Tails Underground

by Asher Tye

Disclaimer: We've been through this before. I wish I owned the characters, it'd be a blast making the games the way I wanted to. Sadly I don't, Sega holds those rights. :sigh:

Author's Note: Okay, I know this is monstrously late. You've all been waiting for about three and a half weeks for this. Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can be derailed, particularly when you have family coming to town and competition for the computer. That said, I hope I haven't lost anyone, 'cause this should be an excellent way to end the story.

Chapter 11: The Decision

The sun rose in the sky signaling morning had come to the desert plains of Mobius. In the ruined city of Shadakor, so recently the victim of an all out attack by the villainous dictator, Dr. Robotnik, people began to move around. The previous night had been filled with both fear and elation. Elation; because the city had managed to repel the invasion of their hated dictator with minimal loss of life. Fear; because the cost of that victory had been the life of the most powerful mage in the city.

The refugees were busy collecting their belongings, preparing for the journey ahead of them. A few had left, most notably Carby and his lot. Having backed Naugus's attempt to slander the Sonic Underground, the mean bulldog was not at all interested in sticking around to meet whatever punishment awaited him for his betrayal.

Merlin stood before the massive funeral pyre that had been constructed for his father's corpse, now black and smoldering as the flames had long since extinguished themselves. Gone now were the former Archmage's remains, reduced to ash. A single gesture from Merlin and the ashes that had once been living tissue rose from the burned out pyre, spiraling towards the iron box the fox mage held in his hands.

"I guess that takes the guesswork out of what ashes to collect," came the voice of Manic as he walked quietly up to the vulpine. "Um, what are you guys gonna do with the ashes anyway?"

"Once the war is over, I shall return to Shadakor's original site and spread the ashes upon the ground, as is the tradition in our family," Merlin replied, hiding the box in his robe as he did so.

"Oh," Manic said. For a few minutes the green hedgehog stood there, his foot playing with the sand as he tried to work of the nerve to keep speaking to the fox mage. It was not so long ago that this particular Mobian had been attacking him, though with the display of power he'd presented yesterday, Manic had to wonder just how serious Merlin had been about killing him.

"Was there something else you needed?" Merlin asked, supplying the younger Mobian with an excuse to keep talking.

"Well, I just wanted to – you know – say…" More of his foot playing with the sand as his right hand grabbed his left shoulder and he looked down at the ground, his quills drooping somewhat. "Look, I wanted to say I'm sorry. About earlier, when I broke into your room."

"Really?" Merlin sounded unconvinced. Not that he really could be expected to be by such a lame apology Manic reasoned.

"It's just… We've been looking so long for Mom, and all we ever find is evidence of where she's been," Manic attempted to explain, "and when I found out you two used to…" It was at this point that the green hedgehog's cheeks took on an amber-like color. Not surprising, he didn't want to anger the sorcerer he was trying to ask the forgiveness of by misclassifying the relationship he'd had with the then future Queen of Mobius.

"Date…" Merlin supplied in a tone that was neutral but very easily indicated Manic would be wise to stick with that terminology in describing the relationship.

"Yeah… date. When I found out, and you being so… 'unfriendly' towards us… I just couldn't help myself."

"So you broke into my room like a thief?" There was no hint of derision in the fox's voice, merely a statement of fact. Though normally he bristled at being termed a thief, Merlin's tone, combined with his own attempt to remain humble so he COULD make an acceptable apology, allowed Manic to let such a statement go at face value.

"Yeah, well, it is kinda what I do," Manic said, shrugging his shoulders. "Everyone's got a talent." A lame response but still…

"Truthfully, I think the fault lies as much with myself as it does with you," Merlin stated, a statement that caught Manic completely off guard.

"What?"

"Naugus was slime, but he was correct in his observations. I carried the pain of losing your mother within me for so long… And when I was confronted with you and your siblings… you in particular… I just couldn't contain my anger. I lashed out, treated you as though you were the ones who'd hurt me." At this point a sad look came to the aged vulpine's face. "Had I behaved differently, I feel much of this sorrow could have been avoided, and for that I am sorry." Manic's eyes widened. Never in all his life had someone he'd wronged apologized to him before. It was a new experience to say the least.

"Uh… well, I guess I should return this to you," Manic said, reaching into his belly bag and withdrawing a familiar black stone. Merlin's eyes widened as he saw the object.

"My memory stone?" he asked.

