Sonic clutched at his chest, but couldn't find the sensation that brought on the need in the first place. It wasn't any kind of pain, and it definitely wasn't pleasure. Even though it felt like it was somewhere near his chest, it was hard to place, almost like it was away from him at the same time…

"What did you do to me?" he demanded to know, glaring across the dim room at Eggman. He was urgent to get rid of the weird feeling and he was sure he had just shown it. After an instant of eye contact, however, Sonic realized Eggman's face held no amusement for his confusion.

"I was going to ask you the same."

"What? I… I didn't do anything. I mean, I did, but I didn't think…"

His breath got stuck in his throat as the feeling spiked. He saw Eggman startle at the same time. They were looking at each other through a foggy glow that looked like evaporated blood.

This was a feeling that did not exist. It couldn't be explained, even in his own mind without words. The mind had no neurons, no signals, no ability to transmit or create what they were going through. It didn't hurt – it didn't anything, that he could place – it was just dreadfully surreal.

When there was a brief lapse, he couldn't remember what it felt like. It was beyond comprehension, on some other realm of possibility which wasn't the one that the physical and chemical realities of life existed on… nor thought, nor senses, and everything that entailed…

Next came something he could only associate with sound, though it wasn't quite that either. Somehow he knew that only he and Eggman were aware of it. It was akin to screeching, ripping… like a sheet of hot, spun steel being pushed apart from the inside. He 'felt' it – but again was detached from it, like it wasn't a part of this world.

Was this a dream? But this non-feeling couldn't be, even in the most nonsensical of dreams… and he knew this was real. Anyone, anywhere could self-evaluate and make themselves aware of their own realism. Could know that right now was not a dream and they were not asleep. Sonic had this knowledge for himself presently… and that made him all the more confused.

He could only stare across the room blankly, transfixed by the ethereal nothing and everything.

Then, just before his entire being was corrupted forever, he realized what was happening.

RED MIRROR

Disclaimer: All Sonic characters (c) Sega and Sonic Team.

WARNING: story contains possible frightening or disturbing scenes. Need to know more? Shoot me a PM. I don't bite, but I guess my stories can. ;) Was told last time around that some of my content actually does need warnings so I went back and stuck one on SR and now I'm sticking one here too. Nothing too sustained; it just has its moments.

More things to say at the end! Just didn't wanna clutter up the intro. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Loose Ends

Sonic's legs dangled freely over a precipice that gave way to a stunning expanse of mountains. His toes were slightly curled against the insides of his shoes, just in case. If one slipped off, he'd never get it back. It was a long, rocky way down. The field of ragged blue-gray was dappled with random patches of trees and grass that accented the view.

For all its undeniable grandeur, it was still a modest and curious place to him. The kind of place he spent many a day at, exploring the heights and crevices and absorbing the beauty the world had to offer. At that particular moment, though, the blue blur was distracted from the sight, eyes focused on something much smaller: the backs of his hands. Scars there stung from the chilly weather. The mountains reached up into high winds, and the air was cool with the approach of winter.

They were scars he had from being trapped in Eggman's prison several weeks before. Eggman's latest scheme had been to capture thousands of people and find a way to use negative Chaos energy to make them his minions. Because Eggman had known Sonic was able to use Chaos energy, he had used the hedgehog as a guinea pig in his experiments.

Sonic didn't happen to be the most cooperative of guinea pigs and that had produced lasting consequences for both of them – some yet unknown – but ultimately, Eggman's ambitions had been stopped before they could take effect.

The hedgehog's scars were small and thin now, just barely raised compared to the rest of his skin. They had healed, but tended to be a little sensitive. As the weeks had passed, they had shrunken considerably, disappearing almost completely under the glove and sock cuffs, to Sonic's partial joy.

At first he had wanted them to go away, not really appreciating the prospect of permanent marks tainting his otherwise spic-and-span appearance. As they stubbornly remained there and the world kept on turning, he had become indifferent about it, and eventually a little proud of what they meant – and what he had made it through. Why not be? It was worth feeling a little awesome about, surely? They had won, after all.

He had the occasional nightmare still, and usually woke up thinking he was still trapped. But once awake, he often forgot the details of it and it posed little intrusion on his life, as far as he could tell. He didn't give it enough thought to see otherwise.

