Note: How many ways are there to say thanks to Pybro2 for another beta read are there? Anyways, thanks for another.

December 28, 2023 update: Changes to the Whisper confrontation and Mighty re-meet.

January 8, 2024 update: Minor dialogue change to chapter opening.

Whisper ran 2 blocks before coming to a stop. Upon stopping, Silver asked, "Guardian Angel, what happened?"

Whisper remained reluctant to tell, but Silver already had all the details he needed from Mighty and Ray's blabbering, "It was a date with Tangle wasn't it?" Whisper nodded, at which point Silver smiled, "That's great! I'm so happy for you!"

Whisper wasn't celebrating, "Except Tangle has a thing for Sonic and not me. Jewel confirmed it with a text." She was still sobbing, "How could Tangle go behind my back?"

Whisper wasn't celebrating, "I dreamed about it for months. But, it seems Tangle has a thing for Sonic and not me, Jewel confirmed it with a text. I don't understand, how could Tangle go behind my back?"

Silver was taken aback by this, unsure how to handle it, "I can't say, barely know her. Have you talked to her since then?"

Whisper frowned, "Impossible, She broke her phone."

Silver was at a loss for words, How does their team even function?! He eventually found them again, "I hope it's a misunderstanding and we'll clear it up soon."

Whisper timidly nodded, but internally disagreed, Not sure I'm ready to see her again…

They began to walk back. Close-by, a certain Armadillo/Squirrel duo had been listening. Ray asked, "Isn't this an invasion of their privacy?"

Mighty didn't disagree, "Yes, but I want to know Sonic's friends better. There's much to catch up on."

Ray however saw through the excuse, "You just wanted to know if Tangle was available to date, didn't you?"

Mighty admitted with a blush, "That too."

Ray prodded further, "But didn't it sound like she was a lesbian?"

Mighty disputed, "She could be Bi! But, let's head back! Who knows who might want that meteor."

Shortly thereafter, Silver spooked them from behind, "Hey there, uh…" Silver realized he hadn't learned their names.

Whisper, however, had, "You two must be Mighty and Ray."

Mighty smiled proudly, "The one and only! Glad to know our name gets around."

Whisper smiled, "Tangle told me about you guys."

Mighty's ego was instantly shot as Ray elbowed Mighty, "Not as much of a hot shot as you hoped, huh?"

Mighty admitted, "Guess not. Still, it sounds like you're Tangle's girlfriend. It's nice to finally meet you."

Whisper frowned, "I wish. It seems she's taken interest in someone else."

Mighty, having overheard that conversation, asked, "Would that be Sonic?"

Whisper opened eyes in hurt, "How did-"

He calmly reassured, "Just a guess. I don't know him as a lady's man. Maybe Tangle's a perfect match, but I'd ask him first."

Whisper softly smiled, "Thank you."

Then she got a message from Lanolin, "Come back IMMEDIATELY! We have a situation!"

Whisper told the others, "We need to get back to Tails' place."

The other three nodded, running back quickly.

As Amy, Tails, Sonic and Tangle flew back, Tails had to guess, "You did this to yourselves you know."

Sonic frowned, "Yes Tails. Thankyou for the reminder."

Tangle agreed, "I'm sorry we missed our chance to return to normal."

Sonic uneasily tried to put a smile on it, "It's fine. We dug this grave together, now we'll have to lay in it…" He went awkwardly silent at the poor word choice.

Amy teased, "Go on, finish the sentence."

Sonic looked very annoyed, "Why?"

Amy continued needling the former hedgehog, "You two are so perfect for each other, just admit it. Is that why you 'slept together' last night?"

That made both of them blush redder than Knuckles, "Not like THAT!" Sonic shouted.

Tangle clarified, "We just like new experiences. What's newer than being inside someone else's body?"

Sonic proceeded to bury his face into the tail screaming. Tangle was confused, "Was it something I said?"

Amy continued the tease, "Now kiss!"

Sonic buried himself further in it screaming, "AMY! Could you please stop?!"

Tangle agreed, "Agreed. Why are you doing that?"

Amy went for a pointed response at, "Why am I being treated like a stalker again?"

Tangle went wide eyed in surprise, asking Sonic, "What is she talking about?"

Sonic unburied his face revealing a guilty expression, "She's right. I never should have assumed it of her. Ask her if you must know…"

Tangle thought about it, realizing, "If you've forgiven her, then so will I. You two would be a cute couple though…"

Amy suddenly blushed, and Sonic smirked, "We would be…if I was interested. Even if I was, now is not the time for…" He then motioned to the body he was stuck with. "...obvious reasons."

