Author's note: I've honestly forgotten what I usually write here. It's been a while since I've uploaded a one-shot. So let's just say I'm excited to share a story about the classic duo, on a classic mission - however, it unexpectedly turns around in seemingly an instant.
But before you dive in, a huge shoutout goes to Singerj199 who proofread a part of this story. He read specifically the important part of this and he was super helpful and made the climax all the more better! Please, do go check out his stories, he's an amazing writer who has written entertaining and skillful pieces!
But without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
After Sonic Forces
Not Just a Shell
Shrapnel of molten metal scattered in the air, a fiery heat opened and shattered the metal gateway from the explosion. Smoke was only left as the flames died, a spiked blue ball hurled himself through the debris, uncurled and landed elegantly on his feet.
The hero stood and smirked, his hands placed on his hips as he looked down the metal corridor. He felt excited, felt his adrenaline in his veins, his legs throbbed with the need to go, as he anticipated the fight ahead of them.
"You couldn't have done it a little less dramatic?"
Sonic turned around and smirked at the sidekick who poked his head through. He looked at the sharper edges of the destroyed metal door before he determined it was passable as he jumped through without a scratch.
"Do you know who I am?" The hedgehog asked, throwing out his arms for emphasis.
Tails was looking his way, his eyes scanning the hedgehog's body and made sure he wasn't suffering a scratch either before rolling his eyes into the ceiling.
"Yeah, I do, but this was supposed to be a stealth mission, remember? Kicking the control panel and making it explode isn't exactly stealthy, is it?" He declared, putting his hands on his hips.
Sonic gave him that look which stated he was perfectly aware of that fact though chose to pretend he didn't and waved a placating hand in the air.
"I'm too fast for stealth! Besides, we made it in without anyone noticing right?" He asked, arching a brow at the sidekick in mockery.
Said sidekick only chose to cross his arms over his chest, a whip from his behind appendages.
Not moments later, the alarms started blaring.
Tails smirked from the sarcasm alone as he looked at Sonic through the red lights. He watched as the hedgehog turned on his heel.
"C'mon! Before Egghead gets any more bright ideas!" Tails shook his head, though spun his behind appendages around when Sonic ran.
Ascending without touching the ceiling, he was following in the hedgehog's steadily quickening steps, going down the corridor, further into the base they were trespassing. He expected Egg Pawns to crawl out any minute, lasers to come out of the walls and needed to avoid and dodge any potential oncoming projectile. He smirked, looking forward to it.
"Here we go!" Sonic yelled, though the fox had already seen them coming from far away.
A wall of Egg Pawns was intercepting them, eight filled the corridor, with a plasma gun in one hand. As they raised to fire, the hedgehog held up his hand, the sidekick took it immediately. Lifting him from the ground and utilizing his momentum, he was spinning around, the hedgehog curling into a ball. He was immediately shot at the robots. Oil and metal debris was flung to either direction, fire and smoke filled the corridor. Sonic had hit the enemies perfectly.
Tails flew through the aftermath without difficulty and followed as Sonic ran to their next targets. The fox was content, felt happier than he normally would on these kinds of missions. Ordinarily, he would be the one to be watching out for traps suddenly appearing from underneath them, rogue lasers coming from nowhere. Yet, he merely remained in the moment, flew, and kicked at a Buzz Bomber which came toward him and made it collide with its colleague.
The sidekick had learned to appreciate what he had, as he smiled, and laughed as the hedgehog had made a joke about the Egg Pawns. They fought and took down evil in their path.
Sonic sprinted through another row of Egg Pawns, as the corridor got larger, pipes hung in the ceiling. Other doorways to various rooms had opened as they explored.
For such a long time, he'd forgotten how it had felt like. The adrenaline coursing through his veins, his lungs fighting for air. He was maneuvering around projectiles and uncalculating punches from robots. The thrill of fighting his way through Eggman's bases and thwarting the evil doctor's plans was thriving in his soul.
However, as months had passed, as almost a year had transpired since the war, Sonic and he had done this exact task a few times. Running through one of the doctor's bases, destroying every robot in their way. And he had finally begun to feel normal again.
No lingering thoughts, no unattended worries left behind. He smiled from the notion, as he knew Sonic could copy his mindset.
He observed as the hedgehog turned a corner, screamed when the floor opened underneath him, and a pool of water was almost his demise.
Tails swooped down and caught him in time and carried him with difficulty back on safe metal ground. The hedgehog saluted and thanked him for the rescue as they continued. The sidekick was rolling his eyes into the ceiling, thinking one thing which hadn't changed was Sonic's fear of water.
"Do you think Amy is okay?" Tails asked, as he dodged a plasma ball from another Buzz Bomber.
He spun around and swatted his tails at the robot, and made it fall and land on top of an Egg Pawn. Sonic took the opportunity to spin dash it when it had been distracted. The former looked at the sidekick.
"She's fine, she can hold her own no problem," he assured, while curling and dashing into a group of Motor Bugs which had joined the fight.
They were obliterated and reduced to scrap the moment the hedgehog jumped and uncurled again. Tails was seeing the Aero Cannon as it was aiming a shot at Sonic, the sidekick flying forward and elegantly somersaulting above it, sitting on top of it. Confused, it was waving its gun up and down in the air. The fox was clasping his hands around the barrel, pointing it at the other flying Badniks. Tails felt as oil splattered and got stuck in his fur, metal fell from the ceiling with rows of explosions in his row of destruction. He flew off again and kicked the Badnik into the wall and made it crumble to the floor.
"Nice!" He beamed and turned his head at Sonic who had watched and praised him additionally with a thumbs up. The two of them travelled down a separate corridor as the Badniks had been taken care of for now, "at this rate, we'll be back before lunchtime!"
Tails concentrated as more robots tried to intercept and trap them. Oncoming Buzz Bombers were decommissioned with a spin dash, and he dive-bombed Egg Pawns ready to punch Sonic in the back. They rounded another corner and slowed to a halt as they faced the obstacle of a closed door.
"Let me handle this one," Tails quickly said, when he'd seen Sonic preparing himself to spin dash it immediately.
The fox flew forward and recognized the keypad, as it was a model he'd hacked before. Punching in a few keys and initially getting access to the doctor's network was giving him time to think, narrowing his eyes from the matter at hand.
"I still don't know what Eggman wants with Amy. It feels like a trap," he shared his thoughts as the keypad let out a whine. Tails flew back as the door opened effortlessly.
"Of course, it's a trap," Sonic agreed immediately, the sidekick seeing the smirk wide on his lips, seemingly no worry attached to his form, as he was darting forward. The fox followed obediently, and already saw the next wave of Egg Pawns which awaited their arrival.
Sonic continued with a chuckle: "He captures Amy, broadcasts a message across Station Square and tells me to meet him in a hidden base under Windy Valley? He might as well have sent an invitation and signed 'Mister Predictable," the hedgehog stated mockingly, spending no time sprinting through walls of Egg Pawns, bouncing between the explosions, and ignoring the shrapnel getting stuck in his quills.
