"I didn't kill him you know."
Sonic's fingers paused over the gray laptop on his knees. The strap of Tails' goggles shifted on Sonic's head as he glanced back from the stone steps leading to the Chaos Star's pedestal, his mouth a line.
Two Star fragments hovered in a green sphere beaming out of Eggman's computer wristband. The man flexed his fingers under them and the larger fragment obediently tilted onto its side.
"Technically," the doctor said, hitting a sequence of buttons on his wristband. "My wishing merely activated Tails' own wish."
Sonic's jaw tightened.
"A wish that was essentially your wish—"
"Shut up."
"My point being," Eggman continued, unbothered by the seventeen-year old's dangerous scowl. "You received two wishes from the Chaos Star."
Sonic's scowl vanished. His expression became impassive while Eggman rotated his finger under the shards. The fragments started drifting towards each other, shuddering while a ringing vibrated the air until finally, they touched. A flare of light burst around the shards before fading to reveal a jagged-edge piece of the Chaos Star.
"So, if one of your wishes took your fox pal—" Sonic's quills bristled— "What did your other wish take?"
Eggman glowered at the hedgehog. "You realize if it took that pink girl or dull echidna, I won't be able to do anything about that."
Disdain dripped from his voice, the man clearly doubting anyone could be brought back once the Star took them. Yet Sonic scoffed and returned to typing on the laptop. Photos of ancient stone tablets etched with symbols and a crude drawing of the Chaos Star flashed rapidly across the screen.
"Or maybe it didn't take someone this time." Eggman directed the Star piece onto the broken throne and retracted his levitation beam from it. "Rather, it took something like your health or an ability—"
"I know what it took."
Eggman started while Sonic smirked at him, gaze twinkling with amusement though his fur was mussed up and his eyes were sunken into his tired face.
"Though I 'preciate the concern, Eggy." Sonic winked and Eggman glared. "I'm in perfect health."
Sonic turned back to the laptop, his smile falling away. "Besides, I don't need it to translate these glyphs."
Eggman raised a brow, but Sonic returned to typing. "Anyway, based on what I've made out so far, there is a way to reverse Tails' wish, though it's going to require us to get…creative."
Eggman scoffed and crossed his arms. "Us? You mean you." He jabbed his thumb toward himself. "I'm not lifting a finger once the Chaos Star is whole again."
He started grumbling under his breath, yet Sonic didn't respond. His fingers blurred over the laptop, the symbols on the screen reflecting across his green irises, while the click-clack of the keyboard echoed up to the ceiling.
Tails released a choked exhale as the eighteen-year old hedgehog sped across his gray lab. In a blink, the round-bellied robot with a fox face lost its dents, regained its arm, and sparkled with polish under the soft overhead lights. Weapons ranging from badniks to rocket launchers appeared on the workbenches, gleaming under the glow of their holographic blueprints. Finally, Sonic dropped into the cushy office chair before the computer on Tails' desk, leaning back with a sigh.
"So," Sonic languidly reached for the power button, the screen chiming as it turned on. "Once I upgrade Zone 1's A.I. and repair the damage the rebels did to its system, we should be all done, right?"
Tails blinked. Was this really their last task? He raised his Miles Egglectrical and scrolled down the digital checklist.
✔️ Test Factory 127-G's defenses
✔️ Program Repair Bots to carry out assembly line upgrades
✔️ Record new Tails Tube episodes
✔️ Increase power efficiency in mech suits
Tails slowly lowered his device, his eyes huge. "Yeah," he whispered breathily. "That's everything."
Twenty projects, which would have taken weeks of all-nighters to catch up on had been completed in hours.
Tails grasped his head, shaking it in disbelief. "I…have free time. I never have free time."
Sonic stiffened. His head swiveled around. "What?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
Tails jolted, realizing how bad that sounded, and hastily said, "Or, well, I rarely have free time." His gaze grew imploring. "But even with the spare time, I won't be able to get you near the Star fragment until tomorrow—"
Sonic was already waving him off.
"That's fine." Sonic returned to the screen, flexing his fingers. "We still have to figure out how to stop Eggman from sending me home immediately anyway."
Tails frowned. "That's true."
His hand drifted down and brushed over his coat pocket. Two printed tickets weighed heavily inside it. Tails bit the corner of his mouth.
