Note: As you might expect, Pybro2 did the beta-read. Thanks again. Also, thank you all for your patience and understanding with the new 2 week schedule, it gave me much more time for ironing out where to go specifically with this chapter.

After the failure of Capturing 'Sonic' revealed to be Mimic, they regrouped in Central City's branch. Jewel welcomed them in, asking sadly, "He got away?"

Shadow immediately gave a frustrated rant with closed eyes, "We would have if not for these two jokers!" Pointing at Silver and Sonic.

Both gave awkward smiles, Silver explaining, "I could tell we were all hungry."

Sonic glared, "Chili goes in my mouth, not my eye." Pointing to his still bloodshot eye. The two now glared at each other in frustration.

Tangle told Sonic, "Cut him some slack. Mistakes happen."

Sonic wrote a text for Tangle only to see, "This guy killed Whisper's original team. Why are you so chill?"

Tangle was unshaken, "Accusing each other won't get our bodies back."

Sonic reluctantly agreed, "Sorry Silver."

Silver nodded, "Apology accepted."

Knuckles then asked, "How'd you initially capture him anyways."

Tangle enthusiastically explained, "Oh it was so cool! Shadow teleported into place and launched the rocket wisp to blow him in the air and Sonic used my tail to capture and hold him!"

Knuckles noted the choice of words, "Wait…she teleported?"

Shadow glared daggers at Knuckles as Sonic clarified, "As fun as calling Shadow a girl is, he doesn't deserve the misgendering either Knuckles."

Knuckles pinched his forehead, This is so weird, "How did he teleport?"

Shadow revealed his chaos emerald, "Truly is a mystery…"

Knuckles was infuriated, "You can still use chaos control?!" Shadow nodded, causing Knuckles to run over, "Give me that!" He took it and declared, "If that wolf can do it then so can I! CHAOS CONTROL!"

The emerald started glowing, shining brighter, brighter, and then even brighter for a while. Then, it suddenly fizzled out anticlimactically. Knuckles did not let that go unnoticed, "What?! That's impossible! Let's try that again! CHAOS CONTROL!" Same thing happened. He stubbornly tried a third time, "Come on! CHAOS CONTROL!" Yet again, it failed, Knuckles became apoplectic and punched the ground, leaving a dent, "It's not fair! I'm the guardian of the Master emerald! Why can't I use them!"

Sonic used the distraction to grab the emerald from Knuckle's other hand with Tangle's tail, putting it in one of his hands. "It's because you just don't have the gift! Now watch a seasoned veteran. CHAOS CONTROL!" It shined gradually brighter, lasting for longer than Knuckles' attempts, but it too fizzled out. Sonic tried a second time, "Chaos Control!". It lasted slightly longer but still no dice. Sonic was confused, "Why can't I do it anymore?!"

Shadow had been watching in amusement, but went back to snarling as he scolded them, "I've lived and breathed chaos energy as long as I've existed. What made you two think you could even attempt to match me?" He walked over and ripped it back from Sonic's hands, "Now give me that!"

Sonic then went into braggadocious mode, "Whatever. At least I'm the manlier of us now!"

Shadow raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

Sonic explained, "Althetic outfit, fighting gloves, less feminine figure and hair, and battle ready tail." He did a tail-fist with the last declaration, "Is it even a question?"

Shadow laughed, "Yeah, truly a question of what's tougher, the soldier vs the gym rat."

That last word triggered something deep within Sonic, something that frazzled the tail and caused him to snap, "NowListenHereYouJerkI'mNotARatI'mAHedgehogExceptInALemur'sBodyWhichMeansIfAnythingI'mAPrimateSoYouBetterNotCallMeThatAgainOrSoHelpMeIWill-!"

Amy put an arm on his shoulder, getting a primally vicious glare from him, "Sonic, calm down."

Knuckles laughed, "Why are you so worked up over that, of all things? Do you have something against gyms?"

Sonic smiled in embarrassment, "Uh…No, it was the rat part. I'm not a rat!"