Idly running the fingers of one hand over the bumpy tissue on the other, Sonic gazed back out over the mountains and saw their jaggedness and imperfection in a slightly new light – though his opinion of them was still no less than perfect. He smiled, got up, and ran toward whatever would catch his attention next.

He couldn't be gone too long, he knew. Tails worried about him easily now. But at the same time, the young fox had found it in himself to respect Sonic's need to get away now and then. Neither of them took advantage of the other's needs, the two brothers being extra careful while the effects of their still-recent ordeal wore off.

Eventually he located a winding path lower in the mountains, and took it to the bottom where it ultimately slanted in toward the cliff. The cliff itself had a narrow crevice in one area; a natural tunnel that led to a cave full of crystalline structures. It was a dark but gorgeous area.

Some time before, Tails had hidden the Master Emerald there to protect it from Eggman while its guardian had been trapped in the prison tower along with Sonic. After being freed, the blue blur fought the doctor for the powerful gem, and won marginally.

Now, Tails often spent time at the cave as a sanctuary. The fox appreciated that it was a secluded, unknown area much like his home in the Mystic Ruins had been before. These days, the media wanted to spend as much time there as he did, thanks to their recent adventure. It was nice to have a different place to go while that phase blew over.

Sonic appreciated it too. What had happened in the Meka Tower wasn't exactly something he – or anyone else he knew – wanted to be interviewed about, and besides that, the cave was kinda nice when you weren't there to get beaten to a pulp.

As he jogged through the tunnel, he took out his Chaos Emerald to light the way. Knuckles had told him to keep it so that they would start with the advantage when Eggman recovered from his defeat. Its vivid light threw his shadow on one of the side walls.

He reached the end of the path and typed the code into Tails's password door. It emitted a groan and opened.

"Tails," he greeted with a casual salute, holding up the gem in his other hand so he could see better. "Ya need some more lights in here, bud. I don't have a stock of these things."

"Not like that one's gonna run out, though, is it?" The fox snickered and did something Sonic couldn't see. Then the cave flashed and flickered its way to brightness. "Let there be light!" the kit said proudly, gesturing to a series of lights he had installed in one area. That light in turn reflected off the glistening gems coating the cave – Rouge's heaven, Sonic idly noted – and made the whole place glow. There was what looked like a makeshift bedroom where Tails was, and small devices lying about that the kid had been occupying himself with. "I just wanted to wait and see if you'd say something like that first."

Sonic laughed. "I'm not going to bother asking how you managed to pull that off."

"Really? It wasn't that big of a deal. Since there are mountains here, higher than anything that would cast a shadow over them, it was the perfect place to utilize solar power. The lights only turn off when it's night or if it's very cloudy. I just had to hook something up at the top of this cliff that would transmit the…"

"Tails." Sonic held out a hand. "I see. Don't worry about explaining!" He paused, then laughed in spite of himself as he looked around at the new lights. "Heh. I see. Get it?"

Tails smiled a bit and sighed.

"Anyway! I was wondering, what do you think about checking out the Egg Carrier 2 like we mentioned before? Just to make sure ol' Egghead isn't planning on using it again anytime soon, you know, since we kinda left it in commission. And maybe you can even find some resources for yourself in there!"

"I'd rather wait on that."

Sonic tossed the Chaos Emerald in one hand. "But he's weak right now. He'll be on it again before we know it, which is why it's probably better to go sooner. Even if we're not as prepared as usual… he'll be even less prepared. Unless we wait."

Tails's mouth twisted as he considered this. Finally, his ears fell and he looked back up at his brother. "I wish I could argue, but I can't. You're right."

"Why you say that? Tails, I think you're thinking about it too much, bud. The way things went before, we'll just have to find a way to keep it from flying, and that'll be that. We're gonna have to do it eventually." He shrugged, then frowned when Tails didn't respond. "I mean, aren't you a little excited?"

"I am… or, you know, I'm trying to be. I guess, honestly, I guess I'm still a little scared."

"What're you scared of, buddy?"

"Same as before. Our last adventure was never supposed to be a big deal either, but it became one, because we so happened to go looking for Chaos Emeralds that day and you wound up captured. A chance occurrence that made things so much harder than they had to be." The fox met Sonic's eyes stubbornly, feeling convinced of his own point. "So many of my friends getting trapped needlessly, some of Eggman's prisoners not making it alive, and… everything that happened…" Tails looked away, timid again. "I just… I sometimes don't know how to keep up with how crazy he's gotten."

