The plan is simple. Find Sonic Prime, kill him, and rid the multiverse of all speedy blue hedgehogs.

Nine steps out of the multicolored vortex and his shoes sink into the dirt of a sparse forest under a star-streaked sky. His blue eyes are ice, mouth a line, yet his heart is pounding as he clicks the safety off of his dart gun. For a moment, he's still, and carefully turns his ears.

The wind rustles the rust red and burnt orange leaves on the ground, stealing away the few clinging to the bare, willowy trees. Soft pattering underground from what must be little animals settling into their burrows. Finally, his breaths, coming and going much too fast.

Nine consciously slows his breathing and stills his ears before taking a sniff. Air cleaner than he's ever smelled flows into his lungs along with…Sonic.

Wrath twists his face. He hadn't expected Sonic Prime's scent to resemble Sonic's so much, but at least this means Sonic Prime is a lot like his counterpart. Therefore, he'll be predictable.

Resolve slants his eyes and Nine walks ahead silently, his tails bundled close while he avoids fallen leaves and twigs. Just a minute into the forest he spots blue.

Sonic sits against a tree, arms folded under his head and legs lax before him. He's older, Nine notices immediately, and it makes sense considering Sonic Prime came before all other Sonics in the universe. Though, does this mean his counterpart here is also older?

Nine shakes off the thought. His eyes narrow, refocusing. Sonic Prime is napping, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. There won't be an opportunity better than this.

He hitches up the dart gun already loaded with poison-tipped darts, peeks shut one eye, and takes a steadying breath. He aims at Sonic's arm and his finger tenses on the trigger.

"Friends?"

Nine freezes.

"We're…friends?"

Sonic had caught him up in a hug, swinging them in a circle. Nine's face went flat, but inside, Sonic's touch warmed him, the teen's joyous laughter a melody he could listen to all day.

Nine jolts from the memory and his muzzle pulls back in a snarl. Lies! Sonic had just been using him! But after this, he'll never use him again.

Rage searing his heart, Nine steadies his aim.

And doesn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

The dart speeds through the air, flying towards Sonic's arm. Sonic shifts, yawning. The dart thunks into the bark right under his elbow. Nine stiffens as Sonic's eyes pop open. The teen's gaze shoots up to the dart and Nine takes his chance, firing again. The dart soars at Sonic's chest. Yet the hedgehog is on his feet in a blur and watches wide-eyed while the dart strikes the ground.

Nine realizes it's time to leave when Sonic's head whips back and his gaze locks on the bush he's behind.

"Hey! What—"

Nine runs. Sonic's voice drops off as Nine whisks out his yellow device, cold air stabbing his face while he rapidly punches the buttons. It doesn't matter where he transports to, it just has to be not here.

"Wait!"

Sonic's fingers brush over his hoodie and Nine's heart just about bursts as he squeezes his device's trigger. A portal erupts above their heads and Nine jumps, Sonic skidding in surprise.

The portal winks close while Nine drops hard on his hands and knees, heaving a desperate breath. Teal grass blades tickle his muzzle and he shudders. That had been close, too close. What had he been thinking?

Nine's expression crumbles, blue irises shimmering. He's an idiot, a complete fool. Why did he even come here? Because Sonic pretended to be his friend? Because he actually thought Sonic wanted to be his friend? Nobody wanted to be his friend, not even back when he was nicer, softer, and so pathetically desperate for companionship it made him sick to remember. Yet he had let his guard down around Sonic. Why? Just because he'd saved him from that train? Or because he gave him his first high-five? Or maybe it's the way he smiles, how those green eyes crinkle fondly, nothing except adoration inside…but that adoration was never meant for him since he's not real, right?

His breath stutters, tears stinging his eyes. He slaps his hand over his mouth to muffle a sob while his vision blurs. He won't cry. Sonic isn't worth his tears.

However, his body disagrees as a low whine escapes him, more tears squeezing out. Despair, rage, and most of all betrayal ravage his chest. It hurts, his chest hurts, breathing hurts, crying hurts, and yet he can't stop.

So lost in his pain, he doesn't notice the security camera zooming in from the doorstep behind him. Or hear the sneakers rushing up to the entrance. And he completely misses the metal door opening with a click.