Silver looked curiously over that, "That does sound demeaning."

Lanolin was watching in annoyance, "...Now that you're done embarrassing yourself, let's get back to telling Jewel what happened."

Tails walked over to explain to Jewel, "That 'Sonic' turned out to be Mimic."

Jewel looked even more tired than she already had been, "He's posing as Sonic too?" She then put her head on the table and put hands to the sides of her head, "What the heck is going on?!"

Amy interjected to counterpoint, "But, we know what Mimic looks like and know he's posing as Sonic! Just pay close attention to news reports!"

Jewel sighed, "Well, we got another. And it was elsewhere so we know it must be Metal Sonic."

Jewel put on a human news station from Station Square, "Sonic the Hedgehog has been spotted in Station Square signing autographs at Twinkle Park. When asked why he was visiting, he replied."

The report cut to a clip of 'Sonic' asking, "Do I need a reason? Not everything is a world crisis, you know!"

Jewel cut off the transmission, Sonic looking concerned, "So…We're going to Twinkle Park then?"

Lanolin narrowed her eyes, "That sounds expensive."

Amy however reminded everyone, "But they have the 'Cute Couples get in free' promotion."

Sonic cringed at the thought, "Will we all be able to get in?"

Tails thought about it, pulling out his Miles electric to look it up on his phone, "Nope, applies to ages 13 and up, adult couples are allowed up to 2 children."

Rouge smirked, "Guess we're going on a group date." She flew over to Knuckles, "I call dibs on him!" Knuckles was too flustered to respond.

Vector began blushing and asked, "Uh…If we're going to a theme park, could I invite Vanilla?"

Espio glared at him, "You bring that up now?"

Vector began giving his justification, "She's cute and it means we could bring Cream, Gemerl, and Charmy!"

Jewel thought about it, "I don't know."

Sonic protested, "Do we have to go as dates? How much money does the Restoration have?"

Jewel put a hand to her face, "Sorry Sonic, we're operating on slim margins right now."

Sonic sighed, "Fine…Tails, do they allow Lesbian and Gay couples now?"

Tails nodded, "Sure do!"

Sonic smiled, "Yes!"

Amy raised an eyebrow, "Why are you asking?"

Sonic ran over to put an arm around Shadow, "I think I know who I'm going with!"

Tangle was stunned, "Sonic, you have a thing for Shadow?"

Sonic chose not to answer, seductively wiggling eyebrows at Shadow instead. Shadow death glared at the Lemur, "Not! A! CHANCE!"

Silver then floated over with eagerness in his eyes, "Oh, how about me!"

Shadow was disgusted, "No. Just no. Not going with you, 'lover boy!"

Silver sighed in disappointment, "Guess I can go with Sonic then?"

Sonic also looked dismally about it, "No thanks. Sorry Silver."

Silver shrugged, "Suit yourself, Princess."

Jewel clarified, "We aren't all going anyways."

Vector was shocked, "What?! Why not?! I could have invited Vanilla to bring Cream, Gemerl, and gotten me and Charmy in free!"

Jewel made clear, "We have need for your detective skills elsewhere. You and the Chaotix need to investigate the uptick in crime around the island."

Still heartbroken, Vector reluctantly nodded, "Fine. Guess that was what we were investigating before this…"

Shadow nodded with a neutral expression, "Good."

Sonic got back on the subject of the cute coupling, "I would rather not go with Mighty or Espio. Too weird."

Sonic thought about it, looking in Lanolin's direction next as she immediately shot it down, "Don't even think about it."

Sonic sighed, looking at Amy, "Guess we're going on another date, Amy."

Amy was mixed about this development, but naturally couldn't say no, "I'd be happy to." She got sidetracked remembering, "Also, where's Sticks?"

Right on cue, Sticks showed up, "Sorry guys, I got side tracked!"

Amy asked, "Did you go searching for the Yeti again?"

Sticks smiled as she confidently announced, "Nah, I found something better than a Yeti!"

Everyone was at attention as Amy asked, "And what is that?"