Sonic had a hand on his hip, looking at his friend with a peculiar expression. Eggman had gotten crazy – it was no secret anymore that something was terribly wrong with the scientist. Even more wrong than he already was. But still… "Are you saying you don't wanna do this?" Sonic asked, voice full of gentleness and curiosity rather than accusation. "Like… ever?"

"No, Sonic, that's not what I'm saying." Tails brightened slightly, letting the hedgehog knew he meant it. "Because it's like you told me before. It's okay to be scared sometimes, and sometimes that's all the more reason to fight. And that it doesn't have to stop you. You remember saying that?"

"Yeah," Sonic said, lighting up too. "I remember."

"That's kind of how I feel. Just like you did then. Scared, but ready. I'm worried, but I don't want to give up. I just… I just needed to tell you is all."

"Well, I'm glad ya told me, then!" Sonic gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder. "You can tell me anything, m'kay? And hey, I'll be here the whole time. We won't leave each other's side this time. I know it's a little scary, but we can be scared together, okay? And everything'll be fine by the end of the day."

Tails swallowed, eyes sparkling. He wasn't used to hearing such things from his older brother; a guy who had tried to hide all fear and negativity once upon a time. But in a way, Tails saw Sonic as being even stronger for not hiding it quite as much now. For admitting fear to others and himself, and confronting it anyway. When Tails was young he hadn't known how to be brave, and because of Sonic's example, he hadn't realized that being brave didn't mean not being scared. Eventually, he had learned for himself. But it was nice, as the child he still was, to have his big brother confirm it for him now. "Yeah, Sonic."

"It'll work out! Always does. We've already won, bud. We're just gonna win again before he can even get started!"

"That's a good way to think of it. I just hope nothing goes wrong."

Sonic met Tails's eyes, red light from the Chaos Emerald making his own eyes burn like fire. "I'm what's going wrong," he murmured with a grin, "for Eggman."

Tails approached him and crossed his arms. "You mean, we're what's going wrong."

"Now that's what I like to hear!"

They both started when a noise came from the tunnel. Sonic whirred around, one hand lifting slightly from his side in case he had to protect Tails. The fox came in close to him. "What was that?"

"I dunno," Sonic said in a hushed tone. "Something going wrong, you suppose?"

"Very funny..."

"Come on." Sonic held out the Emerald, that way if someone was there, they would know he was aware of their presence. "Who's there? Come on now, we won't touch ya if you don't touch us."

"Sonic! That is you. Thank Chaos."

Sonic and Tails both relaxed as someone just as red as the Chaos Emerald emerged from the crevice. Knuckles stopped before them, looking content at this discovery, but also residing in his indigo eyes was a degree of tension. He was, after all, away from the Master Emerald.

"I wasn't sure what to expect. I got the idea of where you were by using the Master Emerald to pinpoint the signal you were giving off, but wasn't sure if you still had it or if it had been taken." Knuckles inclined his head at the gem. "Don't you forget that you can be tracked."

"And don't you forget that the Master Emerald can be stolen," the hedgehog shot back with a smirk. Despite that, he stowed the emerald away in his quills as if that would stow away its telltale signal as well. "What're you doing here?"

Knuckles sighed. "The Chaotix had some news for you, but they didn't know where to find you so they came to me. They… informed me of someone recently reported missing in Station Square. Someone who wasn't missing once everyone was freed from Meka Tower. And I think we know her."

1-1-1

Eggman stepped off the scale and watched the digital number fall back to zero. After a moment of consideration, he whirred around and carried himself tiredly back down the hallway of the Egg Carrier 2, making his way to the control room.

"Have I been eating healthier…?"

"Absolutely not," came a mechanical yet not monotone voice from nearby. Eggman lurched, then caught sight of one of his H-series androids as it finished its teleportation into the room. It was a form of Chaos Control that he had built the series with.

"I didn't think so. Who invited you in here, anyway, robot?"

"My name is Davis, not robot."

"Since when?"

The android flickered its bright blue eyes. "One of the prisoners' names that I encountered was Davis. I liked that the humans have names and adopted one for myself. It seems most suitable to me, since you have designated me your assistant, that I have a name."

