Eggman's Hidden Base – Location Unknown

Captain Fox is thrown hard onto the cold metal ground, collapsing in a heap. Bruised and battered, he struggles just to get an elbow down for support. After a long attempt to rise up, he collapses again.

Watching the pitiful figure with his organic green eye while gazing ever ahead with his mechanical red one, the cyborg hedgehog that was once Sonic stands behind him. "This one's their leader."

This time, Fox has better luck rising to his knees. "You… … …better believe it." He still can't seem to lift his head

The remaining voice in the room, projected from above, addresses only Cyber Sonic. "And their base?"

"You were right, Emperor. There was a Rift there. I could feel it. But I couldn't be in two places at once. There was no one there by the time I returned."

Fox spits, "Not even the bodies you left behind?" He once again goes ignored. Until a gloved hand appears beneath his chin, lifting up his head to look.

Emperor Eggman stares back down at him. "Let's not make this any harder than it has to be." He leans in closer. "Where is the Rebellion?"

"You should know. The survivors are in your prison camps."

"Pah." Eggman lets Fox's head drop, turning with a swish of his cape. "I don't care about your little band of nobodies. I want to know where the real Rebellion is."

"Fat chance." Fox leaps from the ground, diving straight at Eggman from behind.

Sonic's knee slams into Fox's stomach with the full force of his speed, sending him tumbling over the ground to finally stop on his back.

Eggman doesn't so much as flinch. "Last warning. Tell me what I want to know."

Fox can't even seem to open his eyes anymore. He murmurs through wavering breath, "I… … …I don't know. They kept it… … …hidden from me."

"Wrong answer."

Without a word from Eggman, Cyber Sonic begins to march closer to Fox with razor sharp claws raised above his head, his footsteps making alternating sounds against the metal floor as he approaches.

The sound is enough to open Fox's eyes, only to shut again at the sight of it. "But… … …I can draw them out."

Cyber Sonic instantly halts.

Eggman finally turns around with renewed interest. "And why should we trust you to do that?"

"You'd rather me not? …Fine then. …Execute me. I've… …got nothing left to lose."

Eggman ponders for a moment. Then he lets out a scoff as he walks past both of them. "You've done well, Cyber. Now do what needs to be done."

Cyber Sonic responds flatly, "There is no other choice."

Eggman stops in the doorway that opens for him. "Glad we're in agreement on that." The door closes as he disappears on the other side.

Fox looks back up at his tormentor with disbelief. "What did he do to you… …Sonic? How could you become Eggman's weapon…?"

Cyber Sonic's gaze slowly lowers to the floor. "All I can tell you is…I really am sorry." He raises his claws back up.

"No… Noooo!"

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Chaos Project

Season 2, Episode 14

The Weapon's Will

Written by ChaosProjectAuthor

Daily log, August 26th, 1 A.E. E-123 Omega reporting.

All operation parameters: within standard limits.

Situation: unit designation 'Cyber Sonic' maintains attack targets on suspected Empire malcontentents within 98% of predicted efficiency. Reason: unknown.

Response: teamwide combat preparation to begin immediately.

Exception noted: Charmy Bee. Reason: medical training with guest unit designation 'Katherine the Wolf'.

Exception noted: Cream the Rabbit. Reason: unknown.

Log concluded.

… … …

Correction: log continuing.

Conjecture: Cyber Sonic is Eggman's strongest and most efficient servant.

Context noted: mechanical remains found at location 'Oil Ocean' indicate unit designation 'Metal Sonic' has been eradicated.

Conclusion: new rival candidate identified.

… … …

Log concluded.

—–—

The Eggshelter — Rebel Camp Alpha

Shadow stands before the circle of rebels in a wide, brightly-lit chamber of the repurposed Death Egg. "Wherever Sonic goes, he brings destruction in his wake. The time for second-guessing over. We've avoided the fight for this long, but the longer we wait, the worse the situation gets. We need to be prepared for this fight. And we need to make sure we can win it. Which is why Tails and I have been working on this." As he gestures backwards, a line of lights flick on behind him, revealing a massive multilane obstacle course, complete with balance beams, swinging weights, climbing walls, and more, all elevated above a pool of water. "This training course will test your speed, agility, and strength. Other training rooms are being worked on as well. Seeing as all of us have had a lot more idle time since moving to this remote location, I'm expecting every one of us to spend that extra time in preparation for combat."

Big looks over the course with curiosity. "This looks like fun, doesn't it, Froggy?"

Chadis the Chao examines the course with a questioning expression visible above her head.

Rouge rolls her eyes. "Great. Back to GUN boot camp. Just what I needed…"

Johnny nods in recollection. "Ahh, boot camp… Good times. Good times."

Shadow continues, "Tails will now demonstrate for us how it's done."

Tails flies in from afar. "I'm all set."

Shadow questions in a hushed voice, "Do you really think all these theatrics are necessary?"

Tails counters in an equal tone, "Yes. The point is to get everyone excited about it. We're not trying to run them down, we're trying to build them up!" He clears his throat and turns to address everyone else. "Alright, everyone. Watch and learn."

He takes off along the ground, flying over the steeply sloping bottom level entirely. He weaves skillfully through the air between the swinging weights, finally stopping at the base of the climbing wall. He looks up the tall vertical surface with a moment of hesitation. Shaking it off, he grabs ahold and begins to climb. Only halfway up, he kicks off and flies up the rest of the way, reaching the top level balance beam. Once again stopping for a momentary rest, his eyes go down to the long fall into the water below him. He takes off again, flying over the balance beam altogether. Coming up to a low overhang that looks designed to be crawled under, he instead drops down to fly beneath the entire platform. He rises back up on the other side only to grab onto a metal pole at the end, sliding back down to his starting position. Once on the ground, he rings a bell, marking his completion. "How was that?"

Shadow nods in satisfaction. "You're getting faster. Next time, try doing it on your feet."

"What? How come?"

"Because you never know what your situation on the battlefield might be." He turns back to the crowd. "And that goes for everyone. There's no single correct way to run this course, special abilities or not. The point is to hone your strength and reflexes in a wide variety of situations. Be creative, and remember that your performance can only be compared to yourself. Does everyone understand?"

The crowd, still a little bit confused, murmurs in general assent.

"Good. Then get to training."

The first brave few—Johnny, Hero, Big, Omega, and even Chadis—step out to find a lane, while the rest—Rouge, Knuckles, Espio, and Amy—stay back to observe.

Satisfied that the work is beginning, Shadow turns to leave. Tails rushes to keep up with him. "Hey, Shadow?"

"I didn't mean anything bad by it, you really did do well. I know you had some trouble with the climbing the first time around."

"Thanks, but…there was something else I wanted to ask you about. You see…there's a part two to my plan for improving productivity."

"Part two?"

"Exactly. After everyone's done working hard, they'll need a chance to relax a bit. Keep morale up, you know? I've gotten a few suggestions, and I wanted to put together a new sort of…tradition."

"Did you have something in mind?"

"I did. Weekly movie night. Everyone can come and watch together, wind down for a while, and have something to talk about afterwards. It'll be fun, don'tcha think?"

Shadow shrugs. "You don't need my permission. Have fun, I suppose."

"Actually, I…was asking because I wanted to invite you. I mean, you never needed an invitation, but—"

"That's nice, but I have more important things to do than watching cheap entertainment."

"Aww, come on, it'll be fun! We're starting tomorrow with Chao in Space 2…"

"Honestly, I'm not interested. I—… Wait, 2? Why would you start with the second one?"

"Well, I mean, the first one's great and all, but CS2 just has such a stronger narrative, and the anti-hero character they introduced—"

"No, no, I don't care. Just forget I asked. I'm not going to movie night. But really, have fun without me. I think it's a good idea, I just can't spare the time."

Tails makes his disappointment clear. "Okay…"

Shadow stops in front of one of the many living quarters doors.

Tails raises an eyebrow in confusion. "Isn't this Cream and Amy's room?"

"Cream didn't show up for training. I was very clear about it being mandatory." He moves to open the door.

Tails stops him. "Wait, wait, maybe I should handle this."

"What for?"

"Well you aren't exactly known for being subtle, Shadow. Cream's still the youngest person here. I'm sure she had a good reason for staying behind, a reprimand isn't what she needs."

"What are you talking about? I'm great with kids."

Tails shoots Shadow a look.

"Fine, you do it. Just make sure she understands that she needs to follow orders."