Tails giggled at the comment and smiled at the joke as his thoughts filled with joy.
A couple of months ago, Sonic couldn't joke about captivity or imprisonment by the mad doctor. The mere word of forced isolation would make the hedgehog flinch. At the time, he had been stating he would go on a run and disappear for hours at a time. It had been worrying how little time Sonic had spent in the workshop after the escapades of the war. Yet, the sidekick knew he usually dealt with his problems in outbursts of adrenaline or moments of chosen loneliness. This instance had been no difference.
Tails had been offering the help he could and merely been present if Sonic had needed it. At the time, the situations had been anything but comfortable. Having seen Sonic flinch and run away only showcased the scars he'd acquired and had to slowly come to terms with. The former was invisible now and the latter he had succeeded with.
The old hedgehog was back, the Sonic who wouldn't let anyone get in his way and protected the ones he cared for. Eggman was back to his ordinary ways. The only detrimental parts of the past which remains are craters in the ground and suppressed memories
Tails was for the most part relieved about Sonic's change of behavior and therefore chose to be present in the moment than reminiscing about trauma.
He let his thoughts lay as he smirked and swung his behind appendages at another Aero Cannon. The sidekick looked down and saw Sonic dodge and yelp at the bullet which he barely avoided. Tails curled inwards, and dove at another Egg Pawn. He made it successfully crack and break upon impact as he landed.
The fox jumped away from the inevitable explosion and whipped his head around. When a rogue plasma ball was aimed at his head, he threw himself across the metal floor. He scrambled to his feet quickly as it passed and flew back into the air. He kicked at the Badnik and sent it soaring through the ceiling. It was left as a smoking heap of scrap metal on the ground, as it crashed.
"You're doing great bud!" He turned around as he was praised again, watching as Sonic was smiling at him cheekily. The sidekick smiled in return, subsequently followed, and turned a corner.
"Thanks," he said, as his eyes were already scanning a group of Buzz Bombers, dodging their plasma attacks.
The only minor difference in Sonic's behavior was an increase in praise. Tails' fighting skills, his organized planning and ability to stay calm and collected during battle. The fox was convincing himself there was no reasoning behind it, wanting it to only be an extra trait which had come out of nowhere.
The perceptive sidekick knew otherwise. Yet he didn't want his thoughts to travel down the dark path again. He'd already remained too long in a past state of mind, consisting of anything but praising words. It had been a challenge to try and clear his mind off the negativity he had suffered.
If Sonic secretly didn't want him to return to the troubles he'd had to deal with for months, would remain the hedgehog's secret forever. As he didn't want to know. And therefore, didn't ask.
He instead concentrated on flying down another corridor, Sonic changing directions without knowing where he was going. Tails blinked confused when the alarms suddenly stopped blaring, the red warning lights was turned off. Sonic's running feet and his spinning tails were the only noises remaining.
"What gives?" Sonic exclaimed, the fox looking his way, though no robots were heading for them.
The fox was about to further comment on the fact that this was a trap, when he jumped from the bright lights appearing on either side of them. He hadn't realized the monitors which had been installed into the walls. Sonic skidded to a halt immediately and forced the sidekick to stop as well. He stared at the face as he descended.
"Hello Sonic," a gruff and familiar voice spoke, Tails landing and stepping beside the hedgehog.
Turning to a monitor to their right showcased an image being displayed. A rather familiar silhouette.
Eggman was staring them down, an angry frown etched onto his brow, his arms behind his back. The sidekick gave Sonic a curious glance, though he merely smirked, the kind of smirk which was reserved for evil villains wanting to conquer the world. He placed his hands on his hips.
"Yo Eggman! Why did you turn off the lightshow? I was feeling like a rockstar, and you ruined the party!" He yelled at the doctor as he dismissed the seriousness of the situation. Something he'd always done, something which made Tails smirk in satisfaction as well. He felt confident as he stared at the doctor.
"I merely wanted your attention," Eggman claimed, a venomous smile showing on his lips as he stepped aside.
Tails was stopping his gasp in time to avoid Eggman hearing it, seeing Sonic's quills raise in his peripheral vision as well.
Inside a standard capsule, hovering vertically in the air, was Amy.
She was panting heavily, her hammer in her hand as she was trying to smash the glass to no avail, the condensation on the inside giving away she'd tried to escape for a long while. Tails saw Sonic shrug in his peripheral vision.
"Alright, you got my attention. What do you want, Egghead?" The hedgehog asked in a casual manner, despite his rigid form, his fingers digging into his skin on his arms. Tails could feel the anger rolling off him in waves, making his own thick fur puff.
"I want you Sonic!" Eggman suddenly returned to the screen, pointing his finger directly into the camera, "if you do not show up this instant, I will personally have your girlfriend fried in electricity!"
"She's not my girlfriend!" Tails bit his lip to prevent himself from giggling, as Sonic had his arms stretched, leaning forward toward the screen.
He looked up and saw Amy in the background suddenly turning to the camera. She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's true!" Sonic whined, sounding no less like a toddler who was declined a cookie for dinner.
He earned an eye roll from Amy who picked up her hammer and tried to break the glass again. Despite her efforts, not even a crack could appear.
"I don't care about your relationship status! I want you to come to the center of this base at this moment!" Eggman demanded, staring at Sonic with the same angry frown.
Tails looked at the hedgehog in the same moment. Said hedgehog looked at Egghead again and smirked as he was about to crack a joke when the doctor's eyes turned to the sidekick.
"And you should go home. This doesn't concern you."
Tails made sure his smirking was visible, despite his mind screaming at him how wrong the comment was. How redundant and out of character it was. As if warning him about the danger ahead. The sidekick decided to shrug his shoulders.
"Amy is my friend too – I'm coming whether you like it or not!" He shouted back, seeing Sonic smirk in his peripheral vision. Eggman arched a brow, before he growled to himself and stepped back from the camera.
"Fine! I'll kill two birds with one stone and have you both trapped by none other than Doctor Eggman!" He bellowed; followed by a laughter wrapped with venom which echoed from the microphone. Tails looked at Amy momentarily and saw as a worried expression had formed on her brow. As if she knew what was going to happen.
"Get lost, Egghead! Whatever you've planned, it'll be one big pile of scrap metal by the time we're finished with you!" Sonic reassured, making the mad doctor stop laughing at the same moment.
He smirked at the camera again, his eyes were glinting with victory, as if he was certain he'd already won.
"I'd like to see you try," was seemingly the last warning he gave them before the video cut off and the monitor turned off.
Tails could feel his behind appendages whipping with annoyance. Eggmna's odd comment was still lingering in the back of his mind, as he was wondering what had triggered the doctor to give him such a personalized message.
He was distracted by his thoughts as Sonic rolled his eyes into the ceiling beside him.
"He should really find a hobby someday," he commented, as he turned on his heel, and started to run. The sidekick was used to movement without warning, and therefore spun his behind appendages around and followed again.
"You think knitting would suit him better?" He joked, earning a chuckle from the hedgehog who turned another corner. More Egg Pawns had decided to show up.