Tangle then couldn't help the thought, "You know Amy, we'd be a cute couple too…"

Amy blushed for much more awkward reasons, "No offense Tangle, but my interests lie in Sonic and Sonic only."

Tangle then grinned seductively, "But I am Sonic."

Amy groaned, putting hands to her face, "Tangle. Please. Just stop."

Sonic giggled, "For someone who's never been on a date, you sure know how to tease."

Tangle smugly noted, "I read romance novels. What can I say?" That got a surprised glare from Sonic and Tails, "What? Being a tomboy doesn't mean I shun girly interests."

Sonic groaned, "Ugh, I don't have time for this nonsense."

That got glares from Tangle and Amy, Tails teasing, "You sure Sonic? You do own a Rainbow Dash figure that you keep in my spare bedroom."

Sonic shot Tails a death glare, "You mention that to anyone else, I'm hiding your Miles Electric for a week."

Tails smugly narrowed his eyes, "Too bad you lack the speed to back it up."

Sonic glared to the side in annoyance, "Just you wait, I'll be back to normal in no-time."

Tails however frowned, "If you get back to normal."

Sonic was caught off guard by the surprising cynicism, "Tails, you doubt me?"

Tails unloaded, "You've won as Sonic the Hedgehog and Eggman stole the meteor. How will we get it back? Maybe you should have considered that before you took us to Green Hill for the umpteenth time!"

Both Sonic and Tangle both looked briefly guilty, but then dismissed it, Tangle saying, "It'll be fine, Tails. Sonic has friends to help!"

Sonic confidently followed, "Yeah, like you, Amy, Cream, the Chaotix, The Diamond Cutters,...Shadow, and Knuckles."

Tails raised an eyebrow, "What's the issue with them?"

Sonic gagged, "They're the last ones who should know."

They finally arrived, with the Restoration squad and Lanolin awaiting. One said, "Woah, is that Sonic the Hedgehog?"

Another pointed out, "Duh, Tails is his best friend."

Lanolin then spoke, "We have more important matters to attend to so you are all dismissed."

The Restoration forces nodded, some glad to be able to leave, others disappointed to be dismissed so soon.

Lanolin, feeling the need to be direct, immediately confronted 'Tangle', "So, Tangle, let's cut to the chase: What did you do and why did Whisper immediately start crying at the mention of a 'date'?"

Sonic answered candidly, "Yeah, I went out with her. It went poorly because I'm not actually Tangle." He then hooked Tangle, who had gotten distracted, into this discussion, dragging her over with the tail. "This is."

Tangle gave a very fake grin and wave, whispering in response, "Sonic, I don't approve of you using my tail like this."

Sonic annoyedly countered, "You dragged me into this mess, you're helping me clean it up."

Lanolin gave a blank look, You cannot be serious… She then took a moment to process this, analyzing their expressions and body language. Realizing they weren't lying, she rolled her eyes, "Somehow, I believe you. If any duo would be so…gifted as to blunder into becoming each other, it would either be you two or those skunk brothers."

Sonic side-glared, "That didn't sound like a compliment."

Lanolin gave a blank smile, "Nope."

Tangle was surprised, "Really, you believe us?"

Lanolin gave an annoyed smirk, "I can tell, Tangle uses her tail more. Let me guess, it was that meteor which did it?"

Tails overheard and replied, "Correct."

Lanolin gave a slow clap, "Congratulations on throwing away your gateway back to normal."

Both Sonic and Tangle began to slump in shame, "Weknow…"

Lanolin then changed her tone, "...I'll help you clean up your mess. But first, I think you owe someone an explanation…"

Tangle asked, "Who might that be?"

Lanolin then pointed to Whisper. Sonic agreed with an awkward grin, "Yeah, Tangle, Whisper deserves to know what's going on, for your…'friendship's' sake."

Tangle grimaced, "Really, now you tease me?"

Sonic smugly countered tongue in cheek, "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!"

Tangle went silent briefly, "...Let's just go meet her."

Whisper dreaded the thought of them coming back. Meanwhile Silver was excited to see familiar faces. Then Whisper saw them waiting.

Lanolin folded her arms and tapped her foot. Sonic and his friends waved at the group. She smiled as she saw Tails and Amy. However, when she saw Tangle and Sonic, she glared with a neutral expression. Tangle and Sonic then ran over to Whisper, and her stare didn't fade.

