Through the Monitor

by Ryu the Weredragon

For a group of people, the fantasy world of Sonic is becoming reality. What at first appeared to be a random transformation or two is something far more important ... or perhaps sinister.

25. Kyle's Reckoning

Through the Monitor

Disclaimer: We don't own Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Cream, Cheese, Eggman, EggPawns or Flappers. Though we DO own Rings, Sparkle, and Sarina.

Author's Note: This chapter was written by Rusty Raccoon

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Chapter 25: Kyle's Reckoning

It had started out as a peaceful day. Rings and Tails were going for a walk when they'd heard an explosion in the direction of a cold storage warehouse. The warehouse contained shipments medical supplies and food within the first storage center; other perishable vaccines and food were stored within a freezer on the other side of it. They'd rushed to the scene to discover six injured security guards. Five of them did not have life threatening injuries; The sixth however was injured badly enough that Rings and Tails had to hold off the attackers long enough for medical teams to get there if they were to save him. On a positive note, the security had delayed the robots long enough to allow the employees to evacuate the building. They'd learned from injured security guards that supplies stored there were sensitive and decided that they couldn't afford to wait for backup before proceeding.

Rings hadn't of protested when Tails insisted on fighting the attackers alone. Someone that hated fighting and lacked the skills to, Rings didn't protest Tails' request. Prone in an air vent he'd crawled into, Rings watched Tails standing before six EggPawns inside the warehouse via a link to the security cameras he'd hacked. Tails was the perishable supplies. Rings hated fighting, the idea of harming someone sent shivers down his spine; as someone that liked technology, he didn't like harming robots either.

He watched the battle nervously. Tails was alone facing down all of those robots. He and Tails had been walking by the warehouse when the robots attacked. Rings knew he should have summoned help before going in. After hearing the initial blasts from the attacks, he and Tails had rushed to the scene.

The raccoon watched as three EggPawns charged Tails, the little fox jumping and spinning around like a top, his namesake first cracking the robots. Pieces soon flew off their shells before they disintegrated under his barrage. Way to go little buddy. An alarm sounded on his laptop and Rings pressed a sequence to switch to another camera.

Outside, paramedics were arriving but six flappers were descending towards the building right above he and the location of Tails. As well, another larger robot that looked like an EggPawn but was considerably larger was heading for a receiver entrance door. Damn it; Rings thought of a new tactic, he decided to give hacking into the robots systems a try. He needed to buy the paramedics time.

He kept the camera on Tails in one window as be brought up the hacker interface in the other. He attempted to access the larger robots systems. He tried accessing its tactical systems to get an idea of what weapons it possessed; access denied. He tried to shut it down; access to power systems denied. The robot was banging on the receiving door and visible dents were forming.

Rings looked into the other window after hearing a crash. The flappers had crashed through the ceiling and were heading for Tails location.

You can do it buddy; just hang on for a few more minutes.

Rings made another attempt to access the robots systems, this time information about it. He managed to get access to basic information. All he knew was that it was an EggPawn Mark two and was at least three times as strong as a standard. He couldn't get any other info for a few seconds before coming across something promising.

Targeting? Now this is interesting; maybe I can use it to…

He hands flew across the keyboard as he accessed the interface. Unfortunately, it denied him any access to altering the primary targets of the robot: Mobians. He did managed to access a list of what they considered Mobians. Ah, perfect, this could be just what I need.

The flappers had surrounded Tails; he jumped up and did several summersaults in the air, managed to strike one of them, which sent it to the ground. Just as he landed, an EggPawn he thought he'd destroyed grabbed him, holding him against its chest.

"Let me go you bucket of bolts!" he yelled as he squirmed.

Two flappers hovered in front of him just as he heard a smashing a short distance away. A loud crash thundered through the area moments later. Tails' eyes widened when he saw a massive Robot twice the size of an EggPawn charging towards his location, knocking down shelves to get to him. A sudden sharp pain in his chest diverted his attention; the flappers had fired on him.

He fought the urge to pass out or yell from the pain. Thinking quickly, he spun his tails as best as he could against the shell of the robot. His attack loosened its grip and he raised his arms in the air to fall through his grip just as the flappers fired. He hit the ground, going into a prone position to avoid the beams. The sound of metal shattered filled his ears before the spray of debris showered down on him.

Standing up, he didn't have time to brush himself off before the massive robot was standing mere meters in front of him. He watched the flapper's circle around behind him along with two remaining EggPawns.

I know I can do this; I've been in this situation before.

A flash of light seemed to overtake the area and he was standing beside Sonic in a robot-producing factory. Both had bruises from battle and had managed to shut down some of the machines. Unfortunately, robots, blocking all avenues of escape surrounded them.

However, determination had fuelled them to fight on and they'd manage to take every robot out.

Back in the present, Tails stood ready. He wished that Rings had insisted on bringing Sonic or Mighty. Rings didn't have the strength or speed to fight; if only he did then he could be fighting along side with him. Anything would be better then facing these things alone. The larger robot aimed both of his arms at him. Just before it fired, its aim shifted to the flappers, whom it fired on.

What, How is this possible?

Tails turned around to see the robot aim its weapons at the EggPawns behind him after it finished off the flappers. Unfortunately, as he was standing right in the middle of them, he didn't have time to get out of the way before it fired. He tried to get down but one of the shots hit him in the chest, another in the right arm and two more in the chest. He yelled out in pain as he fell to the ground, hearing the robots armor cracking under the attacks.

Another flash of light and he remembered a time when he'd been captured while going for a walk in the woods. There'd been so many robots and he hadn't of seen them coming. They punched him repeatedly, each hit stinging terribly.

Focusing on the present, he lay on his stomach, everything going fuzzy as he saw the two EggPawns explode.

Damn it no!

Rings could only watch in horror when he realises Tails stood directly in the Mark Two's line of fire. The large robots lasers struck Tails multiple times and he lay on the ground in front of the Mark 2. Rings noted that the Mark 2 had destroyed the other robots. It was still seeing other robots as Mobians; at least it wouldn't attack Tails.

He picked up his laptop, put it in a carrier around his shoulder and crawled as fast as he could to get out of the ventilation system. He soon found himself in the warehouse and ran as fast as he could through the debris to where Tails was laying. The robot was standing in front of him.

Rings knelt by Tails side, seeing the fox's battered body. He was bleeding from two on his chest and one in the right arm. Rings breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Tails was still breathing. Rings looked at the robot. He knew he couldn't just leave it like that. If it overrode the changes he made, it might attack someone else. He circled around the robot looking for a panel. He was almost shaking with guilt over what had happened to Tails. If he dies, it's my fault. I should have been down here with him. He found a panel on the robots back and ripped it open; silently hoping the robot would ignore him. There were several wires. Rings wasn't sure which ones to remove so he yanked at one of them, unfortunately, it didn't work and the robot turned around and backhanded hit, sending him flying down the hallway, where he landed with a thud.

Stunned, Rings stood up clutching his chest; so much for deactivating it. He looked at Tails beaten body; anger and upset flowed into him.

You failed him! He's hurt because of you; you deserve to be there, not him!

The robot charged at Rings. He knew he couldn't fight it; he didn't want to.

Just before the robot reached him, Rings saw a blue blur fly into the building and run around the robot. The effect created a small tornado around the robot, which sent it flying into the air. Rings stood up when he saw the blue blur slow down until Sonic stood there just as the robot hit the ground. As the robot lay on its back, Sonic withdrew a hammer and smashed it to pieces.

Rings ran over to the right side of Tails and picked him up. He felt for a pulse on the fox's neck and found one. He felt sick at letting this happen to him and had to hold back the tears. Sonic walked up to him, upset on his face.

"Rings, what happened to him?" he yelled.

Rings sighed, as he looked into Tail's face, barley holding back the tears. "I failed him."

Kyle awoke in his bed with a terrible headache. The shades on his window were down. From the sounds and smells coming from outside, it was early in the morning. He sat up feeling a sharp pain in his chest. There were bandages on his chest, right arm and he found also on his head when he touched it. Ben was sitting on the right side of his bed with a smile on his face.

"Ugh, what happened?" Kyle asked.

"You had a little incident. Rings managed to get that large robot to fire on the smaller ones but it hit you by accident," Ben said.

"Where is Rings?" Kyle asked. He was upset with the raccoon for what had happened; they should have waited for backup before going in; Rings should have trained or something so he could have helped in the fight. However, he knew Rings hates violence, he just couldn't stomach the idea of harming someone; he even had trouble with harming a robot.

"I don't know. He felt so guilty about you that he said he shouldn't be around you, that he'd failed your parents trust and he was a risk to your safety," Ben answered.

"I didn't want him to leave! I was like a brother for him; I think he really cared about me," Kyle said.

"What about Tricky?" Ben asked.

Kyle shuddered at the mention of Tricky's name. The tanuki drove him insane. He wasn't sure how Rings put up with Tricky. When tricky hung out with Ray, it pleased Kyle that someone else was choosing to deal with him.

"I wish I knew how Rings puts up with him," Kyle said.

"He's his brother. I'm sure Tricky does drive Rings insane but they're brothers. Everyone's family drives em batty just as their friends do. But they're still family and despite getting on each other's nerves, they still love each other."

"Rings did seem happy with him around which is why I put up with Tricky."

"Rings seems to think he failed you as a friend," Ben said.

"I need to find him!" Kyle said.

"Hold on now. You're hurt. You need to recover. Look, I can try to find out where he's gone but we need to let him cool off for now," Ben said.

Kyle nodded his head.

"There's something else. It happened again," Kyle said.

"What happened," Ben asked.

"Tails memories. When I was fighting the robots, I started remembering beings Tails. His memories felt so natural, it was as if they were as real as my memories. I found my memories harder to remember, like trying to remember a dream," Kyle said. His eyes welled up, "I'm scared Ben! I don't want to forget that I'm Kyle!"

"Hey," Ben said, hugging Kyle. "I don't know why this is happening but I'm here for you for no matter what happens." Kyle held onto Ben, letting the tears flow freely. "Even if you forget you're Kyle, I'll remember for both of us. No matter who you think you are, you'll always be Kyle to me; okay?" Ben asked. He released the hug and looked Kyle in the eyes.

Kyle nodded, wiping away the tears. "I've never been this emotional before; it's like I have no control over my emotions at all!"

