Act Three
After the unfortunate events of the ill-fated party, Sonic and Tails' relationship became somewhat strained. Sonic insisted that he wasn't really all that drunk at the party, and that the reason for his regurgitation was partly due to spinning around while he was fighting badniks. Tails' dismissed the excuses as flimsy, pointing out that it's never okay to get a "little drunk," and that he no longer trusted the word of a substance abuser.
After apologizing for the way things turned out, Tails stopped seeing Fiona as well. He spent most of his time sulking around the house, occasionally tinkering with an invention. One day, he received an unexpected call.
Brrrrin-ring!
"Hello?" Tails answered.
"Hello Miles it's me, Fiona." Fiona replied.
"Fiona! I didn't expect to hear from you," said Tails.
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm doing much better now," said Fiona.
"Things are starting to calm down again."
"How did your dad take it?" asked Tails.
"He wasn't happy about what happened, of course. But I've spoken with him on your behalf since then, and he has reconsidered you for the position," said Fiona.
"He's willing to give me another chance?!" Tails exclaimed.
"...You're willing to give me another chance?" he added, softly.
"Of course!" said Fiona.
"People make mistakes, but I realize what a good guy you are and how much potential you have. And that's what I explained to daddy."
"Fiona, this is wonderful! But will he really accept me with open arms, just like that?" asked Tails.
"We'll give him a little time," said Fiona.
"You just need an opportunity to prove yourself. So I've arranged for you to move into a nice place in the city, where you can work on this invention that my father's company has been developing."
"Move to the city? This is all happening so fast," said Tails.
"If you can make a breakthrough on this project, he's sure to accept you!" said Fiona.
"He'll accept us."
"I don't know," said Tails.
"Wouldn't I have to give up crime-fighting and hero work to devote myself to a project like this? Sonic and the gang may need me..."
"Let G.U.N. handle those things," said Fiona.
"You should be valued for your brilliant mind. You don't belong on the front lines, especially not with the likes of that incorrigible hedgehog!"
"You know, you're right!" Tails agreed.
"I won't let myself be held back any longer!"
"Good! Then I'll meet you there at your new place," said Fiona.
"Here's the address..."
Tails quickly relocated to his new apartment in the city. It was stocked with building supplies for his inventing work. Fiona stopped by to help him get settled in.
"I brought over an entire wardrobe of dress-casual attire for you Miles," said Fiona.
"Miles?" Tails repeated.
"Since you're now going to be living in a booming metropolis, working for a major corporation, and wearing clothes everyday, it's only fitting that you should have a proper name," said Fiona.
"Well I suppose Miles is my real name, but I've kinda grown to like 'Tails' over the years," said Tails.
"I didn't think it was appropriate for you to use that street name anymore," said Fiona.
"You're moving up in the world Miles. You can leave all those old things behind."
"I guess you're right," said Tails.
"I can leave all that stuff from my old life behind... except for my scientific skills, of course."
"Speaking of which, here's the plans for the invention," said Fiona, handing him some papers.
"What is this thing supposed to be anyway?" asked Tails.
"It's supposed to disassemble and reassemble molecules, hopefully working as a transporter," explained Fiona.
"Teleportation!" Tails exclaimed.
"Sounds pretty dang complicated!"
"I'm sure you're up to the challenge," said Fiona.
"You should be able to accomplish a lot more without the distractions of your old associates."
"Yeah, I guess so," said Tails.
"Well, I'll leave you to your work," said Fiona.
"Wait a minute," said Tails.
"How about a little housewarming for your favorite fox, hunny?"
Tails beckoned to Fiona while playfully shaking his hips and puckering his lips. His tails wagged briskly.
"Down boy!" Fiona ordered.
"I think you need a cooling instead of a warming," she chuckled.
"I just need a little motivation," Tails smirked.
"Several other engineers will be working on this project, so I guess you'll be competing against them," said Fiona.
"That's not exactly the motivation I had in mind, but I guess I'd better get started," said Tails.
Tails jumped right into his work and continued to work diligently over the next several days. He only heard from Fiona occasionally, when she called to check on his progress or to remind him of the importance of this task.
One day Tails got another unexpected call.
"Hello, this is Miles," Tails answered.
"Miles? Is that what you go by these days?" asked the person on the other end.
"Espio, is that you?" asked Tails.
"How did you get this number?"
"We're Chaotix," Espio replied, by way of explanation.
"What can I do for you?" asked Tails.
"I heard you and Sonic had a falling-out, so I'm just calling to see how you're doing," said Espio.
"Sonic really let me down, but I guess I'll get over it in time," said Tails.
