Once, There Was Dark

by Nova the hedgehog

When Sonic failed to prevent destruction to a city, the hero's status as well as life begins to plunder. Later, he meets a strange entity that he seems he can't be rid of. All the while maintaining his friends, and now finding missing emeralds, Sonic isn't sure how long he could last. Then again... Who could you believe in, now that you discovered a different side of yourself?

3. No Needed Apology

"Sonic."

"Huh?" The blue hedgehog said, opening his eyes. Trying to look around him, but he couldn't see anything. Like if he was abandoned in a dark room, or as if his eyes were still closed. Blinking them just to be sure it was not the latter.

"Who's there?" He asked.

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"Sonic? Sonic, wake up."

"huh?..." The hedgehog responded, squinting due to the sudden existence of light. He moved his arm up as a reflex to shield his eyes from the rays, but imeddieatly stopped as something was connected to it, or restraining him rather, another hand.

"Watch it." The voice stated, one the hedgehog recognized effortlessly, bringing himself to calm down naturally. "Whatever happened to you back there, didn't really leave a positive mark on your physical self. So slow it." Tails said, as he then placed Sonic's hand gently back down.

The hedgehog sat up, in careful attempt. His head was cool, and was a bit moist, noting now a cloth at the side of him. Tails was patting his head with it before hand. He felt tired, but it was more of an exhaustion type of tired, not having much strength either this moment.

"Tails..." He asked, then paused, putting a hand on his head. He had sat up too fast, as his head started to throb and feel dizzy again similar to back at the park. "What, just happened? Where are we-"

Sonic then peered around the room. His mind and vision clearing back up, slowly gaining back his energy. The bed was white with light-teal sheets draping him, there was a small tv in the corner of the ceiling, the room was painted a light mint color with a patterned border at the top, a matching ceiling curtain with large silver hooks holding them up on a metal track system, now noting a computer positioned in the corner of the room. Also, everything smelled extra clean.

He then groaned, slightly agitated, or more or less a little angry. Plopping himself back on the bed laying down, placing the back of his hand across his closed eyes, unintentionally dramatic-like. "Oh no..."

The fox held his hands up. "We didn't have a choice! You weren't responding at all, let alone hardly even breathing. You was as lifeless as a sack of sand. Sonic, what else could we have done?!"

"Well first." He started, lifting his index finger up. "You could decide NOT to take me into the hospital."

"Second," He continued, rubbing his nose. Interrupting Tails from throwing in his rational response as he began to sit up. "I am anything else, than a sack of sand."

The fox huffed, turning around as he grabbed his handheld device, which was resting on the seat he first got up from. Messing around with it, anything at all programmed in it, as he mumbled under his breath.

Sonic flicked his ear up, looking at his brother. "What did you say?"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" Tails yelled, turning forcefully back around towards Sonic. "You're joking around when already A FEW TIMES you could've been seriously hurt! Or worse! And you're saying to not bring you to the hospital anymore after all the crazy stunts YOU do!? What if you could've went into a coma or something!?"

Tails finished, retreating to massage his temples, bringing himself to stability. Choosing to sit down in the cushioned chair next to the bed, placing his head down on the armrest against his tensed palm.

The blue hedgehog continued staring at the fox, giving a small chuckle.

"Tails, why would I go in a coma?" He said, with a faint smirk. "You know I can't slow down for things like that."

"I don't know." The yellow fox replied, looking back up at him, then glanced away from his reassuring face. "But- oh, I don't know. Everything you do always leads to something. I just hope it never leads.. To..."

Sonic stopped, letting that heavy thought sink in.

...

Suddenly the moist cloth that was on the bed was flung through the air, slapping right into Tails' face. The fox imeddieatly pierced upward on his feet, ripping the cloth off his steaming head, angered.

"We don't have time to think about stuff like that." Sonic spokened, looking at him eye to eye. "Now why think of the ways of death when you have an important life to live right now?"