"Well," Ben grinned. "You are a kid again. I say, enjoy it. I mean, how many people get to have a second childhood?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"So, could I at least stay with while you recover?" Ben asked.

"Alright," Kyle answered.

A week later, Kyle had recovered. He needed some time away from it all and looked forward to working on his inventions. He ventured to seaside via train. At his destination, he stepped out into the warm sun and stretched his arms. It felt wonderful against his fur, he walked through the sea of people and towards his home until he was on a path and alone. Kyle listened to the gulls as they flew over and turned towards the ocean. He felt the spray of the mist against his fur and listened to the waves. Physically, it felt wonderful being this way, he felt so energetic and he knew he was cute like this. While people (especially girls) seeing him as cute embarrassed, he couldn't help but cherish such love and attention.

Without a second thought, he started spinning his tails. He slowly hovered about the ground before taking to the air. He felt the currents flowing against him, rustling his fur. He couldn't help but close his eyes, just in the enjoyment of it. He'd always enjoyed doing this to get to his seaside home and the sensations of freedom and innocence never just their novelty. All of his problems would always seem to melt away when he flied. He took in the fantastic view, knowing people would pay good money for something he could experience because of what others would consider an anomaly in his physiology.

He flew for another twenty minutes before landing on the balcony of his home feeling exhilarated, or did he. Since becoming Tails, he'd only been here a handful of times and had only flown there once. Yet, the images of doing it almost as a tradition were as clear to him now as remembering back home. It felt so good remembering these things, it made his body feel much more real instead of costume. When he'd been flying, he felt like he was Tails, not just a physical copy of him.

Hanging his head, he walked inside and slouched down on a leather couch. Was he losing his mind or was he just gaining Tails mind? Why did it have to feel so good? A part of him just wished he could go home, back to being human and back to his life. He hadn't of asked for this, it had just happened. Now, it felt like something wanted Tails memories to invade his mind. He hadn't of forgotten being Kyle … yet. Would he forget? He didn't want to lose who he was!

Why is this happening to me? I don't want to surrender who I am! This isn't fair! I was Kyle; I am Kyle! Doesn't that mean anything?

In an attempt to focus his mind, he went to the garage. There stood his pride and joy, the X-Tornado in all of her glory. He smiled at the sight of her. The memories he had of her were fond, of building her, painting and polishing her for the first time. He remembered battles with her. He flew up into her cockpit and took the controls. The sounds of the readouts, the smell of the seats, he knew her like an old friend.

No, this is Tails stuff, his memories! I never build this thing, I never designed or painted or flew her into battle! I have no right to think of this as my own! It's no more mine then these memories are mine. I feel like I'm stealing all of this stuff. I feel like someone has stolen my body and is now stealing my mind!

He jumped out and hovered down before running out of the garage and closing it behind him. He ran to a cliff overlooking the ocean and got onto his hand and knees. Pounding the dirt, tears flowed down his cheeks.

"This isn't my life, these aren't my things or my memories! I'm not Tails, it's all wrong!" he yelled. Standing up, tears blurred his vision. He frowned as he tore his gloves off and threw them into the sea. "I don't wear gloves, Tails may have but I'm not him!"

Kyle wondered if his existence mattered at all. If he were to die in a battle would whomever did this to him do it to another and make the world think nothing happened? It would have been as though his life on this world had been for nothing! He looked at Tails seaside house and stormed off towards the town. He planned to get as far away from here and from anything to do with Tails as possible. First, he planned to get some clothes. Kyle did not run around naked. He would not be a slave to something or someone he was not. If they chose this moment to alter his mind, so be it, at least he'd go down fighting.

In a white light filled region, an orange Echidna watched over both Rings and Kyle.

"Maybe it might be more humane if we removed Kyle's human memories. The world needs Tails, and right now, he's not acting like Tails." A hedgehog says.

"No, I won't do that to him. Do you know how hard it's been doing it to the others? We're stealing their lives from them. They deserve better then this!" the Echidna responded.

The hedgehog sat down besides her, putting a comforting hand on her right shoulder.

"I know it's been hard do to this but the world needs them," he said.

"I know but sometimes I wonder, are we any better then … them? Are we just two sides of the same coin? We may have benevolent goals but are our methods any better then theirs?" the Echidna asked.

"Believe me, I care about them as much as you do," the hedgehog said, putting a comforting hand on the Echidna's right shoulder. "They're almost like out children now, people we've brought into this world. If we didn't do this, the potential consequences are billions of times worse then anything were doing. Trust me, we're doing the right thing. I think we'll let him discover his own identity for himself."

"What of the ones … they did this to? They deserved better then that. We should have been able to help them!"

The hedgehog sat beside the Echidna and took her hands into his own.

"That's the sad part … the tragedy of war. These monsters use innocent people as pawns in their sick game. They don't care about how innocents suffer. They just see them as targets and nothing more. That's also why we need to do this; if we didn't then for every one innocent lost, millions … perhaps billions would be lost."

"I only hope they can save them; to give them a second chance; make those terrible wrongs right."

"As do I; all the more reason the world needs Tails and why Kyle needs to put his feelings aside," the hedgehog said.

"I know he'll come though. He needs to do this so he can learn. It's only fair we give him that chance," the Echidna said before looking at Rings. "What about him?"

"He needs to feel useful, perhaps we should create a situation for him? Give him his time off while I think of something. The world needs him too; despite how he feels about himself."

The hedgehog nodded and both figures faded away.

Deep in the woods, Rings stood in a lake washing his shirt and gloves. The water was cool and up to his waist. There was a slight current but it was nothing he couldn't handle. There was a slight chill in the air, although Rings fur protected him enough that he actually enjoyed it. He didn't worry too much about his lack of clothing, if anyone saw him, something he doubted would happen, he could just say he was bathing.

He'd been living in the woods for two weeks since that terrible battle at the warehouse. He'd brought only a tent with him to sleep in but otherwise was eating and drinking from nature. Without money, he couldn't afford an apartment and he had nowhere else to go with his home having been destroyed months ago by Eggman.

Even if I could go somewhere, I wouldn't. I can't risk someone else getting hurt because of me.

Images of that robot hitting Tails played out in his mind as he finished washing his shirt and gloves and laid them on the shore beside his boots to dry off.

I should have known better; I could fight this wouldn't have happened.

He wondered where Tricky was but didn't want to risk someone harming his brother to get to him. He wanted to know if Kyle was all right but likewise, was unwilling to risk visiting him.

Feeling dirty, he swam neck deep back into the water to clean himself off. He treaded water before lying on his back, looking up into the blue cloudless sky as he let the water flow over him. It helped to relax him, although he couldn't quite escape his feelings of guilt and failure.

It was then that he heard a splashing sound a short distance from his location. He swam over to it and saw a Chao struggling to stay afloat.

"It's all right, I'm coming!" he said. He made it to the Chao, seeing it was a female pink one. "I'm going to swim under you, when I surface, climb onto my shoulders. You're going to be all right."

Rings submerged, enjoying the water against his body. He may not have been an otter; seal or walrus but he could still swim. He surfaced just below the Chao and she did as he said, climbing into his head and then his shoulders, holding onto his neck tight, but not so much that he couldn't breathe.

He treaded water before swimming towards the surface where there were a large number of bushes. Once the water was waist deep, he stood up and took the Chao into his hands.

"You're going to be all right," he said.

If I hadn't of been here, she would have drown.

"Who are you?" the Chao asked as she looked up at Rings.

"My name is Rings," he said.

A rustle in the bushes nearby had Rings looking towards them as he approached the shore. He walked closer to the shore, never taking an eye off the bush.

"Who's there?" he asked as he walked onto the shore. His dripping wet fur weighed him down. He'd have to dry off before getting dressed. Darting his head back and forth, he searched for something to cover himself. He put the Chao on the ground to make sure she was all right.

The bushes parted and Rings eyes went wide when he saw none other then Tricky walk out from them. He felt relived to see his brother but feared someone would use this opportunity to harm him.

Tricky on the other hand, didn't seem to fear that at all, evidenced by his running towards Rings, jumping at and hugging him with enough force to knock the raccoon onto his back. Rings looked up at Tricky, who was now sitting on his chest as he took a few moments to recover.

"Ray told me you were here; he saw you when you were flying," Tricky beamed before giggling. "Yer all naked and wet!"

The Chao shook herself off and floated above the duo.

"I'm a … I should get something … to wear!" Rings said.

"Why?" Tricky said with his trademark grin.

"I can't let you see me like this!" Rings said.

"You're silly bro. I dunno why you wear clothes in the first place; they're silly human things!" Tricky said. Rings lifted Tricky off him before standing up. The truth was; he was beyond happy to see Tricky and wanted to give him a hug. There was still that nagging feeling of doubt and worry however. "What's wrong bro, you look bummed!"

"Thank you Mr Rings, you saved my life," The Chao said.

Tricky giggled, "Who's your little friend?"

"Your brother saved me from drowning."

"Come on guys, let's go to my tent to talk; less chance someone will see us there. Just let me pick up my clothes first," Rings said.

"Do be silly bro, you don't need em!" Tricky protested.

Even being around his brother calmed Rings a little. "Okay but don't tell anyone; not even Ray!"

Tricky grinned and hugged Rings. Rings led Tricky and the Chao to his tent a ten-minute walk from the lake. It was a blue tent big enough for two people. Rings sat down inside, still dripping water all over the place; Tricky sat down to his left, all the while grinning and hugging Rings.

"Where did you go these past two weeks bro, I missed you!" Tricky asked.

"I'm sorry for doing that to you Tricky but I couldn't risk them getting you if they were going after me. Tails got hurt because of me. I should have been there with him, able to fight at his side," Rings said with a sigh.

"I play tricks with people, you play tricks with computers; we're not fighters bro," Tricky said.

"Yes but, if I was, I could have helped him. At least if I stay out here, no one will get hurt because they're around me," Rings said.

"But if you stay out here, we can't have any fun; we're a team; it's not the same without you. If Ray or I got hurt because we were on an adventure with ya, then we wouldn't blame you. If those bullies beat us up, it's not cause you're around, it's cause they're bullies!" Tricky said.

I made a mistake with Tails. He got hurt because I was careless.

"I know we're a team but what if I make a mistake and you get hurt because of that?" Rings asked.