"Um," the fox rubbed his arm, "Since w-we have some free time…"
Sonic didn't stop typing, but glanced back. Tails tensed, his face warming under Sonic's curious stare and heart slamming fast against his ribcage. This was silly. Sonic would think him childish or stupid for—
Tails shook off the thought and clenched his hands, steeling himself while Sonic's face pinched worriedly.
"I was wondering if you wanted to…to…"
Tails' eyes squeezed shut and he blurted, "Wanted to explain how you bypassed the Egg Dome's lie detector!"
His eyes snapped open while Sonic recoiled. Oh, no, that wasn't what he meant to say!
However, there was no taking it back as Sonic turned the chair to face him fully, his brow knitting together.
"Ah," Sonic scratched the back of his neck, "I meant to bring that up during lunch." His hand dropped, expression becoming serious. "I never lied to you."
Tails blinked and Sonic sighed, "I obviously left some details out, but mostly I just told you things out of order."
The fox cocked his head. "Out of order?"
Sonic nodded. "Everything the crystal showed you happened first, though remember how Amy showed up and I had a shard in my hand?" He crossed his arms. "That shard sent me to another reality, probably as a result of the Chaos Star breaking, and well, the strain from jumping realities gave me amnesia."
Tails' brow rose while Sonic looked away. "I forgot most of what happened in the temple and only knew that Eggman and Tails…" His voice quieted into a rough whisper. "It was my fault they were gone."
He closed his eyes. "And now I was trapped in another reality with no way home. So, I became a bit depressed, and started lazing around this beach house in between visiting a therapist for the amnesia problem…but one day the Star fragment crashed nearby."
Realization dawned on Tails' face. "And you heard my counterpart's voice."
"Yeah," Sonic opened his eyes, "It jogged my memory before sending me flying into another dimension."
He frowned. "Though I didn't mind since I thought following Tails' voice would lead me to him." His gaze dropped to the floor. "So I jumped from one reality to the next over and over and over…but I only ever found his counterparts."
Tails' ears drooped, sympathy dragging down his expression. However, Sonic looked at him and grinned.
Tails perked up as the teen said, "But now I have a real chance of getting him back." His eyes crinkled fondly. "Thanks to you."
The fox's breath hitched. However, soon a shy smile curved his mouth and he scratched his cheek. "Well, I owe you for saving me from Metal."
He lowered his hand. It brushed over his coat pocket. Tails jumped slightly at feeling the tickets' smooth outline through the cloth. Oh, yeah…
He glanced timidly at Sonic. The hedgehog raised an eye. "Is there something else?"
Tails hesitated. Yet Sonic might be leaving tomorrow, and once he was gone, they'd probably never see each other again…
Sadness stabbed Tails' heart, but it was swiftly swept away by determination. Resolve hardening his gaze, he reached for the tickets.
"There is something else I—"
An alarm blared. Tails and Sonic jumped as the lab lights darkened to green.
Tails gasped. "The chaos emerald alert!"
He swiftly lifted his Egglectrical, his fingers dancing across the screen. A globe projected over his device and his hand pulled back while he scrutinized the hologram of Earth.
"Normally Metal would deal with this, but since he's down," his eyes sharpened, "I'll have to try retrieving the emerald myself."
The globe zoomed in on a red Robotnik logo near the coastline—City Zone 77 flashed beside it.
"That's close." Tails lowered his Egglectrical, the hologram winking away. "I just have to get there in time."
"Then it's a good thing we're the fastest duo on the planet."
Tails started and turned. Sonic was stretching his legs beside him, a smirk hitching up his mouth.
"You're going to need some backup," Sonic stood, "Right?"
Tails frowned and Sonic's smirk faded.
"The Resistance has the emerald," Tails said gingerly. "If you help me take it," guilt welled in his gaze, "You'll be helping me get rid of the only thing standing in the way of Dr. Robotnik ruling everyone."
Sonic frowned. After a moment, he sighed.
"No."
He caught Tails' shoulder and his face crinkled with fondness.
"I'd just be helping my friend."
Tails stiffened, his eyes blowing open wide. "Friend?" he whispered. "I'm your…friend?"
"Of course!" Sonic beamed. "No matter the dimension, I've always got your back!"
Tails' mouth parted. Something old and withered shuddered inside him before gradually sprouting anew.
Tails smiled so wide it hurt, yet the pain was nothing as Sonic grinned back.
"Alright." Tails turned and approached the wall, his every step strangely light and airy. "Let's do this."
He laid his hand on the wall and yellow glowed underneath it. Chick-clank echoed overhead and he pulled back while the wall rolled up into the ceiling.
