Tails woke up with his nose twitching against a potent chemical scent. He automatically turned from it, but his head fell against something hard and the scent followed him…wait, this smell was… Ammonia.

Alertness struck him because a high enough dose of the chemical was lethal.

Tails lurched up, eyes flying open. He blinked groggily at the blurry red and black figure swaying in front of him like electromagnetic waves.

"Ah, there you are, how nice of you to finally join us."

Tails' eyes fluttered until the red and black came into focus. Eggman, his arms crossed and a scowl under his mustache, stared down at him from his seat in front of a large computer.

The fox hissed when the screen's white light burned his irises, and squeezed his eyes shut until the pain passed.

"Hurting?" Eggman asked with poorly feigned sympathy. "That's what happens when you jump in front of the Eggcavator's beam."

Tails squinted open his eyes, but stiffened at the glare on the man's face.

"Especially," Eggman rose, hands clenching at his sides, "When you do it to save my worst enemy," he hissed, voice low and dangerous.

The kit flinched, and suddenly noticed the metal claws gripping his sides. He turned back to see Metal Sonic, his red optics boring into him. His grip was the only thing holding him up, as Tails could hardly feel his legs, but it was also tight and clearly meant to keep him from going anywhere.

Tails' breathing quickened, recalling how he'd saved the Sonic of this reality. It had been instinct really, he saw a blue hedgehog in trouble and it was so easy to throw himself in the line of fire to save him.

However, he probably should have thought things through more considering the glower Eggman was giving him. "So, Tails, care to explain your actions?"

The fox froze, mind rushing through what he could say to save himself. He looked around, and his eyes caught on the stationary Eggcavator against the black metal wall. It looked like they were in a large aircraft hanger with multiple Eggman robots lined up against the walls and workbenches in the middle, though the fox focused on the Eggcavator, mind crafting an idea.

"I…" Tails swallowed, purposely flattening his ears against his head and curling his tails around his waist to make himself smaller. "I had to step in!"

Eggman reeled back while Tails cried, "The Eggcavator would have been destroyed if I hadn't!" His blue eyes implored him.

"What do you mean?" Eggman demanded, brow rising.

Tails thought quickly and said, "Sonic stole five of my prototype lightning bombs while I was fighting him." He shook his head. "They ran on nuclear fission, which means if they went off while he was trapped in the Eggcavator's beam, the—"

"Resulting explosion would have taken us all out." Eggman scowled, though he rubbed his mustache thoughtfully.

Tails unwound his namesakes from around him, and his expression sharpened with determination. "Exactly! I wasn't saving that blue menace," an awful taste spread on his tongue at insulting any Sonic, but he continued, "I was saving us."

Eggman didn't reply, still appearing to think. Tails twitched nervously in Metal's hold. Please, please, believe him.

The man sighed. "I suppose…I should have realized you wouldn't betray me."

Tails barely reined in a flinch as Eggman reached over and ruffled his bangs. "You made the right decision." The kit forced out a pleased smile, scratching his cheek embarrassedly. "My little assistant."

Tails frowned for a split second. It almost felt condescending how Eggman was talking to him, the gloved hand ruffling his hair almost likening how one stroked a pet.

He thought it was his imagination until Eggman pulled back, chuckling. "Not quite as brilliant as me, but genius nonetheless."

Okay, definitely condescending. Did Eggman always talk to his counterpart this way? What type of friendship was that?

Tails mustered up a short laugh. "Yeah, but I think that's enough excitement for today. The Eggcavator really wiped me out."

He wasn't lying this time, exhaustion had sank deep in his bones, and just keeping his head up was making him pant slightly.

Eggman nodded, crossing his arms. "I can imagine. If I hadn't turned off the beam in time, your mind would have been completely erased."

Tails' jaw dropped. Mind erased? The Eggcavator…excavated people's minds?

Eggman didn't notice his horror while he looked back at his computer, waving him off. "Metal, help Tails to his room, then come back. I'll need your help to repair some things."

"Yes, Doctor."

Metal lifted Tails in his arms, boosters igniting. The fox closed his eyes as they blasted out the door, taking off down the hall.