Though he was still a little angry, a small smile began to form on Tails, now holding the wet cotton rag in his hands.

The hedgehog then got off the bed, taking off straps and a tube that was running into his arm.

Tails' cyan eyes widened as he watched him in shock. "Sonic, what are you doing!?"

"Death can take its toll when it's my time. For now, I'm gonna run my life." He said, fixing the bed up and folded the sheets. Then zoomed out of the room in a blur. The wind of his speed following moments after behind him, which moved the stretching curtains of the room.

Tails ran to the door, resting a hand on the white painted frame. As other doctors and patients in the hallway looked up in surprise to find sudden wind. "We have to check you out of the hospital first!" He shouted.

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"That took forever! I thought I was going to fall asleep on the floor!" Sonic nearly shouted, throwing his white-gloved hands up in the air. The two walking down the streets of Downtown Green Hill.

The fox gave a laugh. "Well, what do you expect? Every time you do something crazy, there's always paper work... Ugh, I hate it. I remember when we didn't have to worry about that but stopping the bad guys."

The hedgehog laughed in returned, thinking to himself. "Agree. But- Wait! What happened to Lily!" Sonic exclaimed, completely forgotten about the little show he put on in the park. He's just worry that he scared her half to death. Searching around as if the child and her family were not far off from their current location.

"Her parents took her home, telling her that you were just exhausted from your last battle." Tails answered, taking a step up next to his friend.

Sonic groaned, lifting his head back, facing towards the blue sky with a drooping posture. "Ugh. Well that's nice to know..."

"Cheer up Sonic, at least you made her day. Turns out she sees you like an idol."

"And her idol just fainted right in front of her. That's terrible Tails! And speaking of which, did the doctors ever say what caused me to do that?"

Tails scratched his head, continuing to walk down the sidewalk. "Well, to be honest with you Sonic. The doctors themselves didn't know exactly what was wrong with you. In fact when they examined you, they said you were like as if you was perfectly fine!"

Sonic's ears picked up, looking at the yellow fox in surprise.

"But they did find that your brain waves were a little more, how should I put it so you can understand.. More stressed out, in a way. So that's more likely why."

The hedgehog folded his arms, gazing to the side. "But I wasn't stressed out. In fact, I was good as ever before it happened! How could I-"

"Remember, you were all messed up the other day because-"

"Don't. Mention. That." Sonic quickly gritted out of anger. Giving his friend a very stern glare as he halted in sturdy place.

The fox looked up in shock, realizing he stroke a nerve, then turned his gaze down to the ground. Avoiding the hedgehog's fierce emerald irises.

Sonic's eyes grew larger, surprised himself that he even gave the fox that tone. "I'm sorry buddy. I guess I'm still a little ticked off. Tell you what, let's go for a ride."

Tails looked up, still a bit sadden. "A ride? On my plane? But the workshop is way back in-"

"No silly, I mean with me!" Sonic exclaimed with a smile. Lifting his brother up without a warning and put him on his back. Tails looked at the hedgehog, can't help himself but smile too.

"But Sonic-"

"To late!" The hedgehog shouted, taking off in full speed down the streets with a huge gaping smirk. All that you can see now was a blue blur trailed with yellow in the distance, the yells of adventurous thrills left behind.

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Sonic slowed down, with the fox still hanging tightly on his back. Treading on green lushious grass compared to the sidewalks of the now far away district. It was further in the day, almost the evening. The grass here was tall, but not wild, much like a habitable meadow. Fields stretched from the east to the west. A few trees were around, but not much. The pair were both currently in the backyard of one's property, a sturdy cabin-like house. The hedgehog finally stopped fully, letting Tails step down off of him.

The two-tailed fox looked around the new area. It surely wasn't their home. "Sonic, just where exactly-"

The blue hedgehog lifted his index finger up to his mouth, indicating to be quiet. "Shh!" Was all that he made forth. Then turned around facing the structure, tiptoeing up to it.

