Sonic couldn't dodge Tails' shot from this close, but the laser above was getting louder and would send him to space if he didn't move. So he did the only thing he could.

Sonic's face grew stern, and in his most authoritative big brother voice, he said, "Miles Prower." Tails froze, eyes widening. "You put that gun down right now."

Tails' ears pulled flat against his head, the kit cowing instinctively and his hand relaxing on the trigger for a second—

But a second was all he needed.

Sonic sped behind the boy, slapped his new laser gun out of his hand, and locked his arms around Tails in a backwards embrace.

The fox's ears shot up and he writhed. "L-let go!" He kicked back at Sonic's knees.

Yet the hero tightened his grip so the fox couldn't get the leverage, and using the same voice, said, "Miles."

Tails again stiffened, struggle ceasing, and Sonic took advantage of his stillness to flip the kit around and peer earnestly into his blue eyes. "I know he hurt you."

Tails' breath hitched, eyes darting aside for a moment before returning to Sonic like he couldn't look away.

"And maybe there's nothing I can do to fix what he did," Sonic's voice softened, "But I can't even try to help you if you won't tell me what he did."

He smiled sadly. "I also know you two were like brothers once." Tails' face hardened, though his mouth was trembling.

Sonic sighed, and set the fox on the ground, crouching in front of him with his hands on his shoulders. "You responded to my big brother voice," he explained, and Tails' mouth shook harder. "Which means you were used to listening to that voice once upon a time—"

Tails swung up his left foot with a growl, but Sonic caught it without changing expression, having anticipated the attack. However, his brow furrowed, realizing the kit's shoe was heavy—was there a weapon inside it?

"Get off!" Tails glared, pressing down with his caught foot, and Sonic gasped as he was shoved hard.

He skidded back, crashing harshly into the wall. Tails spun around, rushing to his gun on the floor, but Sonic leapt to his feet and sprung at him. The kit choked as Sonic caught him around the middle and they tumbled to the floor, rolling straight into a workbench.

The table fell over, and Tails cried out. Sonic let him go in his shock, catching himself in a crouch with his hand splaying on the ground.

"Tails?" Sonic asked in concern, rising and hurrying over.

He stopped, seeing the table had pinned the glaring fox from his chest to his waist. "Hold on, I'll get you out."

He went to lift the table, only for a foot to kick at him. Sonic caught the black and white shoe, scowling. "Would you stop? I'm trying to—"

Tails yanked back his leg, making Sonic stumble with the kit's shoe still in hand. "Tails," he said in an admonishing tone, righting himself. "You're really not help…"

Sonic's mouth closed, expression going blank. The fox glared back, breathing heavy.

Slowly, Sonic approached him, moving even as the fox snapped, "Stay away!"

The teen hardly heard him while he crouched by Tails' feet and stared.

A roboticized foot gleamed in the sunlight, and Sonic didn't look away from it as he lowly asked, "Who did this?"

Tails glowered. "Dr. Robotnik got it for me, after you…" He looked away.

"After I what?" Sonic gazed intently at the fox, and Tails bared his teeth.

"I don't have to explain—"

"Was it Sonic's fault?" Tails paused while he added, "Did you get hurt because of him? Because he didn't listen to you and was reckless—"

Tails snickered, and Sonic regarded the kit in surprise. "Is that what you think?"

The fox smirked viciously. "That it's because I got hurt? Because he lied to me? Like it's that simple," he scoffed.

The hedgehog waited while Tails smiled bitterly. "Sonic saved my life." The teen's eyes widened. "Though he probably regrets it by now."

Sonic's face wrinkled with confusion. "But then why…" He trailed off, realization bowling into him.

Tails laughed at his thoughtful expression, snarking, "Yes, keep guessing. As if a moron like you could ever—"

"He left you."

Tails' mouth snapped shut, face going eerily blank, while Sonic gazed at him sadly. "He abandoned you." Tails' face twitched. "He was your friend, your brother, and he left you." He shook his head, staring at the floor. "I just can't imagine why—"

"I was too slow."

Sonic turned to the fox, but Tails was staring up at the window towards the blue sky. "He said I was too slow." He glowered, though his eyes were closing.

"Ten months…all that time together and—" He gritted his teeth, hissing, "I was too slow."

Tails had recently turned five when they took down Eggman once again.

"You may think you've won, hedgehog," Eggman grinned cruelly from within his eggmobile while it rose above the palm trees, "But you won't be leaving this island alive!" He cackled.

"Yeah, sure, Egghead." Sonic smirked, and crossed his arms. "It's not like you've said that like a hundred times before."