"I'm too focused on my career to waste time holding a grudge."
"Good to hear it. So how is life in the city treating you?" asked Espio.
"I haven't really gotten out on the town much, but everything is pretty fast paced," said Tails.
"Maybe even Sonic would appreciate that," said Espio.
"I think Sonic's body moves a lot faster than his mind," Tails joked.
"Do you think you'll ever come back to him, and be a team again?" asked Espio.
"Did Sonic and the others put you up to this?" Tails asked, suspiciously.
"......Maybe," said Espio, hesitantly.
"Unbelievable!" said Tails.
"They only appreciate me now that I'm not around to silently slave for them."
"Sonic would never admit it outright, but he could sure use your help," said Espio.
"Everyone has been wondering where you went, and if you'll ever come back to help them out once in a while. So they asked us to track you down."
"It's not that I wouldn't like to help out, but I'm way too busy with Fiona and my new job," said Tails.
"She's always pushing me to do my best."
"Sounds like she keeps you hopping," said Espio.
"You don't know the half of it," said Tails.
"This woman has got me working day and night... from sun up to midnight!"
"You seem to be hard-pressed. Are you sure it's not too much for you?" asked Espio.
"Don't worry, I have a feeling all my hard work will pay off," said Tails.
"And after all, I can't give up now that I'm this close to fulfilling my dreams."
"Sounds like you've got it figured out, so I'll just..."
But before Espio could finish his sentence, Tails heard the sounds of a struggle on the other end of the phone line.
"Give me that phone!" said a squeaky but angry female voice in the background.
Clank! Clatter!
"Wh- whoa, hey! Nnngh!" Espio grunted, as he was apparently pushed over.
The phone was seized.
"Tails! Get your butts back over here and start doing your job!" Amy roared from Espio's phone.
"Amy?! What the heck?!" Tails sputtered.
"It's not fair for you to leave all the work for Sonic to do!" said Amy.
"Do you know he's been hurt on several recent missions, trying to carry your load!"
"Are you saying your 'great' and 'perfect' idol needs help from the lowly and insignificant Tails?" asked Tails.
"Wha-??? Well, I..." Amy stammered.
"Is it that hard for you to say?" asked Tails.
"It's not that Sonic isn't good enough, but it's not right for you to abandon your duties!" said Amy.
"I demand that you come home and take some responsibility!"
"Responsibility?!" Tails yelled.
"I ain't nobody's daddy! Y'all can take care of your own messes!"
"Look, Sonic hasn't been the same lately," said Amy, in a meeker tone.
"He's drinking more and I think he's gotten into some other stuff too. Sonic has become too carefree, and people have been getting hurt. Even Cream was hurt when she wandered off again, and nobody was there to help her. Sonic eventually tried to do something but he...... he was reckless and made some mistakes," she admitted.
"I'm sorry about what you're going through, but I can't put my whole life on hold just to babysit you guys," said Tails.
"Cream has her own mama, right? Let her look after the girl. Check Sonic into rehab, and if something serious goes down, just call the cops."
"Okay I get it," Amy bitterly snapped.
"You do?" Tails asked, hopefully.
"Yeah, you're a heartless, conceited jerk! You little two-tailed freak!" Amy shouted.
"The name is Miles!" said Tails.
Click!
He ended the call.
Over the next week or so, Tails worked even harder on his invention. He finally managed to achieve dematerialization, but he struggled a bit longer on trying to focus the effects of the device to a specific object, rather than discombobulating all matter within the machine's path at once. This also made reforming matter exactly to its original shape a challenge. He kept working on it. Then one day he surprised Fiona by asking her out to a fancy restaurant for sushi and steak.
"The food here is great, don't you think?" asked Tails.
"Yes, it's very sweet of you Miles," said Fiona.
"But what is the special occasion?"
"I might have a little surprise in store for you," said Tails, with a wink.
"But you've barely touched your food dear... you've got to try some of this."
Fiona offhandedly plucked up a big mound of wasabi and shoved it in her mouth.
"Yes it's very good," she said, indifferently.
"Wow. Straight wasabi, just like that?" Tails asked, blankly.
Perhaps she had something else on her mind? But she downed it without even flinching!
"Oh?" asked Fiona.
"Ah yes, how silly of me. But how is your progress on the invention?" she asked.
"As a matter of fact, you'll be happy to know I just completed it today!" Tails happily announced.
"Excellent, we must bring it to my father at once," said Fiona.
She began rising from her seat.
"After we finish eating, right Fiona dear?" asked Tails.