Tricky shrugged his shoulders. "What if I get hurt because you weren't in the game? Anyway bro, are ya really having fun out here? Doesn't it get boring?"

He has a point; I may be alive out here, but am I living? Those robots might hurt Tricky or the others anyway. They still might find me out here. Then again, I did save that Chao because I was out here. Maybe someone (or something) needed me to be here at this time.

"It does get lonely and I have missed you. I don't want to be alone but I don't want you to get hurt either. But, if I wasn't here, I wouldn't have been able to save her," Rings said.

"A act of which I thank you Mr Rings," the Chao said.

"Sometimes we beat the bad guys up; sometimes they beat us up. Just like sometimes we win a game and sometimes we lose a game. We might get hurt playing or we might not but at least we're in the game," Tricky said.

"Listen to your brother Mr Rings, he's right," the Chao said.

"Yeah, you're right," Rings said.

"Come on bro," Tricky said, taking Rings right hand with his own. He led Rings out of the tent and into the warm sun. "Play with me! Ray is fun to play with but you understand me."

"What about you?" Rings asked of the Chao.

"I'll stay here and rest. You go and play with your brother. You've earned it," the Chao said.

Rings looked down at his brother, the lad's large smile and adorable nature melting away guilt and worry inside of him. Moments like this were what made fighting worth it. Rings looked down at his body, realising his lack of apparel. Tricky wasn't either, aside from a pair of sneakers.

"By the way, where's you're poncho?" Rings asked.

"Meh, I feel more free this way! Now come on, let's play hide and seek!" Tricky said.

"Well, okay but…"

"Cool! I'll hide first!" Tricky said, pulling a leaf out of a nearby branch and vanishing in a puff of smoke.

A grin crossed Rings' face. Think you can outwit me eh bro? Well, time to see a master in action!

Hours later, Rings sat with Tricky by the lake under a moonlit sky with the Chao floating above them. His clothes and fur were now dry enough that he was able to wear his clothes.

"That was fun," Tricky said.

"Yeah but I still beat ya 12 times to seven," Rings jibbed.

"I'll get ya next time bro," Tricky giggled.

"I guess I am ready to come back but I don't have a place to stay. I can't keep staying with Tails; that's not fair to him; he needs breathing room. I do want to tell him I'm sorry and that I'm all right," Rings said.

"Oh, I just remembered," Tricky said.

"What?"

"Tails got upset about something and ran away a week ago. Sonic hasn't seen him since!" Tricky said.

Rings jumped up to his feet. "Tricky, why didn't you say anything?" Rings asked.

"Bro, I'm sorry, I guess I got distracted when we were playing and kinda forgot," Tricky said.

"Come on Tricky, we need to try to find him; I hope he's all right. I hope he can forgive me for what happened," Rings said.

"Okay bro, lead the way!" Tricky said.

"I want to come with you guys. Mr Rings, you saved me life, I am in your debt," The Chao said.

"Sure, why not; we could always use a friend. Just one thing; it is just Rings, not Mr Rings."

With a smile on his face, Rings took Tricky's right hand into his left as the tanuki stood up. They walked away from the lake and towards Emerald town with the Chao floating after them. Rings felt a sense of purpose again, he knew his friends needed him. He'd saved a life and made a new friend in the process. If anything that only proved the world needed him. Of course, there were always risks, but it was better then hiding away from life.

"Oh Tricky, one more thing," Rings said. Tricky looked up at him and Rings smiled. "Thanks."

"Any time bro!" Tricky said as they resumed walking.

In a bar in a city far from Seaside, Kyle stood before a pool table, cue in hand. He wore a leather jacket, gloves, boots and even shorts he'd managed to find that accommodated his tails. He stared down the table, trying to ignore the smoke in the area.

"Well, what are you waiting for kid? Are you going to take a shot or not?" the burley man he was playing with asked.

Kyle looked over the table and took his shot; unfortunately, he didn't sink any balls.

"Nice try kid. Now watch a master," the man responded.

Kyle watched him sink the rest of his balls over three successive shots. Sighing, Kyle put his cue down. He paid his wager before jumping off the stool he was using to reach the table and walked out of the bar.

Tails would have been able to make that shot. He would have seen the physics of it and beaten that guy without him even getting a turn.

He hadn't had any flashes of memory since coming here nearly two weeks ago. The fact he'd lost actually pleased him. He walked down the cool twilight streets, looking for an arcade or movie theatre to go to. Perhaps, he'd just find a corner and hang there, waiting for trouble to come his way. Kyle wondered if Ben and the others were all right without him. What if there'd been a battle and people got hurt or worse because he wasn't there?

No! Those aren't my fights; they're Tails fights!

Kyle turned a corner and heard the noises of video games, he walked in the door they were coming from to see a video arcade! There weren't many people around this late in the evening. Kyle was happy that he wouldn't have to wait for his choice of game. He started playing a violent one game when his thoughts drifted.

Why are you playing a game with a fictitious battle! There are real battles out there! Why waste your time with something that won't solve anything!

"No!" Kyle yelled.

He looked back and forth to see if anyone had heard him, of course he could just attribute anything he said as his character dying and him getting upset over it. He continued playing the game for almost an hour before he left. By then, the streets were almost empty and it was cold. His fur provided him with more then enough protection, so he decided to stay out.

You're too young to be out this late; Tails would be in bed by now. Go home and get some rest!

"I'm not him! I'm really twenty by now!" Kyle protested, trying to keep these random thoughts at bay.

As he rounded another corner, he heard a loud alarm a block away. He ran towards the source of it and hid behind a stairwell. The alarm was coming from a jewelry store.

Must be a robbery.

Sure enough, two humans ran out of the store carrying large bags full of stolen goods.

You can stop them Kyle. Be a hero; bring them to justice!

"No! I'm not a hero; I'm just a kid! Tails was the hero but he's gone and I'm not him!"

He watched the humans climb into a car. They sped off moments before a pair of police cruisers arrived at the scene.

You could have stopped them; you still can stop them! What are you waiting for?

With a sigh, Kyle climbed out from his hiding place. He looked in the direction the suspects had fled. Turning around, he ran in the opposite direction; this wasn't his fight. He ran as fast as he could towards the apartment he'd rented out. A block before it, he almost ran into a police officer.

"I'm sorry son but it's curfew for everyone under eighteen. What is someone so young doing alone on the streets at such an hour?" the officer said.

Obviously, the human didn't recognize him; not that Kyle blamed him. It was dark and he probably wasn't used to seeing Tails wearing clothes and wandering around at this time of night.

"I'm…" Kyle considered his next words. If he told the officer the truth, the man would likely think him mad and escort him to a mental health facility. No, he had to keep up this charade for now. "I live by myself while my parents are away … I'm on my way home now."

The officer knelt down with a sympathetic look in his face. "You all right son? Those monsters didn't hurt your family did they? We can help you, give you a place to stay if they did."

"No, they're just away," Kyle responded.

"Are you sure?" the officer asked.

Kyle nodded and the officer escorted him to the door of his apartment. Kyle thanked him before entering the building. Rather then flying up, he used the elevator to make his way up to the floor his apartment was on. He walked into his living room, flopping down on his belly on the couch. Looking at the telephone, he decided to call Ben. He needed someone to talk to that grasped what he was going though.

Cream stood alone in a cold, fog shrouded forest.

"Tails, where are you, why won't you answer me?" she screamed. She heard Tails yell in pain multiple times before hearing a thud. Tears filled her eyes when he didn't respond.

She ran in the direction that she'd heard him, everything seeming to go in slow motion. She couldn't see more then a meter ahead of her and heard robots all around her. Then she saw him lying on his back sprawled out with blood staining his chest and burn marks all over his fur. A dozen EggPawns surrounded him as well as two robots she didn't recognize, one looked like a robotic Fox, the other had the name Zero written on him.

"Yes, master right away," the fox said into an intercom. It looked at the other robot and at the EggPawns. "Bring him."

"Impudent brat; now you'll learn the price of defying Eggman!" the fox screamed.

Cream stood up, her eyes welling with tears as the fox charged at her. She tried putting her body between him and Tails but he lunched at her, striking her on the chest, throwing her back several meters. She landed hard but managed to stand up. She ran right back into the fray to see Zero and Tails standing up.

"Leave her … alone!" he yelled.

"Tails no! They'll kill you!" Cream said.

Zero stared at Cream with cold-blooded eyes. It ran over to and grabbed Cream, holding her torso in a tight grip. She struggled to break free but was helpless.

Cream could only watch as the fox ran at Tails. He jumped up but the robot shot a beam at him, hitting him square in the chest. He screamed and fell to the ground in a heap. The fox stepped over to and grabbed Tails by the throat, forcing him up and holding him above its head. Tails struggled but he was too weak from his injuries to escape the grasp of the robot. A rotating blade shot out from the robot's free hand and it slowly moved towards the fox.

"No!" Cream yelled.

The last thing she heard was Tails scream before everything went dark and she found herself shooting up in bed, tears streaming down her face as she whimpered Tails name. Her father ran into her room seconds later and sat on her bed.

"Cream honey, what is it? What's wrong?"

Cream told him about what she'd seen. He held her tight, talking in as soothing as a voice as he could.

"It's all right, it was just a dream," he said.

"How do you know? Something must have happened to him! Where would he go?" she cried.

"I don't know honey but we'll find him somehow."

Those images may have been a dream, but Cream couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Tails. What if he was hurt and needed help? How could she sit there doing nothing?

"What if he's really hurt?" she asked.

"His friends will help him; they've never let him down before have they?"

Cream looked at her father and shook her head.

"Don't worry then, he'll be all right, I promise!"

Kyle sat on a ledge of the roof of his apartment. He wasn't afraid of falling; he could just fly to safety if needed. Although, he realized that thought only furthered the lie he was living.

This body is a lie; I'm a fraud.

His fur suddenly rustled with the feeling of wind caused by something rushing past him. It wasn't windy so he knew it couldn't be that. Must be Ben. He turned to behind him to see Ben standing in front of a vent, his arms folded.

"Kyle … there you are! You know we've been worried sick about you! How could you do this to us? For all we knew, EggMan got you!" Ben said. He walked over to and sat beside Kyle on the ledge, looking at him. "By the way, what's with the clothes? Aren't you hot in those?"

