Rouge slammed a paper down on Commander Tower's desk. The Commander glanced down at the paper. "NOTICE OF RESIGNATION," the headline read. Tower exhaled, clearly upset. "You don't have to resign over a bad break-up, agent," he said calmly.

"It's not just about the break-up," Rouge muttered. "If it were I'd just pester you into reassigning me somewhere else. No, Commander, I'm done. I can't keep up this life as an undercover agent anymore. Not when you're still keeping secrets from me. It's clear something is going on. Sonic comes in here all the time now, and he only ever speaks with you. I'm not stupid, Tower, I know you're hiding something from me. On top of all that, you still won't tell me what happened to Omega."

"I haven't told you what's happened to Omega because I still don't know. As for my interactions with Sonic, the purpose behind them is-"

"Classified, I know. That's all you ever say about it. I'm done being kept in the dark. I'll work on clearing out my desk and saying my goodbyes over the next two weeks, but I'm out, Commander. My career at G.U.N. is over with."

Tower let out an exhausted sigh. "Very well then. Your notice of resignation has been accepted. We wish you good luck on your future endeavors."

"Uh-huh," she muttered as she walked towards the door.

"Rouge," Tower said firmly as she grabbed the doorknob, "I hope you know that you are welcome back here at any time. Your work as one of our top agents is commendable, and you have my respect."

"…Thanks, Commander, but I doubt I'll be back."

As Rouge left the office, she held her head in her hand. Two weeks before she was without a job and homeless. All because she couldn't stop playing around with the hearts of men. Had she not worn mascara that day, she may have allowed herself to cry, but that wasn't happening today. Before her anxieties could take over, a soft, friendly voice caught her off guard.

"Umm, Miss Rouge? Are you okay?"

She turned to look at who spoke, only to smile at the friendly Coyote boy. "Hey, Buddy," she said, a sad smile on her lips. "I'm… I'm going through a bit right now, thanks for asking."

"Ah, I see… I reckon you'd like to talk about it with somebody, don't'cha?"

"No, it's alright-"

"Aww come on, don't be like that! You been down an awful late lately- n-n-not that I been like, uh, following ya 'er nothing, I just seen ya in the halls and seen all sad like and uh… Well what I'm trying to say is I reckon ya should probably tell someone what's going on with ya so ya can get back to being a confident and smiley and cheerful like ya normally are! I'd be more than willing to hear out ya troubles, uh, as long as ya trust me that is! Hehe…" The blush on the coyote's face almost impossible to not notice.

Rouge smiled. "Alright, sure Buddy. Follow me, I'm going to lunch anyways."

"Ah! Uh, er, um, alrighty!"

The two walked in silence for a bit, before Buddy nervously looked over his shoulder, then back to the returning agent in front of him. "Um, Miss Rouge?" he muttered. "The cafeteria's back that-a-ways, I reckon…" He cleared his throat. "Uh, I mean, I believe the cafeteria is the opposite direction that we're, uh, headed, as it were."

"You don't need to act formal around me, hon," Rouge said with a giggle. "And don't worry, we're not going to the cafeteria anyways."

Buddy tilted his head in confusion. "We ain't? Then, uh, where are we going?"

The bat came to a stop under a spotlight. "Up here!" She pointed up to the skylight window.

The coyote's gaze followed where she pointed. "Up… there? I don't see how we'd get u- BY GOLLY!"

Rouge had snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest, under his arms. "Hold on to your hat!" she said with a smile.

"Huh? A-alright…" Buddy muttered, grabbing a hold of his cap with both hands. "What, um, what are you do-"

His answer came before he could even get the question out as Rouge flapped her wings and leapt off the ground, carrying the flustered Coyote with her. Knocking through the unlocked skylight window, she glided them down to the rim of a giant satellite dish. Once they'd landed she let him go, with the now bewildered Coyote still clutching his hat with dear life.

"Guess I should've given you a heads up," she laughed.

"Ah, I uh, reckon that would've been nice, yeah," Buddy nervously laughed along. Resting his arms at his side, he looked around. "Say, ain't this the top of the communications department? What are we doing all the way up yonder?"

"It's a nice place to relax and catch your breath away from all the super-serious military minded folks. Shadow and Omega used to join me up here from time to time, but…" She trailed off, a look of sadness in her eyes. After walking to the edge of the dish, she sat down and allowed her legs to dangle over the edge. Looking up over her shoulder with a smile, she continued, "Come on, take a seat beside me."

Approaching the edge cautiously, Buddy took a seat beside her, carefully scoffing forward until his legs were dangling over the edge a bit. "Sorry, I'm a tad bit afraid of heights," he explained. "Not too bad or nothin', just… get real nervous around ledges and such."

"Ah, I guess I should've asked before taking you up here then, huh? Sorry about that."

