Tails was sleeping in his cabin when "Miles" it was a woman's voice. Tails dreamt he was at the peak of a rock "Miles" "Mum? Mum, are you there?" "Miles. We're here" it was a man's voice now. Tails looked around "Dad? Where are you? I… I can't see you". There was a flash, and he was now in an Imperial cell "Mum? Dad?" "We're right here, Miles". He saw a small cheetah in front of him that growled. There was a flash and he now saw his parents in the cell. Then he was standing behind a rock looking up at a male rabbit wearing a brown vest and red tie. He had a brown stetson, a robotic right arm and held a cane on his left. The ground around Tails disappeared and he fell screaming. He eventually hit the floor of his room; the noise didn't seem to faze Tex who was still asleep. He headed towards the common room where he could hear Sally and Sonic "No, no. We've checked these systems. There's nothing close to a viable location for a base" "Maybe you're just being picky" "Maybe I have to be". Tails entered and saw them examining a hologram of the system "Sonic. Something's happened. I… I saw my parents. I had a vision that they're out there, and I've gotta find them" he turned very determined.
Sonic looked concerned "Calm down, Tails. You know visions inspired by the Force can be misinterpreted" "Start at the beginning and tell us exactly what you saw" Sally said sympathetically. Tails tried to get his head together "Ok. Right, um… Some kind of Imperial prison, I think. My parents were there and… and then there was this cheetah". Sonic was surprised "You've never wanted to talk about your parents" "That was before the vision. It was so real. You have to believe me". Sonic looked to Sally "I think it's time to show him" "Show me what?" Tails asked confused. Sally took them to her room "Remember when Scratch told you he knew what happened to your parents?" "Yeah. But I didn't want to hear what he had to say… I was afraid he'd tell me… Wait, did he tell you something?" he said hopefully. Sally nodded "We know they were taken to an Imperial prison. One of a thousand". She pressed a button on the wall and holograms of different planets appeared around the room. The hope in Tails' eyes left very quickly, he sighed "Where can we even start?". Sonic stepped forward "Scratch didn't know exactly where they were, but he had fragments of information which we've been trying to piece together". Sally nodded "We called in every favour with every smuggler, trader and pirate we know. Even asked Senator Wynmacher to inquire with his sources but we couldn't find them. I'm sorry". Tails had his back to them "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" "There was nothing to tell. Your parents were just gone" Sonic said thinking Tails was angry. Tails however turned around smiling "Thank you" the two smiled back at him.
Fiona and Sleuth were on the bridge of a Scarship when the Admiral, Naugus walked up to them "Drak is a major port and under our control. Surely our garrison there would have spotted Freedom Fighter activity" "You doubt my word, Admiral?" Sleuth said. The admiral shook his head "No, Inquisitor. I merely look to the day when you produce results", Fiona was amused by that. Infinite entered without his mask "And they have. I have independently confirmed the Inquisitors' theory. There is a Freedom Fighters presence on Drak. They use multiple spaceports to hide their ships. Quite clever". Fiona raised her eyebrow "You respect them even though they represent your constant failure?" "Perhaps, Inquisitor, we can achieve together what we have not apart. Admiral, deploy the fleet to Drak".
Tails was staring at the hologram of him with his parents "Mum, Dad, I will find you" "Tails!". Tails turned off the projector and ran to the common room where Sonic and Sally showed him a prisoners list "The Empire's deleted their names and images to keep them secret" Sonic said. "Where'd you get this?" Tails asked, "Commander Bristles. He knows of m interest in Imperial prisons. His contact in the core intercepted a report there was a massive last night" Sally said. Tails looked hopeful "That must be why I had the vision. My parents must have been part of it" "Possibly" Sonic said. Tails wanted to argue but part of him knew it was a longshot "Can we find them?" "I know an old Shinobi trick that might be able to help but… I guarantee anything". Tails nodded so Sonic continued "You have to open your mind to the truth as Force presents it. That can mean something good or something bad. Do you understand?" "Yes. I understand" Tails said calmly. Sonic nodded "Turn around and focus on the list". Tails does so, he closes his eyes and holds out his hand. The list begins changing to different prisoners. Sonic stood next to him "Don't see what you want to see. Let the Force be your guide. Stay in the moment, be in this place this time".