In seconds, Metal Sonic stopped in front of his counterpart's room. The door slid open, and Tails mentally prepared to stand on his own two feet. However, the robot made no motion to put him down.

"Uhh, Metal?" Tails looked up and saw the robot's red optics trained on his left arm where his coat sleeve had ridden up during their flight.

Something seemed to shift in Metal's gaze, but the fox couldn't determine what it was before the robot raised his head. "Can you make it to bed by yourself?"

Tails nodded, eager to get away from the machine, especially now that he knew Metal and Eggman were still evil in this world. Though that begged the question, why was his alternate self working with them? Was the other fox evil too?

Metal set him down and Tails teetered on trembling legs. Yet he caught himself on the door frame and looked over his shoulder. "Well, uh, goodnight."

The robot nodded, and again Tails got the sense something was different about the way he was looking at him. However, Metal's tone was even while he said, "Goodnight, Tails."

He turned and started walking down the hall. Tails watched until he was sure he was gone. Then his eyes narrowed and he stepped back in his room. The door slid close, shrouding him in darkness as he shook his head to wake himself up a little more. Tired as he was, he needed to figure out a way to leave here fast.

Now that he knew Eggman was a villain in this reality too, there was no way he was trusting him with the truth about his reality travel. So he was going to have to build a portal home himself, which wouldn't be too hard if he could track down the right parts for it. However, hiding the portal from the doctor would be near impossible when they were living in the same ship. Yet at the same time, just running off into a world he barely knew anything about would be reckless, especially since Eggman seemed to have a much farther reach in this world than in his own.

Tails' brow furrowed, and he turned to the closet. That torn picture of Sonic and his counterpart…they'd looked happy together. However, the two clearly weren't friends anymore, so what had happened?

The kit looked to the television on the wall. He carefully walked over to the bed and patted the covers. Soon his hand hit hard plastic and he picked up a remote, clicking its largest button.

The TV switched on and Tails squinted at the bright screen. However, his eyes adjusted quickly while a familiar voice blared from the speakers.

"—and that's why I will be not only the most brilliant scientist in history, but the greatest ruler this world has ever seen! Ohohohoo!"

Tails gaped at the black and red Eggman logo on the TV. How had the doctor hacked the television network? And why wasn't Sonic or anyone stopping him?

He clicked to the next channel, and frowned when another Eggman logo appeared while the man gave another speech in the background. He changed it again, but the logo remained even while a different speech played from the speakers. Tails clicked the channel button again and again, yet the TV played only one thing.

"—that was when I knew I was destined to rule this world!"

"—following me really isn't that bad, you know. It just requires a little open mindedness, or well, emptying of the mind if you resist—"

"It's much easier to give in. Otherwise, we'll make you give in."

"—you want the attacks to stop? Well, it's simple, just go the nearest Robotnik City Zone and you can live safely under my Empire—"

"And that's all for today's Tailstube!"

The fox froze, remote nearly slipping from his fingers at seeing himself on the screen. The other Tails was in a brightly-lit room with sky blue walls and his two-tailed symbol painted in gold behind a tan office desk. This was…his alternate self?

Tails went up to the TV, examining his counterpart. The other fox was smiling nervously, a blush peeking through his fur, and Tails' brow wrinkled. He looked…the exact same as Tails when he had too many eyes on him. Were they…really that similar?

Tails' namesakes shifted uncomfortably. After learning his counterpart was Eggman's assistant, he kind of expected the other fox to act more…well, evil.

However, the other Tails didn't have a terrifying smirk or menacing voice… He simply acted…like Tails. Also, the kit knew what he looked like when he was lying, and the other boy didn't seem to be acting. On top of that, his counterpart clearly held the same love of mechanics and science as Tails did, and he'd even been friends with Sonic, so why…why was here and not with Sonic?

"Don't forget, under the Robotnik Empire, everyone has access to free programs like this! So if you liked today's episode, please register yourself at the nearest Robotnik Zone and get to watching!"

The fox winked, flashing his teeth. Then the screen went dark and a message appeared in playful gold text.

The Next Program Will Play in 10 Minutes!

