Note: It's shoutout to Pybro2 time for beta-reading this fic!

December 28, 2023 update: Some rewrites have been made as a knock-on effect of chapter 5 , adding a warning and indicators for Whisper's nightmare, as it's a particularly unpleasant read and not strictly needed for the story, but I don't think it's worth cutting.

The wild day that had been witnessed would proceed to color the dreams of the four friends sleeping in Spiral Hill that night.

Sonic initially had a pleasant dream running as he usually does, but then he had to fight Eggman. He was bouncing between robots, making his way to Eggman.

He came to a line of robots requiring a homing attack chain to cross. A voice over the intercom came through sarcastically saying, "So sorry, this was designed for Sonic!"

Sonic was confused, "I am Sonic!"

Eggman reasserted, "Are You? Last I checked, Sonic is a hedgehog!"

Sonic asked, "And what's your point?" He suddenly noticed his voice was much higher, eyes shrinking in response as he looked at his hands and everything else, realizing he had Tangle's body now.

Eggman laughed, "Sorry, lemur, you're wasting your time! Now go get lost and have a tea party or something!"

Sonic however maintained his confidence, "You think this changes anything?" He then used the tail to punch through each badnik in the line before grabbing the last one to launch across. "You were saying, Eggman!"

Eggman was alarmed, "How is that even possible?!"

Sonic began using the tail to launch through the obstacle course in ways to forgo it entirely, finding his way to Eggman, "This shouldn't be possible! Only Sonic can get here!"

He countered, "Just who do you think you're looking at!" He then effortlessly took out the new robot by tying its feet and forcing it to fall, then doing a slingshot punch to break Eggman's protective glass.

Eggman was infuriated, "No matter! I'll get you next time you rodent!"

He mocked him, "Couldn't think of a new insult? You're losing your edge, Eggman!"

He then left to party with friends over the victory. "What can I say? Always winning around here!"

Cream was there to congratulate, "You did great…Miss Sonic?"

Sonic uneasily laughed, "You can still call me Mr. Sonic. This body doesn't change my identity."

Then came a hug from Mighty, "You did great out there!"

Sonic was taken aback and blushing, "Uh…Mighty, what are you doing?"

Mighty continued to hug, "Embracing my girl, of course!"

This threw Sonic for a different kind of loop, "...There is so much wrong with that statement."

Mighty released, "I just knew you could do it, Tangle! What's wrong with appreciating that?"

Sonic countered, "...You know I'm Sonic, right?"

Mighty noted, "Of course I do!" He then winked, "Got you good, didn't I?"

Sonic uncomfortably laughed, he then noticed he was back to normal as all his friends around him chanted, "Sonic! Sonic! Sonic! Sonic!"

His dream would continue into the rest of the night. He'd continue swapping between being Tangle and his true self, but it wouldn't get to him. Back in the real world, Sonic continued to sleep peacefully.

Tangle's dream wasn't so pleasant. It started great, she was Sonic and enjoying the breeze of running. She wasn't hitting anything and it was a pure adrenaline rush.

Eventually, though, she was confronted with reports of hitting her head over and over. "Hey, Sonic, maybe if you can't avoid running into stuff, try running slower!"

She just shrugged, "Sorry about that. I'll do better!"

Another citizen insisted, "Then why aren't you slowing down!"

She countered, "Come on, I've saved you all before, haven't I?" But then she was swarmed by a mob, fleeing the city. As she escaped, she was nearly nailed by a laser wisp. She knew what that meant and confronted Whisper at her vantage point.

"Whisper?! Why are you trying to kill me?" She asked.

Whisper kept the mask on, "Because, for you to be so careless means one thing, you're Mimic."

Tangle was terrified, "Please, Whisper, let me explain!"

Whisper was walking towards her silently. Tangle desperately claimed, "I'm not Mimic! I'm Tangle in Sonic's body!"

Whisper used the cube and began to wind up, "Who are you fooling?" And smacked her off the building into the crowd to get hounded.

Tangle woke up, taking fast breaths in horror. She slowed down her breathing and said, "Deep breaths Tangle, you're fine." She then went back to sleep.

Amy's dream was something else. It started as a date with Sonic, which started as she had always dreamed. Sonic was in a nice tuxedo while Amy was wearing her finest dress, just for the occasion. "Oh Sonic, thank you for finally agreeing to the date of my dreams."

Sonic smiled, "You got it, Amy. I never thought this day would come, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Amy wistfully looked in his eyes, then closed her eyes blushing, I can't take it. It's too exciting. I hope this moment lasts forever!

