Tails was half-marched, half-dragged down the stairwell in silence, his world reeling, his eyes dim.

He was not going to be pushed over a railing and fall down nine stories to his death. Sonic had traded the little freedom he had left and probably his life, so that wouldn't happen.

He was going to live, and Sonic—

Tears rolled down the fox's cheeks, but he didn't make a sound.

As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairwell, Tails lifted his gaze.

At least thirty combots surrounded him. His friend, his brother, his hero. All their blasters at the ready. The hedgehog sat propped against one of the foyer pillars, his torso, hips, legs, knees, ankles, arms and wrists all secured with ECcord. A stretching rope that hardened when triggered by an electric current.

Tails breathed.

Sonic turned his head to face Tails, his gaze sharp.

Light surged through Tails eyes. He caught his breath and screamed—

"Sonic-!"

"Tails!" Sonic lurched forward. Desperation and loss flashed though his eyes. "Are you okay, man, what'd they do-!"

Grounder's wrapped one around Tails' waist and pointed the barrel of his hand blaster against Tails' temple. "Hold still, hedgehog."

Sonic froze. Bitterness filled his vision and he looked away, rolling his eyes. The combots pulled him back against the pillar.

Tails stared as if sick, his eyes wide.

How…dare Sonic keep him alive.

Of course he hadn't wanted to die. It had been a long way down. He had been terrified, but he was going to die anyway, eventually, wasn't he? He'd been arrested for breaking into Robotropolis and he'd tried to destroy a shipment of missiles. Of course they would kill him. Sonic should have known he couldn't save him ultimately.

Tails glared. He'd been used again. Used again to bring down the Ringweilder of Mobia. He deserved death just for that-

But though his mind tried to repress it and though he mentally affirmed his thoughts, the indebtedness still began to prick through the pain in his eyes.

Of course Sonic wouldn't leave him. He knew that.

Of course Sonic would do this for him.

That was just Sonic.

He wasn't perfect. There were times when Tails wished the hedgehog would just get the sock-in-the-face he had coming to him.

But when all was said and done, Sonic deserved the best in life as long as he lived.

Resolve hardened in Tails' eyes.

He was going to make sure Sonic lived for a long time.

Eggman was talking. "You two don't really have time to chit chat anyway. You both have a trial to attend. Load them up, boys."

Grounder pushed Tails forward, the blaster still against his head.

Fire flashed through Tails' eyes. With all his might, the fox hefted up his tails, chains and all and he dug his heels against the floor. He slammed his tails into Grounder's treads, sending the robot off balance. Tails lunged back and Grounder tipped onto his side with a wheeze. The blaster went off and a bolt of energy exploded into Tails' back.

Tails fell forward onto his face with a snarl.

Sonic's shout rang through the room.

"Oh nuts!" Eggman hissed, hurrying over to the fox.

Tails stared across the floor, listening to his heartbeat and feeling the pain began to creep over his back, into his chest and shoulder, his mind. He shuddered.

Good. They wouldn't use him against Sonic anymore.

Somehow, Sonic had half scrambled half-rolled over to Tails. He was still bound and combots snatched at him, but he was shouting. "Get off me now, I'm not going anywhere!"

"Out of the way, Sonic, we'll take care of him, it was just a blast, not a shell. Grounder, scan the fox, assess the damage." Eggman said, checking his watch.

Sonic's eyes flashed. "Let me talk to him or you'll never get him or me to that trial," he shouted.

Eggman glanced up and met Sonic's gaze, glaring.

For a brief moment, the two stared, their eyes locked on each other. Sonic clenched his jaw.

Eggman huffed and rolled his eyes. "Confound you hedgehog, okay, I get it. Make it quick. Hurry up, Grounder."

Sonic dropped down on his stomach and lay with his face on the ground, next to Tails.

Tails blinked slowly.

"What are you doing, idiot?" Sonic hissed.

Tails took a shaky breath. "I—y-you…run. Run, Sonic."

Fear shot through Sonic's eyes.

Tails saw the fear. For a moment he looked sorry, but he still forced out the words. "You need to run."

Sonic dropped his voice to a whisper, "Tails, I want to do this, 'kay?" He stopped for a second and swallowed. "I—I really need you to stick around…"

Tail's eyes widened, his face still wet with tears. He frowned, as if confused.

Something bad had happened.

…But whatever it was, this was no time for Sonic to lose his moxie.

Tails took a breath, pain streaking across his face. "Eggman has missiles…a lot of missiles…"

Sonic's eyes narrowed.

"R-remember, you can-can't give up…" Tails said.

"—Hey, I never said nothing about that," Sonic hissed. "The game's not over here 'til we're dead. Just don't end the game early, see?"

Tails' brow furrowed.

"Okay," Eggman said, stepping over the two. "The blast just missed his spinal cord. Lots of burning, but he'll survive." He huffed, turning to the combots. "We don't have time for this. Get him out to the jetship and work on his back there and pop his shoulder back in—whatever it takes to get him to the trial. The fox has got to make it into the council room or Ivo will have my head-"

Sonic and Tails stared at each other.

"Th-thank you," Tails whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. "…for not l-letting them..."

"Just stay cool," Sonic ordered as the combots snatched onto his head spikes and shoulders. They dragged him off the floor, away from Tails.