Me: Oh boy I have this great idea for how to write the next chapter! Let me get right on that since I'm finally on break!
My laptop: Mmm but what if I just *breaks*
Me: :D

So yeah, sorry I just vanished for two months, but I'm back! And my longest chapter to date as well as an apology.

The seven Chaos Emeralds exploded with energy once all seven were combined, the air crackling, becoming charged once the machine fully powered up. Each gemstone glowing brightly in their respective colors. It reminded Miles of when he held the purple stone with his bare hands, except multiplied by a hundred now. It made his heart stutter, his sense sharpen for just a few moments. His fur seemed to be a few shades closer to yellow instead of orange, but it all faded a moment later. The emeralds calming down before all that was left was the humming of the machines around them getting to work.

Miles was holding onto Doctor Eggman's sleeve, his tails wrapped around the man's arm that was holding him up like a child. He was sitting in the crook of the Doctor's elbow, not weighing much to the human, probably to the point that he forgot Miles was even there. Neither seemed to realize their position at first, one could almost joke it was like how a father would hold up their son while they still could.

"This is it. Finally, my plans will become reality!" Eggman's voice snapped Miles out of his thoughts, making him look over to the Doctor in surprise. He could see the other's face clearly from this height, the sheer joy displayed in the others expression was infectious, making Miles smile as well. His grip loosening just slightly, "Just you wait, world! Soon everyone will know the name Doctor Ivo Robotnik!" The other threw his hands out, forgetting he was even holding the fox, and accidentally sent Miles flying.

The fox squealed as his grip slipped and he flailed for a moment, before twisting over and landing on all fours, fluffed out from the surprise.

"Oh-! Miles are you alright?" Eggman looked over in shock, having forgotten he had been holding the fox up.

"I-I'm fine! Just- just startled." Miles' voice was shaking as much as he was, the other standing up and balancing himself before shaking out his fur to get it to lie flat again. "I know you didn't mean it." He looked over, only to flinch back in surprise to see Eggman right in front of him "I-it's okay! Haha I'm not-" He was cut off by the other reaching out to him, making Miles' eyes close as he braced for anything.

What he didn't expect was a hand petting the fur between his ears. His eyes snapped open, yet he failed to move and just looked at the floor in disbelief. The only thing in his sight being the Doctor's shoes.

"D-doctor..?"

"Shhh, it's fine Miles. You have no need to be scared, I was the one that threw you after all."

It was silent between the duo, neither really having any idea what was happening right now.

'Why is the Doctor petting me-'

'Why on earth did I start petting this fur ball.'

Miles was silent for a few moments, before he perhaps started to enjoy the petting and pushed his head into the others' hand. Eggman watched in disbelief as Miles more or less started to actually enjoy this. It had mostly been a knee jerk reaction, the doctor being reminded of a startled cat when Miles had landed on all fours, fur fluffed up in surprise. He had meant to pull his hand away but now the kit seemed to be enjoying the petting and-

Okay no this was weird enough of this. Eggman pulled away from Miles, putting his hands behind him with a cough. Miles himself seemed to be disappointed the other pulled away, before pulling himself together and doing the same, holding one of his tails in embarrassment.

Eggman turned away from Miles, he was spending too much time around this fox and it was getting to his head "I will be continuing on with the plans. Miles you are free to do as you please for the rest of the day." Before he had even finished speaking Eggman had started to walk away from the fox, grumbling to himself about everything that had just happened.

Miles blinked in surprise, his tails and ears falling as the other left without him getting a chance to say anything. Oh he had messed up somehow hadn't he? The other mobians always called him weird- did he just show how weird he was to the doctor? Maybe humans didn't mean to give him affection like that. His thoughts raced through his mind, only pausing as he glanced backwards at the machine, the emeralds shining brightly as they kept the machine on.

He knew that those emeralds were powerful, after all he had kept the purple emerald close for a while now. Yet all seven together… That burst of energy was nothing like he had ever felt before. He wondered if anyone else had felt that as well.