Blue skies over grassy plains greeted them and Tails stared determinedly ahead, Sonic coming to his side.
"You ready?"
Tails smirked. "Just try to keep up!"
Sonic blinked as the kit leapt into the air and shot over the fields. However, soon a wicked grin curved Sonic's muzzle and he jumped off the ledge with a whoop! He touched down in a run, blazing through the grass and quickly pulling up beside the soaring fox.
"What was that about me keeping up?" Sonic cocked an eye teasingly.
"Oh." Mischievousness sparked in Tails' gaze. "I wouldn't say you're keeping up yet."
Tails twisted his metal foot. A rocket booster flared under his sole, his shoe burning away while he blasted across the sky. Sonic stared in shock as he passed him and Tails threw back his head and laughed. Fresh air flowed into his lungs and Tails spread his arms against the sunlight. This joy, this freedom…when was the last time he'd felt like this?
His laughter ended abruptly and Tails frowned. He was happy most of the time. How could he not be? His best friend was an awesome super genius who was proud of him. He had access to any resource he needed to build whatever he wanted…yet when was the last time he'd laughed? Not tauntingly or out of vindictive amusement after watching Sonic take a beating? When did he laugh out of sheer joy?
His brow wrinkled. However, a pungent smell tickled his nose. He glanced up to see gray streaking the horizon. Tails' eyes grew big. Zone 77 had air filter bots…that wasn't pollution.
The gray solidified. Tails gasped at the plumes of smoke covering the city. He quickly twisted his metal foot and the booster flames shrank to nothing.
Tails glided to a stop under the shadow of Zone 77, squinting through the smoke. The walls were gone. His mouth dropped as ash drifted off the towers of scorched debris where the walls had been, falling onto the fields like snow. Tails' jaw clenched while the scent of burning grass stung his nose and the heat from flames warmed his face. No…who could have caused this much destruction? Even with a chaos emerald, to flatten the walls so fast…
Distant cheering pricked Tails' ears. He frowned and flew through the smoke to hover over the wrecked city streets.
"Sonic!"
Tails froze.
"Son-ic, Son-ic, Son-ic!" so many cheered that his ears rang.
The fox's hands clenched, his face warping into a snarl. "Of course," he growled. "Of course, it's—"
A crash resounded above him. Tails instinctively soared back while the burning remains of a police bot dropped where he'd been.
"109!"
Tails' expression went cold.
"That's gotta be a new record for…Tails?"
The kit turned. Sixteen-year old Sonic stood by the rubble, wide-eyed with his arm still raised in a fist pump. However, Tails' gaze fell on the green chaos emerald in the crook of Sonic's handless arm.
Sonic noticed and stepped back. "Now, Tails—"
The fox yanked out his laser gun and fired at the tower of rubble. Debris exploded around them. Tails ignored the pebbles pelting his head while Sonic swiftly raised the chaos emerald. A green light wave lashed out from the gem, knocking back the debris and tossing them onto the fields.
Sonic sighed in relief, turning to Tails with a nervous grin. "That was a nice try—gah!"
His laser slammed into Sonic's shoulder. The hedgehog cried out, emerald flying out of his grasp as he clutched his scalded arm. Tails lowered his weapon and dove at the emerald.
His metal foot jerked down. He yelped as a weight tugged on his leg, almost forcing him onto the street. Yet his tails sped up to keep him airborne and he glared down.
Sonic was hanging from his foot, frowning. "Sorry, but I can't let you—"
"Code 6!" Tails growled.
His metal foot whirled. Sonic yelled as he was spun rapidly before losing his grip and flying towards the rubble.
"Code 6 end," Tails said, and his foot stopped while he searched the ground.
Green glinted by a bent street sign with a flickering holographic logo. Tails soared at the gem.
Wind brushed over his side. Tails grunted as he was suddenly sitting on the ground, his metal foot pinned under a rubble heap and his pockets devoid of weapons. Sonic was over him, the emerald in his hand and mouth a line.
"No!" Tails threw himself down, clawing at the street in a vain attempt to reach the hedgehog.
Sonic's face fell. "Well," he said quietly and tiredly. "It's always nice seeing Eggman hasn't worked you to death." Tails stopped to shoot him a glare. "But I've gotta get this back—"
A blur struck Sonic. Tails' eyes widened as he glimpsed the eighteen-year old Sonic—Smart-Sonic—slam his feet into Sonic's chest.