"Whisper, we need to talk." Sonic said.

Tangle agreed, "Yeah, we neglected this for too long."

Whisper nodded.

As they walked Behind Tails' house, Sonic began, "I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner."

Whisper was intrigued, "Go on then."

Sonic then explained, "I'm not actually Sonic."

Whisper was concerned, but then realized, Admitting this openly isn't Mimic's MO, I should hear him out. But this does sound awfully familiar…, "Then who are you?"

Sonic explained, "I'm Tangle."

Whisper now recognized why this discussion was familiar. "Sonic, did Tangle put you up to this?"

'Sonic' looked nervous, "What do you mean?"

Whisper clenched her teeth, "Tangle ignored me all day yesterday, letting Jewel tell me you two are dating. Now I'm supposed to believe this?"

Both of them had their eyes wide, 'Sonic' put a palm to his eye, Jewel, why did you tell her that?! 'He' insisted, "Please, Whisper, this is a big misunderstanding. Why would we lie about this?"

Whisper opened her eyes in genuine anger, "Then what was Tangle's big secret you two kept."

'Tangle' was equally frustrated, "That was the secret!"

Whisper didn't seem convinced, "I can't buy it. Tangle should know better."

'Sonic' felt genuinely stung by the otherwise correct assumption, Crap, that really doesn't sound like me. Why am I so bad at recognizing when someone crushes on me?! What do I have left to convince her?! In desperation, 'Sonic' said, tears forming, "Please Whisper, you have to believe us. I remember your pain explaining and showing the deaths of your former team at the hands of Shadow Androids thanks to Mimic."

Whisper now had a pained glare that spoke to a feeling of deep betrayal. 'Tangle' noticed that and was concerned, Tangle, I really don't think you should have said that with me around…

Whisper now had a pained look of betrayal on her face, "...I need to go." This declaration caused 'Sonic' to begin breaking into tears.

As Whisper attempted to leave, the crying had struck a nerve with 'Tangle', who immediately blocked her leaving with 'her' tail. Whisper was baffled, "Tangle, why are you-?"

Sonic's patience was truly shot so he came out swinging, "I'm not Tangle, I'm Sonic and tired of pretending otherwise. I didn't need to know that, but Tangle is desperate for your recognition."

Tangle was asking through tears, "Sonic, why are you doing this?"

Sonic winked, "Let me be the 'bad guy' here." He then continued confronting Whisper, "I assure you, I never cry. She does."

Whisper was caught off guard by this direct approach, "This…isn't like Tangle, nor could Mimic do that…Fine." She then walked over to ask the crying hedgehog, "If you really are Tangle, explain what Mimic trapped you in."

The hedgehog answered, "*sniff* It was a vault. Please Whisper, I never wanted to hurt you. You're the best thing to happen to me since joining Sonic's adventures."

Whisper could no longer deny it, she could see in Sonic's face the expressions of her dear friend in genuine emotional agony at her previous rejections of her identity. Whisper began to cry, "Tangle…I…" She then ran over to help her crying friend up.

As Tangle got back to her feet, she asked, "You finally believe me?"

Whisper smiled, "Yes…But then if you really are in Sonic's body does that mean I..." She then looked back at Tangle's Body, who just awkwardly smiled and waved. "Sonic…I'm so sorry."

He then walked over to the two grieving friends, "No problem. This threw us for a loop. I was frustrated too, it should have been Tangle with you, but we were both under pressure."

Whisper giggled, at which Tangle asked Whisper, "So…you'll forgive me?"

Whisper requested with a stern look, "If you explain further."

Tangle sighed, "I was having too much fun as Sonic. It slipped my mind."

Whisper sighed, "That sounds like you."

Sonic offered with a smiling wink, "When we're back to normal, I'll sponsor your next date. Just say where."

Whisper bluntly responded with a frown, "...I'll need time to think about it." Tangle frowned, "But, for now, it's good to have you back Tangle." She then turned to Sonic, "Could I ask you a favor Sonic?"

Sonic stood by, "Sure."

Whisper smiled, "Could you come give us the signature Tangle hug."

Sonic winked, "Gladly." He then hugged them with a different arm each and the Tail wrapped around them. "How was that?"

Tangle narrowed her eyes, "A little too tight."

Whisper chuckled, "Thank you."

While they were off talking, Lanolin was having her own discussion with the others. She was most curious about the two new recruits, "Mighty and Ray, was it?"