"Yeah, I kinda pocketed it before you could chase me outta your room," the young thief admitted before hastily adding, "but I didn't activate it, I promise!" Carefully, a gloved hand extended out, offering up the stone to its rightful owner. "I thought about it but…" It was at this point that Merlin's hand touched the stone, a surge of power flowing into it as a white light suddenly blocked the hedgehog's view.

Once his vision had cleared, he found himself in a very different place from the desert city of Shadakor. Plants, both trees and grasses, abounded in this place, along with birds. Though he was in the thick of all the greenery, he could see that there existed a brick path from which the plants were scrupulously kept away from. The darkness of night limited his vision somewhat, but he still had little trouble seeing the massive structure at the edge of this odd park; a castle, complete with towers, turrets, walls, and windows, and decorated as if some sort of party was going on.

All this paled in comparison to what, or rather who, he saw next. She strolled carefully, wary of her surroundings, as though expecting something, but not actually afraid of it. Gone was the purplish armor and cloak she so commonly wore in all her holograms and transmissions, replaced by a white dress of a light material that had been patterned with flowers about the waist. A shawl rested on her shoulders, gauzy and useless for all things save show. She was Aleena, the Queen of Mobius.

As Manic looked at her face, however, he noticed something. The "Queen" appeared much younger than she did when he and his siblings saw her through communications. Gone were the signs of a life on the run, her quills were sharp and purple; her face unencroached upon by even the slightest hint of age. And the crown that she wore was not the Royal Crown of the Queen, but the same smaller circlet of gold Sonia had said belonged to a princess. A sad feeling appeared in his stomach as the green hedgehog realized he was not looking at his mother, but her younger self. Suddenly, the female hedgehog stopped in her trek, looking around carefully.

"Are you there?" she seemed to ask of no one in particular. "I sensed your presence at the castle. Please, don't leave yet." Almost on compulsion Manic felt his feet moving forward, responding to the young woman's call. Even if she wasn't his actual mother, her voice still held power over him. Before he got a chance to reveal himself, an orange furred hand gently grabbed his shoulder and held him back. Manic looked up to see Merlin Prower standing behind him, shaking his head gently, a sad expression on his face. Though not always one to pick up on things quickly, the green teen understood. He was in a memory, held and projected by Merlin's memory stone, and in this shadowy world of things gone by, he was effectively as ethereal as a ghost would be in his own. The rustling of leaves was heard as the object of Aleena's search stepped out of the foliage and onto the path.

Manic stared at the younger Merlin Prower that had revealed himself. His beard was much shorter, his fur less worn with age, and his body straighter and thinner, but still he projected an aura of power, an aura helped by the staff he held in his hands. He wore the same green tunic and pants Manic had seen earlier.

"I should not be surprised that you of all people are capable of sensing my presence, even as I attempt to hide it," he said quietly.

"Merlin," the purple hedgehog started as she moved forward, hugging the fox. "I must admit I was unsure if you would come, even with the invitation we sent. Jared will be so thrilled…"

"I… cannot stay long," Merlin interrupted her, pulling away from her embrace. "I have much to do… many things that… require my attention." Aleena's face became crestfallen as she watched the wizard.

"Merlin…" she began, sadness in her voice. "You know the last thing Jared or I would want is to hurt you…"

"In my head, I do," Merlin answered. "Sadly, my heart cares not." The sound of cheering came from the castle, attracting the two Mobians' attention. "You should return. It would be unseemly for a bride-to-be to be absent from her engagement party."

"Come with me," Aleena said. "At least allow Jared and myself to speak to you…"

"I must leave… much to do…"

"You're lying," Aleena accused. "I know you too well, Merlin Prower. You could easily teleport between here and Shadakor in the blink of an eye, there is nothing so urgent you could not stay away for the space of an hour."

"Is he truly what you choose?" Merlin asked suddenly, causing Aleena to start suddenly. "Can you honestly tell me that Jared is the one your heart yearns for?" For a few precious moments, the Princess stared at the fox, mulling over how to answer such a question.

"You are my heart, Merlin Prower. Though I love Jared deeply, he can never truly be what you are to me," Aleena responded.

"Then speak the words, Aleena, and I shall take you from this place. We will find somewhere safe to be, to live, the Prophecy be damned." Merlin approached the object of his love, fully intent on carrying out his plans, but a hand held up by Aleena stopped him.

"But I am Princess, soon to be Queen. The yearnings of my heart must count for nothing against what is needed by this world," she said, turning her back to him. "Though I know you would do all in your power to help me, I also know such actions would be fruitless now."