Tails watched his brother, not knowing what his friend was up to, but followed him anyway in curiosity.

Sonic walked up to the left side of the house, peeking through the corner to see the front facade. Then turned around back to Tails before the fox could have a chance to see what Sonic was looking at. "Here, hold this." He said, as he gave the fox a gold ring.

Tails looked at it, holding it up under the sunlight. "What am I to do with this?"

The hedgehog peeked behind the corner again real quickly, then faced back to Tails. "When I give you the signal, you'll roll it out to the front. Got it? Oh, and don't forget to run for it. Just in case."

"Run for it? Why? What are we doing here Sonic?"

The blue hedgehog smirked, taking time to stretch his arms over his head. "We're just going to add a bonus to our fun day." He said. Then without allowing Tails to ask another question, he leaped on the roof toes first, doing so quietly.

The fox watched, as Sonic stepped one careful footstep at a time over to the front edge of the roof. Getting on his knees as he looked down over. He then faced back to his friend, giving a nod as he pointed to the ring in Tails' hand.

The yellow mechanic thought, having no clue what his friend was trying to do, but will do it anyway. Sonic has never steered him wrong anyhow. Most of the time...

He moved his arm in a bowling-ball type of style, as the golden ring rolled out from the side of the house onto the front. The path it created resulted into a steadily and graceful trail of a circle on the lawn. The warm light bouncing off of its curved surface.

Sonic peered down over the edge of the roof, seeing that his target was distracted.

In a swift and startling motion, he poked his head down from over the edge of the roof into the front. Yelling as he waved his arms in a flailing manner. "HEY!"

"What the?!-"

Shadow quickly responded to the sudden disturbance by summoning chaos spears, in reflex began to shoot the target above him wildly. Tails nearly jumped out of his shoes, as he took off running in the opposite direction.

Sonic quickly sat back up on the roof before the first spear flew, laughing his heart out. "Haha! You should've seen the look on your FACE faker!" He exclaimed, laying on his back. Holding his chest as he nearly struggled to maintain his breaths.

Shadow got up from his chair, angered that such stupidity was thrown onto his premise, and that now a section the lower edge of his shingled roof was blasted off. Bits and pieces of wood splintered outward like broken thorns. Throwing his thoughts into action without haste or second thoughts. "You blue idiot! I would've strangled you by now if I knew it wasn't you!"

Sonic looked over the edge as he stood up, smiling widely. "Yeah well, we both appear alike don't we? So how can you tell that fast? But you know, I will always be here to rival your looks!"

The black hedgehog gritted his teeth, with his fists now gripping tightly. He then marched over to where Tails launched the item, grabbing the gold ring from the ground. Then in a flash, threw the circular metal with a furious force to Sonic's head with a following large thud.

(insert ring sound effect, along with thud)

"Ouch!" The blue hedgehog yelled, as he fell back. Holding his head as he sat back up. "I never knew that rings can hurt so much..." He moaned, burying his head in his lap.

Shadow folded his arms, smiling in the back of his mind. "I hope that will teach you a thing or two. Then again, sometimes you are a hopeless cause. Now, what do you want?"

Sonic got up, still holding his head with his right arm as he picked the ring up with his left. "I just thought I should drop by and say hi. Nothing more."

The black and red hedgehog nodded. "Oh really? Hi then!" He said nicely at first, but his fury quickly shown forth from the uncalled startling. Throwing his arm behind him, fiercely pointing away from his house. "Since that's over with now, get out of my sight! You and your little friend! In fact, where is he?"

The two hedgehogs turned to the side, turning their gazes towards a fox in a high tree. Tails letting go of the trunk he was holding as he noted their attention was now on him. "I wasn't scared, it was just an instinct."

Shadow huffed. "Seems that the fox hasn't changed. Is it that you wanted to get out of my way, or you're still scared of the sound of lightning?"

"I'm not scared!" Tails exclaimed with ears peeked up, hopping down. "At least, not as much as before."

