Note: Thanks for another chapter beta read, Pybro2

Tangle was showing genuine panic at this revelation, "Nonononono, that's the last thing she needs!"

Amy and Tails were concerned, Tails asking, "What's the problem, Tangle?"

Tangle didn't know how to explain, "I can't tell you guys."

Amy asked the obvious followup, "Why not?"

Sonic answered, "Whisper got angry at Tangle telling me. Shadow brings back unpleasant memories and we'll leave it at that."

Tangle ran over to shake Tails, "Tails, is there any way I can save Whisper?"

Tails replied during this shake, "Stop shaking me first!" Tangle complied, Tails regaining his stability, "I can try."

Tails went to his computer, doing his best to find a way to hack into Eggman's network. He was at it for several minutes, using the latest hacker tools to try and find his way in. Tangle was impatient, "Tails, what's taking so long?"

Amy put a hand on Tangle's virtual shoulder, "Sorry Tangle but hacking isn't easy."

Sonic laid back against the wall, using the tail as a pillow, "I don't like waiting either Tangle. I wish I could just rush in to save Whisper but just look at me…or yourself."

Tangle then grinned, taking the chance to show off this form's shapeshifting capabilities, "How 'bout I return the favor!"

Sonic's jaw metaphorically hit the floor, "That's not fair! Tails, how is she doing that!"

Tails reluctantly answered as he continued hacking, "It just translated her virtual form into reality. I guess it gave her control over that form and voice too."

Tangle thought about it further, If I can take Sonic's form, maybe I can… She then took a good look at Tails, envisioning his two tails and shorter stature. She then did a similar thing she did with Sonic, putting Tails form on her mind to reshape into his, down to the twin tails. She spoke with Tails' voice, "Alright! It worked!" Tails' focus was completely broken from hearing his own voice from behind him. He had to look and saw his own duplicate. Tangle ran over to gave a one-tailed hug of the real Tails, "Check it out, we're 'Twin Tails'!"

Tails was a little bit annoyed but giggled while Sonic tried not to burst into laughter and Amy chuckled. Tails curiously asked, "Sonic I can get, but how are you imitating me?"

Tangle confidently grinned, "Remember Jewel saying I've pretended to be others."

Sonic gave an amused, "No kidding."

Tangle then decided to do Amy next, "Oh Sonic, every time I see you makes me swoon inside!"

Amy glared in annoyance, "...Interesting. But can you imitate my hammer?"

Tangle tried imagining the hammer, but all that came was a squeaky hammer smaller than Amy's hand. Tangle sighed, "Guess not."

Tails remarked as he got back to hacking, "Those nanomachines can only do so much."

Tangle shrugged, "Fine." She reverted to her Lemur form, testing how far her tail can stretch, finding it could only stretch across the room. This made Tangle sigh, "I see."

Tails looked back at Tangle, seeing her disappointment, "Sorry Tangle. It's the best I got."

Sonic wondered, "Can it do better?"

Tails wondered aloud while continuing to hack, "Maybe…If I can find more nanomachines."

Sonic demanded, "Do it."

Amy pressed Sonic on this, "Why?"

Sonic gave a clear answer, "I need her to train me."

Tails replied, "I don't have the money, Sonic. They aren't cheap."

The 4 friends thought about it, Tangle then having an idea, "What about an earpiece?"

Tails wasn't sure what she meant, "An Earpiece?"

Tangle answered, "Like in those spy movies. Or anime?"

Sonic asked the next question, "And how would that help?"

Tangle replied with a confident smile, "Simple. I know my body more than anyone. I'll be your mentor."

Sonic pondered, "That's a good idea. But, can you handle not moving?"

Tangle shrugged, "If it helps us return to normal, yes. Can you do that, Tails?"

Tails thought about it while continuing to hack, "...I'll need some time to find the right parts. My hacking algorithm is running so I can get to it!"

Sonic offered, "Guess it's settled. Shake on it?" Offering a hand.

Tangle teasingly glared, "Shake hands? Boring. How about we shake tails?"

Sonic joked, "I don't think he wants another."

Tangle then waved with her form's tail, "Okay wise-guy. Let's shake our tails."