"That is your decision then?"

"That is the only decision I can make…"

"Then again… I must say good-bye," Merlin said as he turned his back, only to be stopped by a new voice.

"MERLIN!" called a happy voice as a new Mobian walked up to the duo, causing both backs to suddenly go rigid, as though caught. Manic's eyes widened almost to the point that the orbs could fall from their sockets as he gazed at the figure coming. A pale green hedgehog walked up the path, a smile on his face as he waved at the fox and princess. "Hello ol' buddy, you finally made it!" Jared Hedgehog cried, offering his hand towards the wizened wizard.

Manic had always assumed that, of his siblings, he had been the oddball of the bunch; that Sonia and Sonic had taken after their parents and he'd just been the mutt. As he stared at Jared though, he couldn't help but see the uncanny resemblance. Though Manic's quills were a darker shade of green, Jared held the same messy top spikes at the fore of his head, and his ear was even decorated with an earring. His hands were slender and nimble looking, easily able to manipulate small items delicately, such as a lock pick. His body was limber and almost catlike, perfect for sneaking about silently.

"Jared… It is… good to see you looking so well," the younger Merlin said with a smile that was half true and half false. Given the fact that he was trying to discreetly leave before this, this seemed understandable.

"What are you doing out here, Prower? Don't tell me some of Ammy's rubbed off on ya and ya teleported here by mistake," the green hedgehog said. "Chuck'll busta gut if that's the case."

"I imagine Merlin simply did not wish to startle our guests and the noblemen, Jared," Aleena said, providing an excuse for the fox's odd miss.

"Wish you would've," Jared commented. "I don't think I've ever seen a group more in need of a bit of excitement in all my life." At this comment, neither Merlin nor Aleena could help chuckling in agreement. "So whatdaya say? Everybody ready to head back to the 'party?'"

"I am not sure if I can…"

"Oh come on Merl, don't be like that," Jared said, throwing an arm around the fox's shoulders. "It's not a proper engagement party if the guy I want for my best man isn't here."

"What?"

"Look, I know you cared for Aleena, just like me, and I gotta think her 'rents choosin' me over you hurt, but I don't want that to just be the end of us being friends," the King-to-be said. "It sucks we can't both get what we want, but I'd really prefer not to have to say I got the girl and lost my friend."

"I shall… think about it," was all Merlin said as the scene suddenly became fuzzy to Manic's vision.

Once he could see again, he found himself once more standing in the damaged city of Shadakor. Nearby Merlin stood, his eyes watching Manic for any sort of reaction.

"You… and our father… knew each other?"

"We were friends and rivals," Merlin explained. "Originally he was the then Princess Aleena's royal bodyguard. When she came here to be trained in the use of magic, it was only natural that I meet Jared."

"I guess I can see why you didn't like him ending up with Mom, especially if you were the one she was going to choose."

"It is more than that, Manic," Merlin replied. "Both Aleena and I knew the prophecy… knew what was coming. Jared did not." The green hedgehog's eyes widened at this revelation. If what Merlin had said was true, and Manic had little reason not to believe it, Aleena had basically used the Sonic Underground's father as a chump. All of a sudden, all the admiration and warmth he felt for the fugitive Queen turned to horrified rage. Having lived the life where one had to quite literally put one's life in another's hands, this kind of betrayal was… abhorrent. Ferrel had done his best to drill the idea of loyalty into his young protégé, and the thought that his mother had just let his father walk blindly into death's waiting maw… "Do not judge too harshly, Manic," Merlin said

"Are you nuts dude!?" Manic yelled. "She… she just let him die, without even telling him why?"

"She told him. Not long after they were engaged she told him. And Jared stood by her nonetheless."

"But how could she just let him die? Throw him away like that…"

"Listen and listen well Manic Hedgehog, son of Queen Aleena and Jared, Prince of Mobotropolis," Merlin's voice boomed, just as the Archmage's voice had for Sonia, and Manic felt himself in the grip of immense magical power. "The sole reason you are here today, the singular cause for your mother's escape from Robotnik's clutches was Jared and the effort he put in to getting you all to safety. Aleena did not cast Jared upon the altar, Jared cast Aleena away from it."

"What?"

"A single day before Robotnik's invasion, as Aleena prepared to defend and try to resist his forces; Jared staged his own coup, and seized control of the kingdom so that he could banish Queen Aleena to Mobudun. Make no mistake, your mother was fully prepared to defy the Prophecy to protect her people, but Jared was willing to commit high treason against the crown to protect her… and his children."