It ended up being all that Miles could think about for the rest of the day. The doctor never called on him for help, Orbot was busy with other duties, and he had finished repairing the last robot he had been given. So he ended up just- lying down on the floor with the thought of that power surge he had felt. The chaos emeralds… he could always tell that the purple one was powerful, it had kept his energy rather high when he was on Cocoa island always running from things. It made sense that when all seven were together it would be… incredible.

Still- that feeling, it was as if he had been- invincible for those few moments. It was hard to push from his mind.

It stayed that way for the rest of the day, and the next… and two days later Miles had nothing to do and was going absolutely stir crazy inside his room. He was lying on his mess of a bed, the blanket on the floor and the sheets about to go join it. Miles was lying down, an arm over his head, watching the wall counting the screws in the metal plates for… the millionth time.

"UGH! I'm so BORED!" Eventually he broke the silence just to whine, rolling over and shoving his face into his pillow

"Ever since we powered up that machine with the emeralds, the Doctor hasn't needed me at all..." Miles whined thinking about it, once again, for the millionth time. He had the entire day free, but what did he do with it? Repair the robots? Maybe build an upgrade for T-pup? Honestly he had been doing those things for at least a month at this point! He honestly didn't really feel like working on something like that anymore, he wanted… to do something different. He let his mind wander for a few minutes, and eventually it settled on when he was back outside with Orbot.

He… missed that, he missed being in the forest now that he had been out there again. He knew what he wanted to do today.

He wanted to go outside.

Miles nodded to himself as he decided on what to do, grabbing a small red and yellow jacket he had been given by Orbot. He hurried off out of the large corridor and back into the main base. Doctor Eggman's lab was locked, and he was probably inside it, so Miles just hurried past back towards the hanger he remembered leaving from before. Coming to a fork in the path, Miles was trying to think what way he had gone earlier with Orbot before the sound of footsteps caught his ear. Turning around in confusion, he blinked at seeing T-pup up over to him and started barking.

"Ah- T-pup what are you doing here? I thought I left you to charge in my room." Miles bent down and picked the small robot up, the small bot just barked again at him, causing Miles to smile and continue walking with him. "Well, there's no problem with taking you along! We both know this island well enough don't we?"

He grinned as T-pup barked again and they continued to the hangar. It was just as huge as last time, offline badniks lining the walls as he slowly moved past them. Still just as amazed as last time he had been here, he hoped one day he could create robots like these, they all were so unique in their own ways.

Moving along the walkway, he found himself at the exit and was staring at the keypad, thinking back to how he saw Orbot type in the code those few days ago. Raising his hand, he hesitated for a moment before quickly typing in the code, grinning when he saw the light turn green. The hangar door slowly opened in response, but Miles had already slid between the crack as soon as it was big enough and bolted off excitedly with T-pup following close behind.

"I'll be back soon Doctor!" Miles called out as he vanished into the treeline, he just wanted to explore a little!

The forest seemed more empty than the last time he had been there, but Miles supposed that was expected. With all the robots that had shown up, the flickies had probably gotten startled and headed for the other side of the island for the time being. Not to mention the villagers never really liked going into the forest unless they were cutting down trees to expand the village.

Regardless, now wasn't the time to be technical, now was the time to have fun! Miles felt his walk turn into a jog, and the jog eventually turning into a run, and before he knew it he was flying through the forest, his tails spinning and keeping his feet just off the ground as he pushed himself forward, the adrenaline rush helping him go even faster.

Miles wasn't sure why he could do such strange things with his tails, honestly he didn't use them often because everyone that ever found out considered him a freak for it. But now that he was alone- it was a chance to enjoy being completely himself for just a few hours.

Eventually, Miles' adrenaline rush faded, and he began to slow down, trying to catch his breath as he eventually came to a full stop and stretched out. His ear swiveled around as he heard T-pup's own propeller move closer before the bot landed next to him, seeming just as content as he felt.