Rouge thought for a moment, her eyes drifting to the side. "You know," she muttered, "I don't think I know a whole lot about you. It wouldn't be right of me to just tell you my troubles without knowing you better… right?" She gave him a weak smile.

Buddy blushed. "Ah, w-well, I ain't nothing special. Just a farm boy who managed to get a fancy government gig!"

"You lived at a farm?"

"Well, still do actually. I live with my ma and pa on good ol' Lightful Farms! Try to help Ma and Pa when I can seeing as how they're getting up there in years."

"Lightful Farms, huh? What an odd name…"

"Yeah, I reckon our family does got ourselves a strange last name, don't we?"

"Wait- your name is Buddy Lightful?"

"Yes ma'am!" The coyote beamed with pride. "The one and only Buddy Donavan Lightful, at your service! …As it were."

Rouge blinked. "Your full name is Buddy D. Lightful?"

Buddy put his hand to his chin, thinking for a moment. "Huh," he muttered, "well I suppose it is. Real funny-like how that worked out, ain't it?" He let out a hearty laugh, to which the bat simply rolled her eyes and joined in on the laughter.

"Say, what do you even do here, anyhow?" Rouge asked as soon as the laughter died down. "Seems like I'm seeing you do a new job every week."

"Oh, that's cause I do everythin', really."

"Everything? What do you mean everything?"

"Well, let's see… I've been field deployed, worked on asset retrievals, been a warden at the prison over yonder, I'm a janitor a lot, do some cooking and dish washin' in the cafeteria, helped execute arrest warrants, filled out search warrant request forms, been a cargo driver, escorted Mr. Sonic down to the sub-levels we keep Eggman at, helped take suspects into custody… the list just goes on forever now, don't it?"

Rouge looked stunned. "How have you done all that? What, do you have a special position I don't know about or something?"

Buddy looked away and twiddled his thumbs a bit. "Umm, something like that. I've been called a 'Jack of all trades,' if that makes a lick of sense to ya. The Commander gives me a new schedule every Monday, so I don't go thrown blind into no task I ain't ready for."

"Why do you put up with such a chaotic work schedule to begin with? They paying you the big bucks or something?"

"Ah, I don't mind none too bad. I had to learn to do a whole lot of different tasks growing up on the farm. Although, yeah, I am making quite a living I suppose, hehe…" He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Oh, but enough about silly old me. What's got ya so down, miss?"

Rouge's smile faded and she looked away. "Oh, right… that's why we're here. Well… I've… I've screwed up, big time. And I don't mean like in a way where I can recover from it either, I've just… ugh." She held her face in her hands. "I'm a horrible person."

"Oh, now hold it right there, Missy!" Buddy jumped in. "Ain't no way you're a horrible person! We all done bad things, we all make mistakes, it's apart of life and whatnot. That don't mean we're bad people! Whatever you done, that don't mean you're a bad person."

The bat turned to look at him, still hurting her head in her hands. "I cheated on Knuckles with Shadow while living in his own home, then dumped him, again, in his own home, then the second I got frustrated with Shadow I went running back to him and tried to cheat on Shadow with him. He told Shadow about it, now I've got less than a month to find a new place to live."

The coyote blinked. "Ah. Hmm… Well, I uh… By golly, sounds like you messed up big time. Umm… at least you still got a gig here! I'm sure that Commander Tower'll understand the, uh, complexities of the situation and whatnot. I got no doubt he'd be willing to take ya to anotha' depar-"

"I put in my two weeks notice, Buddy. Thats why I was outside his office. I'm so tired of keeping secrets and having secrets kept from me. He's not going to tell me why he keeps meeting with Sonic? Not gonna tell me what happened to Omega? Not gonna tell me why we suddenly give a shit if Eggman dies or not?! No, I'm done. I'm through with this place."

"…I see." The coyote looked up at the blue sky, giving a moment of pause as thought about what to say next. "Secrets ain't always a bad thing. Sometimes, you gotta hold on to a secret so that the folks around ya stay safe. If, uh, hypothetically, I were to have some kinda really big secret like that, I know I'd keep quiet about it. I gotta keep my loved ones safe. Ma, Pa, my childhood friend Jackie and her soon-to-be hubby… and you too, of course." Rouge looked over at him, studying him curiously. "But secrets can be a bad thing, too," he continued. "Ya get too many of 'em, and they're start eating away atcha, like a buncha nasty critters getting into your cabbage field. I don't know if you're, uh, religiously inclined, Miss Rouge, but my folks are. They go to one of them churches the humans always go to, the ones with the cross? Pretty rare a Mobian like you and I worship that there Jesus feller, I know, but that's just what they believe. Well, anyhow, my pa says that too many secrets poison the soul. I'm not too sure I believe in all that, but I know what he means by that. He means folks that keep too many secrets from others end up destroyin' themselves, I think." He looked over at the bat beside him. "Err… any of this making a lick of sense to ya? Kinda got lost in thoughts there for a moment, hehe…"

Rouge smiled. "I think I get what you're saying, Buddy." She leaned over and gave the coyote a hug, which caused his face to go red in turn. "Thanks for listening to me vent. You're a pretty sweet guy, ya know that?"