"I don't think his fat fingers can hold the knitting needles," Sonic joked with a smirk, before he sped forward.
Tails chuckled from the comment, looking up and seeing more Buzz Bombers joining the party, preparing himself for the fight. Flying forward and dodging a plasma ball, he was kicking the robot into the wall beside him, ducking at the next projectile, swinging his tails at the Badnik. He looked down, saw an Egg Pawn aiming its cannon at Sonic's back, making him immediately dive at the enemy.
Curling inwards and spin dashing at the bot, he was jumping away from the explosions, getting into the air quickly again. He could feel his lungs starting to heave for air, panting as sweat dripped from his brow. His back was starting to cramp from continuous flying. He knew he needed to land soon. Yet, he had to remain as air support when a new group of Aero Cannons appeared.
He was hearing Sonic squealing with laughter, asking an Egg Pawn if that was his cousin before obliterating them with his sharp quills, moving forward without worry. Tails was following suit with the same attitude, punching an Aero Cannon into its neighbor, avoiding another plasma ball, kicking at the next. He took a deep breath, looked down as more Egg Pawns tried to swipe at Sonic.
He dove down, got a hold of one Egg Pawn who turned around and tried to shoot at him. Tails dodged, jumped, and somersaulted above it, and kicked it into the wall. He landed, swiped his tails at the robot, and made it collide with the floor harshly. Tails turned around, looking into the air for more aerial enemies.
The smell of burnt fur filled his mind as he suddenly flew across the metal corridor, being pushed forward from an explosion behind him. His vision blurred as he careened on the ground. He panted heavily, trying to wrap his mind around what had happened when he remained still on the floor.
He blinked; his blurred vision saw the silhouette of a plasma ball aimed at his face.
"Look out!" He was harshly shoved to the side, ramming into another wall, banging his head against the metal.
His vision cleared, turning, and looking at Sonic spin dashing an Egg Pawn. The hedgehog was turning and ramming into the next robot which tried to intercept him. Tails only managed to blink again, before the hedgehog was in front of him and hauled him to his legs unexpectedly.
"You, okay? That was quite a fall," he asked, while Tails tried to regain his balance, his head pounding painfully. He didn't voice it out loud, instead shook his head and looked back at the hedgehog.
"I'm fine," sputtered out of his mouth before he had time to figure out if it was true.
He was still panting, trying to get air back into his lungs, as he was ignoring his shaking legs. He looked back at Sonic as his brow was arched. He was doubting if he indeed was fine.
"Let's find Amy," Tails emphasized, wanting to get a move on and forget the moment when he realized what had happened.
A part of the hedgehog seemed to disagree, standing, and looking him up and down for another second. After a moment of hesitation, he slowly let go of the sidekick's arm and nodded.
"If you say so, bud," Sonic said, looking at the fox, "just take a breather if you need to, alright?"
Tails nodded quickly and smiled as well to disperse the tense atmosphere. It worked as Sonic smiled back, before he ran again and went down the next corridor. The fox flew back into the air and followed in his steps. He mentally yelled at himself for his own stupidity.
Tails knew the Egg Pawns exploded. He'd foolishly attacked and not moved out of the way. He had wanted to take a breather in that moment, despite the fact he should've done that before trying to spin dash the robot. He'd done that ever since he was a toddler. Messing that up now was idiotic.
He shook his head, as he knew scolding himself wouldn't get him anywhere and therefore just agreed to focus. They couldn't risk Amy getting into any more danger because he was absentminded.
The fox concentrated on their path forward instead as he slowly realized the Egg Pawns and flying Badniks had thinned out. He kicked an Aero Cannon into the wall and looked at Sonic as he sprinted into two Egg Pawns.
Still panting but continued nevertheless, the sidekick could see the end of the corridor opening into a larger room. No lasers, no traps, they were invited inside.
He mentally prepared himself for whatever Eggman had planned this time, as he drew in a breath, and followed Sonic inside.
The hedgehog immediately stopped, skidding, and sliding on the ground, making Tails halt as well.
Blinking surprised, he hadn't expected this robot.
The room was designed for its size, a large dome shaped arena with metal walls and tempered glass, giving it ample room to fly. Larger transparent wings with a turquoise tint, the body large and red, multiple lights in rows was illuminating its enemies. One arm remained a large barrel with bullets, the other a drill. The feet were replaced with devices able to shoot ice. Its roaring engines and red exterior were a familiar sight, considering the last time he'd seen it he had a younger version of himself by his side.
This was the Egg Dragoon.
"Oh, c'mon Eggman!" Sonic whined as Tails landed while he landed and tried to catch his breath.
Sonic palmed his face, shaking his head and looked disappointed as the sidekick peered at him.
"I was excited for a new and awesome robot and then you give me that?!" The hedgehog threw his hands at the large enemy, not unlike a toddler who was given pasta for dinner for the third evening in a row.
Tails chuckled as he knew Sonic often enjoyed a new robot to challenge. He wanted and needed the adrenaline, like a maniac, yet it was his drive. Figuring out how to defeat a new enemy was the equivalent of the mechanic trying to figure out how to improve the cooling unit in the Tornado.
The sidekick was mildly relieved however, knowing exactly how to defeat the enemy so they could get Amy out of here as fast as possible.
The thought of her made him try and look behind the robot, though the large machine remained floating in the air, staring them down.
"Don't get disappointed too quickly Sonic," a voice spoke from the walls, making Tails turn and look around.
His ears flicked and he spun around to watch as a wall opened from the ceiling. Pressurized air was released and from the fog flew the familiar Eggmobile. Inside sat an enemy he had met too many times in his life, a smirk visible on his lips.
"Hello again," Eggman introduced, flying, and floating beside the head of the large machine, still smirking, looking victorious.
Tails arched a brow as he looked at the robot and visually analyzed the Dragoon. Its spiked designs were the same as last time, its components and accessories recreating the same machine. However, they seemed smaller, and the wings larger, the robot having rounded edges than the norm, the machine glinting in the lights. Minor details had changed, might've been built on a different alloy too. He concluded it had been improved upon.
"You can't sit there and tell me to not get disappointed when I look at that thing again! What, do you love it so much because it reminds you of the failures you've had with it? You can just tell me it makes exceptional scrambled eggs for you in the morning, and I'll leave it alone!"
"Shut up!" Eggman punched his dashboard while Sonic laughed. Tails couldn't hide the giggle either, as he wiped his bicep over his brow to remove the sweat.
"Your mouth runs as fast as your feet. How about trying to mature and realize the danger standing before you."
"What danger? That can opener could hardly keep up with me even if it tried! Just admit you're running out of ideas," Sonic dismissed, placing his hands on his hips, radiating a confidence the fox was familiar with. He'd seen it every time this happened and wouldn't doubt it for a moment.
Tails looked up when Eggman chuckled instead of being mad. He flew backwards a little.
"You want me to show you my brilliant ideas? Then say hello to one of your little friends," the madman presented, chuckling as he waved an arm at the wall behind him.
As if on cue, another part of the wall opened slowly. Tails had an idea as to what was inside. He saw Sonic's quills rise again in the back of his head, as the sidekick watched.