Sonic winked, "Got it." And they did so, Tangle thinking happily, I get you don't want to be my sister, but you're like the sibling I always wanted, Sonic.

While Tails got hard at work with designing what they'd discussed, a knock came to the door.

Amy went to answer, but it was a very different Sonic rival standing outside. Amy put hands on her face in shock, "Knuckles!"

Lanolin and Shadow in her teammate's body walked into the forest. Neither felt like talking much, Lanolin just following wherever Shadow was going. Lanolin could tell that, while better at hiding it than Sonic, he was even less comfortable with this than Sonic was. They ran into a certain Badger on the way. Sticks was eager to greet them, "Oh, hi again Lanolin and…"

Lanolin offered, "Whisper."

Sticks glared suspiciously, "Who're you trying to fool? That glare is obviously Shadow's. How'd that happen?"

Shadow pulled out the wispon in Cube mode, threateningly commenting, "We don't have time for this."

Sticks was intimidated, Sheesh, Shadow doesn't screw around. He's almost as humorless as the Shadow in my dreams, glad he's not as selfish at least… "Fine. But, I'm around to help you and Sonic get your bodies back. Amy knows my number." She uneasily backed off and went on her way.

Lanolin asked, "Do you deal with her often?"

Shadow explained, "No."

After a few more minutes, they found the base. He pressed the button to talk with security, which answered, "GUN Base security, who is this?"

Shadow sighed, "This is Shadow the Hedgehog speaking. I wish to enter."

The security clearly held in laughter, "Yeah sure, like we haven't had fangirls try that exact stunt. You're free to leave fanmail for us to pick up later but you do not-"

Shadow was furious, punching the wall right next to the security line, "Does it sound like I'm joking?!"

Security was a bit startled and gave a more protocol-style response, "No it doesn't ma'am, your desire to see Shadow is very clear. But, we can't let you in. Sorry."

Shadow glared intensely into the camera, "Can't you see me?!"

They answered one last time, "You have his glare down pat. Well done. But still no. Good day to you, ma'am."

Shadow groaned loudly, "I hate this."

Lanolin asked, "You think this is any better for Whisper?"

Shadow gave his signature glare, but with Whisper's fang pointing out, "I know. But it's still frustrating being denied access. Guess we'll wait…"

Lanolin smirked, "You sure about that?" Lanolin then went to the camera/speaker, preparing her identification, "This is Lanolin of The Restoration's 'Diamond Cutters' strike team. We have reason to believe that Sonic and Shadow's bodies have been stolen by Eggman. We need your help to stop another takeover."

Security then took a moment, "Let me verify that with management first." It took a few minutes, but they came back, "Everything you said checks out, you will be allowed in under supervision."

The door opened with guards ready to follow them everywhere. Shadow was impressed.

She nodded. They made their way to the branch leader, who immediately interrogated them. "So, you're the Diamond Cutters. It's a shame the original ones never joined our organization…"

Lanolin raised an eyebrow, "You knew about them?"

The leader explained, "Correct." She displayed their forms on a hologram, "Smithy the Lion, Slinger the Ocelot, Claire Voyance, the traitor Mimic, and of course." She walked over to the wolf before her, "Whisper the Wolf. But you're not actually Whisper, are you?"

Shadow smirked, "Finally, someone notices."

She stuck out her hand, "Shadow, it's nice to have you back. You know, we'd love to analyze that Variable Wispon or mask. I'm sure we could make great use of its tech."

The wisps immediately flew out, making very clear how opposed they were to the idea. Shadow bluntly answered, "It's not mine to loan."

The leader sighed, "Fine. You're powerless without those things, I understand."

Shadow asked, "Is there a Chaos Emerald I could use?"

She shook her head, "No, the emerald GUN owned was just raided by 'Sonic the Hedgehog'."

Lanolin started correcting her, "That's not Sonic."

The leader smirked, "Of course we know that. Rouge told us. Any assistance you need, Shadow?"

Shadow replied, "Replacement gear."

She smiled, "Hear you go! But, know that not returning it back before regaining your body will make you guilty of espionage." Shadow nodded and collected it.