Tails laughed beside him, and Sonic nudged the kit playfully. "Ain't that right, pal?"

The fox was going to reply when the ground rumbled. "Woah!" He waved his hands, balancing on one foot while Sonic also flailed to keep from falling.

"Oh, did I forget to mention I rigged the island to blow up?" Eggman sneered. "You're fast Sonic, but even you won't be able to escape a bomb the size of an island!"

He laughed up to the heavens before shooting off through the clouds, swiftly disappearing while the fox and hedgehog finally righted themselves. Quickly Tails looked to Sonic, wide-eyed. "We have to get to the Tornado!"

Sonic for once looked gravely serious as he nodded. "Let's go at top speed, kid!" He grinned, giving the kit a reassuring hair ruffle while his tails lifted him in the air.

Then he raced ahead over the marshy land, the fox pushing himself to keep up. However, Tails frowned as the rumbling grew louder and he glanced down to see the earth cracking apart. He wasn't too worried until he noticed water spraying out of the fissures, some with the force of geysers. That meant the island wasn't just blowing up, it was sinking.

"Be careful!" Tails shouted worriedly. "Water's coming out of those fissures!"

"Got it!" Sonic called back, running around a downed tree and a hill breaking apart, spewing water high enough Tails' feet got wet.

Yet the hedgehog was doing a pretty good job running past or leaping over the fissures, so Tails refocused on flying at his top speed. His lungs were burning, sweat beading under his fur, but Tails grinned as a brilliant red biplane peeked through the thicket at the beach. However, his eyes slanted with worry when he noticed the Tornado was leaning a bit.

Sonic came to a stop on the beach, feet kicking up sand while Tails hovered over him, chest heaving. However, he forgot all about his exhaustion while taking in the tide lapping under the Tornado's belly. The plane was half submerged, the island's sinking having drawn the tide more inland. This was bad, the water would prevent the plane from getting enough traction to take off—they were trapped!

Tails dropped down and splashed in the water that came up to his knees, looking to Sonic. "We have to dig out the wheels!"

The hedgehog's eyes narrowed, and Tails was awed by the determination in his gaze. "Get back!"

Tails flew up immediately as Sonic spun into a ball and shot towards the plane's underside. Water and sand splashed into the air, nearly getting Tails before he glided back.

"There, the wheels are free!" Sonic, soaked after having spindashed into the tide, hopped onto the plane wing, and waved him over. "Lets get out of here!"

Tails hurriedly jumped in the cockpit and turned on the engine, steering them up from the beach. The plane slowly rolled out of the water, stuttering for a second as the ground quaked violently. However, it continued rising up onto dry land despite the shaking, and soon they were riding up a hill.

The earth cracked around them, water gushing out and hitting the plane's sides, and Tails mentally begged the aircraft to go faster. Come on, come on, take off!

The plane lifted off the ground inch by inch, a geyser just missing its tail as it finally reached the island's edge.

They jetted up into the sky. Explosions boomed under them, louder than fireworks, but Tails didn't look back while he focused on piloting them away from the island.

The Tornado shuddered, turbulence from the explosion's heat waves making them dip down before Tails pulled them back up. Soon they were steadied and Tails exhaled loudly, swiping his arm over his brow.

"That," Sonic began, looking over his shoulder to the fire pit that had been the island, "Was waaay too close." He sighed, crossing his arms. "Guess Eggman is getting a little better, but blowing up a whole island and still not getting us?" He made a thumbs down. "His plan gets one star."

Tails grinned back, but his reply cut off when he heard a beep. He almost dismissed the sound until another beep came from beneath him.

"Tails?" Sonic's mouth curved down, noticing his bothered expression. "You okay?"

The kit checked under his seat. He paled at the black disc on the floor, Eggman's logo leering in its flashing red light.

"Bomb," Tails whispered, and Sonic's brow furrowed.

"What did you say—"

Tails shot out of the cockpit and grabbed Sonic's hands, the hedgehog gasping as they soared up fast.

"T-Tails! What's going on!?"

The fox glanced down. "Eggman put a bomb on the plane, it's going to—"

An explosion went off, and waves of heat rolled over their fur. Sonic hissed, startled, but Tails couldn't ask if he was okay while he hurdled past some flaming shrapnel. He ducked under a slab of metal, whipped around a long metal pole, and was soaring over a piece of the seat cushion when he heard something singing through the air.

The fox looked left and glimpsed a fiery propellor shooting at them as Sonic yelled, "Look ou—!"

A scream. Then the world went silent and he saw no more.

Time passed, though he couldn't tell how long it was before gray shadows broke through the darkness, ebbing and flowing around Tails like a wave. A weird calmness was coiled around him, and he sank in its embrace, content until a distant voice echoed.

