"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Sonic asked nervously.

"Sure, it's going to work just fine. Trust me." Tails confidently answered, tightening the last screw finishing his newest invention.

But this invention is different from anything the two-tailed genius every came up with. Based on the latest of his scientifical break through's he was able to design a prototype for a next-generation engine for his prizewinning plane. This new engine is not based on Chaos energy any more, but generates energy by resolving matter. It's way more effective allowing him to fly at least twice as fast while still doubling the distance. Chaos Emeralds have some significant downsides, like heating up the plane too much. Thanks to this the hedgehog and Tails almost lost their last battle against Dr. Eggman and sadly for our protagonists the evil scientist figured out why our heroes where having a rough time fighting him. This caused him to build his newest base right next to the hottest place on Mobius.. right in the center of the last active volcanos forming a defensive ring for the madman's plan.

Sonic walked up to Tails who was standing at his workbench. Next to the small square the young kitsune was working on, a Chaos Emerald was lying arround unsecured. It would not have been a problem for Dr. Eggman to just enter the room, grab the Emerald when both are away and leave in time. But something else was disturbing Sonic far more than that, but he has no idea what it is exactly.

"Still, dissolving matter.. Are you sure you are not going too far with this? I mean, just thing about it! What happens if Dr. Eggman gets hold of your research finding?" Sonic said holding Tails arm gently.

Tails took a deep breath searching for the right words to reassure his big brother that everything is going to be all right, that there is nothing to worry about. But the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt himself! He was messing with nature and back some weeks ago nobody was able to predict the outcome of his research nor would they have imagined how drastically the results will change the urge of the kitsune to create a more powerful engine. Most of his friends weren't even happy about him using the Chaos Emeralds as a power source, because they are unpredictable as they say. Slight changes in the way you use their energy.. and boom!

"I know, but don't worry. This is not going to happen. I- I am sure." Tails said trying to steady his facial expression closing his eyes slowly.

Sonic was very good in acting calm, but this time it was a hard task - even for him. Especially now that he noticed what disturbed him all the time. With the finding of this new power source Tails changed a lot. Not only he became more tidy, but he never was acting that confident before. That is, because he isn't sure whether he is doing the right thing or not, Sonic assumed and interpreted the sudden tidiness of his little brother as a way to make sure that there is nothing banal getting in his way. Summed up: Tails was scared.

"I know. You are making a great job, like always..." Sonic calmly told Tails while hugging him tightly.

This was exactly the comfort Tails needed now. He needed assurance that his big brother is supporting him and returned the hug, but he wasn't expecting the next.

".. but don't you think you should consult your pillow once more before you test it?" Sonic asked, slowly breaking the hug.

Tails opened his eyes in shock. "So you don't believe in me, too?" he answered tearing up slowing, getting back to work again.

There wasn't much to do now anyway. Tails walked up to his plane with the square in his hands. The last things to do were to put the small module in the engine *click* and prepare the runway for his test flight.

"T- Tails, please! Of course I believe in you and you know that!" Sonic shouted at his little brother, what he realised was a bad idea. Now Tails wasn't just scared, but frightened of his big brother, too.

"He- hey, I am sorry. I am just scared of your safety little buddy. You never made an experiment that created such an enormous amount of energy at once." Sonic said with his head lowered, slowly approaching Tails again.

"N- no, you are right, I didn't because it could have been dangerous." the kitsune quickly put his hand before his snout, but the already finished speaking. Too bad. He was making a step back, foolishly believing it would help anyhow.

"See, you aren't even sure yourself. You don't want to risk other people's lives, but your own? What do you think of yourself? Do you think you are worthless, that the others are more worth than you are?" the blue hedgehog stated wanting to argue with his little brother.

There was a long silence. Nobody dared to say a word or even move an inch. The only thing that could be heard was the faint sound of the plane getting to operating temperature.

"No, they are not worth more than I am, but they are simple more people. Do you think it's best for us all to risk the lives of a whole city than just mine?" Tails replied, thinking he won the argument with this.

"You are wrong. The best for all of us would be nobody risking his life." With that Sonic actually finished the argument, seeing this would end nowhere and suggesting: "If you want to test your engine so badly now, please let me at least follow you on the ground, OK buddy? In case something unexpected happens, I'll be there to help you."