With the loss of his prisoners and Chaos Emeralds, and the rapid decline of his health, Doctor Eggman had found it in his own best interests to have one android exclusively for his own service. He was weak and unprotected. Should Sonic or G.U.N. take a shot at him, he would need an android that was certain to be around. Or worse, should his health fail, he would – to his dismay – need a helping hand to make his way to a hospital.

In the meantime, he was becoming more tired by the day to even do everyday activities. He had managed to put forth some effort into his next plan… but that was mostly because he had to. Not only was it his only scheme at the moment, but it was his only possibility to return to full health.

The fact that he would likely have a huge shot at Sonic in the process was just a fortunate byproduct.

But for that to have any success, Eggman had to keep himself protected and able somehow. As such, he had reprogrammed 'Davis' with all the abilities that his most recent series of robots collectively had, including teleportation, hovering, a new shield, and of course housecleaning equipment. For good measure he taught it how to cook as well.

"It so happens, Davis, that I am not in the mood for company."

"Apparently not, since you let thousands of potential comrades free last month."

The doctor grumbled under his breath. "That was all Sonic's fault! You think I wanted my prisoners to escape?" He paused. "Not that it matters at this point. This…" He took hold of the excess of his loose outfit and shook it, "is becoming a much bigger battle."

"Becoming a healthy weight?"

"No, you imbecile!" Eggman roared. "I am not trying to lose this weight!"

"I realize that," Davis said, snarky joy in his tone. When Eggman glowered at him, he took a step back and emitted a noise like he was clearing his throat. "Apparently you finally do too. It is the Chaos energy that is doing this to you – you must distance yourself from it. You are sick. Even then it might be too late."

"You are powered by Chaos energy! This whole fortress is powered by Chaos energy… everything I have is powered by Chaos energy! Even though I no longer have Chaos Emeralds, the Drives I used to store energy before – for Meka Tower – are still everywhere, powering everything. What will become of my projects, my work – myself without it?"

"I think the better question is what will become of you with it. That is the problem, Doctor. Your continuous living in the presence of Chaos energy – negative Chaos energy, mind you – is saturating you. You are not built to tolerate so much exposure."

"Why can Knuckles, then?"

"You know very well from when you programmed 'Imposter' that Knuckles's ancestors lived near the shrine of the Master Emerald for thousands of years. It's in the guardian's blood. Why do you think your imitation Knuckles life-form did not react so well to being force-fed so much energy? It wasn't in his blood. And likewise, it is not in yours. You are, subtly, doing the same thing to yourself that you did to Imposter – and that you tried to do to Sonic. You are overloading on Chaos energy. Do you want to end up mutilated, no longer in possession of your body or thoughts, like Imposter was? You are killing yourself!"

Eggman did not interrupt, but was pulling down impatiently on one side of his shortened mustache. "I don't know what else I'm supposed to do! Have you any bright ideas?"

"You've captured the healer," Davis said. He was referring to Amber, a young woman Eggman had trapped in the prison before, not far from where Sonic had been. Amber, though not experienced, could use Chaos power too and had a knack for tapping into its healing energy. Knuckles, Sonic, and many others who could use Chaos energy also had the potential to heal, but out of them, Amber was the easiest target. And indeed, the doctor had taken hold of her. "Now you just need a source of energy for her to heal you with."

"Who's to say she even will?"

"That's a battle for a different day, Doctor. Why the lack of confidence?"

"Don't you see the irony in this situation, Davis?" Eggman took in a deliberate breath and slowly let it out. "The girl's ability to heal is a Chaos ability, just like Chaos Control or Chaos Spear. It is Chaos energy itself that has damaged me so, as you've so continuously reminded me!"

"Chaos energy has neutralized Chaos energy in the past. It is not unreasonable to think it could do so again. It's likely that the reason for your ill health and weakness is not Chaos energy itself – it is the fact that it is negative Chaos energy. Think about that word, Master. Negative. That is not the kind of energy you want to associate with your very life force. I am sure it can be countered. It is just a matter of doing it the right way."