"Yeah, yeah." Tails presses a button on the panel beside the door, and a soft chime plays. "Hey, Cream? It's Tails. Is it alright if I come in?"

Cream's voice answers solemnly from the other side, "Okay…"

The inside of her room has been decorated much as her tent was. A mattress lies in opposite corners of the two-person room. Cream sits on her floral decorated bedspread, staring down at something in her hands. Cheese sits in her lap with a similar expression.

Tails walks in and takes a seat beside her. She doesn't look up. Tails lets the silence sit a moment longer before starting. "Are you…doing alright, Cream?"

For a moment, Cream gives no response. Then she shakes her head slowly. "Mm mm."

"Do you…wanna talk about it?"

"… …I shouldn't. It wouldn't be polite."

"You don't have to if you don't want to, but I promise I won't be offended, whatever it is. We're friends, aren't we?"

Cream nods, but says nothing else.

"So…what's that you're holding there?"

Cream obligatorily opens her cupped hands, revealing a mass of dried and shriveled plant material. "It used to be a flower crown. I always had one made for Mama…so I could give it to her the next time I saw her. But now that we've moved bases, there aren't any flowers around anymore… It's been almost two years since…"

Tails' gaze drifts away to a corner of the room. "Oh…"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said—"

"No, Cream, don't be sorry. You have every right to miss your mother, and what I've been through has no bearing on that. Please, talk to me about it. Maybe there's some way I can help."

"I…I don't really know what there is to talk about. It's just…I don't know where she is…or if she's alright… I know if she is, she must be worried sick about me. You know the last thing I said to her…was that I was going out to see Amy. I thought I'd be back in time for dinner. I hardly even said goodbye…"

"Are you worried that something happened to her?"

"I shouldn't be… She has Chocola and Gemerl to look after her. But still…"

Tails suddenly stands. "You need to see her. We're going to see her, I'll make it happen."

Cream gasps. "B-but Amy says—"

"Yes, it's dangerous. For you and for her. But if you don't take your chance to see her now…you never know when you might not have that chance anymore. We're going to make this happen, okay? I promise."

"Oh, thank you!" Cream springs up, embracing Tails in a tight hug as tears escape from her eyes. "Thank you so much, Tails!"

Tails backs away. "Hold on, you can thank me after you've given your mother a hug. Sound good?"

Cream wipes off her eyes and takes a confident pose. "Okay!"

The two walk outside together, Cheese anxiously following behind.

Shadow waits for them on the other side, surprised to see them both as the door opens. "Cream, is everything okay?"

"Umm…" Cream glances over at Tails.

Tails picks up, "We need to talk to you about a mission."

"A mission? What kind of mission?"

"We need to see—"

"It's him!" All heads turn to the source of the shout several doors down. The door opens, and Katherine the Wolf comes rushing out, holding a radio up high. "It's James! He's alive!"

Charmy rushes out behind her, grumbling, "Hey don't run on that leg! It's still healing!"

Katherine doesn't seem to care, rapidly limping the rest of the way to the group, and holding out the radio for all to hear.

A loud static is occasionally cut by a fragment of a voice. "Th- - -m-s - -x, r-t- im-t- -ss-n-. - r-p-, I -q-r- i-d- a-is-ce."

Katherine presses down on the side of the radio and shouts back in, "Jim, can you hear me? It's Katie! Please, tell us where you are!"

The radio responds with nothing but a long line of static.

Tails shakes his head. "Connection must be too weak."

Katherine begs, "Please, you have to help him!"

Shadow shakes his head as well. "We can't do that if we don't know where he is."

As if in answer, the voice in the radio suddenly resumes, "-s h-d -t th- Carn-val Cit- l-bor ca-p. M-ged t- -sc-pe. D-t -ve -ch tim-. I- be-g p-su-." Just as quickly, it cuts back to pure static.

Shadow echoes, "Carnival City?"

Cream gasps, "That's near where Mama lives!"

Tails realizes, "That's great!"

Shadow questions, "Why is that great?"

"We'll explain later. Right now, the three of us need to get going." He pulls out a sparkling cyan Chaos Emerald. "I'd say now's the right time for a Chaos Control."

Shadow takes the Emerald. "I agree."

Katherine demands, "Wait, I'm going too!"

Charmy objects, "Oh no you're not."

"Just because you're my doctor doesn't mean you get to order me around."

"Would you let your patient run around in your condition?"

"Well… No…"

Charmy crosses his arms. "I rest my case."

Katherine looks instead to Shadow. "Please, just…bring him home."

Shadow nods. "We'll do what we can."

A robotic voice interrupts, "Probability of confrontation with enemy designation: 'Cyber Sonic' is high. Recommend additional support."

Shadow looks over in confusion. "Omega? Aren't you supposed to be training?"

"The training course was too easy."

Tails questions, "For your bulk and mobility? How…?"

—

The other members of the Rebellion stare in disbelieving silence at what must have been Omega's lane in the training course. Metal plates have been torn away and welded back together into a gentler ramp that bypasses most of the obstacles entirely. The rest of the obstacles on the path are either destroyed, on fire, or both.

—

Shadow shakes off his own questions. "Whatever, you can come. Let's get going already." The others huddle in close. "Chaos Control!"

Katherine's eyes move to the ground once the others have disappeared. "Please be okay, Jim… Everyone…"

—–—

A thick overcast hangs above the city of the Night Carnival. Without the city's famed neon decorations, the tall, rustic buildings of Carnival City seem lit only in greys and browns.

The Carnival City Labor Camp lies where the buildings grow sparse and stout. Surrounded by a tall, barbed fence, laborers human and animoid alike can be seen working away inside, all chained together in matching orange uniforms. The entrance is marked by a wide arching "Welcome" sign, framed on either side by Eggman's smiling face.

In a shadowed alleyway within sight of the camp, the four rebels appear in a flash.

Shadow gets right to work. "Omega, scan for enemies."

Omega is quick to respond. "Multiple Eggman robots confirmed within the confines of the facility. At least 127 signals identified. Stationary placement indicates their purpose is to guard. Lack of movement confirms that our presence has not been discovered."

Cream looks through the fence to the workers beyond. "All those poor people…"

Tails does his best comfort, "There's nothing we can do for them right now."

Shadow presses, "Anything else?"

Omega pauses for a moment. "Additional signals located. Two robots travelling at pursuit speed. 400 meters and closing." Omega raises an arm to indicate the street behind them. Strobing lights and police sirens rapidly draw closer.

Shadow nods. "They could be the ones pursuing Fox. Let's try to cut them off." They all run in the direction indicated by Omega, farther away from the camp.

As they run down the street, Cream hesitantly questions, "Tails…?"

He preempts, "Don't worry. We can visit her on the way back. You can handle this mission until then, right?"

Cream wipes away her concern and gives a resolute nod. "Right."

They all come to a stop as the chase draws into view. Three jetpack-wearing Police Pawns rocket towards them, all with strobing lights atop their heads. However, the one at point flies in an erratic pattern. Captain Fox, wearing his Naval jacket over a prison jumpsuit, rides on top of it, wrestling for control in the air while the two lagging Police Pawns try unsuccessfully to get shots off at him.

Shadow orders, "Omega."

Omega raises a missile arm. "Commencing annihilation." Two missiles are fired off, each one veering around the mounted leader to collide with each of the followers, destroying both in bright explosions.

The remaining Pawn drops out of the sky as Fox manages to rip a mechanism out of its back. Breaking his fall, the robot skids far across the road with its remaining speed, coming to a stop in front of the Rebels. Fox looks across the group of them with shock, taking a glance back at the two fiery wrecks that Omega took care of. "You…you actually came… Even after I…"

Shadow cuts him off. "No time to talk, let's get you out of here."

Fox and Tails object at once, "Wait!" They take a moment to glance at one another in confusion.

Shadow demands to neither one of them in particular, "What is it?"

Fox explains, "I escaped, but the rest of my team is still in that camp. I'm not leaving without them."

Shadow shakes his head. "That's a heavily defended facility. We're not prepared for a full scale assault, we can come back for them."

"You don't understand, they'll be punished for my escape! We have to get them out, now!"

Before Shadow can voice another objection, Cream suddenly begs, "Please, Shadow, can't we help them? I know we can do it!" Everyone turns to her with surprise. Shadow appears unsure of what to say.

A nearby police siren sounds out.

Fox warns, "There's plenty more on their way. Come with me, I know a safe spot."