"Yes, of course," said Fiona, settling back into her seat.
She perfunctorily consumed the rest of her food, and sort of stared at Tails as he finished up.
"You must really be excited about that molecule rearranger," Tails chuckled.
"I'm excited about what it means for us sweetie," said Fiona.
"Oh, and the food was delicious."
As soon as Tails was done eating and paying with a generous tip, the two of them collected the device from Tails' place.
"Can it really manipulate molecules?" asked Fiona.
"Yes. In fact, this little gadget can distinguish distinct molecular patterns, and accurately disassemble and reassemble them exactly," said Tails.
"Fantastic! It's just what we need," said Fiona.
"Of course I've only tested it on inanimate objects," said Tails.
"It could still have adverse effects on living organisms."
"Oh that shouldn't be a problem at all," said Fiona, smiling brightly.
"Really? Are you sure?" asked Tails.
"I mean to say that this is more than adequate for starters," said Fiona.
"Don't be so critical of yourself Miles. You've done amazing work!"
"Thanks Fiona," said Tails, with a wide smile.
Fiona led Tails to her father's office at the top of a high-rise building. As they stood outside his door, Tails became a bit nervous. He wondered whether or not he'd truly be accepted as the boyfriend of this rich and powerful man's daughter.
"I'm a little worried Fiona. Do you really think he'll like me?" asked Tails.
"Is the device functional?" asked Fiona, somewhat sternly.
"Well yes, but..." Tails stammered.
"Then that's all that matters," said Fiona, as she pushed the door open and stepped inside her father's office.
Tails followed her inside, but upon entering the office he was shocked to find Dr. Robotnik waiting for them!
"Dr. Eggman!" Tails exclaimed.
"Get back Fiona, I'll handle this!" he said, waving a protective arm in front of her.
"Don't be silly, I knew we'd find him here," said Fiona.
"This is becoming like a second home to me after all," Robotnik chuckled.
"I've been conducting a lot of business here as of late."
"I don't get it!" said Tails.
"Your dad is a business partner of Robotnik?!"
"Hmm, my reports had indicated that the foxboy was smarter than this," said Robotnik, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
Fiona shoved Tails aside and stood beside Dr. Robotnik. She handed Tails' invention to him.
"Dr. Robotnik does not work with my father," said Fiona.
"He is my father!"
She wrapped an arm around the heavyset mad scientist and leaned against him with filial affection.
"I don't understand! How is this possible?!" demanded Tails.
"Has he tricked you somehow?!"
Fiona and Eggman shook their heads at Tails' wishful obtuseness.
"He may be a genius, but he is rather stupid about certain things," Fiona explained to her father.
"Fiona is one of my auto automatons," explained Robotnik.
"A most advanced model of robot designed to closely mimic the qualities of a real person."
"So... you're a machine!" said Tails.
"See? You're getting it now," said Fiona, mockingly.
"Maybe you're a smarty after all."
"Oh lord! I almost had Dr. Robotnik for a father-in-law!" Tails groaned.
"You wish!" Fiona scoffed.
"So none of what we had together was real?" asked Tails.
"I didn't even so much as taste a bite of all that expensive food I just ate up," laughed Fiona.
"And I like it like that," she sneered.
"What the...?! Why you..." Tails growled.
"I profiled that you would respond to a somewhat... domineering female type, based on your relationship with the hedgehog and the others," said Robotnik.
Tails just hung his head, seething.
"Well I'll be off to incorporate this little invention of yours as the final component of my Ultimate Annihilator Raygun," Robotnik announced.
"With this weapon, I can dematerialize all my opposers into nothingness. But for you, I'll leave your darling Fiona to finish you off personally."
Robotnik practically skipped out of the room as he took off with Tails' invention.
"Come back here!" Tails shouted, as he ran to pursue Robotnik.
But as we all know, that old eggbelly can really move! Robotnik was surprisingly fast on his feet, and Tails was unable to catch up with him before Fiona pounced on top of the heartbroken foxboy and tackled him to the ground. Tails just lay underneath her, motionless.
"Don't you even fight back?" Fiona taunted him.
"I cannot bear to strike you, my love!" said Tails.
"Oh please, what a loser!" said Fiona.
"You still feel that way?"
"Actually I was just sort of enjoying the proximity," Tails admitted, wearing a bashfully toothy grin.
"What! You little perv!" Fiona shrieked.
She started wailing on Tails with a flurry of punches.
Pow!
Whap!
Sock!
"Ow! Dang, you hit hard girl!" Tails exclaimed, as he rolled away from her.
"There's more where that came from!" Fiona threatened.