"So… when Buttnik attacked…"

"Queen Aleena and her children were already safe and away from Mobotropolis. I know not if Aleena's defenses and plans would have proven adequate to stop him, but I do know that it was Jared choice to keep the four of you from being taken prisoner. And I know that your mother misses him terribly for it." Manic stared at the elder fox for a minute. It was no wonder the subject of Aleena was such a touchy one for the sorcerer. He'd hated losing Aleena to Jared, hated that Aleena might have used his friend as a sacrificial lamb, and then he'd had to swallow the fact that Jared had been the one to protect Aleena.

"So I guess that means our Dad's dead, doesn't it?" Manic finally asked. "I mean, if he was in Mobotropolis when it fell and stayed there to keep Robotnik off Mom's back in the beginning…"

"I didn't say that," Merlin said, causing the green hedgehog to cast a look at him. "I have never heard any reports, never seen any evidence that the Queen's consort was dead, captured, or in any way under Robotnik's power. Robotnik himself has never claimed success getting him, and while the Doctor is many things, humble he is not. As long as I've known Jared, he's had a knack for getting himself out of tight situations, just like his children. What I think has happened, is that my old friend was hurt and has simply gone to ground, much like Aleena."

"Then he could be out there."

"I don't doubt that possibility. And much like Aleena, I think he may be taking more than a cursory interest in the welfare of his children."

"Uncle Merlin!" Tails called as he came running up to the hedgehog and fox, with Clockwerk flying right behind him while he carried an odd looking box. "I found it, I found it!"

"What is that?" Manic asked.

"Something my late and lamented father wished to pass on to yourself and your siblings," Merlin said as he lifted the box from his nephew and gazed inside, careful not to allow the green hedgehog a peak at the container held inside. "Now then, I believe that your siblings are currently at the site where you repaired your tour van, are they not?"

"Yeah, they're taking out the last of Robotnik's tech we couldn't use so it doesn't, you know, interfere with you guys."

"Then I suggest we adjourn to that location," the master magician as he and his nephew turned to leave the smoldering remains of the funeral pyre.

At the former site of the Great Gates of Shadakor, the twin edifices that had for so long protected this city of sand, all that remained were pieces of rubble and strewn machinery. Whatever power the Archmage had invoked to rid the city of Robotnik's whole and intact minions, it had not been as stringent as to destroy the already nonfunctional members of the evil doctor's army. It was these pieces of machinery and metal Manic had scavenged the necessary pieces to make repairs to the group's touring van, with an extremely interested Tails helping him the whole time as best he could given the fox's own limited experience. Though the vehicle did not function as perfectly as it had before, due in no small part to Manic being forbidden to use any salvaged circuitry, it ran and would hold together until the trio could get it to Cyrus and make more enduring repairs. Now, Sonia and Sonic were busy helping the refugees clear away the refuse.

"So, any idea where our darling, green quilled baby bro went?" a somewhat sullen Sonic asked his sister between grunts as he hefted the armored leg of a SWATbot.

"He said something about having business to take care of and took off," Sonia responded as she effortlessly tossed the still connected torso and right arm of another SWATbot on the same pile, much to her blue brother's chagrin.

"You just love making that seem so easy, don't you," he quipped, to which Sonia merely cast him a sidelong smirk. Quickly the pink hedgehog hefted a rather large piece of metal, part of the armor of one of the City Busters. Sonia let out a sharp gasp at what she found underneath the curved sheet of metal. Afraid movement of the metal had revealed some dangerous desert predator, or worse yet a Robotnik trap, Sonic zipped over to his sister's side to see what she'd found. His own large eyes widened as well at the sad sight that lay before him.

Their instruments lay underneath the metal shroud; Sonia's keyboard, Sonic's guitar, and Manic's drums. Their once sleek and shining frames now sat, twisted and blackened from Naugus's fatal attack upon them, all but useless. Even though they were merely objects, neither Sonic nor Sonia could help feeling the sadness as it welled up within them at the sight. The instruments had been made for them, given to all three hedgehogs as a symbol of their unity and power. It had been comforting to feel the amulets at their necks. Losing them was akin to losing an old friend.

Carelessly Sonia flipped the sheet of metal away as Sonic moved to lift the ruined, lifeless remains of his guitar from the sands. Even if there was a way to resurrect the powerful instrument, Sonic knew he lacked the skills to do so.

"I… I guess we could continue to play music," Sonia said. "With normal instruments I mean."

