Hopelessness tried to overwhelm the hedgehog sparing him from this tragic sight, but he resisted. He needed to.. he had to look at the spot on the side of Dr. Eggman's base all the time. The whole base was of an elegant shining steel, except the spot Tails' plane crashed into. It was sooted. But soot can only be produced if there is carbon somewhere arround. Inside of the plane there was no source of carbon, still. Thanks to the ingenious engine design there was no need for chemical fuels making carbon nothing but ballast. Oh right! There actually was a source of carbon - it was the pilot... a two-tailed fox called Tails. But Sonic wasn't what you would call a genius. In fact he had no idea what soot actually was, so he kept believing that Tails is all right.

It was getting dark. Sonic was looking at the same spot for hours now. Still, waiting every second for a life-sign of the kitsune. He by now knew it was irrational, but he kept believing. After all, belief and feelings of guilt were all he got left. The blue one felt guilty, because he guessed there was something he could have had done to save his little buddy. But what? After all, thanks to the location of the base there was no way for him to get there without becoming ash himself. The two of them explored the area around the new base about a week ago and there was absolutely no way to get in by foot. This thought made him tear up again. He decided to head home along a river - a route he never knew before - thinking about all the good times he had with Tails. It is unbelievable that the kitsune was no longer among the living. The latter had many important roles in society. Not only he was the a leading scientist and helped out GUN with new designs of weapons, planes, robots and many more, but he also did all one could do to stop distinction of people who are not like everyone else, get called names just because of their outer appearance - such as himself - or because of some mentally or physical sickness.

On his way home he came across the workshop, where the tragic event started to take its course. The lights were still switched on, because they both expected to be back there soon. Sonic sighed and went up the stairs to get to the wooden front door. As he came in, he felt like somebody pulled the rug from under him. First, he realised that the Chaos Emerald was missing now and actually this was not that much of a surprise, because they both just left it where it lied the time they left the workshop - obviously unlocked. Probably Dr. Eggman really got hold of it now. On the other hand it could be Rouge, too. She always had a thing for jewelry. Still, she wouldn't rub a good friend while he is not home - at least.

But the second thing was that he finally realised that this all was his fault. He actually had the chance to save his little brother! And he knew it from the very beginning, but never admitted it. He kept the thought as far away from him as possible. Chaos Control. Feeling guilty was a pain he had enough of for the day. Still, the simple answer was Chaos Control. Using the Chaos Emerald the blue hero could have had saved Tails in time. If he had taken the Chaos Emerald with him, he could have had teleported him to Tails and both of them away from the crash. Sonic fell on his knees again, punching his fist against the cold metallic surface. He was completely devastated now.

Not a single clear thought came across his mind now, so he chose random objects in the room and threw them against the surface or the wall. Invention after invention stepped up for its way back to the components. Sonic raged through the house until he came across a framed picture of Tails and himself. It was taken just days ago at the last national holiday they both were able to spend together. Actually Tails wanted to work on his doom bringing invention, but Sonic could convince him to have some fun. Thinking back to it, the day was gorgeous and fun was an understatement. Sonic showed Tails one of the places he uses to hang out that Tails didn't know by now. In the background of the picture you could see completely untouched nature with a small lake and a Chao swimming in it. Places like these are rare, still the most beautiful you will ever encounter.

By now the hedgehog was able to think clearly for a short time. He was empty. A look at the surface filled with waste of his little brothers inventions and he was feeling nothing. Nothing at all. But this comforting emptiness was replaced with pure hatred, as soon he heard a dark, familiar voice through the speakers of the workshop.

"Hello Sonic. I might have something you'd like to get back."