In walked an armored figure with a familiar helmet on. Amy responded in astonishment, "Trip? You came here?"

She took off her helmet, "I heard about Sonic going rogue. Thought you could use more help."

Sticks went on, "What's the sitch this time?"

Jewel re-explained, "Sonic's at Station Square's Twinkle park, and we were figuring out some 'cute couples' to get in free. Strength in numbers."

Sticks then squee-ed in excitement, "Can I go with Trip? I've always wanted a dragon girlfriend!"

Trip was blushing in confusion, "...How did you-I mean, what makes you say that?"

Sticks winked, "I'm a supernatural enthusiast. You think I don't know about the rumored 'Northstar islands' dragon?...And Amy told me."

Trip glared at Amy, who apologetically replied, "Sorry Trip, Sticks in insanely good at getting info out of people." Sticks gave a confident glare.

Sticks continued, "So, how about it?"

Trip shrugged, "Fine. I guess if we need to…"

Espio was a bit disappointed, Awwww…This girl looks kind of cute. He closed his eyes in a sigh.

Jewel nodded, "Guess that works. Anything else we need to do?"

Sonic suggested, "Yes. Tails, could you go to Scrapnik Island to retrieve the 'Egg Noggin'?"

Tails was caught off guard by the request, "Why do we need that?"

Tangle asked, "Where and what now?"

Sonic elaborated, "We'll need it to restore us to normal."

Tails realized what he meant, "Of course Sonic! I'll put together a team to handle that! Mighty and Ray, you down to come with me?"

Both of them nodded as Mighty slapped Tails on the back, "We'd be happy to!"

Silver looked ponderously, requesting, "Tails, you sure you want to go to a place made of Eggman robots? Sounds awfully hostile."

Tails giggled, "No, they're reformed. They'll be glad to help us!"

Silver gave it further thought, announcing, "Oh…That sounds inspirational! I'd love to come!"

Tails nodded, "Sure. We'd love to have you."

Jewel gave the arrangements some thought, realizing the last group they've yet to address, "Lanolin and Shadow. Who would you like to join?"

Shadow quickly replied, "We got GUN intel about Eggman's new base, I'd suggest investigating it."

Lanolin raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?"

Shadow insisted, "Yep. I could even bring Omega along for more firepower."

Jewel nodded, "Copy that. Best of luck out there!"

So the three groups went their separate ways.

On the flight over, Knuckles was nothing if not flummoxed. Being the only male body on this flight was…awkward, especially since one of these he had to constantly remind himself was also a boy. I don't know if I'll ever be used to this… He was thus left speechless most of this flight. Rouge instead initiated the conversation, "Hey, Sonic, you reconsider doing a "Girl's night out" yet?"

Sonic glared intensely at Rouge, "Rouge, why do you keep this up? What big epiphany do you expect from me? Girls suck!"

Everyone glared at him for that comment except Knuckles, "Yeah, you tell them Son…" He went silent as the glares now turned at him, "Uh…Nevermind. Girls are fine."

Trip looked particularly hurt at that comment, "Do you mean that, Sonic?"

Tangle took a guess, "I think he meant to say being a girl sucks."

Sonic clarified, "Tangle's right. Wearing clothes, awkward bathroom visits, and ogling from longtime friends. How do girls put up with this?!"

Trip grimaced, "Heh, I get mistaken for a boy frequently with my helmet and rarely have visitors. Can't relate."

Knuckles…Chuckled, "You sound a lot like me. Minus the helmet part. I've been called a girl for my long dreadlocks a lot. I just punch them if they get too annoying!"

Amy and Rouge looked horrified at the suggestion. Sticks shrugged, "I don't deal with many men. They're too creeped out by me. I can only wonder why…"

Amy nodded as she sarcastically agreed, "Truly a mystery. But, I wear my girliness on my sleeve. And when I need to, I'll show my hammer. There are definitely people who would want me if I wasn't so into you, Sonic."

Rouge then smirked, "Yep. Little secret, Sonic, I agree. Being a girl does suck. I Just know how to exploit the advantages of it. It isn't all bad, and I'd be happy to show you that!"