Lanolin asked, "Will we be able to trust you to help?"

The leader frowned sadly, "The last thing we need is another Eggman world takeover. If you need to contact us further, Shadow can."

Shadow asked one last question, "Do you know my stolen body's location?"

She sighed, "We lost the signal in that cave. Eggman must have confiscated your gear."

Shadow frowned and the two left. Lanolin was a bit impressed, "She was very cordial and to the point. I can respect that."

Shadow gave a small smile, Agreed.

Then Rouge appeared, "If it isn't The Restorations' Femme Fatales."

Shadow rolled his eyes as Lanolin asked bluntly, "What do you want, Rouge?"

Rouge smiled, "Just curious how you found this place."

Shadow folded his arms as he gave an annoyed sigh, "It's me Rouge."

Rouge smugly put an arm around the wolf's neck, "I know Shadow, I'd recognize your glare anywhere. How's your new body treating you?"

Shadow only gave a "Hmph."

Rouge tried to get a response, "Come on, being a lady can be fun! Just let me show you…"

Shadow gave a blunt, "No."

Rouge tried one last thing, "What if I got Sonic to join us?"

Shadow still insisted, "Still no."

Rouge shrugged, "You're no fun…"

Lanolin interjected, "You're almost as bad as Sonic…"

Rouge was amused, "There's one I haven't heard before."

Lanolin was a little disgusted at Rouge's reaction, "Whatever. We need to go back to Tails' home."

Rouge insisted, "Mind if I join you?"

Shadow bluntly asked, "You're not coming just to mess with us are you?"

Rouge was offended and got serious for a bit, "Shadow, fun as that is, I know you want your body back, as does Sonic. I'm fully prepared to help. Another Eggman takeover would suck for my beauty sleep."

Lanolin nodded, as did Shadow as they went back. The wisps were glad Shadow had respected their wishes, but they were still on edge about letting him use the Wispon, especially after that usage against the eccentric but innocent badger.

Sonic and friends were stunned to see Knuckles at Tails' door. Tails offered, "Knuckles, surprised to see you. Come on in!"

He took a seat, explaining, "I knew I was needed."

Tangle asked, grinning wide, "I've heard so much about you! Can we spar some time!"

Knuckles grinned, "Glad someone's a fan. You're Tangle, right?"

She stood confident, "You got it!"

Then Knuckles noticed the identical looking lemur sitting nearby, "I didn't know you had a twin sister. She's kinda hot."

Tangle began to speak, "Oh, that's-" She suddenly found her digital mouth muffled by her own tail.

The other lemur answered, "Entwine, it's nice to meet you, Knuckles. My sister has been begging to meet you."

Tangle whispered in her real ear, "Sonic, why are you doing this? I thought you didn't want to be my twin."

Sonic whispered back, "I want Knuckles to know even less."

Tails and Amy raised eyebrows, but reluctantly played along. Amy spoke next, "...Okay then. What really brings you out of your island, Knuckles?"

Knuckles cut to the chase, "I saw Sonic's gone rogue and I'm here to help stop him!"

Tails asked, "Who's guarding the Master Emerald?"

Knuckles revealed the broken Emerald pieces, "Still me."

Tangle went over, "Wow. That's amazing!"

'Entwine' asked with horror on 'her' face, "Doesn't that keep your island afloat?"

Knuckles wondered before he answered, "How'd you know? But yeah, Tikal helped me land the island safely, she briefly stopped me from breaking it." He groaned, "That's why I didn't come sooner."

'Entwine' snarked, "No patience, huh Knuckles."

Tangle elbowed her 'twin', "Like you're any better."

'Entwine' clapped back, "Remind me how we got here!"

Tangle clapped further back, "Takes two to tango, 'sis'."

'Entwine' admitted, "Fair point."

Tails noted, They really do argue like siblings.

That was when another knock on the door came. This time, Tails answered and it was who they expected the first time, "Oh, hey there. Rouge joined too?"

Rouge immediately walked in, "Indeed. Didn't want to be left out on your gem hunt." She then noticed the two Lemurs, "Uh, why are there two of them?"

