right direction.

"We heard what had happened on the way in…saw the damage too. It wasn't very appealing to go speak to dad when we got back, so we rented one of the nicer hotels to wait things out a bit." Elias explained as Megan handed out drinks of various kinds to the family members. "I gather we made the right choice, going away from home."
"Got that right." Sonic replied sourly, staring into his beer. "But it won't happen again, Tails made sure of that."

"Oh, yes. I gathered that he had a big hand in ending the war, but I couldn't find anyone who knew enough to give me the details."

"Ending it? He fucking ran it!" Sonic momentarily forgot there was a child in the room, and Megan's hands went to Alexis' ears before the blue hedgehog recovered. "Oh, sorry, gah, not used to being around kinds anymore. Nah, listen, Tails held us all together, kept things going, hell, he always stayed on top of things, no matter what."

"We always knew that kid was capable of so much more than he let on." Megan interjected.

"Oh, big, big understatement. He is no way a kid any more, I can tell you that for sure. He's more dangerous than the rest of the team put together, and he knows it all too well."

"He doesn't let anything get in his way anymore." Sally piped up, her voice still subdued as she fought to control her emotions. "If you argue with him even on the most trivial details, he wins because he's too damn smart for anyone else to come up with something convincing enough to overcome him. I'm really worried that he's going to reach that point where he can't go any further, and he isn't going to know how to ask for help."

"I didn't think he had any limits to speak of. He supplies the military with all their weaponry, armour and ordnance, he's fixed most of the cities through that head of his…he's lonely though." Elias realised, suddenly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Sister, look at him. He's so insular, introspective, he hasn't got anyone there for him."

"He has Amy, doesn't he?" Sonic replied, a half-hearted attempt to defend Tails.

"Does that look at all like they're getting along?" Elias countered.

"Well, they haven't had a single argument yet…"

"They haven't had an anything yet! They do barely anything together – they only seem to be getting along thanks to the complete lack of interaction. Come on Sonic, you should know these things a bit by now."

"How would I know what Tails is doing with his life?"

"Something's wrong, come on Fiona, we can tell."

"Something's wrong with all of us, in case you hadn't noticed."

"Yea, sure, but with you it's beyond Retis. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, for fuck's sake!" Fiona threw her arms in the air, glaring at Telera. The tigress' expression did not change, but she continued to sign.

"Don't lie, and don't yell. I can speak over it, and it just makes you look childish."

"Just leave me alone!"

"Whatever it is, silence won't make it go away."

"Just leave me alone!" Fiona snapped, jumping from the seat and storming from the room. The moment she left she regretted it, but she couldn't apologise. It would be too embarrassing – and why did Telera have to pry into her business?

She just…

Why?

She couldn't make sense of things…why was she feeling like this? Ever since she met Tails it was always this way…why did he have to be so kind, and naïve at the same time? She needed to find Tails, talk to him, work out what the hell was going on, but he seemed to be going to lengths to hide himself.

Fiona made her way to her room, and threw herself onto the bed in a mix of self-pity and unhappiness. She lay there, shaking, trying to ride out the tide of emotion sweeping her down, until she slowly fell asleep, too tired to keep herself awake. Too much to think about, tired and hungry.

Why did she feel this way?

How did she even feel?

Ever since she joined the team…

Something about him…

Something was always in the way.

Some task he had to perform.

Some life to save.

He had wanted her to come back, hadn't he?

He had told her so in the forest.

Maybe he didn't know.

Could he be so smart, yet so oblivious?

She…

Could she?

It was possible.

She would have to ask him.