From across the table came a female voice she didn't expect, "Amy, are you alright?"

Amy reopened her eyes trying to understand what was going on, only to see Tangle where Sonic had been. She was even wearing the exact same tuxedo. Tangle clearly registered the confusion, "Is there something on my face?"

Amy was dumbfounded, "I, uh, um, er."

Tangle grew annoyed, "Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have agreed if it would be this awkward."

Amy looked away blushing from awkwardness, asking through it, "Tangle, what are you doing here and why am I on a date with you?"

Then came Sonic's voice again, "Tangle? What are you going on about Amy? I'm here because you asked me on a date."

When Amy looked back, sure enough, it was Sonic again. "Oh, right." Their food then arrived, she began eating and it was heavenly. She blushed at the thought of how this date felt genuinely romantic.

But as she looked up from her plate, Tangle was back, "That was some tasty food. Wasn't it Amy?"

Amy looked up and was now blushing out of…she genuinely didn't know anymore. Tangle asked, "Do you have something to say?"

Amy looked away saying, "It was nothing."

Sonic replied, "Good. I'd regret coming otherwise."

As they got up after paying, It was time to split, Sonic added, "This was a great date, thanks for the suggestion Amy."

Amy blushed incredibly happily, "Oh, thank you so much."

Sonic then grinned eagerly, "Amy, I have one more thing before I go."

Amy smiled, "Yes?"

Sonic then kissed her on the lips, Amy closing her eyes in her excitement. He kissed me, my life is complete. Then she opened her eyes and yep, it was Tangle again. In her confusion of feelings she fainted to the ground.

Tangle giggled, "Geez Amy, you're such a drama queen. Let me know next time you want to go on a date. See you later!"

Amy would get a full night uninterrupted sleep, but it's safe to say she was left deeply confused by this.

Jewel's dream was the least pleasant. It involved Sonic and the Diamond Cutters getting captured by Eggman. Eggman taunted her via video call hack into her computer, "Hahahahaha, you let me capture your dear friends. Maybe don't send two idiots together to sabotage your stealth team!"

Jewel insisted, "No, it isn't over yet. Sonic isn't the only one who can defeat you!"

Eggman revealed that he also captured Amy, Tails, Shadow, and many more. "True, but I already have them covered. Are you and your pathetic Restoration ready to give up yet?"

Jewel clenched her teeth in horror, "We'll get through this, we have to! I won't give up!"

Then he opened the top of her building to taunt her directly, "Now will you?"

Jewel bit her lip, "Well…"

Eggman then wound up a punch, "WRONG ANSWER!" and delivered it to her face.

Jewel then woke up from her nightmare with sweat on her face. She was not able to get any more sleep that night, the concern about the situation getting to her.

As Sonic got up from sleep, he accidentally knocked a clock with the Tail. He sighed in frustration, Guess I haven't quite learned to control this thing…

As he exited the room, he spotted Tangle in his body. Tangle then said, "Good morning Sonic. I had some weird dreams about being you. Any guesses why?"

Sonic then stroked his chin using the tail, "I can only wonder."

Tangle smirked, "You're making me jealous. How about you?"

"Pretty nice actually. It started like normal, then I suddenly became you, and still kicked Eggman's butt!" Sonic answered

Tangle softly smiled, "Glad you slept well. You're confident you could still take Eggman?"

Sonic reassured, "I told you before, I've had to deal with a lot of different things. I'm not completely comfortable in your body, but that won't stop me! It's a nice change of pace…No pun intended."

Tangle pondered, "Glad to hear it. How different would it be if I fought Eggman regularly?"

Sonic winked, "Who knows? But I believe in you!"

Tangle was flattered, "Thank you, Sonic. I needed that after my nightmare. Should we head over to Jewel's place?"

Sonic raised no objections. Unsurprisingly, they then went over.

Amy woke up, finding a drowsy Jewel at her desk. Concerned, she asked, "Jewel, are you alright?"

Jewel answered, "Yeah."

Amy didn't buy it, "You clearly didn't sleep well."

Jewel candidly answered, "I'm a bad liar, aren't I. Being The Restoration leader combined with the shock turned body swap predicament weighs on me."

Amy understood, "I had nightmares as the leader too, I understand. But Sonic always comes through, don't stress too much."

Jewel said, "Thanks. But, I need more sleep. You go meet Sonic and Tangle for me."

