Note: Thanks Pybro2 for beta-reading this fic

As Sonic continued exploring the forest, he eventually came to a particularly large tree. Sonic proceeded to use Tangle's tail to shoot to the top. From there, Sonic took a look around, marveling at the vast forest.

While looking, he noticed what appeared to be brief blue flashes in the distance, stopping suddenly each time. That looks like me running alright so that must be Tangle in my body. Better see if I can meet her. Sonic used the tail to slingshot back to the road. He made it just in time, as Tangle in his body hit yet another tree before collapsing. "Not easy being the fastest thing alive, is it Tangle?"

Tangle, dazed, shook her head back into lucidity. Upon her vision clearing she saw, well, herself. "Oh, hi Sonic. This is trippy, like a mirror without any glass."

Sonic giggled, "You can say that again! You been having fun crashing my body?"

Tangle answered embarrassedly, "…You're not wrong."

Sonic then said, "Hey, I don't blame you. My speed's awesome, and I've crashed yours too. But, I don't remember where you stay, could you show me?"

Tangle replied, "Sure thing. Need a lift?"

Sonic gave an uncomfortable smile. "As much as I already miss my speed, probably not."

Tangle, embarrassed, laughed. And so the swapped duo walked to Tangle's home.

On the way, Sonic teased, "How many trees did you run into today?"

Tangle scratched the back of her head, "…You don't wanna know."

They began their run back to Spiral Hill. Tangle made sure to run at a pace she knew her body could handle. When they got to Tangle's home, she asked, "Well, since we're in this together, do you know what caused it?"

Sonic smirked, "Isn't it obvious? It was The Meteor."

Tangle laughed, "Even compared to the Chaos Emeralds, that is weird."

Sonic answered, "I know. Sounds like a cartoon, doesn't it?"

Tangle replied, "Yep. Wonder if anyone would believe us?"

Sonic then wondered, "You haven't told either?"

Tangle shrugged, "Not worth the trouble and nobody would trust me with your speed. What about you?

Sonic smirked, "Knuckles would never let me hear the end of it if he found out, so no."

Tangle wondered, "He protects that big Emerald right? It would be nice to visit Angel Island again sometime. Speaking of which, how weird is this compared to other adventures?"

"At the top, but barely." Sonic replied.

Tangle gave a giddy expression, "Tails told me a bit. But I need to know from the man himself!"

Sonic teased, "You're the man here currently!"

Tangle chuckled, "You know what I meant."

Sonic then proceeded to explain various weird adventures to Tangle to kill time, such as meeting Knuckles, the Chaos Incident, the missing moon chunk, and the werehog.

Tangle then asked, "Wait, 'Werehog'?"

Sonic explained, "Long story, but due to dark energy I became bigger, stronger, and gained stretchy limbs at night."

Tangle asked, "So like a werewolf? Does it still happen?" Then it hit her and stars appeared in Sonic's eyes, "Could we be stretchy buddies?!"

Sonic chuckled, "No. Sorry."

Tangle pouted, "Why did I have to meet you so late?"

Sonic answered, "I've seen the world. It's easy to miss a fortress on one island. Anyways, how did your day go?"

Tangle answered, "I got up early this morning. I tried grabbing your phone with my tail, but realized I was in your body. Tails didn't suspect a thing as I ate breakfast and left. I ran around the island, meeting Amy, Big, Sticks, and Cream."

Sonic smiled, "So Amy's friends? What are the odds? I remember saving Cream's mom from Eggman."

Tangle added, "Wonder what he wanted with her? When I saw Cream, she was confused I couldn't remember her name. Told her I was going to 'hang out with Tangle'."

Sonic narrowed his eyes with an annoyed expression, "Great, she'll likely tell Amy about that."

Tangle tilted her head, "What's wrong with that?"

Sonic facepalmed, "Because you made it sound like we were going on a date!"

Tangle blushed awkwardly and scratched the back of her head, "Ohhh…Heheh. My bad. If so, this is the weirdest date ever."

Sonic laughed, "Tell me about it. Ugh, imagine going on a date as the opposite gender. That would be incredibly awkward."

Tangle snickered, "Agreed. Did you do anything besides swinging around the forest?"

Sonic had a neutral expression, "I met my old friends Mighty and Ray."

Tangle grinned wide, "So you have even more friends I haven't met. But, you seem oddly disturbed."

Sonic then put hands to his face as he blushed awkwardly, "Because Mighty was crushing on me! Do you have any idea how awkward that is?!"