Sonic also hopped down from the roof, briefly dusting himself off. "Shadow, you're no fun. That's what happens when you conceal yourself. You get emo."

"I'm not emo." Shadow replied, annoyed. Thinking wether he should even explain to the other why such thought was obscured while to mention what the definition of such word is, or to let the sorry creature live in his own false perception. Seeing no worth in it, he chose the latter. "I'm just more mature than you."

"But anyway." Sonic said, putting his hands on his sides. "So how have you been doing? Nothing new?"

The black hedgehog shook his head. "Besides you intruding like a little child, no. Though I heard that you had hit a pretty hard place with the doctor."

Sonic sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he looked up into the evening sky, the sun was going to set soon. He should've know that it was going to be brought up. "Yeah, I guess. But, at least we don't have to worry about him again. Though, I never thought that he would actually be.. Gone."

Shadow in mild astonishment examined the blue hedgehog. "You're not actually concerned about his death, right? Because if so, all of that fighting YOU ever did would be pointless."

The cobalt hero thought. "I mean of course, that he had to be stopped or the world would be at stake. But really, it's kinda hard to believe that the whole future has been changed just because of that one encounter. Isn't that-"

"Sonic, do you want what's best for the world?" The black hedgehog asked.

"Yes."

"Well stop and think for a moment." Shadow said, lifting a raised index finger to his own head. "He's gone. No more robots, no more world domination. No more people getting hurt... Of all people Sonic, YOU should be glad that everything is finally over. And that this will be the final time that anyone's life will ever have to be lost or threatened because of him!"

Shadow breathed in, shutting his eyes for a moment, then looked back up at the blue blur. "Well? Did I make my point clearer?"

Sonic nodded, rubbing his head as he looked to the side. "Yeah, I suppose..."

"Good." The other hedgehog replied, turning around back towards his place. "Now scram, unless you want me to help you with that too."

Sonic went up to Tails, looking back at the faker. "It was good to see you too Shadow. Come on Tails." He said, as he grabbed his friend's hand and sped off into the distance.

"Tails, did you ever see what direction Lily and her peeps were going to get home?" Sonic asked, still sprinting.

"Her parents gave me and Amy the address in fact." Tails replied. "They said if you needed anything, then just ask and come right over. It's 2047 Maggie Street." The fox stated, knowing that his friend was more likely going to ask.

The blue hedgehog nodded in return. "Alright, will do."

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The sun had just set, with the remaining colors of the dusk slowly moving away. Being replaced with the cool shades of blue of the night. The little town was slowly starting to settle down, people going to their homes to wake up for the next day. One by one, the street lights were being switched on, illuminating an orange glow, as that orange contrasted with the blue of the sky. Both in which they lit up the night.

The two friends turned up to a small house. It wasn't majorly small, but just was the right size for a family of three. Sonic read the tag on the mailbox. Surely 2047.

"What are we doing here Sonic?" The yellow fox asked, looking at the house.

The hedgehog only walked up the steps, with Tails following behind him. "I think it's only best to give an apology, don't you think?" He said.

Tails sighed. "But it's getting late. Don't you think with a little girl they would have already sent her off to bed?"

Sonic smiled. "It doesn't hurt to try."

The blue hedgehog gotten closer to the building, knocking on the front door with four taps of his hand.

A moment of silence passed, but then footsteps were heard on the other side. The door cracked opened, with the mother peaking outside to see who could it be, especially with nightfall at hand.

"Oh, it's you two!" She exclaimed, opening the door all the way open, surprised. She's just glad that it wasn't any robbers or anyone along those lines. She would've swung the crowbar out, which she had in her left hand hiding behind her back. It doesn't matter if they live in a peaceful town with a legendary hero, she was prepared to protect her family when necessary. To be honest, she was really skilled at using anything as a weapon.