Buddy hid his hands behind his back and looked away as she released him from her hug. "Aww, shucks, I ain't doing nothing any good and upstanding member of society wouldn't do! But, umm, I appreciate ya saying that nonetheless."

"Anytime, pal. Now I just gotta figure out where I'm going to live soon…"

The coyote began to twiddle his thumbs a bit. "W-well… ya know, my folks are getting up there in years and uh, can't do everything at the farm by themselves no more…"

She turned to him, giving him a curious look. "Yeah?"

"Well, I been telling them for years they oughta get a new farmhand. We got that ol' guest house we ain't used in years since uncle Ronnie passed on, and if you was helping them out all day, I'm sure they'd be willing to give ya a reduced rent and good wage… just saying."

Rouge smirked and leaned in towards him. "Buddy… are you asking the sexy lady friend coworker to come live at your farm? I wonder what your parents might say about that~"

Buddy face grew even redder. "N-now hold on! I don't mean it like that! I mean, sure you're a swell gal, and- and- and yeah, maybe ya make me feel all funny-like now and again, but you know it ain't like that one bit!

The bat giggled with delight. "You're really easy to tease, you know that? Almost…" Her smile faded. "Almost reminds me of how Knuckie used to get flustered when I teased him. Hmm…" She shook her head, trying to clear it of the memories. "Anywho… do you think your folks will really let me stay?"

"Oh, of course they will! We could start moving ya in next week in fact, after I attend Jackie's wedding! She done gone went and made me the ring bearer… If that ain't a big responsibility, I dunno what is!"

"Ok, but how are you sure they'll let me stay? They sound like some conservative and traditional folks and I'm…" She gestured to her outfit. "Quite obviously not that."

"Because I reckon they ain't gonna fight with the one paying their mortgage, if they know what's good for 'em, that is."

Rouge's eyes widened. "You pay your parent's mortgage?! On a house you don't even own?! Why?! How?!"

"Well, like I dun' gone told ya, I am making quite a livin' I suppose. As for why, well, cuz it's the nice thing to do I reckon. They raised me my whole life, least I could do is help 'em feel more secure."

The bat smiled. "Well… I suppose I'm used to farming a little… Hell, why not? I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth."

"Ya mean you'll stay at my place for a while?"

"Sure, why not? Thanks, Buddy. You're a real sweet guy, you know."

"Nah, I'm just a silly coyote that found himself blessed with a good life and a position where he can protect those he care about is all."

Rouge smiled at him warmly. Maybe the future wouldn't be too bad.

Knuckles ripped another weed out of his farming soil, then threw it into the wheelbarrow behind him. He let out an exhausted sigh as he wiped some sweat from his brow. Looking back, he should've at least asked someone to tend to his farm while he was away, but his crops were the last thing on his mind at the time. Just as he was about to reach for another weed to pull out of the no doubt ruined soil, the sound of rushing winds from the forest nearby caught his attention. Curious, he looked over to see a green light shine, and then vanish. Not too long after, Shadow emerged from the treeline, holding two six-packs of Miller Light cans in each of his hands. The hedgehog stopped a bit away from him as soon as he realized Knuckles was staring at him. A long, awkward silence ensued.

"Hey," Knuckles said finally, giving a half-hearted wave.

"Hey," Shadow replied, just as awkwardly. "I umm… I got these." He gestured to the cans in his hands.

"Yeah I see that. You didn't think to cool them? Hot day out, you know?"

"…Look, I can just… I can just leave if you don't want me here-"

"No, no, no, I'm- I'm just giving you shit, dude. I don't actually, like… I appreciate it, honest."

"Really?"

"Yeah, no I could use a break anyways. Come on, sit on that rock in the shade over there, I'll be there in a minute."

Shadow did just that as Knuckles dusted himself off, then took a seat on the ground next to the rock. "Toss me a can," the echidna said, to which Shadow immediately obliged, pulling two cans from the ring and tossing one down to him and keeping one for himself. Knuckles caught the can with ease, then cracked it open just as Shadow cracked his open. The two took a sip of the warm, cheap beer as they tried to think of what to say to the other man.

"Women, am I right?" Shadow said at last.

Knuckles smiled. "Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em."

The two looked at each other for a moment, as if to acknowledge that exchange really did just happen, before both finally bursting out laughing.

"That's what you open with?!" Knuckles yelled through his hard laughter.

"I- I just- it worked, didn't it?!" Shadow managed to get out as he too laughed hard.

Once the two had calmed down, Shadow took another sip from his can and Knuckles shook his head, grinning. "Oh, Amy would kill us for saying that," the echidna commented.