"Tails may run around wearing nothing but gloves and shoes but I'm not him! I'm Kyle and Kyle wears clothes! I had to get away Ben, I couldn't keep living this lie!"

Ben put his left arm over Kyle's shoulders. "What lie buddy?"

"This lie," Kyle said motioning towards himself and then the horizon. "This isn't my real body, it's a perversion!"

"How is it a perversion?" Ben asked.

"This is Tails form, this voice is his not mine! These memories I keep receiving; they're Tails, not mine. What if I end up forgetting who I really am? I don't want to lose Kyle!" His eyes starting welling up with tears, the pressure had been building inside of him so long that he couldn't hold it in anymore. He whimpered for several minutes before regaining his composure. "I never wanted to be in a war! I love this character, I still love this character but I'm not he. How can I ever live up to him?" Kyle said.

"I have faith in you Kyle, I know you can do this. Even as a human, you were the type that certain situations would bring out the best in you. Remember that class, wasn't it 10th grade math? You were failing and needed a ninety on the final exam to your GPA decent. You studied hard and you did it."

"I know but this isn't math, this is war! It's as if someone has drafted us! When I fight, I start remembering Tails life and losing myself in it to the point where I start thinking of myself as him! It's as if to fight like him I have to think I always was him! It's not fair Ben, I don't want to forget I was Kyle! How can I truly be Tails? No matter what I remember or what I look like, I'm not he! I feel like I've stolen all this stuff he has from him and that I'm a fake, nothing more then a pawn in someone else's fight. If I died, how I know whomever did this to me won't just find someone else and alter his or her memories? Do I even matter anymore?" Kyle answered.

"I don't fully understand it either Kyle but I do know how you feel. Sonic was a prince with money and power beyond most people's wildest dreams. Every day I wonder if I'm worthy of this or if I was just lucky and I won some sort of contest. Neither of us is the original but perhaps that's not the point. Maybe we've … inherited these forms and the things that come with them. Look at this way, do you enjoy being like this?"

"Most of my life I've wanted to make a difference. It feels good fighting the bad guys and knowing I've not only helped to save lives but also brought this world one step closer to freedom. But what of my fear of losing Kyle?"

"Well, can you truly say you're the same person now that you were when you changed? Or can you say you were the same person at eighteen years old that you were when you were twelve?"

"Well, no but this is a lot more then just growing up and changing as a person!" Kyle protested.

"Is it? Our experiences and memories change who we all throughout our lives. Maybe we need to remember the lives of the originals so we know how to function as them. Maybe so many have forgotten because there are things they need to do as who they've become that they might not otherwise do. I don't know if either of us will eventually forget or not but it won't change the fact that we were Ben and Kyle. As long as someone remembers you, Kyle will never be gone. Even if no one remembers us, it doesn't change who we were; nothing can take that away. I think something about who were is why this happened to us and that alone means the spirit of who we were will always be with us."

Kyle understood what Ben meant and nodded. "I guess if I'm going to be Tails in body and mind then maybe that's my fate and ignoring Tails duties will only make things worse. However, if I forget, I'll be living a lie. All of his stuff … even this body is Tails' … not mine! I always believed in the concept of having a soul. If the original Tails is dead then his soul has moved on. Is it right for me to act as though I'm him?" Kyle asked.

"Like I said, think of his stuff as inheritance. When he died, he passed his stuff, even his form onto you. Maybe what matters is that we're keeping the spirit of these people alive. Maybe that's another reason we're getting their memories. Being who we've become is more then just a physical or mental thing. Maybe whoever did this to us feels we have the spirit of these characters … these roles inside of us. By saying you're Tails, you're keeping the spirit of him alive," Ben said.

"What like Batman or something? Like how different people could be Batman and it's the spirit of the role that resides within?" Kyle asked.

"That's right. Was Terry any less of a Batman then Bruce? No, he wasn't. He was keeping the spirit of the role alive. As long as there was someone to keep the legacy and spirit alive then even long after the Bruce had died, Batman would live in," Ben said.

"So, as long as I keep the spirit of the original Tails alive and keep up the fight, then I'm no less valid as him then he was? If I do forget being Kyle, inside of me, even if I don't know it, Kyle will always exist and nothing can change that?"

"That's right buddy. Now, come on, why don't we go home? People there want you back; I want you back."

"I need time to think about all of this," Kyle said.

"I understand, just don't be a stranger okay?" Ben asked.

Kyle nodded and Ben stood up. Kyle stood up and took several steps back before Ben did the same and ran down the side of the building at super speed. Kyle watched him speed down the road and into the night. He considered walking back downstairs but instead, using his tails, he floated down to his balcony and walked back into his apartment.

He needed time to consider what Ben had said and drew a bath with cool water. When it was full, he stood by it and took everything off, realizing he felt relived to be free of the clothes.

So, who am I? Am I Kyle or am I Tails? I do have do give up being Kyle to be Tails? Do I want to give Kyle up?

Stepping into the bath, he breathed a sigh of relaxation. He would need time to think about this, to consider his future, perhaps the entire world's future.

The spider drone walked up to the house in Emerald Town. No larger then a drink coaster and shaped like its namesake, its primary function was reconnaissance. It used its laser to drill a hole through the door, entering soon after.

"Drone five-alpha, scan for life forms," the voice over the radio ordered.

"Acknowledged, initiating scan," the drone responded.

The drone scanned the apartment with its infrared vision, finding no life forms present.

"Target appears to have left the premises. Require input for next course of action," the robot said.

"Our objective isn't here, return to base. Drone Five-Beta has located the tertiary target in Knothole it is sending co-ordinates. Drone Five-Gamma in Riverside has stopped responding but located the primary target beforehand. Status is unknown, proceed to Riverside."

"Yes master."

RiverSide, Kyle's apartment

Getting out of the bath, Kyle dripped water all over the floor. Unlike an otter or beaver, he didn't have waterproof fur, and the water would weigh him down while it took time to dry. He draped a towel around himself, taking care to fit his tails through the space where both ends met. A strange whirring sound alerted Kyle that something was wrong.

"Is anyone there?" Kyle asked.

There was no response. Kyle walked out of the bathroom and into the living room where he saw a Spider Drone on the floor. It looked right at him and he felt a strange tingle. A small rush of memories, one he didn't bother to resist this time and Kyle knew the sensation meant the drone was scanning him. While harmless, the scan revealed a lot of information about him to whoever was controlling this robot.

"Target confirmed, requesting instructions!" the robot said.

"Here's an instruction you bucket of bolts," Kyle yelled as he threw his towel over the robot. He started dripping water all over the floor but he didn't care. He felt a draft from the hole in the door and frowned. "Damned Eggman, why can't he just leave me alone?"

Kyle approached the blanket and stepped on the drone was as hard as he could, hearing it smash beneath his foot. He picked up the towel, seeing the pieces of the robot. Shaking his head, he grinned, the usual cheap construction.

Another sound perked his ears, this time a mechanical whirring flying up to his balcony. Kyle looked to see four Flappers and another flapper, this one with purple armour and two lasers hovering just over his balcony; it was twice the size of the others.

"Can't anyone leave me alone!" Kyle yelled.

The flappers fired, smashing the glass, the hits that penetrated forced Kyle to jump out of the way, his wet fur making moving difficult. The shots scorched his walls and one set a small fire on his couch. Two of the flappers flew into the apartment, proceeding directly towards Kyle.

"You're going to pay for that!" Kyle yelled.

"Surrender and this will be easy, don't and…" the largest flapper said.

One of the smaller flappers fired at Kyle just as he stood up, hitting him in the right shoulder, knocking him onto the floor. Kyle stood up and rubbed his shoulder. There was a painful scorch mark in his fur. If he wasn't endangering others, he may have fled. However, he felt something from Tails as more memories surfaced. More pain, whether his or others was undesirable. He had to defeat these monsters lest they harm others.

He rushed the two flappers. The one of his left fired, but Kyle was expecting it and dodged to his right, the laser beam searing past him and smashing into the wall. Kyle grabbed the laser cannon of the flapper on his right. The fur on his arms tingled as he felt the barrel warming; the bot was about to fire! Acting on instinct, Kyle tossed the flapper into the other as it misfired, hitting one of the flappers outside, sending all three to the ground, damaged but still operational.

"Take that!" he yelled. While immature, it felt great to say.

The flappers shook as though they were about to resume the fight. Kyle felt more memories re-surface, this time ones that hadn't of before. He now knew of another weapon to use in this fight. He reached behind his back and felt a tingle on his hands. Feeling weight on them, he brought them forward. Now armed with a pair of Chu2 Bombs, he grinned as he launched them at the flappers. He stood back as the mouse like projectiles sped across the floor and exploded against the flappers, destroying them and scorching his rug.

Unfortunately, the explosion also activated the sprinklers and set off the fire alarm, a sound that blared in his ears. Kyle pinned his ears back to help drown out the sound as he felt the shower of the sprinklers hit him, further soaking his already wet fur.

Leaping over the smouldering ruins of the flappers, he saw two of the remaining three flappers fly into the apartment. The laser had damaged one but the other was intact. He destroyed the damaged flapper with a kick but the other fired as he landed amongst the debris. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough time to dodge and the blast hit him square in the chest, once against knocking him onto his back.

The fifth flapper, one Kyle dubbed a Mark II flew into the apartment, smashing the door. It hovered over Kyle. He looked up just as a clawed hand extended from the Mark II's underside, grabbed his torso, lifted him up and slammed him into a wall. Dazed, Kyle grabbed the metallic arm as he struggled to break free.

"Surrender or I will eliminate you," the robot said. The other flapper aimed its laser directly at Kyle's head as it floated a few meters away.

Sighing Kyle nodded his head and gradually raised his arms in defeat. Acting on instinct, he remembered how he'd acquired the bombs. With a mere thought, he accessed subspace and soon his Piko-Piko hammer materialised in his hands. Without a second thought, he slammed it down on the robot's arm, breaking it in two and loosening its grasp on him.

With a smile on his face, Kyle let go of the hammer and slipped out of the hand just as the other flapper fired, narrowly missing his head. He retrieved the hammer and leapt into the air between them, hovering with his namesake. Spun the hammer around as fast as he could, he felt the impact of the first flapper disintegrating and second flapper taking damage. Unfortunately, the water from the sprinklers caused the hammer to fall from his grasp.