Worry and confusion was evident on Amy's face as she appeared once more behind the glass prison. When she caught sight of the two of them, she gasped and pushed her nose to the glass.
"Sonic!" She yelled, being slightly muffled through the glass.
Tails had been about to tell her she would be okay, and they would get her out of there, when he watched her instead taking a step back. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What took you so long!? I've been here for hours already!" Amy asked, her brow furrowed.
Tails blinked and snorted without being able to stop it. Sonic sputtered beside him.
"H-Hey, I was trying to get here fast! But Eggman sent a bunch of robots and-"
"I don't need your excuses! I need you to get me out of here, so I can make it to get my haircut! I've waited two weeks for that, and Chaos knows what time it is!" She demanded, pointing an accusing finger at him, as if he'd been slow on purpose.
Tails found himself smiling as the hedgehog was blinking bemused. The younger Amy Rose would've been crying and begging him to save her. However, after organizing a war for almost a year with soldiers and having had to save people in danger from Badniks and fires, she had matured and improved from the seemingly helpless younger girl. The sidekick knew she had always been able to get herself out of her predicaments. She merely chose to not act and get Sonic to save her instead. It was a part of her plan to get Sonic to love her, he assumed.
"Just give me a second, alright Ames? Tails and I will destroy this thing in 3 minutes tops!" Sonic promised, reassuring her with another smirk.
The female hedgehog rolled her eyes into the ceiling in response.
"Just be quick," she demanded with a sigh, sounding impatient though the fox could tell she was worried too.
Considering Eggman didn't tend to keep quiet about his new ideas, he was figuring she had probably been told something they didn't know.
"Now that your little squabble is over," Eggman commented, having rested his head in the palm of his hand, as he floated back beside the head of the robot. "It is my greatest pleasure to introduce you, Sonic, to the Egg Dragoon V2!"
A silence hung in the air for a moment. Tails had seen the small differences in the design but couldn't grasp why it was a second version completely. He put his hands on his hips as he looked at Sonic who looked back. He shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't see any difference. Do you?" He asked jokingly, gesturing at the robot. The sidekick pretended to think about it as he scratched his chin and scrunched his brow.
"It might've been maroon last time?" Tails asked, though only earned a questioning look from the hedgehog.
"What's that?"
"A dark red color."
"Couldn't you have said dark red then?"
"No, they have different shades. There's scarlet, burgundy, carmine-"
"How do you know so many colors?"
"Because Amy took me shopping for new curtains last week instead of you, remember?"
"And he was more helpful than you ever would've been."
"It's the same colors, Amy!"
"Tails doesn't think so!"
"Shut up!" Eggman interrupted, slamming his hands against the dashboard.
The sidekick was chuckling alongside Sonic, fist bumping.
The doctor still looked mad, though floated toward them. His smirk was visible up close, as if he wanted to prove to them, he had the upper hand already.
"Laugh all you want. Because it'll be your last," he threatened, staring them down for another moment, before he floated back to the robot. "Meet your demise Sonic! The Egg Dragoon V2 will claim victory!"
His warning didn't touch the duo, as Tails watched him float his Eggmobile into the top of the robot, as a shield covered him. In the same moment the robot was spurring to life, straightening its back, the drill spinning, the barrel rotating once.
"Alright, let's get this show on the road!" Sonic cheered, putting up his guard, the sidekick beginning to fly.
Tails frowned in concentrating as he put up his guard, being ready for the inevitable attacks.
"Be careful!" Amy shouted, making the fox momentarily look her way, though it was interrupted as the robot moved.
A surprised yelp escaped him as he barely avoided the drill which had almost slammed into him. He dodged another attempt from the robot trying to squash him. He watched as the hedgehog spin dashed directly toward the robot, though the flying machine merely moved out of the way.
"Hey, what's with the dirty tricks, Egghead?"
"Dirty tricks?! I've merely improved my greatest creation!" Tails blinked, hearing the confidence radiating in the doctor's voice as he spoke.
He could see Eggman smirking behind the glass. The fox was preparing himself for a tough fight, as the robot was moving.
"Get a load of this!" Was the last warning, as the Dragoon's feet lifted in the air and spewed dry ice out of its compartment.
Tails dodged barely, seeing Sonic running, and moving around the projectiles, directly toward the robot again. The fox was observing him doing another spin dash. He had to abruptly abort when the drill was swinging for him, tumbling, and getting to his feet as he landed.
The sidekick was moving forward as the hedgehog thought of something, flying faster in an attempt to get behind the robot. He was almost pierced with the tip of the drill instead, having to emergency land and tumble on the ground. He shook his head, looked at the robot.
He rolled away when the barrel was slamming down where he'd been seconds ago, scrambling to his feet and quickly concluding the air was a better choice, ascending again.
The arm with the barrel suddenly clicked, aimed at someone, and began shooting. Tails watched as Sonic sprinted and barely avoided the onslaught of ammo.
Tails flew toward the robot again, with the intention to distract and stop the attack, as he got ready to do a spin dash against Eggman. The sounds of the bullets ceased from his movements, though the barrel moved toward him instead. His vision blurred momentarily as his body slammed against the wall, and he realized the barrel had interrupted his attack.
He heard a shout from somewhere and turned his head to investigate. He saw as Sonic ran toward the robot again and was headed straight for the drill. As if Eggman had predicted the attack, the drill spun and shot at the hedgehog. It forced the latter to dodge in a stumble.
Tails scrambled to his feet to the best of his ability, flying and heading for the machine again.
He yelped when balls of dry ice were hurled toward him and avoided them barely when they stopped secondly. He joined with Sonic again, panting heavily.
A bellow of laughter echoed in the arena.
"I'm watching rats trying to get away in their little labyrinth! Having difficulties, Sonic?!" Eggman asked out of mockery, sounding ludicrous and out of his mind more than usual.
Tails noted the behavior and swallowed something in his throat as he looked at Sonic. The hedgehog looked unscathed for now.
"I'm just getting started!" Sonic shouted after looking the fox up and down as well, before turning and smirking confidently at Eggman.
The sidekick copied the expression and watched as the hedgehog sped forward again.
"Indeed, we are," the doctor agreed through the microphone, sounding ominous and threatening, making the sidekick perk up in alarm.
He watched as one of the arms transformed into a completely flat surface in the matter of a second and slammed it in front of Sonic.
As the hedgehog skidded to a stop, he was sprayed directly with dry ice.
"Sonic!" Tails flew toward him in the same instant the hedgehog ran away. Smoke and oil lingered in the air as Eggman's laughter echoed between the walls.
The fox hardly managed to catch up to the hedgehog as he ran toward the robot again. He curled around and tried to spin dash the barrel. The arm transformed again and became the drill and aimed at Sonic once again.
Tails figured he was moving to get warm and was therefore taking his time to analyze the robot as the hedgehog was distracting the Dragoon for now. The red color hid the panels with potential sensitive machinery. The robot was moving too quickly for him to figure out where they hid.