"Ahh I missed doing that! Is there really anything better than just running through the forest with the breeze rushing past you T-pup?" He grinned at the robot as he walked forward again, his arms rising up to cross behind his head. Hearing the robo dog bark, he laughed and closed his eyes feeling those tense emotions inside him slowly fade away from earlier. "I needed this way more than I realized."

He kept walking, glancing up for a moment to see the sunlight still shining through the trees. Orbot usually came to give him dinner at sunset, so he'd have to be back before then. That gave him- plenty of time but maybe around six hours? He could make do with that. Glancing around again, he realized the trees were fading out making him blink.

"Oh- we're close to the beach. I don't think I've ever run so far before- I guess having extra energy from eating every day pays off huh T-pup?" He grinned and hurried off once again towards the beach "Maybe I can find some sea shells for the doctor! I bet he's just as stressed out as I was!" Gifts made anyone feel better right? Then he'd just have to find the perfect gift for the doctor! He was sure the other would start letting him help out again if he managed to find something!

With that thought in mind, Miles rushed off the last bit of the way to the beach. He was just about to burst out of the treeline before he noticed something that made him dig his feet into the loose, sandy dirt. His arms swinging around as he nearly face planted from stopping so suddenly. Quickly righting himself, he ended up hiding behind a large bush as he looked out towards the beach in surprise. Was that-

"A plane…?" Miles muttered in confusion, it didn't look like anything he had seen the doctor build. It was bright red, sure, but usually the doctor put his own insignia on it. The plane just had the word TORNADO painted on it. "I don't think the doctor makes planes…"

It was suspicious, but also- Miles really wanted to get a closer look. He remembered reading a book about planes once. They could fly like he did! He had always wanted to see one up close- but he didn't know who's plane it was-

Still… it seemed empty…

Watching the plane for a few minutes in silence, Miles slowly stood up and made his way over to the plane. His ears swiveling all around him for any sign of noise, he had to be careful, getting in trouble was the last thing he wanted to do right now. Still, with no sign of anything or anyone being around, he moved up to the plane and started looking at it- from every angle he could get too.

The wings, the tires, propellers! It was a real plane! Oh he wanted to fly it around so badly! He was sure he could figure it out if he just had enough time to mess around with the controls! Miles found himself just placing his hands on the side of the plane as his eyes sparkled in wonder. Only glancing up to the cockpit after he had done a complete once over of the outside. Hesitating for a few moments, he jumped up with a grunt and managed to squirm his way into the seat. His eyes sparkling as he looked at all the gauges and levers he could touch.

Miles felt himself grin as he prepared to all but take apart this plane before a sound made him freeze.

A loud bang- boom? Whatever it was it had been loud, Miles' ears shot towards the noise as his head followed soon after. Something else on the beach? He stood up from the seat and squinted his eyes, trying to look around for whatever had made the noise.

He found it pretty quickly, considering he saw a giant dust trail being caused by something moving-

Something moving right towards him-?!

His fur exploded outwards as fear quickly overtook all of his curiosity about the plane. Something else was here, on the beach! Heading towards him! He only had the thought for a moment before he threw himself out of the plane and sprinted back into the treeline. His panic only growing as he heard something call out when he vanished.

"Hey!"

Oh god oh god-

Miles forced himself to go faster, panicking as he looked around trying to find places to hide. The voice only got closer much to his dismay.

"Kid, wait!"

He would not be waiting for anything thank you very much! He forced down his voice, knowing if he yelled it'd just be another way to find him. He made a hard left, knowing that it'd take him further away from the doctor's base, but the forest would be far thicker giving him a better chance of escaping- whoever this was. He used his tails to rush over the large roots and muddy areas, behind him he could hear the other person shouting in surprise- their voice getting further away. It was working!

"Don't run off- it's dangerous! KID!"

Like he would listen to that! So many people have never helped him when it was dangerous, only the doctor had! He didn't know who that person was- but he had no plans on finding out! Now he just had to go a bit further and him and T-pup-

"T-PUP!" Miles shoved his feet into the ground and slid to a stop, looking behind him in a panic. He had left him on the beach! He had to go back for him! "No no no no-" His ears shot straight up at the sound of footsteps, the other was still following after him too-!