Tails clicked off the TV, hand massaging his brow. This reality…what had happened? Why was everything so wrong here? How had Eggman gained control of so much of the world? And why was his counterpart helping the bad guy?

The fox sighed while he turned, heading to the bed. He couldn't do anything right now, not when he was so exhausted, but tomorrow…

Tails climbed up on the mattress, kicking off his shoes and shrugging off his lab coat. He laid down, snuggling under the science-themed blanket and closing his eyes.

Tomorrow he would make his move, and Eggman wouldn't see him coming.

The next morning, Tails woke up with his stomach howling. He stumbled sluggishly into the hallway, barely remembering to put on his black shoes and lab coat. His only thought was of food, and his need to eat any and everything.

However, when the door opened to the dining room, he blinked. The grand table was vacant.

Tails frowned, stomach whining. Maybe his counterpart normally skipped breakfast, but he hadn't eaten anything yesterday and needed food now.

"Tails."

The fox jumped, whipping around with his coat lashing at his ankles. Metal Sonic was behind him in the doorway, a coffee and steaming cinnamon bagel on a plate in his hands.

Tails' eyes glimmered, and he practically snatched the food from him. "Thanks," he said while biting into the bagel, cheeks filling with the warm, sugary bread. He quickly took a sip of his coffee and melted at the rush of warmth flooding into his chest and banking in his stomach.

The kit was almost done with his meal, soaking in the feeling of fullness within his belly, when he realized the robot was still there.

Tails swallowed the last of his bagel, eyeing the robot whose expression was impossible to make out. "Oh," he said a bit awkwardly. "Did you need me for something?"

Metal reached back and pulled out an electronic tablet as Tails set his plate and coffee on the table. "Doctor Robotnik would like you to pick up these items from the hardware store in Zone 6."

Tails nodded, taking the tablet and stuffing it in his pocket. "Okay." He frowned, realizing he had no idea where Zone 6 was. However, this could be his chance to leave. He just needed to pretend to be getting the doctor's stuff and instead, leave and go build his own portal back home. He could even grab the parts he needed at this hardware store.

"I'll get right on it." Tails grinned, his namesakes whirling and lifting him up.

Though he paused as the door slid open and Eggman entered the room. The man was staring at a holographic screen projecting from his glove while he walked right past them like he didn't even notice Tails and sat at the front of the table.

The fox regarded the man, wondering if he should interrupt him just to say goodbye—was that what his counterpart would do?

Metal walked up to the doctor before Tails could decide, saying, "I will bring out your breakfast."

The kit turned to the window. Guess he could leave. He started flying up to the glass when Eggman called, "Tails? You're still here?"

He turned and saw the doctor staring at him over his hologram. Tails flew over, smiling to hide his nervousness. "I was just about to leave—"

"Show me the Eggcavator blueprints before you go." Tails stiffened. "We never got around to it yesterday thanks to that rodent, but I have time to look over the adjustments you wanted to make now."

Tails gulped. He didn't have the blueprints for the Eggcavator!

The man stared at him expectantly, and Tails reached for his Miles Electric in his pocket, hoping to buy himself some time. He clicked on his device, fingers drifting over the screen.

"Well?" Eggman crossed his arms, foot tapping.

Tails sweated under his fur, eyes darting from one app to the next. What should he do? What should he do? What could he do?

The fox's eyes brightened in sudden remembrance. He smiled, clicking on his project app and scrolling through the robotics section. Once he found what he was searching for, he turned the device around, showing Eggman the digital blueprints for one of his more recent projects, and the man leaned forward in interest.

"I was thinking we could install this into the Eggcavator." He pointed at the large vacuum in the robot hands on the screen, something he'd been hoping to add on one of his airplanes back home. "It might make it easier to capture people instead of having to corner them. Especially with Sonic, as even he can't run from a vacuum this powerful."

Eggman hummed, hand running over his mustache while Metal Sonic set a plate of waffles, bacon, and eggs on the table before him. "That's not a bad idea." He smiled. "We should talk about it more once you come back."

Tails nodded, internally relieved as he turned back his device and shut it off.

He stuffed it in his pocket, yet stilled when Eggman patted his head a bit roughly. "That's my little genius."