"Stay with me."

Tails' mind was too muddled to comprehend the words, but he recognized Sonic's voice and latched onto the familiar sound.

"Don'tyoudarego! Not…like…this..."

Tails was confused. Sonic was both speaking too fast and too slow, syllables too rushed or so choppy he couldn't make out his words.

"Please, Tails."

The fox cracked open his eyes and glimpsed a blurry blue and peach figure while something wet hit his forehead.

"Don't go."

Tails still didn't understand what was happening, but Sonic was asking something of him, and he didn't want to let his best friend down.

Okay…I'll stay.

"… please …"

The gray darkened to black and all the sounds faded away.

Sunlight shined on Tails' face the next time he woke up. He opened his eyes, squinting at the white ceiling. Where…where was this?

Gingerly, the fox sat up, but pain speared his head and he brought a hand to his temples. He paused, feeling bandages wrapped around his left ear, and pulled away, only to notice bandages also wound around his elbow up to his shoulder. However, it didn't hurt when he raised his arm for a closer look—must have been given painkillers, which explained his drowsiness.

Tails glanced at the white walls, heart monitor clipped on his finger, and plastic wristband on his arm. Obviously, this was a hospital, but why—

"Stay with me."

Suddenly he recalled the Tornado blowing up, dodging metal pieces until a flaming propellor rushed at his face. It must have hit him, knocked him out, but then what happened to—

"Sonic?" Tails croaked, panic creeping up inside when he saw no one else in the room. However, something crunched under his elbow, and he turned to find a folded piece of notebook paper on the pillow. He brightened at seeing Sonic's familiar scrawl on the paper, and snatched it, opening it up.

Tails blinked at the paragraphs on the page because he'd expected a short note telling him Sonic was out getting snacks from the vending machine or taking a few laps around whatever town they'd ended up in. Though the fox shrugged it off as he started to read.

Tails,

I probably shouldn't just say this in a letter, but I'm no good with words when it comes to stuff like this, so I'm writing it here.

I'm so sorry you got hurt, buddy. I really, really am. What happened to you is on me, and there's nothing I can do to fix it. I asked the doctors, but they can't do anymore than they already have so I'm sorry.

Tails frowned. Sonic sounded guilty, but why? He was only a little banged up, or well, maybe more than that... Okay, Tails had never been hurt bad enough to need a hospital, but he didn't blame Sonic for that. Eggman was the one who put the bomb on the plane, not Sonic. Though speaking of planes, how was the Tornado? She must have survived, otherwise Sonic probably would have drowned.

Tails' eyes drifted back to the letter, the boy hoping to see mention of the Tornado soon.

You're probably wondering about the Tornado, but don't worry, it's been at a repair shop for the past six days you've been in the hospital.

Tails jolted. Six days? No wonder his body felt so sluggish and his throat dry. However, learning about the plane's state was much more important than his injuries in his five-year old head, so he kept reading.

It should be fixed by the time you wake up and read this. Though, you should know, I'm leaving this island the second the Tornado is fixed, and Tails, you won't be coming with me.

He froze, an old fear cropping in his chest, but Sonic couldn't mean he was leaving leaving him. No, he must just mean leaving for a couple days, maybe to restock on supplies… Right?

I'm going to miss you a lot, but you can't come with me on my adventures anymore. You can't keep up with me in your condition, you'd only slow me down.

Tails' eyes burned, tears building in their corners. What was Sonic saying? That he was leaving because…because Tails was too slow?

He shook his head, disbelieving such a terrible lie, and desperate to understand what Sonic actually meant, his gaze ran over the paper.

Even with your tails, you'll never keep up.

A knife ran through Tails' heart.

So as much as it hurts, this is goodbye.

The knife twisted.

I doubt we'll ever see each other again, and that's probably for the best.

A wretched sob burst from his throat, tears blurring his vision.

Though please don't blame yourself for what's happened, that's my fault, not yours.

So take care and goodbye,

Sonic the Hedgehog

The letter slipped from Tails' fingers, his chest heaving and tears streaming down his face. No, no, no, no!

The fox scrambled off the hospital bed, tearing off his heart monitor, flinging aside the blanket and landing on his feet.

He fell, knees and palms crashing against the hard tiled floor while his eyes fluttered in shock. What? Did he trip over a wire or something?

Tails looked under him and cocked his head because nothing was on the ground. So did he just trip over his own two feet—

His left foot. A mound of bandages were wrapped around his ankle, hiding it from view, and realizing it must be injured he shifted to a seating position, laying out his legs—

Tails stared. He stared at the empty space under his ankle, wondering if he was imagining things. His left foot…where…where was his foot!?