He was interrupted when the barrel clicked again, this time aiming at him.
The sidekick yelped in surprise, moved, and flew in tactical motions. He had no idea where he was going as he merely moved upwards and down. He lastly attempted to move toward the robot.
When it stopped shooting and he could hear an unhealthy crack in the robot armor he turned around as he panted heavily.
Sonic landed with a focused expression, having made an indent in the side of the machine, and forced it to turn toward him. Eggman growled angrily and swung the drill at the hedgehog again. The former barely avoided it.
At the last swing, the hedgehog was hit. He yelled as he careened along the ground and was slammed into the wall. Not giving Eggman the opportunity to hit the fallen hedgehog, Tails flew forward again. He curled and aimed at the head of the machine.
When the barrel rammed into him, he slammed into the ground at the same moment. He hardly had time to move when he could hear machinery being turned on.
A sudden burst of an unbearable coldness overwhelmed his body.
His body was burning, unable to move, screaming at the onslaught of dry ice. Shaking, freezing, his eyes was closing shut from the pain encapsulating his being.
It wasn't until a gust of wind and a hard push made the attack abruptly stop. He knew he was moving along the floor. He stopped when he hit the wall.
He shook uncontrollably and saw his breath as he panted hard. The sidekick forced himself to turn and look at the hedgehog who had rescued him.
Sonic tried to spin dash at the machine again. The barrel avoided his attack.
"Face it Sonic!" Eggman yelled, as the drill rammed into him slammed him against the wall.
"You're mine!" The barrel transformed into the flat surface again, headed directly at the hedgehog.
Tails had scrambled to his feet and flew toward him but it was too late.
It hit.
"No!"
He froze in the air as the platform remained on top of Sonic for another second.
When it lifted, the hedgehog was lying flat on the ground.
Tails flew forward, stumbled as he landed, scrambled toward the hedgehog on the ground.
"Sonic! Sonic, can you hear me?!" He yelled, putting his hands on him, his body cold.
His eyes were closed, his quills were bent in unhealthy directions. He was still on the ground.
Tails felt as his hands shook from something else than the cold. He swallowed something in his throat as he moved Sonic. Eggman was laughing behind him, the mad doctor enjoying his presumed victory.
The sidekick leaned the hero against the wall. He put one hand on his chest, the other pressed a thumb into his wrist. He checked for a pulse.
Tails let out the breath he'd been holding when as he was feeling pulse and was seeing the hedgehog breathing as well.
"Sonic, stay with me! Wake up!" He asked, putting both hands on his shoulders, trying to shake him.
It didn't work. He remained knocked out.
Tails let his blue eyes scan the hedgehog before him, as he tried to find signs of him waking up.
His eyes weren't twitching, hands unmoving.
"C'mon! Wake up!" He tried to shake him again, though he didn't react.
The sidekick blinked and felt as a lump appeared in his throat. His eyes stung; his body shook. He panted heavily, his heart was beating, as he realized Sonic wouldn't wake up.
"It's useless," he didn't hear Eggman's words, sitting on his knees and staring at Sonic instead.
Seeing his lifeless body, seeing his unmoving face, still and cold. Too still. Too cold.
"I have finally defeated Sonic! This is my victory!"
"No!" Amy yelled from across the room, copying the fox's emotions.
He kept staring at Sonic, kept wishing he would move.
When it didn't happen, he looked down, looked at the ground. He swallowed something in his throat.
"Poor boy. Looks like your hero can't save you now."
Tails' eyes widened from the words. His heart pounded in his chest, shaking uncontrollably.
"I'll tell you something. If you leave right now, I'll let you go. You can gather all the friends you want, but I have succeeded! Finally, I will complete the Eggman Empire!" He bellowed, he laughed, he bathed in his own victory.
The fox could hear it, could hear his speech and what he wasn't saying. A Déjà vu, a moment of the egghead remembering a time he himself had left behind. Something he'd dealt with and overcome.
His hands landed on the ground from the memories. He felt empty. Felt cold.
"So, what do you say? Run? Or become like him?" Eggman threatened again, though Tails didn't hear it.
His mind was whirling, his head pounding as he stared at the ground.
He could feel the urge, a dark and past self which wanted to emerge and become one with him again. One which wished not to do this one more time.
Then he looked up.
Saw Sonic, saw the hedgehog who had saved him, saw the hedgehog who believed in him. Knew he could do it. Knew who he really was.
The fox stared at him.
One hand balled into a fist.
"Is that what you think of me, Eggman?" He asked strongly, feeling his heart pounding, feeling his body shaking.
Newfound energy, a need, a desire, to protect those he cared for, swirled and thrived in his soul.
"Small, scared, unable to defend myself?" Tails continued, as he slowly got to his feet.
His behind appendages were whipping, slowly turning.
His brow was furrowing, his eyes glowing.
He was looking at the challenge ahead. His other hand balled into a fist.
"I'll show you what I'm made of!" Was his only warning. As he flew. And sprinted forward.
Eggman hadn't anticipated his speed, his pace, his desire, as he curled into a ball and slammed into the robot. The machine tilted to the side, an indent made in the armor, sparks showing.
His wrist pounded painfully as Tails uncurled, flew in the air toward the robot. He brought up his guard as the drill tried to slam into him again. The fox avoided it and flew toward Eggman directly.
The barrel of the gun tried to swat him away, though he was faster. He curled into a ball and rammed into the glass, and made it crack. The doctor yelled a certain choice of words, as the fox flew back and took 1.2 seconds to plan his next attack.
He breathed heavily, his body shook, his body hurt, as he flew down. He went directly toward the feet. They activated immediately and shot an onslaught of dry ice toward the fox. The latter moved toward the drill as the ice was chasing him, in an attempt to freeze the weapon. Yet, the barrel came unexpectedly.
Amy shouted his name as he was slammed into the wall and hit the ground.
Tails looked up and wiped his hand over his mouth as he growled. He flew back into the air.
He moved forward, dodged more dry ice as he went. He flew around the barrel of the gun and elegantly avoided the drill.
"Stand still!" Eggman yelled in frustration, his patience running thin. The barrel transformed back into the flat surface. As intended.
Tails smirked, flew around the drill. He stopped in front of the robot where the arm couldn't stop its own momentum. The fox flew out of the way as the surface slammed into the front of the robot.
The smell of oil filled the room, smoke rose from the robot as it exploded inside. Eggman shouted incredulously.
Tails panted, his spine cramped, his hands shook. He flew toward the robot again.
As the doctor was distracted with his controls, he curled around, and spin dashed into the chest of the robot. With a successful hit, it lost its balance. It fell backwards and landed on its back.
Shrapnel flew through the air as the ground rumbled, the metal floor cracked and broke. The robot remained still. Tails saw his chance and flew up and curled to give it a last spin dash.
The barrel slammed into him. He was sent into the wall instead.
"You won't defeat me!" Eggman yelled, as the robot moved, attempting to get back onto its feet.
He wasn't going to give it a chance.
The fox yelled in adrenaline and scrambled to his feet and flew again.
