In the world of Mobius, a child-like fox with twin tails, naturally nicknamed Tails, was happily walking down a path through the forest. He was visiting his best friend, who he hadn't seen in some time due to having a lot of work to do in the city. Now that the fox was free, maybe he and his friend could do some fishing at the lake.

He arrived at a literal tree house, with windows and a door embedded into the fresh pine. He stepped inside and looked around the finely carved interior, and the first thing he noted was that it was...quiet. Far too quiet.

"Sonic?" Tails called out.

He wasn't in the living room, so Tails went up the ladder to a little panel at the top. He pushed it up to peek into Sonic's bedroom. No...he wasn't there. Was he on a morning run? With that thought, the fox decided to wait for him in the living room.

It was there that he saw another visitor. A little black robot wearing a jetpack, and a belt with the letter M printed on the front. However, the strangest thing was that he was holding a little TV. But for Tails, or any resident of Mobius, this was rather normal.

"Bokkun, you have a message for Sonic?" Tails asked.

"Nope!" Bokkun said with a smile. "Sonic has a message for you!"

He turned on the TV, and Tails watched the message his friend left. A minute later, he was screaming in panic and running out of the house, dragging Bokkun and the TV with him.

"This is bad!" The fox shouted. "We have to get Knuckles, now!"

"Hey, that's where I was going too!" Bokkun remarked, still looking happy.

...

On the tiny airborne land of Angel Island, Knuckles the Echidna was laying on the steps beneath the Master Emerald. It was just another quiet day for him, and he was enjoying it...until he was bothered by a certain fox landing nearby. With a sigh, Knuckles got up and walked over to him. He raised an eyebrow upon seeing Bokkun.

"Tails, what's going on now?" He said gruffly. "Why is Bokkun here?"

"I have an important message for you!" Bokkun said in sing-song.

He played the TV, and Knuckles watched the message Sonic left. Once it was over, the echidna clenched his fists and punched a hole into the ground below him.

"Damn that hedgehog!" He shouted angrily. "Didn't even think of bringing us!"

"Oh...Amy and Sally are going to be so mad when they hear this!" Tails said in worry.

"Why do you think he told us to not tell them? Hmph, let's just get the Tornado and get out of-"

At that moment, the boys froze as a certain lovestruck girl shouted at them.

"Excuse me!? Where is Sonic!?"

They turned their heads to see a little pink hedgehog, who was normally quite cute. But right now, she was quite scary as she had a pure red aura of anger around her.

Even Bokkun looked disturbed, and he slowly drifted away with the TV.

"Well...my job is done, so I'll be-"

He was cut off when Amy suddenly darted forward and grabbed him by the jetpack.

"What...was...the message?" She said threateningly, with blazing eyes.

"We're doomed..." Tails whimpered, hiding behind Knuckles.

…...

Ray couldn't have been more glad for school to be over for the day. His homeroom teacher had snapped at him for being late. Then the algebra teacher had berated him for getting his equations wrong. It wasn't his fault that he didn't understand how they worked, she never explained it!

Yet Gwen, his best friend, had gotten all the praise for getting them right on the first try. It was practically sorcery, how she just understood polynomials, power signs, and all that crap that nobody else had use for. And as Ray left school with her, she was being quite smug about it.

"How does it feel to have another F in algebra?" She said with a giggle. "You know, if you actually paid attention to the presentations, you wouldn't be so lost."

"I did watch the presentation!" Ray complained, throwing his hands up. "I still didn't get it!"

"Then you are just lazy, all there is too it. I mean, you can't even get yourself out of bed on time! Heck, look at your hair, you didn't even bother to comb it!"

Gwen stood on her tiptoes and started ruffling his bedhead. He scoffed and tried to grab her hands.

"Hey hey, you're making it worse!" He protested.

She evaded his attempts to stop her, giggling as she did so. She gave him that teasing smile that a bit annoying, yet also endearing. Eventually, Ray snickered and joined in on the merriment. They continued this little scuffle until he finally got a hold of her wrists, then he pulled her into a bear hug.

"Gotcha now!" He said triumphantly, pulling her with him down the street

"Kiyah!" Gwen playfully yelped, wiggling in his arms. "Where are you taking me?"

Ray already had the answer to that. Their usual spot that they hung out at. He let Gwen out of his arms, but still held her hand.

"How about we go up top?" He said with a smirk.

She gave him a coy look. "Diamondhead Tower, hm? Oh, how romantic."

His cheeks burned, but he shook it off. He knew Gwen long enough to know that she was just playing. Though...there was always that part of him that hoped she wasn't. Still, he rolled his eyes as he spoke in a flat tone.

"Yeah yeah, whatever. Let's grab some snacks and go up there."

...

Diamondhead Tower, Dawnshine City's tallest building. A skyscraper that stood proudly at the center of the city. Whenever Ray looked down at those small, uniformly built buildings at the ground, he couldn't help but feel like this skyscraper was so...different from everything else. The wind seemed to hit him more often, and he could almost reach the clouds above him. Being up here made his heart beat faster, and even moreso with Gwen beside him.