"Hello?"

Nine inhales sharply, ears shooting straight up at that quiet, hesitant voice. Slowly, he turns.

"Are you okay-woah."

Wide blue eyes meet Nine's teary ones. They stare for a moment. Then Nine hastily blinks away his tears and Tails' mouth wavers with half-aborted words. And of course—of course his Prime counterpart would be a Tails. He is the real one after all.

A bitter laugh escapes Nine and the shock fades from Tails' face, his eyes creasing worriedly. "Are you okay?"

Nine stiffens. He raises a brow. "You see someone who looks like your clone and that's the first question you ask?"

Tails' expression doesn't change, though his namesakes swish uncomfortably. "You…" His eyes flit away before going back to Nine. "You were crying."

Nine's teeth clench and venom shoots up his throat. He's going to lunge at Tails and wring his neck—break him—but suddenly Tails turns. Nine falters while his counterpart steps back into the towering wooden building he now realizes is a workshop. Though the fox comes right back out, a mint green scarf in his hands.

"The sun's setting." Tails smiles, offering the scarf to him, and Nine's eyes widen. "And it's supposed to snow tonight."

Nine gawks, mouth hanging slack. Yet in a blink, he glares. He slaps the button on his belt and his metal tails snap out, standing him up high. Tails gasps, then chokes as Nine's tail catches him around the neck.

Nine drags the gasping kit up to his face, growling, "I don't need your help—I don't need anyone!"

He swings around and tosses Tails into the workshop. The kit cries out, crashing hard on the ground, but Nine doesn't spare him a glance before grabbing the door and slamming it close.

Nine's chest heaves, hands clenched, and heart suffocating under the weight of his rage. He should go. Sonic Prime might be on his way here and if he got a good look at Nine…

The fox raises his device to summon a portal, fingers going to the buttons. He stops. Weariness drapes over his shoulders and drags his arm down. He doesn't know why, but suddenly the thought of returning to the Grim is too awful to fathom. Maybe it's because going back will undoubtedly lead to another confrontation with Sonic and Shadow. Or maybe it's the fact his heart has been bleeding ever since Sonic said he wasn't real and he just wants the pain to stop.

Nine sags, his tails lowering him onto his knees and gaze falling on the frosted grass. He should leave, he really should.

…he doesn't.

Nine wakes up. Snowflakes fall from his hair and powder his muzzle as he lifts his head from the tan garage door, squinting. The night sky hangs over frost-covered rolling hills. He doesn't remember falling asleep, but he mustn't have been out long if it's still night.

Nine goes to wipe the crust from his eyes. His fingers hit metal. He looks down.

A yellow thermos sits on the pavement, a card taped to it. Nine plucks up the card, eyes narrowing.

If you want to warm up, the door's unlocked.

-Tails

Disbelief washes over his face. Is his counterpart insane? He'd threatened him, attacked him, and Tails was inviting him into his home?

If it's a trap, it's a poorly planned one. Nine scoffs, insulted by the attempt, and he picks up the thermos to dump its probably poisonous contents. He pauses, frown curving his mouth. He does need to delete the workshop's footage of himself before Sonic Prime sees it and potentially realizes he's the same fox who tried to kill him.

Nine sighs, but rises on his tails. He walks around the corner to the front, full body shivering as the wind blows snowflakes into his face, and stops a meter from the entrance. He glances around, searching for traps. A brown welcome mat on the doorstep is all he sees and he squints at the curvy letters beside two golden fox tails.

Welcome to

my Burrow!

Nine snorts derisively. How childish. He lifts his head, giving the entrance one more look over. However, he finds nothing threatening, so steps up and pushes the door. His shoulders hike up, muscles tensing as it opens.

Warm light falls on his face. Nine's expression eases into uncertainty, though he keeps an eye out while walking in.

A short wooden hallway is dimly-lit by wrench-shaped light fixtures, a closed closet to the right and staircase on the left. Nine frowns at the shadowed second floor. Something tells him Tails is there.

He heads up the steps to make sure, his tails clinking on the wood, but he slows at noticing the pictures framed on the wall.

