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Chapter Text

// WISH-NET // U#5354566578576f6e // VidCHNL-Ascendant-C // ENCRYPTION: Status=Uncomplete

// DECODEMIND ARCHIVE PARALLAX-A // ANNOTATED // CLASSIFIED

Execute Subroutine: PARACAUSALl ENCRYPTION

A completely Stasis Paracausal energy that theoretically does not exist in the physical world○ is wrapped within a universe→ yet isolated from it○ containing Tails and Sonic from this universe○ What kind of story and wishes will they tell this time?

[1]

Sonic surged forward, Arc Light crackling through him, a thunderbolt unleashed.  The blue blur sizzled through the air, kinetic force slamming into the Vex Minotaur, disintegrating its mechanical body into nothingness.

Faster, gotta go faster!

Panic gnawed at him.  He ricocheted through dozens of Vex, a pinball of destruction, rescuing anyone he could.

『Sonic! We have to fall back! We're getting flanked!』Tails' voice crackled through his comm.

“You guys pull out, I'll cover you!” Sonic snapped.

『Don't be stupid! We're screwed without you! I— Aagh!』

The comm went dead with Tails' scream, Sonic's gut twisting.  He spun back, Three seconds… Just three seconds…

Oh no.

A massive Hydra, its eyes glowing crimson, loomed over Tails, who lay dazed on the ground. Its twin Void Aeon Maul Cannon charged, aimed directly at him.

“Tails!! Move!!”

Everything slowed. Sonic pushed his Light to the limit, reacting before the sound, faster than sound, faster than plasma—!

He stretched, reaching for Tails. Then—

✲✲✲✲

“Haah!!”

Sonic jolted awake, a phantom pain throbbing in his head. He clutched his forehead, gasping, wrestling back from the nightmare.  He knew the drill; this wasn't the first time.

“Sonic…?”  Tails stirred beside him, rubbing sleep from his eyes.  He knew instantly. “That dream again…?”

“…Yeah,” Sonic mumbled, trying to keep the despair out of his voice. But as Tails's metal hand rested on his shoulder, the cold touch sent a shiver down his spine.

“…It's okay. It's over…” Tails offered a weak, bittersweet smile. Sonic could see right through it; even Tails didn't believe it.

“I keep thinking… If I'd been faster…”

“Don't,” Tails interrupted. “I'm fine, really.  Just an arm, no big deal.  This cybernetic one is way more practical, anyway.” He rotated his metal hand 180 degrees and playfully pinched Sonic's cheek.  “See? I can even do this.”

Sonic chuckled dryly, taking Tails's remaining organic hand and pulling him close.

A cramped room, dimly lit, in a vast underground bunker. This was all they had left. All most Mobians had left. The surface was littered with automated defense turrets, uninhabitable… no, unsurvivable.

Besides, no one wanted to be found by the Vex patrols.  Discovery meant death.

Thinking about it, setting up this bunker as a last resort before the final stand had been a stroke of luck. Otherwise, every Mobian in the earth would be extinct.

Although, hope felt pretty extinct right now, too. Even Sonic couldn't deny it.

“Alright, alright.” Tails gently patted Sonic's back, his voice soothing.  “…It's still early. We can get some more sleep.”

“Yeah.”  Sonic nodded, ruffling Tails's fur before lying back down.  As he closed his eyes, he felt an arm, both furry and metallic, wrap around him.

“…Mind if I hold you?” Tails whispered.

Sonic smiled.  “Seriously, how many times have you asked me that—?”

“My love?”

(The next day)

“Filter mask check complete, you're good to go.”

With the announcement over the intercom and a thumbs-up from the staff on the other side of the glass, Tails completed the final checks and exited the decontamination chamber. His attire was largely unchanged, except for the heavy filter mask that almost completely obscured his fox-like features.

Sonic, already waiting outside, couldn't help but gripe, “Took you long enough, Tails.”

“Yeah, yeah, you're so fast,” Tails retorted, glancing at him. “Why don't you let me go first next time?”

Sonic donned a similar filter mask.  Thick, and restricting airflow – something he never would have worn in the past. But everything was different now.

The two took the elevator to the surface. Thanks to Tails's tech, everything was well-camouflaged, but if they didn't actively clear out nearby Vex strongholds, discovery was only a matter of time.

Tails quickly pulled out a portable scanner and took air readings, then sighed in relief. “Radiolaria levels… still stable. No signs of increase.  Optimistically, the Vex aren't pumping any more into the atmosphere…”

“Pessimistically, we're stuck wearing these gas masks forever,” Sonic grumbled, prompting Tails to pat his arm. “Come on, it's not so bad.”

“Right. Except for the constant raids on Vex bases to scavenge VEX Chromium for filter cartridges, the never-ending sunlight deprivation – yeah, it's a party. Woohoo!”  Sonic's sarcasm dripped with the world's misery as he expertly checked his weapon. “Just great. I mean, if we don't harvest that VEX Chromium, we're all toast. The radiolaria will turn us all into those creepy Vex.”

He paused, a humorless chuckle escaping his lips.

“Maybe Amy and the others were lucky to die back then.”

“Son… Hey… Don't…” Tails started, his voice thick with concern, hesitant to touch the one he loved.  “I… I'm worried about you…”

“Ah… Ah! I'm fine. I'm fine.” Sonic snapped back to the present, shaking his head and forcing a smile. “Just… you know. Old habits.”

Tails watched him silently, his own anxiety churning.

「No, I can't… I can't lose control. I have to be strong…」

He told himself, clenching his mechanical fist, suppressing his unease.  The heartache was unavoidable, but he could try to ignore it.

…To survive.

They composed themselves, walking on in silence. Tails activated the radar on his prosthetic limb, scanning for Vex patrols.

“Okay, this way.” He tugged on Sonic's belt, and they started jogging.

Sonic missed his super speed.  But it was gone, along with everything else.  Ever since the Vex implanted that irremovable suppressor in his nervous system.

He used to be able to scoop up Tails and reach a Vex base before any patrol could react… Now, like everyone else, he had to walk.

Not just super speed, but his Light were gone too.  Solar, Void, Arc… all useless.

Stripped of everything, Sonic had only one thing left to rely on – his gun.

They reached a vantage point overlooking the Vex base. Less a base, more an automated industrial zone, comprised of unfamiliar mechanical structures.  Their functions varied, but they all shared one purpose: furthering the Vex expansion.

If they weren't destroyed, these structures would eventually encroach on the sanctuary.

“We've blown up this base, what, a dozen times?” Sonic peered through his sniper scope.  As always, the base was completely undefended, a hallmark of fully established Vex structures. “And they just keep rebuilding it… like idiots… but never bother actually, you know, guarding it.”

“The Vex aren't idiots,” Tails rolled his eyes. “They're nonlinear, mechanical lifeforms! Why bother with defenses when you can translocate through super-space-flow to any known location?”

“Yeah, but we just blow it up and run every time. Like we're about to do now!” Sonic spread his hands in exasperation.

Tails sighed at Sonic's thickheadedness. “If you want to see how the Vex teleport, feel free to stick around after we set the charges. You can watch them materialize in milliseconds.”

“No, the point is, don't they ever learn?” Sonic felt like Tails was missing the point.  “If a base gets repeatedly destroyed, shouldn't they prioritize defending it?”

“That's the thing. The Vex don't think like us. Destroying this base is a big deal for us – for them, it's an inconvenience.” Tails looked at the undefended base with unease.  “In other words, we've blown this place up so many times, it barely registers as a ‘problem' for them. Sonic, do you get the sheer confidence that implies? We're not even mosquitoes to them.”

Sonic fell silent. Tails was right. The Vex were masters of calculation, simulation, and adaptation… They'd even collected his data, built a custom suppressor to strip him of everything he'd once prized. They weren't "stupid."

The only explanation was that his actions were beneath their notice. They had infinite resources to rebuild, the absolute leisure of the victor, while he merely scraped by, clinging to survival.

The Vex could afford not to care. They'd already won. Sonic could blow up this base a hundred more times, and it wouldn't change a thing.

The time for winning was long gone. Now, it was just about not losing.

“Okay, fine. Vex logic.” Sonic forced a light tone to break the somber tension.  “The Vex just rebuild.  Us survivors, we have to, like, think about stuff.”

“You're such a dork.”  Despite himself, Tails chuckled, the tension easing slightly. “Whatever. Let's blow this thing sky-high.”

“Agreed.” Sonic slung his rifle and jumped down.

Despite the repeated demolitions, the Vex's advanced terraforming made it look like nothing had ever happened. Sonic and Tails strolled into the base, almost casually, chatting as they went.

“Same drill. I'll locate the liquid VEX Chromium reservoir, you set the HellBomb.”

With a nod, Tails spun his twin tails, taking to the air and heading towards the reservoir. Watching him, Sonic felt a pang of envy for Tails's retained abilities…

Aside from the missing arm, Tails seemed largely unchanged. Even as Sonic's own personality grew darker, Tails continued to look after him.

Most people saw Sonic as the sun, and Tails as the moon, merely reflecting his light. But Sonic knew better. These days, Tails was the only light left to warm him.

Of course, everyone else was dead… Eight years since the Collapse.  It was impossible to remain completely unaffected.

If I still had my speed, would things be different…?

The thought crossed Sonic's mind, and he shook his head. No, it wasn't about… abilities.

Regardless of the pain, the burden of responsibility remained. There were other resistance fighters in the sanctuary, but they still needed heroes, beacons… hope.

Maybe that weight would crush him one day… but not today.  With that thought, Sonic approached a Vex confluence point and connected Tails's hacking device.

Quickly, using the Vex network, a HellBomb was “smuggled” in. It materialized as if drawn into existence – picture sketching on paper: first the outline, then the colors filling in, finally taking solid form.  That's what translocating from higher dimensions looked like.

The HellBomb, as its name suggested, was powerful enough to turn a large area into, well, hell.  It could demolish almost any Vex structure, even shielded ones – the only downside being the manual detonation sequence.

“Why not remote detonation?” Sonic had asked Tails.  The answer was simple: budget. Adding a Vex-proof signal receiver to the already expensive HellBomb was out of the question.  In fact, the original HellBomb was beyond the sanctuary's current tech level; this version was a modified design utilizing scavenged Vex components.  Even then, the cost strained their resources.

「Sonic! Jackpot! This Vex structure is a Liquid Conduit! We can grab several canisters of Liquid VEX Chromium!」 Tails's excited voice crackled over the comms. Even without seeing him, Sonic could picture him practically bouncing off the walls.  「I think… this is enough for two months!  We can make at least 31 more HellBombs!」

「Okay, okay, calm down, kiddo. How old are you?」 Sonic couldn't resist teasing Tails's enthusiasm.  Tails's voice took on a slightly sulky tone. 「Don't be such a grandpa.  Let me be happy for once…」

「Plenty of time to celebrate when we get back, hmm?」 Sonic quipped, activating the HellBomb's timer and inputting the randomized activation code: ↑↓←←↓→.  「Usual timing?」

「Yeah, five-minute countdown.  Plenty of time to clear out.」

「Right, let's set the detonation for… 11:31 sharp.」

「Okay, I'm set.」

「Me too. Rendezvous at the entrance! And whoever gets there first–」

Sonic took off running before he even finished the sentence. But by the time he navigated the maze-like Vex structures and reached the entrance, Tails was already there, tapping his foot and wagging a finger, a smug look on his face.