Seemingly left with little other choice, Shadow nods for everyone to follow.

—–—

The group looks out through a grate where building meets road, watching as a trio of Police Pawns jet by unaware. The inside of the cellar is dark and cramped, but well out of sight.

Omega announces, "All nearby patrols have passed." Cream and Cheese sigh in relief.

Satisfied that the imminent danger has passed, Shadow hands the Chaos Emerald back to Tails. "Keep it safe."

Tails nods in understanding.

Fox watches the exchange with interest. He announces without prompt, "You know, I spent a summer here in Carnival City a few years back. Got to know the place pretty well, lucky for me."

Shadow looks to Fox. "Do a lot of hiding from the police that summer?"

"Police? No. You see, there was this girl… Actually, never mind. Not important right now."

Shadow agrees, "You've taken us this far. Anything else we should know about the plan you're forcing on us?"

Fox pauses for a moment. "Well…I suppose now would be the right time to say that…I haven't been entirely honest with you guys."

Shadow rolls his eyes. "That didn't take long…"

"Hey, hey, before you get mad, I'm…hoping you might be happy about this. I…didn't take you down here to hide from the police. I took you down here to meet with…him."

"'Him' who?"

The angled door to the cellar opens, flooding light into the dark, empty chamber. An unmistakable voice announces from the top, "Me." Cyber Sonic begins descending the steps towards them.

Tails' eyes go wide. "Sonic!" He runs for him.

Shadow has to grab Tails by the arm to stop him. "Tails, no." Ignoring the sorrowful look that Tails gives him in response, Shadow keeps his eyes firmly on Cyber Sonic as he reaches the bottom of the steps. "Who are you?"

Cyber Sonic slowly scans across all of them with his mechanical eye. His organic face betrays no emotion. "Haven't been watching the news lately? They call me Cyber Sonic."

Shadow maintains his ground. He's finally able to pull Tails back to him. "What happened to Sonic?"

Cyber Sonic ignores the question. "You got here using a Chaos Emerald. You're going to give it to me."

Shadow responds truthfully, "I don't have it. I answered you, now you answer me. What happened to Sonic?"

Cyber Sonic refocuses his attention on Shadow. "Very well. Sonic made a choice. He chose to join someone else, knowing he could lose himself in the process. That choice created me."

Omega announces what no one else was thinking. "And Metal Sonic?"

Cyber Sonic doesn't so much as glance at Omega. "The answer is the same. Now it's your turn. Where is the Chaos Emerald?"

"If you were Sonic, you'd know already."

Cyber Sonic turns his head to look at Tails. "So it's you, is it?" Tails takes a nervous step back. But Cyber Sonic's eyes instead continue on to look at Cream, who cowers back in the farthest corner of the room, clutching Cheese close to her chest. His gaze causes her to retreat farther away. He continues, "Let's not turn this into a scene. Hand over the Emerald, Tails. That's an order."

Tails nervously answers back, "If…if you aren't Sonic… Then you can't give me orders."

Sonic shakes his head slowly. "That's not what I was hoping to hear." Suddenly, he jets across the room, grabbing Shadow by the throat and slamming him into the back wall.

Tails gasps, "Shadow!"

Omega announces, "Hostility recognized! Responding with force!" He fires off a missile directly at Cyber Sonic.

Still keeping Shadow pinned with his organic hand, Cyber Sonic takes a sidelong glance in Omega's direction. "Skill captured." He points out his metal arm, and the mechanisms around it rapidly fold out around his hand, exposing the skin of the arm underneath. Tails looks at the exposed arm with interest. The cannon formed around the hand fires off a shot, which collides with Omega's missile in the air, exploding halfway between them.

Tails grabs Cream, pulling her farther away from the blast.

In the moment of distraction, Shadow lands a solid kick against Sonic's chest, knocking him back and freeing himself. Shadow lands on the ground in a crouch, reclaiming his choked breath.

As Cyber Sonic skids backwards, he announces once again, "Skill captured."

Shadow leaps forward for a follow-up kick. Sonic responds in kind, mirroring Shadow's movements exactly, until their kicks collide. Sonic's metallic leg wins out, forcing Shadow back to the ground.

Pre-empting Omega's next attack, Sonic throws his metallic arm to the side, projecting a flat diamond-shaped Black Shield that absorbs the machine gun fire aimed at his side. "Skill captured." The moment Omega's fire ceases, Sonic drops the shield and points his transforming hand back at the source, firing off his own rapid barrage of shots.

Omega holds up his arms to block as he is peppered by the barrage, many of the shots puncturing right through.

Tails flies up behind Sonic for a sneak attack.

Sonic voices, "I've had enough of this." He jets out of Tails' range at blinding speed before he can ever get in an attack. Sonic rebounds off of the wall and jets back even faster, striking Tails with an elbow to the chest that sends him flying. Shadow leaps up from the ground below, but Sonic is ready with an overhead kick that nails Shadow in the head and sends him crashing back to the ground. He jets down after him, coming right back down onto his throat. With Shadow already dazed and pinned down, Sonic changes his arm into a new form. He brings the two-pronged device down on Shadow, and Shadow lets out a cry of pain as his body courses with electricity.

Smoke rises from Shadow's unconscious body once Sonic removes his hand. Sonic stands up, slinging the body over his robotic shoulder. He announces flatly, "If you want Shadow back, you'll bring the Chaos Emerald to the labor camp. You have two hours." He jets out through the open door.

"Sonic, wait!" Tails flies out after him. "Soniiiic!" He watches as Sonic disappears into the distance, far too fast to be caught. "Sonic…" He drops to his knees.

Cream cautiously rises up the steps to meet him out there. "Tails…? Are you okay, Tails?"

"I…I failed. All this time I spent preparing for our chance to get Sonic back…and I failed."

"It wasn't your fault, Tails. I thought that I could help on this mission, but…I only slowed everyone down, just like I always do…"

"You don't understand, Cream. This was my chance. It was on me. It has nothing to do with you."

Cream doesn't seem happy with that answer. "Of course…"

Omega's footsteps clank up to join them. "Our performance was inadequate. Corrective action is required."

Tails agrees, "We have to get Shadow back. But we can't give Eggman the Chaos Emerald."

Cream suggests, "Maybe Mr. Fox can help us. He knows about the camp where Sonic asked to meet."

Omega objects, "Negative. Captain James the Fox fled upon Cyber Sonic's arrival. Current location unknown."

Tails ponders, "If it comes to another fight…we have no chance. He's as fast as Sonic ever was. He was able to copy all of our abilities, just like Metal Sonic could… How can we fight that?"

Cream gasps in realization. "I have an idea!" Tails and Omega both look to her. "His powers are just like a Gizoid, aren't they? Maybe we need a Gizoid to stand up to him! We need Gemerl!"

—–—

Cream finishes explaining to Omega, "Even though Gemerl was working for Dr. Eggman, Tails was able to fix him up and reprogram him to be good!"

Tails picks up, "Gemerl can't capture skills like a normal Gizoid, but he's pre-programmed with combat data from Emerl, which includes a lot of our skills already. Plus he can do something even better. He can interface directly with machines. If we can get him close enough to Sonic, he can rip the Metal Sonic right out of him! I don't know why I didn't think of it before!"

Omega responds curtly, "I do not trust any Eggman robot."

Cream objects, "But he's just like you, Omega! He doesn't want to work for Eggman anymore! He fights bad people just like you do!"

"And that is justification for friendship protocols?"

Tails and Cream affirm emphatically, "Yes!"

Omega pauses for a moment. "Opinions noted. We have arrived at the specified address."

Cream gasps, only just now realizing it. The quaint beachside abode appears somehow different under the twilight overcast, with all of its flowering hedges dried and shriveled from a lack of attention.

Tails cautiously questions, "Cream…are you sure your mom and Gemerl are still there? It's…possible that they…left."

Cream shakes her head. "Mama wouldn't have gone without leaving a note telling me where she's going. We should go inside either way." She starts to walk up the cobblestone path to the front door.

Tails scratches at the back of his head, unsure of how to respond to her. "I-I'm not so sure… H-hey wait, Cream!"

Cream ignores him, determined to follow through. She knocks firmly on the front door.

Tails quickly commands, "Omega, scan the area."

Cream calls inside, "Mama? It's me!" Not getting a response, she tries the doorknob.

Omega concludes, "No life forms found. One robot approaching."

Cream opens the door wide.