The mother walked outside, closing the screen door behind her. "What happened? Are you alright? Do you boys need anything?" She asked in concern, rushing her words a bit. "I wasn't sure what to do earlier today so I called the hospital, but I never would have thought that you would have gotten out so quickly. But, what are you both doing here this late?"

Sonic rubbed his head. "Well Mrs. May, I was hoping Lily would be up too. I came here to apologize."

"Lillian? She's still up, I can call her here. But why do you need to apologize? You didn't do anything wrong." She said.

"For the stunt I did earlier, yeah, I think I have to." Sonic answered with a hand on his hip, then realized he was after all talking to an adult, not to mention a mother. He hopes that he didn't state that sentence rudely, standing upstraight with widened eyes. "I didn't mean it like-"

"Sonic." She interrupted, intentionally. Then went down to eye level with him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's fine. And you did nothing wrong, you hear me?" She stated, in that tone that a grownup would use. Not too harsh, but not easygoing. Like an actual parent.

The hedgehog nodded slowly. Not daring to look away from the mother's stern expression, but yet comforting facade. He after all doesn't really have adults looking over him in a parent figure, it was rather strange in this situation. But he still naturally reacted as any other child and teen would, he was silent.

The lady then went back up, her large soft curls from her head bobbing steadily with her movement. "Good." She replied, but much softer now. "Now you boys should be heading home."

"But is it okay if I can still tell Lily?" Sonic quickly asked in instinct.

The mother nodded, then opened the screen door. "Lillian! You have a visitor!" She called. Holding her left hand up, which had the crowbar in full view in the air.

Both Sonic and Tails looked at each other, shocked as they noted the tool.

"Um, Mrs.?" Sonic questioned in minor concern, pointing lightly at the object.

The mother looked at her arm, seeing the metal rod at hand. Bringing forth the same reaction as the two friends. "Oh! Sorry about that." She said, tossing it back inside.

In a flash, the little girl teleported to the front door. Gasping a smile as she noted the hedgehog on the patio. "Sonic! You're okay!"

The small swift fox then gave a confused facade, replacing the sudden joy. "Wait, what are you doing here? Don't you have big hero duties to be doing or something?" She asked.

Sonic laughed, with Tails smiling next to him. "No, nothing today. I'm here to see you silly." He answered, still smiling. You'd be surprise how many people thinks that every time they see Sonic and Tails walking down the street, they think they're up to important things like a mission or something. No, they are only your ordinary people. The same as anyone. The only difference that they have and the people around, is that they aren't afraid to do what they must.

"But why? I thought you were sick?" Lily replied.

The blue hedgehog then kneeled down to eye level with her, two emerald green eyes looking at her as they glowed brightly despise the dim light of the night. "Well, because I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean to scare you like that. I hope you know."

And he hopes she does know that everything's okay now. He doesn't want to be cocky, but he can say that he has a positive reputation with children, and wanted to keep it in said lane.

The little swift fox tilted her head, fixing the thought into proper place. Then straightened herself in a small giggle, Sonic wondering why.

"Oh, you mean for that!" She exclaimed, now figuring what he was meaning, her tail swaying behind. "Why should you be sorry for that? It was just an accident, you can't help it if you're tired."

The mother (who was still standing by the door) nodded her head in agreement with her daughter. Giving the hedgehog a look of 'didn't I tell you' statement. However did not say a single word to interrupt the conversation.

Sonic sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "But still." He said, can't help but to give minor laughs to the whole ordeal. "I am sorry."

Thinking now, as he slowly declined away from the momentary silliness. He truly hopes that he didn't frighten her, or his friends for that matter. To see your idol in a seemingly fatal situation is drastic in the eyes of such. If he had a nickel for every time he scared Tails in such moments, like when on the battle field, he would probably have enough to.. He doesn't know. Maybe to buy a meal somewhere. But boy, the yellow fox would always get on to him about that. Rule is either be careful or take Tails with you. One time him and Sonic was out in space with the doctor and a new machine he had made, Sonic could handle the bot without worry. It was powered by captured wisps, who were their new friends, and not to mention the whole place was about to become the victim of an artificial black hole. So Sonic did the only logical thing to protect his two-tailed companion from all the mayhem...