“Almost – got – ya!” Tails grinned, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together. This time, it was Sonic's turn to sulk. “No fair! You flew in a straight line!”

“Don't whine!  A bet's a bet.” Tails's tails whirred as he flew backward, facing Sonic. “So, what was that about whoever gets there first?”

“Whoever gets there first…” Sonic's mind raced.  “Buys dinner!”

“Huh?” Tails's face fell.  “Are you kidding me?!”

“Think about it, if you win a race, you should treat everyone to a meal– Ow! Hey! No hitting! Violence is never the answer– Ow! Stop it! That hurts!”

Tails chased Sonic, playfully pummeling him all the way to their safe point. Then, with a resounding “Sizzling--BOOM!” behind them, they stopped their mock brawl and turned to watch the mushroom cloud bloom.

“Never gets old.” Sonic sighed. He was all for peace – but no one could deny the satisfaction of turning an enemy base into a mushroom cloud.

Almost immediately, the spectacle was interrupted by a surge of temporal energy in the sky. A massive, higher-dimensional portal ripped open, like a bottomless tunnel bored into the fabric of space.  Countless Vex descended from the trans-temporal flow, only to find a completely demolished base.

Damaging or stealing Vex equipment triggered this swarm within minutes.  That's why the “teleporting out stolen Vex tech” and “blowing up the base” had to happen simultaneously.  As for luring the Vex and then detonating? Too risky. If the Vex traced the HellBomb's translocation signature before detonation, they could pinpoint the sanctuary's location – and that would be game over.

“Let's go, they'll be swarming this area any second.” Tails tugged on Sonic's hand, and Sonic nodded. No more messing around; they quickly left the scene, leaving a cluster of bewildered Vex to search for perpetrators who were long gone.

Back at the sanctuary, the usual paperwork awaited: mission reports, inventory logs, and other bureaucratic necessities. And Sonic?  Sonic, as always, dumped it all on Tails and took off.

When Tails finally finished the reports and trudged to the bar to find Sonic – sure enough, he was chatting up the bartender.  Tails marched over and grabbed Sonic's ear.  “Son-ic! How many times do I have to tell you, finish your own reports!  How many times have I covered for you?! You've never done a single one, have you?”

Sonic yelped, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar. But they all chuckled – this was a regular occurrence. Tails's “henpecked husband” routine was a well-established bit.

“Hey, come on! I did it that one time!” Sonic squirmed, trying to ease the pressure on his ear.  His words only made Tails laugh harder. “One time! And you dare to bring that up?!”

“It really hurts!” Sonic, spotting an opening, lunged forward.  Using his slight size advantage, he broke free, tackled Tails, and pinned him to the floor. The impact sent a jolt of pain through the back of Tails's head, and tears welled in his eyes, fueling his anger. “You– What' wrong with you?!  That really hurts!”

“I– I didn't–” Sonic, startled by the sound of Tails's head hitting the floor, jumped up. Realizing his mistake, he reached for Tails's hand, but Tails slapped it away and scrambled to his feet, rubbing the back of his head.

“Are you… okay…?” Sonic started, but Tails just glared at him and stormed off.

“My, my, you two. Married for years, and still so lively.” The bartender's teasing voice drifted over, and the bar patrons let out a collective “Oooh.” Sonic felt his face flush. “I just– Ugh, fine, it was my fault.  I wasn't thinking–”

“Apologizing to us won't do much good. You need to apologize to your little ‘girl’ friend.” The bartender offered a kind reminder.

Sonic sighed and went after him.

Medbay… not there. Lab… nope. Bedroom… Ah.

Sonic stopped, tiptoed inside, and sat on the bed. Tails was lying there, facing the wall, fiddling with his phone. His twin tails lay motionless, a clear sign he was still upset.

“Tails? Buddy? Pal? My cutest little ‘wife’?” Sonic tried to rest his hand on Tails's tail, but it flicked his hand away. “Okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you with all the paperwork, and I definitely shouldn't have tackled you…”

“…You always do this.” Tails's muffled voice came from the other side of the bed. “You always leave the paperwork to me. I can do it for you, Sonic. I can do it forever. I really can, I'm willing to. But the sanctuary needs these reports to function. Every organized group does.  Have you ever thought, if you remain completely clueless about all this…”

Tails turned over, his cobalt eyes filled with worry.

“…what happens to you when I'm gone?”

“…There you go again.” Sonic chuckled sadly, placing his hand on Tails's forehead, gently stroking the golden fur.  “You're not going anywhere. Not while I'm around.”

“But what if? What if something happens?”

“No what-ifs. No buts.” Sonic firmly rejected the possibility. “Besides, if you're gone, the sanctuary is finished.  What's the point of me being alive? I refuse to let you die.”

「More like, what's the point of me living if you're dead…」

He thought, but didn't say the words.

A short silence hung in the air.

Sonic changed the subject. “Your head… still hurt? Want me to get you some medicine?”

“I do need some medicine,” Tails blinked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Alright, just tell me what you need, and I'll grab it.”

“…A kiss.”

“Huh?”

“Kiss me… and it won't hurt anymore.”

The corners of Tails's mouth twitched upwards.  Sonic, catching on, grinned. “Alright.”

He leaned in. The gentle press of their lips sent a wave of warmth through Tails. The exchange of saliva, the rush of hormones, the symphony of affection – it actually did make his head feel better.

“By the way, I won today. But since you cheated, I've decided to give you a… reward.”

Tails swayed Sonic's arm, whispering like a little imp.

“A reward? Okay. What did you have in mind?” Sonic shrugged, unconvinced Tails actually meant it.

“I'm rewarding you with–”

“Mint chocolate chip ice cream flavored chili dogs for dinner.”

“Wait, what?”

That night, staring at the bizarre, icy-blue monstrosity of a chili dog that Tails had concocted, Sonic wept.

Chapter Text

【2】

Faster… Faster!  He channeled Arc Light, the energy surging through him, leaving Sonic a blur of electric blue.  But…

It wasn't enough.  No time to deploy a Light Barrier.  Only one option left…

Take the hit.

Sonic braced himself, turning to shield Tails.  The blast of Void Plasma detonated, the impact shattering Sonic's overshield and sending him and Tails flying.

Now!

Ignoring the sting of the ground against his fur and the icy burn of Void energy, Sonic pushed himself up. A massive, shimmering Ward of Dawn erupted from him, a dome of violet Void Light intercepting the remaining blasts.

"Tails, are you–"

Sonic's pupils shrank to pinpricks.

Tails was dazed, the pain only now registering.  As Sonic's voice reached him, he gasped, the agony overwhelming the adrenaline, crashing over him like a tidal wave.

He sucked in a breath, his body slick with cold sweat.  His and Sonic's gazes locked onto his left arm. Or rather…

Where his left arm should have been.  Not just the hand…

The entire arm… gone.

"Tails… no…"

No!!!

Gasp!

Sonic jolted awake, drenched in sweat.  Tails, sitting at his computer, swiveled around in his chair, pulling off his headset.  "…Another nightmare?"

"…Yeah."  Sonic's voice was clipped. He shook his head, a wry twist to his lips. "It's nothing. I'm fine. Just… gotta catch my breath."

Tails hopped out of his chair and hugged Sonic.  Sonic didn't resist, closing his eyes, focusing on his breathing, the comforting feel of Tails' soft fur against him.  As his heart rate slowed, he realized he was clinging to Tails.

"Thanks, Tails."

"Don't mention it, old timer…" Tails blushed, lightly bopping Sonic on the head before pulling away. "Okay, since you're up… down to business."

"Another mission?"

"Nah.  It's us. Sonic, it's suppressor day again."

Tails double-checked the reminder on his phone, though it was hardly necessary.  He was the one who prepared the suppressors, after all.

"Ugh, the day of suffering returns." Sonic scratched his head, grimacing.

The Light suppressor the Vex had implanted wasn't just a suppressor. Vex tech was practically toxic to organic life. Their entire existence revolved around assimilation and rewriting reality. The suppressor was no different. Left unchecked, it would eventually… convert Sonic into one of them.

So, regular suppressor injections were necessary to keep the conversion, the infection, at bay.  "Vaccine" might be a more accurate term.

But there was a painful side effect: a burning fever, even Sonic found hard to endure.  The suppressors themselves were Vex tech, reprogrammed by Tails to fight the infection.  Like two armies battling inside his body – no matter who won, he was the battlefield.  The fever usually lasted a couple of days.

"So, this time… I'll go first. My side effects aren't as bad as yours." Tails offered. He needed the suppressors too, thanks to his mechanical arm… salvaged from a Vex.

Back then… it had been an emergency.  To get back into the fight quickly, Tails had grafted the Vex arm onto himself. At least, that was the official story.

The real reason?

To save Sonic.

Because only Vex tech can interface with Vex tech.  Human computers had no chance of cracking Vex firewalls, let alone reprogramming them. And Sonic was infected.

To save him, Tails took an enormous risk, accepting the possibility of assimilation. He grafted the Vex limb onto himself, willingly taking on the infection, making the Vex a part of him – or rather, making a part of himself Vex.

Why else would he keep the arm? With his genius, building a new mechanical arm would be child's play.  Unlike Sonic, removing the arm wouldn't kill him. Just detach it, another suppressor shot to purge the infection, done.

Sonic knew.  Tails kept that dangerous arm for two reasons. One, for the sake of everyone in the Sanctuary.  But the biggest reason… was to keep Sonic alive.

Without Tails, no one could utilize Vex tech to create anything… and Sonic would die. Everyone in the Sanctuary would.

That was a major reason why Sonic couldn't let go of that memory.  Yeah, Sonic had lost everything he once held dear.  But Tails?

…He shouldn't have had to shoulder such a burden… yet he sacrificed himself anyway.

A familiar pang of guilt and frustration hit Sonic – he was dead weight, dragging Tails down, putting him in danger.

Yet Tails never complained, never wavered in his… unwavering… love.

That love made Sonic feel unworthy.

He wanted to beg Tails to remove the Vex arm, to stop hurting himself.  But all he asked was, "When?"

"Hmm… tomorrow. I'll head to the lab later to prep the suppressors." Tails, focused on his phone, missed the fleeting melancholy on Sonic's face.  "Good thing Vex Radiolarians are our most abundant resource… heh."

He yawned widely.

"…Tired?" Sonic watched him. Tails shook his head. "Nah, just… fine, maybe I should take a nap with you." He stuck his tongue out, a little grudgingly.

"Still time." Sonic grinned, patting his pillow suggestively. Tails rolled his eyes. "No way! I don't want to cram everything in tonight. If you really want to help, come to the lab."

"Now you're talking!" Sonic hopped out of bed, reaching out to ruffle Tails' fur.  Tails dodged him in a flash. "Hey! How many times do I have to tell you not to pet against the grain?!"

"But it feels so good…" "Only for you! You're messing up my fur!"

"Ugh, why do I have such a mischievous husband?" Tails sighed, turning to smooth down his fur, only to feel a jolt – both his tails were being ruffled against the grain, from tip to base.  The intensely unpleasant sensation from his highly sensitive tails made him bristle.