Tangle then burst out in excitement, "Would that mean a spa? Oh, I love a good spa day…too bad I'm banned, and that spa owner spread the word. I went to another across the island and they turned me away instantly."

Sonic was wide eyed, "What. Did. You. Do?"

Tangle awkwardly chuckled, "Uh…Let's just say hyperactivity and an unwieldy tail don't mix with spas…And I may have cannon-balled into the mudpit."

Rouge was frustrated and facepalmed, "You're not just banned from our island, are you?"

Sticks had looked something up on her phone, "Correct, she's on the international spa ban list."

Sonic looked incredulously at Sticks, "That's a thing?!"

Sticks smiled, "Yep!"

Sonic shrugged, "Guess that's out then. Oh no, what a shame…But thanks for the offer Rouge. I'll be fine."

Tangle consoled him, "At least you're not a robot!"

Sonic gave an uneasy chuckle, "Heheh, yeah…" Honestly, I'd prefer that…

Knuckles asked, "What the heck is a spa?"

Trip nodded, "Yeah, I'm as lost as you."

Rouge noticed land approaching, "I think we're almost there…And oh boy is the line looking long…"

Sonic groaned, "Great, my favorite thing in the world…waiting."

Tangle agreed, "Tell me about it!"

Knuckles teased, "I guard a giant emerald all day. This is nothing."

Rouge smirked, "Where's that by the way?"

Knuckles growled, "None of your business!"

Rouge pulled out a shard she'd 'found', "You know it is though!"

Knuckles ripped it out of her hands, "Give me that! How'd you get that!"

Rouge flirted as she answered, "That's my secret and for you to wonder, handsome."

Knuckles blushed redder than usual. "Whatever."

Trip put on the helmet, terrified of the sheer number of people present.

After the plane landed, they made their way to the Station square line. It wound back and forth through town, Starting across the street from Twinkle Park. Sonic was already getting antsy, something visibly shown from the unusually crooked patterns he was suddenly making with an increasingly familiar tail. Rouge noticed this, "Awww…Blue-gray, you're developing another tail habit. Adorable."

Sonic blushed in embarrassment, an increasingly common emotion as he was trapped in this body, groaning in response, "Rouge. Could you not tell me that?"

Tangle suggested, "What's wrong Sonic? I express myself all the time through my tail. Why shouldn't you?"

Sonic meditated for a few seconds, thinking about the tail to get it under control, and frowned as he explained via text, "Easy for you to say."

Rouge snarked, "It's the toxic masculinity speaking, isn't it."

Knuckles raised an eyebrow, "What masculinity?"

Rouge smirked and spoke with a mix of frustration and charm, "You're so dim, it's kind of adorable."

Trip agreed, "What's masculinity got to do with that? Sonic seems pretty expressive to me."

Sticks pointed out with a pat, "You're wearing a helmet. Hard to be expressive beneath that."

Rouge sighed, "He's been raised male his entire life. That doesn't disappear when turned into a girl." Sonic looked very uneasy with this discussion, Rouge noting, "If anything it makes it worse."

Sonic glared, "Mind your own business, Rouge."

Rouge, however, continued to press as that confirmed she was correct, "Overcompensating for something? There's more important things than your pride, you know…"

Tangle's tail was starting to frazzle, "Yes, I am aware."

Knuckles came to his defense, "Rouge, leave him alone, I don't see a problem here."

Amy spoke again, putting a hand on Sonic's shoulder, "Maybe you're right, Rouge. But it's not a problem to resolve in public."

Rouge shrugged, "Fair enough."

Tangle, noting that, asked through the earpiece, "Is that really it, Sonic? It's about your pride?"

Sonic texted back, "She's somewhat right, but can I trust you with that knowledge?"

Tangle was a bit taken aback at the claim, "You really don't trust me?"

Sonic explained, "You spoiled Whisper's secret to me, remember?"

Tangle felt nailed by that, "...You're right. But, it helped her become more sociable too. Maybe I could help you too. Even heroes need help sometimes."