Tails grinned, though discomfort shone through his gaze. However, Eggman was already looking at his hologram while he took back his hand.

"I'll g-get going then!" Tails glided to the window, glancing around until he saw a red button beside the glass.

He pressed it and the window started rolling down. Tails checked back to make sure he wasn't doing anything suspicious, but Eggman was still looking at his holograms and Metal was offering him coffee.

The fox slumped in relief. He turned, and a smile spread over his face. Time to escape!

He soared out of the window and entered the red and orange skies, spreading his arms against the wind. He was free!

Pollution wafted his way and his face wrinkled with disgust. Ugh, too bad the air was poisoned.

The fox glanced down, wondering if they were still by the factories in Mystic Ruins. His eyes widened.

About a mile away was an unfamiliar city covered by the haze of smog. It was surrounded by towering steel walls, Eggman's insignia branding the metal. He squinted, seeing neon lights flashing from inside the fortified city. Could that be Zone 6?

It probably was, as he doubted Eggman would send him somewhere far without at least dropping him off near his destination.

Tails flew down and reached the city in a few minutes. He glided over the giant walls, but stopped when a bright light shined on him, his hands raising to shield his eyes.

"Identified," a robotic voice said. "Tails, Dr. Robotnik's assistant. You are authorized to precede to Zone 6."

The light turned off and Tails lowered his hands to see a robot resembling a human police woman flying beside him, putting down a flashlight that was installed in her palm. Tails cocked his head, noticing how similar in design the robot was to Metal Sonic. Yet he shook it off while the woman turned and jetted back to the ground in a straight line like she was patrolling the area. He had bigger things to worry about, like getting home.

Tails stared at the glowing lights beneath him, taking in the skyscrapers and stores and restaurants between them. Everything was made of metal—iron, copper, steel, even silver. However, that gave the city a lifeless, clinical feel to it, as the only coloring were the neon signs and Eggman insignias painted on a few buildings.

"He really needs to hire a better designer," Tails muttered while he flew down. He stopped over a steel bridge, checking out the flowing river under it in a concrete waterway. It was the closest thing to nature he'd seen in this city so far, but he sighed when he saw no trees or even grass nearby.

Tails shook his head, but moved on and flew over the bridge towards the urban area. Small stores with flashing neon signs lined every corner, almost cramping out the road, while in the distance were skyscrapers, their tops obscured by smog.

An unsettling feeling fell over Tails as he glanced around. Where was everybody?

It was possible the civilians here were under a curfew, maybe as a way for Eggman to keep them under his thumb. However, if that were the case, who would be running the hardware store at this time?

Tails raced through the air, but slowed around a toy store with orange and red lights shining down on the Eggman-themed plushies—talk about an ego—behind the front window.

The fox peered into the store, but saw no one behind the counter. Maybe it hadn't opened yet?

He bit the inside of his cheek and moved on, eyes brightened at the large warehouse-shaped shop coming into view. Hardware and Tools was written in electronic red letters on the building's front, and the fox touched down in front of it. Though he frowned at the dark lights inside the store. Was it closed?

Thinking he was at the wrong shop, Tails reached in his pocket for the tablet with the list. Hopefully the store's name was on it.

He clicked the tablet on and a digital notebook page with bullet points appeared. However, there weren't any words by the points. The list was blank.

"What? Did it delete—"

A wave of dizziness hit Tails suddenly, and he groaned, grasping his head and listing. "What's happening…?"

The world started blurring and alarm seized his heart. Hadn't he healed up from yesterday? Or was he still injured? But Dr. Eggman would have told him if he had a concussion or something…right?

The tablet slipped from his fingers, shattering on the ground while Tails dropped to his hands and knees. He felt like a boat churning in the sea, his stomach rolling.

"Help…" he whispered, barely hearing his own voice.

Black crinkled at the edges of vision right as silver feet touched down by his hands. Yet the fox couldn't speak before his arms gave out and he crumbled on the ground.

Tails woke up on a cold metal floor, his body aching and the desire to sleep nearly overpowering.

However, his ears pricked as a voice said, "—give him a mouth? Hm, might be better without one."