And his temper bristled right along with it.

"Son-ic!! Get back here!!"

————

The next day arrived – 0:00 sharp – and Tails injected himself with the suppressor.  The last drop of recompiled Radiolarian dispensed from the painless injector, he withdrew the needle, carefully placing it in the Vex Chromium-lined disposal bin. Any Vex contamination was a deadly threat to the Sanctuary.

He exhaled, lying back in bed, nestled against Sonic's side.

"Scared?" Sonic's hand stroked Tails' head, this time with the grain. Now wasn't the time for teasing.

"Why would I be? It's been nine years." Tails was a little perplexed by the sudden tenderness.  It didn't make it any less unpleasant… but it was a monthly routine.  Kind of like… uh… a period…?

Tails shook his head, dispelling the weird thought.  Sonic looked at him quizzically. "Working that fast this time?"

Tails shared his strange comparison.  Sonic burst out laughing, Tails blush and earning him a sharp pinch. "What's so funny?! Jerk!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry."  Sonic coughed, finally getting his laughter under control. He hugged Tails close. "Go to sleep. You'll have enough to deal with tomorrow."

"…Yeah." Tails turned, facing Sonic, gazing at his face.

"Sleep tight, little bro. I'll watch over you." Sonic winked.

"Sonic…"

Tails' eyes softened, gentle as a cat's, as he curled into Sonic's embrace and closed his eyes.

"…Love you…"

"Love you too, little bro." Sonic leaned down, kissing Tails' forehead.

Nine years had passed, and they were still the same, their height difference unchanged. The Vex implants had an unexpected side effect: they stopped aging, frozen at the age they were nine years ago.

The Vex were eternal, pursuing eternity, striving to become it.  Anything infected became part of the Vex network… part of eternity. Radiolarians replaced and rebuilt cells, repairing aging and defects in DNA replication with absolute precision… keeping the infected in a state of perpetual youth until the conversion was complete.

It wasn't exactly a blessing.  Sure, it meant Sonic and Tails could fight forever, barring death in battle, but was that truly a good thing?

They weren't Vex.  Human hearts… grew weary.

"Luckily… I have Tails with me," Sonic thought selfishly. He knew it was selfish, but he couldn't help it.

Early the next morning, Sonic woke to Tails thrashing. The first stage: unconscious seizures. …Mostly unconscious.  He wouldn't remember much afterward, but it couldn't be pleasant, judging by how much Tails was tossing and turning.

Since his awareness was drastically reduced in this stage, it wasn't the hardest part. Sonic stretched, carefully prying Tails' hand off his arm.

Time for some ice packs. The fever was like an overheating CPU; physical cooling wouldn't stop the source, but it would help.

Skipping even a quick wash, Sonic dashed to Tails' lab.

Hours later, Tails stirred awake, burning up. He tried to get out of bed, but his head swam, making him lose his balance the moment his feet touched the floor.  Luckily, Sonic had just walked in and caught him.

"Whoa there, easy, buddy. What's up? Something you gotta do right now?" Sonic helped him back into bed, supporting his shoulders. Tails' eyes were glazed over, hazy and unfocused.  He managed a weak smile.  "Wanted… to find… you…"

"Hmm? Anything I can do?"  Sonic swapped the old ice pack on Tails' head for a fresh one, securing it in place. "Want anything? Hot water? Ice water? cola? Mints? Maybe… a mint iced latte?"

Tails chuckled weakly, coughing a little, resting his head on Sonic's shoulder.  "…No… I need… you…"

Sonic's heart skipped a beat.  But when he turned to speak, Tails had passed out again.

Passed out… maybe it was for the best.  Less pain, at least.  Sonic cradled Tails' small frame, resting his head against his.

He was burning up.

Shortly after the new day began, Tails woke with a start. This was the worst part – both types of Radiolarians were now prompting his body to join the fight, sending his cells into overdrive. Which meant… Tails couldn't sleep. He'd be stuck in a state of insomnia, hyper-alert and agitated, for dozens of hours.

During this stage, both he and Sonic stayed indoors, their tempers as volatile as nitroglycerin.  Only their love for each other kept things from exploding.  Early on, before they understood the side effects, they'd both taken the suppressors at the same time. The result: two emotionally unstable mans nearly demolishing Tails' lab while trading self-deprecating barbs.

After that, they established a rule: separate injections, one taking care of the other.

The worst part? The discomfort didn't lessen just because you couldn't sleep.

"I… want…"

"Knew you would." Sonic got up, retrieving a pre-made mint chocolate chip iced latte from the fridge and adding ice. "Made it this afternoon.  Stores would be closed by now."

Tails took it without a word, gulping down a large mouthful. He finished it quickly, crunching the ice.

"…More…?"

"Uh… I have two more. But are you sure you want to chug them all at once…?"

"…Never mind." Tails slumped back, dropping the cup onto the table with a dull thud. He was clearly in a foul mood, even if it wasn't his fault.

They weren't children.  They both knew how to use logic to suppress their agitation.  But that only made it harder.  The constant conflict between reason and instinct made Tails tremble.

"Easy, I'm here." Sonic kissed his cheek, pulling him close, stroking his ears.

Tails remained silent, wrestling with the restlessness. His naturally gentler nature gave him an edge in this.

"Sonic…"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"…Is there… really any hope…?"

Tails murmured, his voice laced with the frustration of helplessness, which morphed into sorrow.

"You know… right…? The world is… already… gone…"

"But we're still alive. We still have a life to live."

"Is it living… or just… surviving…?"

Sonic held Tails tighter.

"Honestly? I don't know. But you're my whole life. And I hope I can be yours, Tails."

"…You're… such a dork…"

Tails' trembling subsided in Sonic's embrace.  They held each other, lost in thought, Tails' tails wrapped tightly around Sonic as if afraid he'd disappear.  As the agitation slowly faded…

"Emergency!"

The bedroom door burst open, startling them both. The restlessness surged back into Tails' mind, and he almost snapped.

"FireTeam C is in trouble!" the Mobian shouted frantically.  "They were spotted by a Vex patrol, they're hiding now.  But if someone doesn't distract the Vex, it's only a matter of time before they're found…!"

Sonic glanced at the clock. 10:00 AM, the next day. They'd been lost in each other's company for a long time.

"Got it. I'm on it." Sonic jumped up, and Tails grabbed his arm, rising with him.  "I'm… coming too…"

"Don't be silly, Tails. You'll only be a liability out there." Sonic gently removed Tails' hand, turning to kneel before him, placing his hands on his shoulders.  "It's okay, just a distraction. I'll be back soon."

"No! I'm going with you!" Tails insisted.  But before he could say more, a wave of dizziness made him gag, and he collapsed back onto the bed.

"Tails, there's no time." Sonic sighed. "Be honest, you'd just be a burden. So, rest, okay? I promise I'll be fine."

"I!" Tails wanted to yell, but the lingering effects of the suppressors deflated him.  "…Fine…"

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll be perfectly fine, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog– mmmph!"

Sonic was cut off – by Tails' face, inches from his own.  Tails' lips, tongue, and mouth, burning with fever, made Sonic's face flush.

"Come… back…" Tails reluctantly pulled away, lying back down, refusing to meet Sonic's gaze, afraid of losing control to his impulsive, feverish desires.

Sonic didn't say anything more, just stood up. "Alright, tell me what's going on–"

The door closed.  And then, hot tears streamed down Tails' face, soaking into the sheets.

It's… because I know you're Sonic… that I'm so worried…

Tails clenched his fist, punching the wall.  But all he felt was pain.

When Sonic returned with the mint chocolate chip ice cream, Tails was already up, sitting at his computer working through files.  The worst was over; the side effects had mostly vanished.  He felt a bit off, like he had a mild cold, but the agitation was gone.

"Sonic!" Tails turned, a grin on his face, about to rush over, but stopped short at the sight of the ice cream. "Are you okay?! What happened?"

"Team C? Some injuries, but everyone made it back, nothing serious.  A couple of them need suppressors, though." Sonic handed Tails the ice cream, which he took, licking it before muttering, "I meant you…"

"Me? I'm fine."  Sonic dusted himself off. "Those Vex Harpies are annoying, though, chased me halfway across the zone. Good thing their aim sucks."

"Good to hear." Tails breathed a sigh of relief, pulling out his phone.  "Right… injuries infected by Radiolarians.  Early stages, so they won't need the heavy-duty suppressors… I should have them ready before dinner."

"You feeling alright?" Sonic glanced around, making sure Tails hadn't smashed anything during his outburst. "If you're still not feeling well, you should rest a bit longer."

"I'm okay. Better not to put this off." Tails sighed.  "Besides, you need your suppressor tonight. I won't have time to deal with anyone else tomorrow."

"Haha, true…"  The thought of going through that hell again made Sonic shudder.  But then he remembered he'd be cared for by his adorable Tails for two days, and it didn't seem so bad.

"Come on, let's go to the lab." Tails drew out the words, tugging Sonic along.  Sonic feigned reluctance. "I just got back…"

"Did you file the mission report?"

"…No."

Tails' smile turned strained.

"Okay, okay, I'll help, I'll help– ow ow ow, stop pulling–!"

That evening, Sonic received his suppressor.  Because his infection was near his brain, his reaction was more severe. He lost consciousness before he and Tails could exchange more than a few words.

Tails went through the routine. Unlike Sonic, he'd prepped everything beforehand.  He expertly applied the coolant ice pack and attached the vital signs monitor to Sonic's hand.  If the battle was being fought near his brain, there was always a risk.  He might need to administer a sedative.

Tails made himself a mint iced coffee. He hadn't slept since waking up, but now wasn't the time.  He couldn't rest until Sonic was through the worst of the seizures. He had to stay alert, monitoring Sonic's condition.

…Infection near the brain.  Heh.

Tails' usual gentle, playful expression was gone, replaced by a weary, almost cold look as he stared at the numbers and waveforms on the monitor.

What a ridiculous lie.  If the infection was truly near the brain, there'd be no saving him.  The infected would transform into a Vex within hours.

He'd been telling this lie for nine years.  And he'd have to keep telling it.

Tails leaned down, his hand resting on Sonic's burning cheek.

"Sonic…"

Sonic's brow furrowed slightly, as if he'd heard, but there was no other response.

Tails chuckled humorlessly, a deep sadness in his eyes.

He loved Sonic so much. The two-tailed fox loved the blue hedgehog so much.  So much that he'd tell a monstrous lie rather than let him go.  So much that he'd resort to any means necessary to keep him alive.

To keep him by his side… to keep him alive. Even if it meant that when Sonic learned the truth…

He might never forgive him…

Tails took a deep breath, a long drink of coffee.  A bit of self-pity was fine, but… life went on.

Tails couldn't live without his Sonic. He clung to that belief.  So, the lie had to continue.

He would bear the burden of the lie alone.  As long as Sonic was by his side… no, as long as he could be by Sonic's side, that was enough.

Tails repeated the thought he'd had countless times, steeling his resolve.

After an hour of staring at the computer, Tails set an alarm, downed the rest of his coffee, and climbed into bed, snuggling against Sonic.

His temperature was high, but Tails didn't care.  