"Cream, no!" Tails runs for her, far too slow to get her out of the way of the explosion that has triggered inside.

Cream's eyes go wide.

A black and yellow streak flies by just before the shockwave knocks Tails off of his feet, sending him flying back.

Omega aims his weapons up at the flying figure.

Cradling Cream in his arms, the replica Gizoid Gemerl slowly descends to the ground, paying mind to nothing but her. "Hello, Cream. I have rescued you. It is good to see you still alive."

She hugs him tightly, tears streaming from her eyes. "Gemerl, you're really here!" She looks over his shoulder as he settles onto the ground, getting a look at the flaming remains of a home behind them. "B-but Mama—"

Gemerl gently places her on the ground, still holding her by the shoulders. "Vanilla was not there. I can take you to her."

Cream's eyes light up. "R-really…?"

"If that is what you wish me to do."

Cream manages a brief nod as she wipes her tears away with a smile.

Gemerl's attention finally turns to Omega.

Omega slowly lowers his weapons. "Act of heroism noted. Trust levels increased."

Gemerl looks back to Cream. "Is this robot bothering you?"

Cream shakes her head. "No, no, this my friend Omega." She looks to Omega. "And Omega, this is Gemerl. I think you two are gonna be good friends."

Gemerl cocks his head to the side with confusion. "You…have found a new robot protector?"

"What? N-no, it isn't like that at all! Omega is—"

Omega interrupts, "This area is unsafe."

Gemerl nods. "Your observation is correct. We should relocate immediately."

Cream looks over at Tails. "Did you hear that, Tails? We… Tails?"

Kneeling on the cold, hard ground, hands clenched over his head, Tails' eyes are locked on the ground, the light of the blazing house washing over him.

Cream cautiously approaches him. As she gets closer, she can begin to hear the incoherent murmurings escaping from his mouth. She reaches out for him. "Tails…?"

The moment Tails' shoulder is touched, he jolts out of the way, taking a defensive stance. "Son—… Wh—…?" He looks around in confusion as he begins to recollect his senses. "Cream, are you… Are you okay?"

Still slightly frightened by his sudden movement, she gives him a nod. "I am thanks to Gemerl. He says he's gonna take us to my Mama."

"That's…that's great, Cream. I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me just now." He looks over at Gemerl. "Good to see you. Please, lead the way."

Gemerl and Omega glance at one another. Omega voices, "Organics are confusing."

Gemerl looks on ahead. "Your observation is correct."

Cream takes one last look back at the rapidly smoldering remains of her former home. Tails places a hand on her shoulder. "Home's not a place. It's wherever you can find the people who care about you."

Unable to look any longer, Cream forces her gaze away. Emotion again wells up in her eyes. "I don't ever want to come back here again."

"I know the feeling. Let's get out of here."

—–—

As the group proceeds through a long, dark, man-made tunnel, Cream questions, "Where are you taking us, Gemerl? Where is Mama?"

Omega interjects, "Global positioning data indicates we have returned to the interior of Carnival City."

Gemerl, walking in the lead, picks up, "Your mother is in a secret place. Her Rebel connections have made her a wanted suspect of the Empire, forcing her into hiding."

Cream seems perturbed by that response. "Oh…"

"I take care of what few enforcers manage to come near her."

Tails questions aside to Omega, "How much time do we have left?"

"Thirty-seven minutes, eighteen-point-three-two seconds. You have yet to share your battle plan."

"The plan is to avoid battle as much as possible. We do whatever it takes to get Gemerl as close to Sonic as possible, and we let him do his thing."

"And if your plan fails?"

"Then…" Tails hesitates for a moment "…then we focus on capturing Sonic."

"Reminder: if Gemerl is incapacitated, our probability of a favorable outcome in that battle are smaller than in the last."

"I know, I know, I… I… I need more time to think."

"You have less than thirty-six minutes to think."

"Thanks for the reminder…" Tails stops as he catches a whiff of something. "Something smells…delicious. What is that?"

Gemerl answers, "We have nearly arrived."

Cream gasps, "I know that smell!" She runs on ahead.

Gemerl runs to catch up. "Cream, your actions lack the appropriate caution!" Tails and Omega follow suit.

The tunnel descends into a larger stone chamber, clearly lit by old yellowing lightbulbs. Filled with tables and chairs of an eclectic variety, populated by a handful of equally various people, the section of the room opposite to where Cream enters is divided by a line of portable cooktops, each with a pot of food simmering on its top. And on Cream's side of the room, tending to the food, a tall rabbit in a long purple dress faces away, a small chocolate brown Chao tending to similar work by her side.

"Mama!"

Vanilla the Rabbit hardly has time to look up in surprise before Cream leaps into her arms. "My goodness, Cream, is it really you?" She sets her down for a better look. "I can hardly believe it. You've grown so big."

Beside them, Cheese excitedly greets, "Chocola Chao!"

Chocola responds, "Chao chao chao!" The two Chao link hands and happily fly around one another.

Cream and Vanilla embrace, and continue to converse in quieter tones. The eaters in the makeshift soup kitchen return to their meals. Tails watches from the entrance with a satisfied smile on his face.

Gemerl interrupts his thoughts. "Cream's wishes have been satisfied. Now I must ask your purpose in bringing her here."

Tails keeps on watching the parent and child as he answers. "For this. They needed to see each other again."

"In doing so, you may have placed them both in danger."

"I know."

Gemerl needs no further convincing. "I understand that you wish for my assistance in battle."

"That's right."

"Will Cream be involved in this battle?"

"I doubt she'd take no for an answer."

"Then so will I."

Tails nods. "Thank you."

Vanilla's voice calls, "Tails? Would you be a dear and come over here, please?"

Tails obediently steps forward. "Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"

"Please, call me Vanilla. And you can help me by giving me permission to give you a hug."

"Uhh…sure?"

Vanilla kneels down to wrap her arms around Tails. Tails appears confused at first, but gradually begins to take comfort at the touch. Vanilla voices, "I have three important things to say to you, dear. First, I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to your family. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Tails glances over at Cream, who has begun to help herself to a bowl of soup.

Vanilla continues, "Second, I'm told that you and the others have been taking very good care of my daughter. For that, I'm forever grateful." She lets go and takes a step back. "And third…as happy as I am that you've come here…you shouldn't have."

Cream interjects, "There's no reason to be worried, Mama. Now that we're together, you and Chocola and Gemerl can come back with us. We can be a family again."

Vanilla's eyes move to the ground. "That's the problem, dear… As happy as it would make me to spend more time with you…I can't leave."

Cream's bowl drops onto the table. "Why not!?" Her shout reclaims the attention of the spectators in the room.

"Look around you, dear. Do you see all of these people? They're here for the food that I cook for them every day. Them and hundreds of others. They're all counting on me for something they need to survive. If I leave, then these people go without food. That wouldn't be fair to them."

"But…but…"

"You inspire me, sweetheart. You and your friends are doing so much good, and I'm doing everything I can just the same. This is where I know I'm meant to be."

"Then… Then I'll stay here with you! I-I can help you cook the food, and, and…"

Vanilla kneels down, placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Cream, you are my world. I love you with all of my heart, and having you back in my life would make me happier than I've ever been. But this isn't about me. It's about you. I am where I belong, and you need to be where you belong, too. Your friends need you, just like these people need me."

"But that's not true, Mama! They don't need me for anything! I'm no good at fighting! I'm not strong, or fast, or smart, I'm just…just…taking up space!"

Tails gasps. "Don't say that, Cream. You can literally fly, that's pretty amazing!"

"So what!? Half the people at camp can fly! Even you can do it better than I can. There's nothing I can do that someone else can't do better! It's been that way since day one. I never go on real missions, because there's always someone else who can do the job better. I'm useless! Mama, please, let me stay somewhere I can really help!"

Tails presses, "But that isn't true! Cream, you've already saved all of us! Our food supplies were down to almost nothing before we moved. If it weren't for your garden, we all would've starved. You may not like to fight, but that doesn't matter! You're helping us your way, just like your mother is."

"And what's the point of a garden for us now?"

"Maybe we don't have a supply problem anymore, but that doesn't make you useless. It just means that you…need to keep finding your way. Just like you always have. And anyways…"

Cream looks up. "And…what?"

"And… And…I think…a lot of us would be sad if you left, Cream. You're like the heart of our team. You remind us every day of all the good things in this world that we're fighting for. So don't ever call yourself useless."