Kyle landed and was just about to pick it up when the robot fired a weapon from its underside, hitting the floor. The resulting shower of concrete carpet threw sending Kyle and his hammer in opposite directions. Kyle landed on his couch. When he re-gained his composure, he saw the Flapper Mark II sparking from two damaged sections. It turned and flew towards him.

Thinking fast, Kyle concentrated and watched an outline of a trio of Chu2 Bombs appear in his hands. Those outlines soon filled into three operational bombs. Kyle didn't give the flapper a chance to fire before launching the bombs. They flew towards the flapper and detonated, severely damaging its armour.

Kyle used the distraction to dash under the flapper and retrieved his hammer. With a heave, he jumped up and floated just above the damaged flapper before slamming it down with all of his might, destroying the flapper. Standing among its debris, Kyle breathed deeply and returned the hammer to subspace before clutching his stinging chest wound.

He heard another sound and saw another SpiderDrone crawl into his apartment. This time, he pounced on it and forced its top open. He ripped out enough wires to prevent it from getting away and waited to see if it received any instructions.

Whoever sent these, (as if it's any mystery) is going to pay!

First however, he had to shut off that darned alarm and sprinkler system.

Knothole, five minutes ago

With Cheese floating behind her, Cream strolled into her favourite ice-cream store, the familiar bell ringing as she opened the door. Feeling the cool breeze of the air conditioning, she waved to her familiar servers and the other patrons, Bob, Dustin and Janey.

Bob was twenty-three and working at the store while he looked for a position more suited to his education.

Dustin was eighteen and working at the store to save up money to further his education.

Janey was sixteen and working at the store as a summer job while at High School.

A green male hedgehog named Steve and a light blue female seal named Kathryn sat with a human girl named Alexandria who was also Bob's neice. All three were eight years old.

There were five other human children in the store, three girls and two boys. The three girls were together eating and chatting as the boys waited in line.

Just as Cream stepped in line to order, she heard a strange mechanical whirring sound. She'd been hearing the sound intermittently while walking to the store but had never seen anything, so she'd thought it was her imagination. She looked to see a small spider shaped robot drill a hole through the door she'd walked through and walk right up to her.

"What is it?" Bob asked.

The boys in line ran to the other side of the store as Cream stood there, examining the robot.

"Targets located … transmitting co-ordinates," the robot said.

"Cream, what's…?" Dustin asked. The windows of the store vibrated and seconds later, four flappers, one of which was a mark two hovered down to the windows "Oh my … God!"

Swirls of energy appeared under the flappers, which formed into three EggPawns. The EggPawns fired at the windows, sending glass flying everywhere as they shattered under the impacts. The glass rained down on the children sitting at them and they screamed as they scrambled away. Alexandria, Steve and Kathryn ran over to Cream's side.

"They're after me! Get everyone to safety before they kill someone!" Cream yelled.

"We can't let them get you!" Kathryn protested.

"Yes you can! Please, just save yourselves," Cream said.

The kids and her Mobian friends all ran out, except for Kathryn.

"Cream, I can't just leave you!" she protested.

"Yes you can. They want me; they'll hurt you to get to me. Please!" Cream protested.

Kathryn sighed hard "all right Cream, if that's what you want," she said before running out.

"Call for help!" Dustin yelled.

He jumped over the counter, placing himself between Cream and the attackers.

"Dustin, no … they'll," Cream yelled but she was cut off as two of the flappers flew in and fired at him. His entire body coursed with energy as the beams hit him, knocking him onto her and both to the ground. Cream held him as he fell. There were two scorch marks on his uniform and he was cringing in pain. Cream knelt down beside him, tears welling in her eyes.

"Monsters!" Cream heard Janey yelled as she jumped over the counter. The two Flappers turned towards Janey.

"NO!" Cream yelled.

Janey ducked as the Flappers shot at her, the lasers smashing the counter as they narrowly missed her.

"I'll be okay honey, it just hurts that's all," Dustin weakly said.

Cream stood up as the flappers aimed at Janey. Cheese floated down beside her.

"Let's get em cheese!" she said.

The chao nodded. Holding her hands out before her, Cream accessed subspace. She watched her hammer materialise and held it. Floating up, she struck the flapper to her left. Cheese flew at the one on her right at such speeds that it exploded when he collided with it. Seeing the damaged flapper on the floor, Cream finished it off with her hammer. Janey stood up and thanked Cream and Cheese.

"Get him help, I'll take the rest of them!" Cream yelled.

Janey nodded and helped Dustin up, both walking towards the back of the store.

Holding her hammer, Cream stared down the remaining two flappers and the EggPawns. All of the robots smashed their way into the store. While knowing the robots outnumbered and outgunned her terrified Cream, she wasn't about to retreat if it meant leaving innocents in the line of fire.

Cheese charged toward the EggPawns only to be struck when they all fired their weapons. The impact threw him into Cream, knocking her onto her back. Cheese was singed and semiconscious.

"Cheese!" Cream cried.

"You can do it," Cheese moaned before passing out.

Cream lowered Cheese to the ground before running at the closest EggPawn. She spun her hammer at it, damaging but not destroying it. The Eggpawn struck her, sending her flying into the wall. As all three EggPawns advanced on her, it looked like this was it. Her eyes welled up as she braced herself.

"Leave her alone!" a voice yelled, it was Amy's voice! The pink hedgehog dashed to Cream's side. "She's my friend and if you want to mess with her, you have go through me!" Amy yelled, holding her crossbow.

Amy fired on an EggPawn, the robot exploding under the impact. Cream wiped her eyes to see the explosion had damaged the other two. Amy zipped between the two. The EggPawns charged her and she fired at one, hitting it square in the chest. The other punched her, turning her around and sending her to the ground. Cream was scared and upset but now she was getting pissed. She retrieved her hammer and charged the robot Amy had hit, smashing it to bits. She watched Amy recover, place her crossbow to her side, and retrieved her hammer, in all its massive glory.

Right before Cream's eyes, Amy jumped and flattened the robot. The flappers all flew into the store, including the mark II. Cream returned her hammer and she watched as Amy did the same. She took Amy's hands and smiled at her friend.

"Ready?" Cream said.

"Let's get em!" Amy responded.

Cream flew up and launched Amy at the flappers in an expertly executed thundershoot that sent the two standard flappers to the ground damaged but only dented the mark II. Amy landed by Cream's side as Cream floated to the ground.

"Incompetent fool! This is how I reward incompetence!" a voice that sounded much like Eggman bellowed from the Mark II. Lasers fired from it at the damaged flappers, destroying both of them!

Amy again withdrew her hammer and charged the Mark II. She leaped up and struck it multiple times; unfortunately, her attacks inflicted only minor damage. Cream did the same, but the Mark II was ready for her and its claw shot out and grabbed her. Still holding her mallet, Cream raised it to strike the robot's arm.

"We learn from our errors!" the robot said.

A jolt of electricity shot out from it, striking Cream, causing her to drop the hammer as she yelled out in pain. Feeling faint, she watched Amy dropping her hammer and loading her crossbow, firing three shots at the Mark II. The shots did little damage. The Mark II shot two laser beams at Amy. The hedgehog dodged the first but her evasive manoeuvre brought her right into the path of the second. The beam hit her with enough force to send her flying back into the counter, after which she fell to the floor on her belly.

"NO!" Cream weakly cried.

"Targets in custody, proceeding back to base," the Mark II said. Cream saw that they also had Cheese and felt true helplessness. The Mark II flew up, smashing through the ceiling, narrowly avoiding hitting Cream's head. Cream tried to struggle free, but she was too weak from the shock. She lost consciousness several seconds later.

RiverSide, Kyle's apartment

Kyle listened in horror as the SpiderDrone's communicator relayed a report that an assault team had captured Cream and Cheese.

"Let them go! They're innocent!" he yelled into it.

"If you care about them so much then you're welcome to take their place at my base on the Western Planes. Of course, you may bring your raccoon friend if you'd like; I could always use another robot. You have forty-eight hours. I suggest you don't delay," the voice of EggMan said.

The transmission ended and Kyle heard an overload in the drone. He jumped out of the way just before it exploded, leaving a scorch mark on the floor. Hanging his head, Kyle watched the sprinkler (which was still running as well as the alarm) extinguish the small fire the explosion created. He sat on the floor and put his head between his knees as he started to cry.

"I don't want to give up being Kyle!" he whimpered.

Ben's words came back to him Kyle will never be gone.

But that isn't really Cream!

Does it matter? She thinks she is! Even if she's living a lie, she's still an innocent girl that needs you. The world needs you Kyle, it needs Tails.

Clarity hit him like a brick wall; he knew he was part of something colossal. More was at stake here then his form … or sanity. This world needed him. Perhaps as with Peter Parker and Spiderman, being Tails was both a gift and a curse. He couldn't run away from who he was and knew he didn't have to give up being Kyle to be Tails. Kyle was no less important then Tails and would always be part of him; nothing could take that way. It was time to stop being selfish, to grow up and be a man (the irony of growing up by becoming a child not lost on him), to accept who he was and who he needed to be.

Memories flowed into him like a forceful waterfall into a mighty river. He felt fear that this was it, Kyle would be no more. Instead, he remembered Kyle. His memories mixed with Tails; the fox's experiences, skills, likes, dislikes and everything else that made him a person added to Kyle's own mind. He felt a sense of relaxation, of familiarity. He knew who he was; he was ready for this life, to accept this form as one that was as much his own as his human form.

He felt it, he wasn't just Kyle or Tails; he was both. However, having Tails form brought forth certain aspects of Tails' personality out stronger. The lack of clothing had confused him since he came to this world. Despite not technically needed it, he felt naked without it. Up until recently, it had been something he'd done because he felt it expected. Now, it felt normal. Tails' memories stirred a confidence in his lack of attire; there was no nudity about it; the only clothing he needed was gloves and shoes, anything else would be for fashion or protection in battle. Kyle knew that having this form with Tails' memories now intact meant he might lose himself to it. However, he also knew that at least some part of him would always be Kyle. In a sense, he felt older, more experienced. He was ready to face this world, not just as a young man turned into Tails, but as the fox himself.