By pushing him in an elevator.

And people say to never take the elevator during a structural crisis.. Ha! Please.

Tails was so mad afterwards. Well, he tried to stay mad anyway. He gave Sonic the silent treatment and everything later that night, but was nothing that a few hugs and tickles can't solve.

The hedgehog blinked, realizing he had faded out for a moment.

"But um.." He said, clearing his throat and stood back up. "Just wanted to inform you Lily. I hope your day wasn't too bad because of that."

"It wasn't bad at all!" The little girl exclaimed, leaping on her tippy toes. "It was great! It's not like everyone will have the chance to hang around with Sonic! I had fun today!"

Sonic nodded, smirking. "Well, I guess your mother would like for you to go to bed now."

The adult swift fox opened the door to the house, holding it for her daughter. "Alright, time to go up."

Lily dropped her head down upsettingly, but then picked it back up, smiling. "Okay. I guess this day is settled then!" She said, happily. Sprinting back inside the house. "I hope you will get better Sonic!"

The mother closed the screen door softly behind her daughter, then folded her arms as she leaned against the door frame. "What did I tell you? Everything is alright." She said. "Now for young boys as yourselves, I would say that it's about time for rest."

"You heard that Tails?" Sonic repeated, growing a smirk on his face as he turned around towards him. "It's about your bed time little buddy. You are a growing little guy after all, and a young boy needs all eight hours of sleep. Such as yourself."

"Hey, I think she'd meant you too!" The fox exclaimed, pushing the hedgehog with a smile.

"Who, me? No. I really think she was talking to you." Sonic responded, as the two friends were now walking down the steps of the porch. Though the hedgehog turned back around as he went on, giving the mother a farewell wave of his hand.

"Goodnight Mrs. May!" He said. Tails and him going off to the distance now. The mother smiled, giving a wave in response.

"Remember, if you need anything just ask! We'll be here."

Her smile then faded, placing her hand down, as a thought conjured back into mind from earlier. "Ohh.." She sighed, not wanting to hurt her daughter whatsoever. She will have to soon break the news to her.

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Sonic opened the door, breathing in a deep breath, he was tired. That feeling that one person gets after having a long day of work, then finally arriving home away from reality and into possible sanctuary. Tails came in behind him, bringing a yawn himself. It was indeed a very long day. They arrived home, so it's time to sleep. Honestly, how good that sounded was almost a dream in itself. It was very late, the two didn't even bother to look at the time.

The two-tailed fox placed his device down on a table nearby, stretching his tired arms. "So, if I'm really just a young boy-"

"In which you actually are." Sonic said, pointing that out as he smiled.

Tails smiled too, moving his eyes to the ceiling as he shook his head. "Anyway. So if I am indeed a 'young boy', then can you tell me a bedtime story tonight? Maybe even tuck me in? Oh, how about stay in the room with me until I fall asleep. You know. So I won't get scared of monsters in the closet."

The blue hedgehog folded his arms. Looking at his friend. "That's what night lights are for. And if you wanted to be treated like a little six year old, then you should've just told me! Here, I'll work on it now."

Without warning, Sonic picked up his little bro. Walking over to the fox's room.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Tails exclaimed.

"For now on you're going to be treated more than just a young fox, I'M going to take care of you like a KIT!" Sonic yelled, opening the door with his foot and walked into the room with the yellow fox in tow.

"WHAT?!" Tails shouted, trying to get down, but failed. Sonic then dropped him on the bed, bringing forth a sarcastic gasp as he raised his gloved hands to his cheeks.

"Oh my, Tails! You can't have these gizmos around! You could choke on the small parts! These are not toys! And what is this?!" He said, going over to the side of the room. Placing a hand on the computer monitor. "Computers are just too hard for you, not to mention you can probably break it! And lookie here, I almost forgotten!"