"Even if you're a robot, you're an intelligent one, right?" asked Tails.
"Wasn't there any point when you liked being with me, or when I made you feel special to just be an ordinary girl for a while?"
"Time to die, you little pest!" Fiona yelled, as she lunged at Tails.
"Ah!" Tails screamed, as he cringed back.
But suddenly a sharp gust of wind swept through the room, and Fiona's head fell clean off her body!
WHOOSH!
CLANK!
"I'm saved!" Tail exclaimed.
"What just happened?!"
"I happened!" said a familiar voice.
Tails looked to the other side of the room to face his rescuer.
"Sonic! You came for me!" said Tails.
"You saved me from Robotnik's auto automaton!"
"Auto-ma-what now?" asked Sonic.
"You knew Fiona was really one of Robotnik's mechanical minions! ...right?" Tails asked.
"Nah, I just never liked that uppity #itch!" said Sonic.
"You mean you were just gonna kill my girlfriend for no reason?!" Tails gasped.
"No, of course I wouldn't do something like that for no reason," said Sonic.
"I just said it was because she was stuck up! Didn't I?"
"Sonic!" Tails rebuked him.
"And because she was an automotive-whachamacallit," added Sonic, unconvincingly.
"Well whatever the case, I guess you saved me," said Tails.
"Thanks. But if you didn't come here knowing Robotnik's plan, why did you happen to show up?"
"I came to kick your butt for walking out on me," said Sonic.
"I asked around and someone said they saw you go into this building."
"You came all this way just to beat me up?" asked Tails.
"And to ask you to come back, little bro," said Sonic.
"It's not the same without you. I'll even agree to stop getting drunk and stuff. And I'll use the hoghouse when you need your space, if you'll just come back."
"You really missed me that much?" asked Tails.
"Of course! You're my best buddy!" said Sonic.
"Then it's a deal!" Tails agreed.
"Any chance you'll let me get the girl once in a while?" he asked.
"You're gonna have to fight me on that one!" Sonic laughed.
"But I will skip over the whole 'beating-you-up' thing."
"Oh well. Can't win 'em all," said Tails, with a smile.
"Speaking of which, I almost forgot about Eggman! He has the Ultimate Annihilator component!"
"Forget Eggman. I put a whoopin' on him on my way in, just for good measure," said Sonic.
"Thank goodness!" Tails sighed with relief.
"His little toy broke before he ran off, but you can still pick up the pieces in the hallway if you want 'em," said Sonic.
"Now let's go home."
Tails stripped off his shirt and trousers, leaving them in the office. After collecting the remains of his invention, he and Sonic returned home together.
Later, at Tails' real house in the forest...
Sonic, Tails, and Amy were all relaxing with some light snacks and a variety of iced teas, all prepared by Tails.
Amy helped a little.
"I'm sorry for the things I said about you before," said Amy.
"And I'm sorry for appearing aloof and indifferent," said Tails.
"Maybe that's what comes from dating a robot..." he muttered, wistfully.
"I'm also really sorry things didn't work out for you having a girlfriend," said Amy.
"I really should have seen through the trap, but I guess I was blinded by love," said Tails.
"No kidding!" said Sonic.
"When a beautiful, sophisticated, rich girl goes gaga for a geek like you, I'd say it's time to get suspicious!"
"Thanks a lot Sonic," Tails scoffed sarcastically.
"I guess the lesson here is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is," said Sonic.
"So don't try to date out of your league."
"No, the real lesson is that Tails should keep looking for the right girl who will appreciate him for who he is, without making him turn his whole life upside down," said Amy.
"You really think there could be a girl like that for me?" Tails asked, hopefully.
"I don't see why not," said Amy.
"...but it's definitely not me!"
"Heck no! Yikes, don't even go there!" said Tails.
"Methinks you two doth protest too much," said Sonic, with a goading grin.
"Into the hoghouse Sonic!" Tails ordered.
"And you Amy, you'd better leave too."
"Humph! Gladly!" said Amy, storming out.
Tails was sure he heard her mutter something like "two-tailed freak" on her way out. Thus cementing the status-quo of their relationship.
Later that night...
Tails went for a walk out on his runway, to gaze at the stars.
"I guess I am kind of a hard fit to match up. Maybe there isn't a girl for me in all of Mobius," he sighed.
He found a comfy spot were he could relax and enjoy the cool night breeze. After taking some time to reflect, Tails decided to throw himself back into his work, to help focus his mind. He eventually retired to his workshop where he began work on a new project. A ship which would later become known as the Blue Typhoon.
The End
Sonic Says...
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