Mighty smiled confidently, "You know it!"

Amy was happy to see them, "I'm glad to see you guys again."

Silver was interested to find out more, "You know them?"

Amy glowed, "Yep, we go way back."

Tails smiled, "Yeah, they're incredible. They helped us with the Phantom Ruby."

Silver was puzzled, "Why didn't I see them?"

Tails realized why, "The other time with the Phantom Ruby."

Silver was intrigued, "Huh. You guys have so many friends. Will I ever meet them all?"

Amy and Tails shrugged. Lanolin, however, felt inclined to ask them further, "What led you to the Restoration?"

Ray brightly explained, "That would be Tangle. She's so cool, even Mighty was impressed."

Mighty blushed again, "Yeah, she's incredible."

Amy whispered to Lanolin, noting the blush, "Do we tell him?"

Lanolin answered back, "About what?"

They wouldn't get the chance as Sonic, Tangle, and Whisper came back.

Lanolin mused, "Right on cue. Looks like it worked out."

Tails then pinched Amy's shoulder, "I think it's time we enter my house."

Amy nodded, "Agreed."

The two of them left to go inside. As that happened, Mighty ran over to 'Tangle', "Oh, hey there again Tangle."

The other two tilted their heads at this turn of events. Ray raised an eyebrow, "You chose her over a friend you haven't seen in forever?"

Mighty blushed in embarrassment, turning to 'him', "Oh, hi again Sonic. No offense."

'Sonic' shrugged, "None taken…Mighty."

Mighty frowned, "Did you forget our names? Finally made too many friends to remember them all, Sonic?"

'Tangle' responded, "Never!"

Mighty was caught off guard from the unexpected response, "Uh, Tangle, I wasn't talking to you."

'Tangle' smirked, "You sure about that?"

Mighty then asked, "So…I heard your date with Whisper didn't work out. If so, would you like to-?"

'She' quickly dismissed the advance in clear annoyance, "NOPE! Not playing this game anymore."

Mighty's eyes shrank, "You really are a lesbian, aren't you. I'm so sorry."

Sonic cackled with a face to an eye, "Oh no, the real answer is so much worse."

Mighty tried to continue, "What is it, then, Tangl-?"

Sonic explained, "First off, that is not my name."

Mighty had to ask, "Then what is-"

Ray answered bluntly, "Sonic."

Mighty had wide open eyes at his companion's comment, "I'm sorry, what was that Ray?"

Ray elaborated, "Let's see…Hugged you like a friend they hadn't seen in years, tried to roll into a ball with a body that can't, and looked at their own hands to punch with them. Make sense?"

Mighty's face went blank in horror, muttering, "This entire time, I've been crushing on Sonic. No wonder you were horrified. Sorry for making you more uncomfortable"

Sonic giggled, "It's fine Mighty. I didn't expect to be stuck like this. Should have said so sooner." He went on to tease tongue-in-cheek, "Now if you want to date me properly, then we could talk."

Mighty uneasily chuckled, "Hard pass."

Sonic smiled, "If you want to know the real Tangle…" He used Tangle's tail to point a "finger" at Tangle in his body, "She's right there."

Mighty then went to shake her hand, "Heh, sorry for being weird, I'm happy to finally meet you."

Tangle looked at his gloves, "Same, I dig your gloves. When I get back to normal, we need to spar!"

Mighty smiled, "Pound it?"

Tangle smiled, "You bet!" She then stood there motionless for a moment.

Mighty was confused, "Don't leave me hanging."

Tangle snapped out of her trance, "Right, still don't have my tail." And met with a proper fist.

Mighty giggled, "I like you already." He turned back to Sonic, "How's it like being stuck in her body?"

Sonic gave a frown, "Her tail is great, but now that I'm stuck like this? It's…distressing."

Ray wondered, "And why might-?"

Mighty put a hand on his adoptive brother's shoulder, "He'll explain if he chooses."

Sonic flusteredly answered, "And I'd rather not. Let's regroup with the others."

They then went back to see the rest of their friends.

Inside, Amy and Tails were entering the house, Tails noting, "Be cautious. My house has likely been compromised."

Amy nodded. Tails tried to access his computer, but was met with a malicious video call from Eggman, "Oh, you naive little fox boy. Did you Really think you could keep me from claiming what is rightfully mine?"

Tails annoyedly asked, "What did you do?!"

Eggman bowed, "Simple. You clicked on a notification from my nasty 'Alicorn' trojan."