(I just want to hold you… even if I can't sleep, I want to be close to you…)

He curled up, careful not to wrap his tails around Sonic.  His fluffy tails would be like an extra blanket, not ideal for someone with a fever.  He pressed as close as he could, feeling the warmth of Sonic's body… even though it was burning up.

The Vex were a form of life.  Long ago, back when the war had just begun, Tails would never have admitted that.  How could a mechanical army bent on assimilating other races be considered "alive"?

But now… after all he'd learned…

He had to admit it.  It wasn't the Vex who weren't alive. It was him.  The Vex were the perfect lifeform… the evolutionary endpoint of all life.  Otherwise, entropy would inevitably destroy everything, even existence itself.

Technically, their assimilation… was just a shortcut.  But it was the imperfection of other life that made the Vex's methods unacceptable.

Such evolution… was too fast. Too hopeless.

But if you were dying – beyond saving – perhaps becoming Vex truly was the last and only option.

…And the proof of that was the greatest sin he'd ever committed. Tails sighed inwardly.

(But it's okay, I'll be with you, I'll stay with you as long as I can… Sonic.)

Tails poked Sonic's cheek. It was soft.  This was the only time he could poke Sonic's face freely; Sonic usually hated it.  Or at least, hated it being done frequently.

But it was so fun! Just like how Sonic loved to ruffle his tails – Tails hated it, but Sonic did it anyway. So… they were even.

He poked and poked… until Sonic shifted uncomfortably in his sleep.  But Tails kept poking.

Suddenly, his finger was caught, making him jump.

"What… are you doing…" Sonic's voice was laced with sleep and annoyance, making Tails panic. "H-how are you awake?!"

"…Wasn't completely out… what are you doing, poking my face like that…" Sonic peered at Tails through half-lidded eyes. Tails blurted, "I didn't! I only poked you once or twice! You're imagining things!"

"…Naughty children… are bad children." Sonic's eyes narrowed, and he tugged Tails' hand into his chest, locking his arms around it. "…Just gonna… sleep a little longer…"

The moment Sonic's eyes closed, Tails tried to pull his hand back. But Sonic's unconscious grip was surprisingly strong, and all of Tails' attempts to free himself without waking him failed.

Aghhh!! Sonic, you idiot!! I can't do anything like this!! How am I supposed to change your ice pack?!  Tails mentally banged his head against a wall, frustrated.

And holding my hand like this, so tightly…

…It's… embarrassing…

He instinctively turned away to hide his blush, then realized Sonic was asleep and not even looking at him.

…You idiot. You're a huge idiot–!

After mentally berating Sonic for several minutes, Tails finally gave up, resting his forehead against Sonic's.

Heat… transfers from hot to cold… so being close should help lower his temperature, right…?

Lost in thought, Tails closed his eyes.  He probably wouldn't fall asleep, but he could at least rest…

…Even though Sonic was burning up, it was… strangely comforting? Tails savored the feeling, his legs instinctively wrapping around Sonic.

He wanted… to be closer.  So he could feel him there…

So he could feel… that he was still alive.

Oh, Sonic… my Sonic… my love, my only one…

If… if I had been more capable back then… you wouldn't be like this today…

Tails knew. He'd always known.

It wasn't the Vex that had truly stolen Sonic's pride.

It was his own incompetence.

If Sonic hadn't come to save him, if he hadn't needed saving–

If… if I had never existed–?

Tails stopped that train of thought.  He couldn't go down that road.  It was… nihilism.  All extreme existential arguments led to nihilism… or the Vex.

He forced himself to calm down.  He didn't need to think about anything now, just… feel. Feel the reality of Sonic's presence. He was here, he was alive… and he still loved him.

That was enough… he didn't need anything else.

…

…Beep… Beep…

…!

Tails jolted awake.

(I… I fell asleep…? But I had coffee– damn it, I must have been… too comfortable in Sonic's arms… Ah!)

The computer was blaring an alarm.  Panicked and annoyed with himself, he pulled his hand from Sonic's grasp, jumped out of bed, and rushed to check the readings.

His temperature was exceeding the threshold… Hmm… Tails pondered whether to use a buffer.

Buffers reduced the intensity of the conflict between the two types of Radiolarians, but didn't help the overall suppression process, and could even be detrimental in large doses.  The suppressors were meant to attack the Radiolarians in Sonic's system, keeping their activity low – buffers weakened the suppressors' effectiveness.

But this high fever wasn't good either… if his cells started to break down…

After careful consideration, Tails grabbed a buffer injector and carefully administered it to Sonic's arm.

Sonic's rapid breathing quickly evened out, and his temperature dropped slightly. Tails let out a relieved sigh.

(How could I fall asleep?!) He smacked himself on the head.  That had been close.

Once he was sure Sonic was stable, Tails replaced the ice pack.  The old one was lukewarm, adding to his guilt.

He couldn't fall asleep again.  He quickly made another coffee.  He doubted caffeine had much effect on him; he'd never felt particularly energized after drinking it. But it was better than nothing.

He glanced at the clock. 10:00 AM… Sonic would be out for a while.  He stretched, sitting back down at his computer – Knock, knock, knock.

Annoyance flickered across Tails' face, but he quickly smoothed it over.  He went to the door.  A member of Team C stood there, speaking quickly. "Dr. Tails, Beta's not doing so well. He's burning up, I mean, really burning up…"

Doctor… The title always made Tails want to laugh. It made him sound so old.  He didn't know who had started it, but everyone had inexplicably begun calling him "Doctor."  He didn't actually have a doctorate – though he was certainly smarter than "Dr. Eggman."

"That's a normal side effect of the suppressors." Tails patiently explained, having answered this question countless times.  "The suppressors for mild infections are diluted, so it won't last long. Just make sure to use ice packs to help lower his temperature and give him some iced cola. That's all, nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure? His temperature is already–"

"I'm sure." Tails cut him off, stepping aside to reveal Sonic lying in bed.  "…If you can't handle a mild infection, how do you think my Sonic gets through this?"

"S-sorry! I didn't realize it was your…"  The team member straightened up. "Understood, Dr. Tails. We'll continue monitoring Beta's condition. Thank you."

"…I'm not your superior officer, you don't need to be so formal. And just call me Tails…" Tails waved his hand dismissively, closing the door.  Back in his chair, he wondered why everyone treated him like some old fuddy-duddy. He was still young and… well, perpetually nine years old.  Maybe his unchanging appearance made people assume too much?  Combined with his role as the resident researcher, people probably just pictured him as an old man in a young body.

But I'm not old! Sonic isn't old, so how can I be?! Tails thought, his ears twitching in annoyance.

…I also… want to be like we were before the war… hanging out with Sonic, playing, living, saving the world, having easy, fun days…

But now, there was no world left to save…

Tails sighed, monitoring Sonic's vitals while starting on his other tasks.  The first of which was…

…Sonic hadn't filed his mission report yesterday.  Again.

Tails' smile strained.

(I wasn't on the mission, how am I supposed to know what to write?  You're really giving your ‘girl’ friend a hard time, aren't you, Mr. Sonic the Hedgehog?)

He had no choice but to pull up the other team members' reports and start copying…

Tails finished his burger just as Sonic finally woke up.  He rushed to the bedside. "Awake? Hungry? Thirsty? I've got some iced cola chilled for you."

Sonic beckoned him closer.  Puzzled, Tails leaned in – "Whoa!"

Sonic suddenly pulled him onto the bed, into a hug. "Much better."

"You again!" Tails struggled, but his neck was trapped, his legs kicking uselessly in the air.  "You haven't had anything to drink or eat all day! Can't this wait, you idiot?!"

"Sure, if you insist." Sonic grinned mischievously, releasing Tails, who realized he'd been tricked.  He pinched Sonic's arm. "Seriously, can you pick a better time? Don't you care about yourself at all? Besides–"

His voice dropped to a near whisper, his face flushing.

"…I'm all yours anyway, you can have me whenever you want…"

"Now that's what I like to hear." Sonic took Tails' hand, kissing the back of it.  Tails snatched his hand back. "Stop it! Enough! Tell me what you want to eat and drink, or make it yourself!"

"cola and a chili dog!" Sonic replied instantly. He knew Tails well enough to know that a little teasing made him blush like a shy schoolgirl, but too much, and he'd actually get angry and walk away.

Tails quickly went to prepare the food, and Sonic breathed a sigh of relief.  He could feel the agitation building, and he didn't want to deal with it alone if Tails got fed up. Though, to be fair, Tails had never actually abandoned him during these episodes.

After devouring the chili dog and chugging the cola, Sonic felt a little better.  He still didn't want to do anything; everything felt… annoying. Saving the world, socializing, it was all tedious.  Everything was terrible… except for Tails nestled against him.

"Oh, the mission report–" Sonic suddenly remembered.  Just as the irritation began to rise, Tails' gentle voice soothed him. "Don't worry. I finished it for you."

"You're the best little kit a guy could ask for~" Sonic squeezed Tails' head.  This time, Tails didn't complain, just looked up at him with an affectionate gaze.  "Absolutely the last time. Next time, you're writing your own."

"Yeah, yeah, next time I'll do it myself." Sonic said dismissively, not meaning a word of it.  He'd never write a report himself. He'd just let Tails nag him about it a couple more times.

"Mmm-hmm~" Tails yawned widely.  "I need a nap, I'm so tired… If you feel bad or uncomfortable, just wake me up."

"Yeah, sleep, get some rest. I'll hold you."  Sonic stroked Tails' head, kissing his lips softly.  "Goodnight, buddy."

"Goodnight, my love." Tails smiled happily, burying his face in Sonic's chest, closing his eyes, and quickly drifting off to sleep.

Sonic held Tails close, letting his tails wrap around his arm, even though it made him a little hotter. The room was quiet; he could even hear Tails' soft, contented snores.

He was warm, but…

Despite his feverish body, Sonic felt his mind calming under the touch of Tails' soft fur.

Only in your arms do I feel at peace.

Chapter Text

【3】

No, no, no!

Sonic stared blankly at Tails' left arm, or rather, where his left arm should have been—nothing remained.

Tails gasped raggedly, unable to speak, his body trembling uncontrollably from the pain. Tears streamed down his fox face, mixing with dirt and blood, accentuating the helplessness, agony, and despair in his expression.

Too slow, too slow, I was too slow!!

The stump of Tails' severed arm was practically cauterized by Void energy—or more accurately, frozen, as Void energy leeched energy.  Crimson blood still seeped from the gruesome wound.

Revenge—I'll—No—Calm down! Sonic forced himself to regain composure. Now wasn't the time for vengeance. Tails needed treatment, pain relief, a tourniquet—there was no time to lose—

"Son…ic…Look…out—!!"

Tails' desperate, heart-wrenching cry snapped Sonic back to reality—but it was too late.

The instant he turned, a beam struck his head. Impossible—how could it penetrate Ward of Dawn…? No, it wasn't a beam, but some kind of device, it…burrowed…into…???

The last thing Sonic heard was Tails' shattered, mournful scream…

✲✲✲✲

Sonic jolted awake. The same nightmare…For ten years. Year after year, it never ceased to torment him.

Beside him, Tails sat up, sleepy-eyed. "Hmm…? Another nightmare…?"