He- what did he do?! Miles swallowed before sprinting off in a random direction away from the footsteps. No- he could figure this out! He just had to find an area that he could fly up in- then he'd be able to see the beach and could figure it out from there! Miles told himself that and kept running, unable to ignore the exhaustion that was getting worse the more he pushed himself, but he couldn't stop now! That other person could still catch him!

Miles slid into one of the larger clearings and took the risk, jumping into the air, he attempted to start flying before something flew past him, and a sensation of burning hit the side of his cheek. The surprise knocked him back down as he slammed onto the floor with a pained yelp, holding his face as he pushed himself up to try to see what attacked him.

He blinked in surprise and disbelief when he saw it was- one of the doctor's robots? He hadn't known they could attack anything- but why would it be attacking him?! The buzz bomber lined up for another shot as Miles yelped and covered his face from any type of attack, before the sound of crunching metal met his ears.

"Ah geez, I told you not to run off! Did that badnik end up hitting you?" The voice was right in front of him, and Miles just whimpered and curled up further. "Ah- no no hey it's okay! I- ah man… kid I'm not gonna hurt you or somethin! You're the first person I saw that wasn't…" The voice trailed off, unsure of how to continue their statement. Miles heard them shuffle in place before he risked taking a look at whoever was talking to him.

He saw someone crouching over him, looking- worried? It made him jump and throw himself back, his tails fluffed out in fear. The other person- mobian, putting their hands up in defense.

"Hey- It's okay. I won't do anything kid." The other stepped back, Miles watching suspiciously and scared as he looked over the other mobian. A blue hedgehog, not- something he usually saw, there was no way the other was from the island. Did they own that plane…? Miles watched the other, his ears falling back. The other mobian sighed, rubbing the back of his head as they tried to offer a hand again. "Hey uh- the name is Sonic! I'm sorry for scaring you, I really didn't mean to. You were just- running away from my plane so.." Sonic seemed to try to decide what else to say before the sound of rustling leaves stopped them both in their tracks.

Looking at the noise, both saw more badniks pouring out from the plants, all on the attack. Miles tensed up as Sonic just sighed and stood up.

"That Egghead never learns, hold on kid. I'll smash all these robots in a second flat!" Sonic grinned before he threw himself at the badniks, crushing all of them with ease.

While it may have been cool, Miles found himself watching onward with horror. His and the doctor's hard work getting destroyed in seconds! This guy- he'd destroy robots so easily- what if he destroyed T-Pup?! Miles would never forgive him if he had!

Taking the distraction, Miles let Sonic's attention focus solely on destroying robots before he ran off again. He just had to find T-Pup and get back to the base, then he'd be able to tell the doctor about what was happening! He just hoped Sonic would be distracted for long enough.. Why was he so fast?!

No. Miles didn't have time to think about that, he just had to keep moving, lose him and find T-Pup! And- if he had been destroyed- Miles would find all his parts and rebuild him no matter what! The only problem was that he had gotten turned around in the forest because of that Sonic guy! But he knew most of it, it was pretty much flat save for the occasional-

Miles' thoughts were cut off as the floor vanished from beneath his feet. His eyes widening as he pitched forward and started to fall face first down a-

"VALLEY-!"

His shout turned into a yelp as he fell down the sudden hill, he felt the earth he hit become loose, absolutely covering him in soil as he rolled down and eventually smacked into the bottom of the hill. Whimpering at the pain as he held his shoulder hissing at the feeling.

"Owowowow!" Miles rolled over onto his stomach as his tails curled up. More dirt fell on top of him, making him look like a giant mess to add insult to injury. He had to wait for a few moments for the angry throbbing in his arm to calm down before he could open his eyes and start looking around.

Much to his confusion- as he looked around more he realized that this valley- had no grass or plants inside it. It was large- but all the walls were dirt, loose dirt that was. Climbing up would have been impossible since so much fell off from just a touch. Pushing himself to his feet, he turned away from the wall he fell from to gasp in disbelief at seeing a building a few feet from him. It seemed… simple, but why was it down here? If someone fell in here there wasn't a way to get out was there?