"Death by hammer, hell of a way to go," the hedgehog agreed. After taking another sip, he continued, "Hey speaking of killing people, kinda surprised you aren't doing that right now."

Knuckles shrugged. "Should've visited me two months ago. That's why that's there."As he took a sip from his can, he pointed to a small section of the forest with broken, splinted tree stumps and fallen over.

Shadow blinked. "I see." He took another sip. "I uh… didn't know that, uh… she told me you guys had broken up."

"Yeah I kinda figured when you asked me if I was joking and went into a panic when I called you."

"Yeah… yeah, no, I kicked her out and broke up with her. She quit the agency, said something about a farm… that was about a week ago, I think? Haven't seen her since."

"Gotcha."

The two finished their cans, crushed them, then grabbed and opened up another. "Don't think I've ever seen you so… not… yourself," Knuckles noted.

"Yeah, because I don't feel like myself," Shadow agreed. "I guess I just kind of realized everyone in my life hates me, because, you know, I'm kind of a huge prick for no real reason, I guess."

"Yeah no, you got a lot of unresolved deep personal trauma that you've just been taking out on everyone your entire life, so it's only natural you'd push everyone else away. I had to take therapy, you know, there's nothing wrong with it. Tails has done it, too. Amy went through anger management, which is basically just a form of therapy. I don't know about Sonic, but I wouldn't be surprised."

"Yeah, the old doctor really screwed over our childhoods, didn't he?"

"Hey, at least you're not the most disrespected canine genius in the world. Poor guy's got such an inferiority complex, and I can't say I blame him. All those damn headlines…"

"He still got the girl in the end, didn't he?"

Knuckles smiled. "Yeah, guess you heard about that, huh? I'm proud of him. I know he says Sonic is his older brother, but I feel like I could be his brother too, ya know?"

"Maybe if you weren't up here all the time, I guess."

"Yeah…"

The two sat in silence for a while, watching the sun set and cracking open a few more cans. "So…" Shadow said after a slamming back two more cans, "we are cool, right? I'm still kinda… I don't know, I was expecting a fight, to be honest."

Knuckles crushed his fifth can and set it by his side, reaching for another. "Look, man," he sighed, "we're both victims here. No use fighting over someone who played us both for a couple of chumps. Let's be adults about this whole thing."

"That's… pretty mature of you, you know?"

"Yeah, well, you kinda have to mature when this stuff happens, I guess."

"Yeah…" Shadow took a drink, then facepalmed. "Shit."

"What's up?"

"I forgot to call my agent back."

Knuckles sat up. "Agent? Like, talent agent or something?"

"Yeah, I shouldn't really talk about this because I'm under an N.D.A., but whatever. I got an agent in Studiopolis now. I'm working on a deal with Paramount."

"Paramount? No way, you're going on the big screen?"

"Sort-of, not quite. They want to adapt my memoirs on the whole Westopolis incident into a thriller, action-focused series on their streaming service."

"They want to turn the book you wrote about how you discovered that your creator used the DNA of an alien, who you then murdered and vowed to single-handedly wipe out the race of… into… an action thriller series?"

Shadow shrugged. "It can't possibly be any more offensive to the memory of and history of it than that historically inaccurate video game I gave the ok on."

"You mean the one where they just made up a bunch of shit and gave it like, alternate endings that didn't happen, including one where you kill Eggman and another where you kill the president?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"…Fair enough, I suppose. Hey, can you make sure those Hollywood assholes don't give me a horrendously stereotypical accent like they did in that History channel documentary retelling of Chaos' attack?"

Shadow thought it over for a moment. "I might be able to get them to have you coach whoever they get on set, actually."

"Ha! Like that'll happen."

"No seriously, they're already trying to get G.U.N. to let them use their old vehicles to seem more 'historically accurate.' As soon as that happens, G.U.N. is gonna get a producer credit, throw stuff in the script to make them seem cool and stuff, and I'll basically have the studio in the palm of my hands."

"Huh. Well in that case, sure, I'm down. It would be nice to finally see some representation done right, considering I'm the last man alive of my tribe. And species."

"Then I'll be in touch on that front."

"Sounds like a plan to me, brother. You know, we should hang out more."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I'm serious, man. I mean, come to think of it, we got a lot in common. Both kinda loners, both got a big rivalry with the blue guy, both got screwed over by the same woman, both been manipulated into working with Egghead back in the day, both like motorcycles…"

"Hold on, since when do you like motorcycles?"

"Yeah, they're awesome, why wouldn't I?"

Shadow smiled. "Knuckles, I think this is the start of something special."

Knuckles fist bumped the hedgehog. "Hell yeah, brother."

Charmy smiled, holding a Chao in his arms. "Pet go missing?" he asked.