"It's okay, it's okay." Sonic ruffled Tails' hair and glanced at the clock. "But we should get up. Can't be late today."

"…Yeah, right." Tails sighed, his ears drooping.

Today was the memorial service for Fireteam F.  Aside from Sonic and Tails' specialized two-man A-Team, all other fireteams consisted of four members. But now, only one member of Team-F remained.

Three Soldiers were lost…never to return. The Vex onslaught had been too fierce; their bodies couldn't be recovered.  The memorial service felt pointless—perhaps what remained of them had already been converted into Vex.

However, the service wasn't strictly for the deceased, but for the living.  It was the same for all memorial services across the world.

Sonic and Tails donned black cloaks and arrived early, taking their seats. The speaker had initially wanted them to address the crowd, but Tails declined. There wasn't any particular reason, he simply didn't want to.  Anyone could offer empty platitudes.

…Especially not them, the two who had lost their entire friends ten years ago.  'The fallen are gone, but the living must continue to fight for tomorrow'—such pretty words.  Coming from Sonic and Tails, they would only ring hollow.

Tails barely registered the speaker's words.  His and Sonic's presence was symbolic rather than substantial.

"If I could, I really wouldn't want to be here," Tails thought selfishly, the somber atmosphere only deepening his gloom.

"Tails," Sonic murmured, "what will happen to the last remaining member of Fireteam-F?"

"…What else can they do? Retirement is out of the question, you know the state of the shelter City's manpower." Tails sighed. "They'll…be reassigned to another fireteam. Five-man and four-man teams aren't that different. But he'll probably…need some time to recover."

Sonic turned to look at the surviving soldier. Surprisingly, he wasn't crying, but that was the most unsettling part. His eyes were completely vacant. As if…he'd lost his mind.

"In this mental state…" Sonic frowned, his expression complex.  "He'll need to be monitored, or he might—"

"Commit suicide. I know. I've already alerted the medical staff." Tails finished Sonic's hesitant thought, flicking his tails. "We can only do so much for him…In these situations, comfort often backfires, you know?"

Sonic nodded, putting an arm around Tails' shoulder.

He knew, of course…

Because he had been the one to endure that agonizing journey, with Tails constantly by his side.

It had been a difficult time…so difficult that Sonic didn't want to think about it.  But he had somehow managed to pull through, even though the nightmares persisted. He knew he couldn't have done it without Tails, but companionship alone wasn't enough…If someone didn't want to emerge from their grief, then no one could save them…

After the memorial service, everyone returned to their daily routines.  Tails was in the lab, building a Vex gate—his own Vex gate. Sonic had to admit, Tails was a genius. He'd previously managed to hijack the Vex network to teleport small objects, but now he'd cracked their gate network.

"Hey, if this gate works, could we travel all over the world?  Vex gates are everywhere, right?" Sonic mused, watching with amusement as Tails flitted around the gate, tinkering with it.

Tails, holding a wrench, had engine grease smeared all over his once-white gloves. He instinctively wiped his brow, adding a streak of black grease to his golden fur, almost making Sonic laugh. Then Tails shook his head. "Theoretically, yes, but using the gates is risky. What if you accidentally teleport into the middle of a Vex construction project?"

"Isn't there a way to check? Like satellite imaging?" Sonic suggested. Tails rolled his eyes. "Dude, there are no satellites. The network went down two months into the war. The Vex hacked them and stole them."

"What if we launched a modified version ourselves?"

"Well…" Tails tapped his chin thoughtfully, then rubbed his temples and pinched the bridge of his nose, making Sonic struggle to contain his laughter. "I think there might be some war sats left in the launch silos.  But it's impractical. Satellite surveillance is limited by its orbit. We'd need multiple satellites to– Why are you looking at me like that??"

"I—snort! Never mind, just look." Sonic finally burst out laughing, holding a nearby mirror up to Tails. A high-pitched fox yelp followed. "Eek!!! My fur!!"

"Pfft, hahaha!"  Sonic's laughter intensified at Tails' reaction.

"You! You, you, you—!" Tails stammered, stomping his feet. "I—I just groomed my fur yesterday! Why didn't you tell me?? Why did you just watch?!"

"Sorry, but you looked so—snicker—like a…cute little grease monkey—Whoa, hey, don't come near me!!"

Sonic's laughter turned to alarm as he dodged Tails' pounce. "What are you doing?! I just conditioned my quills yesterday too! We did it together!"

"Exactly, so now we're doing it again! 'Cute little grease monkey'!!" Tails roared, lunging at Sonic with grease-covered hands like a tiny, furious demon.

✲✲✲✲

Mist hung in the air of the small bathroom, obscuring the modest fixtures and dim lighting.  It wasn't fancy, but it was their private bathroom, a rare luxury in the shelter.  Sonic and Tails, as a couple, were fortunate to have one.

Though, Tails had basically built and furnished it himself. Every tile was salvaged from the outside world by their combined efforts, a testament to their hard work, not some "hero privilege."

"Do you regret it?" "I regret it~"

"Do you know you were wrong?" "I know I was wrong~"

Tails huffed, while Sonic responded with mock contrition, carefully brushing Tails' fur.  Wet fur was especially sensitive, and the added resistance made it easy to cause pain. Even with a wide-toothed comb, he had to be gentle. It was practically an art form.

(Ugh, fox fur is such a pain to wash and maintain,) Sonic grumbled internally. This wasn't the first time, but it was always a hassle.  If he hurt Tails, he'd definitely get bitten.

Finally finished with Tails' fur, Sonic had to clean himself, covered in grease as well. Usually, they helped each other—but now Tails was simply soaking in the tub, playing on his phone.

"I'm so tired~" Sonic whined dramatically, hoping for some sympathy. "I was just teasing…It wasn't that bad…"

"Teasing me with my perfectly shining fur?  Two days after I conditioned it?  Real smooth!" Tails glared at Sonic. "That was special high-performance lubricant—and it's a pain to wash out! It's like I wasted the whole grooming session!"

"Okay, okay, I admit it, I was wrong." Sonic relented. "So—uh, my dear little bro Tails, my best little ‘wife’—can you forgive me just this once?"

"Absolutely not!" Tails huffed, rising from the tub, water cascading off his fur.  He walked over to Sonic, holding out a hand. "Give them here."

"Huh…what?" Sonic blinked, momentarily confused.

"Ugh, you're such a dummy." Tails snatched the soap and sponge from Sonic's hand, kicked a stool behind Sonic with his foot, sat down, and began meticulously scrubbing the grease from Sonic's quills.

Feeling the pressure of Tails' hands, Sonic suddenly spoke. "Tails, you've been this tsundere for ten years. Why haven't you grown out of it?"

"What did you say?!"

"I remember before we started dating…before the war, when we were just best buds, you weren't this prickly. Sure, we bickered sometimes, and you had your moments, but back then you were mostly a shy, sweet little fox—"

"Hah—? Are you saying I'm not sweet to you now?!"  Out of Sonic's sight, a vein throbbed in Tails' smiling face.

"I didn't— Ow, ow, ow, ow! Easy, easy!!!"

Back in the tub, Tails sat nestled between Sonic's legs, sighing contentedly, his head resting against Sonic's chest, completely relaxed. His fur floated gently in the warm water.

After a moment of peaceful silence, Tails opened his eyes and looked up at Sonic. "Say…do you think I was better before?"

"Not really…" Sonic scratched his cheek.  "It's just…different, you know?"

"Because everything is different now." Tails shifted, resting his head on Sonic's shoulder. "Our bodies may not age…but our hearts can't stay the same after ten years, can they?"

"So that's your excuse for being a tsundere…Hey! Ow, stop pinching, that hurts."

"You think I want to be this way, all bossy and prickly? I'd love to just be a carefree fox, following you around and being cuddly, you know." Tails glared at Sonic. "But I can't. Being indecisive won't work anymore. We need efficiency, we need to be decisive, we need—"

Tails' voice trailed off.

"—We don't need the 'me' from back then."

"Okay~ You're right, the assertive you is better suited for now…" Sonic smiled, stroking Tails' head.  "…But you could at least be a little gentler with me—Ow, ow, stop pinching! I mean, you could be more gentle! I didn't say you weren't gentle!"

"You're one to talk. You've changed a lot too." Tails grumbled, unhappy with Sonic's teasing.  "Remember how you used to be? Charging into enemy lines alone? Starting fights without waiting for backup?  Selectively ignoring my advice and concerns? Remember all the reckless stuff you pulled?"

"Uh, yeah, I did." Sonic's gaze drifted. "But that's called—growth.  I'm more level-headed now, isn't that better?"

"Oh, right, right, you're growing, I'm regressing, is that it?"

"I didn't say that. But tsundere is so last season—Yow! Not there, not there!!"

"But ultimately…" Sonic sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

"I don't…have what it takes to be like that anymore."

They fell silent. It was true.  The super speed was gone, the Light was gone. Everything that had made Sonic a hero…now only the will remained, not the power.

Even that will had nearly shattered, and even now, repaired…it wasn't the same.

"Well, I wasn't really saying I wanted you to go back to how you were…It was just teasing, you know?" Sonic broke the somber mood, blowing gently on Tails' ear, making him shiver. "I mean, you know the definition of tsundere, right?  All tough and prickly on the outside…but you still cleaned me up."

"Jerk. You're just taking advantage of my soft heart.  And making it sound so noble." Tails turned, a hint of accusation in his voice, but his cobalt eyes, meeting Sonic's, were full of affection.  "…Maybe I should be tougher on you."

"Be my guest. But I'll still love you all the same, my sweet little fox." Sonic grinned, a touch mischievously.  But Tails loved that grin.

"…Same here, my big blue hero."

Then, Tails wrapped his arms around Sonic's neck, pulling him close.

✲✲✲✲

"Okay, you can shake—Whoa!"

Sonic didn't finish his sentence before Tails' head and body began spinning like a washing machine—a fox's instinctive way of drying its fur. Highly effective. Of course, normal foxes were small; for a "fox" Tails' size…it sent water flying everywhere.

Fortunately, Sonic had shielded himself with a towel, though the spray still made him flinch.  Once the deluge subsided, he lowered the towel and looked at Tails. His fur was still damp, clinging together in clumps—but significantly lighter.

"Man, that fur of yours…" Sonic shook his head, activating the bathroom's heating and dryer, then started toweling Tails dry.  The rustling sound, combined with the warmth, made Tails close his eyes contentedly, enjoying Sonic's ministrations. Sonic heard a soft purr of satisfaction, but decided not to mention it—knowing the easily embarrassed Tails would immediately deny it and stop.

While drying Tails' large tails, Sonic spoke. "Hey, buddy, let's talk about that gate again. If you can't see what's on the other side…how are you planning to use it?"

"Well," Tails tilted his head,  "…I was thinking of using a pretty basic method to scout: sending a small remote-controlled car with a camera through…"

"Pretty basic indeed.  But why wouldn't the signal cut out?" Sonic wondered. "I mean, when the car reaches the other side—it could be on the other side of Earth, right? Can the signal travel back through the gate?"

"Just keep the camera on the other side and the back end of the car in the shelter." Tails spoke as if it were obvious.  "Even if the other side is swarming with Vex, with a bit of luck and quick reflexes, we can pull the car back and try again later…"

Sonic tried to wrap his head around the principle, but eventually gave up trying to understand Vex tech.  Really, only Tails could grasp that stuff.