He lurched forward and reached under his ankle. His hand went through air. So his foot hadn't suddenly gone invisible, it was…it was gone.

His hands dropped to the ground, gaze turning vacant with shock. His foot was gone. He had two tails and one foot…what type of joke was this?

Anger raged in his belly, but it quickly left him as he remembered Sonic was leaving, and now he knew why. Panic filtered over his expression. No, he wasn't too slow! Even with his foot gone, he could still fly!

Tails' namesakes spun and carried him up to the window. He shoved it opened and rushed out of the hospital, ignoring his protesting tails.

Sonic had to be somewhere with enough land to use as a runway, and if he searched fast enough, he could catch him before he took off.

Tails zipped to the island's shore, heart pounding and breathing ragged. He was tired already, body unprepared to fly after so many days of being motionless. Yet he stormed past trees and hills, eyes scanning the coast until finally he spotted red in a forest clearing.

He saw Sonic crouched by the plane's wheels, his back to him, and quickly dove down. "Sonic!"

The hedgehog jumped, whipping back with big, round eyes. "T-Tails?" Concern and shock twisted his expression. "You shouldn't be—"

"I can still keep up with you!" Tails flew in Sonic's face so they were eye to eye. "Even if I can't run, I'm not too slow—"

Sonic held up his hands, shaking his head, and the kit paused. "Tails," he said softly, voice a bit strangled. "Didn't you read my letter?"

The fox wilted. "I-I did, but—"

Sonic turned away. "Then you already know what I've decided."

Tails flinched at his hard tone, but quickly grabbed his hand. "But, Sonic, you and me, we're friends… Aren't we?" he asked, suddenly unsure.

However, Sonic sighed, and turned with a glare, though he didn't seem mad at him. Or maybe he was? Maybe Tails was annoying him, had always annoyed him, and Sonic had just been too nice to tell him that… But now that he was injured, Sonic had the perfect excuse to leave him, didn't he?

Tails reluctantly let go of Sonic, not wanting to be a burden, while the hedgehog exhaled through his nose, expression pinched. "That's why I'm leaving. I can't watch you—ugh!" He made a frustrated noise and started over. "I said everything I meant in the letter, let's leave it at that."

He turned again, but Tails flew in front of him, eyes glistening and hurt radiating deep in his heart. "You're leaving just because I got hurt?" His voice trembled, and though he tried to stop it, a whimper left him.

Sonic's face softened, hand reaching out, and Tails bowed his head, expecting a reassuring hair ruffle. Yet his hand landed on his shoulder and pushed him down to the ground. Tails wobbled a bit on his one leg, but Sonic, steadied him, his green eyes narrowing at the grass.

"Kid, it's been fun," Sonic took back his hand and a coldness breezed over his shoulder, "But I've got to go."

"Fun?" Tails repeated in disbelief. "That's it? This w-was all f-fun for you?" Hurt laced his tone, but Sonic didn't seem to notice while he shook his head.

"I…I'm no good at words." Sonic turned to the plane. "Just go back to the hospital, Tails, heal up and—"

"You'll come back for me once I'm better?" Tails lit up, stepping forward. Only to drop with a yelp, falling harshly on his hands and knees since he'd forgotten about his missing foot.

However, Sonic didn't spare him a glance as Tails pushed himself up on shaking arms, his adrenaline-fueled panic fading and leaving him exhausted.

"No, I'm not coming back for you." Sonic's voice wavered strangely, though it lacked emotion. "Goodbye—"

"No!" Tails lurched forward and hugged Sonic's legs, curling his tails around them. "You c-can't leave me, y-you said you wouldn't ever leave!"

Sonic was silent. Then he muttered something he couldn't make out. Tails was going to ask, but in a blur of motion, he was ripped from Sonic's legs and deposited five feet away with a blanket over him while Sonic sat in the Tornado's cockpit.

The engine roared and Tails' eyes widened, tears bursting like a dam on his face. "W-wait! Sonic, please, don't go!"

He tried getting up, only to fall back on his hands while the plane slowly started to roll down the dirt path.

"S-Sonic, I can get faster! Please!"

The Tornado sped up, wheels rising over the dirt.

"Sonic!"

The plane started rising into the air.

"SONIC!"

The Tornado disappeared in the clouds and Tails watched, arms and legs trembling under him. Tears continued to stream down his face, staining the grass while his hands clawed at the dirt. His chest was rising and falling too fast, but he didn't rein in his tears and whimpers, and didn't say a word as he sunk to the ground. He curled up in the dirt, tails sweeping over his middle while his arms pillowed his head.

