It started raining. Everyone rejoiced at the return of the rainy season, which promised more fruit and other necessities for them all. So their cheers chased after Tails as he walked up a familiar hill and found Sonic leaning against the giant tree that had once housed the poisonous mushroom.

Sonic smirked at him and held up the Miles Electric. "You know." He tossed the device to Tails, who caught it as Sonic stood up from the tree.

"If you ever stop with the science stuff, you could become a great lawyer." Sonic winked. "What with that speech you gave back there."

Tails rolled his eyes. "You were listening? Could have helped me," he huffed jokingly.

The fox came up beside his brother as Sonic shrugged. "I knew you had it."

Tails flushed at Sonic's faith in him, warmth blooming in his chest while the teen peered into the tree's large hollow.

"So I'm pretty sure this is where the portal to the next dimension is." Sonic rubbed his chin, foot tapping as his expression turned thoughtful. "Eggman's computer mentioned the portals messed with the area around it."

"Eggman's computer?" Tails blinked. "Is that where you got your information about the portals from?"

"Some of it." Sonic glanced at him. Yet he stiffened and stared past Tails. "But we'll save that convo for later. I'll catch you inside."

Tails cocked his head, confused until a breeze ruffled the fur on his back. Tails' breath hitched and he turned.

"Blur—"

Blue petals brushed over Tails' nose. The fox blinked at the rich blue flower while Blur lowered it and tucked it into the leaf bandage tied around Tails' chest.

"Blur," Tails said as the hedgehog pulled away with a grin, standing on his two feet. "This is for me?"

Blur nodded. "Mine." His face softened. "Always mine."

Tears stung Tails' eyes and he hastily stared at the frangipani flower to hide it, gently petting its petals while noting it was the same shade as Thorn's feathers and Mangey's hair. He looked at Blur, emotion welling in his throat.

However, he swallowed the bittersweet feeling tightening his chest and said, "I have a p-present for you too. It's in your burrow, inside your basket."

Tails' face fell. "It's my way of saying sorry for doubting you about Mangey. And to say t-thanks for taking care of me and saving me and—"

Arms wound around him. Tails went silent as his head was gently pressed against Blur's chest and Blur whispered, "Goodbye, Tails."

The kit gasped while Blur pulled away, flashed another grin, and turned, walking back to the tall grass. Mangey waited by the field, his tails wagging as Blur dropped onto fours beside him. The fox swiftly hugged Blur's neck, his tails curling around his waist, and Blur straightened up. However, he glanced back.

Sadness tinged Blur's face, though Mangey smiled beneath him, and Tails' heart shuddered. However, a smile crept over the hedgehog's muzzle. Blur winked, yet his similarity to Sonic didn't hurt for once as Blur leapt up into the trees, quickly becoming a blue streak against the green before he disappeared.

Raindrops pattered on Tails' head, but he paid them no mind as he looked down at the flower. He smiled. Blur wasn't saying goodbye. This flower…it meant "See ya later."

Reassured, Tails faced the dark hollow. He clicked on his Electric's light and quickly spotted Sonic a ways in, glancing around curiously.

"Ready to go?" Sonic asked causally while Tails came next to him, though he probably noticed Tails' shiny eyes.

Tails nodded. "Yeah, Amy's waiting for us."

He started to walk, the chill settling over him. Yet the pungent smell was gone, and Tails didn't spare the giant mushroom a glance as he passed it. The monster had been defeated long ago.

"So Eggman's computer had a lot of info on it, which you know, I didn't really understand, but I got that portals cause distortions in the areas around them…like changing landscapes…messing with time…"

Tails froze. Sonic's footsteps stopped behind him, but he just sounded tired while he sighed.

"Now."

Tails' hand clenched his Electric.

"How long were you really here?"

Tails slowly turned. Sonic was frowning. Tails went to lie—

"Five weeks," he said, and he wanted to take it back when shock spread across Sonic's face, but something inside him cracked, and like a wave, the words flooded out.

"It wasn't your fault—you didn't know! But I wasn't sure you knew what happened to me and my Electric died so I thought…"

Tails' eyes burned, his body trembling. Sonic's face fell.

"Oh, little bro—"

"I thought I'd never see you again!"

Sonic was beside him in a flash, hugging him tight while Tails squeezed his eyes close to keep in his tears. He wouldn't cry, wouldn't make Sonic feel any more guilty than he already did. It wasn't his fault, it was nobody's fault actually.

Sonic's hand ran through his hair, gently scratching his skin, and Tails whimpered. He'd missed this—dreamed of being near his brother for weeks, and he truly thought that dream would never become a reality. How stupid! He never should have doubted Sonic—

"You're not stupid, pal."

Tails stiffened, realizing he'd said that last bit out loud, and he pulled away. Sonic was smiling, though his eyes were strained.

"I'm just sorry it took me so long." Sonic glanced at the flower on Tails' chest. "But I'm glad you weren't alone."

Tails smiled a bit shakily. "I'm glad too." He looked over to the darkness. "Though Amy, who knows how long she's been alone."

Sonic shook his head. "Nah, I'm sure she's not alone." He frowned. "Still, we better not test her patience." He rubbed his head, groaning, "I'm one more hit away from a concussion."

A startled laugh sputtered out of Tails, joy burning inside him because Sonic was here and everything was okay now. Sonic flashed a cheesy grin and started walking while Tails joined him, holding up his light. It got darker, the chill intensifying as they went deeper into the hollow, but with Sonic at his side, Tails peered into the darkness fearlessly. There wasn't a monster out there that they couldn't defeat together.

Raindrops pattered on the leaf covering Blur's burrow. Outside it, an open basket rested beside Thorn's spare boots, which laid forgotten in the mud.

In the distance, red and white-rubbered sneakers gleamed on Blur's feet, Mangey's joyful screams echoing up to the sky as he clung to Blur's neck while the hedgehog sped through the trees boundless and free.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed the ending as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Now I might write a sequel to this, which would deal with Tails and Sonic going looking for Amy, only for Tails to run into Nine and also try and find the New Yoke version of Sonic so he can bring the two together. Though regardless, thanks to all those who supported this story here and on Ao3.

Take care, everyone!