They were sitting down and playing cards, while eating pretzels and drinking soda pop. Ray sighed as once again she laid down a full house and beat him. He had no idea how she did.

"This is unfair." He stated, gathering the cards and shuffling them.

"Maybe if you counted your cards, you'd have a chance." She said with a smirk.

"Isn't that illegal?"

After dealing out the hands, another game started. As she set a card down, Gwen spoke again in a more serious tone.

"Summer vacation is starting soon. I hope you know what job you're getting. You can't be a lazy bum, you know that?"

Ray sighed in frustration, dreading the boredom that was to come. He never really liked summer vacation, or any vacation really. That was because there was nothing for him to get excited over. Well, besides the occasional trip to the beach. And visits from Gwen...or to her.

In understanding, Gwen softened and gave Ray that teasing smile of hers.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to visit every day. I'll also invite you to the beach whenever I go with my dad."

Ray shook his head, trying to save face. He didn't want to embarrass her, or himself, with the notion that he couldn't stand a some time away from her.

"Thanks...But I think I'll be fine." He said as he placed a card.

"Oh come on, you're like a lost puppy without me." She teased, placing her own. "Besides, I promised your mom I would watch over you for the rest of your life."

At that moment, Ray was sipping his soda. So when Gwen said that, he nearly spit it out in surprise. After managing to swallow, he coughed as he responded to her.

"W-what do you mean by that!?"

"Exactly what I said. I went right up to your mom and told her that I wouldn't leave you alone, until one of us dies."

"Why are you making it sound like a marriage proposal!?"

"Hm...I guess when you put it like that, it does sound like one. Does that sound bad to you?"

Ray blushed as he stared at the silver-haired girl before him, and she stared back with dazzling emerald eyes and that teasing smile.

He thought about when they first met, about five years ago. Gwen was the newly adopted daughter of the city's mayor, and he had held a parade to celebrate the occasion. It was the first time Ray had felt any true excitement in his life, and the first time he had become attached to someone his own age.

They were only eleven back then, but when their eyes met on the streets...it was if Ray had seen a brighter future ahead of him. From that day forward, he figured life would be exciting as long as she was there with him. Of course, he quickly figured out that she could be very annoying...but he kinda liked it when she teased him.

Did a marriage proposal from Gwen sound bad? If Ray was being honest...

"It...doesn't sound bad at all." He muttered. "Actually...I would like to marry you."

Gwen dropped her cards, now sporting an unusual look of surprise.

"Wait...are you serious?" She asked.

"Y-yes, I'm serious! I mean, I like you! There, I said it!"

Ray could feel his blood pumping, spurring him to admit to everything he had been thinking about for a while. He got up and walked to the fence that blocked off the edge of the roof. He looked down at dull city below, then at the pier at the far end.

"Gwen, I don't want to be stuck here in this boring city." He said determinedly. "I want to see what other worlds there are. I want to explore the galaxy! And I want to do it with you!"

Gwen blinked for a bit, then let out a giggle and got on her feet.

"What the heck are you talking about?" She said, walking over to him. "Other worlds? Did you drink too much soda?"

"I'm being serious, Gwen. There's something more out there than just stars, and I want to see it. And I'm going to take you with me."

"You make it sound like you're going to elope with me."

Ray put an arm around her waist and held one of her hands, pulling her close and looking straight into her eyes.

"Yeah, I'll elope with you." He said seriously. "Tonight, I'll go to your house and take you to the pier. Then, we'll take a boat and ride out into the ocean. We'll explore beyond this world, together."

Gwen looked down, now taking on a more thoughtful air.

"I'll be honest, I've always wondered if there could be more life out there than just us. I mean, humans can't be the only forms of life to exist, right? Plus...I never really felt right, living in this city. It's like I belong somewhere else, you know? Or maybe I just belong with you..."

She looked back up with Ray's favorite smile, and cupped his cheek with her free hand.

"Alright lover boy, if this isn't a joke, come to my house and steal me away. I'll be waiting."

"You can count on it." Ray said with a smirk. "I'll take you beyond the sea. Nothing is going to stop me, I swear it."

And to seal that, he kissed her. It felt...warm, and soft. She tasted sweet too. He could feel a bond between them, something that could never be broken. It made him all the more determined to see this through.

….

Back in the world of Mobius, a chipmunk girl by the name of Sally Acorn was standing at the window of her office, looking down at the prosperous city she governed. There was a lot going through her mind, all centered on a certain hedgehog and his sudden absence. She wanted to believe that he wouldn't have left like this...but it was him, after all. Only Sonic would up and leave to do something so important.

Even then, she had to replay his message three times before finally accepting it…Or maybe because she just wanted to hear him once more, as who knew when he would be back? Not if, just when. The image of him smiling and waving through the screen would probably be the last memory of him for a long time.

"Heya Tails and Knuckles! Sorry to leave like this, but this is very important! Ever been keeping an eye on the stars lately? Well, some of them just vanished all of a sudden. You know as well as I do what the stars actually are. If worlds are disappearing, that's very bad. That's why I'm heading out to get to the bottom of it! This isn't something I can do alone though. You two need to find the one who wields the Royal Key, that's the only thing that can put a stop to this. Best for you to start in the Safe Zone, since that's where all sorts of wayfarers end up."