Sonic was kidding, he'd be back. The hedgehog wouldn't actually leave him because that would mean he'd lied, and heroes didn't lie. Especially not to their friends.

Tails trained his gaze on the sky, tears drying up while the sun shined on him between the leaves and branches above.

Eventually, the sun dipped into the orange horizon. Tails remained where he was, still searching the skies though his eyes ached.

Night fell, and Tails drifted to sleep, nose buried in the blanket Sonic had sown for him and inhaling the campfire scent wafting off the cloth. Sonic's gift comforted him even as the night chill ran over his face because it was proof the hedgehog cared—he'd be back any minute.

However, when he woke up to the sun hiding behind thick, gray clouds, unease wormed its way in his chest. Still, Tails watched the sky until a raindrop hit his cheek.

He shuffled back against the tree trunk, mud and leaves staining his fur and the bandages around his wounds.

Tails wasn't sure how long he waited for the rain to stop, but eventually he fell asleep, only to awaken later to the sound of rain. By now, his ankle was throbbing fiercely, stomach crying for food, and blanket too soaked to keep him warm. Yet Tails simply drank some rain water he caught in a large leaf, and gazed at the sky until it was too dark to see.

The next day, Tails couldn't open his eyes. His fingers barely twitched in the grass when he tried wiping his face, but that was okay. Sonic would wake him up soon so they could eat breakfast. He hoped it was pancakes or waffles if they were close enough to a town. Just fish and juicy fruits would be fine too. Really, even just a cup of water sounded nice right about now.

Tails fainted around midday, and when consciousness found him again, he was pretty sure he was dreaming. His eyes felt sticky while he pried them apart, nearly shutting twice before he managed to keep them open.

A steel ceiling stared back at him. Tails regarded the sight tiredly, only somewhat aware of the soft cot under his back. Were they at an inn? When had Sonic gotten the money for that?

Something was odd about the inn room, and gradually it occurred to him that steel bars shouldn't be boxing him in. That, and the Eggman logo emblazoned on the wall behind the bars was pretty weird…

It hit him then that he was in a cell, he'd been captured, right as the door outside opened. Metal Sonic clanked into the room, red optics locking on him, and fear should have cropped up, but Tails just didn't have the energy to do anything except watch Metal Sonic click on the keypad.

The cell opened, and Metal Sonic approached his cot, expression unreadable since he had no mouth. He reached and hoisted Tails in his arms, and the fox was surprised by only the mild ache in his muscles. Tails' eyes drifted down to see his bandages were fresh and clean, a sedative likely coursing through his veins.

He was carried out into the hall, and Tails tried memorizing the route, but his mind kept drifting away in the middle of him counting the turns until he gave up on the idea.

Metal stopped in front of a tall door, and entered the dark room once it slid open. Inside was a towering computer, and before it sat a familiar enemy in a large red chair.

"Tails," Eggman said mildly, spinning around with his hands folded in his lap. "I see you're finally awake."

The fox blinked tiredly, and the doctor frowned. "Or, well, more awake than you've been for the past week since I found you."

Tails just stared, eyes half-lidded, and Eggman's mustache twitched almost like he was disappointed. "You know, you're not as annoying when you aren't helping that blue rat destroy my factories. Speaking of which, where is that hedgehog? I expected him to come for you days ago."

The fox flinched, genuine emotion finally rising within him, though it was too dull for him to determine what exactly he was feeling. Fear? Sadness? Betrayal?

"Though I heard he was spotted half the world away from the island you were on," Eggman hummed, stroking his mustache. "That can't be true, surely?"

"He didn't leave me," Tails growled in a garbled, whispery voice, and the doctor blinked. "Sonic's coming back."

Eggman looked stunned, but soon grinned. "Excellent! My robots will be waiting for him!"

Tails didn't respond, energy spent, and Metal Sonic left, quickly returning him to his cell. The fox hardly noticed as he was left on the cot, only blinking when he realized the blanket Sonic had given him was folded under his head. Still, he didn't have the strength to pull it over himself as he fell into a doze.

The sound of a plate being set on the cot brought him back to reality, his nose twitching at the scent of food. However, he didn't bother opening his eyes because Sonic would probably have something for him to eat when he came here.

The next day, a plate of toast and glass of orange juice greeted him. Tails tried ignoring it, but his stomach was yowling, so he raised a shaking arm and grabbed the toast. It tasted like ash, and the orange juice like sludge. Maybe the food was poisoned, but Tails wasn't as bothered by the thought as he should be.