"But won't the Vex…hack into our gate and ambush us?"

"Theoretically, that's impossible, because my gate isn't actually in the Vex network." Tails shrugged. "When my gate is active…it steals and mimics the ID of another gate, tricking the Vex network into thinking our gate is that gate.  Once the gate closes, even if the Vex trace it back, they'll only find the gate whose ID we borrowed—not us.  Of course, my gate also can't connect to the gate whose ID it stole, because the network sees them as the same gate."

"Wait," Sonic had a sudden realization. "If your gate isn't actually on the network, but stealing another gate's ID—how do we get back through a gate after we go through?  Can you hack into a Vex gate out in the field?"

"Uh—well—" Tails' eyes darted around before he stuck out his tongue playfully. "Sorry, the answer is no.  To come back through a gate, we have to open my gate again, connecting it to the external gate, so we can return to my lab…  Meaning, we either need to set a timer to open the gate every few hours, strictly limiting our trips and returning on time…or we have to call someone back at base to manually open the gate for us."

"What the heck, that's so unreliable! You're saying if we're even a little late, we're stuck on the other side of Earth with no way home?!" Sonic poked Tails in the ribs, making him jump.

Tails protested, "Come on, you can teleport across the planet! What more do you want?  That's a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits. Besides, I can set the timer to open every hour for, like, ten seconds…"

"Ugh, and if we happen to get back to the gate at, say, one minute past the hour, we have to wait around doing nothing for fifty-nine minutes…" Sonic shuddered at the thought. "That kind of rigid scheduling just isn't my style…"

"Ugh, you're so demanding.  As if I wouldn't be stuck there with you." Tails flicked his still-damp tail at Sonic, who quickly dodged.  "Hey! I'm dry now!"

Tails just giggled mischievously.

After drying, came the application of various conditioning treatments. This part was easier, as Tails had formulated them into sprays, saving the time of manual application.  Stepping out of the bathroom, Tails glanced at the clock—6 PM. They'd spent at least three hours in there.

"It's all your fault, Sonic. I could have finished calibrating the gate today." Tails playfully punched Sonic's arm, eliciting a string of apologies.

"Come on, come on, let's go eat. I'm starving for a chili dog." Sonic waved a hand dismissively—it was dinner time.  The mess hall wasn't going to reopen just because they missed it.

"No, you're not even remotely remorseful." Tails, relentless, grabbed Sonic's shoulder, pulling him down and nipping his arm.

"So I'm going to punish you…tonight…"

Tails finished the sentence in a whisper only Sonic could hear, sending his heart racing. He just chuckled and shook his head.  "You're such a tease…"

Tails took Sonic's hand, leading the way. "Okay, let's eat! You should have something that'll give you lots of energy. After all—"

He turned, his eyelids half-closed, a playful glint in his eyes, and ran his tongue slowly over his lips.

"You'll need your strength tonight, my dear big blue ♡?"

Chapter Text

【4】

Sonic woke up to Tails's relieved face and a cry of, "Sonic! You—you're awake—! I thought—I thought I'd lost you forever—!"

"How… how…?" Sonic struggled to remember, but all he could recall was his Dawn Shield shattering, then a device burrowing into his brain… literally burrowing in.

(Wait, something felt wrong. Why was my body so heavy? What about my Light?)

Sonic tried to summon his Light. Solar, Arc, Void, anything… but nothing. His Light was…

…gone.

Sonic struggled to sit up, startling Tails, who quickly helped him. In that instant, a chilling coldness on his shoulder made him look down. His heart sank.

Tails's arm… the one blown off by the Vex… was now a mechanical prosthetic, clearly Vex tech. Sonic couldn't mistake the metallic sheen… it was definitely crafted from a raw Vex arm.

"Oh no, no, no…" Sonic felt faint. "What… what did they do to you…?"

"…Sorry…" Tails recoiled, lowering the mechanical arm. "But it was the only way… to save you…"

"What… what do you mean??" Sonic felt a heaviness in his legs, too. He was pretty sure his super speed was gone as well.

He was just a regular hedgehog now, nothing more.

"The Vex… they implanted a suppressor in your brain. It's blocking all your abilities, your Light, your speed… and it's slowly assimilating you, turning you into a Vex." Tails sighed sadly, extending the mechanical arm, exhaustion etched on his face.  "…I had to… I had to interface with their tech… to access it, to study it, to find a solution… I had to. I had to… let myself be infected… so I could…"

"Heh, well, we're a pair, aren't we, little bro?" Sonic gave a wry, self-deprecating chuckle, surprised he could even manage a bit of humor.  "Can't they… take it out?"

Tails shook his head, another sigh escaping his lips. "It's fused… with your neural pathways. The Vex radiolaria… they've permanently altered your physiology… I can slow the infection, but I can't—"

Suddenly, tears streamed down Tails's face. He sobbed helplessly, burying his face in his hands, his voice broken and choked with self-recrimination. "I—I… I can't save you… Sonic… I can't remove it—I can't—!"

Sonic panicked for a moment, but sensing Tails's spiraling despair, he lunged forward, pulling him into a hug. "It's… okay. I'm not blaming you, I was just… asking."

Damn, what a lame thing to say. Sonic mentally cursed himself. He couldn't think of anything better, though, given his own despair.  He wasn't the fastest thing alive anymore; he was critically ill.  And to save him, his best friend had willingly let himself be infected by the Vex… all for nothing.  After such a sacrifice, all that remained were two… terminally ill patients.

He just held Tails tighter, hoping to calm him down… and himself.

"…So, where are we, anyway?"

Sonic looked around. They were in an almost sealed structure, futuristic in design. Tails was silent for a moment.  "The Threshold Tower. Part of my… doomsday contingency plan."

"A plan I didn't know about?" Sonic raised an eyebrow.

"It's a true last resort… it even factored in…" Tails couldn't quite meet Sonic's gaze.  "…you turning against us. Whether through mind control… or just… snapping. So, I couldn't let you know…"

"Oh, of course. You're right." Sonic patted Tails's head reassuringly, showing he wasn't upset.  How could he fault his little bro for that?

"How many days has it been?" Sonic looked around, realizing the structure didn't even have windows. It was impossible to tell what was happening outside. Tails glanced at a holographic display on his gauntlet. "Seven days… I haven't opened any comms channels, to avoid detection by the Vex… I don't know what the situation is out there."

"We need to find Knuckles and Amy." Sonic's stomach clenched.  Seven days? He shot to his feet. Tails grabbed his hand anxiously. "Are… are you okay? I think you need more tests and rest—"

"That can wait." Sonic cut him off sharply. "We need to assess the situation… battles change fast, and we've been out of contact for seven days. And… we need to report on our own… condition."

"Alright, I understand." Tails knew he couldn't argue.  "Let's go. The Tornado's ready."

They left in silence. Only then did Sonic realize the building really was a bizarrely shaped tower… probably designed for stealth.  And as they moved away, the tower… vanished.  Reaching this hidden location involved crossing a stretch of ocean and navigating tricky terrain, making it practically impossible to find.

But as they reached their destination, they immediately knew something was wrong. The base was damaged, turrets wrecked, and completely deserted.

"Land! Now!" Sonic barked. Tails quickly circled and glided towards a landing zone. Sonic tried to jump out early, but a terrified Tails pulled him back. "Don't! You don't… have your super speed anymore… you can't handle the impact…"

Gritting his teeth, Sonic had to wait until the plane was almost stationary before hurrying out.

There was nothing.  Only ruins and the remnants of a fierce battle. Sonic ran. He couldn't use his super speed to search like before; he was just an ordinary hedgehog. But he still searched desperately, clinging to a sliver of hope.

But there was none. The base was a ghost town. The ground was littered with Vex wreckage, dust from explosions, and…

And… countless Mobian bodies… their blood already congealed, meaning they'd been dead for at least two or three days. Most were mangled, some partially melted… a horrific sight.

Tails searched for the black box. He'd designed the base's main control system; with any luck, the black box might have survived.  Glancing at the shattered remains of a building, Tails spun his tails and flew up to the control room level. He opened a hidden compartment. The black box was there, intact.

He quickly flew back to Sonic, who was still frantically searching for survivors, and stopped him. "Sonic! Stop… We… we have to go to the underground shelters… We lost…"

"What? What do you mean? Everyone went to the shelters?" Sonic was confused, then relieved. "Okay, so we took a hit, but there's still a chance. Are the others there? Then let's—"

"Sonic, you don't understand. We lost."

Tails looked at him hesitantly, his eyes filled with unbearable sorrow… and tears. He clutched the black box tightly, then spoke, forcing the words out.

"Sonic, Knuckles and Amy… even Eggman, they're… they're all gone."

Sonic froze, as if struck by lightning. A wave of numbness washed over him.

"Gone…? You mean—?"

"Dead. They're all dead. Covering the civilian evacuation, they all…" Tails's voice was barely a whisper, choked with grief, but to Sonic, it was like a thunderclap.

Sonic wanted to say it wasn't possible, to argue with Tails. But he looked at Tails, saw the grief in his eyes—a grief that mirrored his own.  Even if it were a lie, why would Tails lie about something like this?

It was true.  Sonic forced himself to accept it.

A searing pain shot through Sonic's head. He cried out, falling to his knees. The pain blurred his vision, distorted his hearing. Everything around him became surreal, twisted, otherworldly—

"Sonic?! Sonic—wake up—what's happening?? Why is the conversion process suddenly… It's your emotions! Sonic, your emotions are… weakening your consciousness—the radiolaria are taking advantage, consuming, converting you! Sonic—can you hear me—?!"

Tails's frantic cries echoed, laced with panic that bordered on hysteria.  But Sonic couldn't respond. He couldn't speak. The overwhelming pain only made him dizzy… endlessly dizzy…

Then he lost consciousness.

✲✲✲✲

"Sonic... Sonic... wake up..."

Sonic sat up from the ground, while the fox tail he'd been using as a pillow swished to relieve the stiffness from being pillowed for so long.

Ah yes, the worst part of the nightmare...

The part where everyone died. The part where he was utterly powerless to save them.

But looking back now, who could he blame? Himself, for being knocked to death's door by the Vex for seven days, completely ignorant of the outside world and unable to help his friends? Or Tails, for focusing solely on saving him instead of helping defend the base, for not prioritizing the bigger picture?

He couldn't do it. Blaming himself was pointless, and blaming Tails? That was impossible.

Eleven years now... when would this nightmare end?

"The portal's about to open. We should get ready." Tails noticed Sonic's troubled expression behind the filter mask and leaned in closer. "Hmm, bad sleep? Want a good morning kiss?"

"Through filter masks? Get real." Sonic chuckled, pushing at Tails's filter mask. But Tails just leaned forward, pressing their faces together until their masks touched, creating a slight pressure. "See? Works fine."

"Like hell it does! What kind of kiss is that?" Sonic laughed, shoving Tails away. "...I'm fine, really. You don't need to do this."

"Hmm, really?" Tails eyed him suspiciously, draping an arm over his shoulders. "...Well, it's about that time anyway. We should pick a day..."