Tangle laughed, "You could have told him 'you're' a lesbian."

Sonic awkwardly said, "I couldn't be that mean to Mighty and I didn't know if you were. Are you though?"

Tangle raised her finger, only to realize she didn't have an answer, "Huh. Never been on a date before so never thought about it."

Sonic then continued, "I invited Mighty to the Restoration. Maybe you could meet him later. He also wears fingerless gloves, you'd get along great!"

Tangle smiled, "Noted. Last question, how do you control your speed?!"

Sonic tried not to laugh, "I dunno. I've had that speed for as long as I remember. Never had to question it."

That was when the door rang. Sonic ran over to answer it.

Whisper had awoken with an hour before the dinner with Tangle, only to find Jewel's text. Whisper sighed, but thought, She was just shocked unconscious by a mysterious meteorite. I should probably cut her some slack. She texted Jewel, "Thank you for telling me, I'll take it back to her."

Whisper went out for a walk, going to Jewel's to retrieve Tangle's phone. Once she made it to Tangle's house, she rang the doorbell.

Shortly thereafter, Whisper saw Tangle answering (Really should have seen this coming...), "Oh, hi there Whisper."

Whisper…whispered, "You broke this at Jewel's earlier. I'm here to return it."

Tangle, embarrassed (Oof, sorry Tangle), replied, "Oops…my bad. Thank you."

Whisper, however, glared and pressed, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Tangle replied with an awkward grin (If a glare could kill…But what am I supposed to say? 'Hi, I'm actually Sonic inhabiting your crush's body'? Would she even believe that?), "Maybe? I'd explain, but I doubt you'd believe me. See you later!"

As the door closed, Whisper insisted, "But Tangle we-" Whisper then noticed the door was closing and slipped her boot in to stop it. "Tangle, it took me weeks to get this far."

Tangle reluctantly reopened the door, "To do what?"

Whisper clarified, "To ask you out to dinner, you silly lemur!"

Tangle's eyes shrank (You have got to be kidding me!), "Couldn't it wait for another time? I'm not ready for a date and have Sonic over right now…" As she gestured towards Sonic.

Whisper then looked over at Sonic, raised an eyebrow, and insisted, "Sonic, I don't know when I'll muster the courage again. Could you please let us go on our planned date?"

Sonic noticed Tangle mouthing "Help me out here". (Wait…she wanted to take me out on a DATE?! What luck for it to be now, isn't it? I'm not sure she'd ever forgive me or Sonic if I stopped her this suddenly. Think Tangle, think, what do I say?…)

Sonic then said, "Uhhh…Just go ahead with it Tangle and be yourself. I'm sure it'll go just fine."

Tangle immediately shot him a death glare (Be MYSELF?! Are you Serious?!) as Whisper nodded, "Thank you Sonic." And so the duo left for their date.

This left the actual Tangle alone in her house, I'm sorry for that Sonic, my friendship with Whisper is too precious to test. But maybe you'll find it surprisingly enjoyable. Love works in mysterious ways after all…

Whisper took Tangle, who unbeknownst to her was Sonic in her crush's body, to her planned date spot: a local dine-in restaurant. The two sat down. Whisper was taking a look at the menu. She then looked up at Tangle and it looked like she had a lot on her mind at the moment (Congratulations, Sonic, your first date is as Tangle with her lesbian friend. Just when I thought Mighty crushing on me was as weird as this day could get…), leading to Whisper asking, "Is something troubling you, Tangle?" 'Tangle' didn't answer, currently looking at the menu. Whisper tried again, "Tangle, is everything all right."

Sonic, startled, answered, "Huh, sorry Whisper, I'm just not feeling like myself today." Because I'm literally not. He remarked in his head.

Whisper looked concerned, "Sorry to hear that. But:" She glared as she asked the awkward question, "Why was Sonic at your place?"

Sonic couldn't find the words to explain it, "Sorry, that's our secret."

Whisper frowned at the dodge but decided to ask a different question to avoid ruining the date right away, "Tell me about your day."

Sonic smiled, "Sure. I was swinging around the forest and ran into Sonic's old friends Ray the Flying Squirrel and Mighty the Armadillo."

Whisper was intrigued, "How'd it go?"

Sonic confidently boasted, "I really impressed them.." He then scratched the back of his head, "Mighty started crushing on me too…"

Whisper smirked, "With your magnetic personality, not surprising." She quickly noticed that Tangle looked uneasy at the remark, "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Sonic awkwardly chuckled, "I sent them to Jewel. Maybe we'll see them in the Restoration later."