He avoided the barrel. He avoided the drill. He slammed into the chest of the robot.
He went through the armor, electricity phased through his body. Oil and screeched sounds of gears rattled his head before he jumped out.
Tails could hear the robot creaking and cracking as he flew away and remained in the air as the Dragoon shook uncontrollably.
Oil splattered in every direction; smoke billowed out as it exploded.
The drill and the barrel fell to the ground, broke the metal, and remained still…
He'd won.
Tails panted heavily as he remained in the air, looking at Eggman who had detached the Eggmobile from the robot in time.
He stared at the fox, brow was scrunched, anger showed in his character. However, the fox could tell he was impressed as well. He hadn't expected the fox's determination.
"You win this time," Eggman growled low in his throat, in a future warning.
Tails merely kept his angered expression fastened on the doctor. He watched him as the Eggmobile turned around and disappeared behind the wall from before.
All which remained was the smoke rising in the air, the sounds of sparks coming from the machine.
The fox panted and swallowed something in his throat and moved toward the area Amy was captured. The female hedgehog was staring wide eyed at him and said nothing as he landed in front of the capsule.
In the same moment, he felt the adrenaline slowly seep out of him. His body shook from the cold, his right wrist pounded painfully, his body arched and was sore.
He took a moment to breathe, licked his lips before he limped forward toward Amy's prison, one foot arched as well.
Tails recognized the prison immediately and therefore knew what to do. He moved around it and pushed a button on the bottom of the capsule. Pressurized air got released as the glass disappeared.
The movement seemed to draw Amy back into reality, as she blinked, a worried look immediately came over her features.
"Tails," she merely said, almost in a whisper. She moved quickly toward him; her voice had shaken.
"I'm fine," he slurred out of courtesy, letting her put his arm over her shoulder, leaning his weight on her.
"You-" he turned his head to look at her, her jade eyes wide with surprise, her mouth agape. "You did it."
A smile spread across her face then, one which made the fox chuckle. The movement made him realize his chest hurt from the action.
"I guess I did," he merely agreed, still panting, and trying to collect his breath.
He stood and stared into the air for a second. Amy seemingly let him as he felt his hurt wrist being warm whilst the rest of his body was shaken.
The fox shook his head as he knew standing still while being cold could be dangerous, taking back his arm as he moved.
"C'mon. Let's get Sonic."
"Tails wait," he ignored Amy's urge, as the fox began flying again and moved toward the hedgehog.
He was moving through smoke and oil, his vision blurring as he was concentrating on going forward. He could hear Amy jumping and running after him.
The fox landed in front of the hedgehog and immediately left a hand on his chest.
He breathed out in relief when he was still breathing, though was still cold, and was still knocked out.
The fox turned his head when Amy caught up with him and immediately kneeled and pressed her thumb under the cuff of Sonic's glove. After a moment she drew the same conclusion as Tails had done.
"He's alive," she breathed, her hands shaking, her eyes watering.
It took the sidekick too long to realize that from the female hedgehog's position, it seemed as if Sonic had been dead. He bit his lip and left his hand on her shoulder.
She turned to look at him and swallowed something in her throat as she was brought back to reality.
"Are you okay?" She asked, shivering when Tails' cold hand remained on her shoulder. He took it back from the notion and got back to his feet in the meantime.
"I'll be fine," he regarded, as he picked up Sonic's arm and slung it over his shoulder. He forced himself to keep moving, and to keep the adrenaline running, "we gotta move though. Before we get frostbitten."
"Are you sure you can do this?"
"Yes." he quickly stated, as he watched Amy take Sonic's other arm and left it on her shoulder. They were carrying the unconscious hedgehog between them.
The limp and uncooperative friend made the knot of worry reappear in the sidekick's stomach. He narrowed his eyes as he turned with Amy, going toward the exit.
"Let's get to Station Square," he commented with a shiver. He felt his arms and legs beginning to numb, his body hurt.
He continued nevertheless, going forward, Amy followed him in his steps.
"Tails," he flicked his ears before he turned to look at the female hedgehog.
She was looking past Sonic's quills as she stared directly into his eyes.
"Thank you," she said.
It was genuine, filled with relief and gratitude, the smile only proving the statement. Tails had a hard time ignoring the pool or warmth appearing in his stomach from the notion.
Though, he only nodded and concentrated on walking, heaving in Sonic again.
He might've defeated a robot today, might've defeated a darker part of himself which had wanted to reemerge.
Yet, everything would've been for naught if Sonic didn't wake up again.
That's why he had to.
He had to.
A chaotic mess of voices, noises incoherent, a spinning invisible world. His mind was whirling without a drive, being aware but sleeping, feeling, and sensing though not reacting. A state of mind he'd been in before and knew the uncomfortable feeling it brought as well, the eerie sense of being alive though unable to move.
Some voices had been fast, as they had talked over each other, mumbled, and yelled. Other voices had been calmer, familiar, softer spoken.
It had remained such for a long period of time before his mind had decided to calm. He had succumbed to nothing but the darkness of sleep. He had finale been able to relax and close off the world around him.
The quietness remained for millennials, being stuck and unconscious in the dimension of black for a long time.
It wasn't until he could hear something softly whirring beside him, something disturbing his inner ear and finally dragging him back into reality. He realized he could wake.
He could feel again, his head pounding painfully and feeling heavy and exhausted, his body aching. At first, he didn't know why, and therefore wanted to open his eyes and investigate.
When he couldn't he sighed and suddenly felt the motion his chest did, and therefore took in a larger inhale to sigh again. Battling with his mind and as he finally won, he slowly opened his eyes.
A watery blur was all he saw at first as he looked at something white. He blinked, sniffed, and recognized the smell of antiseptic and soap immediately. His vision cleared as moments passed as he saw the white tiled ceiling, his fingers tried to grasp something. They curled around something soft, the other unable to move as something was clamped down hard on his index finger.
He wasn't given the chance to investigate when a gasp came from beside him and made his ears flick.
Slowly to investigate the sound, he twisted his head. His neck popped and croaked; his head pounded in protest from the movement. He blinked again, though immediately recognized his female friend sitting beside him.
Her hands had covered her mouth, her pink hair reflected in the sickly fluorescent lights, as she merely looked at him. As he saw the worried expression plastered on her, Sonic was quick to smile as he blinked owlishly.
"Hey Ames," he said hoarsely, rough, and dry, as if he hadn't spoken in months.
The sound of her name seemed to pull her out of her daze. Her jade eyes blinked as she got up from where she had sat.
"Oh Sonic," she said softly as she leaned forward and carefully wrapped her arms around him.
He was momentarily shocked by the gentle approach, not being squeezed to death as usual. He wrapped his functioning arm around her. A part of him felt relieved as he swallowed something in his throat. His friend was okay.
"How're you doing Ames?" He asked when she pulled back, the hedgehog seeing the tears in her eyes.
She wiped them away with her bicep quickly and smiled as if it was her birthday, utmost relief showing in her eyes.
"I should ask you that," she said, every part of her seemingly wanting to squeal in happiness, though she contained it to the best of her ability.