Tails cracked open dull blue eyes to see steel. He became a little more conscious as he raised his head and found he was in a silver container the size of a closet, a quiet whirring around him—was he in a machine?

Red moved in front of a small square window three feet above him, and Tails blinked when a face came into view.

Eggman stared down at him, a severe frown under his mustache, and Tails tensed while the man said, "You're finally awake, Tails." His tone darkened. "Or, is that even your name?"

A chill ran over the kit's back. "What?" he croaked, mouth dry.

Eggman glowered. "Don't play dumb, fox. I know you're not from this reality."

Tails' eyes flared with shock, and he quickly pushed himself up into a wobbly stand. "How—"

"Metal Sonic noticed you were missing a scar, as well as the unusual coloring of your Miles Egglectrical. That and some strange behavior made it obvious you aren't the Tails of this reality."

The kit's jaw clenched, realizing the man and robot had known about him for a while—they must have drugged his breakfast to take him out without a fight.

"Okay," he crossed his arms to hide his nervousness, "So I'm not Tails." He scowled. "Then why am I still here? I know you can build a portal to my world, so why don't you just send me back and retrieve your assistant?"

Eggman grinned, but it wasn't a nice smile. "I could do that…" He backed away, and Tails walked up to the window while the man approached a control panel beside a large computer. "Or, I could keep you here and roboticize you."

Tails gaped. "Roboticize?" His hands pressed against the glass. "Why would you do that?" he asked, fear pitching his voice.

Eggman's smile widened. "Because why have one genius assistant when I could have two? And even if the process kills you—" Tails reeled back at the callous mentioning of his death— "I'll at least learn what I need to tweak before using it on my actual assistant."

Tails' forehead wrinkled. "You want to roboticize your assistant?" Indignation on his counterpart's behalf rang through his tone. "But I thought you were friends!"

Eggman scoffed. "Friends?" He shook his head while turning a dial on the control panel. "I only keep that brat around because it never fails to ruin Sonic's day, and he really is a good assistant." His smile turned wicked. "But he'd be an even better one if he didn't have free will."

He teeth gleamed in the dim light of the lab. "And once I have two little assistants at my disposal, Sonic won't stand a chance!"

"But…" Tails' face twisted with terror. "You…you can't do this! I have to get home!"

Eggman sighed, looking almost disappointed. "Oh, Tails, don't you get it?" He threw out his hands towards the room while a bright light shined down on Tails. "This is your home now."

He pushed a button, and Tails gasped as the light became blinding, raising his hands to shield his face.

"30 SECONDS UNTIL ROBOTICIZATION IS COMPLETE."

An electronic voice announced from the computer outside, and Tails forced his eyes open in a squint, hands balling up into shaking fists.

"Eggman!" Tails pounded on the window, but the whirring intensified and drowned him out, the sound making his ears lay flat. He needed to get out, needed to escape now.

Tails reached for his Miles Electric, only to find he was no longer wearing his lab coat. He quickly checked his fur for his other weapons, but came back empty-handed. Had the doctor searched him?

Sharp pain stabbed his feet, and Tails yelped, stumbling back against the wall. He looked down and saw his shoes were a sleek silver—no.

Tails brought a shaking hand over his mouth because his feet were metal.

Tails stared blankly at the robotic appendages, frozen until he noticed the metal was rising past his ankles like water.

"No…" He whispered, dropping his hand. Then in a sudden rush, he lurched at the window, beating his fists against it. "Let me out!" he screamed.

However, Eggman was gone, and no one else was in the lab. Tails was alone, he was trapped and alone.

The fox started shaking, yet pain stabbed his legs and he fell to his knees. His head dropped, face hanging an inch away from his now metal legs. He couldn't feel them anymore, everything below his waist had gone numb.

Tears stung Tails' eyes. He was going to be roboticized, and there wasn't any Sonic around to save him this time.

"TEN SECONDS UNTIL ROBOTICIZATION IS COMPLETE. NINE…EIGHT…SEVEN…"

Tails sobbed, tears running freely because he didn't want to be a robot! He wanted to go home and see his brother again!

"Sonic!" Tails cried out, hands splaying against the glass though he knew it was useless. He was alone and—

"Tails!"