Sonic fell back with a cry as Smart-Sonic bounced off him and landed in a crouch. He skidded a couple of feet, his hand splaying on the ground while his other caught the chaos emerald.
"Sonic!" Tails' face lit up and Smart-Sonic smirked, sending him a wink.
"Who…" Sonic groaned, sitting up and rubbing his handless wrist over his sore head. He looked around, dazed. His eyes landed on Smart-Sonic. His jaw hit the ground.
"That copycat," Sonic whispered. "You're the one the Resistance warned me about."
"Copy?" Smart-Sonic rose and shrugged his free hand. "Please, I'm not Metal."
Smart-Sonic glanced at Tails. Suddenly the rubble toppled off his metal foot, clattering onto the street. The kit gasped as Smart-Sonic pulled him up and shoved the chaos emerald into his palm.
"Get this back to the lab." Smart-Sonic tossed his thumb back at Sonic. "I'll keep him busy."
Shock splayed across Tails' face, but he nodded. "I'll meet you there!"
His tails whirled and he took to the sky.
"Hey!" Sonic jumped to his feet in a blur and made to spring at Tails.
Smart-Sonic caught his counterpart's arm. Sonic spun around, tearing his arm free and raising his fist, wariness stark in his gaze. However, Smart-Sonic stepped back and raised his hands.
"I don't want to fight you." Smart-Sonic's expression became serious. "But we need to talk."
Sonic scowled. "I don't know if Egghead got into the cloning business or you're just a really great impersonator," his face hardened, "But I don't have time to talk. I need that chaos emerald."
Sonic moved to run, but Smart-Sonic rushed in front of him, gaze imploring. "I'll give the chaos emerald back to the Resistance tomorrow."
Sonic recoiled while Smart-Sonic said, "I know where Tails is stashing it so it should be easy to get the emerald back to you after he falls asleep."
The younger teen's brow wrinkled and he eyed him. However, he must have recognized something on Smart-Sonic's face because he lowered his fist.
"Why?" Sonic asked. "And who are you?"
"I'm another version of you from an alternate reality."
Sonic choked, but his counterpart waved him down. "Don't think about it too hard. This little meeting doesn't really matter since I'll be returning to my dimension tomorrow and then you'll never see me again."
Smart-Sonic's mouth drew to a line. "Though before I go, I have to ask you something." His face fell. "And I'm begging you to be honest."
Sonic hesitated, yet soon nodded. "Okay, what do you want to know?"
Smart-Sonic's face hardened. "If you never saw Tails again—"
Sonic went rigid.
"Would you be okay?"
Sonic stared, wide-eyed. Then he was running at his counterpart and grabbing his thicker chest fur, growling, "Why are you asking me that?"
Smart-Sonic frowned. "Because I think Tails should leave with me."
Sonic gasped and let him go, stepping back while Smart-Sonic's gaze dropped to the street.
"We both know Eggman's just using him." Smart-Sonic glowered. "And Tails won't be fooled forever." His eyes drew down. "Can you imagine how much it's going to hurt when Tails realizes his best friend is a liar?"
Sonic flinched. He looked away shamefully. "Yeah, I can imagine it."
Smart-Sonic smiled, though it was sad. "I know." Determination spread across his face. "But I can spare him that pain, there isn't even an Eggman in my world." Sonic tentatively raised his head. "And it's pretty clear I've won him over, so I'm sure Tails will be happy with me."
Sonic cocked his head. "Won't it be weird having two Tailses in your world?"
Smart-Sonic's smile dropped. Concern wrinkled Sonic's face as Smart-Sonic said, "That's why I'm asking whether you're okay with never seeing Tails again."
A tremor ran through his voice. "I know what it feels like to lose a little brother."
Sonic gasped while Smart-Sonic turned aside. "I'd never put another Sonic through that."
Smart-Sonic took a deep breath and let it out slowly before staring seriously at the teen.
"So…will you be okay if Tails agrees to come with me?"
Sonic flinched. "I…"
His mouth moved, but no words came out.
Smart-Sonic frowned. "I understand." He sighed, turning away. "Tails probably wouldn't leave Eggman any—"
"I want Tails to be happy."
Smart-Sonic paused.
"I want him to be safe and with someone who actually appreciates him."
Smart-Sonic's hands balled up tight. "I miss Tails so much I'd be grateful every second he was with me."
It was silent behind him. A bird cawed twice somewhere in the distance. Then a sonic boom rocketed through the air.