Miles hesitated for a moment, he really shouldn't stay, if anything the doctor probably built it which meant he wasn't supposed to be messing with it. He had to go find T-pup anyway! Turning away from the building, he prepared to attempt to fly out of the area before the door of the building suddenly slammed open, making Miles jump with a screech. Spinning around in terror, Miles looked at who was in the doorway and felt his racing heart completely stop, before dropping into his stomach. His tails hid between his legs as he shrank down watching a large bear Mobian walk out of the building.

"M-Mayor Filbert…?" Miles' voice was tiny, shaky, the boy tried to become as small as possible as the large bear walked over to him. He didn't look happy and that just made Miles even more scared. Miles ended up stumbling back into the wall, whimpering as he covered his head. "I-I'm sorry-! I'm sorry I didn't know you were here! I'll leave I promise!"

"Quiet." The other Mobian's voice was harsh, making Miles go silent, he didn't look at the other, knowing it would just make him more upset. "You've been missing this entire time." The man didn't sound happy "We thought you had finally died."

Miles just swallowed, daring to look up to see the man glaring at him with disdain. "I-I hid…"

"You hid huh? Like a coward?" The others words were bitter, laced with a hatred that Miles didn't miss. His shoulders rose up to hide him even more, Miles couldn't find himself to say anything- he- he had been a coward when the doctor arrived on the island. Because he hadn't known- how nice he was. "Let me guess." The other started, stepping closer again

"You hid away, and when things died down you came out. Came to our village when it was empty, and instead of trying to help you steal from us instead?" The accusation made Miles' breath stop, looking up at the bear in disbelief

"W-what? No- I didn't steal-!" He was cut off by the other snarling, making him curl up even more as tears started to collect in Miles' eyes.

"LIAR! How else would you get a jacket and those goggles! Not to mention new gloves and shoes! How dare you take from us during such misfortune! We've been imprisoned and all you can do is steal from those who let you stay on our island?!" Mayor Filbert had started to yell, attracting more people from the inside of the prison. Adults, teenagers, even children coming out to see him yelling at Miles. The small kit having started to cry.

"I didn't! I didn't steal anything I was given these!"

"Who would give things to a monster like you?!" The mayor snarled at him, Miles in return just curling up and hiding him sobbing, repeating that he gave him these clothes.

Soon enough, Mayor Filbert had calmed down and just turned his back on Miles, looking disgusted.

"Lie all you want you freak, but we all know what you've chosen to do. You will get no mercy from us while you're here. Good Luck." He snapped walking through the crowd back to the prison. Miles couldn't find himself to look up, just hiding his head underneath his arms as people spat insults at him and headed back inside.

It had been so long since anyone had considered him a freak, Orbot nor Doctor Eggman ever said such hurtful things to him. They didn't care about his tails, they didn't accuse him of nasty things-

"D-doctor…" He whimpered as he heard the door slam shut one final time. He stayed where he was for a few moments before he realized he wasn't alone.

"So.. you've been stealing stuff huh freak?" A female voice rang out as Miles just curled up tighter, shaking his head.

"N-no! No, I didn't steal anything Jinnie! I didn't-" Miles didn't get to finish his sentence, instead his words turning into a yowl of pain as a foot suddenly slammed down on his arm.

"Don't talk back, freak! You can lie all you want but we know the truth! No one would ever give things to a mistake like you!" Jinnie, a wolf mobian, pulled her foot back onto to kick him in his side. Causing Miles to roll over and hug himself from the pain, she just rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers "Chris. Ken. Grab him. Looks like someone needs a reminder about where he belongs."

The two other mobians approached Miles when told, a bird and monkey both grinning at him knowing very well what would happen. Just like Miles did. He panicked, and tried to back up, hitting the wall as he turned to climb up it- anything, something to get away from the trio.