Tangle was nervous, "Uh…"

'Entwine' Answered, "I'm Entwine, Tangle's twin sister."

Shadow was facepalming at this display as Lanolin bluntly stated, "I don't know how this is possible, but Sonic, I am not playing along."

Knuckles was dumbstruck at this, "Wait, so that's Sonic?"

Shadow smiled smugly as he nodded, Amy sighed, Tangle shrugged, and Tails elbowed Sonic, "Twin, huh? Did you seriously expect that façade to last?"

Sonic then motioned towards Tangle, "She started it!"

Tangle annoyedly replied, "Yeah, as a joke."

Sonic put both hands to his face, "Uggghhh!"

Knuckles was now bursting with laughter, "Sonic, I knew you were the girlier of us, no butts about it." Sonic gave an annoyed blush as he took one hand off an eye, "I didn't know you wanted to be my bride this badly."

Sonic then snarked, "Your insults are weak, Knuckles. This is why Shadow's my main rival."

Shadow smirked as Knuckles' eyes went bloodshot, "Why, what, how DARE you Sonic! I got dibs, you can't just ditch me like that!"

Sonic pressed further, "Sorry Knuckles, if I was to be any man's bride, it would be him." Shadow went right back to his standard scowl at this remark.

Knuckles started looking around the room, "Where is he?! I need to put him in his place!"

Sonic used Tangle's tail to point at the other former hedgehog in the room, "Right there."

Knuckles went off, "Is it some 'hedgehogs become girls' event this week?" Shadow just glared, "What makes you so special huh?!"

Shadow smirked, "Your insecurities aren't my problem."

Knuckles prepared to punch, "Why I oughtta-." He found his arm and body suddenly wrapped around by two different Lemur tails, though one felt a lot harder for some reason.

Sonic declared, "Knuckles, that's enough."

Tangle whispered, "Geez Sonic, with friends like these, who needs enemies?"

Sonic answered back, "They were my enemies."

Knuckles simmered down, "So, why did this happen, Sonic? Why is your real face in the news?"

Sonic reluctantly explained, "Involves the meteor, it getting stolen, and Metal Sonic hijacking my body. This other lemur is the real Tangle, but her body's made of Tails' nanomachines."

Tangle shrugged as she showed off her form's shapeshifting power by taking on Shadow's form and voice, "Don't ask me why Eggman wanted Shadow's body." She followed up with an impression of Shadow, "Look at me, I'm so dark and brooding…"

Shadow wasn't terribly amused at this display, while Lanolin noted, "You know that's awful close to Mimic's power, right?"

Tangle immediately reverted to her normal form out of guilt, "Right. Note to self: Don't do that around Whisper…"

Knuckles asked, "Hey, do me!"

Tangle dismissed the request, "Sorry, but we barely met."

As this was going on, Tails had finally hacked into the network, but with a surprise. Eggman's voice came on, "Hi again Tails! You could have just knocked."

Tangle and Sonic demanded to know at once, "What have you done with Whisper?!"

Eggman chuckled, "Huh, am I hearing double of that Lemur? Must mean I was right: Metal Sonic's body was dysfunctional. Not that it matters with my plans!"

Knuckles insisted, "Get on with it, Eggman!"

Eggman scolded, "Oh, is that Knuckles? Rude! Fine, let me show you!"

All of the people present looked at the shown footage in anger. The Wisps also left Whisper's cloak, watching intently.

He showed footage from his jail security cam of Shadow's body, who was in the corner with both hands on the side of her head. She couldn't be heard, as she was speaking too softly. Tangle shouted, "WHISPER!" The Wisps also all had viciously furious expressions, as this confirmed their worst fears of what Eggman was doing to their dear friend. They chatted furiously with each other.

Eggman laughed, "She can't hear you! Last thing I need is for her to hear from her friends."

Tangle bared her teeth in anger, "We'll free her!"

Shadow also bared teeth, "You're vile, Eggman!"

Eggman laughed, "Ohoho, hearing that wolf's normally timid voice with Shadow's anger behind it, it's hysterical! That meteor is the best thing to happen to me since the Phantom Ruby. Anyways, I'll be happy to see you try!"

