Tower watched the battle form the window and heard Forelock "This is for my family! Tower, get to safety. I don't see this ending well". Tower crossed his arms "I appreciate your concern, but I never leave my men behind".
Antione flew the jet over the city "Alright, comms check. Can you hear me, kid?". Tails was on the roof of the jet in a black disguise "I can. It's a little loud out here". Antione spotted the bridge fight "Whoa, Tails, you sure that's not real?" "Yeah, it's just 100 times bigger than I expected. We need to get high enough, so Forelock doesn't see me coming". Antione flew them above the cloud "Hey, Ant" "Yeah. What is it?" "We need to have a serious conversation about you and my aunt!" he jumped off the plane.
Forelock hear Towers "Report" "Lew, I need a quick response" "It's the Elementals. They're merged into something else something more powerful". Forelock repeated this to Tower "It's drawing energy from Mobius' core".
Tower looked back at Topaz "See, now, that's some bullshit" "Abe, look". They looked back out and saw Tails flying down towards the bridge "Be ready for anything".
Tails flew right towards the Elemental "Oh, it's not real. It's not real. Oh, Gaia". He went right through it into the swarm of Flappers inside "Whoa. That's awesome". He flew around and started shooting goo at each of the drones sticking them to each other.
Forelock checked his device "Quark, I've got drones breaking formation" "Maybe they hit a flock of flickys. You're fine" "I wanna see what's happening. I'm taking manual control". He used a camera on one of the Flappers and saw Tails spin right into it destroying it "Do you see anything" "Yeah. And I'm gonna kill him".
Tails finished hitting all the drones and then fired a red ball of energy that destroyed that Flapper and then the energy spread through the goo destroying the rest. The projections all started to fade away.
Tower watched as a Flapper appeared outside of his window, but he didn't look worried "You got me". Topaz on the roof of the window fired a rocket down destroying the Flapper "I got you".
A raging Forelock watched his illusion break apart and he saw Tails "Boss, the illusion is coming apart". Tails was flying towards him "Cream, give me protection" "Copy". A Flapper came up behind and hit Tails down to the bottom of the bridge. He got up and saw dozens of Flappers surround the catwalk. Forelock was shaking with rage "Kill the illusion" "What? They'll see it" "They'll see what I want them to see!". He then heard another voice "Do you still need the cape?" "Yes, Janice. I still need the cape". The illusion completely disappeared "Quark, render my illusion suit". He then heard a jet engine and looked out seeing Antione's jet land "Who the hell is that?".
Antione ran out and met with Ray and the others "Ray!" "Ant! How'd you find us" "Your mongoose friend is still livestreaming. I am getting you guys out of here! Get on the jet!". Barby didn't understand "Wait, who are you?" "I work with the Prowl, okay?". This got Ash's attention "You work for the Prowl" "I work with Prowl. Not for Prowl". The jet suddenly blew up "Okay, new plan. Into the Tower".
Tails could hear him over his earpieces "Ant, are you okay?" "We're okay. Just go get Forelock". Above him Forelock kept messing with his device "Cream, target the Prowl". There was now no response, and the Flappers just flew down "I'll just kill the kids myself". Tails flew constantly evading fire from the Flappers.
Antione led the group inside the tower "Get into the vault! The walls are eight feet thick". A few guards outside fired up destroying a few of the drones but one got past and went after the group. It flew through the halls towards the vault when Barby suddenly leaped out from a hiding spot and beat it down with a mace. It started firing erratically so they all quickly got into the vault and closed the doors. The Flapper activated a laser and started slowly cutting through.
Tails hid behind a car for cover "Ant, say something to let me know you're alive!" "I'm here. I'm here" "Ant, thank Gaia". An explosion went off nearby "I bought us some time. But not much" "I'm trying to get to Forelock, but I can't shake these drones". He threw the car destroying a few Flappers but more had flame throwers. Tails tried to fly away but was hit burning his back "AHH!". He pushed through the pain and fired back desperately trying to destroy as many as he could but they just kept coming. Suddenly one fired a shockwave throwing Tails into a car. Then they fired another car into him before throwing him off the bridge and into the water. Forelock grinned "Finally. Quark, get the illusion back up" "Almost done. I don't how you're gonna spin this". Tails crawled out of the water exhausted and injured. His arm cannon bracelet beeped signifying it was out of energy "Oh, great". He looked out and saw a drone stuck under debris firing shockwaves upwards. Tails picked up a rock and threw it at the Flapper. It shot the rock upwards towards the swarm of drones who immediately shot it.