Walking onto the balcony, he flew to the roof, shaking as much of the water as he could off him. In the distance, he heard sirens heading towards the apartment in response to this attack. With his fur as dry as he could get it, Kyle … Tails looked into the horizon and flew into the night.

Sarina lounged on a park bench reading a book. It was warm day and the twenty-one year old ferret was wearing only her black tubetop, shorts, gloves and running shoes. The sun felt nice against her white fur and she was enjoying her day off.

All was going well until she heard sirens heading west. She bolted up and left her book on the bench as she used her speed to follow them to the ice cream store. She gasped when she saw the damage

Paramedics were carrying two people to a waiting ambulance. The first was an unconscious human with a pair of chest wounds as two other concerned looking humans followed. The second was a conscious but bruised female pink hedgehog in an orange dress was on the other one. Sarina recognized her as Amy Rose. She stopped the paramedics as she ran over to Amy.

"I heard the sirens and got here as fast as I could. What happened?" she asked.

Amy grabbed Sarina's right arm, pain in her face.

"EggMan robots, they attacked … took Cream and Cheese. I tried to help but there were new types of robots … too powerful to stop."

Was she talking about the Cream?

"What direction did they go?" Sarina asked.

"They went South," one the of the humans responded.

"Don't worry Amy, I'm going to find her!" Sarina said.

"Wait … who are you?" Amy asked.

"Just a someone who wants to help. You get some rest, " Sarina said before running off.

As the scenery sped by, Sarina considered trying to find other freedom fighters. However, she'd just spotted the robots carrying Cream and couldn't risk losing them. She pursued them, staying what she felt was far enough behind to prevent them from seeing her.

The chase lasted for several hours. On more then one occasion, the robots had stopped but Sarina had been able to hide. Unfortunately, they had long since left KnotHole and appeared to be entering the Western Planes. There was little cover here and much of the land was flat with only shrubs dotting the landscape. Sarina was tired and sweaty, her dainty long white hair messy. She felt overheated and wished she brought some water with her. A part of her wanted to stop but she was determined to stay with them. She was starting to slow and felt herself cramping up, finally having no choice but to stop and kneel down on the prairie.

"No!" she yelled as she fell onto her back. Breathing hard, she helplessly watching the robots vanish over the horizon.

When she caught her breath, she stood up and spotted a structure in the direction the bots had gone.

"Don't worry honey, I'm coming!" she said.

She sped towards the structure, wishing she'd brought backup. Oh well, would've, should've and could've. She reached the perimeter of the base, seeing a wide assortment of robots guarding it. She saw a large rock and hid behind it, trying to formulate a plan.

Okay, tons of bad guys, one rabbit inside, how hard can it be? Sure I don't have super strength or intelligence and I can't fly and I'm alone, tired, dehydrated, have no idea of the layout of the base or where they took her but that doesn't mean I can't save her!

Sarina heard a gate opening coupled with a mechanical whirring sound. She didn't have time to react before hearing robots to her right. She turned to see a pair of EggPawns standing there, staring at her blankly through their viewers.

"Halt Intruder," the one on the right side.

"State your intent," the one on the left said.

"Um," Sarina started as she stood. "Say, do you guys know the way to Frankey Burger? I kind of lost my way," she said.

The EggPawns looked at each other and charged Sarina with their lances. Sarina dodged to her right, using the rightmost Pawns lance for support as she leap over them.

"Guess not," she said.

The EggPawns turned, smashing each other with their lances. Sarina did several summersaults backward to avoid the shrapnel and looked on in befuddlement.

"Humph, Pawns," she said as she shook her head.

She was so distracted that she didn't notice the flapper flying to her right until it fired at her. The shot stuck the ground beside her, sending her flying backwards several meters.

"Crikey!" she yelled as she struck the ground, getting dirt all over her fur. Now her left side hurt and she was getting pissed. She picked herself up to see the flapper heading towards her as well as several others on the other side of the fence.

She started running around the ground under the flapper as fast as she could, the wind she created hit the flapper, blowing it up far into the sky. "Gottcha!" she said.

The fence before her opened and she ran right past the EggPawns and to what she assumed was the front door. It didn't open when she walked up to it.

"Figures," she said to herself as she searched for a control panel. "How the heck do I open this door?"

"Only legitimate members of this base may gain admittance," a robotic voice said.

"Great, you sound like you work here, can I borrow your swipe card?" Sarina said as she turned around to see a SwatBot behind her. She smacked her head when she realized her mistake. "Sorry, that should be, can I swipe your swipe card. Hey, swipe your swipe card," she snickered.

"Please come with me," the SwatBot said.

"You know, I considered that but you're just not my type. Now, if maybe you were just a bit shorter, maybe a little warmer and you know; not an evil robot then I might reconsider. Sorry hun but until then ciao!" Sarina said. She ran towards what she hoped what a weapons shed, hoping to find something to defend herself with. Unfortunately, another locked door greeted her. She discovered the SwatBot had been following her when she turned around. It grabbed her around her chest with both it hands which stung her already sore left side.

"Little rough for our first date don't you think?" she asked as she struggled to escape.

"Do not resist!" The SwatBot ordered.

"Don't resist? I thought you liked it rough. Can't be rough if I don't fight back a little can it sweetheart?"

"You will cease this irrelevant conversation!" The bot ordered, tightening its grip.

"By Jove I think he means it!" Sarina said.

"I require you enter into a state of unconsciousness at this time," the bot said.

"Friend, if you think you're getting me into bed that easily then you…" she was cut off when the bot jolted her with electricity. "Then again, I may be open for negotiations," she squeaked out before everything went black.

The sound of dripping water, cool temperatures, a musty smell and a splitting headache greeted Sarina when she opened her eyes. She was lying on a slap with what looked like a pink bunny standing next to her.

"You okay miss," the rabbit asked.

Sarina sat up, looking the rabbit in the eye. "Sarina," she finished.

"Hi, Sarina, I'm Cream and this is Cheese," The rabbit said, pointing out the small chao floating behind her.

"How do ya do?" the Chao asked.

"Aside from a little headache and ouch!" Sarina said, grabbing her left side. "Okay, I'm not as fine as I thought."

"How did those mean people get you?" Cream asked.

"Actually honey I was trying to get you out of here. Guess I didn't do such a good job. Are you all right?" she asked.

"Yes but these meanines haven't fed us anything since we got here," Cream answered.

"Don't worry Cream, I'll find a way for us to get out of here. Even if I can't, I know your friends will do something once they know you're missing."

A sad look crossed Cream's face as she sighed. "I hope so," she cried.

Eight hours after leaving Riverside, Tails, his fur now dry, stood in front of his Emerald Town house. Ben, Knuckles and Rings (with Tricky at his side and the Chao sitting on his left shoulder. Tricky was now wearing his poncho) were there with him. Kyle had parked the Tornado III a short distance away, ready to take off at a moments notice. He'd learned about Amy and Dustin being injured defending Cream. They were going to be all right but would need a few days to recover.

"You can't go alone, it's too dangerous!" Ben protested.

"This is my decision Sonic, it's my fault he took her, I should be the one to get her out … or face the consequences!" Tails said.

"If I wasen't hiding in the woods, he'd have captured me too. It should be be there, not her. You've already suffered enough because of mistakes I've made; you shoulden't have to anymore," Rings said.

"No! You can't let those monsters get you!" Tricky protested, holding Rings tight. "if you're going then I'm going!"

"Rings, what happened was an accident. You're not a fighter and I won't exchange one innocent for another; Cream would never allow that! If I haden't have run off then I may have been there with her and been able to fight them off. These wretches have used far too many innocent people as pawns, I can't allow that to happen to her … or you."

"Miles … Tails, I know I've been protective of you but I can't just let you go in there alone. Who knows what they have waiting," Rings protested.

"Rings, I can't let you come with me. They wanted you as much as they wanted me. How could I risk leaving Tricky without his big brother? If I took you with me and something happened to you, I'd never be able to forgive myself. I couldn't concentrate if I had to worry like that," Tails said.

"Well, why not bring Sonic and Knuckles with you?" Rings asked.

"Yeah Tails, we're a team, I should go!" Ben said.

"No Rings, I can't leave you alone, not with the risk that they may come after you again," Tails said before turning to Ben "I need power for this; someone to distract the guards while I look for Cream." He then looked at Knuckles ",Knuckles, I need you for this,"," Tails said.

"Great, I love smashing robots, just let em at 'em!" the red echidna said.

Ben grabbed Knuckle's right elbow to stop him. "I want Tails coming back from this in one piece," he said

"Don't worry about it man, this is me we're talking about," Kuckles said with a smile and pointing to himself with his thumbs.

"That's what I'm worried about," Ben said as he rolled his eyes.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Knuckles countered.

Tails ran up to the duo, pushing them apart. "Um guys, not now. We have work to do."

Knuckles threw his arms into the air as he walked away "all right kid, I'll be waiting in that plane of yours then," he said as he walked off.

"Look Tails," Rings started, kneeling down so his eyes were level with Tails' "Just in case things go badly, I'm sorry about being overprotective and about what happened at the warehouse."

Tails nodded and they shook hands, before Rings gave him a hug. "Don't worry, I'll bring her home," Tails said.

"Don't worry Tails, now that he has me, he won't bug ya so much. Although," tricky started, pulling a couple leafs out of his poncho's pockets "I might have a few tricks left up my sleeves." Tricky winked and Tails winced.

Rings released the hug and stood up.

"Tell ya what, I know you have nowhere to stay so you can watch my place while I'm gone. Now, I want to talk to Sonic about something. I'll see you guys soon," Tails said.

Rings nodded and escorted Tricky into Tails house. When Tails saw Rings and Tricky were inside, he turned to Ben.

"I take it you've worked your problems out?" Ben asked.

Tails smiled. "Yes, I have. Tails memories, feelings and way of looking at things are a part of me now. I feel as though I know this world as well as I know home."

"How does it feel?" Ben asked.

"I feel," Tails started, holding his arms out and taking a deep breath of the fresh air. "Complete; I wonder how I ever got along without his memories. I'm him, yet I'm still me at the same time. It's a wonderful feeling."

"When I look at you know, I see a twinkle in your eye that reminds of so much of Tails; yet the way you carry yourself is all Kyle … in a good way," Ben said. He petted Kyle's head and gave him a hug. Ben was a great friend, if anyone could carry on the fight as Sonic, to honour his spirit, it was Ben.