It only reinforced his belief that Amy had indeed matured during the war, something which made Sonic smile. He then remembered what she had said and opened his mouth to ask what she meant when a door opened behind her.
He turned his head, seeing a male wolf dressed in light blue scrubs walk into the room. He introduced himself as nurse Michael and walked toward him and asked how he was. Sonic blinked confused and only mentioned his head felt like he'd rammed it into a brick wall. He had been explained the case was more likely than he thought.
The nurse checked a set of monitors next to him, one he hadn't realized was there until now, which explained the squeeze of his finger from the pulse oximeter. He was resting in a hospital bed as he saw the IV line going from his hand to the pole with the fluids being suspended. He blinked confused at it at first and ignored the working nurse.
It wasn't until he shone a light in each of his eyes, he remembered the wolf was there. He said something about everything looking good and he would go fetch the doctor which made him leave.
Sonic was still trying to sort out of the seemingly onslaught of information he'd been given as he observed the door closed again. He looked at his other hand in curiosity.
The plastic clamp and the cannula embedded in his hand merely confirmed he was a patient at the hospital. As well as the bandages wrapped around his other arm and one of his legs. One foot was pounding lightly, though his headache only seemed to increase for every second. He turned to look at Amy again.
She had sat down again as she had patiently waited and had softly answered some of the nurse's questions. She looked back at the hedgehog again.
"Do you remember what happened?" She asked then, still smiling in utmost relief.
The hedgehog couldn't grasp why, as hospital visits weren't uncommon in their line of work. Granted, it was rare they had to be admitted, though sprained fingers, bad burns, and the occasional cut from metal shrapnel had led them to the ER on numerous occasions.
He saved the question for later, instead blinked and tried to remember what had happened prior to this. His mind was a bit foggy, as he narrowed his eyes to try.
Slowly, as he could encounter each event in his mind, the pictures and the memories started to reappear. He blinked when everything came back to him.
"Yeah," he answered, his hand resting on his head, chuckling, making his head pounding in pain, "I got squashed by Eggman." Amy smiled from his answer as she shifted in her seat.
"And before that?" She seemed to want to make sure he knew what had happened, forcing the hedgehog to try and remember again.
It came easier this time, nodding as he recalled the event.
"You were kidnapped," he said firstly. "And Tails and I went to the base and-"
He stopped himself there when the name of his little brother passed his lips. Sonic blinked, looked around the room momentarily, though the fox was nowhere to be seen. He stared at the wall, knowing well when he'd been knocked out the robot hadn't been defeated yet.
"Where's Tails?" He asked immediately, turning to look at Amy, "is he okay?"
"Relax," she smiled as she leaned forward a little in her seat. "He's fine. He went to talk to one of the doctor's and should be back soon."
Her words quelled Sonic's worries, making him sigh them out. He leaned his head back against the pillow and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"That's good," he commented, letting his hand fall and looked at his bandaged arm peculiarly. "I know we went in there and fought Eggman. But what happened after I was knocked out?"
At first, Amy merely blinked from his question as if she tried to figure out what she was going to say. When another moment passed, she shook her head.
"He saved me," she began, blinked, and looked at Sonic. "When you went unconscious, I didn't know you were alive. From where I was standing it seemed like you were-"
Amy paused, the word alone making her sigh and swallow something in her throat.
"Anyway," she mumbled. "Tails he – he turned to Eggman, and said he was going to beat him and then attacked."
Sonic could see the surprise etched on her face as a smile came to her lips.
"He was amazing. He spin dashed into the robot, avoided the ice and attacked like I've never seen him before. He was everywhere, flying through the room and couldn't be hit. He destroyed the robot. Eggman flew away after that," she said, the explanation alone making Sonic smile as she told the story.
"He rescued me. But he seemed badly hurt," the smile disappeared from the notion, making Amy look at him and quickly continued. "But he fought through it. We took you to Station Square and he was looked at as well. You've been sleeping for two days."
It explained the worry she had shown, as he'd never been knocked out for that long before. He shook his head from that fact, being glad he'd woken up again instead. Nevertheless, he chuckled from the explanation Amy had shared.
"I knew he could do it," he smiled, being glad his little brother was safe.
He knew the fox was a great fighter, he was determined and stubborn, something he could thank himself for teaching him. He was organized and was amazing on rescue missions. He knew how to keep others and himself safe in burned buildings, collapsed skyscrapers and badnik infested villages. He didn't need to be looked over his shoulder constantly. Rather it was the sidekick who told the hedgehog to be careful. He knew what he was doing.
"I don't know Sonic," the hedgehog turned his head to look at Amy again, trying to ignore his pounding headache. She was looking at her lap as she seemingly shook her head at herself.
"When I first met him and saw him hiding around your legs, I admit I ignored him. I thought he was just some kid you felt sorry for and let him follow you around," she explained, biting her lip, seemingly feeling guilty about that thought.
Though when she looked up, her smile was genuine.
"But seeing what he is now, seeing what he's growing up to be. He's amazing, Sonic. What happened during the war worried me. But he bounced back. But I wasn't ready for how much he could do. He was a hero," she admired, her smile widening a little.
The male hedgehog could only copy it as he chuckled and left his hand on his stomach.
"He's always been a hero Ames," he smiled, turning his head, and leaned against the pillow when it started hurting again. He shook his head gently, "he doesn't need me. He can save the world no problem."
He knew what Tails had suffered through in the six months he'd been gone. He had been the one to help him back up and out of a spiraled mind of self-loathing thoughts. It had been a tough fight.
Though, now he was standing on his own two legs again and was able to do what he'd always been doing. And even better.
He flicked his ears when he could hear Amy laughing.
"You need each other more than you might think," he turned his head bemused toward her, though his female friend only smiled.
He opened his mouth to ask what she meant when the door opened again.
He looked at it, a smile coming to his lips when he saw the person they'd been talking about for a few minutes, standing there.
His form was familiar in the doorway, two tails moving calmly behind him as he stood still. Blue eyes stared wide at him. They blinked in confusion as if he was looking at a ghost.
It only seemed to last for a second, when he smiled, his eyes glinting with utmost relief.
"Sonic!" Was the only name, which was yelled as the fox ran toward him.
The hedgehog reached out his arm and leaned forward when Tails hugged him tightly. Sonic pushed him close with one arm, as he was reassured his friend could stand and could run. He had come out of the situation almost unscathed. It made him sigh in relief.
It took another moment before the fox pulled back; relieved tears showed in his eyes as he smiled at the hedgehog.
"How're you? How's your head feeling?" He asked excitedly, making Amy giggle to herself, the fox's behind appendages moving in quick excited strides.
The hedgehog chuckled from the enthusiasm as well as he glanced at the dark blue splint around the fox's right wrist.
"Like I've been shoved into a grinder and back out again," he explained, making the fox chuckle, wiping a hand over his eyes. The smile was still there as he shook his head subtly.
"It wouldn't be far from the truth," he said, his behind appendages showcasing the relief, his entire body radiating joy.