"'s not the same," Sonic lamely said, and Sonia quickly agreed. Even with all their skills as musicians, using ordinary instruments would just… lack a certain something.

"Sonic… Sonia…" called a familiar voice as the sound of two tails spinning in the air came to the hedgehogs' ears. Pink and blue rose and turned to face the quartet that approached them. As soon as Manic's eyes fell upon the sight of their ruined instruments, some of the spring almost immediately left his step. Tails too noticed the dour scene and immediately landed upon the ground as he approached.

"I see you've managed to locate your instruments," Merlin observed.

"Yeah, for all the good it does us," Sonic said as the damaged neck of his guitar finally broke off and fell to the ground again. "Naugus totaled 'em."

"I see that," he said. Suddenly Sonic's face brightened as he looked at the elder fox.

"Hey wait a minute. Naugy said you Shadakor guys were the ones who made our medallions. Can't you make us new ones?" Merlin shook his head.

"Sadly, both the knowledge and the tools necessary to accomplish such a feat are no longer available to us." As he spoke these words, immediately all three hedgehogs' faces fell. A single eyebrow on Merlin's face rose as he took in the crestfallen trio. "Happily, however, there remains a way to undo the damage caused by my father's late and unlamented assistant." So saying Merlin opened the box he'd been carrying, revealing the treasure inside. Three glowing lights shown upon a velvet cushion, pink, green, and blue, shining as though they'd been kept in darkness for years. "When you medallions were given to the Oracle of Delphinius for safe-keeping so long ago, the Archmage wisely withheld the accessories to your instruments."

"Why'd he do that?" Manic asked as the lights in the box began to die down. Before each of the hedgehogs' eyes, the aforementioned items could be seen; a pair of drumsticks, guitar pick, and an ear-mounted microphone.

"Your instruments contain tremendous power, more than the three of you could reasonably be expected to control without time. The lack of these three components cut the amount of power you could summon with your medallions in half, and thus were they rendered more manageable. Unfortunately, without these components, they were also rendered vulnerable. It was intended for you to receive these items as a parting gift when you prepared to leave the city, but unfortunately…"

"Naugus got to us first…" Sonic said as he and Sonia approached the box alongside Manic. Familiar power pulsed from the items in question into all three of the royal siblings.

"Take now what was always yours," Merlin commanded as each musician in turn took the accessory appropriate to them; Sonic the pick, Sonia the microphone, and Manic the drumsticks. As soon as each held their item, their glowing ceased.

"I don't get it Uncle Merlin. I thought those things were supposed to help the Sonic Underground," Tails said, puzzled as to why nothing was happening.

"Call to your amulets and summon your instruments."

"Uh, dude, you realize our stuffs kinda… kaput right?" Manic asked.

"Call to them," Merlin commanded. Each of the royal trio placed their hands over the sports on their chests where their amulets normally hung and tried to will their instruments into existence. Suddenly, the same multi-colored glow that had once enveloped the trio's new accessories enveloped the remnants of their instruments. Immediately the pieces flew forward, each encircling their proper owner as, before startled hedgehog eyes, the pieces began to fuse back together. Twisted metal was straightened and polished, canvas and string pulled taut and strong, keys reassembled and ordered as the mystic instruments returned to their complete and summoned forms, coming to rest in their owners hands (or in Manic's case before him).

"Gah," each hedgehog grunted as they gritted their teeth, power raw and unyielding coursing through their bodies. It wasn't painful per say, at least not too much, but it was definitely something new as their new items came to their hands (or in Sonia's case, her ear).

"What was that?" Sonic asked as he looked at the now rather ostentatious looking pick in his hand.

"I've… I've never felt like that before," Sonia admitted, her ear feeling the weight of the new microphone she knew was now connected to her keyboard.

"I don't know, I kinda liked it," Manic proclaimed, twirling his new ultra-light drumsticks in his hands.

"That was the feeling of the full power of your instruments channeling through your bodies," Merlin said. "You can see why we thought it a good idea to give you a chance to adjust to something less first. With the addition of these items, you will discover your instruments possess new powers, powers that you would not have been able to control before."

"Like what?" Sonia asked.

"Like what?" came the voice of Merlin.

"Like what?" asked Robotnik's voice.

"Like what?" Sonic's voice repeated

"You Sonia now possess control over sound waves. Your keyboard allows to you to enhance, alter, and negate sounds however you choose. With time you will learn to create and project sounds from any area you can see."