Then there was his final comment that really ticked the girls off…and made Amy kick Bokkun out of the room.

"By the way, DON'T tell Amy and Sally! You know how they get when I do things like this. Especially Amy...I don't want her chasing after me again. Well, that's all, so see ya way later!"

Sally shook her head and sighed, turning towards Tails and Knuckles as she got out of memory lane. Now onto the important matter at hand…

"So the worlds are in danger, and Sonic has left to save them." She summarized, taking a calm attitude. "He also wants you to find this Royal Key. Do you know what that is?"

"I think he mentioned it before." Tails recalled, cupping his chin. "It was...something a king wielded. A Keyblade above all the others. His master told him all about it. But...nobody has seen it since...well, ages."

"Well if Sonic thinks it's out there, we have to find it." Knuckles said, pounding his palm. "Sally, we have to go now, I'm sure you understand that."

The chipmunk nodded. "I do. Make sure you get Sonic back in one piece, alright? We can't lose our greatest friend and hero."

"Let me go too!" Amy demanded, taking out her hammer. "I'm not going to let Sonic fight out there without me! What kind of girlfriend would I be if I left my man alone!?"

Sally shook her head and went over to the pink hedgehog, placing a hand on her shoulder. Honestly, Sally shared similar sentiments, but...there was a duty to Mobius they needed to uphold. So she spoke in a soothing tone.

"I understand what you're feeling, Amy. But if something happens here, we need all the able fighters we can get. With Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles gone, you're our primary fighter now."

Of course, she would need to sweeten the deal.

"Besides, I'm sure Sonic would be proud of you for bravely defending Mobius in his stead."

Just like that, Amy's demeanor became more wistful, and she lowered her hammer as she got into daydream mode.

"Sonic...proud of me…"

Then she grinned and winked at the boys, holding up a peace sign.

"You can count on me to hold the fort! Good luck out there guys! Oh, please get Sonic home ASAP!"

Tails sweatdropped. "Thanks Amy...and we'll try."

Knuckles crossed his arms. "Since that's settled, can we finally get the Tornado and head out?"

"Go ahead." Sally said with a smile. "I, and everyone in Mobius, wish you both and Sonic luck."

The boys smiled and nodded, then Knuckles sprinted out of the room. Tails gave one last wave before using his trademark tails to dash after him.

Tails's workshop didn't look much at first glance. To an unassuming eye, it was just a small room with some tools and the like littering a table. But when he pressed a button hidden in the corner, he revealed the secrets within.

A winding staircase opened in the floor, leading to the elaborate underground room where he based his true workshop. In here, he had every tool he ever needed to work on a project or make repairs on big machines. He even had his own home-built computer that was frequently kept up to date

Of course, he wasn't the only one who kept this all in order. That was impossible even for him. He had an apprentice to help him, a little rabbit girl named Cream, who was currently sweeping the floor. Her tiny Chao partner Cheese was floating around, dusting here and there.

Cream looked to Tails and Knuckles as they walked in, and gave them a cheery smile.

"Hello, you two!" She greeted. "Tails, I have everything taken care of, so there's no need to do any upkeep today!"

Tails looked a bit guilty. "About that...you're going to be running the place alone for a while. Knuckles and I are going on a journey, and I don't know when we'll be back."

Cream tilted her head. "Oh, does this have to do with Sonic? Earlier he just hopped into the Tornado and took off."

"He took the Tornado? At least we still have the Cyclone to use…Well, I'm counting on you to keep the workshop in order while I'm gone. I also want you to be our mission control, if that's alright."

"You got it! I won't let you down, I promise!"

Tails smiled and gave her a pat on the head, which made her blush a little, then he walked to a little touchscreen by a metal floor near a tunnel in the cave. After typing in some things, the floor opened up, allowing the Cyclone to rise and face the tunnel.

Originally only a vehicle that seated himself, Tails made adjustments to allow the transport of three people. For emergency space travel, he even had a retractable plexi-glass dome for the cockpit. Similar adjustments had been made for the Tornado...which Sonic had decided to take.

Tails hovered over to the cockpit and took the pilot's seat, while Knuckles glided to a chair behind him. After putting up the dome, Tails revved up the Cyclone for take-off. Meanwhile, Cream skipped over to the control center and put on a headset. After tapping a few buttons, her face came up on a screen in front of Tails.

"All systems are running smoothly!" She announced. "Take off in 5...4...3...2...1…"

Then at zero, the Cyclone blasted off into the tunnel. It sped through glowing rings, which served as a guide through the darkness. Within a minute, there was a light at the end, then the plane emerged from a cliff overlooking the sea.

Tails pulled upward, directing the plane towards the sky. Then he pushed the hyperdrive button, causing the Cyclone to glow and rumble. After a few seconds, it became a blue streak as it shot up into the stratosphere and beyond, leaving behind a twinkle as it left the world.