Ray and Barby ran over to him "Dude, are you alright, what happened?" "I had a fight with Monkey Khan and I won. Look, I stole his staff". Ray took it completely mesmerised "WHAT!?" "I was flying and then I went through this massive mirror thing, and then…". Barby stopped him "Where is he?" "He's trapped but I'm not sure for how long" "You could have just left us to die. Why didn't you?" Gold Scourge asked. Before Tails could answer "Cause that's not who he is" Barby said. Tails smiled at her support before turning to the cells "Look, I think I can help you guys. If I can fix what happened to you, then when you go back, things will be different, and you might not get killed". Infinite stepped forward "What do you mean by fix us?" "Our technology and magic are incredibly advanced" "I can help you. My universe is advanced as well" Scourge said. Eclipse looked sceptical "There is nothing you could do to help me, boy". Ixis also looked apprehensive "I don't require aid. All I wish is to return to my planet" "That's fine. Once I'm done with these guys I can just send you back easily". Ixis considered "Very well. Miles Prower". Tails looked to the others "I can't promise you guys anything, but at least this way you actually get to go home and have a chance. A second chance. Isn't that worth trying". Gold Scourge clenched his fists "I've recently learned that change has consequences" "Well, you don't have to come. But if you stay here, you'll have to deal with the wizard".
Infinite crossed his arms "Ah, so we go along or die. Not much of a choice, is it. What is your plan?". Tails hadn't thought that through yet "I… have it all under control". He moved back and spoke to his friend "What're we gonna do about this thing?" "We need somewhere safe for it, right?" "Yeah. So, you gotta take it". Barby didn't look confident with that, "If something bad happens, you just push this and then it's over" "We're not gonna leave you" "You can't come. It's too dangerous. You guys have done enough". Ray shook his head "We're in this together" "I know we're in this together, Ray, but I can't do this if you're in danger. Okay? So, for me, Barby, please just take this". Barby apprehensively took the cube "Fine. But Tails, I swear if I don't hear from you, I'm pressing the button. Okay, I will" "Sure. Thank you". She turned to the villains "I will do it!" "Yes, we believe you… you little brat" Infinite said under his breath. Gold Scourge shook his head "No way that's his girlfriend. No way". Tails gave Ray their handshake "Okay. See you later" "Be safe". When they finished the handshake there was a spark between their hands. Ray glanced at the staff he was holding "Wow" he snapped out of it and ran out. Barby and Tails kissed "Be careful, okay?" "Yeah, you too". Tails turned back to the cells "So… who's coming with me?". Infinite shrugged "I'll do it. But when this goes wrong, little fox. I'm going to crush you underfoot".
Antione's apartment door opened, and Tails let them in. He used his remote to force Eclipse to walk despite his resistance. Bunnie then passed a confused Tails "Where's Gold Scourge?" "He had to stay in the truck. The lift won't carry him, and we can't risk the stairs". Tails nodded and closed the door "Hey, Bunnie" "Yeah?" "I feel bad using Ant's place like this". Bunnie shook her head "No, no. He'll get over it. He loves us being here. He told me las-yesterday" she quickly walked away. Ixis rested on the couch but he blew off paper on the table "Apologies". Eclipse was standing frozen in the middle of the room not looking confident on their chances. Scourge was being amused by the primitive robotics of Dummy. Tails walked past Eclipse and patted his shoulder "You're up first, Shads". Tails went to the other room and opened up the Hedgehog Industries fabricator. Infinite and Scourge walked in "What is that?" "It's a fabricator. It can analyse, design and construct basically anything". Tails then opened a bag and poured out a few magical artifacts and a book. Infinite eyed the book with a fascinated look. The fabricator suddenly opened and broke through the wall which Eclipse noticed "So this is how it ends" he thought to himself
Tails and Scourge were now working together "So, how do you plan on helping Eclipse" "First I'm gonna repair his suit so he can breath properly. And then...". Tails took out a familiar stone "With this. I saw Khan use it before. It lets you look into people's minds and transfer information" "For what purpose?" "Ixis has a strong connection to this Force thing that covers your universe. He can see everything. I can read his mind and see what happens to Eclipse and show that to him". Scourge looked sceptical "You think that will convince him?" "That's his choice. I'm giving him the chance". In the other room Bunnie poured herself a coffee and then walked over to Eclipse with a glass of water "Excuse me". Eclipse slowly turned his head, "Thirsty?" she holds up the glass. Eclipse just silently stares at her. Bunnie shrugged and drank it herself "Okay, more for me. Tell me if you change your mind". In the next room Infinite was staring out at the dark night of Station Square "Look at this place. All the possibilities" "In this house?" Ixis asked. Infinite rolled his eyes "Yes, the house. I love that. But this world. When I first got here, I thought the magic here was too restrictive. Too many rules. But it's scope. The magic here encapsulates multiple universes. I could do so much with that". He glanced at Ixis "So why did you come along" "I must return to my planet. I watch over it. But I can't go until he helps all of you. How did you become what you are?". Infinite shrugged "I wished a genie to make me a sorcerer and then a genie which resulted in me getting trapped in a Ruby. You?" "Millennia learning the Force". Infinite nodded "Huh. Magic. The Force. You have to be careful with this stuff. I've been meaning to ask, is there a Sonic in your universe?".