He wasn't sure how to react. Tails could simply tell Sonic that he does not need his help, but deep inside, he wanted his idol to be there for him so badly.

"Fine.. Then so be it. I'll fly and you will follow me on the ground. We can contact each other using the wrist communicator, just in case." Tails said with entering his cockpit.

"All systems online and working at 100%. You are free to use the runway." the artificial voice of Tails' workshop stated, giving him permission to start.

With that the uneasy feeling kitsune was in the air shortly after, leaving an uneasy feeling hedgehog behind. Both were scared. They weren't sure what happens next. Nobody dared to use the communicator. Not now. Sonic was frozen on the stop. Everything seemed to work fine for now, but the plane wasn't at full speed, yet. He detached from his trance and headed after the silver-colored plane high in the sky.

"Sonic, do you hear me? I am at full speed now, all system are fine. Everything is working perfectly, even better than I expected."

There was no need to listen carefully to realize how relieved Tails actually was. With his newfound hope he even tried out some tricks meaning he flew the weirdest patterns, as he usually did when he was training his piloting skills. Sonic was happy as well. There was no reason for any of them to think that something bad could happen now anymore.

"Awesome job Tails!" Sonic gladly answered.

Only seconds later the unexpected happened. The plane's engine caught.. fire? How is that even possible without a liquid fuel?

"Tails, your engine is on fire!"

"Wh- What? Oh no! There is far too much energy than the plane can use! But why? Where is all this matter from? I- I know what to do. Don't worry Sonic. I'll just fly near Eggman's base and fire some laser beams to get rid of the excessive energy."

The idea itself wasn't that bad, so Sonic agreed and both headed to the base of Eggman. Now it was Sonic who is scared. More precisely he was scared like hell. Under no circumstances he is to lose his little brother, but there was nothing for him left to do now than to believe in Tails.

In the meantime Tails realised something he should have had realized weeks ago. Using matter as a power source is not a good idea, because everything, everything that exists on Mobius is based on matter. The engine, the plane, the complete environment, he, Sonic... simply everything.

"No, NO! This was not supposed to happen!" Tails screamed realizing how foolish he was.

"What is it, buddy? Everything all right? May i help you somehow?"

"No, please Sonic, just leave! Leave as fast as you can, before it is too late."

"Wha- Why? What's going on?" Sonic was shocked. What has gone wrong so badly?

"Using matter as a power source is not a good idea, because everything is based on matter. I did not thing of this while designing the module. I have no idea what is going to happen next, but I know that you have to leave now."

"I am not going to leave you behind!"

Tails wasn't able to steer the plane anymore. Something got resolved that was essential. And now, he was on crash course with Dr. Eggman's base.

"Tails! You lost the wings.." Sonic stopped at the stop. He was shocked. Fighting Eggman always was a risk, as well as all those researches Tails continuously did, but seeing his brother so helpless was more painful than anything. Eggman could have killed Sonic at the spot. Getting rid of his life could not be more painful than what he was to see now. Without the wings there was no way to initialize the eject sequence and Sonic knew that. There was no way to save his little brother any more.

Tails meanwhile prepared for the inevitable. He was going to die. Just a couple of seconds to impact.

"I- I should have had listened to you in the first place, Sonic. I am sorry. I am very sorry, but I think this was the way it had to end, now wasn't it?"

The radio was silent. Sonic didn't know what to answer. Tails already gave up on life and he, he was unable to do something. He broke the promise. He broke the promise he made to his little brother years ago.
The promise to save him no matter what.

"Tails.."

"It's ok... T- There is nothing more we can do. Don't feel bad. You did your best in trying to convince me not to fly, Sonic. And I- I will never forget you. Goodbye, my big bro-"

For the kitsune, everything turned black immediately. The plane crashed into the base almost making no sound. Was it because of the plane being away so far by now or because of something else?

Those were the last words of Tails. They were so calm, so calm as if he wanted to comfort Sonic. Sonic didn't know what to do next, he was helpless. He fell on his knees and started crying.

The flames of the crashed plane where enormous, not actually fitting to the faint noise that could be heard before.