Sonic admitted but kept his signature grin as he texted, "I've handled 6 months of torture and the metal virus. This is nothing!"

Tangle could tell from seeing Sonic with her face that he was lying, but decided not to press it, "Best of luck, Sonic."

During this discussion, they'd only made it an 8th through the line into Twinkle Park. This was again making the energetic hedgehog matched with an equally energetic lemur's body antsy again, "Ugh, I can't take this anymore! I'm going on a parkour run on the rooftops!" He prepared to slingshot off to do just that.

As he ran, doing a combination of running and other tricks, including occasional tail shenanigans, Tangle asked, "Would now be a better time to discuss your struggles."

Sonic frowned, "Still no, Tangle. You never know what weirdos you'll find up here."

Shortly after, he heard his literal identity thief, "Hey there hot stuff!"

Sonic immediately stopped, looking around to his stolen body, "Really, you're trying to flirt with me now? After pounding this face into the dirt?"

'Sonic' stared seductively at his counterpart, "Come on, you know you want me!"

Sonic felt more than a little bit icky right about now, Tangle speaking through the earpiece, "This is like flirting at someone with their stolen car. Keep him distracted, I'm sending a message to Amy as we speak!"

Sonic glared as he folded arms as he made a fist with the tail, "I'll admit, you got some nerve pulling that stunt."

'Sonic' grinned maliciously, "That's the Sonic way, get under my enemy's skin."

Sonic grinned back, "Learned from the best, I'm sure."

'Sonic' sniped back with a proud stance, and closed eyes, "I am the best, agreed."

Sonic took advantage of the closed eyes to grab his body with the tail and spin him silly, and grabbed his still spinning body into the classic holding his partner lying back dance pose, staring seductively into his stolen eyes. This left the hedgehog flustered beyond belief, "Woah…You know how to have a good time…don't you?...Can I…uh…have this dance?"

Sonic spun him silly again, pressing his point with an annoyed expression and closed eyes, "Sorry, I don't waste my time with amateurs." As he finally stopped spinning, he struggled to stay standing, "Not used to dizziness, huh?"

'Sonic' collapsed to the ground, stating, "I am the One True Sonic, and there's nothing you can do about that."

Sonic crouched down, "Wow, you're pathetic. And desperate."

Tangle had been watching in awe from the earpiece, musing to herself, Boy do I suddenly want to go to a dance with you Sonic! It would be so fun!

Some clapping began from nearby, catching Sonic's attention. He saw it was coming from Rouge, "Impressive. For someone who's been a girl for only a few days, you really know how to sweep a man off his feet."

Sonic was flustered at this comment, but kept up the confidence to press the wannabe, "Anyways…I know you'd have me pounded into the dirt again if you'd wanted to. So…What are you really here for?"

'Sonic' stood up, dusting off his current body, "Okay, you got me. I want to make a deal."

Rouge sarcastically added, "Making deals now. That's not very 'Sonic' of you!"

Tangle spoke from the phone to be heard, "You got that right! Wonder why…Truly a mystery."

'Sonic' continued on with barely restrained anger, "Now that the fangirl brigade is done, here it is. I want your help defeating Eggman!"

Rouge commented, making big quotation marks, "'Blue', you've defeated Eggman how many times before?"

Sonic countered, "Not usually alone. Let's hear him out, Rouge."

'Sonic' continued, "I'm terrified of the power my father has amassed. It's going to his head and as he said I can't beat him alone. So, if you agree to help me take him down, I'll make sure your lemur friend can have her body back and to help keep Eggman permanently out of power."

Sonic made clear how unsympathetic he was, "Running away from daddy?"

'Sonic' ensured it was understood this was no joke, "All I want is the freedom to be who I want to be, and he's robbing me of that. Isn't that what you stand for?"

Sonic stroked his chin with the tail, "Using my ideals against me, clever. You know what, sold. I've seen many badniks have a change of heart. If you want freedom from Eggman's tyranny…" He made a wink and thumbs-up with a hand and the tail, "I'm your guy."