Espio hid behind a corner, a man and woman on the other side chatting delightfully. "Cheating spouse?" he asked coldly.

Ray sat at an office desk, eyeing down someone across the room who was looking through some files. "Suspected corporate espionage?" he asked.

Mighty leaned against a telephone pole, sticking his thumb at the police station across the street. "Police not being any help?" he sneered.

Vector sat at his desk, a grin on his face and a steaming coffee mug in hand. "Don't worry, help is a call away!" he said enthusiastically. "All that and more can be solved by…"

The other four jumped out of hiding as they all yelled together, "The Chaotix Detective Agency!"

"Just call the toll free number on screen now to see how we might be able to lend a hand!" Vector continued. "We're always willing to lend a hand to those in need and bring safety and peace of mind to your home or business! After all, we're not just a detective agency…"

"We're a family!" they all yelled, huddled in a group hug.

"1-800-555-CHAOTIX, call today!" A voice over said as the company logo appeared on screen.

Charmy turned away from the computer, a grin on his face. "Whatcha think?" he asked eagerly. "I directed and edited it myself."

"I think it's gonna be a big hit on all those public access channels that don't exist anymore," Cream joked.

"You're funny. Nah, this thing's gonna get blasted all over YouTube. The official Chaotix YouTube channel already has 20k subscribers, and all it has is this one video on it. I knew that collab with Jimmy was a good idea! I just hope I don't regret being so heavily associated with him someday."

"So I take it Vector made you the new official social media manager?"

"Yep! Once we get more popular, I'm gonna commission some artists to make merch for us. Vector's already insisting on us doing some merch for pride month next year, and Ray says he knows a bunch of artists."

"Glad to see you're all one big happy family again. How are Mighty and Ray doing?"

"Oh, they're doing great! Now that they're part time members at the agency, I imagine I'll be seeing them a lot more. We already got plans to hang out on Saturday and catch up some more."

Cream rested her head on his shoulder and hugged him from behind. "What's it like having your big brother back in your life?"

"It's like he never left, kinda. He's still the same guy he was back then, just more… grown up, I guess. He's still super strong, and Vector told me he's an amazing chef these days."

"And Ray?"

"I didn't know Ray too well, but from what I remember he's definitely more… effeminate, these days. Probably just more comfortable being himself now than he was back then."

"Yeah, that's probably what it is. He was probably walking on eggshells back then, huh? I'm just happy that you got them back in your life now."

"Me too, but no one's happier than Vector, trust me. He's trying to hang out with them all the time now! Espio keeps having to drag him back to the office to sort through the cases they've been getting since the Mr. Beast video went live."

Charmy stood up and stretched, looking around their newly purchased studio apartment with a smile. "Not much now, but maybe we'll have enough for a one-bedroom in six months or so," he noted.

Cream kissed him on the cheek and cuddled up against him. "Even if we don't, I'm ok with this living space for a while… as long as I'm here with you."

"Any good colleges in the cards?"

"Still looking, but… we'll see. For now, I just want to watch a show or something with you. It's getting late, and I'm tired."

"Yeah, that sounds nice. Let's do it."

The two took a seat on the couch, putting a show on and cuddling against each other.

Sonic sat on the edge of the pier, looking out at the ocean. With all the stress going on in his life, he found himself coming back here more and more often. Even though he never could swim, there was something he could still do when he was near the ocean or a lake that made him smile and relax. "Here ya go, Sonic!" a deep voice said as the shadow of a tall figure covered him. "See? I always have a spare, just for you!"

Sonic looked up, smiling at the giant purple cat as he accepted the fishing rod from him. "I know you do, Big," he said cheerfully. "You gonna fish with me?"

"Well, of course!"

Big took a seat next to him, setting a tackle box between them. He didn't waste any time before hooking some bait and casting out his line. Sonic had always enjoyed fishing as a side-hobby, but it wasn't until his journey in the Starfall Islands that he realized just how much he enjoyed it. According to Sage, he enjoyed it enough to create a virtual pond in cyberspace, where a fake, recreated version of Big was always there to lend him a rod. For someone known for living life to the fullest and always going on adventures and running fast, it may seem weird he'd enjoy something so slow and patient. Then again, his friends could tell you that enjoyed a good lazy day lying in the grass as much as the next guy.

After a half an hour of line casting, Sonic had failed to catch anything. Then again, his mind wasn't really focused on the task at hand, and that didn't go unnoticed. "Sonic?" Big asked, turning his attention to his friend. "Are you ok? That's the fifth fish you've hooked and failed to reel in a row."

"Ah, sorry," Sonic sighed as he reeled empty line back in. "I guess in just kind of distracted. Say, Big? Mind if I ask a, uh, personal question?"

"Hmm? Sure, why not?"

"Have you ever… been in love with someone? Or, like… felt feelings of attraction? You know, like, loved someone as more than just a friend, I mean."