Days passed by, and Tails stared at the gray ceiling because he couldn't see the sky from his cell. He hadn't gotten up for days, as there wasn't much point in standing when he couldn't walk. However, Metal Sonic kept coming by to drop off meals or redress his wounds, and eventually the bandages came off his ear and arm. However, his foot stayed stubbornly missing, and that was enough to deter him from trying to escape.

After about a week, Eggman visited him, expression grave. "So," he began causally, though there was an edge to his voice. "Sonic left you."

Tails' eyes narrowed. "I already told you he's coming—"

"He's never taken more than a day to rescue you from one of my bases."

Tails glared at the doctor. "Well," he said through clenched teeth. "Maybe this base is hard to find."

Eggman regarded him for a moment, and though Tails couldn't see his eyes, he knew the man was staring at his missing foot. Tails' jaw clenched, hands balling up while it hit him whose fault this was.

"It's because of you," Tails hissed, sitting up though his arms trembled, and Eggman raised a brow.

"You're the reason I can't run! So it's your fault Sonic left!" His voice got louder while he hopped to his one foot and lunged at the cell bars. "I hate you!" he screamed up at the man, gripping the bars tight.

Yet Eggman's mouth twisted like he was amused. "Is that so? Then tell me, fox, how did I force Sonic to abandon you?" Tails recoiled, shock and hurt in his gaze. "That hedgehog has always done what he wants, without regard for others, so was it really my fault Sonic left you? Or did he decide that on his own?"

Tails' breath shuddered and he almost moved back, but nearly fell on a foot that wasn't there so had to catch himself on the bars.

"Well, whatever you think, you can leave." Eggman clicked a code into the keypad and the cell slid open, Tails releasing the bars. "I've got no use for you if you won't bring in that hedgehog."

Tails hunched into himself. No use for him? Sonic didn't have any use for him either now that he couldn't run, and apparently even Eggman thought he was useless. Nobody wanted him.

Tails sunk to the floor as the doctor left, hugging his knees close while his tails wrapped over him. His cheek fell against the cold steel floor, but Tails didn't care. Nobody wanted him, not even Eggman. Just like his parents probably hadn't wanted him, like the kids at the orphanage who refused to play with the freak, and even the adults gave him funny looks when he tried explaining his inventions. Tails wasn't wanted, not on West Side Island, not by Sonic, and not even by himself.

The next morning, heavy footsteps appeared behind him. Tails didn't acknowledge the sound until Eggman asked, "Why are you still here?"

Tails took a shuddering breath, and whispered, "I…don't have anywhere to go."

The kit waited for the man to yell or grab him by the scruff of his neck and toss him out. However, Eggman didn't do anything. He just stared for a few minutes before sighing.

"Fine, stay if you want."

Tails gasped, and rolled around to see if the man was being serious. Yet Eggman had already turned and was walking out the room.

"But don't think you can stay for free." Eggman raised his finger as he walked into the hall. "You want to stay, you better prove you're worth keeping," he grumbled while the door shut behind him.

Tails pushed himself up, eyes wide. Eggman was letting him stay? As long as he proved himself?

The kit frowned, distrust sharpening his gaze. Eggman was a villain. He shouldn't trust a man who hurt animals and tried to destroy him and Sonic—

Tails stiffened, recalling the hedgehog. His face crumpled, mouth trembling, and he looked down at his legs. Slowly, he reached down, took off his shoe, and slipped out the folded photo inside. He opened the picture, and Sonic smirked back at him, his arm hanging lazily around his younger self's shoulders.

Tails lowered the photo, a wretched sadness locking up his throat. He wanted his friend back, but how could he convince Sonic he wasn't too slow?

The fox stared at his left ankle, scowling. Yet his brow lifted as an idea came to him. What if he built a foot? A prosthetic that helped him run—no, helped him go even faster than before? And…and if he pretended like he was building something for Eggman, maybe the doctor would grant him access to his lab and the tools he needed to build the prosthetic.

Tails' eyes shimmered with hope, and for the first time in two weeks, something other than despair filled him while he rose to a stand. Though he stilled, seeing Metal Sonic holding a bowl of soup by the door like he'd been waiting for some time.

The kit shrunk a bit, unsure of how to interact with the robot without Sonic around. However, Metal just walked up and handed him the bowl and a spoon.

He went to leave, but Tails quickly raised his hand. "Wait!"

The robot looked over his shoulder, red optics piercing. Tails bit his cheek, debating what to say, but eventually asked, "W-will you take me to Eggman's lab after I finish this?"

Metal Sonic observed him, and the silence stretched on long enough that Tails was going to take back his request when the robot inclined his head. Then he just stared.