Ray watched the door getting cut open "Are we gonna die?" "Nobody dies on my watch". Everyone was holding weapons ready to fight. The room shook "I wasted my life playing video games and we're gonna die". Another shake and Undina sobbed "I have a fake ID, and I've never even used it". Another shake and Ash groaned "I post stupid videos daily for people to like me". Antione shook his head "Hey, if it wasn't for those videos, the Prowl would never find you". Ash smiled "The Prowl…? The Prowl follows me? I saved us, guys" "If you saved us why are we about to die?" Barby yelled. Everyone stared at her, "Okay, I'm sorry. I'm just obsessed with telling the truth even if it hurts people's feelings". Another shake and Antione closed his eyes cringing "I am in love with the Prowl's aunt". Everyone narrowed their eyes and stared at him, "We're sharing, right".
Tails tore the Flapper open and took a device out. He tied it to a cable and then took a metal sign as shield. He ran out, all the Flappers fired on him, but the sign was just able to hold it. He then threw the device up into the swarm which then created a large explosion destroying most of them. Tails then used the damaged Flapper to launch him up into the catwalk. He grabbed Forelock, he punched him and used the device to disable the Flappers at the tower "Your lies are over, Forelock". Forelock didn't look worried "This certainly isn't ideal, but I have contingencies. Cream". A Flapper shot Tails back to the other end of the catwalk. He quickly got back up clutching his chest "Just give me the glasses". Forelock took out the glasses "You want these? Come and get them". Multiple drones entered the catwalk getting between Forelock and Tails. They all projected illusions turning it into a dark empty hallway. Tails took a breath "Come on, Tails-tingle". He closed his eyes and ran forward. He concentrated on all his senses and was able to dodge all the drone fire and destroyed any he passed. He tail spinned right through three. The more he destroyed the more the illusion started to break apart. Forelock started to look worried "Why aren't the other drones firing" "You are in the strike zone. The chance of getting-" "No. FIRE ALL THE DRONES NOW!".
The remaining four fired on Tails who used a broken one as a shield. He dashed forward destroying the rest, but a stray bullet hit Forelock in the stomach. He disabled the hologram on his face and limped over to him. Tails' face was bloodied and bruised. Forelock sat down and leaned against the wall. Tails glared down at him "I trusted you" "I know. That's the most… disappointing part. You're a good person, Tails. Such a weakness". He took out the glasses "Sonic was right. You do-". Tails suddenly shot his hand up beside him grabbing something invisible. A gun shot could be heard and the Forelock sitting on the ground disappeared. Tails looked around at the real Forelock holding a gun "You can't trick me anymore". He tightened his grip on his wrist making him drop the gun. He took the glasses "Cream, you there" "Biometric scan confirmed. Tails, it's good have you back. I'm sorry about attacking you. I could not fight my programming". Tails smiled "It's fine. I've made my own mistakes over the last few days. Turn off the drones". Behind him Forelock fell to the ground. Tails looked outside at the swarm "Execute all cancellation protocols? Execute them all" "Confirmed". He watched as the entire swarm rose up into the sky. Tails laughed in relief but then started to frown and turned back to Forelock "How could you do all this?" "You'll see, Tails. People, they need to believe. And nowadays they'll believe anything" as he finished his sentence Forelock finally died. Tails even used the glasses to confirm "Cream, is this real?" "All illusions are down".