It only made the hedgehog smile, opened his mouth to say something when he saw Amy still sitting in the chair. He closed it again, felt bashful as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hey Ames? Do you mind if... uh-"
"Don't worry Sonic. I can take a hint," She smiled as she got up. It made Tails look at her as well as she smiled at them both. She walked toward the door, though stopped in her tracks.
"Oh Tails," she remembered as she twisted and looked at the fox, "Cream is coming over for dinner tonight. Do you want to join us?"
The fox was quick to nod a she sat down where she had been moments ago.
"That sounds great. See you at 6?" He asked, making her nod, as she turned to leave the room again.
"Bye Sonic! I'll see you soon," she departed and smiled at the blue hedgehog. Said hedgehog waved at her as she opened the door and left.
As it closed again, the hedgehog let a sigh pass his lips and looked at the ceiling momentarily. His head was pounding again, painful surges going through his skull with every minute.
"Does your head hurt?" He slowly turned to look at Tails who had asked. He looked mildly worried at the hedgehog.
The big brother let his eyes rest on the younger for a moment as he was seeing black rings under his eyes, presumably being mostly awake. The splint was supporting his wrist while he could see tufts of fur were missing on arms and legs, healing abrasions being visible. He was smiling though, the worried look in his eye being caused by the hedgehog.
"Yeah," Sonic therefore answered truthfully, conjuring a smile as well.
"But I'll be fine," the hedgehog reassured, reaching out his hand to the fox.
Tails smiled and took it and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I know. The doctors told me," he explained, giving away he trusted their word more than Sonic's. Which was probably a good thing.
"They went nuts over you. You have this giant bruise on your head, you know? And they were sure you had a monster concussion and massive brain bleeds and were on the edge of dying. But you were taken to a CT scan, they couldn't find anything, and did a spinal tap as well but there's nothing there," the fox explained enthusiastically, being happy about that fact. The hedgehog scrunched his brow in confusion instead.
"A what now?" He asked, gaining Tails' attention, his large fox ears flicking.
"A spinal tap. It's when they stick a large needle into your back to tap out some spinal fluids to check signs of infection, virus, or potential strokes in your brain. It was quite a large needle, I was there when they did it," he explained, making the hedgehog shiver. The thought of having a needle stabbed into his back wasn't a comfortable thought.
"I'm glad I was knocked out," he said, making the sidekick chuckle. Sonic shook the feeling off him, and squeezed Tails' hand back instead, as he looked at the fox.
"But other than that, you were mostly fine. You were freezing like crazy and had some pretty nasty bruises from sliding on the floor a lot, but we just needed you to wake up," Tails elaborated as he shrugged his shoulders, trying to take the wait casually.
Sonic knew the opposite was the case, as he could feel the fox squeezing his hand harder. His smile was one of relief. The hedgehog shifted a bit in the bed, his head protesting with the movement, though ignored it and turned to look at his sidekick.
"I had to wake up sometime, right?" He asked, smiling at the little brother. "How're you doing though?"
Tails hadn't expected the question as he blinked confused as if he was unsure on what to answer. He rubbed the back of his neck in response.
"I'm fine. I got this splint on my wrist because I sprained it pretty badly. I was freezing though when Amy and I arrived, I was sure my tails were gonna fall off," he giggled seemingly only himself, "my foot was hurting too but it wasn't as badly sprained so I'm doing well now. I've just been at the hospital waiting for you."
Said hedgehog nodded to the explanation as he glanced down to look at the mentioned foot though it wasn't bandaged. The thought made his attention turn to his own foot, as it was pounding painfully.
"Mine's hurting."
"It is?" Tails asked, making the hedgehog twist his right foot in the wrong direction, his shoes having been taken off at one point. He hissed sharply when pain shot through his leg.
"I'll get the doctor to check on you."
"In a moment bud," Sonic interrupted, when the fox turned to move.
As he squeezed his hand again, it made the little brother stop and look back at him. The hedgehog smiled, unsure on where to begin.
"Listen… Amy told me what you did after I was knocked out," he said.
Tails blinked firstly from the sentence as he slowly turned back to Sonic. As if he hadn't remembered the event, he merely looked at the patient for a moment. He eventually scratched the back of his head.
"It was nothing," he mumbled, looking bashful and slightly embarrassed. Sonic blinked confused from the reaction and shook the hand he was holding.
"Don't shoot yourself so low," he immediately said, making the sidekick look at him.
From the still bemused expression, the hedgehog made sure to smile warmly. He shifted a bit on the bed.
"She told me you were amazing. Annoying Egghead and beating the bot. That's awesome dude," he praised, making sure the fox knew he meant his words.
He looked mildly surprised at Sonic's words. Yet, he relaxed against the chair. He smiled as well.
"It wasn't much. I just figured out its weak points and made Eggman frustrated. It was the only way to defeat him," he said while shrugging his shoulders, taking it nonchalantly again.
The hedgehog wasn't going to let him as he shook his head.
"And you thought of that," he said, blue eyes blinking at him. "I knew you could do it. You've always been able to do it. Heck, you're rescuing me more than I'm rescuing you. I would've been gone if it weren't for you."
He paused for a moment as he stared at his lap.
"What I'm saying bro is-" he stopped again. He knew Tails' eyes were glued to him as he was figuring out what to say.
When he found the right set of words, he smiled, and looked back.
"Thanks. You did awesome," he said as reached forward and gently cuffed the fox on his chin.
Tails smiled from the notion, a genuine warm smile the hedgehog had seen on many occasions before. It was one which proved the fox was proud of himself. He felt confident and assured of himself.
He wasn't the fox he'd once been – he'd risen and become someone he'd always wanted to be. And then some. He was a hero and had been the one to save all of them.
That realization seemed to hit Tails as well, as the fox got up again and leaned forward for a second hug.
Sonic accepted it as he slung his arm around his shoulders again, felt as the fox squeezing him in appreciation.
"You're welcome, Sonic. And thank you," he said muffled, his head hiding in the crook of his neck.
The hedgehog hummed in response, moving his hand up and down his back, making sure the fox knew he meant every single word. He had a feeling Tails knew.
"But hey," Sonic said as the fox pulled back, a warm and genuine smile on his lips. "How about you tell me what happened? Amy wasn't great at giving me all the awesome details."
Tails beamed from the question and said something about he didn't know where to start though explained how he saw the hedgehog getting squished by the Egg Dragoon.
He told the story, elaborated, and made wild arm movements, jumped, and told what had happened between him and Eggman. And as he got further and further in his tale, the hedgehog could see him shine, his eyes glinting as he was proud of himself.
His body was screaming with confidence, getting taller as he explained how he had avoided the drill and the barrel, how he had saved Amy and gotten the hedgehog into the hospital.
Sonic had remembered how they'd started in the base, having had to shove the fox out of the way from an attack, and had watched him in the corner of his eyes whilst having fought the robot. However, when the supposed hero of Mobius disappeared out of the picture, Tails had proved to himself how much he could do on his own.
How he had saved the day, how he had come back and become stronger than ever.
Confident, determined.
Something Sonic knew he would remember for a long time.