Whisper teased, "Are you trying to create a love triangle?"

Sonic looked horrified at the idea, I just wanted to see him more regularly. But please no, badly do not want that. He then explained, "Nah, he just seemed cool and worth inviting."

Whisper giggled, but she knew Tangle well and could tell something was very off with her crush. Why is her tail so stagnant? It's just been sitting behind her barely moving. Yet she otherwise still seems as upbeat as ever when talking and she's not Mimic. This is hurting my head.

Sonic noticed Whisper was deep in thought, "Something wrong, Whisper? Did I say something to offend you?"

Whisper was about to answer, but then the waiter then came to take their orders. "Excuse me ladies, may I take your order."

Whisper offered a courtesy smile and said, "Could I have the hamburger and some strawberry shortcake?"

Sonic, meanwhile, looked incredibly uncomfortable and sighed, You're Tangle currently, get used to this until you come clean or return to normal. He then answered, "Could I have a Chili-dog?"

The waiter left to give their orders to the cook. Whisper was dumbfounded by Tangle's pick, "Chili-dog? Are you trying to tell me something?"

Tangle pushed back, "It's what I felt like."

Then the restaurant owner came out from the kitchen, "Is it Sonic that ordered the Chili dog! I'm a huge fan and would like to meet you!"

Sonic looked incredulous, Is he serious?! He was forced to answer, "Sorry sir, no Sonic here, it was just me."

He frowned, "My bad ma'am. I will get back to preparing your meal."

Whisper glared at Tangle, who then opened her eyes wide and addressed Whisper's claim, "Ohhhhhh…You think I've got a thing for Sonic. If only it were that simple!"

Whisper then grinned, "Try me."

Sonic then suggested, "You really want to know what's going on?"

Whisper smiled, "If it will make you feel better, absolutely, my dear Princess."

Sonic didn't seem to register the flirt, "Okay, here it is, I'm not actually Tangle."

Whisper asked, "Who are you then?"

Sonic then came clean, "I'm Sonic."

Whisper nodded, "Okay."

Sonic, seemingly relieved to finally begin dropping the Façade, asked, "You believe me?"

Whisper quickly answered, "Sure, 'Sonic'. You can be whoever you want to be."

His heart sank as it became clear that Whisper was treating it like some game of pretend, Tangle does that? He went silent in disappointment.

Their food came after a few minutes of awkward silence. They ate it joyfully. Mmmmm, that's the good stuff. Thought Sonic.

Then came the Strawberry shortcake. Whisper offered, "Would you like some?"

Sonic looked at it in horror, Does the world hate me today?, "I'll pass."

Whisper was confused, "I thought you liked strawberries."

He answered, "Sorry, I really don't like shortcakes."

Whisper was disappointed, I got this because it has what we both love. Guess I'll eat it alone…

As it was finished and the two finished paying for food, they walked out, Sonic said, "That went better than expected."

Whisper frowned, "I understand. It's clear Sonic's been on your mind. I'm sorry if I got between you and your crush."

Sonic was internally panicking, Oh no, this is really bad!, "Whisper, it's not what you think."

Whisper continued, "I get it. You want to be more like Sonic. You said it yourself that you want to see the world like he has. That leaves no room for a relationship. I'm sure he'll be happy you're among his group of friends. I need to go home now, goodbye Tangle." She then began to walk very fast.

Sonic made one last ditch effort, "So, do you want to meet again next week?"

Whisper didn't respond, continuing down the road. And so they went their separate ways. I thought I didn't do too bad either. I'm sorry Whisper, you deserved better... He then walked back to Tangle's place, dragging the tail on the way.

Tails had been hard at work, doing everything he can to understand the meteorite that had knocked out Sonic and Tangle. He'd hoped that Sonic would come back by now, but that didn't seem to be happening. Amy was still waiting around Tail's lab, currently looking out the window.

Amy asked Tails, "Have you found out anything interesting about that gemstone?"

Tails said, "Yes. For one, this thing seems to have as much energy as 3 chaos emeralds."

Amy mused, "The Chaos Emeralds came from space too, right?"

Tails snickered, "That's not the most interesting thing."

Amy wondered, "What would that be?"

Tails explained, "I discovered how much power it gives out changes by the number of places it's touched, transferring energy between the points."

Amy, curious, replied, "Meaning?"

Tails answered, "It increases by 10 times the strength of a single touch."