Tails focused and then "Stop!" Sally stopped the list and checked "Prisoner X-10. Whoever this is, they were arrested on Emerald Hill for treason. You might be onto something" "That still doesn't tell us where they are" Sonic said. Tails however understood the something "The cheetah. I kept seeing a cheetah in my vision. They're native to Emerald Hill. They must be there" he ran out of the room excitedly. Sally quickly followed him and saw him looking around my room "G-merl, if you took my lightsaber!". Sally sighed "We want you to find your parents, Tails but even if you're right, you can't go now. We need a plan. The entire Imperial sector fleet has the planet in a blockade". Wave then appeared "Um, not anymore. Been listening on Imperial chatter" "Wait. What's up on Emerald Hill?" Tails said suddenly stopping what he was doing. Wave continued "The Empire's fleet left Emerald Hill's orbit this morning" "Where to?" Sally asked. Tails shrugged "Doesn't matter. This is a sign. I'm supposed to go". He then kicked the crate in frustration "Where's my stupid lightsaber". Sonic then arrived "I know you have to go, but that doesn't mean you have to go alone" he then handed Tails his lightsaber. Sally smiled and stepped forward "We support you. We're family" "Speaking of family, where are the delinquents?" Wave asked. Sonic smirked "G-merl took Tails' lightsaber and is now hiding after hearing him yell".
They were now in the cockpit with Tex's voice coming over the commlink "Back to Emerald Hill? Well, that sounds like a terrible idea. Besides, we haven't finished getting our supplies". Sally shook her head "You can finish later. Just get back here now". Tails was in his chair trying to stay calm "Hurry!" he said. Sally ignored him "Not too fast, Tex. We don't want to alert any Imperial patrols" "Don't worry. Not a bucket head in sight. Haven't seen any all morning. It's a bit concerning". Wave eyes suddenly opened wide "It's not strange. It's strategy. The Empire always pulls back patrols before a major strike". They suddenly heard engines overhead and saw multiple Scarships descending towards the city "Well, Tails, if you want to go back to Emerald Hill now would be the time". Sally got on commlink "Tex, get back to the ship. I'll contact Commander Bristles. Hurry-" they suddenly heard static. Sally sighed in frustration "Wave, see if you can splice their jamming signal. We'll need our comm". Sonic and Tails ran out of the ship to get Tex. They ran across the bay tunnels until finding Tex in cover with a squad of troopers in front of him "Tex, head this way!" Sonic yelled. He and Tails gave Tex cover who then ran towards them. They then saw Infinite running towards them from another passage "They've got us in a crossfire!" Tex said. Tails however was at the worst time to be slowed down. He ran our lightsaber ignited, he took out two troopers and launched Infinite against a wall with the Force "I taught him that" Sonic said to Tex. "Well… hello there" they saw Sleuth and Fiona down one of the passaged. Tails glared fearlessly at them "You're not getting in my way". Fiona laughed "Well, then, my brave, young boy come and prove it". Tails charged at them "Tails!" Sonic yelled. He took out his blaster and shot a wall panel closing a door between Tails and the Inquisitors. Tails banged his fist against the door trying to calm down. Sonic came up to him "Tails, I know how important getting to Emerald Hill is" "No, Sonic, you don't!" for once Tails sounded enraged. Sonic was surprised but then sighed "You're right. I never knew my parents". Tails face softened "Sonic, I… I'm sorry" "No. It's okay. It's too late for me, but maybe not for you". Tex ran up to them "It's gonna be too late for all of us if we don't get back to the Hurst" "Come on. We'll take the long way around".
Sally and Wave were still in the cockpit "Wave, where's my comm?" "Almost got it". The commlink activated "Hanger 16 has fallen. Dawn Squadron, report in!" they heard Fang's voice. Sally answered "Hurst to Liberator. Give me some good news" "We read you, Sally. If the fleet's gonna launch, it's gotta be now". Bristles voice then came over "We are employing escape plan delta, Captain Acorn. Are you ready?". Sally then saw the others running towards the ship "They're back. Let's go!". She started to take the ship off, the others jumped onboard, and they flew away from the city "This is Dawn Leader. All ships, angle deflector shields and follow my lead". Different ships took off from hanger bays all over the city and followed the Hurst as the Scarships started bombarding "Tex get on the guns" "I'm on it". She then turned to Sonic and Tails "You two better go", Sonic nodded and he took Tails to the Sneak with G-merl in the maintenance hatch. They detached from the Hurst and Tails saw one of the Freedom Fighter ships get shot down. The command ship carrying Fang and Bristles was then caught in a tractor beam "Sonic, I'm going back for Fang and Bristles. When you have an opening, take it" Sally said. Tails shook his head "We're not leaving until the fleet is safe" "I appreciate the sentiment, but I gave you an order. Now get moving. And Tails…. I hope you find what you're looking for". The comm disconnected, Tails looked worried, but Sonic looked worried "Don't worry. She was looking after everyone long before you and I came along". The Sneak and the other ships escaped with G-merl waving at the Hurst which headed for the command ship. Tex saw where they were headed "Wait, this isn't escaping. This is attacking" "I'm open to suggestions" Sally said. Wave looked nervous "I've got an idea. But it means getting close to that Scarship. We can use the torpedoes to take out the tractor beam" "Can we do that?" Tex asked. Sally shrugged "We're gonna find out. Setting Dawn, be ready to hit your thrusters". Sally flew the ship towards the tractor beam emitter, too close for Tex's comfort "What're you doing!? What're you doing!?". Sally turned the ship slightly and they hit the emitter with the side of the ship destroying it "Did we get it?". Tex was frozen "Yeah. We got it". The command ship flew off at full speed. Wave turned to Sally "So, are we rendezvousing with the fleet or heading to Emerald Hill?" "We stay with the fleet" they all jumped to hyperspace.