"...Yeah. The next couple days should be pretty quiet." Sonic replied briefly, hiding his suddenly heavy heart.

They fell silent, leaning against each other head-to-head, watching the desolate world around them, devoid of even a hint of green, quietly waiting for the portal to open. Sonic recalled complaining a year ago about having to wait an hour if they arrived right after a portal opened. Now here they were, living that exact scenario. That's why he'd had time for a nap.

He just hadn't expected to have a nightmare during such a short sleep.

Still, the portals had made travel much more convenient. Before, if they were unlucky and the Vex's new outposts didn't have supplies... they could only pray the next rebuilds would be supply points, or risk taking the Tornado further out, forcing the shelters into rationing. But with the portals, other teams could easily reach anywhere in the world.

The next day, they took a portal to the site of the former Resistance headquarters.

It had once been a strategic location, chosen specifically for the headquarters... but the Vex's attacks had nothing to do with "strategy." They didn't need military formations or tactical planning. Their actions were ruthlessly simple: teleport troops, clear targets, occupy territory, terraform, phase in buildings... Yet they were unstoppable. No natural defense could hold them back—the earth itself succumbed to the infection and transformation of their radiolaria rivers.

Every strategy in Mobian history meant nothing against the Vex. The Vex's way of thinking was fundamentally different. Decapitation strikes, feints—meaningless to the Vex. They neither feared nor doubted. If a Axis-mind died, they'd teleport in another to continue the work. If their current objective was blocked—they'd try every possible solution until they succeeded. They could only be forcibly driven back.

But how was that possible? How could flesh and blood defeat an endless tide of steel pouring through space and time?

They couldn't win a direct battle, and guerrilla tactics were useless. This was the deadly stalemate that had doomed Earth.

The original buildings were unrecognizable now, after eleven years... All that remained were circuit-lined floors and brass and pale gold Vex structures, jutting incongruously from the scattered sand and stone. Even the dead trees and grass had vanished years ago, leaving nothing but desolation.

And except for Sonic's first year of recovery, this place had exploded once every year—this would make it the tenth time.

Like most Vex facilities, this one was unguarded. They casually made their way to the center, activated the transport beacon, and teleported in the HellBomb.

"Annual Sonic Delivery Service, everyone." Sonic said, inputting the bomb's unlock code. Then, he placed a bouquet of flowers in a plastic container at the center of the device.

The first two years, Sonic nearly broke down every time they came here. Tails almost didn't want to bring him anymore, but Sonic insisted. Unable to refuse him, Tails could only offer gentle comfort while suppressing his own emotions to avoid setting Sonic off. That's when it became a... ritual, coming here yearly to destroy the Vex structures.

By the third year, Sonic stopped crying. He would just silently recite the names of the fallen. Amy, Knuckles, Shadow... even Eggman and Metal Sonic. Then, he'd detonate the bomb, burning everything to ash.

Starting the seventh year, Sonic stopped reciting names altogether. He seemed tired, resigned. Despite still being tortured by that nightmare repeatedly. He would make casual conversation with Tails about the past, sometimes cracking tasteless jokes. Like saying: if Amy were still here, seeing them together would probably make her die of anger.

Tails would respond with nervous laughter, afraid of accidentally triggering Sonic's trauma.

Later, even Sonic's words became fewer. Like now. They'd barely exchanged ten sentences from the portal to the center.

"Sometimes I really envy the Vex." Sonic sat down on a metal pipe after finishing his task. "Look at them... they can rebuild these magnificent structures so easily. No matter how many times we blow them up, they just keep coming back... like they're using cheat codes or something."

"Machine life that controls the time-space network—it's like they're operating on a higher dimension than us." Tails gave a bitter smile, sitting beside him, his tail draping over the pipe as he raised his Vex arm. "...Without this arm... I wouldn't understand their technology at all. It's like... it's completely different from our tech. Like magic. Our technology still operates within our understanding and adaptation of reality. When we discover a law of physics, we usually can't change or deny it—we can only learn to use it, to create advantages for ourselves."

"The Vex are different. They have their own logic of reality, they replace the operating logic of reality itself. If a law of physics doesn't serve their needs—they'll do everything to rewrite it."

"But what are they rewriting reality for?" Sonic felt lost. Just like when the Vex suddenly attacked—there was no reason. A peaceful day, suddenly destroyed when they poured through their portals. They couldn't be communicated with, negotiated with, they didn't take prisoners, didn't care about casualties on either side.

It was like they were simply... terraforming a planet, regardless of whether it was living or dead, inhabited or not.

...Terraforming a planet?

"Tails—you can hack the Vex network, do you know where they get the computing power for their space-time coordinates??" Sonic suddenly realized.

After all, coordinates don't appear from nowhere; they're the result of consciousness assigning meaning to perception of the world, and consciousness is essentially computing power.

So where did the "thinking power" needed to comprehend such complex reality structures come from?

Tails fell silent for a moment: "You figured it out?"

Tails's response confirmed Sonic's suspicion, and he suddenly understood why Tails, despite always encouraging him, had seemed... pessimistic about the bigger picture.

"So that's it. This is literally a war we can't win."

Sonic laughed, feeling an unprecedented desolation in his heart. He looked at the Vex structures, at the ground transformed into circuit boards.

The Vex weren't just terraforming planets; their goal wasn't to create habitable worlds for themselves.

They were transforming planets into planetary computers.

And after that, once a planet becomes a computer—could anyone still live there?

Impossible. They couldn't even barely survive.

Sonic placed a hand over his filter mask, covering his eyes as he bent forward, elbows resting on his knees.

"How much time do you think we have left?"

"I... I don't know. Maybe not long, before the tectonic plates start shifting. Who knows." Tails couldn't answer that question either. Trying to model the Vex's actions often led to getting trapped in their simulations.

"Then what's the point of us still fighting, still being alive? We don't even have a chance to leave this planet, do we."

Sonic's voice was surprisingly calm, and that's what worried Tails the most.

But this was the one question Tails wouldn't hesitate on.

"Just like I told you back then... it's for you."

Tails carefully placed a hand on Sonic's shoulder, then quickly pulled him into an embrace, two tails intertwining around his waist. The filter masks made the hug uncomfortable and awkward, but Tails didn't care.

"If you decide to leave... then take me with you."

"In this world with no hope left, if even you were gone..."

"...I really don't know how I'd go on living."

"...Mm."

Sonic simply gave that brief reply, letting Tails hold him.

After a while, their alarms went off simultaneously. Time to head back, or they'd miss the next portal activation.

"Well then—" Sonic stood up, stretching. "See you all again next year. If there is a next year."

He set the HellBomb's detonation timer, then left this sorrowful place with Tails.

As they reached the portal, the HellBomb exploded in the distance, a mushroom cloud billowing. Then they sat by the portal, watching the Vex's translucent time-space transfer gates open in the sky, their mechanical legions descending.

"Never gets old?"

"Never gets old."

They both chuckled in sync, though neither knew why. It really wasn't funny at all.

Back at the shelter, they composed themselves. Tails handled the mission report, Sonic went to the bar for his usual aimless wandering.

...Huh?

Tails suddenly realized something was off.

"You lazy bum! Trying to make me write the report again?! I'll bite you to death!!" "Stop stop stop don't bite—aaaghFUCK! Help, the fox is eating me!!"

The bar soon echoed with Sonic's cries and the others' amused laughter.

Sonic couldn't escape writing the report this time, as Tails had warned the print room staff not to let him out until he printed his own work.

But after Tails left for other duties, Sonic started scheming again. Tails's report wasn't filed yet, since they had to wait for Sonic's. Taking advantage of the others' distraction, Sonic quickly snatched Tails's report from the desk, then started typing furiously...

Half an hour later, Sonic burst through the greenhouse door, rushing up to Tails, who was intently scanning plant data. "Hey Tails! I'm done! Wasn't that fast?"

"Yeah yeah, fast fast fast..." Tails replied absently. "...Wait a minute? That quick? You didn't copy my report, did you?"  "Gah!"

Sonic suppressed his momentary panic, then forced a smile. "Of course not! I wrote it myself! When I focus, writing a report is a piece of cake, haha..."

"Hmm, whatever, no time to deal with you." Tails didn't even turn around, letting Sonic sigh in relief that his stiff expression wasn't noticed.

Sonic crouched next to Tails, watching him operate the tablet for a while, even though he didn't understand what Tails was doing. But his gaze made Tails fidget uncomfortably, and he soon turned back. "Don't you have anything better to do? Like boasting at the bar about your glory days?"

"Mmm~ I just want to keep you company."

Though it was just a casual remark, it still made Tails blush for a moment. He quickly turned his head back. "I'm testing the genetic diversity of our crops..."

"You do that before every harvest." Sonic looked at the greenery before him, probably the last plants on Earth. Green hills, forests—they had all vanished years ago, forever relegated to memory.

Whenever Sonic thought of those peaceful, beautiful, harmonious green hills—where he, Tails, and everyone had created countless precious memories—now reduced to metal structures, circuit-board floors, and white radiolaria rivers, he felt a suffocating heartache. He missed those times when they'd barbecue by the stream, chatting and occasionally bickering. Missed those afternoons lying in Tails's arms under the palm trees, gazing at the brilliant blue sky while listening to the little nerd ramble about incomprehensible data.

But that was impossible now. Times had changed, everything was different. Now, only Tails remained. Even this sad reality was something to be grateful for—at least there was still someone in the world to depend on...

"Sonic... Sonic! Are you listening??"

Tails's raised voice pulled Sonic back to reality, instinctively responding with a confused "Huh?"

"I just asked if you remember why we test genetic diversity?" Tails gave him an exasperated look.

Sonic scratched his head, trying hard to remember: "Um... because when population numbers are too low, breeding leads to genetic deterioration, loss of genetic diversity, and eventually genetic collapse... right?"

"Correct. Some plants are resistant to this, but others need a bit more attention... Overall though, the situation isn't bad. No signs of crop yield reduction." Tails stared at the streaming data on screen. "For now, we shouldn't have to worry about food... as long as our filtration and circulation systems keep working."

Sonic looked at the plants, pondering: "If plants can have genetic collapse... what about us?"

"Of course we can too. Strictly speaking—" Tails stood up, holding the tablet between Sonic's eyes like a knife, his expression serious, "the remaining Mobian population is actually too small for normal species reproduction. Especially since we Mobians are a post-human race mixed with animal genes, we require very high genetic diversity. Even if we chose inbreeding, it would only continuously weaken the genome, eventually leading to collapse."

"Then—what about genetic intervention?" Sonic clung to a glimmer of hope. "If we could remove recessive disease genes—"

"Why not just become machines then?" Tails countered. "Besides, you don't understand—genetic collapse happens because there are too few genetic samples to adapt to environmental changes, and bad mutations might escape natural selection to become dominant genes. No matter how you modify or manipulate genes, you can't change our fundamental problem of insufficient genetic diversity. In other words, we Mobians are—basically doomed."

Tails's decisive words plunged them into awkward silence. He soon dropped his hand and head helplessly, shrugging: "So—that's that. Take it one day at a time, nothing more."

Then Tails somehow managed a light chuckle and made an inappropriate joke: "But don't worry, at least we don't have to worry about this between us. Because I'm a boy, and boys can't get pregnant."

