It had been two months since Kit had arrived in New Yolk, everything felt so new and he felt so useless. Not that his first appearance here was easy. First, he ran into what he at first thought was Tails. It wasn't until the two had a long argument and fight that he realized this wasn't Tails. Honestly, he had grown to like being around him, though the desire to get back home and to Surge's side was strong. Nine was different, far different from Tails in his opinion. It intrigued him and made him want to get to know the other more. However, getting him to open up proved to be easier said than done. Kit couldn't learn more than he already had about him, though he had convinced him to agree to join the rebellion.

What a time that was..

Flashback

"This is strange.. It says there was a rise in prism energy around here.." Nine muttered under his breath as he got off of his bike. He shifted, moving to scan the area further. Little did he know, he was being watched. A figure remained in the darkness, only seeing the fox, alone at that. This was perfect..

He had to be quick about this though, he couldn't just let him get away, not when there was a chance he was on the wrong side now. When did this happen anyway? What happened to their world? How much time had passed when everything disappeared? So many questions that were left unanswered and Kit was not going to wait to get them.

Water quickly whipped out from behind the rocks and grabbed Nine by the wrists and ankles, pulling him up into the air. "What the hell?!" He screamed, his scanner dropping to the ground. Without a second thought, his tails sprang around his body and cut off the connection to the water that held him up. "Best come out now before I blast you." His tails were updated, more streamlined and changed colors depending on what he used them for. They glowed blue right now.

The fennec fox jumped out and would do another water attack at him. "I thought you were a good guy. What are you doing, Tails? I saw you ride up after those robots left. You-you're working for him now?!" He faltered slightly at the expression of pure hatred who he thought was Tails had. Blasts quickly fired in his direction.

"THE NAMES NINE! I'M NOT TAILS NEVER CALL ME TAILS I'M NOT HIM! I WILL NEVER BE HIM!" He screamed, continuing his blasts, hoping that it would incapacitate his opponent. Unfortunately for him, Kit had made a water shield. "Also I would never willingly work for the chaos council. Who the hell are you?!"

"You dont know me?" That much did confuse him as Tails of course would know him, sure they didn't get along, but not knowing him? Maybe he was being controlled? Shoot that better not be the case. Mind control was one of the worst things in his opinion and never wished that or brainwashing on anyone.

The blasting finally stopped and Kit took that opportunity to shoot out more water tails and wrapped them around Nine again, this time holding the mechanical tails in their water whips. The fox struggled in the grip, unable to touch his belt to switch the setting. 'You're.. Not with them.. And you claim to not be him.. Who are you then? And where.. Am I?"

"I told you.. Names Nine. And you're far from home if you're from the shatterverse Sonic came from." Nine would answer, starting to calm down. Slowly Kit put him down and released the whips as he felt safe enough now that the fighting was over.

"Shatterverse..? Wait.. Sonic isn't here? What is going on?"

Flashback end

Kit had been long lost in his thoughts when he heard the door swish open, his eyes peeking up from where he laid on the couch in the lab. Nine had finally returned and seemed as if he was in a hurry, possibly even on edge. Did something happen? He tilted his head curiously as he got up to follow the fox. "H-hey- everything ok? I thought you were just go-going on a short mission." He questioned, following after him quickly.

There was a sharp inhale before NIne spoke, eyes glancing to Kit. "I need to work on getting you back home. We need to get back into the Grimm and finish forming it so that we can hopefully get something to open to get you back home.." He grabbed the shard that remained in their world. He couldn't explain it, perhaps there were copies made for each world? Sonic did fix the shatterverse, maybe he left pieces. Either way, he had the red shard and used it to open up the portal to the Grimm, entering into it. Kit followed behind him and looked around. It was as lonely as he remembered since the first time Nine showed him.

"If I focus enough energy, I can get more done.. I need to." There was a hint of sadness in his voice that Kit picked up on. Slowly, he reached out in an attempt to comfort Nine, but pulled back before Nine noticed.
"There's no need to w-worry about it right now… you should focus on r-resting.. Not t-t-trying to get this done- Let's go back and rest." Kit had a feeling that now wasn't a great time to begin working. Unfortunately, his words went ignored as Nine started working, the stone glowing as the world began forming. Nines focus was completely on the task at hand, trying to get the world to form. Different types of land began appearing, mountains rising from the ground.

The shard began glowing harder as Nines emotions began to influence it. Things began to be more intense and Nine barely noticed it. He was focused on achieving his goal he barely noticed how bad things were starting to get with how much he was forcing things to fit together. The Grimm began shaking as if an earthquake was beginning.

The shard began glowing darker than usual as Nines emotions began to influence it. Things began to be more intense and he barely noticed it. He was focused on achieving his goal. This had to be done.

"Ni-nine.. We can wait to do this.. Pl-please stop its getting dangerous!" Kit begged, seeing the ground beginning to crack. Something bad was going to happen and he could feel it. The world looked like it was going to explode. "Nine!

Hearing KIt shout just furthered NInes frustration and anger.

"KIT! I need to get this done! You need to go home! I need.. Need to just get back to life as it was before.. It's for the best. This needs to get done now. Sooner it's done, sooner we can go our own way, we dont need to worry about each other.." He bit his lower lip hard, keeping his gaze away from Kit as he finished his sentence in his head.. "So.. I'm not a burden on anyone anymore also.."

Kit's eyes began watering as he heard Nines words, was he tired of him already? He thought they were starting to become friends. Before Kit could answer, or say anything, the world rumbled harder than ever and a loud crack rang into their eyes along with a bang. The world blew and spit them back into new yolk. The two went flying through the portal and landed right back in Nines lab.

"No- No!" Nine screamed, scrambling back to his feet as the portal shut. "SHIT! NO ALL THAT WORK.. GONE!" His fists slammed into the ground. Kit stood up slowly from where he landed.

"You'll get it fixed.. Then I'll no longer be a burden to you.. Right?" He asked spitefully. "I should have never stuck with you.." Kit then left the lab, leaving Nine alone with his thoughts. A darkness began circling around him the moment he was alone however, or was he really alone?

"They really dont care about you, do they? None of them do.. No matter how hard you prove yourself? You've worked so hard on that world as well. I can help you rebuild it. Prove them all wrong."

"You.. you can?" Nine questioned, eyes still focused on the ground as he sat there in a slump. A hand formed out of the darkness as a figure stepped out of the shadows resembling a black mouthless hedgehog with blue gray stripes.

"I can. I'll make sure no one can ever harm you, you will never feel alone again. The Grimm can be rebuilt. All you have to do is locate the rest of the Paradox prism. Do we have a deal?"

Nine thought for a moment, weighing his options. It wasn't as if there was anyone he could turn to. Everyone he thought he could trust he either pushed away or was abandoned by them, as if they never wanted him around.

"If it means.. The world can be remade. Then.. you have a deal." The dark hedgehog held out his hand and shook hands with Nine to complete the deal. "By the way.. Who.. are you?"

"You may call me Mephiles."