"Hmmmmmm… Nope! Not really."

"Really? You… you don't think that's weird or anything?"

"Why would it be weird? I get to spend my time hanging out with all my friends and enjoy life how I want! Some people might want a girlfriend or a boyfriend, but I just want to fish. Nothing wrong with that, right?"

Sonic smiled. "Of course not. Nothing wrong with wanting to spend your days fishing. I guess I'm just worried because, well… I've been hanging out with my old friends, Mighty and Ray, and they've been teaching me about all this stuff and… and…"

Big rested his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sonic, it's never too late to realize something about yourself. Your friends will love you for who you are."

The hedgehog looked up at his large friend, a little surprised. "Big, what are you talking about?"

The cat smiled, then pointed to a pin on his fisherman's jacket. It was a circle, with colored bars. Dark green, light green, white, gray, black, gray, white and then purple. Sonic knew that flag pattern very well by now, Ray and Mighty kept coming back to it during their discussions. Their long, emotional discussions where the two tried their best to help the hedgehog figure out his identity- one that even now, he wasn't sure of. But seeing that pin on the fisherman's jacket, which stuck out despite being surrounded by several others, made Sonic feel relieved. Mighty and Ray were a big help, but he had the feeling this conversation might be what he needed to fully come to terms with things.

"I… I didn't know you knew about this stuff," Sonic said softly.

"Mmmhmm. I don't talk about it much because, well… I guess it's just not important to talk about to me. I don't mind discussing it, I just don't like drawing attention to myself, I suppose."

"I guess that makes sense. You don't really like being the center of attention all that often."

"Mmhmm. I know I'm not the brightest guy in the world, or even the brightest friend of yours, but I do know when my friends are upset. Maybe I'm not the best guy to talk to about it, but you can say what's on your mind, Sonic."

"Thanks, Big. You're a good friend to have around, ya know that? I already feel a lot better, it's just… I don't know."

"Go ahead, Sonic, I won't bite. That's what the fish are supposed to do! Bite down on the hook, so you can reel them in. Hmm… did I get sidetracked? Sorry about that."

Sonic chuckled. "It's alright, don't worry about it. It's just, well… I don't know if I'm, like, 'valid' or whatever unless I go on a real date. Just once, maybe… to understand it, I guess."

"You don't need to test yourself to be valid, Sonic."

"I know, but, well, I guess I just want to give it a shot. There is one person I know who would be willing to go on a date with me, so maybe…"

Big held up his hand and shook his head lightly. "Sonic… I may not be able to… experience those feelings, but I understand one important thing: playing around with someone's feelings is a bad thing. It hurts them a lot in a way you and I couldn't understand."

"I know that. I'm not… Look, maybe I'm being selfish here, but if there's one person that could make me feel that way, it's Amy. If I can't feel that way with her, after all this time, then I don't think I'll ever feel that way. I'm sure she'd understand that."

"It's not that she'd understand, Sonic. Think of it like… hmm… Like when you're about to reel in a really big catch, the biggest catch of your whole life- and then it's gone, and you never get that catch again. It's like that, only worse, I think."

"Why does everyone make fishing analogies when it comes to love? And… why does that make sense to me?"

"Because fishing is fun!"

Sonic laughed. "Yeah, I guess. Look, I promise I'll do my best to not… hurt her. I don't want that. That's the last thing I want. It's just, I have to do this. It's the only way I'll ever know for sure."

"Hmm… Ok, Sonic. Just be careful, and be as understanding and patient as you can."

"I will Big, I promise. Now hand me that tackle box, I gotta get serious about this."

The two of them returned to their favorite pass time, with Sonic feeling a bit more at ease.

Dr. Ivo Robotnick lay on the mattress in his blindingly white cell room, staring at the ceiling, arms crossed, bored out of his mind. "What's something I haven't done in here in the past ten years…" he muttered to himself. "Hmm… I'm stuck underground… and… I guess I'm still evil, even after all this time… nothing I can do really change that. Hmm…" He thought long and hard about it, before a really silly idea popped in his head. He smiled at the thought. "Yeah… I'm just like Satan in that one movie, huh? Well, except I'm not gay. Or dating a dictator. But aside from that, pretty much the same!" He sat up, a smile on his face. "Yeah… I've exercised my vocal chops plenty down here before. Have I ever performed a proper musical number though? Of course not. But now… now is the time."

He took a deep breath, then exhaled lightly as he tried to recall the lyrics. He hesitated for a while, suddenly incredibly embarrassed in spite of the fact that no one was there but him. "Ok… you can do this." He cleared his throat, then began to sing.

"Sometimes, I think, when I look up real high,

That there's such a big world up there,

I'd like to give it a try!

But then, I sink,

Because it's here I'm supposed to stay

But I get so lonely down here, tell me why's it have to be that way?"

Eggman jumped to his feet, overcome with inspiration.