Ixis nodded "He will die in time in an inferno". Infinite chuckled "He's apparently dead here too. Good to know it's possible". Tails and Scourge were using the fabricator to rebuild part of Eclipse's mask. Scourge admired the machine "Fascinating. Not just the technology. You. When all this is over, we could use your help back in our universe". Tails stopped and grinned "It worked. That totally worked". He takes the mask part and ran out to Eclipse "Here". He threw it at Eclipse and it grew over the broken mask allowing Eclipse to breath properly but he still sounded in pain. "Ixis", Ixis came through. Tails took out the stone and approached him "Okay, just show me what I want to see" "Very well". Infinite saw the stone "Are you able to use that?" "This thing doesn't need practice. It's just natural apparently. At least that's what the book says". Tails extended out his empty hand and touched Ixis'. Tails' eyes opened wide and flashed red before he stumbled back rapidly breathing. Bunnie ran forward and helped him "You okay?" "Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine". He stared at Eclipse with great pity "I know exactly what to give him". Eclipse for once struggled "Stay out of my head!". Scourge smiled "Don't worry. He knows what he's doing". Tails got behind Eclipse and placed his palm on the top of his head "Stay calm" "Get away from me!". Tails closed his eyes, Eclipse suddenly stopped talking and his face scrunched in pain. He exhaled and both of them started muttering at the same time "Director Hamlin… Take her away… a presence I haven't… Not a Shinobi yet. I am your… Too late for me… Own eyes… Tell your sister". Tails removed his hand and backed away. Eclipse slowly lowered his head "I thought I had lost it all". Tails smiled and nodded to Bunnie, "Are you sure?" "Trust me". Bunnie pressed the button on the remote and released Eclipse allowing him to move. Ixis watched "Impressive". Eclipse slowly turned to Tails and held out his hand. The Rhythm badge started to faze out of his chest and hovered towards Tails who then absorbed it "Thank you. Truly" "You're welcome" Tails smiled.
Antione was in his car trying to call Tails but there was no answer "This is Tails. Leave a message" "Yes, Tails, zis is Antione. I accessed my doorbell camera. Is Eclipse ze Darkling, Scourge ze Hedgehog and Infinite ze Jackal there. I thought zey were dead. What is going on? Call me back!".
Tails walked back out of the kitchen holding a device. He spotted Eclipse sitting at a computer. He asked Tails earlier how to spell a list of names in this planet's language. Eclipse was using text to speech to read the stuff on the computer. Tails saw he had a tabs on different people including Silver the Hedgehog. He quickly moved on not wanting to intrude, he walked over and sat next to Infinite at the table "Okay, you ready?" "I'm Ecstatic" Infinite said not very convincingly. Tails took out a circular device with a rune in the center. He placed it onto Infinite's chest "Okay, the magic in you works like energy. something filled your body with more than it can normally hold so...". Infinite glared at him. Tails gulped "I don't know why I'm explaining magic to you. I'm gonna be back in a few minutes but just keep an eye on the lights. When they're all green the magic should dissipate". Infinite nodded "May I ask you something?" "Sure". Infinite pointed to the things on the table "Are these your toys?" "Uh, I gotta go. I'll be back". Tails ran off, Infinite looked down at the device as one of the lights went on "I don't like this" "Leave it alone" Ixis told him sternly.
Moritori and a news team arrived in a van. A mole ran up to them, "Well, where is he?" "He's inside" "And yet here we are, outside. Did you not hear me say don't lose him? I want incriminating footage of him. I already called Damage Control. They're on their way". Unbeknownst to them Gold Scourge heard them from inside the truck "Time to move".
Tails was reading through the book trying to find something that could reverse Gold Scourge's condition. It was difficult, whatever created this version of the metal virus seemed to use both magic and science to make it. As he searched he started to feel something. His senses where going crazy. Something was wrong. He stood up and looked around, "Tails? What's wrong" Scourge said concerned. Tails cautiously walked into the living room "Bunnie" "What is it?". Everyone watched him curiously. Scourge walked past Eclipse and headed to the window. Tails glanced at Infinite, "Why are you looking at me like that?". Tails closed his eyes to focus and then activated his arm cannon. He fired goo at Scourge's right arm sticking it to the wall. Scourge stared at it before slowly looking back grinning "Even without the Force, Apprentice, you are impressive".