"You Sonic, possess the power to project a disruptive barrier about you by striking the right chords on your guitar with your pick. At its base, you will be able to disrupt Robotnik's control over his SWATbots and various other minions. With time you will be able to use this barrier to stop or disrupt anything within your sphere of influence, and even be able to select your targets and grant safe passage to your allies. If you run while playing the correct notes, you shall negate friction and wind resistance upon your body, allowing you to achieve speeds previously unachievable by any living creature."

"Mondo cool, the ol' hedgehog just got a turbo boost."

"A word of caution. I would practice before trying this. If you miss a step or a chord while attempting such a trick, you will immediately become subject to those same forces you are blocking. Should that happen, I am almost certain your body would be torn to pieces long before you could recover."

"Manic, you will find your new drumsticks to be specifically designed with your drum set in mind. That being said, they will grant you far more control over your instrument than ever before."

"Really?" Manic asked as he began to tap away a beat.

"Whereas before you were only able to use your powers to draw upon shafts of rock and boulders, you will find yourself now able to control the element in a much more finely tuned method." In response to Manic's beat, a shaft of rock arises and begins to move almost fluidly around him, like a sea snake moving about over the surface of the water. "In time, you will gain the ability to control multiple lines of force with your drums, and make other object besides the rocks move."

"Marchin' to the beat of my drum," Manic proudly deduced.

"Wow, with this stuff, you guys'll be able to thump creepy ol' Robotnik in no time flat," Tails announced. At his nephew's words, Merlin turned to him.

"They are not the only ones who have proven themselves deserving, my nephew," the elder Prower said to the younger. "You showed great skill, ingenuity, and wisdom when you stood against Robotnik and Naugus. You have proven yourself to no longer be the apprentice I taught so long ago."

"Wha..?"

"Miles Prower, son of Amadeus Prower, and new Archmage of Shadakor," Merlin announced as though he were speaking to an assembled audience. As he spoke, Tails's eyes grew wider as, from his navy blue robes, Merlin drew forth an old book. "It is my honor and privilege to proclaim you to no longer be an apprentice wizard in training. Know that you have now achieved the rank of Journeyman Mage, with all the rights and responsibilities conferred thereof." So saying Merlin offered the book up to his nephew, who took it with great care, as though afraid that at any moment it would burst like a bubble. "I present to you your first spellbook. May it help you to gain further understanding of the powers of magic."

"Congrats little bro," Sonic said, a sentiment echoed by the other two royal siblings. Gingerly did Tails open the book, gazing in awe at the old and worn instructions in the grimoire.

"Th… Thanks…" Tails said as he gazed up to his uncle, only to notice the grim look on the sorcerer's face. "What's…"

"Sonic, Sonia, and Manic," Merlin called as he turned back towards the Sonic Underground, "I have a boon to ask of you."

"Sure, what's up Merl?" Sonic asked, only to be elbowed in the ribs by his sister.

"Soon I shall use the Keystone of Shadakor to cast a spell and open a portal to the Void, just as my father wished. With that portal, I shall be able to move the population of Shadakor to a place of safety, where Robotnik will be unable to harm them, or use them against the resistance. Unfortunately, the nature of the spell will draw me into the Void as well."

"That sucks," Manic said. "But what do you need us for? We can't exactly help you with a spell that big."

"I need you to take care of Miles for me," he said bluntly.

"Hey wait a minute," the now distressed fox called. "I thought I was supposed to come with you guys. Grandpa always said…"

"That was the case before, Miles," Merlin explained. "But I'm afraid it can no longer be an option. Originally, the Archmage would have been the one to cast the spell of transportation, and you would have gone with him and continued your training. I would have remained behind to guard the spell's anchor back to Mobius."

"The Keystone…"

"You are not strong enough yet to cast a spell of this magnitude, and as you and I are the only ones left who can protect the chaos emerald…"

"But I don't want to leave you all," Tails protested. Merlin knelt before his nephew, placing a hand on the kit's shoulder.

"I know you don't, Miles, but there is no help for it."

"Can't you… can't you just stay here? We could set up the barrier again… and…"

"It wasn't merely the barrier that protected us before, Miles, it was also the fact that Robotnik couldn't find us. And even then, we were failing. The Archmage knew there was not enough space or resources in our city to care for all the people we had living here. At best, all we would be doing is repeating the same mistake as before."

"But…"

"There can be no 'buts,' Miles. You are Archmage now, and you have a responsibility to these people, just as the Sonic Underground has a responsibility to their subjects." Tails looked as though he wished to protest more, but slowly he thought about what had been told to him.