"Up there, there's so much room,

Where babies burp and flowers bloom!

Everyone dreams, I can dream to!

Up there, up where the skies are ocean blue!

I could be safe and live without a care, up there…"

He began to wander around his cell room, fully engrossed in his performance.

"They say I don't belong,

That I must stay below, alone.

Because of my beliefs I'm supposed to stay where evil is sown…

But what is evil anyways?

Is there reason to the rhyme?

Without evil there could be no good so it must be good to be evil sometimes!"

The old man leapt onto a chair, and the stood on top of the table in the middle of the room.

"Up there! There's so much room!

Where babies burp and flowers bloom!

Everyone dreams, I can dream too!

Up there, up where the skies are ocean blue!

I could be safe and live without a care!

Live without a care!"

Dropping to his knees dramatically, by now the old doctor was so engrossed in his performance he failed to notice the giant metal door was opening as he shut his eyes and belted out the high notes.

"If only I could live up…

Theeeerrrreee!

I wanna live! I wanna live up-

Oh, hoooo! Baby, ooooh!

I want to live up there!"

Eggman keeled over, resting his hands on his knees, hyperventilating. He looked up, only to see the stunned faces of Rouge and Shadow, and the incredibly amused face of Commander Tower. The old doctor looked over the three of them, then put his hands at his side and rested his legs over the edge of the table, blushing from embarrassment. "Oh, I didn't… notice you coming in," he muttered.

"Was that a song from the South Park movie?" Shadow asked, clearly not entirely sure.

"Are we not going to address the fact he hit those high notes… really… really well?" Rouge added, completely stunned.

"I'd really prefer if you never brought this up again, thank you," Eggman muttered.

"I'll try not to," Commander Tower chuckled. "At the very least, I won't inform Mr. Prower of this."

The doctor nodded softly. "Thanks for that… at the very least. What did you want anyways? Is it time for another round of blood tests or something?"

"Oh, nothing like that doctor," Tower said with a smile. "In fact, we've come to inform you that effective immediately, your wish of being 'up there' has come true." Tower stifled a laugh. "In fact, you'll be wayyy up there soon enough!" The commander finally burst out laughing, clutching his sides.

"I've never seen him so… jovial, before," Shadow noted.

"The last time I saw him laugh was when we got reports that Robotnik here had been captured ten years back," Rouge added. "Though, I think that was more of a… psychological breakdown, kind of."

"Am I getting executed by the state?!" Eggman asked, his eyes widening with concern.

"No! No, nothing of the sort!" Tower said quickly, calming down. "We're transferring you to Space Colony ARK. Given the changes we've made to the facility, it seems like a good environment for us to study your condition more. Just as… your grandfather did with Maria."

Eggman smirked. "Even after all this time, you still feel so guilty about that don't you? If sending me up there will help your conscious, I suppose I'll go up there and die slower for you."

"There's more to it than that, Ivo," Tower replied coldly.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

Commander Tower snapped his fingers, then stuck his thumb towards the door. Shadow and Rouge looked at each other, then left the room, closing the door behind them. Eggman blinked in confusion. "Are you going to beat me up?" he asked.

Tower rolled his eyes. "No, of course not. The real reason we're moving you to ARK is classified. Not even those two have the clearance to know why."

"…Where are you going with this?"

"Ivo, what would you do if you had a second chance?"

"A second chance? What do you mean?"

"Something is coming, Ivo- and your tech is involved somehow. Someone- or something- is repurposing it for reasons we don't know yet. All we know is that your tech has been used, in collaboration with some other methods unknown to us, to create a cyborg human. One with an unnatural bond between the organic and mechanical parts. It's as if the two halves are… fusing. Perfectly fusing."

"Hmm… is this related to what Sonic told me about? That Alan something-or-another fellow?"

"Yes, he's the cyborg. We have him in our custody and have been studying him for some time now. Someone has been modifying your tech- but at the core, it's still yours. You could prove a valuable asset to helping us figure out what's going on here."

Eggman hoped off the table and paced back and forth, hand on his chin. "Hmm… are you suggesting I might be able to… actually help someone? What makes you think I'd be willing to do that, huh?"

"Miles Prower has petitioned on three separate occasions for you to have lighter restrictions."

The doctor froze, then turned to the Commander with pure disbelief on his face. "What?"

"Privately, he's approached me on three separate occasions with the belief that you should have much lighter restrictions in place. The last time, he insisted you were a 'mostly' changed man."

Eggman looked off into the distance, not saying a word.

"Mr. Prower added," Tower continued, "that he believes given enough time… you may be able to prove that you can be useful to society. That, in spite of all you done… Hmm, how'd he put it?" Tower thought real hard for a moment, Robotnik hanging onto his every word with bated breath. "…Yes. In spite of all you've done, there's a good man buried deep in there. After all, if he wasn't, why would he keep a locket with a picture of him and his daughter hidden from the guards for ten years?"