Tails quickly realized he was waiting for him, and not wanting to try the robot's patience—assuming the robot had emotions—he spooned the soup into his mouth so fast he couldn't even say what flavor it had been.

He left the bowl on his cot while Metal Sonic approached him. The robot scooped him into his arms, making Tails flinch as his cold chassis pressed against his ear. However, they flew up and out of the hall, the wind running over his fur, and suddenly an old memory surfaced in his mind.

"We'll be there any second!"

Sonic had carried him, speeding through a glade under the starry sky. He couldn't remember why they'd been running, just that for the first time in his life, he felt wanted. He snuggled against that chest so much broader than his own, listening to Sonic's steady heartbeat while the hedgehog shot him a fond look, and he thought finally someone wanted him.

The robot slowed and Tails came out of the memory to see they were in a brightly lit lab. Tails scanned over the workbenches, and spotting a metal stool, pointed at it. "You can put me there, please."

Metal Sonic quickly deposited him on the chair and lowered himself to the ground. Tails felt weird being next to his enemy without them fighting, but brushed that feeling aside. It was time to focus, to prove his worth.

"Um, would you mind bringing me some tools?" Tails asked absently, mind already brimming with ideas for his prosthetic. "I, uh, am going to build something for Dr. Eggman."

Metal Sonic nodded, and in a flash, left and reappeared with a toolbox in hand. He set it on the black table in front of Tails and the fox grinned.

"Thanks," he muttered, reaching in the toolbox while his mind sorted through different alloys and metals, considering their properties.

His prosthetic would have to be light enough not to weigh down his leg, but also durable and flexible. Should he install a booster in it? Or other defenses? No, he should focus on speed foremost, everything else could be added later…

Tails swiftly lost himself in his work, forgetting all else as he focused on crafting the perfect prosthetic. He scanned his remaining foot with one of Eggman's handheld devices to get measurements, and gathered the tools he might need to build his replacement. He also hacked Eggman's computer to find out more about the biological properties of a leg, even going through the doctor's personal files on roboticization for an idea on how to get metal limbs to mimic flesh ones.

Days passed. Days and days of research, crafting prototypes and testing them. Some were complete failures and scraped immediately while others showed promise, and he worked to redesign them.

As he busied himself in the lab, sometimes Eggman showed up. Tails expected him to demand an explanation for what he was building, but the doctor simply took one look at the metal block he was slicing through with a laser pen and said, "A prosthetic made with titanium? Lightweight yet durable." He rubbed his chin. "A smart choice."

Tails beamed, pushing up his welding helmet. "Yeah, though I was thinking of using a rubber insulation between the joints to mimic ligaments, but I'm worried the rubber might break apart under the friction so I'm thinking polyvinyl chloride might be better—"

He suddenly realized he was rambling, but Eggman hadn't walked away or given him one of Sonic's lopsided smiles that said he didn't really understand what Tails was saying, but was listening anyway. No, Eggman nodded, following his reasoning easily, and it felt…it made Tails feel weird. Yet also happy.

Eggman hummed, and asked, "What about a silicone? If it's high temperature vulcanized silicone then—"

"It will be more heat resistance yet still flexible enough for me to walk!"

Tails beamed, and flew up, rushing to the rows of shelves against the wall in search of silicone.

After that, Eggman visited fairly regularly and Tails got used to it, sometimes, even welcomed the company. The doctor just always let Tails rattle off his ideas, simply listening and occasionally offering advice, and it felt good to have someone who didn't need an explanation for every little thing.

Soon, their talks became so routine Tails almost forgot Eggman was the same man that cost him his foot, who sought to destroy Sonic and take over the world. However, he got a stark reminder when the doctor told him he would be gone for a few days.

Tails was in the hanger, oil staining his white lab coat and his face drawn with worry while he hovered by the old plane he'd been restoring for fun. He stared at the man sitting in the Eggmobile, and swallowed thickly. "You…you're going to fight Sonic, aren't you?"

Eggman looked back, expression hidden under his mustache. After a moment, he said, "Metal Sonic will stay here with you, just ask him for whatever you need."

It wasn't an answer, and they both knew what that meant as the Eggmobile rose in the air and jetted out of the hanger.

Tails touched down on the floor, eyes on the sunset sky and remembering the last time he'd watched an aircraft fly off without him. He sighed, and sat down on the concrete, taking off his shoe. He pulled out his picture, smiling gently at the grinning Sonic. However, worry soon overtook his expression and his head bowed under the haze of the orange sun.

The fox couldn't sleep that night, and couldn't focus enough to work the next day. Instead, he wandered the halls of the base, flying in circles and roaming through the rooms. It was quiet, even with the hum of Eggman's machines, and though Metal Sonic followed him dutifully, the robot didn't talk.