At the bottom of the bridge Barby on her own ran across and saw Tails limping towards her "Barby". She ran to him and embraced him as tight as she could, she was horrified to feel the burns on his back "Are you okay?" "I'm okay. Are you?" "Yeah. Everyone is? All the drones stopped. Was that you". Tails nodded "Yeah" "Did you get him". Tails stepped back and looked regretful "Yeah, I got him". Barby pointed to a mace on the ground "I brought that in case you needed some help". Tails chuckled "Thanks" "Anyway, uh, there was this sweaty Cayote with an accent in the tower with us. I think he works for you or something. He gave me this". She held out the necklace, but it was broken in half "No. Oh, I'm so sorry. I had this stupid plan" "Tails" "I wrote it down, I was gonna buy you this…". Barby kissed him shutting him up. She stepped back and Tails tried to talk "Uh, and you kissed me. What? What?". Barby smiled "Yeah. I don't really have much luck when it comes to getting close to people. Um… so I lied. I wasn't just watching you because I thought you were Prowl. Prowl's a stupid name anyway". Tails smile grew wider "That's great" "Black dahlia, like the murder" "Yeah. Sorry it's broken". She shrugged "I actually like it better broken". Tails sighed "I really like you" "I really like you too". They kissed again and then awkwardly stepped back "Right. I should probably get back to the class" "Right. I'll go and… I don't know". Barby picks up the mace "Just in case". As she walked away Tails grinned and went the other way.
Antione was on the phone near the bridge "No, Bunnie, you were right. He did great. He was strong. Yeah. I'm glad he stayed too. I got to go". He hung up as Tower and Topaz appeared "I'm glad you're alive. I guess the coded message worked" "Appearances can be deceiving. I'm surprised you didn't just wink in the camera". Antione shrugged "It worked" "Only because I had serious doubts about Forelock from the beginning" "Not true. He had zero doubts" Topaz said. Tower ignored her "Where's Prower" "He is with a girl" "I need to speak with him". He got threateningly close to Antione who stood his ground "He will call you" "He'll…". Tower started to laugh "Okay, great. Well, he better. Or it's your ass. And don't even think about ghosting me".
Tails and Barby were walking through a Blue Ridge airport holding hands. Tails already looked mostly healed from his injuries. The class met with a group of parents holding up signs saying how much they missed them. Tails stopped Barby "Are you sure no one else has figured it out?" "Yeah, it's not like anybody really pays attention to you" "Ouch". Barby smiled "Except for me" "Aww. Thanks" "Don't be late". She walked away, "I won't. See you later". Undina and Ray walked up to him "You guys are so cute" "Thanks. Um… I was thinking we should all go on a double date or something". They both sighed "Oh, we broke up" they both said. Tails looked between them "What? Why?". Ray casually smiled "Men and women grow apart, but the journey they share together will always be a part of them". Undina nodded and held his cheek "You are so wise" "Thank you" she walked away. Tails stared at Ray "What the hell happened on that plane?", Ray casually shrugged. Ash walked towards a chipmunk holding up a sign with his name on it "Hello, Gerald. Could Mother not make it?". He shook his head seeming to disappoint Ash.
Tails went outside and saw Bunnie arguing with a security guard "Bunnie" "Oh, he's here. Don't give me a ticket". She ran over and hugged him "I'm so glad you're okay" "I'm good. I'm actually really fine" "Let's go. Where are your bags? Oh… right, they blew up". She handed him a bag "I got you some mint candy" "Aw, thank you so much" "I know my boy"
"I faced a lot of deception. And I'm tired of the lies. So, it's time for the truth to be out there. Are you dating?". Tails was sitting on a chair talking to Antione and Bunnie "Yes" "Not really". They both looked surprised "What? I thought this was a summer fling" "Yes, then it evolves and grows like any other" "I still don't know where it's going to go". Antione shrugged "Open to wherever it might lead". They both kept talking and eventually Tails stood up "I'm gonna go because I've got a date. Bye".
Tails was now flying through the city in his disguise yelling out in excitement. He started taking pictures of himself posing until he landed in front of Barby "Hey, sorry I'm late. You ready?" "Yeah" "You're gonna love this". He picked her up bridal style and took off, Barby started screaming in terror "Okay. I'm just not gonna watch!".