Amy smiled, "Will do. Get some good rest Jewel, you deserve it."

Amy then heard the bell ring, running to answer. Before here was the duo. "Good morning you two."

Tangle looked around, "Where's Jewel?"

Amy reluctantly explained, "She didn't get enough sleep. It'll just have to be us, unfortunately."

Tangle felt kind of bad, but Sonic put a hand on his body's shoulder, "It's not your fault, Tangle. It's stressful leading The Restoration. Amy would know."

Tangle answered, "Thanks."

Amy interrupted, "Let's go to Tangle's for Breakfast."

Both gave a thumbs up before Tangle blitzed over to her place, hitting a lamp post in the process, "I totally meant to do that!" She lied.

Amy and Sonic looked at her incredulously, not believing it for one second. Once they got there, discussion of their nights began.

Sonic explained, "Tangle and I dreamed of being each other, what about you Amy."

Amy answered, "My dream was too weird to share."

Sonic correctly guessed, "Was it a date with me?"

Amy then confessed, "Kind of? It kept swapping between you and…Tangle?"

Sonic smirked, "Finally crushing on someone else?"

Tangle rolled her eyes, "Is it really that hard to tell us apart?"

Amy was flustered, "I'm just processing this weird situation. I've loved Sonic since we met. I can't question it now!"

Sonic rolled his eyes and Tangle gave Amy the side-eye, "There's nothing wrong with being Bisexual, you know." She then asked Sonic, "Sonic, you said there's a place that's great for running fast?"

Sonic nodded, but Amy asked, "Are you going to explain this to Tails?"

Sonic answered, "Why?"

Tangle nodded. "What are the odds we'd be believed?"

Amy said, "I can confirm it."

Sonic shrugged, "He'd make us undo it. Please, let Tangle test my speed first at least."

Amy sighed, "Fine. But no longer."

Sonic nodded, "Thank you Amy."

Tangle then said, "Come on then. Gotta go fast!" As she started walking out.

Sonic replied, "Hey, that's my line!"

Amy then thought as she followed them, I'm very glad Sonic didn't meet her first.

As they began running back, Amy led while Tangle followed behind, not wishing to repeat yesterday's embarrassing display.

However, Sonic quickly noticed that even this pace was at the limit for Tangle's body, starting to slow down. Amy taunted Sonic over it, "How's it feel to be slow, Sonic?"

That rattled Sonic deeply, Slow! SLOW!, "I'LL SHOW YOU 'SLOW'!" He then jumped putting hands up in the air and wrapping the tail around in a circle two layers and rolled, shooting past Tangle at this slower pace quickly.

Tangle was baffled, speeding up to keep up, "How'd you learn to do that?!"

Sonic raised an eyebrow, "Saw you approach Eggperial City with it. You think I wouldn't learn to use it? What do you call this? A move this cool deserves a name!"

Tangle offered, "I call it the 'Cartwheel Dash'."

Sonic raised an eyebrow, "Your own spin dash, I love it!"

Tangle, however, showed concern, "But…I'm not sure how safe it is for travel."

Sonic kept his confidence, "Guess we're about to find out!"

They then passed Amy, who rolled her eyes, "Not everything is a race, Sonic!"

Sonic talked back, "Sorry, can't hear you over how FAST I'm going!"

Amy was now the one being forced to her speed limit. Soon enough, they got to Tails. Sonic ended the 'Cartwheel Dash' and found that he was unbelievably dizzy. "Where's the garbage?! 'Cause I need to hurl!" He was about to fall down, which Amy noticed and grabbed his shoulders.

Amy smugly asked, "You learned your lesson?"

Sonic dismissed it, "No regrets, I refuse to be slow."

Tangle now had to know, "How do you guys not get dizzy spin-dashing?"

Amy scratched her head, "We got used to it. Also, we don't usually do it for minutes at a time!"

Sonic noted the not-so-implicit insult, "I have the need for speed Amy, nothing can change that. Now please help me to the garbage can!"

She was annoyed, but complied, Sonic hurling for a good bit. Once finished, he requested, "Let's act like that didn't happen."

Amy glared and Tangle assured, "Your secret is safe with me, 'Tangle'."

Sonic winked, "Agreed. Let's ask Tails for the Tornado!"

Tails was continuing to analyze the meteorite. It was unlike anything they'd ever seen. It was clearly of space origin. It kept creating a current between any two points touching it, but Tails couldn't make sense of what that current was doing. He heard the doorbell ring and answered it.