"Perhaps you're right," the scientist said. "After all, the only times I have been away from Chaos energy were when I was on my way to collect distant Chaos Emeralds… and when Sonic removed me from this fortress to prevent me from posing a further threat to him and his cronies. Do you find it ironic, Davis, that these times are also when I most questioned my forceful actions over the last few months?"

"Not in the slightest. Being away from the energy leaves you with clear thinking in those moments. But now… this energy has changed you, Doctor Eggman. We have had this discussion before… but it seems your memory of such sane moments like these, winds up being swallowed in the darkness that consumes you. If you want to function, if you want to live, Master, you must listen to me. Though I am a robot, I can see much more clearly right now than you can. It is your intelligence, untainted by energy, that runs through me."

The sick doctor righted his sunglasses, perfectly concealing eyes that were blood-red with the depth of the twisted energy – eyes that used to be blue. Slowly, he nodded his agreement. "Then tell me what I should do."

1-1-1

"Amber's missing?" Tails looked at Knuckles, concerned. "But where could she be? She was with us just a few weeks ago."

Because of the influx of Chaos energy about the tower due to Eggman's plans, and the resulting discovery that Amber could use that energy to heal, Amber – with Knuckles's assistance – had helped the sick or injured after the tower had been freed. She wasn't perfect at it by any means, but a lot of people's lives were saved because they had been healed enough to hold out for medical help.

That was the last time any of them had seen her, and presumably, she was safe and had gone home after that. However safe she was then, it didn't seem that was the case anymore.

Knuckles shrugged. "I can't imagine where she could have gone. Espio didn't seem to have any idea, either, when I talked to him. Would think he'd know more since he was in the tower with you guys for so long. Sonic, what about you?"

The blue blur shook his head, arms crossed. "None of us really knew that much about her, come to think of it. She was so quiet for the longest time. But I have a feeling she wouldn't just disappear on purpose."

"Why not?" the guardian asked. "Sounds like she's reclusive enough."

Sonic shrugged a little defensively. "Just a hunch."

"Oh please. Don't tell me you're thinking Eggman's up to something again already."

Tails stepped in between them and glared at Knuckles. "Don't you say that! Don't you dare." Golden-yellow ears folded down against the side of his head. "We've made that mistake too many times. We need to always be on guard, to prevent another Meka Tower from happening!"

Taken aback, Knuckles glanced over at Sonic to gauge his response. The hedgehog merely shrugged. "He's right."

The guardian flicked a hand. "Then what do you two propose we do?"

"If Eggman has her," Tails said, "we have to find out why, and get her out. But he knows we'd come help her. And Sonic… no matter what you think you reconciled before, that madman still hates you." He gulped. "A lot. So we need to be careful. We're standing here talking about how we need to be on guard and not let him get that far again. He's probably thinking the same about us. Not only has he caused more harm to us, but we caused more harm to him too, and he probably wants to make sure he's got a path cleared for his ambitions."

Sonic and Knuckles looked at each other solemnly. The latter flicked his gaze toward the glow emitting from Sonic's Chaos Emerald for a brief moment. "Maybe you're right, kid, but that doesn't solve the problem. We can't just go storming in there like we always do."

"Sounds like a better alternative to getting trapped in there, don't ya think?" Sonic asked.

Tails interrupted them again. "Where's 'there,' anyway?"

"I dunno. I imagine the Egg Carrier 2. Where else would he be?"

"On it!"

Sonic blinked. "Wh-what?"

"The radar didn't stop working, you know." Tails smiled up at him. "And you still got a Chaos Emerald that I can power it with! We should be able to explore the inside of the Egg Carrier 2 virtually. Maybe even find if Amber's in there or not. Eggman may be trying to get a step ahead like we are, but he doesn't even know we have this. We'll be able to see exactly what moves we need to make, before we make them!"

"Always knew you were a smart one, kiddo." Sonic grinned and ruffled the fox's bangs. "Knux? You in, bud?"

The guardian glanced toward the tunnel, as if to check on a Master Emerald he couldn't see. "I'm already here. I suppose it can't hurt to take a look with you guys. After all, I need to be in the know about what that madman is up to from now on."

Knuckles had come to the realization just weeks ago that guarding the Master Emerald was about a lot more than merely guarding the Master Emerald. It wasn't just about keeping it well-protected; it was just as much about keeping the world protected from its potential – potential that had become all the more deadly in their last battle. Essentially, his duty was a smaller but significant part of the bigger picture Sonic always fought for: keeping people safe and free.