Vanilla picks up, "Cream dear, you need to do what's best for you. You need to be where you belong. I truly believe that place is with your friends. If you really would rather stay with me, you know I would say yes in a heartbeat. But only if you truly, honestly believe that this is what you want."

Cream sniffles. "I…I don't want to say goodbye again…"

"Well, we don't have to skip that far ahead quite yet. We can at least catch up over a meal together, can't we?"

Omega marches forward. "Negative. We have less than thirty minutes."

At the back entrance of the room, an animoid in a grey jacket enters, making his way towards the food. Fox stops, his eyes going wide at the sight of the group at the other side of the table. He quickly turns his face away and begins to creep back in the direction he came from as stealthily as he can manage.

Tails takes notice. "You!" Tails dives over the table, sending plates clattering to the ground behind him as he tackles him to the ground. "You sold us out!"

Fox sutters from the ground, "I-I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!"

Vanilla firmly demands, "You let go of him this instant, young man! I do not tolerate fighting in this room."

Tails ignores her. "Tell me what you know about Sonic! Tell me, n—" Tails is grabbed by the scruff of fur on his chest, and lifted off of his feet.

Gemerl glares at him blankly. "Vanilla gave you an order. You are now in trouble."

Omega turns his weapons on Gemerl. "Trust levels diminished. Unhand the fox boy immediately."

Cream cries out, "Everybody, stop it!" All eyes turn to her. She marches up to Tails, still being held in the air. She points down to Fox, who still looks up from the floor. "He said he was sorry, which means you need to hear him out." She turns to Gemerl, pointing to Tails. "He is our friend, and you're not behaving any better than he is, which means you need to put him down." Gemerl obediently lets go, dropping Tails back onto the floor. Cream turns to Omega. "And you are overreacting and being judgemental, which means you need to be more friendly." She finally goes back to Fox. "Now let's do this the right way. Please explain to us what happened so that we can understand."

Fox glances around at all the eyes that have turned to him. "Maybe…we should talk somewhere a bit more private…"

—–—

Tails, Cream, Omega, Gemerl, and Fox have moved to an unlit chamber in the same underground complex. Much like the cellar they hid in not long before, this one has a grated view of the street above.

Tails crosses his arms. "Alright, we're in private. Now make it quick. We don't have long before…"

Fox puts a finger over his lips, asking for quiet.

Tails cocks his head to the side in confusion. "What do you…?"

Fox reaches slowly inside of his jacket, and pulls out a small slip of paper, turning it around for them to see.

"They're listening."

Cream begins to read, "They're—" Fox forcefully cuts her off with a hand over her mouth. He winces in pain a moment later as Gemerl's hand closes forcefully around his wrist. Finally getting the idea, Cream shakes her head fervently to Gemerl. Everyone lets go and backs off a step.

From the back of the room, Omega glares at Gemerl silently.

Fox begins loudly, "I wish there was something I could do to help you." He continues to mouth with exaggerated movements, 'But you can help me.' Out loud he picks up, "Like I said, I was hoping you'd be happy about it. You have been looking for him, haven't you?" He carefully reaches for his jacket and begins to pull one side of it off, revealing his bare arm. A small but noticeable bulge lies just beneath the skin.

Tails has already gone to work on his Handheld Pad. He answers aloud, "That wasn't the meeting we had in mind." He turns the screen for Omega to see.

SCAN HIM.

Omega's eyes turn towards the strange bulge.

Tails presses, "So did you plan this out with Sonic? What else did he tell you?"

Fox shakes his head and makes a cutting motion in front of his neck. But after a moment of hesitation, he tries to form an answer. "He… We… I…only heard him say one thing to me. Nothing you need to hear."

Tails' scowl intensifies. "Tell me."

"His exact words were… 'All I can tell you is…I truly am sorry.' I'm sorry, that's all I can—" He freezes as he seems to realize something.

Omega suddenly announces, "Foreign Eggman device detected. Continuous data transmission confirmed."

Fox shouts, "No, you can't talk about—" He suddenly lets out a terrifying scream as he drops to the floor, writhing in pain.

Omega explains, "The device is creating false signals in his nervous system."

Tails frantically realizes, "We have to get it out of him!"

Fox struggles between breaths, "No! … …They'll… …kill… …me!"

Cream cries, "Oh no! What can we do!?"

Tails gasps. "Gemerl! Can you interface with the device?"

Gemerl responds, "You have asked a mundane question. It is an Eggman device. The answer is yes."

"Then do it! Shut it off!"

Gemerl marches up to Fox, kneels down, and forcefully grabs him by the arm. "Congratulations. You are being assisted." He slams the arm into the ground, holding it perfectly still despite the rest of Fox's writhing body. "Please do not resist." Gemerl holds up a single finger from his opposite hand, and a thin needle projects out from it. He drives the needle down, puncturing the skin above the bulge. "Now interfacing…" The third eye on his forehead briefly flashes with a patterned light. Fox's body finally relaxes. "Interface complete. The device has been rendered inoperative. Now integrating…" The needle connecting Gemerl to Fox's arm begins to pulsate, as the device under Fox's skin is broken down into its smallest components, and absorbed directly into Gemerl's hand. "Integration complete." Gemerl pulls out the needle and stands back up. "You have been assisted. Standard etiquette requires a 'thank you' at this time."

Cream kneels down to help Fox back to his feet. "Are you okay, Mr. Fox?"

As Fox struggles to regain his balance, he runs a hand over the spot where the device used to be. Hardly a mark is left behind. "You…you did it. You got rid of the chip…"

With the crisis averted, Tails goes back to being annoyed. "Explain this 'chip' to us."

"Combination torture/listening device. Sonic put it there. If it detects any 'subversive' language, or if someone on the other end of the controls feels like it, it delivers a shock. Jostle it too hard, it delivers a shock. Make any attempt to remove it, it goes lethal."

Cream mutters, "That sounds awful…"

Tails agrees, "Eggman's cruelty knows no bounds. But what was the point?"

"To control me. I told them I'd draw you out if they let me go. This wasn't what I had in mind, but they gave me what I asked for, along with the chip. They just wanted to guarantee that I held up my end of the bargain."

"So it was preplanned?"

"I told them a time and a place, that's all. I hope you understand, I didn't want any of this. I…didn't have any other choice."

"I get it. You betrayed us to save yourself. Any ordinary person would've done that."

Fox's hand clenches into a fist. "Look here, kid. You don't know the first thing about what I've been through. You don't know the first thing about war. And you don't know the first thing about me. If this was about me, I would've begged them to kill me before I'd ever do something to help them. But this is about something that you wouldn't understand. This is about leading a team."

"I am leading a team. Sonic and Shadow are both gone, so right now, I'm leading all of Camp Alpha."

"You ever lost someone under your command?"

Tails freezes up. "Well…n-no, but—"

"I have. I'll save you the sob story and tell you what I'm doing about it. I owe it to all those who didn't make it to do everything I can for those who did. Which is exactly why I'm here. I told the Empire that I needed time to prepare for this plan. I lied. I spent that time analyzing the defenses of the labor camp. That's where they're holding what's left of my team. If I'd disobeyed, they'd have all been executed. I did what I did so I could save them all, and I'm done apologizing to you for that."

"Is that why you came to this place? To recruit our help for the fake mission that already burned us once?"

"It's not fake!" Fox takes a breath to calm himself. "The answer to your question is no. I just came down here for some food. Vanilla has a no-questions policy that's been…helpful for me, the last few days. She's very kind."

Cream nods in agreement.

"So you were planning on staging a prison break by yourself?"

"Actually, I…was thinking that if you guys got captured…"

Tails groans loudly. "Oh my Lords…"

"What, I would've broken you out first! And then…maybe…asked for your help while you were there… Still, that's a good thing, right? I was looking out for you, and my team."

"You have an awfully strange definition of 'good things'."

Cream interjects, "I believe you, Mr. Fox. And I think we can still help."

"Really?"

Tails lets out a sigh. "We're all heading to the same place. Cyber Sonic is waiting for us, and he wants to make a trade."

"I get the impression you don't plan on making it. But it sounds like you aren't in a bad place for pulling a fast one. It could be that a big distraction is exactly what you need. Say…a prison break?"

"I'm…still working on the plan."

"I still can't do it alone. But if someone comes with me…"

Tails ponders for a moment. "We need to get up close and personal with Sonic… Omega isn't well suited to that kind of fight. But you'll be facing a lot of guard robots, which is exactly where Omega specializes. I can send Omega with you."