Tails beams in a decorated room under pink and blue lights. A red echidna—that rebel—has his mitt on Tails' head while a smiling pink hedgehog—Rusty?—clinks her party cup with Tails' in cheers.

Nine frowns. They all look exactly like Sonic's friends in Green Hill, which means his theory was right. Sonic's world is a near identical copy of this Prime dimension. So there's probably a Shadow here too.

Phantom fingers close around Nine's throat. Yet he jerks off the memory as he reaches the top of the stairs. He squints and makes out three doors, one likely a bathroom.

Nine grabs the nearest knob, turning it. The door creaks open into a pitch-black bedroom, but just enough light from downstairs creeps in for him to see golden fur. Tails is curled up under a blue comforter, his still gloved hand splayed across his pillow and a slight smile curving his mouth. Nine's jaw drops. Seriously? His counterpart left the door open, allowed a threat into his place, and then went to bed?

Nine growls and drags his hand down his face. Tails Prime probably isn't aware if he dies then all other Tailses in the multiverse will cease to exist, but it's still frustrating knowing his life is in such naive hands.

Nine glowers at his counterpart. Slowly, his shaking fist rises over Tails' head. It would be so easy.

His fist flies down. It bounces on the pillow by Tails' face. Disgust wells inside him when Tails doesn't stir and he snarls, whirling away from his disgrace of a counterpart.

"So…nic…"

Nine stiffens as Tails leans forward and nuzzles his fist. His hand snaps back, eyes wide. However, his expression quickly cools. Tails is too trusting, too kind, everything Nine hasn't been for years. Maybe that's why Sonic prefers him.

Nine shoves the thought away and turns, heading to the hall. He grasps the knob so tight it cuts into his palm and barely refrains from slamming the door on his way out.

He goes back downstairs, ignoring the framed pictures and the unlit kitchen while renewing his search for the camera footage. Eventually, the hallway opens up to a high-ceiling room. Two oak bookshelves lay against the left wall, an assortment of thick manuals and science textbooks tucked inside them. A blue sofa chair is in-between them before a coffee table with a potted plant, its leaves draping off the side. Nine is going to move on to the next room when he spots metal.

A red biplane sits against the garage door. Nine's eyes widen.

"You have the coolest plane. It's called the Tornado."

Nine approaches the plane like a magnet drawn. He eyes its gleaming silver wings, noting the clear care they've been given. Tentatively he reaches up, grasping the cockpit's edge. He hoists himself and drops into the seat. His mechanical tails bunch uncomfortably close to him in the small space, so he retracts and bundles them around his flesh ones.

Nine eases into the cushioned chair, looking over the controls and raising his hand to grasp the yoke. For a moment, he imagines the hum of the engine, the wind whipping through his hair. He steers the plane through a red-orange polluted sky and with a smirk, shoots down an army of eggforcers. Someone laughs beside him. He turns. Sonic winks from the wing, grinning wide, and Nine smiles back.

Nine's eyes burn as reality wipes away the dream. He could have made that real if only Sonic—

He stops and snarls. You know what? Who needs that manipulative hedgehog? With the Prism shards, he has the power to do whatever he wants! He doesn't need Sonic, doesn't need anyone.

Yet the thought of going back to the Grim, to its fractured sky and decaying land…to face what he's doomed everyone to…

Exhaustion weighs down Nine's head. Bonelessly, he falls back in the seat. However, those problems aren't here and he doesn't have to face them just yet.

It's a lie, but Nine wants to believe it. So he closes his eyes and pulls the thermos out of his tails, hugging it close. Its warmth sinks all the way to his cold, fractured heart, and Nine bites down a sob.

He's ruined everything, and maybe that's why he's really here. Not to kill Sonic and fix what he's done, but to escape the truth if only for a minute. Somewhere out there, the Shatterverse decays, yet Nine doesn't care as he curls up against the cushion and pretends this is home.

So I'm having too much fun writing Nine and Tails interactions lately, and this is the result of that 😅 Also, this takes place during Prime Season 3 and I'm doing my best to match it up with that season, meaning this will have spoilers eventually.

Regardless, please feel free to comment, stay warm, and enjoy your days off from school or work!