As if Sonic was reading his mind, he asked, "What about the Master Emerald?"

"I would like to lock it away in this very place again," the echidna answered. "Maybe your password door isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing. It's been repaired since Eggman got through before, hasn't it?"

"Yes," Tails said instantly. "It's much more fortified now."

"All right. If it can be kept safe here, I see no reason why I shouldn't stick around to help."

"Then it's settled!" Sonic said. "We're all together, we got a place for your pet rock – I don't see why we shouldn't take care of the ol' doc's fort today!"

Knuckles grinned a little. "For once, hedgehog, I'm on the same page as you… except for the pet rock thing. The sooner we take care of this, the better the chances are that the Master Emerald will remain safe. Not to mention… us."

There was a certain degree of truth to that somber statement that had never quite hit so heavily before. Eggman had changed. He had proven just how much of an impact he could have on anyone who dared to deflect his goals, and none of them wanted him to get that chance again.

"I'll feel better with you coming along, Knuckles," Tails admitted quietly. "I like when you join us. Maybe, since we have this little area to put the Master Emerald, you could continue to help us out whenever trouble comes around? I mean, not all the time, but just…"

"I hear you, I hear you." Knuckles said. "I can't make any promises, but that's not to say it's impossible. After all, the main idea of me guarding the Master Emerald is to protect people. Protect people from those who would use its power wrongly, like Eggman. So, if there's something I can do to further protect people while the Master Emerald lies safe here, I don't see why that shouldn't be part of my duty as well."

Sonic rolled his eyes. "Duty, schmuty. I mean, come on, Knux. Wouldn't you wanna help out anyway? We always have a good time, don't we?"

Though it was left unspoken, the answer 'Not always' seemed to linger in the air as if it had been. They all knew it, but the other two followed Sonic's lead in focusing on the good instead of the bad. They had to.

"Not to mention, it's good to help people!" Tails added. "Not because you have to, but because you want to! Right?"

"That's right, bud."

"Well then, let's stop talking about it and actually do something, shall we?" Knuckles gestured to the tunnel. Sonic nodded and they started on their way.

"Sounds good to me. Knuckles, you take the Master Emerald here, and then meet us at Tails's place. We should have the radar going smooth by the time ya get there, and then we can figure out just what we need to do."

When they came out the other end of the tunnel a few minutes later, venturing through the forest and the overcast white of the day, none of them knew they were taking the first steps toward a very different kind of battle… one that was not broad and encompassing, but narrow, intimate, and personal.

1-1-1

Right then, here we are! Figured I'd save the rambling for after, so, here we go: Red Mirror takes place a few weeks or so after Survivor's Resolve. (It's not quite a sequel, however; it much shorter than SR.) That being said, knowing that story will naturally help provide a deeper context for this one, but this one can be read as a standalone all the same, because most things that wouldn't make sense are briefly explained. And too, most of them were right here in this chapter – so if you got this far, you'll probably be fine for the rest of it.

Just in case, though… what came before: Eggman trapped a bunch of people in a tower base (Sonic and Knuckles included), planning to bend them to his will with Chaos energy, but Sonic and co. managed to free the tower before that could happen. Eggman did succeed at his goal with one minion though; an echidna life-form widely called Imposter, which he created the same way his grandfather created Shadow. This didn't work out so well and Imposter went rampant on Chaos energy, so the others had to stop him.

Folks who read Survivor's Resolve will know that there was a hell of a lot more to it than that, but that's the simple version. :) Any unfamiliar names you happen across in this story are just people (or chao) that were trapped in the tower in SR, whom Sonic befriended. Most of them will be minor characters in this story, with the main focus being on Sonic, Eggman, Tails, and Knuckles.

I haven't posted in several months now, but it's great to be back to doing that. Kinda like ending a long vacation, you know? The vacation is a welcome break but then at the end you're happy to be going home again. :)

As I said, this story is smaller, but more intense for it. Once the plot gets going, it keeps going, and forgoes the slow parts. And lots of character development, as I always try to do. I think it's gonna be pretty cool. Feel free to add to your alerts for notifications of further chapters. And let me know what you think if you want to, yeah? Hope you guys like it. :)

Until next time!