Robotnik felt tears forming in his eyes, but did his best to hold them back. "Miles said that?" he asked softly.

Tower nodded. "Yes, and he insisted that we not take away that pendant from you. The one you're keeping stashed in your mattress."

The old doctor stared at the floor beneath him. That simple, silver pendant had held him together in his worst moments down here. He was surprised he had managed to sneak it in, but he knew he'd need it. The photo inside- a single picture of his daughter Sage, smiling. Sure, she was an artificial intelligence and not flesh and blood- but when she started calling him "father" back on the Starfall Islands, he'd quickly become so accustomed to it. That day, when the Tornado III descended guns blazing onto his fortress as he made his final stand, she stood by ready to fight. She was more than ready to be the last line of defense, and he knew that full well. But this wasn't a normal siege. This was his last stand, and G.U.N. and the Resistance had allied to send their full forces after him. Even if Sonic and friends wouldn't destroy her, he knew the rest would. He knew G.U.N. would.

That's why he had to deactivate her. That sudden, shocked reaction as she felt her functions power down were engraved into his mind forever. The way she looked over her shoulder, the confused, fearful look of betrayal in her eyes as she began to disappear as her holographic projection faded. Those two words that followed, breaking and glitching as her voice module shut down.

"Father… why?"

All he could tell her was the truth.

"To keep you safe."

Robotnik wiped the tears from his eyes. He'd shown that pendant to Miles six years ago. They talked about Sage. He mentioned off-hand having backed up her program only once before, because it didn't feel right "cloning" his daughter. If he had the time, maybe he'd make that back-up its own unique personality. She always wanted a sister, after all. Miles liked that idea. Miles… in some ways, that kid- well, he wasn't a kid anymore, but compared to him he may as well be- was everything he wished he could be. Could have been. Miles saw good in him where even he didn't.

"I have three stipulations," Robotnik said finally, looking Tower in the eyes.

"Very well," Tower replied, crossing his arms. "I can't guarantee anything, but I'll hear you out."

"First of all- I'd still like to be in regular communications with Miles. Video calls on a secure network, emails, letters, I don't care how- I want to talk to him still."

"We can do that, no problem. It may take a while to set up, however. I'll have agent Rouge inform Mr. Prower that in-person visits will no longer be an option."

"Good, good. Second- I want you to actually do what your little cover story says you do. Research a cure for N.I.D.S., and don't half-ass it."

"That shouldn't be a problem, we'll continue what we've been doing already and assign a research team to ARK."

"I'll take your word on that. As for the final thing…" He took a long, deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "I want… my daughter by my side up there. This is non-negotiable."

Commander Tower was silent for a moment. "There's no… pleasant way for me to tell you this," he said hesitantly. "Around eight years ago, a storage facility of ours was broken into. A storage facility that housed items we reclaimed during the raid on your base two years prior. A lot of items were stolen- including a particular data module. I… think you know which one."

Eggman fell to his knees. He knew that Tower wasn't lying. He knew when the old man was lying, and he wasn't right now. "You can't do your damn jobs right, can you?!" he screamed in frustration. "Someone kidnapped my damn daughter and none of you care!" The old doc hit his fist against the padded floor over and over. "Why?! WHY?!"

"Ivo, we tried to recover her data module several times. We even sent Omega after a good lead we had. He's been M.I.A. ever since. Please, calm down."

"You don't get it, do you?! You may as well be telling me that she- that Sage is- oh God…" He buried his head in his hands, allowing himself to cry.

Tower knelt down and rest his hand on his shoulder for comfort. "…We did recover an old back-up of yours from another facility. It's not the same, but… it's better than nothing."

Robotnik looked up at him, tears in his eyes. "You did? Do you still have it?"

"Of course we do. It's yours- if you help us."

Wiping his tears, Robotnik thought for a moment before speaking again. "In that case… please, allow me an incredibly selfish request."

"You've been reasonable so far, I'll allow it."

"Let me alter the code on that back-up. Mess with the personality matrix a bit, make her different from Sage. She always wanted a sister, after all. This is my chance to… make that a reality."

"How do I know you won't do something nefarious."

Robotnik glared at him. "If you don't trust me, then trust the fox that trusts me. I know my word doesn't mean anything, but you have it regardless."

Tower thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. We'll be keeping an eye on you, though."

A sarcastic smile rested on the doctor's lips. "When are you not?"

Tower helped him to his feet. "I take it then that you're willing to help us?"

Robotnik nodded. "I'll help you. Maybe then, I'll finally find out what Miles sees in me."

The commander smiled. "Then let's get you transferred to the ARK."

Author's notes: This is the first of three epilogues, the other two will be uploaded shortly. The notes I normally be put at the end of these will be saved for the final part. Thank you so much for all the kind words, stay tuned :)