Tails went to answer the door to find Tangle, who asked, "Hey little bro. Mind if we take the Tornado?"

Tails narrowed his eyes, "You just spent the night with Sonic and think that gives you the right to fly the Tornado?" Tangle just awkwardly grinned, so he asked Sonic, "Sonic, is there something you need to share?"

Sonic scratched the back of his head as he continued, "We're great friends, what else is there to say?" That got a suspicious glare from Amy and Tangle, Sonic desperately clarifying, "By which, I mean I trust her. I wanted to show Tangle my old home in…" Tangle whispered something in his ear before he continued, "Green Hill. Could we take it there Tails?

That caused Tails' eyes to narrow further, "How did you forget that place? I lost count of how many times we've revisited it."

Sonic looked like he realized a goof with his dorky grin, "…Busy few weeks?"

Tails was still suspicious, but shrugged, "Okay, but mind if I come too…Sonic, for old time's sake?"

Sonic answered, "Sure thing, buddy!"

Amy declared, "And I'm coming too!"

Tails nodded, "Sure! But, I'll be calling Jewel for reinforcements while we're gone. I can't risk that meteor being stolen."

The 4 then prepared to fly, with Amy and Tails sitting with Sonic and Tangle standing on the platform. They then left for Green Hill.

Previous night

Whisper was getting ready for bed as she got a text from Jewel. It said, "Sonic and Tangle are dating." Whisper broke into tears, as it all but confirmed her worst fears about the situation. But, Whisper had little choice but to try and sleep.

(CW: Whisper Nightmare Sequence)

Whisper's nightmare was its own flavor of awful. It started like a dream she had been having for a while: Tangle was there awaiting Whisper for their proper date night. Tangle said, "Glad you could make it!"

Whisper began crying tears of joy, "Tangle, I've been waiting for this day!" She ran over to Tangle to hug her, only to find that she couldn't. She was intangible and unable to interact with Tangle, like she was a ghost. Then she looked around for who she was talking to, none other than the famed Blue Blur himself.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, you have no idea how many robots blocked my way here!" Said Sonic.

Tangle giggled, "You know how to seize the day, don't you."

Sonic grinned wide, "That's not the only thing I know how to seize!"

Sonic then gave Tangle a nice long kiss on the lips. Whisper wanted to run away crying, but this nightmare forced her to watch no matter what she tried. Sonic openly pondered, "What about Whisper? I thought she had a crush on you."

Tangle replied, "What about her. She's a clingy emo goth girl who can't get over her dead friends. You're free and refreshing like the spring breeze. Why would I ever want to be chained down to her?"

Sonic smiled, "I'd know a few things about clingy girlfriends myself. Are you ready to run up that mountain and wreck some badniks along the way?"

Tangle grinned just as wide, "Do you even need to ask?"

The duo then left to do that, leaving Whisper crying on the ground. This crying would lead to her waking up in tears. She would try to get more sleep that night, but to mixed results.

(End of Whisper Nightmare Sequence)

Waking up the next morning, Whisper entered the meeting room of her new team's headquarters and quickly found Silver waiting. A thought entered her mind, If Tangle is with Sonic, would I be happy with…him? She pondered the thought for a good while as she walked to the table.

Silver asked, "Guardian Angel, are you okay?"

Whisper was surprised, as it interrupted her train of thought,"I don't want to talk about it."

Lanolin annoyedly smirked, "That's what she does. So, Silver, what happens in the future this time?"

Silver then answered, "You know it's bad, don't you? In my new future, there is a robot that claims to be Dr. Eggman. He's served by several superpowered beings and robots, while everyone who challenges him becomes his next servant. I barely escaped from a friend who started attacking me. The thought haunted my dreams too."

Lanolin responded, "Any leads on what caused it?"

Silver answered, "No, unfortunately. I couldn't risk it. Before coming back to the past, I woke up each day not knowing who I could trust.

Whisper looked at him in sympathy, "That sounds awful."

Silver sighed, "It was."

Lanolin interjected, "It sounds like we'll be investigating Egg Bases for any technology he's developing. I'll go ahead and let Tangle-"

Whisper forcefully denied the suggestion, "Please no."

Lanolin sheepishly replied, "I'm sorry, but why?"

Whisper answered, "She broke her phone."

Lanolin then began dialing a different number, "Then we could just call Jewel-"

Whisper insisted, "Tangle would just get in our way."

Lanolin was stunned by Whisper's response, "…I do not want to get involved in the drama between you and her. Let's just get going."