Knuckles added, "And I'm coming for you too Eggman!"

Amy agreed, "Me too!"

Tails pointedly asked, "Not showing your face Eggman?"

He replied, "Away from home! Can't show my face now! Best of luck nonhogs!"

The transmission cut, Sonic was furious, "I knew Eggman was rotten, but weaponizing Whisper's trauma? That's a new low!"

The Wisps requested Shadow put on the mask. He reluctantly agreed, the Green Wisp saying, "We aren't thrilled."

The dark blue Wisp, "But after that display."

The wisps spoke all at once, "We'll fight harder than ever!"

Shadow smirked and acknowledged, "Thank you."

Lanolin noted, "Huh, they seemed reluctant to work with you and now they're more ready to fight than ever. Ha! Maybe Eggman shouldn't have bragged about his cruelty."

Rouge countered, "His kind of brilliance doesn't tolerate dissent."

Then Amy asserted, "I think it's time we make sleeping arrangements."

Tails nodded, "Us boys will be here. You girls can figure out your own arrangements."

Sonic asked, "So Shadow and I sleep here?"

Tails' eyes went wide, "Sonic, I know it's you in there, but Tangle's body is-"

Sonic annoyedly interjected, "A girl. Got it Tails." Shadow added his annoyed grunt after this.

Knuckles snarked, "I'm sure she'll be fine, Tails."

Tails glared back at Knuckles, "Knuckles, having a girl's body doesn't make Sonic a girl."

Knuckles asked, "You sure about that Tails? I'm sure she could bear my ch-"

Sonic used the tail to immediately silence him, "I won't bear to hear that. Respect my identity Knuckles, or I'll start calling you Knucklehead exclusively."

Sonic released his mouth as Knuckles spat, "Why is your tail so salty? But can't you take a joke, Sonic?"

Lanolin needled him, "That's your thing too, right?"

Sonic insisted, "At least I don't joke about that!"

Rouge nodded, "Even I know better!"

Knuckles took the wrong lesson from that, "So I'm better at insulting you than Rouge! That's a win to me! You know, if you ladies want me so bad, I-"

Every girl and former hedgehog shot vicious glares at Knuckles as Shadow also broke out the hammer wispon and gave a viciously angry, "NO!"

Knuckles finally caved, "Okay okay fine, Goodbye!"

Sonic winked as they began to leave, "Get ready to spar with me tomorrow!"

Knuckles nodded, "Look forward to it!"

As they left, Tangle forgot she still couldn't leave Tail's place. That inspired Tails to run after them, "Wait! Shadow, can I borrow Whisper's Mask?"

The Wisps immediately came out at that request. Tails broke out the Miles Electric to begin translating, the cyan wisp asked to the point, "Why?"

He explained, "I'd like to analyze it. I have an important project it could help with."

The wisps looked amongst each other, agreeing, the Pink wisp saying, "We'll allow it."

Tails smiled, "Thanks, I won't let anything come of it."

Tails ran back in as Knuckles was glaring at the digitized lemur. Knuckles asked, "Why does she get to stay here?"

Tangle rolled her eyes, "I couldn't leave if I wanted to."

Tails nodded, "She's right."

Knuckles insisted, "But Tails said boys only here."

Tangle reluctantly took on Sonic's form and voice in response, "There, does this help?"

Knuckles was nervous, unsure how to respond, "I, uh, ummm…"

Tangle prodded further, "Or is gender about more than appearance."

Knuckles frustratedly shrugged, "...Fine, whatever."

Tangle also pointed out, keeping Sonic's form because she forgot to change back, "Besides, you boys are always naked, what's the issue with me around?" Tails came back with the mask, Tangle noticing, "Wow, you got that?"

Tails continued talking it over, "Its tech could help with letting you assist Sonic."

Tangle smiled, "Heh, nice. I'm sure you'll do great…bro."

Knuckles smirked, "You sure you're not Sonic."

Tangle was flattered, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Sonic was depressed from feeling rejected. Lanolin noticed, "Sonic, Amy, Rouge, you're free to come to Diamond HQ. We have plenty of room."

Rouge smiled, "Gladly, I can't resist a Diamond."