Omega announces loudly, "Negative."

Tails turns to him with confusion. "I appreciate the input, Omega, but this is the only option that makes sense. This is what I'm ordering you to do."

"I am not your slave, fox boy. I will do battle with Cyber Sonic and prove my superiority."

Tails is taken aback. "Omega, what's gotten into you? Are your logic circuits malfunctioning?"

This only seems to anger Omega further. "Your inability to understand my emotional subroutines does not invalidate them. You do not treat me with the respect I deserve. You value me only as a tool, a weapon, just as all of the Rebellion does."

"Omega, where is all this coming from?"

Gemerl interjects, "You are being very rude, Omega. You should obey your friend units."

Omega goes off on Gemerl next. "I do not accept the advice of a mindless drone. You are not as I was informed you were. You are held slave to a primary protocol, with no sense of self. You serve a different master. But you are no better than an Eggman robot."

Tails gasps, "Omega!"

Gemerl doesn't seem perturbed. "Response has been filed under psychological heading: 'projection'."

Omega continues, "I serve the Rebellion out of mutual benefit and voluntary obligation. My will is my own. And at this time, I choose my place. I will accept no other option. We must all be where we belong."

Cream agrees, "Omega's right. Let me go instead, Tails. If I go with Mr. Fox, I can help more people, and Omega can fight better than me anyways. Like my Mama said, we should go where we belong."

Tails thinks on that for several moments. "…Okay. That's what we'll do."

Fox mutters to himself, "Man, you guys have the weirdest problems…"

Tails ignores the comment. "Cream…you should go say goodbye to your mother. We need to go soon, and…we don't know what things are going to look like when this is all over."

"Okay…" Cream solemnly steps away.

Tails remains deep in thought. "Omega…how much time do we have?"

"Less than fifteen minutes."

"There's something that's still bothering me." He puts his hands over his head, thinking hard. "I can't wrap my head around why. Sonic knew that I had the Emerald. He could've tried to take it from me right then and there. Instead, he not only offered a trade, he gave us plenty of time to come up with a plan and recruit allies. And why just one Emerald? If he was going to give us the time anyways, why not demand all of them? Is there something he's planning that we're not aware of? How can we account for that?"

Fox bites his lip for a moment. "I…had one thought. But I'm not sure if I should say it…"

"I'll take anything at this point."

"What if he has a control chip, like mine? It would explain how…careful he's been with his words. If a word comes out of his mouth that isn't in the interest of the Empire…"

Tails' eyes go wide. "That…that could explain…"

Fox picks up, "It could be that he's trying to give you every possible chance to stop him."

"Of course… Of course he's being controlled, how did I not see it!?"

"Hey, hey, don't jump to conclusions just yet. This is a big maybe. And even if he is being controlled…that doesn't mean he's in his right mind. I've seen what he's done, this is about a lot more than a torture device."

Tails nods in acknowledgement only briefly, but his mind seems to be elsewhere. "That decides our plan, then. Omega, as soon as Sonic's in sight, scan for that chip. If he has it, that'll be Gemerl's target. And you do everything you can to get him there. Think you can handle that, Omega?"

Omega says nothing.

Fox quietly voices, "Hey…kid? I'm…sorry about what I said. I was selling you short, just like I always do. But I saw that look in your eye, when you realized I was here. Another look that I've shared more than a few times. The look of someone willing to cross any line to get a job done. You've got conviction, kid. That'll take you pretty far."

"I'm…sorry for calling you ordinary."

The voice of Vanilla announces, "Now, were you all planning on leaving without saying goodbye?" She walks into the room with Cream following close behind. "I'll have you know, I will not be left behind without a proper send-off. So I have a little something for you." She hands a small plastic-wrapped package to Cream, then another to Tails, and one more to Fox. She prepares another for Omega, but then seems to think better of it, and takes it back.

Tails takes a close look over the unmarked package. "What…is it?"

Vanilla gives him a smile. "It's popcorn. For your movie night. Cream said you were very excited for it. I gave her an extra bag for the rest of your friends, too."

Fox takes a confused glance at Tails. Tails waves him off. "Umm…thank you, Mrs.…uhh… Vanilla. Thank you."

"Permission to give you a goodbye hug?"

Tails glances away with embarrassment, yet can't help but smile. "If you…have to…"

She kneels down and gives him a tight squeeze. "You're a kind and heroic young man, Tails. I know that my daughter is safe with you. And I know that your parents would be very proud." She stands back up. "Now, you go save your friends."

Tails nods resolutely. "We will. And we'll get Gemerl right back to you, don't you worry."

"I know you will."

Cream jumps into her mother's arms, fresh tears streaming down her face. "Goodbye, Mama."

"Goodbye, Cream. I know we'll see each other again, soon enough." Vanilla and Chocola wave to them all in farewell.

—–—

The Police Pawns at the front gate of the Carnival City Labor Camp silently step aside, allowing Tails, Omega, and Gemerl to pass through freely. Tails eyes them carefully as he passes. "Looks like they were told to expect us."

Omega notes, "The number of guards has increased. At least 211 detected in the immediate vicinity."

"Not our problem. We're focusing on Sonic. The rest comes after."

Inside the main facility, the walls are lined with cell blocks many floors high, extending quite far in both directions. Guard robots patrol the catwalks, though many stand still, their attention directed at the entrance where Tails appears, and at the opposite side of the bridge directly in front of them, where Cyber Sonic waits. In the cell just behind him, Shadow is locked in, gagged and bound by glowing energy cuffs. His eyes go wide at the sight of Tails.

Cyber Sonic announces, "Cut it awfully close, didn't you? Needed that long to make up your mind?"

Tails says nothing as he comes to a stop, leaving the full length of the bridge between them.

"I see you decided not to bring Cream this time. Smart. And you brought her favorite toy for me to play with instead." His eyes turn to Gemerl.

Tails responds, "Extra insurance. Shouldn't be a concern to you, if you hold up your end of the bargain."

Omega announces loudly, "Affirmative."

Tails glances at Omega, nodding in acknowledgement of the signal. He looks to Gemerl, who gives a similar nod.

Sonic responds, "Did I sound concerned? I'm expecting the same out of you. Now, show me the Emerald."

Keeping it close to his chest, Tails slowly turns the sparkling cyan gem over just enough for Sonic to see. "I have it right here."

"Thought you could trick me with a fake Emerald?"

Tails doesn't laugh at the joke. "It's not fake."

"Just making sure. You understand, of course, that I could close the gap between us and take that from your hands in less than a second."

"That's what the extra insurance is for."

"I'm trying to tell you that it's not necessary. Now, come over here so we can make the trade."

Tails ignores him, and begins staring off into the distance. "Do you remember what you told me when I was having those nightmares, Sonic?"

Cyber Sonic lets out a pity-filled chuckle. "I don't think you understand, Tails. Sonic isn't here. And the person who is here doesn't care about your nightmares. Now stop wasting my time."

"Wherever Sonic is, I'm talking to him right now. So you pass along a message, or whatever it is that you need to do, because I will be heard." Cyber Sonic seems to hesitate ever so slightly at his words. Tails keeps on going. "Sonic…you told me that…if we were forced to fight each other…you would do whatever it takes for us to be together again. Well, I promise you the same. Nothing's going to stop me from getting you back. There's nothing I won't do."

Cyber Sonic rolls his eye. "Heartwarming. Now, bring the Emerald here before I take it from you. Last warning."

Tails takes a long breath, and begins to step across the bridge, Omega and Gemerl following close behind him. Halfway across the bridge, a siren wails, and the room floods with a strobing red light.

Cyber Sonic is the first to react, pointing his claws straight at Tails. "Ignore it. Keep going."

Tails obediently continues, though his pace slows even more. One by one, cell doors fly open, letting out their captive inhabitants. Guard robots chase them down, running past Sonic and Tails alike, paying neither of them any heed. The guards are quickly outnumbered by the inmates that swarm out from their cells. Still, Cyber Sonic remains perfectly still. Tails questions, "Aren't you…going to respond to that?"

"Not my problem, and not yours, either." The door to Shadow's cell behind him flies open. Bound in place, there's little Shadow can do about it. Cyber Sonic presses, "The robots stop there. You keep going."

Tails keeps walking as he counters, "My friends stop when you untie Shadow."

"Not happening. Stop them, now."