Instead, he was grabbed by his arms and dragged away from the wall. Forced to turn back to a sneering Jinnie.

"Trying to run huh? You wouldn't have gotten far anyways, no one can climb up those walls. They just collapse further every time." The wolf reached out and grabbed Miles by the fur on the top of his head, gripping it as he whimpered. She looked him over for a few moments, glaring. "Oi, he look bigger to you?" Her head moved to the bird. Ken, who paused and glanced over him as well.

"He does! Not so much of a stick anymore!"

"Now I wonder how that happened?" The monkey, Chris spoke up this time, as Jinnie just glared before grinning.

"Well obviously he was stealing food too! With everyone gone it was an all you can eat buffet huh freakshow?"

"No- No please I'm not a thief!" Miles looked up at Jinnie desperately, she had to believe him- he didn't steal anything!

"Yes you are! And a liar too!" Jinnie sneered, rearing her arm back before throwing a hard punch into Miles' stomach. All Miles could do was gasp and cough at the sudden pain in his stomach.

"A thief, a liar, and a freak! Three strikes and you're out! Come on guys, pin him down! Tails too!" At Jinnie's words, Miles panicked and tried to pull himself free from the others, fighting them as their grips increased on his arms. His fighting only came to a stop when their feet slammed down on his tails making him cry out in pain again.

Tears quickly welled up as Jinnie pulled her arm back again.

'Doctor- help me!'

The fist swung forward into his skull as white flashed, and all he could do was scream.

The other teens were ruthless, only stopping their assault after Miles had thrown up from all the hits to his stomach. After that they dropped him and finally let him collapse on the floor, curled up and coughing. He was a mess, and Miles knew that underneath his fur, his skin was going to be black and blue for days. He let out a broken sob as he curled up further as Jinnie rolled her eyes.

"God, you're pathetic. Now, you gonna tell us who you stole the jacket and goggles from?" Miles barely heard the question whimpering as he tried to curl up into a tiny ball.

"I…I didn't… steal.. It was a… a gift…"

"A gift?" Jinnie blinked before she started to laugh, Chris and Ken joining in soon after "A gift?! That was the worst lie you've told yet freak!" She snorted and crouched down, looking at him. "Why don't you just be honest once in your life. Tell us who you stole it from or else we'll beat you again."

Miles looked up at Jinnie, shaking as tears still fell from his eyes. He took in a breath and grit his teeth.

"It- it was a gift. I got it from the doctor! Cause- CAUSE THE DOCTOR CARES ABOUT ME!" Miles snapped at them, his voice raising louder than any of them had heard before. All three took a step back in surprise as Jinnie sneered, before something else cut her off.

"Why yes, I suppose I do Miles."

All four Mobians snapped over to the voice, one expression changing to hope and relief, while the other three morphed into pure terror.

"D-doctor Robotnik-!" Ken and Chris hid behind Jinnie, who looked rather scared herself. "Y-you're here-?!"

There before all of them, in his Eggmobile, Doctor Eggman sat, watching them all with a blank expression. He didn't say anything in response to Jinnie, instead pressing a button as alarms started to go off. The outside ring of the wall surrounding them becoming surrounded by badniks. The three mobians hugged each other tighter, all shaking in terror as the door opened and adults started to flood out of the building looking panicked.

"I'd stop if I were you." Eggman said looking over to the adults, who froze at the man speaking "You're all in quite a lot of trouble."

The mayor hurried forward at this, already sweating as he put his hands together.

"D-doctor Robotnik! To- to what honor do we owe you visiting us? We've all been behaving just as promised!"

"Have you now." Eggman hummed, looking back to the three teenagers "And what of this scene I stumbled across? Behaving is, beating a young child half to death?" His sight went down to Miles, who was watching him weakly before attempting to reach out for him.

"D…doctor…."

Jinnie snapped over to him when he spoke, a mixture of terror, realization and sheer rage.

"The person that gave you that stuff was Doctor Robotnik?!" Her voice was no louder than a hiss, but everyone hurt it. The adults went ashen at this, realizing what that could mean.

