Manic rubbed his brothers' back gently. Sonic was barely breathing, but that seemed alright, seeing Knuckles had said that he had put himself into a deep coma. Shadow was still unconscious, and there was no way Manic could transport them back in his woozy state, so all they could do was wait. Tails walked over-he had been doing a very doctor-like examination of Shadow and Knuckles.

"They'll be fine, although Knuckles seems to be sporting a fever. Shadow's just completely drained. We might be here for a while, seeing as even after he wakes up, he might not be up for teleporting any time soon. I'll set up a camp for us, if you think you're up for helping." Manic sighed, hating to leave Sonic. He knew there was nothing he could do now, so he decided to help.

"I'll be okay. I feel better already." This was true, and Manic proved it by standing up and walking up To Tails. Tails nodded, then pointed to a field a few hundred feet away, completely clear except for a tree in the middle.

"Think you can get rid of the tree?" Manic nodded, a grin slipping past his lips despite his dismal attitude. This was the kind of stuff he loved doing.

"Got it. Stand back…" He stepped forward a little, so to not disturb Sonic, Knuckles, or Shadow, then touched his amulet. There was a bright flash of white light, before his drum set appeared in front of him. He started pounding his set, aiming for the tree. It fell after only a few seconds. Earthmovers, you never fail me he thought, satisfied. Suddenly, he remembered the last time he had used the drums-when they were breaking Sonic out of the tank, back in Robotnick's lab. It had been only 2 days, but it seemed like years ago.

You pulled through that, bro…you can make it through this. Just fight it… Manic's whole body shot up when Tails gently laid a hand on his other adopted brother's shoulder.

"You okay?"Manic realized that he'd been shaking.

"Yea…just tired. I just want to sleep under the stars tonight, okay?" Tails nodded-he understood that Manic wanted some time alone. There was nothing threatening enough on Angel Island to not let him sleep outside-besides, that's how Knuckles always rested.

"I'll go get some soft leaves, so you can be more comfortable. You can go look over there." Tails said, pointing to the west. "I think you have a flashlight in your pack. I felt it when I was looking for the emeralds." Manic nodded, feeling around for the light. When he found 2, he tossed the other to Tails.

20 minutes later, Manic came back, arms full of leaves, and pack stuffed with even more. His eyes were red, and Tails could tell he'd been crying.

"Wow, you found a lot…can I use some of those too?" Manic nodded, throat still a bit choked up. He pulled off his beige pack, and pulled all the leaves out of it. Handing them to Tails, he quickly snatched his hand back. Tails was puzzled, but then he noticed Manic's gloves were tear-stained.

"I-I had time to make 2 tents, if you want to use one…" Manic nodded again, then crawled into the low entrance. After a minute, he poked his head out again.

"Can I have Sonic?" Tails was about to argue, but, seeing Manic's face, agreed.

"Okay, I'll go get him…you stay here." Tails walked back to the altar, everything the same except Knuckles had woken up. He was shaking Shadow, but the black hedgehog was stone still except for his gentle breathing.

"He's fine, just exhausted." Tails informed Knuckles, before walking up to Sonic. He looked just like he had 20 minutes ago, except his face was twisted, as if he was in pain.

"Poor Sonic…" Tails murmured, wiggling his arms under his friends' limp frame. He carried him back to their campsite, feeling a bit happier upon seeing the joy in Manic's face when he saw Sonic. When Tails handed him his brother, however, his face fell.

"He-he looks like he's hurting…" Tails sighed.

"He's fighting Dark…It's better than him being dead…right? I'm sure he's doing his best to wake up…" Manic shivered.

"I know…but he taught me how to fit in…be normal…without him, I'd probably be still sleeping in alleys, stealing, and having no family to speak of…Sonic gave me purpose." Having admitted his feelings, Manic ducked into his tent before starting to cry again. Tails could hear him, and decided to give the hedgehog some needed space. He crawled into his tent as well, and before falling into a restless sleep, managed to give Manic one last word of comfort.

"Sleep well…"

xxx

It was pitch black, and Tails was walking alone. He could feel cool grass under his feet, but he only wanted to get Sonic and go home. He heard a stick crack behind him, and whipped around.

"S-sonic? Is that you?" Tails sighed in relief when Sonic stepped out, but suddenly froze. Sonic looked the same, except his fur was black and his eyes were closed. He floated towards Tails, arms hanging limply at his sides.

"Sonic? What happened?" Sonic grinned, his teeth sharp fangs, stained with blood.

"I'm dead, Tails. And you're next…" Tails turned and tried to run, but his feet were glued to the ground. He screamed, but no sound came out. His tails were stuck together, so he couldn't fly…Sonic came closer, until he grabbed Tails and started shaking him, laughing maniacally…

Tails bolted awake, entire body coated in sweat. He was breathing hard, and Knuckles was gripping the foxes' sides and was shaking him vigorously.

"TAILS! WAKE UP! You're having a nightmare!" Tail blinked, then sat up, swiveling his head and taking in his surroundings.

"Where am I?" Knuckles, satisfied that Tails was all right, let go.

"You're on Angel Island. Manic is in the tent next to you. Are you okay?" Tails started rubbing his head. It seemed so real…

"Just a bad dream…"

"A really bad dream, judging from the way you were screaming." Tails started blushing, embarrassed.

"Did I wake you up?' Knuckles shook his head.

"The sun's been up for a few hours already. Manic got up a few minutes ago, but he was sleeping pretty deeply through the whole thing. You're clear. Oh, and I think Shadow can take you back to the mainland now." Tails pushed himself until he was standing up.

"I think we'll go now, then, if Manic's ready…" Knuckles nodded.

"Probably a good idea…the tents are made of leaves and such so you don't need to take them down." Tails crawled out of the makeshift tent, with Knuckles behind him. Manic was waiting at the altar. He was carrying Sonic, and his eyes were a bit less red. Shadow was standing in front of the Master, tossing the red emerald and looking bored.

"All right, if you're all ready…call me when Sonic wakes up." Knuckles said, waving. Shadow grabbed Tail hand, and Tails barely had time to grab Manic before Shadow yelled,

"CHAOS CONTROL!" Manic squeezed Sonic even tighter with his right hand.

You can pull through this…

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