Smart-Sonic turned to see a blue blur vanishing into the smoke. He nodded to himself.
"Thank you, other me."
He reached into his quills and pulled out the black earpiece Tails had given him.
"That's all I needed to hear."
His blank expression reflected off the smooth dark surface.
The door slid open in front of the eighteen-year old hedgehog as he entered the lab, glancing around.
"Hey, Tails, you here?"
No golden-amber fur peeked behind a workbench or the desk chair and Sonic stopped, scratching his head. Yet his ears twitched when footsteps approached behind him.
"Sonic." Tails beamed from the doorway, his tails wagging fast. "Sorry, I was trying to call Dr. Robotnik when you came in." His smile fell, tails stilling. "He, uh, didn't pick up, but I'm going to try again later."
Sonic shrugged. "He's probably busy fixing Metal. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to tell him the news." He smirked. "That would be quite the surprise to wake up to."
A nervous grin spread across Tails' face. "Yeah, a surprise…" He looked away, swallowing thickly. "Do you want to get some food?"
Sonic brightened. "Do you have chili dogs?"
Tails smiled gently. "No, but I think you'll like what's here." He turned, waving him over. "It's just down the hall."
Tails blinked as Sonic blurred past him, the sonic boom rippling his lab coat. The hedgehog slid to a stop under the wide open entrance ahead, squinting at the darkness inside.
"Where's the light switch—"
Tails clicked his wristband. Sonic jumped as holographic sparklers popped off in the middle of the room, ruby and gold casting across his startled face. The ceiling slid open an inch and a banner dropped out, unraveling.
Happy Birthday, Sonic!
—the bright blue letters spelled out. Sonic's breath hitched. He stared blankly at the white cake with rainbow frosting upon a table behind a sofa while a giant flatscreen television turned on, a list of video game titles appearing on it.
"I know it's not much," Tails said behind Sonic, poking his fingers together nervously. "You're probably used to big, extravagant parties with all your friends, but I did the best I could on such short notice…"
He peeked up. Sonic was silent, unmoving. Tails wilted, his ears sagging.
Tails turned away. "T-though if you don't like it—"
Arms wrapped around Tails. The fox's eyes widened while his head was gently pulled against a thick-furred chest.
"Thank you," Sonic whispered shakily.
Tails twitched as something wet plopped on his head. However, realizing they were tears, Tails relaxed in Sonic's hold and hugged him back.
"Happy Birthday, Sonic."
A couple of minutes passed and Sonic sniffled one last time before letting him go. Sonic scrubbed his eyes quickly and then turned to the TV.
"Video games, huh? I might be a bit rusty after all these months."
Tails set his hands on his sides, cocking an eye. "Already making excuses for when you lose?"
Sonic snorted, and Tails' expression eased into a toothy grin. "Well, even if you don't win," he reached into his coat pocket, "You can have this."
Sonic blinked as Tails offered him an Eggmanland ticket.
"This is for an actual amusement park, not like those deathtraps Dr. Robotnik used to make." He glanced away shyly. "We could go tomorrow?"
Sonic accepted the ticket, staring over the glossy confetti over the print. Soon he looked up with a grin.
"Tomorrow sounds great."
Tails brightened, his namesakes wagging so fast he almost flew. "Really?"
Sonic chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Yes, really. Tomorrow it's going to be you and me, pal. Like it always should be."
He reached over and ruffled Tails' hair. The fox instinctively batted him away, but Sonic's arm caught him around his neck and drew him in closer, playfully messing up his hair even more.
"Hey!" Tails giggled, squirming, but he doubted Sonic could hear his protests as their laughter filled the room.
Crushed chips and popcorn kernels littered the ground under the glow of the television. Empty soda cans and paper plates were stacked on the table beside the bits of frosting that were all that remained of the cake.
Sonic grabbed the remote off the couch arm and clicked off the television, shrouding him in darkness. His muzzle twisted with a grimace and he sighed, turning.
Tails was slouched against Sonic's arm, eyes closed and breathing deeply with crumbs peppering his coat.
"Oh, Tails."
Sonic's eyes strained with regret.
"I'm sorry it has to be you."
The fox slept on, comfortable and oblivious as Sonic slowly reached back in his quills.
Well, the next chapter is the end and we all know it's about to go down, so buckle up!
Anyway, thanks for taking this journey with me and special thanks to those who shared their thoughts and theories 😃
Now take care, and see you next chapter!