The Sneak jumped out of hyperspace near Emeral Hill. Tails smiled at the sight of his home, he looked to Sonic "Thank you for everything you've done for me". Sonic turned to him "Hey. I know what it's like to lose someone close and not have anyone. When I lost my master, I was alone. I don't want you to be".
They arrived at the capital and landed on the rooftop of a building "So where do we start?" "Home" Tails answered. They made it to the ground and headed towards Tails' old home, but he was shocked to see it was destroyed "They… They burned down". Sonic sighed "The Empire must have wanted to send us a message". Tails looked lost "But my vision led me back here to Emerald Hill. If they're not here, where are they? What happened?" "Slow down. The Force is trying to tell you something. Listen to it". Tails calmed himself down and focused, he could hear a soft growl. He opened his eyes and the cheetah jumped out of the hatch in his homes. Tails cautiously walked up to the cheetah "There, nice cheetah. I'm not here to hurt you". The cheetah stayed where it was and let Tails pet it "But you know that don't you? Who do you belong to?". The cheetah started running away from the two of them, but Tails didn't move. Sonic stared at him "Aren't we gonna go after him?" "Don't worry. I can track it". Sonic was surprised by this "What? You must be pretty powerful if you can track that thing through the Force". Tails sniggered "The Force? I put a tracker on it" "Oh".
They were back on the Sneak following the trace through the mountain "It's stops just ahead of here". They laded and saw the cheetah in front of the ship. They exited and Tails looked around "There's something familiar about this" they were suddenly fired upon by laser fire. The two of them took cover, Tails looked out and saw the rabbit from before standing on a cliff side. Tails turned to Sonic "It's him. X-10? Hold your fire! We're friends!". The rabbit fired again "Yeah, that'll do it" Sonic said, "That isn't my name, bounty hunter" they heard him yell. Tails leaned out slightly "I know that's not you name. My name is… Miles. Miles Prower. I don't know you, but I think you might know my parents. Amadeus and Rosemary". There was a pause and then "My name is Beauregard Rabbot. Call me Baron. You're right. I know your parents".
That night they were all in a tent with a fire between them. Baron smiled "I can't believe you're here, Miles. I wanted to find you, but I guess you found me first" "I know, don't I". Baron nodded "Uh, you remember? You were pretty small back then. I was the governor of Emerald Hill. I supported your parents and the messages they beamed out against the Empire. It was part of the reason I was accused of treason and sent to prison with them". Tails looked hopeful "I do remember. Then you know what happened to them". Baron looked solemn "Yes, I do". Tails easily read his face "They're dead aren't they". Baron sighed "I'm sorry, son. They are". Tails' face dropped, to Sonic was about to comfort him but to his surprise G-merl moved next to Tails and put his hand on his shoulder. After a few minutes Tails looked back to Baron "Please tell me what happened". Baron smiled reassuringly "You know, even in prison your parents would stand up for those who couldn't. Especially after they heard your message". Tails' eyes opened wide; Baron nodded "Yes. The message of freedom you beamed out somehow made its way into the deepest dark of Imperial prisons. They were inspired by it, Tails. They rallied the others to rise up and break out. Dozens of us, Freedom Fighters, sympathizers, are free, thanks to them". Tails felt a great deal of pride but "They didn't make it, did they?" "They got separated in the escape. It was just like them not to leave until everyone else got out first. But by then, it was too late" "How… how did they know it me". Baron smiled "Your voice, your words, son, telling Emerald Hill to stand up. They knew right away". Tails sniffed and tears began to from in his eyes "They used to say all the time when I was little. If we don't stand up, who will?". He started to cry, and Sonic quickly hugged him.
Tails sat on the same stone peak he envisioned, he curled up. He stared at the horizon and it suddenly changed into the thriving capital of Emerald Hill and Tails was now standing on his old tower home. A male fox stood next to him on his right "It's beautiful, isn't it, son?" "Yeah. So peaceful" "That is all going to change when the Empire arrives". Tails sighed "But I don't want things to change". A female fox then appeared on his left side "They already have, Miles. You have made us so proud" "You're going to need to stay strong, son. Can you do that". Tails paused "Yes, I can". Rosemary put her hand on his shoulder "Remember, Miles. Without hope we have nothing. Remember" "Moons are setting". Tails turned around and he was back on the rock and saw Sonic "I saw them, Sonic. My parents. They were right here. I… can't explain how". Sonic nodded "The Shinobi teach that life doesn't cease after death but merely changes form in the Force. You parents are alive inside you, Tails. They will be always".