Tangle asked through the earpiece, "Where are you going with this Sonic?"

'Sonic' breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm so glad you're willing to help."

Rouge was also surprised, "You heroic types, always willing to help those who ask. When will you ever learn?"

Sonic, however, knew full well what he was doing, "Just one question first."

'Sonic' Looked at him, "And that is?..."

Sonic smirked confidently, "When do I get my body back?"

'Sonic' went silent, starting to sweat profusely, Rouge smiling, I underestimated your wits Sonic.

Tangle noted, "Gave him enough tail to hang himself. Clever move Sonic."

Sonic immediately pulled out the phone to ask back via text, "Tail? Don't you mean rope."

Tangle texted back, "ROFL, what do you think I can use my tail as? XD"

Sonic giggled as he looked back at it, "Hah, true." He then put the phone back away, "Come on, that's a fair trade right? We help you defeat Eggman, then help undo the programming he's put on you so you can truly be your own person. That's reasonable, no?"

'Sonic' mused in his head, What is my body doing? What is this feeling? He spoke again, "Haha, don't be ridiculous, I'm the One True Sonic. No need to be jealous about it?"

Sonic then nailed him on that comment, "And there it is! That's why I can't help you. You don't get to steal my body and claim it as your own. I help people live their truth, not their lies!"

'Sonic''s friendly façade was falling, "Lies?! You're a female lemur, your friend's a phone, and I'm a male hedgehog. Tell me who's really the delusional one here!" He then looked to the side whispering to himself, "Ugh, I should have put her in her place from the start."

Rouge overheard and proceeded to add, "You know, as a jewel thief, I usually agree with the philosophy of 'finders keepers, losers weepers'. But, you've stolen far more than a gem, you've stolen everything from him. His body, his powers, his masculinity, and his identity. Sonic may be gullible, but he cares for others and deserves those back. You only care about yourself."

That really pissed 'Sonic' off, "What do you three know?! You're just a bunch of teenage girls! I'm Sonic the Hedgehog! I'm the man around here! You will respect me!"

Sonic literally sweeped him off his feet, holding him by his leg upside down with the tail, "Are you?"

He was about to try and roll up, but found this very difficult with a leg being held. But, that was when Knuckles, who had been waiting covertly from behind Rouge, took the opportunity to prepare a punch to send 'Sonic' flying out of Station Square, "Now get lost!"

As he flew away, he shouted, "NEXT TIME I WON'T HOLD BACK!"

Rouge sighed, "Did you have to send him flying? We'll need to capture him, you know…"

Sonic admitted, "To be fair, he did trap me in a tail wheel last time I grabbed him. Knuckles saved me from that fate."

Knuckles proudly stood, "You're welcome." He then put a hand on Sonic's shoulder, "Don't let his attack on your manhood get to you. You're currently a scrapper with a slim figure and actual chest fur. You're far more of a man than he'll ever be."

Sonic suddenly had made the tail frazzled again as he suppressed the urge to scream given this was meant to be a compliment, "Thank…You…Knuckles…That…Was…Very…Nice…Of…You…To…Say…To…Me…"

Knuckles noticed and wondered, "Uh, Sonic, what are you doing."

Rouge broke out in laughter, "You just complimented him exactly how Shadow 'did' yesterday."

Knuckles raised an eyebrow, "Why would he?…Oh…Sorry Sonic."

Sonic sighed, muttering under his breath, "Egg Noggin, you can't come soon enough." He spoke properly afterwards, "At least you were genuine about it. But, with Metal Sonic out of town, the line's likely gone. How about we go to Twinkle Park now?"

Rouge did her standard flirty routine with Knuckles, "I dunno, hot stuff. Can you handle a date with me?"

Knuckles was flustered yet again, "You know I'm tough!"

They went back to the line, which had mostly disbanded as news that Sonic had left made it out. Sticks asked, "Good news guys. We can finally enter the park! Are you ready to catch Metal Sonic!"

Sonic shook his head, "Nah, we already took care of him."