Sonic then went over to the bed, picking up the fox again. Tails trying to fight off. "Hey!"

"Tails, I've forgotten to give you your milk bottle! And you can't sleep on this bed, you need a crib!"

"STOP!" Tails yelled, heavily frustrated. Sonic halted when taking note of his friend's tone, looking at the young fox with large green eyes. A smile wasn't anywhere to be found on the hedgehog's face, but neither a frown too. The yellow mechanic raised an eye, beginning to grow concern for him due to a lack of response, as if his brother's person just paused in place. Though soon enough before the fox offered to say something, Sonic blinked, letting him go.

Tails folded his arms, now knowing that his friend was fine. That didn't change however for what has happened. The little fox harshly sat on his bed, starring at the floor with a scrunched face. Not speaking a word as he ignored the blue mobian.

The hedgehog blinked a few more times, staring at his friend. Then smirked, as the switch for his natural personality was able to flick back on. "Come on buddy, you know I was just messing round with yah there." He said, moving to sit on the bed next to him. Tails refused to respond.

Sonic waved his hand in front of the fox's face, leaning a bit towards his pal with a smile. "Tails? The silent treatment never works on me you know."

The fox still sat there, showing forth an angered expression. Keeping what was left of his peace despite what Sonic has to say, especially for such unnecessary embarrassment as that.

Bringing the child out of his current criticizing thoughts, Sonic then poked him on the arm, and continued the poking with each next word he said. "Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails, Tails..."

"Tails."

"What?" The fox grumbled, still looking at the floor.

"Hi."

Sonic snickered, as his yellow companion was not in the least amused.

"You think you're funny?" The fox replied. Then knocked the hedgehog's head with a pillow, almost falling to the floor.

Sonic brought back his balance back to a normal state, fixing himself into his original position. "Alright, I guess I deserved that. But I am sorry. You forgive me?"

"sure..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear that."

"Sure."

"Speak a little louder please."

"You heard me."

"Nah, I only heard laughing."

Tails thought for a moment, trying to process and make sense of the wild statement by his companion. "Wait, laughing?"

Sonic smiled, bringing an eye to his buddy. "Yeah. Because... YOU'RE THE ONE LAUGHING!" He exclaimed, as he began to tickle his friend to death. The fox erupted into laughter, squirming immediately on the edge of the bed. Trying to get away from the hedgehog. "Please. S-Stop! Hahaha!"

"Do you forgive me then?"

Tails was nearly in tears now, laughing so hard on his back. Flailing his arms in every direction in failed avoidance. "Yes Sonic YES! I forgive you! Haha! Just p-please.. Stop!"

Sonic stopped, finally giving the fox a chance to breathe. "Cool! Now go to bed little buddy." He said, getting up from the bed and gave the small buddy a friendly noogie on the head. After that, now walking to the entrance of the room. "Goodnight Tails."

Tails folded his arms again, looking at the hedgehog. Regaining a sense of seriousness from the moment of shrills and seemingly perpetual tickling. "But I'm not a baby. Don't do that again."

The blue hedgehog nodded in surrender, resting a shoulder on the white doorframe. "Fine... Hey Tails?" He asked. Recalling something he thought of much earlier. "Remember when I pushed you in the elevator back at the theme park? With the wisps around?"

Tails then threw an air borne pillow at Sonic. "Never do that again either. Go to bed Sonic." The fox said, however he smiled this time. The hedgehog always had a contagious positivity. It has hard to stay away from especially after so many years of being close.

"GOOD NIGHT TAILS!" Sonic repeated, smiling as he walked out into the hallway. Giving a large wave of his hand in the air behind him. "You have to say goodnight too!"

The fox sighed, shaking his head softly. Oh, the perks of having a big brother. Then again, what would he ever do without him?

"Good night Sonic."