"I… I understand."

"I'm sorry that I must thrust this responsibility upon your young shoulders, Miles," Merlin said, then cast a look at the three hedgehogs, "and I pray that you three can help him in his charge."

"No… No problem sir," Manic responded with an uncustomary amount of solemnity.

"We'll take good care of him," Sonic said.

"Then I have one more gift to you, and hope that it aids you in your quest." Once more reaching into his cloak, Merlin pulled forth what looked like a pendant, its tear shaped rock black as night. "Long ago, when Aleena and I swore our love for each other, we created two pendants so that we would always know where the other was. Though its magic has weakened somewhat over the years, this pendant can tell you the direction in which to travel to find your mother." The orange hand held out the stone to the hedgehog trio, which Manic accepted on their behalf.

"Th… thanks." Almost immediately the green hedgehog could feel the stone tugging at the string, pulling it lightly in a slightly northeasterly direction.

"Lord Merlin, everyone is ready," came the voice of Captain Reynolds, heavily bandaged by mobile.

"Then it appears our time together is at an end," Merlin said sadly as he drew forth the mystic Keystone of Shadakor. "I must ask you all to stand clear, and when we are gone, you must be sure to get the Keystone back."

"I… I understand Uncle Merlin," Tails said, bowing his head to hide the tears that were welling up in his eyes. A blue arm draped itself across the kit's shoulders as the members of the Sonic Underground, familiar with the pain of losing family, tried to lend the young journeyman some support. The older Prower reluctantly turned away from the group and moved over to the assembled refugees that waited for him. Hefting the Keystone into the air, Merlin also held aloft his staff, touching the crystal skull to the keystone.

"Remember Miles; as long as you hold the keystone, we will always be near you," Merlin called as he began to recite the spell that would open the portal. The keystone as if of its own accord into the air, a bright glow emanating from the gem as it began to gather and channel power for the sorcerer to use. As it did so, the fist sized gem changed its color, shifting from colorless clarity, to a golden yellow. Yellow energy pulses in waves from the magic stone, spreading far and wide through the air as, behind the assembled group, a massive vortex opens up. Howling winds begin to draw the refugees in, though none really resist save Merlin who holds himself in place with his staff, making sure each and every Mobian makes it through the portal safely. As the last sled full of supplies moves through, Merlin turns back towards the waiting quintet, giving them all a courteous bow before he too disappears into the Void.

Night has fallen over the desert, and the Sonic Underground's tour van sits motionless in the ruins of Shadakor, resting in preparation for the long journey the damaged vehicle must make tomorrow. Inside Miles "Tails" Prower sleeps semi-peacefully in the bunk bed belonging to Prince Sonic Hedgehog, exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally from the events of the day. Cuddled up next to him as if it were a pet, Clockwerk lays in motionless sleep mode, one of its master's arms draped over it. On a counter nearby sits the Keystone, still yellow in color, though now its power seems reduced to naught but a gentle glow.

Outside, the darkness of night had drastically lowered the temperature of the desert, making the fire that pierced this darkness of paramount importance to the three members of the Sonic Underground who sat about it, shivering slightly.

"Okay, Tails is asleep," Sonia said. "So now we should be able to talk freely. What are we going to do about the kid?"

"Not sure what there is to talk about," Manic responded. "We promised Merlin we'd take care of him."

"Yeah Manic, but think about it. Sometimes we can't even manage to look after ourselves, how are we gonna take care of a ten year-old," Sonia pointed out. "It's not right to just take him into danger like that."

"So what are you suggesting?" Sonic asked.

"We could always take him to Sanctuary," was the pink hedgehog's answer. "He'd be with other kids his own age, and Robotnik wouldn't know where to look for him. He'd be protected."

"No, nuh-uh, no way," Manic spoke up. "I ain't playin' a sucker's bet like that."

"Come on Manic, it's for the best. Sanctuary's been safe so far, I'm sure they could…"

"I'm not talkin' about riskin' Sanctuary not bein' able to protect the kid, I'm talking about Tails accidentally blowing Sanctuary's cover," Manic said, a statement that caused his siblings to look at him funny.

"You mean with his magic? I'm sure he'd be careful and they could probably…"

"It's not his magic I'm worried about, it's his attitude I'm worried about," Manic explained. "Don't you two remember how we found the little dude? He snuck out of Shadakor to see us, somethin' Merlin said he'd been doin' a lot of. Man, we used to beat on kids who were that stupid back in the Mouse Patrol…" At her brother's words, Sonia's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not even gonna begin to tell you what I find wrong with that," she said. Manic gave her an offended look that told just how little he cared about that.