The fox gasped when the glass shook under his hands, head snapping up to see Sonic peering down at him with terrified eyes.

"Sonic," Tails stuttered, blinking away the tears blurring his vision. "Is that really—"

Metal sealed over his mouth. Tails choked, hands scrabbling at his face, only to feel smooth iron.

"FOUR…THREE…"

The metal crawled over his head, and Tails collapsed while Sonic screamed, "No!"

"TWO."

Tails' vision turned red.

"ONE."

Something shattered as the computer released a pleasant chime.

"ROBOTICIZATION COMPLETE."

Sonic watched the other Tails while he glided to a workbench, the kit humming to himself like he didn't even notice Sonic leaning against the wall behind him. Really, the kit had been acting weird ever since they returned to the house. No more glares or scowls, not even a mean word since Sonic had saved him from drowning.

And the hero wanted to believe this meant the fox had a change of heart, but Sonic knew Tails, knew how good of an actor the kit could be. So he kept his guard up as the fox drilled a nail into the cone's side, adding more and more pieces until it actually resembled a laser.

However, Sonic struggled to keep his eyes open once daytime passed into night, his energy levels lower than usual since he couldn't energize himself with a nice long run. After all, if he left, the fox likely wouldn't be here by the time he came back.

Therefore, Sonic eventually told Tails to get some sleep and that he could finish tomorrow. He expected a fight over it, but Tails just pushed up his goggles and lowered himself to the floor, his namesakes dropping.

"Yeah, it's getting pretty late." The fox removed his red goggles and shrugged off his lab coat, heading upstairs without another word.

Sonic gave him a few minutes of privacy, though his ears strained to catch the slightest sound from Tails' bedroom. Fortunately the window never creaked open, and when Sonic poked his head into the room, he saw Tails snuggled tight under the covers, sound asleep.

Sonic had every intention of staying up to keep an eye on the fox—in case it was a trick—but the next thing he knew, a hand was shaking his shoulder.

Somic jolted awake. "Whu—what?"

He squinted against the daytime sunlight streaking his face, blinking upon noticing he was slumped against the hallway wall with Tails staring down at him.

"It's finished," the fox said tiredly, fur droopier than usual and tails moving sluggishly.

It took a second to understand what the kit had said, but when he did, Sonic jumped to alertness and scrambled to his feet. "Really?" He peered at the fox with big, hopeful eyes. "But I thought you said it would take three days."

"I said two or three days," Tails mildly corrected. "And I meant normal days where I actually got a full night's sleep."

Sonic frowned. "You didn't sleep last night?"

Tails raised his coffee mug and took a long sip. "Sure, I did." He took another sip. "For like an hour."

Sonic's expression turned aghast, but already the fox was flying down the stairs. The hedgehog quickly got a hold of himself and dashed after the fox, sliding to a stop in the lab.

His green eyes immediately landed on the laser hanging from the ceiling and aimed at the middle of the floor. Tails was hovering under the laser, staring at his Miles Egglectrical. "We just need to hook up this laser to the ring in Dr. Robotnik's base and I'll adjust it to my reality's frequency, then we'll—"

"Get Tails back and send you home." Sonic beamed at the fox. "Way to go, buddy, you're a lifesaver!"

"Oh," Tails smiled sharply, "I wouldn't say that."

Sonic's smile dimmed, unsure what to make of Tails' odd demeanor when a click resounded behind him.

He spun back and gaped at seeing a laser gun aimed at his face, Tails smirking behind it.

"Hologram," the fox explained while the laser overhead started to light up and hum. "Now, I think it's time you took that trip to space."

Sonic could only stare, face falling. "Why?"

Tails glowered, seething, "Because all you Sonics are the same," something wild flashed in his eyes, "And I'm not letting you hurt my counterpart." His eyes narrowed, pain hardening his voice into steel. "No one deserves to be hurt like that…"

Sonic slowly raised his hands. "Tails, please, you know I'm not him, I'm not that Sonic who hurt you." He stared seriously at the fox. "I'd never hurt my little brother."

Tails froze, expression stunned. Yet in a second, he glared. "No more lies."

His finger squeezed the trigger.

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