"Make sure Rings is okay, I consider him a friend and don't want anything to happen to him."

"Don't worry buddy. Good luck finding Cream, and don't mind Charlie, you know how he gets."

Tails grinned, "Yeah, I have a pretty good idea."

They shook hands and Tails turned and started walking towards the Tornado III. He looked forward to rescuing Cream from the creatures that took her. He knew these were more Tails feelings then his own and that she wasn't the original Cream, but it no longer mattered to him. She was an innocent, not just in this world but in the sense of how she'd become of this world. Tails resolve to protect the innocent coupled with Kyle's made his resolve twice as strong. He had to admit he probably would have fallen for her anyway, feeling Tails love for her only strengthened his desire to ensure her safe return. Jumping into the pilot's seat of the Tornado III, he started up its engines. He had a job to do and he intended to do it.

"So, do you have any idea why they attacked you?" Sarina asked.

"They knew they could get me, I haven't seen Tails in so long, what if they got him too?" Cream asked.

"We can't assume that. I don't know him like you do but maybe he's just not feeling well or something. Maybe they attacked someone else and he had to be there?" Sarina answered. Cream didn't look convinced. Sarina sat up and petted Cream's shoulder, cringing in the process from the pain in her left side. "We have to keep the faith going. From what I've heard of him, he would never stand around doing nothing while you needed help."

Cream nodded and whipped her already wet eyes.

"Ms Sarina, you should lay down to allow your injuries to heal," Cheese said, hovering over her.

"I'll be fine. I just need to figure out a way out of here," Sarina answered.

"That might be easier then you think," a voice said.

The trio turned their heads to see a weasel walk into the room. He wandered over to their cell, Sarina saw he was staring directly at her.

"What are you looking at?" Sarina asked.

"Fang!" Cream said.

Fang rubbed his chin and nodded. "Who's your friend bunny girl, she's rather cute."

"Leave her alone you creep!" Cream yelled.

Fang looked to one of the EggPawns in the room. "Open it," he ordered.

The Pawn walked over to a control panel at the side of the room and typed in a few commands. The cell door slid open with a creak. Cream seemed ready to bolt but Fang pulled a small pistol out from a holster on his right leg and pointed it at her.

"No!" Sarina yelled dashing in front of Cream.

"Impressive, you're almost as fast as the Armadillo, perhaps even the hedgehog. They say he's the fastest Mobian alive you know; or is it just the ladies?" Fang said with a grin.

"Pig!" Sarina said, kneeing Fang in the stomach. He doubled over in pain but regained his composure. "I love a lady that plays rough. Now it's my turn," Fang said before pistol whipping Sarina in the face. Sarina fell back beside Cream.

"Cease this at once!" Cheese demanded.

Sarina picked herself up, whipping a small trickle of blood from the left side of her mouth.

"It would such a shame to stain such … delicate white fur with blood. Now, unless you'd like this to get rougher, I suggest you come with me. Or perhaps you'd like to join our robot friends here; they could always use another drone in their army," Fang said.

"Go to hell!" Sarina said.

"Sarina please," Cream said. "Don't do this to yourself, I'll be okay, I promise!"

Sarina nodded and followed Fang as he walked backwards out of the cell, never loosening his grip on his pistol or his aim.

"There now, doesn't it feel better to co-operate?"

Fang led Sarina upstairs, through several corridors and into a small room with only a chair as furniture and a single light for illumination. A SwatBot stood guard as well as another robot Sarina didn't recognize. Given the décor of the room, Sarina had a good idea of its.

"Sit!" Fang demanded.

Sarina co-operated. The robot she didn't recognize walked up to her. It had a tag on it that read Zero, what Sarina assumed to be his name. Zero seemed to scan her before staring at Fang.

"Ah yes her little booboo. We didn't see eye to eye, I'm afraid I had to convince her," Fang said.

Fang stared Sarina down. "Now, we can do this the hard way or we can do this the … fun way." He walked over to Sarina and ran his right indeed finger down her belly. I could always get you some water, no need to let such a pretty thing suffer."

Sarina just glared at him. "What do you want with me?"

"How did you find this facility? What is your relationship to the rabbit?" Fang demanded.

"I followed your robots, they didn't exactly hide themselves. I didn't know Cream before I met her," Sarina answered.

"You're lying, you must have been in contact with that freak fox or his friends. Perhaps you're even in cahoots with the armadillo, they must have told you about this place," Fang said.

"Like I said, I've never met them. I just wanted to see if I could help Cream," Sarina said.

Fang frowned and hit Sarina in the left side of her head with his pistol. It was rather painful and Sarina jumped out of her chair and struck Fang with the back of her hand. Out of what felt like nowhere, Zero grabbed Sarina's torso and extended his arm, slamming her into the wall.

"Fool," Fang said.

An alarm chirped and Zero looked into the sky in an apparent daze.

"Our scanners have detected the approach the foxes aircraft. He appears to be flying low in an attempt to avoid them. The master wants you to return to base," the SwatBot said.

"Awe, but I was just getting started!" Fang protested.

Zero said nothing and only stared at Fang, its eyes glowing red. Fang sighed.

"Very well then. Such a shame we couldn't spend more time together. Oh well. I think you guys know what to do next," Fang said.

Zero released Sarina and she fell to the floor holding her left side.

What have I managed to get myself into?

The Tornado II soared over the darkened Western Planes. Tails sensed they were nearing the base and flew her as low in hope of staying under the enemy's radar. The smell and feel of the air was familiar to him, he knew this place now and where to look.

"Knuckles, I'm going to drop you off a short distance from the base. You can use the darkness to sneak up on it. I need to make them think I'm going to surrender to them in exchange for Cream's safety. I need a distraction to get her out of there."

"Why don't we just smash our way in?" Knuckles asked.

"They'll hurt Cream if we do! We can't risk it!" Tails responded.

"Fine, fine, we'll do it your way!" Knuckles said.

When they were close to the base, Tails slowed the Tornado III down and took her low enough that Knuckles could jump out. He flew her only a short distance more to where he could just see the base and landed. Climbing out and floating to the ground, he felt a ping of nervousness. For all he knew, he was walking into a trap. But, even if there was only the slightest chance Cream was in there, he had no choice.

He walked up to the base, finding it well lit and surrounded by patrols of EggPawns, Flappers and what looked to be several Mark IIs of both types. He walked closer to see the base was three story and at least twice as large as stadium. One of the Flapper Mark IIs flew right up to him, shinning a spotlight on him. His fur rustled from its turbine and he soon saw several EggPawns closing in on his position. He considered fighting until he heard a door a short distance away from him open. He looked towards it two other robots walking out; a SwatBot and one with a decal on it that read Zero.

"Mr Prower, we're glad you could come," SwatBot said.

"Where's Cream?" Tails yelled.

Before anyone answered that question, an EggPawn grabbed onto Tails arms and he started squirming. "Let me go you tin can!" he yelled.

Zero turned and held Tails chin with its right hand, its eyes glowing before it turned arround and started walking towards the door.

Panic overwhelmed Tails, there was no way we was going to co-operate with this monster, especially when doing so meant he'd likely end up robotsized. For the Kyle side of him, the concept was a fantasy one but the Tails side of him knew all too well how real and horrific the experience would be. For all he knew, they'd already robotisized Cream. Sadness and rage over the possibility fuelled him and he kicked Zero as hard as he could before squirming free of the EggPawn and using a tailspin to smash it.

Zero turned its head, its eyes glowing red. Tails coulden't react before Zero picked him up and threw him into the corridor beyond the door that was still open. Tails landed with a thud on the cold steel floor, rolling several meters in the process. Zero and the SwatBot strolled into the building; the door closing behind him as Tails stood up.

Zero advanced on Tails as the fox stood up.

"No, stay away from me; I'd rather die then be a robot!" Tails cried.

Zero grinned, its right hand shooting out and grabbing Tails' neck. Tails' grabbed into the robots' arm; desperately trying to release its grasp as he felt his air supply draining. Images of what they'd do to Cream once they were finished with him haunted him.

I failed her; its all my fault.

A loud banging sound echoed throughout the corridor and Tails looked to see large dints forming in the door. It gave way seconds later, smashing the SwatBot. Tails saw Knuckles standing there with his hands at his sides, frowning, his dreadlocks blowing in the wind. Tails could see all of the smashed robots behind him. Zero let go of Tails, retracted its arm and rushed Knuckles.

"Knuckles … be careful … he's strong!" Tails yelled, couching in between words.

"Get Cream, I'll deal with this punk!" Knuckles yelled.

Tails didn't need Knuckles to ask him twice. He ran down the corridor as fast as he could in search of a control room so he could see where they were holding Cream. Just as he rounded a corner, he heard a loud smashing sound accompanied by Knuckles yelling out.

He ran through the cold, sterile halls, doing his best to avoid EggPawn and Flapper patrols. His feelings for Cream fuelled his search; he was going to find her no matter what it took. As he almost rounded yet another corner, pressing himself up against a wall to avoid a pair of EggPawns walking by, he felt the walls shake with the sound of an explosion in knuckles direction.

Hang on Knucklehead, we're coming!

The two EggPawns saw Tails and charged him, eliminating stealth as an option. He knew what he needed to do and wondered why he didn't think of it before. No matter, that was then, this was now. He drew The Rhythm badgefrom subspace and activated it, the small badge appearing on his chest. He held his right hand in a fist, he felt strong and confident. He also drew his Piko-Piko Hammer and ran at the robots.

"Halt in the name of…" the robots started. They didn't get to finish before Tails reduced them to rubble.

"Halt yourself," Kyle said before running down the corridor.

Three corridors and a dozen pulverised EggPawns later, a bruised but determined Tails found and ran into a control room. There were only two EggPawn guards, which he dispatched with a Tailspin for the first one and by smashing the second one.

He didn't delay and accessed the control panel to pull up a floor plan. He saw the holding cells a floor below his, they were only meters away from a robtosizer. Several guards patrolled the area but Tails didn't care, Cream was there and he was going to save her no matter what it took.

Meanwhile

The front end of the base was in shambles with several large holes in the steel walls. Outside, lit only by spotlights, an echidna and Robot wrestled on the ground. Various large craters dotted the ground around the perimeter.