"Call it harsh if you want, sis, but we didn't do it for fun, we did it to stop 'em from leaving without permission. If we send Tails to Sanctuary, how long before he starts sneakin' out again, either to find us or try to hit Buttnik on his own? And then how long before someone spots him and just tails him back home?"

"Not good," Sonic agreed.

"Don't get me wrong," Manic said, extending his palms forward, "I give the kid props for wanting to help, wish more Mobians wanted to too. But he's just too careless about how he does it. And that's coming from me." Sonia and Sonic considered their emerald brother's words. "I mean I wanna do what's good for the kid, but at the same time, he's not the only one we have to consider. I say we keep him with us."

"It would be safer than keeping him with us than letting some other cell take care of him," Sonic said. "If Robotnik catches sight of Tails, he'll devote the same amount of effort to catching the kid as he does us. Most of our groups can't really handle that kind of attention, but we can."

"Yeah," Manic agreed. "Plus, T2 likes us. How many other people are gonna be able to say that?"

"Guys, you realize what it means if we take him in, right? He's never going to have a normal childhood," Sonia pointed out.

"Normal's overrated," Sonic finally said.

Less than a week later, the denizens of Silk City once more prepare to sit and enjoy a concert performed by the legendary band, the Sonic Underground. Once more, throngs of fans crowded the auditorium as the band took the stage, each holding their signature instruments. As the crowd began to settle, Sonic the Hedgehog grabbed the microphone with a flourishing wave of his arm.

"HELLO SILK CITY!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. "Now last time, as you may remember, Ol' Doc Buttnik tried to rain on our party, but we showed him, didn't we?!" The masses cheered for the blue guitarist and his siblings. "Me an' my sibs are sorry it took so long to get back here, but we kinda got held up with an important little problem in the desert. Seem's Chubberbolts thought he'd get to trash someone else's town." Booing was heard as the crowd voiced their disapproval for Robotnik's actions. "But, while we were out in the desert, we actually came across someone who helped us a whole heap and we'd like to introduce this new friend of ours to you now." At this point Sonic turned towards the left of the stage and made a beckoning gesture. "Come on out kid; let the good people say howdy to ya."

From behind the curtains, an orange furred head festooned in a pair of goggles looked out upon the crowd, a nervous look upon his face.

"Ah, isn't that cute, he's shy," the sly Sonic said. Not one to let himself be poked fun at, even if it was in a good natured way, Tails steeled himself up and took a few bold steps out on stage. "There he is dudes and dudettes, the new junior member of the Sonic Underground and our new special effects wizard, Tails, the fabulous flying FOX!!" Recognizing his cue, Tails lowered his goggles over his eyes and twisted his tails together, taking to the air much to the assembled audience's disbelief and amazement. Quickly he buzzed over the heads of his new friends, pulling up to begin hovering with this spinning tails underneath him as he pointed out over the audience.

&Oh please let this work,& he thought as he envisioned the spell he'd spent the entire ride back from Shadakor practicing from his new spellbook.

"Luimanis; Razzle-DAZZLE!" From his extended finger, a shaft of white light surged forward, the recoil of its escape causing Tails to tumble through the air for a bit before he regained control of his flight. The ball of light raced outwards, soaring above the audience's head, before it stopped in mid-air and exploded. A brilliant multi-colored explosion dazzled the spectators as sparkles of harmless light descended upon them.

"Let's give it up for our own Tails!" Sonic called as the crowd roared its applause, much to the kit fox's glee. Gesturing back towards his siblings, Sonic raised his hand, ready to officially start the show. "ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR!!"

As Tails watched his new family begin their performance, he could help but feel happier than he'd ever felt before…

Spell translations:

Aeroni (A-ron-ee) Air

Gigani (Ji-gan-ee) Rock

Ferani (Fe-ran-ee) Fire

Aquaris (aK-war-iss) Water

Raitani (rI-Tan-ee) Lightning

Luimanis (Loo-man-eez) Light

Umborian (OOm-bOr-ean) Dark

Race (Ra-chee) Movement

Gan (Gan) Attack

Roan (Ro-wen) Arise

Beran (Bee-ran) Defend.

Pickaye (Pik-I) Explode

Rindantay (Rin-dan-tA) Purify