Sonic shot his head around the edge of the "kitchen." "Tails!"

Tails looked up from where he sat at the table, a sausage link hanging out from the side of his mouth. Crème stood next to him with a tray, her eyes wide.

Sonic paced around the kitchen table. He grabbed Tails' chair and spun it around to face him. "We've wasted today long enough, Robotnik's gonna pay for what he's done and I'm looking to collect—we've gotta move, move, move, we've gotta blow it, scram, outta here—"

Tails jumped to his feet and took a tool belt from the back of his chair. He strapped the tool belt around his waist, then hefted a backpack up from the ground. "'Course, Sonic, I'm ready, got everything here-"

Sonic clapped him on the shoulder with a cheer, nearly knocking the fox flat. "That's the spirit, Tails, c'mon!" Sonic sprinted out of the kitchen.

Tails caught his balance. He pulled the backpack onto his narrow shoulders then started scrambling after Sonic.

"Wait!" Crème burst out, rushing after the two.

Sonic stuck his head back in. "What, Crème, make it snappy, 'kay?"

Crème covered her mouth, blushing. "Mr. Sonic…you and, and Mr. Tails need to rest—Tails' back is still hurt…"

Still looking at Crème, Sonic snatched Tails' backpack with one hand and began pulling it free from Tails' shoulders. "Rest schmest," Sonic made a face at Creme, his eyes flashing. "There's people dying up there. Come on, Tails."

Crème looked around. "I'll be here all alone—"

"Sally's here." Sonic pried the backpack loose and swung it onto his own back.

Tails smiled in thanks at Sonic and flexed his bad shoulder.

Sonic snapped his free fingers. "Better yet, Crème, I have a job for ya. You take care of Sally and make sure she eats foods, 'kay?"

Crème hesitated, then smiled. She nodded with a curtsey.

"How is she?" Tails asked Sonic, his eyes wide.

Sonic spun out of the kitchen, waving his hands. "Heh, heh, not gonna talk about it, bro."

Tails winced, following. "That bad?" he murmured. "Guess I can't blame her…"

"Bye, Mr. Sonic and Mr. Tails," Crème called after them. "Please come back soon!"

"See ya later, Crème!" Sonic called back. Tails waved to her with his tails.