Trip looked a bit down, "Oh. That's fine." I was always nervous about entering as a couple with her anyway.

Amy and Sticks pouted, Amy asking, "Awwww…But it's so fun!"

Sonic re-assured, "Who said we weren't? We're already here, might as well make the most of it! Carpe Diem."

Amy raised an eyebrow, "Really, even as a 'lesbian' couple?"

Sonic winked, "Especially as a 'lesbian' couple!"

That flustered Amy, but she was a good sport, "Okay, you got your revenge."

Rouge commented, "We're burning daylight. Let's get in there!"

The Chaotix had a really good lead from their investigations earlier in the day: The current violence was linked to the mafia under its Kingpin: Clutch the Opossum. As such, Vector went to the jail he was in, "Excuse me, who do I ask to talk to an inmate?"

The receptionist replied in an uninterested way, "Who are you?"

Vector was embarrassed, "Uh…We're the Chaotix Detective Agency. We're seeking to see Clutch the Opossum."

Espio added, "We know he's related to crime spikes around the island."

The receptionist dismissed the request, "Sorry, we can't let-" Then they got a phone call, "Hang on, I'm getting a phone call." The call was from Jewel, asking for authorization for them to see him, "Uh…Come right in!"

Charmy cheered, "Yay!"

As they entered the visit room, they waited. Charmy got antsy, "Ugh, Vector, what's the wait!"

Vector replied, "Charmy, you're not old enough to know that!"

Espio nodded from the corner, "Prisons aren't pleasant. It can take a while to round up a prisoner."

After waiting another 5 minutes, he was finally brought in, "You three again. What, are you here to gloat? Rub my capture in my face?"

Espio cut to the chase, "No, we're wondering what connection you have to sudden violence breaking out."

Clutch was annoyed by this trivial question, "Dilettante, it's a power struggle. What did your organization expect from jailing me, their kingpin?"

Vector raised an eyebrow, "Huh, how'd that happen? Don't you mafia boss types have a ton of thugs to protect you?"

Clutch sighed as he stood up, "Yes. But, someone found my base and knocked me out. Next I knew, I was here."

Charmy folded his arms as he flew in place, "That's not helpful!"

Vector got a message from Jewel, "Well, you were brought in by Silver…"

That set Espio off, "What! Did! You! Do! To! Him?!"

This caught Clutch by surprise, but he closed his eyes to re-assure him, "What interest would I have to antagonize him?"

Espio thought about it further, "If that's not it…What did you do to his future?!"

Clutch further replied, "Defensive much? I don't know. But, that seems strange to me. I was comfortably retired before you do-gooders interfered. How could I even pull that off when my days on this fine earth are so limited?"

Charmy looked concerned, "So…You're not planning on ending the world?"

Clutch nodded, "Nope. I like my life, thank you very much. I'd more likely suspect Eggman. He's the wackjob who leaves his crap everywhere. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving."

Vector sighed, "Guess that's it then. We'll be heading out then…"

As they headed out, Clutch commented as he stood up and turned around, "One last thing…If you see those Skunk Brothers, they'll probably beg for your help."

Espio raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

Clutch, "They got…mixed up."

Espio pressed further, "How so?"

He smiled mischievously, "Same way your hedgehogs lost their h-"

Vector was flustered at the comment and interrupted, "Nope, not in front of the child! Bye, thanks for the tip!"

As he stood alone in the room, he spoke to himself, "Eggman, I know you're behind this. I only need to figure out how…"

On the outside, Charmy asked, "What did he say?"

Vector was evasive, "Nothing important Charmy."

Charmy was unconvinced, "Come on, tell me Espio!"

Espio commented, "He's said he knows what happened to Sonic and Shadow."

Charmy tilted his head, "What's so weird about that?"

Vector and Espio glanced at each other, having a mutual understanding to not explain further, "Everything. But, you're too young to understand."

He pouted, "Why do you always treat me like a kid?"

Espio glanced sideways, "Truly a mystery." As the trio then went on to report their findings to Jewel.