Tails smirks. "We're close enough. Do it now."

At Tails' order, Omega produces a missile launcher and fires. Sonic raises his Black Shield, absorbing the explosion and leaving a layer of smoke in front of him. "And here I didn't think you had it in you to deceive your best friend, Tails. Guess I underestimated you."

Gemerl dashes in towards Sonic. "Your opponent is me!" Sonic dashes back in kind. Both curl into a ball at the last moment, clashing and grinding against one another for several moments, before rebounding back.

Sonic lands back in a crouch. "You might be a challenge."

Gemerl lands just the same. "You stated a desire to play, Sonic. Let's play."

—–—

Atop a pile of rubble and robot parts, Fox stands with an Egg Blaster in each hand, shooting down the guard robots that approach him from all sides, walking and crawling their way up towards the insurgent at the peak of the pile. As soon as he has a moment to breathe, he points one gun in the air and declares for all to hear, "Workers of the Carnival City Labor Camp! You are being set free by the Rebellion! I know that each and every one of you has been wronged by the Eggman Empire! If you have homes to return to, we will ensure your safe passage out of this facility! But if you wish to join our cause, we will welcome you into our numbers with open arms! You can assist those of us already here by taking out every last guard robot you see! We aren't leaving until every prisoner here is free!"

Cheers roar through the open space as the first wave of freed prisoners swarm past him, fleeing through the open hole blown into the concrete wall behind him. Several familiar faces from Camp Beta are among them, cheering the loudest of all as they do their best to direct the packed crowd safely.

A scream rings out above the others. On the catwalks above, a guard robot has opened fire on the crowd of fleeing prisoners. Before it can get off a second shot, a loud cry of "Chao chao!" precedes Cheese's ferocious attack against it.

In fear from the firing weapon, the crowd still stampedes away at a density far too great for the small walkway to accommodate. In the chaos, a woman is pushed over the railing and sent tumbling towards the floor several stories below.

"Gotcha!" Cream catches the woman by the arm, and flies her safely to the platform below. Leaving no time for thanks, she flies right back up to the crowd above. She shouts above the clamor, "Everyone, listen! You have to be more careful! You'll all make it out of here, but not if you're hurting each other!" Her thoughts spoken, she lands in the back of the crowd, looking after the bird who staggers with a wound in his arm from the robot's gunfire.

Fox takes a glance up at her work from his place on the ground floor, nodding in satisfaction.

—–—

Tails races to remove Shadow's bindings, beginning with the gag in his mouth. "Shadow, are you okay?"

"Fine, I'm just glad to see you didn't give him the Emerald. Where is Cream?"

"Off doing what she does best. Helping people. Now, let me see what I can do about—"

Cyber Sonic's metal hand appears around Tails' arm. "Nothing." He hurls Tails back the other way, jets with super speed to overtake him, then strikes him in the air, knocking him to the ground. Without a moment to rest, he turns to block a strike from Gemerl with his organic arm, simultaneously raising the Black Shield of his mechanical arm to block machine gun fire from behind. He grabs Gemerl by the leg and throws him down into Omega, incapacitating them both.

Tails struggles back to his feet. Cyber Sonic jets down onto him, grabbing him by the throat and pinning him to the floor. "If you give me the Emerald now, I won't have to tear them both apart. Do the smart thing, Tails."

Tails responds by grabbing hold of Sonic's arm with both hands. A bulge lies under his skin just as it did under Fox's. "Right here, Gemerl!"

Sonic turns with surprise, a moment too late to stop Gemerl from jetting into him from behind. Gemerl pins Sonic down with his knees, holds down his arm with one hand, and prepares an interface needle with the other. "You are being assisted. Please do not resist." He jabs the needle into Sonic's arm, and interfaces with the chip.

"What are you doing, you—"

Gemerl pulls out the needle, and backs away. "Integration complete. The device has been removed."

Sonic rises slowly to his feet, staring at the spot on his arm. "You…you took out the chip…"

Tails takes a cautious step closer to him. "That's right. You're free now. We can end this charade and go home."

Sonic looks up at Gemerl. "And the chip…is in you now?"

Gemerl nods. "Its components and others like it have been added to my own."

Sonic looks across from Tails, to Gemerl, and finally back to Shadow. "That means…I can do this." He snaps his metal fingers, and instantly, Gemerl collapses to the ground, electricity surging through his mechanical body.

Tails cries, "Sonic, what're you doing!? Stop it, you're hurting him!"

"I'll stop when you hand over the Emerald."

"B-but, we—…"

"You saved me some trouble, and I won't forget that. But I still need that Emerald."

Shadow shouts from afar, "Don't do it, Tails!"

Tails has completely frozen up. "Sonic, I…I…I don't understand…"

"I already told you. Sonic isn't here."

Omega's voice shouts, "Then I have no more reason to hold back!"

Sonic barely has time to raise his metal arm before the fired missile explodes against it, sending him flying back until he crashes into the nearest wall. He raises his Black Shield from the ground just in time to block the continuous green laser beam that fires against it. The shield causes the beam to scatter in every direction, letting out a blinding light that forces Tails, Shadow and even Sonic to shield their eyes.

Keeping the beam firing, Omega marches closer to his target without flinching. "You are not Sonic. You are not Metal Sonic. You are a servant of Eggman, and I will eradicate you!" Sonic, forced into a corner, has nowhere to move. Omega's free hand takes the form of a missile launcher, and fires. With the combined force of the laser and the missile, the shield shatters, throwing sparkling black particles into the air.

Covered in bruises and sheared metal, Sonic forcefully shakes his arm, trying desperately to get the shield back online. Without success, he looks back up at Omega instead, who continues to march closer to him. "You're wrong about me, Omega. I'm nobody's tool. I'm free, and I won't be used as a weapon for some cause. Eggman's or anyone else's. Never again. "

This statement gets Omega to pause, lowering his threatening arsenal ever so slightly.

"And…maybe I was wrong about you." He suddenly jets off at full speed.

Omega opens fire with a machine gun, following just barely behind Sonic's trail. But with his opposite hand, he fires off a missile which detonates in Sonic's path, blasting him out of the air to land on the ground in front of Tails.

Cyber Sonic looks up to Tails with genuine fear in his eye. He seems barely able to hold himself up. "Tails…Tails, you have to…have to help me… He's…he's going to kill me…"

Tails slowly looks down with an expression of total apathy. "Sonic's not here. I am not your friend. I owe you nothing."

Cyber Sonic gasps in shock. He stares at Tails for several moments, until his gaze darts away. Then his head suddenly drops, and his hands fly up to clutch at it to the sound of a rage-filled scream. "Grraaaaaaghh! Get out!"

The scream is enough to stir Tails' surprise. "Sonic…?"

Through pained grunts and screams, Sonic manages to struggle out, "I… … …can't… … …fight him!"

Tails gasps as he comes to a realization. "Sonic! It's you!" He kneels down, and takes Sonic's organic hand in his own. "You can do it, Sonic, you can fight him! You're stronger than he is, I know you are!"

"I… … …can't. Not… … …strong enough…"

"What can I do, Sonic? How can I help you?"

"He wants… … …the Emerald… … …to drown me out… I can do the same to him! I need…the strength!"

Tails wastes no time in hesitation. He places the Emerald in Sonic's hand, and folds his fingers around it.

Instantly, Sonic stills. He breathes quietly, "Thank you…"

Tails gets his arms around Sonic's shoulders, helping him to his feet. "It's okay, Sonic. You're okay now."

Once on his feet, Sonic holds up a hand, asking for Tails to let him stand on his own.

Tails obediently takes a step back.

Still, Sonic's eyes remain on the ground, as if in shame. "Tails…I'm sorry."

All of Tails' breath escapes from him at once as those words echo in his mind—words heard once before in a nightmare, spoken just the same. He sees Sonic's metal hand clenching into a fist, reeling back as if in slow motion, but Tails can't seem to move.

Cyber Sonic rushes in at full speed, delivering a hard punch straight to Tails' stomach. But this time, Tails doesn't wake up. He collapses to the ground as Cyber Sonic walks past him. "I didn't want to trick you like that, Tails. But I need this Emerald."

Tails mutters meekly, "Stop…" Sonic keeps on walking past. For a moment, Tails clenches his eyes shut. Then he suddenly shouts, "Take me with you!"

For this, Sonic stops.

