"Can you take this life!? Can you make it right!? Do you have the words to say to make it all go away!? You act so right! I'm terrified! Keep your bullshit life, 'cause I'm never gonna go your way!"

-Smile Empty Soul, Your Way

Shadow watched in terror as the dark waves of energy consumed his friend. He felt every emotion she'd experienced in the short course of her life. Pain, sorrow, loneliness. He felt sick to his stomach. These feelings would've eaten anyone else alive, but not her. She bathed in them like water, basking in the truth of their reality. Not only did she understand how he felt, but knowing nearly killed her.

"Rose, where is he!? What did you mean by D4!?"

Tails leaned over the bench, resting his chin and giving Amy a smug smile.

"I was wondering how long it would take."

Setting aside Shadow's questions for the moment, Amy responded to Tails directly.

"I'm so sorry! It's my fault you died!"

"Come on. You didn't think I worked without knowing the risks, did you?"

"I'm the one who told you to. This is all because of me..."

"I'm the one who chose to listen. It's just the risk that comes with the territory. You know the saying - the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. That's life. These things happen. Just gotta mitigate the damage where we can."

"How do I fix this? What can I do? All those children and families who died because of us...How can we atone...?"

"You've already started. You were my failsafe in case something like this happened. Now that it has, we've put the plan into motion. Case in point."

Tails pointed toward the aura. Amy could barely see through the thick, muddy veil.

"I knew there was something special about you. Looks like I was right. Tell me what you see."

"I can't. It's too dark."

"Try to focus your energy. I know you're sad, but take a deep breath and try to stay calm."

Amy swallowed, closing her eyes and inhaling. The shroud cleared, but it wasn't enough.

"Again."

Amy complied, focusing again. After a few tries, she could finally see.

"How 'bout now?"

"I see you, but how are you here?"

"I can only guess, but my hypothesis points to quantum flow. The energy that makes up matter never disappears. It only changes. It's the first law of thermodynamics. My influence holds a tight-grip on space-time. Every molecule I've ever interacted with remembers me somehow. That's what you're seeing now, and it's just one of many skills you likely possess."

"How so?"

"You're perceiving every dimension. My appearance is a product of the fourth - time. You can see beyond the atmosphere into space, right?"

"Yeah..."

"That power alone makes you immune to the manipulation abilities of Chaos Energy. In other words, Chaos Control doesn't affect you in this state, but it only lasts for a limited time. It'll last longer as you practice and gain experience as well as endurance."

"What else can I do?"

"The possibilities are endless. You control every particle in the known universe."

"Can I bring you back?"

"Why not give it a try?"

Amy held out her hand, transferring what energy she could muster. The protons, neutrons, and electrons converged around Tails' figure. Little by little, his shape solidified, rebuilding his skeletal and muscular physiology. Amy ran out of power as the last speck of light faded.

"Look at you," the fox teased, "All grown up and godly. Who'd have thunk it?"

Amy smiled, the life drained from her eyes. They reverted back to their original shade of green.

"Woah!"

Shadow caught her before she fell to the ground. So much strength...There was no denying it. His title as the ultimate lifeform had been passed on without his knowledge. The fox...He was alive again...

"You're going to explain everything," the hedgehog demanded, "or your reunion will be very short-lived."

"Still cranky as always."

"We are the people that you hate - the fucking bastards that you created! A generation with no place! A generation of all your sons and daughters!"

-Smile Empty Soul, Nowhere Kids