Soon the silence became too much, so Tails plopped down on the living room couch and grabbed the remote. He flipped through the news channels, ears geared towards the sound of one name. However, whatever Eggman was doing was either not important enough to warrant media attention or he lost so quickly no one had even realized they'd been in danger because the news didn't mention him.

Tails turned off the TV. He flew past Metal Sonic into the hall, muttering, "He's probably fine."

The kit went to the kitchen and opened the freezer, hands reaching for his beloved mint chocolate ice cream. Yet his hands scraped against ice and he frowned, peering into the refrigerator, only to see a box of fish sticks. Looked like they were out.

"Alright," Tails turned to Metal, smiling tightly. "I'll just go out and buy some."

Metal stared at him, and Tails had the strangest feeling he was being judged, but he waved it off and beelined for the hanger. "Watch over the base for me, okay?" he called without looking back.

He needed ice cream, as that sweet sugary goodness never failed to cheer him up. Also, if ate enough, he might end up in a food coma, and then wouldn't be conscious enough to worry about Sonic—

Tails shook his head, banishing the thought while he searched the town from high above. He entered the first grocery store he saw, grabbed all the boxes of ice cream he could carry, and checked them out with the allowance Eggman had given him.

It took a few extra minutes to get back since he was struggling to carry two paper bags taller than himself, but eventually the base came into view and—

It was on fire.

Tails screeched to a halt midair, staring over his paper bags to the smoldering wreckage that had been Eggman's base. The scarlet flames flickered in his eyes, bags falling out of his hold and ice cream spilling over the grass. Who could have…

A roar made Tails look up to see a familiar red plane. He saw blue in the cockpit, and suddenly his tails stopped and he fell bonelessly to his knees. He watched Sonic once again soaring off to the next adventure without him. A scream rose in his throat, and he nearly gave chase, but suddenly realized something.

"My prosthetic!" Tails gasped. He jetted in the air, and angled himself towards the blazing wreckage when a clawed hand caught his elbow.

"Get off!" Tails snarled, surprised by his own viciousness, yet not caring. He needed his prosthetic, it was almost done! All these months of work couldn't go down in flames or he'd never be able to prove his worth to Sonic!

Tails tried wrenching his arm free, but Metal didn't budge an inch, so he whirled around with a glare. "Why didn't you stop Sonic?" he demanded. "Or at least saved my work, you stupid piece of scrap metal!

Metal Sonic stared at him, expressionless. Tails bared his teeth, annoyed by the non-reaction because it wasn't fair! Everything Tails had been working for was in that building, he couldn't just let it burn! Or Sonic would never take him back, never come back for—

Metal Sonic held up his prosthetic foot. Tails' breath shuddered, seeing it was scorched and chipped, pieces of the toes missing.

Yet the robot handed it to him like it was a precious gem and the fox cradled the prosthetic in his arms, falling to his knees. No…his beautiful invention…ruined. All these months of perfecting it, resizing it every time his foot grew and adjusting it according to Eggman's advice, gone… Gone like Sonic.

Tails didn't know when he started crying, but he furiously scrubbed the tears away and looked up at Metal. "You…tried to save it?"

Metal Sonic stared at him for a second. Then he pulled out a familiar science-themed blanket and spread it over his shoulders.

Tails' mouth wobbled, and he ducked his head to hide his renewed tears. He took some time to regather himself before raising his head to stare at the burning building. His mouth drew to a line.

"It's over…like really over, huh?"

He dropped the prosthetic and it clanked to the floor while his hands curled into fists. "Sonic…" His eyes squeezed shut, breath hitching. "Sonic's really never coming back!" He opened his eyes, face falling. "And I'm never catching up to him..."

Suddenly his face twisted into a snarl. "Fine." He flew up, tearing off his shoe and yanking out the photograph.

He stared at it, at Sonic's smirking face—that liar.

"Sonic doesn't need me anymore."

Tails raised the photo and ripped off the half with the hedgehog.

"And I don't need him."

Tails tossed aside that dreadful half of the photo and the wind caught it, carrying it high over the trees. The fox didn't watch where it went, hard eyes remaining on the flames.

He was done watching the skies because he finally understood there just wasn't any point in waiting for something that wasn't coming back.

In my head, I picture this as the end of a TV episode where the credits play over a shot of the burning base with Tails standing in front of it, his back to the audience, while quiet, ominous yet sad music plays in the background... What? No one else imagines stuff like that after reading a villain's tragic origin story?

...just me then, huh?

Anyway, thanks to all those supporting this story, and have a nice day!