Amy replied, "No wonder it KOed Tangle and Sonic! Anything else?"

Tails shook his head, "Nothing I could find currently."

Amy then waved goodbye, "See you later then, Tails!"

As Amy walked to the door, she noticed Whisper walking down the street crying. Amy was concerned for what could have caused Whisper to do that. However, then she got a phone call from Cream, "Oh, hey Cream, what's up?"

"Hi Amy. I was out on a stroll with my mom when Sonic stopped by." Cream answered.

Amy was then curious, "What was he doing?"

Cream answered, "He crashed into a building. But then he said he was going to 'hang out' with Tangle!"

Amy's eyes widened, "He what?!"

Cream cheerily continued, "Yeah. And I think we know what he means by 'hang out'. Isn't it great! Sonic finally has a girlfriend!"

Amy however had very different thoughts, especially after seeing Whisper, "Not necessarily Cream…"

Cream then teased Amy, "Are you jealous, Amy?"

Amy, flustered, countered, "What?! No! I just saw Whisper crying down the street. I'm concerned for a friend. Thank you for telling me, Cream. I need to go follow her!"

Cream answered, "Good luck Amy. I need to get back to my chores."

Tails had overheard and asked Amy, "What was that about?"

Amy explained, "Sonic apparently was found by Cream and went to see Tangle in Spiral Hill."

Tails shrugged, "It's not my business. He'll be back if we need him."

Amy said, "With Whisper crying down the street, I do think it's mine. I'll see you later. Call if you need me."

Tails waved goodbye, I do wonder what he's doing there. But I can't help but suspect jealousy with her interest in what Sonic is doing in Spiral Hill…

During that following walk, Whisper got lost in her own thoughts. Is it really just a coincidence? Every time I see them togetherthey rush into danger without a second thought. And Tangle's known Sonic longer than me...

As she was walking, she heard something heading towards her. When she looked back, she saw it was Amy, running too fast to be escaped. "Whisper?!" Amy shouted. Whisper stopped at hearing Amy. Upon catching up, Amy asked her, "Whisper, I saw you crying. What happened?"

Whisper continued to sob, "Remember the dinner I was supposed to go on with Tangle?"

Amy already knew what the problem was, but chose to respectfully hear out Whisper first. "Yeah?"

Whisper then confirmed what Amy already figured out, "Tangle was hanging with Sonic when I went and thought of him the entire date!"

Amy did her best to console her, "They were knocked out by that meteor last night, maybe that threw off Tangle's schedule?"

Whisper continued, "She was keeping a secret from me with him, ordered a Chili Dog, pretended to be Sonic, and snubbed my sharing a Strawberry Shortcake. Is that assumption off-base?"

Amy thought about it and knew how to answer. "Trust me Whisper, I've been in love with Sonic for a while. If you're right, I'll be just as devastated as you are. But I know Sonic wouldn't intentionally interrupt your dinner plan. I need answers too so I'll be heading to Spiral Hill next."

Whisper was still sobbing, "Best of luck, Amy."

Amy winked, "You got it, Whisper. Do you want me to tell you how it goes?"

Whisper shook her head, "I strictly limit contacts. I can't handle too much attention on me, sorry."

Amy sighed, "I understand. Hope you get through this fine, Whisper." Amy then departed to Spiral Hill as Whisper continued her stroll through the night.

During this long walk, Whisper eventually took a breather. Conveniently, Lanolin spotted her shortly after she did so. "It's been a week, Whisper. Where have you and Tangle been?"

Whisper looked up with a sad glare. Lanolin, having a soldier mindset, was unfazed but tried to be gentle, "If you don't want to say, I can't make you. But, if it's not a problem, mind if I join you on this walk?"

Whisper obliged. They walked for several minutes in silence, Whisper clearly still crying. Lanolin was a bit frustrated at her reluctance to talk, "You know, keeping your feelings in will cause problems."

Whisper however refused to budge, continuing her silent treatment. Then they came across Silver's home. During that, a portal opened, and sure enough, out of it came the future hedgehog himself. Whisper, eyes opened wide in shock, immediately ran over to hug Silver.

Silver was surprised, "Oh, hi Guardian Angel. You don't look too great, what's going on?"

Whisper still didn't speak, sobbing silently. Lanolin answered, "Your guess is as good as mine. I'm sure you're here for a reason, but it's getting late. How about you come with us to Diamond Cutters HQ for the night?"

Silver nodded, and the trio went to do just that.