Amy went over to comfort Sonic, "I'm sorry Sonic. We'll get through this."

Rouge put an arm around Sonic too, "It isn't all bad either. I can show you and Shadow, my offer's still open."

Both of the former hedgehogs immediately responded, "No."

Rouge shrugged. They made their way to Diamond HQ and found Silver there at the table, "You all finally made it back!"

Lanolin addressed him, "Glad at least you're still where you belong."

Silver smiled, "…What's with Whisper, is she angry with me?"

Sonic addressed it, "Yes 'she's' angry, but it's really Shadow!"

Silver looked astonished, "...Man does Whisper look…terrifying with his scowl."

Shadow gave his usual annoyed grunt. Lanolin gave their group orders for the night, "Sonic and Amy, you'll go in room one. Rouge and Shadow, you got room two. Silver and I get our own rooms."

So the groups split up. Sonic took a quick shower, or at least it was until he remembered the tail. As he walked out after the half-hour it took, he ranted to Amy, "Yep, that sucked. No wonder Tangle hates cleaning it."

Amy couldn't offer much consolement on that one. But she noticed an uneasiness and instead said, "You looked troubled, Sonic."

Sonic gave his usual confident grin to mask the insecurity, "Troubled? I can't be troubled Amy."

Amy blushed lovingly as she thought in her head, He's so cute like this… Then that thought hit her and she blushed in embarrassment, Why did I think that?! She pressed, "Sonic, no one's around. You can be honest with me."

Sonic asked, "How do you feel about this?"

Amy reeled from the surprise question, "What?"

Sonic confronted her, "I saw your face getting lovey dovey with me. Don't lie, you love me as Tangle, don't you!"

Amy made it clear, "Sonic, I'll love you no matter what."

Sonic pressed her hard, "Really, even as a girl?"

Amy teased him, "Especially as a girl." That flustered Sonic as he gave a death glare, Amy reassuring, "I kid. I love you for who you are Sonic. Not your body, not your powers, not our potential future, you Sonic. Meeting you was the best thing that's happened to me and nothing can change that."

Sonic put a hand on Amy's shoulder and smiled, "Thank you Amy." Then he insisted, "Still not a date though."

Amy smiled, "Of course not. Good night you goof."

Sonic nodded. They both got a great sleep.

Rouge and Shadow got ready for their sleep, "Is being that wolf so bad?"

Shadow growled and answered, "Yes. I'm slow, the tail and clothes are annoying, and I'm suddenly the caretaker to a bunch of wisps."

Rouge poked, "So you're a wisp mom?" Shadow groaned, Rouge assuring, "I kid, I want to be a mom less than you do, Shadow."

Shadow dismissed, "Whatever." Then he revealed what he stole from Tails, a chaos emerald, "I took this from Sonic's brother."

Rouge was impressed, "Surprise gem heist, I'm proud. How's it feel?"

Shadow admitted, "Feels weak. Can't tell if it's this body or not. Let's test it." Shadow took a stance, declaring, "CHAOS CONTROL!" He disappeared from one side of the room to the other. He smirked in genuine happiness as the tail subconsciously wagged, "It worked."

Rouge prodded, "Wagging your new tail, adorable."

Shadow blushed as he immediately stopped it, "You saw nothing."

Rouge smiled, "Sure I didn't. Now how about some sleep?"

Shadow nodded.

As Jewel was wrapping up Restoration management for a day, she got a notice from Lanolin, "Update: Shadow had been body-swapped with Whisper. I don't know how long Shadow and Sonic will stand being on a team together…"

Jewel put her hands on her head sides, "This just keeps getting worse, doesn't it!"

Then a messenger came in, "Jewel, we have some good news."

Jewel perked up, "What is it?"

They explained, "The infamous crime lord Clutch has been captured and put in our custody."

Jewel smiled, "That is good news. How'd that happen?"

They further said, "He was brought in by Silver."

Jewel wondered about it but she wasn't complaining. "I need to go to sleep. Thanks again everyone. Keep tabs on 'Sonic's' location!" She slept in her office on her emergency bed, unwilling to give Eggman another chance to kidnap her right now.