"I did! In fact give him those things. Why his goggles were my own pair when I was younger!" The eggmobile landed as Eggman stepped out of it, making all the mobians flinch back as he walked towards Miles watching him. "Though, I suppose giving him these things makes him a thief?"

The teens were silent, all watching in terror as Eggman knelt down and picked up the beaten fox kit. Miles himself hiding against the other shivering.

"I was going to do this grand reveal to you all, but I suppose this will just have to do." He turned around, glaring at them all.

"Meet Miles, my new protege."

The silence was deafening, as all of them realized what this meant. The one they hated, distrusted and hurt so much, had been picked up and taken in by the man who now held their lives in his hands.

"Doctor! We- The children had no idea! We would have never-!" Filbert tried to speak but Eggman simply cut him off, returning to his eggmobile

"No, I know you wouldn't have. But also, you did, not to mention even if he wasn't taken in by me. I simply despise those who let children be hurt." He sneered at the other man, who just went quiet and looked down at his feet. Eggman watched him for a moment, before looking at Miles.

"Miles." He started "You decide what we do with them."

"Huh..?"

"WHAT?!"

The uproar of everyone around made Miles jump, and Eggman glare at all of them. But he took a deep breath and looked back to the child in his arms.

"You choose what happens to them, you can forgive them, or I can punish them all for hurting you." Eggman looked down at the surprised fox, the other obviously taken aback by this.

Miles had never- been given such a choice. The right thing was to forgive them wasn't it? That's what he had always tried to do, forgive and forget and maybe one day they- they would come around. Even when they- they hurt him.

"I…" Miles stuttered, taking a moment to glance at the villagers. They looked scared. Were they scared because of him? Because for once he had the power of what happened next?

"You know Miles." Eggman started suddenly, having watched the others shifting expressions "You never have to forgive someone for hurting you. Even if they apologize, their actions are their own."

Their actions… Miles was silent, watching the doctor for a few moments. The villagers' actions… they always either hurt or humiliate him. The teenagers and kids bullied him, and the adults never… never helped him.

No one in this place cared about him…

Why did he have to care about them?

His grip increased on Eggman's jacket as he looked down, a shadow covering his eyes.

"They hurt me."

"Yes, they did Miles."

"...I want you to hurt them back."

The villagers gasped in shock and horror at this, Eggman only grinning as he moved back to his eggmobile with Miles in tow. Starting up the machine, it took to the sky once again as Eggman pressed another button.

"Well, you heard Miles, my creations. Hurt. Them. Back."

He laughed as the villagers started to scream, the eggmobile taking to the sky and out of the pit they were all trapped in. Miles was silent as he held onto Eggman, wondering when the other would yell at him as well.

"You're such a smart child Miles." Eggman said as they moved through the sky, making him glance over.

"Do you really think that doctor..?" Eggman glanced down at him and grinned

"Oh I know so, do you know why?"

"Why..?"

"Because you know that in this world? You either fight for what you want, or you let everyone beat you down." Eggman motioned to the island. "This whole island, these people, what did they do to you? They beat you, literally. And now look at you, you've finally chosen to fight back. How does it feel?"

The man goaded Miles' emotions forward, the fox having not truly thought about how he felt until now. Silently thinking before he looked forward at the main base that was coming into view.

He remembered how scared everyone looked, how they were shocked that he hadn't chosen to forgive them like all those other times. It made him feel…

"Good. It feels good."

Alright so, real talk for a moment. I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I meant to just take a week long break during my winter break, and my laptop just full on broke on me. Screen died and I had to wait until it was repaired to keep writing, but by then it was time to head back to school, so, yeah you see my issue?

But either way I am now back and plan to return to my mostly weekly update schedule!

Also I might- change the tags for this story, it's still gonna be humor I promise, but maybe drop the tag cause this ended up more serious than I meant it to get.

I'm on tumblr and Ao3 as well under LotusLucky! i'm always open to answering asks and just talkin to people on my Tumblr!

Thank you for reading, sorry again about the break.