Tails' eyes shrunk, "Oh no."

Amy mused, "Sounds awfully innocent for a malware program."

Eggman laughed in their faces, "Do you know anything about malware you love-struck fool of a hedgehog?!"

Tails explained as he consulted logs of unusual connections made by the malware, "That's hardly the worst such case…But it's pretty bad. Still, Eggman, I should thank you."

Eggman adjusted his glasses, "And why might that be?"

Tails hit his total computer reset switch, erasing all data and shutting it down, cutting the connection.

Amy was horrified, "Tails, what just happened?"

Tails smiled, "Reset my computer."

Amy was concerned, "Why would you do that?!"

Tails sighed, "Only option with a computer infection that bad. Eggman, in his infinite brilliance, explained exactly what he did, allowing me to counter. But don't worry, I've got countless safe backups. Just have to go install a backup from before any suspicious activity from that malware started and…Bingo!" He then found the last backup before his computer was infected and reinstalled it. "There, my lab is back to normal!"

Amy smiled. "Should we go get the others?"

Tails nodded, "Yeah, we'll need to plan how we fix this…"

Metal Sonic was flying on his mission, having the coordinates ready to target Tails' house. As he made it there, flying high above out of clear sight, he zoomed in close to get a read on the individuals currently presiding at the house. He consulted the Eggman database on each one.

Lanolin the Sheep

Threat level: Low

The leader of the new "Diamond Cutters". Has a bell Wispon powered by a music Wisp. The weak link of the team, take her out first.

Whisper the Wolf

Threat level: Moderate

Last loyal survivor of the original "Diamond Cutters". Is accompanied by a laser, spike, cube, hover, and rocket wisp that power her "Variable Wispon". Disarm at first opportunity.

Ray the Flying Squirrel

Threat level: Low

Long time friend of Sonic. Can fly, but little else he can do that others can't. Easily escaped.

Mighty the Armadillo

Threat Level: High

Long time friend of Sonic. Very fast, very strong, and his backside is immune to piercing. Fight last if possible.

Miles "Tails" Prower

Threat level: Moderate.

Sonic's "little brother". Able to fly, very fast, and has many gadgets. If available, an EMP blast could render him helpless.

Amy Rose

Threat level: Moderate

Sonic's admirer. Somewhat fast, but very, very strong and wields the Piko Piko Hammer. Disarm when possible.

Silver the Hedgehog

Threat level: High

A time-traveling hedgehog from the future. Has powerful telekinesis abilities that allow him to fly, teleport, lift, and stop objects. Take out in one shot because you won't get a second.

Then came his main targets.

Sonic the Lemur

Threat level: Moderate?

My ultimate nemesis, but stuck in that lemur's weaker body. Has a versatile elastic tail and analysis suggests he's learning to wield that tail fast, his werehog memories likely helping. Use the tail against him whenever possible.

Tangle the Hedgehog

Threat level: Low?

Third member of the "Diamond Cutters", now stuck with the body of that blasted rodent. Has Exceptional superspeed, but footage shows extreme incompetence at wielding Sonic's speed. Likely easy pickings if caught alone.

Analysis Results: Too dangerous. Bait them into a more vulnerable situation.

He flew to a different angle so that his return to Eggman's base could go lower where they noticed it.

As he flew back, Eggman asked him, "Metal Sonic, why are you flying away so quickly? Was it that easy to capture your target?"

Metal Sonic answered via message, "MASTER. THERE WERE TOO MANY. RECOMMEND WE READY OURSELVES FOR IF THEY INVADE OUR BASE."

Eggman answered, "I like the way you think, Metal! Yes, let them come to us! In fact, how about we force them to?! I know that their 'Restoration' is led by that Beetle. What was her name again?"

Metal Sonic consulted the database, quickly finding an entry that seemed to match.

Jewel the Beetle

Threat Level: Very Low

Leader of "The Restoration". Can fly and has a hard shell. Might have potential if she trained, but actively avoids combat. Helpless if caught alone.

Metal Sonic noted it as his new objective. He went to Spiral Hill, finding her home, and began waiting. Fortunately for him, that wait wasn't too long, as Jewel, having gotten an okay nap, began her route to Restoration HQ. Metal Sonic immediately swooped in to kidnap her.

Jewel was caught off guard, "Metal Sonic?! What do you want with me?"

Being Metal Sonic, he had no response. She knew she had little chance to escape his clutches, reluctantly accepting her fate, but not before sending out a distress signal to The Restoration.