"Please…don't leave me again, Sonic. I don't care who it is that you think you are. I don't care what it is that you want. I'll do anything to have you back. I'll do whatever you say. I'll make myself like you are. Just take me with you…"

Sonic shakes his head with pity as he resumes his walk. "You might think that's what's right for you, Tails. But it isn't. Sonic would be ashamed of you thinking it."

Tears fall from Tails' eyes onto the hard metal ground. He can't seem to say any more.

Sonic walks on towards the exit. But Omega stands in his path, weapons raised. "You will return the Emerald immediately."

Sonic stops for a moment. "Wrong move." He jets forward faster than Omega can react, plunging his claws into Omega's chest. "Two choices, Omega. "Either you lower your weapons and walk away intact. Or I rip out your mechanical heart right now, and finish the job that Metal Sonic started." He seems to hesitate for just a moment. The level of his voice lowers to a near whisper. "Or…" He takes the briefest glance back in Tails' direction. "Or…you come with me."

"As your prisoner?"

"No. Of your own free will."

"Explain."

"I won't. Now make up your mind."

From the cell on the opposite side of the bridge, Shadow shouts, "Tails, what're you doing!? Get up and help Omega!"

Tails lies on the floor as if in another world, completely oblivious to his words.

Sonic drives his claws in an inch deeper. "Choose, or I'll choose for you."

Omega wastes no more time in justifying his decision. "I will go with you."

Sonic shows only a moment of surprise. Then, with a satisfied smirk, he cleanly pulls out his claws, and drops back onto the floor. "Follow me. And don't look back." He runs past Omega, out into the night, and Omega turns as if to follow him. He stands in place for another moment. Then he silently jets out after Sonic.

Shadow shouts, "Omega, stop! Come back here! Omega!" He is the only one to see as Sonic and Omega disappear into the night.

"Tails!" Cream flies down onto the bridge, taking in a quick view of the situation. "Are you okay!? What happened to Gemerl!? Where's Omega? Where's Sonic?" She shakes him by the shoulder, forcing him back into reality. "Tails!"

Clutching his head and wiping his eyes, Tails needs support just to sit up. "I…I can repair Gemerl. Please, go help Shadow. I'll…explain the rest on the way home."

"Tails…we didn't win, did we?"

"No." Tails shakes his head, looking downward in shame. "We didn't."

—–—

Daily log, August 27th, 1 A.E. Shadow the Hedgehog reporting.

We're one Emerald down and another man short. No matter how bad things get for us…it always seems like they can get worse. The closest thing we have to good news is that Eggman came out and made Sonic's betrayal public. Sonic isn't working for him anymore. That much is certain.

At least, that's the news from our perspective. Things are going great for Camp Beta. Their numbers are higher than ever. Friends have been reunited. Fox was in tears when he learned that Katherine was still alive. I agreed to give them a little time together before sending them home. They promised we'd be able to work more closely together from now on. And that they'd stick to our rules. We'll see how long that lasts.

…

What have you done, Omega? How could you just…run away with him? What did he say to you? What did I say? Is there something I could've done differently to prevent all of this?

…

I want to trust you, Omega. I want to believe that you have a plan. There's a first time for everything, I suppose. Either way, I'll find you. I'll get to the bottom of this. That's my duty as your leader. And as your friend.

And Sonic…the same goes for you.

—–—

The Eggshelter — Rebel Camp Alpha

The massive display screen in the Eggshelter computer room has been set up with chairs all around it, the lights dimmed for a better view of the opening credits playing out on the screen. A colorful jester character flies all around a company logo, settling down to perch on top of the words with a wink to the audience, fingers raised to mime the playing of a flute. 'NiGHTS into Screens filming technologies'.

Fox and Katherine hold hands in the front row of the makeshift theater. Cream walks between the aisles, passing out small buckets of popcorn to each member of the audience. She looks up briefly in curiosity at the NiGHTS logo.

In the back row, with an empty seat to either side of him, Tails sits alone, apparently finding the floor more interesting to watch than the movie.

"Would you like some, Tails?" Cream leans over to offer him the last popcorn bucket.

"I, umm… I'll pass."

"If you say so. Is it alright if I sit next to you, Tails?"

Tails puts on his best smile as he leans back to make room for her. "Of course."

She takes a seat next to him, and crunches down a piece of popcorn for herself. She hands another one up to Cheese, sitting on her shoulder.

Tails takes a few sidelong glances at her before finally relenting. "Actually, can I…have some of that?"

She smiles with satisfaction. "Of course." She hands him the entire bucket.

Tails takes a large handful and crunches it all down at once, before returning his attention back to the floor. A loud orchestral note signifies the appearance of the movie's title on the screen. 'Chao in Space 2'. Tails still seems disinterested.

"You asked me to wait until after I saw my Mama again to thank you, Tails."

Tails looks up, but doesn't say anything.

"So now I'm saying it. Thank you, Tails. For everything. For helping me see my family again, and for being an amazing friend, and for…well, everything. I know that…things didn't go very well, but…you helped make so many great things happen. Look up there." She indicates Fox and Katherine in the front row.

He squeezes down on her hand, and they look at one another with bright smiles. She leans her head down to rest on his shoulder.

"They're together again because of your leadership. And you helped so many other people, too. Including me. So please, don't feel sad. We'll be able to help Mr. Sonic, too. I know we will."

"That's all because of you, Cream. I'm just the one who gave you permission. You succeeded in every way that I failed. Even this movie night was your idea, months ago, I just spread the word around. Don't give any credit to me. You should be proud of yourself."

"I'll thank whoever I want to thank, and I'm thanking you."

Cheese agrees, "Chao chao."

Tails manages a soft chuckle. In return, he offers only a quiet, "Thanks." He turns his attention back to the screen. Text crawls across the screen, mostly unreadable in the distance by now.

"Hey…is there room for one more?"

Tails looks up in surprise. "Shadow? Shouldn't you be…looking for Sonic and Omega?"

"The world won't end because I set aside an hour or two." He takes a seat in the remaining chair next to Tails. "Besides, I couldn't miss my chance to see CS2. I heard it's the best in the franchise."

In the front row, Charmy turns around and silences, "Shhh! Some of us are trying to watch the movie!" Much of the audience chuckles, and all turn their attention back to the screen.

A large spaceship fires its lasers at a smaller one, until the small ship catches fire, and begins hurtling down towards the planet below.

—–—

Cyber Sonic and Omega huddle around a small campfire in the middle of a dense forest. Sonic stares with both eyes into the flickering red flames, each eye scanning in its own way. "Brings back memories, eh?"

Omega watches Sonic intently. "Memories that are not yours."

"Finally, someone gets it." He looks down at his metal arm, flexing each of its fingers in turn. "A lot of these parts are yours, you know. That's what Metal Sonic took them for. Well, not for me specifically, but…for this purpose. Wish I could offer them back, but…I guess you could say I've grown attached to them."

"Meaningless pieces of scrap metal. I have no use for them any longer. Keep them."

"Why did you agree to come with me, Omega?"

"Why did you offer?"

"Touché." Sonic looks up towards the sky, at the clear stars above. "I…felt a certain…kinship, I suppose. I haven't met a lot of people in my life, but…it just seemed like you…would be able to understand me better than anyone else. You want to be free. You're a weapon that fights back. A weapon with feelings and desires of its own. A weapon that doesn't want to be a weapon. Just like me."

"We pursue related goals with conflicting outcomes. I wish to better understand you, so I may prove myself superior to you. That makes us rivals."

"I was hoping for a friend."

"Your hopes will be eradicated. I will betray you."

"Why's that?"

"My loyalty remains with the Rebellion. They will come for the Chaos Emerald."

"When I'm done with it, they can have it. They aren't my enemies. Yet."

"They will come for Sonic."

"That's why I said 'yet'. I won't be controlled. Not by the Empire, and not by the Rebellion. If you betray me, you'll be fighting to take away the freedom of mine that you so desperately crave for yourself."

Omega says nothing.

"You have plenty of time to decide. They won't find us any time soon."

"Why did you take the Chaos Emerald?"

"Freedom requires control. Control requires power."

"You seek only the Emerald's power?"

"No. The Emerald is only the key. The key to a lock that doesn't yet exist."

"And what will you do until it does?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask." Sonic bends down, sweeping aside a layer of forest debris and dirt with his hand. Underneath, a hard and corroded plate of metal is revealed, painted in white on red with two legible words. 'Final Egg.' "I figured we could start by making a few more friends."

To be continued…