Knuckles struggled to stand up, the echidna had bruises and cuts all over his body, a black eye and he was missing several teeth.

Zero did not seem to have suffered any damage. He lunged at Knuckles but the echidna dodged to the right and kicked Zero, knocking him backwards. He yelled out before slamming into the ground in front of the fallen robot. There was enough force in his fists to cause a small explosion, which threw both back several meters. Zero flew right into a weapons shed and knuckles good eye went wide as he rolled onto his belly and shielded his head just before a large explosion racked the area.

He felt the flames and shrapnel hit his back and bellowed in pain from the multiple wounds it created. Managing to stand up, he looked at the inferno before him, thinking he'd destroyed the robot.

"Take that you tin can!" he yelled, picking up and throwing a rock into the flames. He picked up another rock and frowned "that's what you get!"

He threw the rock into the flames only to hear it hit something metallic. With a wide eye, he watched Zero emerge from the flames undamaged. The next thing Knuckles knew, he was flying through the air and landing on his back several meters away.

Meanwhile

Two EggPawns stood before Cream's cell as they watched two of their comrades dragging a screaming white ferret towards the robtosizer machine across from the cells. She tried to resist but they'd clamped down on her hard. They heard a sound to their left and turned their heads to investigate … only to be met with the sight of four objects looking like mice speeding towards them. The Chu2 Bombs exploded, reducing both to pieces.

One of the EggPawns holding the ferret loosened its grasp and turned, only to see a large hammer heading directly for its head. The EggPawns head exploded and its body fell limp onto the ground. The other EggPawn released the ferret only to see a blur of Tails heading towards it. They struck it repeatedly, each successive hit inflicting more damage until it was nothing more then scrap metal.

"The lady said no!" Tails yelled. Tails landed before the ferret, which smiled at him before finally picking him and hugging him.

"Get em Tails!" Cream yelled.

"Cream!" Tails yelled.

"Thank you!" the ferret said.

"Always glad to help someone in need," Tails beamed.

"Wait, you're Tails aren't you? Is Cream your girlfriend?" Sarina asked.

"She's … yes."

"She's a lucky girl," Sarina said.

He helped her up, seeing she looked about twenty-one, she was somewhat cute.

"Who are you? How did they get you into here?" he asked.

"My name is Sarina. I saw those monsters take Cream and pursued them with my speed. Unfortunately, they captured me before I could do much. They wanted to make me a robot! Those monsters!" the ferret said.

Tails took her right hand to comfort her. "It's okay, I'm getting you both out of here," he said. Picking up his Piko-Piko hammer, he smashed the door's lock before sliding the bars open to his left. Cream ran out with cheese floating behind her. Cream hugged him, tears in her eyes.

"Tails! Where were you? I was so worried! They were gonna turn us into robots," she cried.

Tails hugged Cream to try to comfort her. "It's a long story but I'm here now!" Tails answered.

The group walked towards the stairs leading out of cells after Tails confirmed no one was in either of them or the robtosizer. "Wait, first there's something I should do!" pulling out half a dozen Chu2 Bombs, he sent them in the direction of the atrocious device. "Come on, let's get out of here!" he yelled.

The group raced up the stairs and into a corridor leading perpendicular to them. Once in, Tails told them to take cover and seconds later, they heard and felt a large explosion followed by a fireball soaring through the stairwell.

"That one will never hurt anyone again! Let's go!" Tails yelled.

Meanwhile, outside

Bleeding from his mouth and nose and breathing hard, Knuckles regarded the robot before him. It seemed invincible; he unfortunately was not. He felt he had at least three broken ribs and his left arm was in considerable pain and all but immobile. The fire from the weapons shed had spread to consume the nearby area, creating a hellish light and heat.

"Why can't I damage you?" Knuckles yelled.

Seconds later, Knuckles heard someone run outside. He turned to see Tails, Cream, Cheese and a ferret he didn't recognise run out of the building. Tails immediately ran to his side and stood ready to battle.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Knuckles asked.

"He's my friend and if you want to kill him, you're going to have to answer to me!" Knuckles watched Tails pull his hammer out of subspace and fly at the robot as Cream and Cheese joined him.

Despite the pain he was in, he still wanted to charge. The ferret held him back.

"No, you're hurt enough. I may not have been able to help Cream but I can't let you die; not like this!"

Knuckles looked at her; she was pretty, perhaps he'd ask her on a date after this was over. She was telling him what to do; she was strong; he liked that. However, for now, he wanted to fight that monster.

"Come on, let me go…" knuckles heard a clash of metal and looked to see Tails striking Zero repeatedly with his hammer. Unfortunately, he wasn't doing any damage.

"What, so it can hit you over the head even more?"

Wait, the more I hit it, the stronger it became. Wait, is that a power generator? Doesn't electricity hurt it?

"Guys, the generator, electricity hurts it."

Tails did his best to focus and remember about this robot. He saw the generator Knuckles mentioned. He then remembered the game that Zero was in.

"Knock it into the generator!" he said.

Cheese looked at Tails and Cream looked at Cheese.

"Get em!" the bunny said.

The little chao flew straight at Zero all. He watched Cheese impact against Zero's chest, which knocked the robot back. It repeated the action multiple times before Zero was standing just behind the generator. Zero's eyes glowed and it hit Cheese, sending the Chao flying into Tail's chest.

Tails held the little Chao and petted it. "You did good; now let's finish that monster off!" He handed Cheese to Cream and flew over Zero, the robot grabbing one of his namesakes and throwing him behind him, right on top of the generator. Zero turned, its eyes still glowing that frightening shade of red. It raised its arms to strike Tails and the young fox lay on the generator on his back, rolling as Zero smashing his fists down into it.

The impact knocked panels off the generator and sparks flew. Tails fur stood on end from the arcs of electricity flowing from the generator. His fear of lighting played in his head from the sensation but knowing the danger he was in motivated him to push forward. He saw a loose wire, grabbed it and leapt at Zero, touching the wire against the robots chest before landing on the ground beside the robot.

Electricity flowed into the robot, the jolt lighting him up like a Christmas tree in the dark night. Much to tails elation, the top of Zero's head opened.

Tails rushed to Cream's side and took Cheese before them. He was in pain but conscious. "Get em Cream!"

He watched Cream pull her mallet out of subspace and fly up to Zero, smashing down on its head. Zero recoiled from the impact, falling onto its back. While the act separated him from the wire, it had also damaged him. Zero stood up and it appeared as though it was going to charge when it looked into the air. Its eyes glowed and looked at the duo, bowing to them before running off into the night.

Tails hugged Cream as she put her mallet away and took Cheese from him. He ran to Knuckles Cream before seeing Knuckles fall to the ground beside Sarina, almost passing out. He ran over to Knuckles side.

"Knuckles, I'm sorry I never thought that…" Knuckles raised his right hand to stop the fox.

"It was a good fight. You rescued your friend and another; that's what matters. I'll be all right, don't you worry. I'll be back on my feet before you know it! Besides, I just met my new girlfriend, so it was worth it," Knuckles said.

Tails rolled his eyes "Yeah, right. Like you REALLY need another girlfriend." He noted Sarina's shocked expression before she just shrugged her shoulders and grinned.

"We wouldn't mind would we?" he said, looking right at Sarina.

"Yeah, but then the other Girls would be even MORE pissed at you," Tails said.

"Other girls?" Sarina asked.

"Er, don't listen to them, you're the only one for me," Knuckles retorted.

"Why do I get the idea this will be an interesting friendship?" Sarina asked.

Knuckles simply winked at her as he grinned.

Tails smiled, almost wanting to hug Knuckles but holding back "Anyway, thank you, you did good work," Tails said.

"So did you," Knuckles responded before he passed out.

Twenty Four hours later

Tails stood in the living room of his Emerald Town house with Cream at his side.

Rings and Tricky would stay with him while Sonic and Mighty build Rings and Tricky a new one. For now, they were taking their new Chao friend, who she'd agreed on the name Sparkle (given the brothers fondness on shiny things, she felt the name fit) for a walk in the park. Tails knew that meant putting up with Tricky but snickered at all of the trouble Tricky would cause Rings once they had their own place. Rings had at first said he and Tricky could stay in the woods until they found a way to afford a place but Sonic and Mighty insisted, saying the raccoon and tanuki needed a place to stay in civilization.

Sonic himself had gone home.

Knuckles was recovering in the hospital and would probably spend a week there. Amy and Dustin would be released in a day or two. The security guard with serious injuries sustain during the attack on the warehouse had survived, although he would need time to recover.

Sarina turned out to live a few blocks from Cream. The group had convinced her that she'd be saftest if she returned home, which she did. Tails imaged her ordeal was enough to keep her out of the fight. He didn't want anyone in it that didn't have to be and felt she qualified. As to whether or not she'd end up with Knuckles, only time would tell.

Cream's parents were on their way to take Cream home. Before they arrived, Tails wanted to spend time with her. This trial had taught him that he couldn't afford to be complacent with her, or any of his friends. Cheese was with Rings and Tricky, or more so, he was getting to know Sparkle. As Rings put it, they made a cute couple.

"So, why did you leave us Tails? I was so worried about you!" Cream asked.

"I just needed time to make sure… I knew who I really was. For a while I wasn't sure everything was right with me. I'm sorry I left you," he answered, hugging Cream. He did love her; it didn't matter she wasn't the original Cream; even if those feelings weren't his, he knew he would have developed them on his own anyway.

"Are you okay now?" Cream asked.

Tails nodded, "I know who I am now. The world needs me and you guys need me. I'll never leave you again like that," he said.

"I'm glad you're back," Cream said before hugging him.

Cream led Tails outside and both took to the air holding hands. Tails felt the wind under his belly and looked Cream in the eye. He felt alive, wonderful and most of all, he felt needed. The world needed Tails, which in his mind validated his existence as the two-tailed fox.

With a smile on his muzzle, Tails nodded his head and kissed Cream, "I'm glad to be back too."

----

Extra Author's Note: Okay, I (Ryu the Weredragon) only have ten more chapters ready for this series. This is where you come in. If you'd like to help me out, then go to my forums and read the "Authors Wanted" section. I need some more authors, or this series will start coming out much MUCH slower, since I'm the only one of the regular three authors who hasn't quit. Good luck, anyone who wishes to help.