"...?" Sonic stared at him dumbfounded, momentarily speechless. This made Tails pinch his arm in annoyance: "What! I was just trying to lighten the mood..."

"Oh, oh oh! Ahem—" Sonic quickly cleared his throat, trying to get back on topic. "So... there's no solution?"

"What solution? You really want me to have a baby??" Now it was Tails's turn to look at Sonic in shock. "I—I know you think I can do anything, but this is a bit too much..."

"?"

"?"

"No, when I said '?', clearly you're the one with the problem, not me!" Sonic grabbed Tails's fox cheeks with both hands and squeezed, making Tails emit unintelligible muffled sounds. "I was talking about the genetic collapse problem! Who said anything about you getting—getting pregnant!"

"Mmmf—ow!!" Tails finally managed to break free from Sonic's grip with a forceful push. His cheeks were flushed red from misunderstanding Sonic's meaning. "How was I supposed to know what you meant? You're always muttering about pregnancy, pregnancy, pregnancy—"

"That's just pillow talk! Of course I know you can't get pregnant! I didn't really—" Sonic's hands flew up in despair, but he quickly patted his chest, trying to calm himself. "Stop, Tails, what kind of nonsense is in that head of yours?"

"You're the one who corrupted me!" Tails angrily punched Sonic's abdomen, though it was more like a petulant pout than an actual hit. "You're the one who only thinks about yourself!"

"Anyway, just answer my question, will you." Sonic schooled his expression. "Is there really no hope?"

"...No." Tails turned away, his expression unreadable. "Mechanical ascension is an option... but it doesn't solve the Vex problem. And the Vex are the most perfect machine life, so there's still the risk of assimilation. Another option is escaping to another universe, but we'd need Vex tech to punch through the universal bubble, and that would almost certainly attract the Vex there too... spreading the plague to another universe."

"I'm sorry... but maybe we're the last generation of Mobians."

Tails didn't dare look at Sonic. He feared Sonic would keep making demands, keep clinging to hope. Tails couldn't bear that hope anymore—as the one who understood their species' situation best, he saw no hope at all. Tails had really tried his hardest... but reality couldn't be changed through sheer effort of will, or groundless hope and empty encouragement.

Tails couldn't do it, he couldn't save the Mobian race, and he knew it. He hoped Sonic could understand and accept the reality. But Sonic was still, in many ways, an idealistic romantic—

"I understand."

Tails was gently embraced, Sonic's head resting on the back of his.

"Then at least, in these last days... let's live them to the fullest. I'll stay by your side."

"Sonic...?"

Tails had calculated every possibility, but never anticipated this reaction from Sonic. He'd expected Sonic to either stubbornly insist on finding a solution, or simply fall silent and try to avoid the topic altogether. But Sonic just... gave up, so decisively.

"Thought I'd keep demanding you find a way out?" Sonic's hands tenderly stroked Tails's fur. "Maybe I would have, before. But you're so tired, aren't you. I'm... a bit tired too."

"...Hah, haha... yeah... we're both so tired..."

Tails's strained laughter held nothing but despondency. Sonic was right, Tails was exhausted... the entire shelter's operations practically revolved around him, without him, there was no hope of survival at all...

But that hope...

Never existed from the beginning.

Burdened with all the knowledge, all the lives... that's why he knew the vision of survival was fundamentally illusory.

The inevitable end was annihilation... All they did now was just delaying the arrival of death. But one day...

It was so tiring. The despair that no one could voice, weighed solely upon his shoulders.

"Tails... don't cry..."

...Huh?

Tails snapped out of his gloomy thoughts, instinctively reaching to wipe his tears, only to meet Sonic's hand reaching for the same purpose. In that brief moment of confusion, Sonic beat him to it, grasping Tails's hand tightly.

"I... I'm fine, I just..." Tails tried to hide his expression. But Sonic just held his hand tightly: "I'm sorry. All these years, I haven't been able to share much of your burden, maybe I've even added to it. For our remaining days... let me help you carry this secret. Let's try our best to make the most of whatever time we have left together."

"You've really been through so much all these years, Tails."

Tails felt a sharp pang in his nose, as if Sonic's last words had opened some kind of floodgate. His suppressed emotions surged forth like a deluge, uncontrollably flooding from his heart. Tails tried to close the dam, tried to plug it up, tried to lock these feelings back in the depths of his heart like before, to stay calm...

...But he couldn't.

Tears broke through his eyelids in milliseconds, then began gushing like a spring. Tails bit his tongue, using his last vestiges of will to suppress himself, preventing full-blown sobbing. He quickly turned around, burying his head against Sonic's chest, his hands pressing hard against Sonic's shoulders.

Yet even though Tails suppressed the sounds from his mouth, his whimpers still echoed in Sonic's ears. Tails's entire body had gone rigid from emotional collapse, his ears and tail drooping, yet continuously trembling like a frightened animal. With each inhale and sob, his arms would twitch. Sonic could feel the abundance of tears completely soaking his chest... but he didn't know what else to do.

All he could do was stroke Tails's fur again and again, praying it would make him feel a little better, a little more at ease...

✲✲✲✲

In the bedroom. The two lay cuddled together on the bed, resting.

"Ah, your eyes are swollen."

Sonic suddenly poked at Tails's puffy eye socket, which Tails instinctively swatted away: "Hey! Don't suddenly stick your hand in front of someone's eyes!"

It was impossible not to be swollen—Tails felt like he'd completely drained his tear ducts. Now his eyes were not only bloodshot but also had an unbearable itch from the inflammation. But he didn't dare rub them, lest it make things worse.

Though he occasionally shed tears in secret... it had been a long time since he'd cried so hard. Especially in front of Sonic.

"Sonic—I—"

For a moment, Tails wanted to reveal all his secrets. But the words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back.

No... never mind... it's not time yet... He's become gentler, but I still can't risk it...

This strange reaction drew Sonic's questioning: "What is it? If something's on your mind, share it with me. We're a couple after all."

"I just wanted to say about today... you have to keep it secret." Tails skillfully changed the subject. "I haven't thought of a good reason... to explain this. And if we tell everyone now, it would definitely cause chaos."

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed." Sonic patted his chest in guarantee. "...But we should think about how to tell them when the time comes."

"We'll deal with that later. I don't want to think about it." Tails tossed his phone aside, suddenly laying his head on the pillow, then hugging Sonic's hand to his chest. "...I don't want to do anything. Don't want to think about anything."

"Nothing at all?" Sonic turned his head to look at him, his captured hand gently stroking the white fur on Tails's chest.

Tails closed his eyes, quietly feeling the pressure of Sonic's hand, the massage bringing him comfort and contentment.

Sonic's presence was a mix of commanding and reassuring. It was a unique feeling, a blend of firmness and gentleness that left Tails feeling pleasantly helpless yet safe and protected.

And Sonic had a distinct scent… not a bad smell, not a fragrance, but something… like a pheromone? Tails wasn't sure, he hadn't studied it closely, but his fox nose easily picked up the scent when they were alone. It was a calming, comforting aroma... just inhaling it brought Tails a sense of peace.

Hmm, this scent... it's so nice... but Sonic's body shouldn't be producing... no, maybe it's the opposite, his subconscious is commanding his body to release this scent... when we're... intimate. Yes, that makes sense... because when we were alone before the war, his scent was pleasant, but not this... alluring.

Even while lost in the blissful sensation, Tails's analytical mind still whirred. But focusing too intently on the scent was intoxicating... addictive. If he concentrated too hard, his consciousness would weaken... purr...

...

Tails suddenly opened his eyes, gripping Sonic's hand and giving him a disgruntled look. "Bad hedgehog. Trying to seduce me."

"Huh... huh? What?" Sonic was bewildered, not understanding why Tails, who had been enjoying himself and even purring, suddenly had such a sharp look in his eyes.

"I'm saying you—"

Tails's tails suddenly wrapped around Sonic's torso, pulling him back onto the bed with a jerk. As Tails nimbly rolled on top of him, his tails retracted and quickly bound Sonic's arms. With Tails straddling him, his weight added to the restraint, effectively pinning him down.

"—are seducing me."

"Hey, explain yourself, how am I seducing you?" Sonic looked innocent, and this time he truly was; Tails's accusation was completely baseless—at least from his perspective.

But Tails's eyes were half-lidded, a fiery glint in their depths, clearly not interested in Sonic's explanation.

"Boys can't get pregnant, right?" "...Huh?"

Tails licked his lips with a smirk, like a little succubus.

"Want to try proving me wrong?" "...Huh?!"

But Tails didn't give the stunned Sonic a chance to speak, leaning down and claiming his lips...

Chapter Text

[5]

...!

Sonic bolted upright in bed, instinctively looking around to assess his surroundings. From the interior design, he was clearly back in Tails' Threshold Tower. As he turned his head, he saw Tails sleeping peacefully beside him.

What... what happened to me...? I remember... I was at the Resistance headquarters, but the VEX destroyed it, and everyone—

No, no, NO! That had to be a dream, it must have been a dream! Sonic jumped out of bed and shook Tails awake. The sudden movement startled Tails from his sleep, his hand instinctively reaching for the gun at his waist. But upon seeing Sonic, his eyes shifted from fear to joy: "S-Sonic! You're—you're awake!! Thank goodness, I... I succeeded!"

"What—" Sonic froze for a moment before urgently continuing, "What's going on here?! Everyone—what happened to everyone?? How long has it been?? Did they... did they really...?"

Tails didn't answer, couldn't even meet Sonic's gaze. This only made Sonic more desperate as he grabbed Tails by the shoulders and shook him: "Say something, Tails!! It was just a dream, right?! It had to be just a dream!!"

Tails bit his lower lip and sadly shook his head. The gesture hit Sonic like a thunderbolt.

It wasn't a dream... it was real.

Deep down, Sonic had known everything was real the moment he saw Tails' VEX mechanical arm. He just didn't want to believe it. But Tails had shattered his last fragment of hope.

Everyone was dead... Knuckles... Amy... they were never coming back.

Sonic's arms fell limply to his sides. But suddenly, he grabbed his head violently, pulling at his quills, and let out an anguished scream.

"AAAAAHHHHH!!"

"S-Sonic! Don't!" Tails was terrified—though he'd prepared himself mentally, Sonic's intense reaction exceeded his expectations. Seeing Sonic tearing at his own skin until it bled, Tails rushed to grab his hands: "Stop it, Sonic! You're—you're hurting yourself—"

"How long." Sonic's voice trembled as he turned, his constricted pupils devoid of light.

"Sonic—"

"HOW LONG?!"

Sonic's voice boomed, demanding an answer. Tails flinched: "Two... weeks... you've been unconscious for two weeks..."

Two weeks. Whatever slim chance of survival the others might have had was now completely, irrevocably gone.

"Heh, hehe, hahaha, HAHAHAHA!"

Sonic laughed, his voice full of bitter irony. He covered his face, laughing uncontrollably while tears streamed between his fingers.

"Sonic—"

Tails stood up, calling his name worriedly as he stepped forward to place a hand on his shoulder—"Ack!"

But Sonic violently pushed Tails away. The force sent the unprepared fox stumbling backward, his head hitting the bed frame. After a yelp of surprise came a soft groan. Tails felt a dull pain in his head and instinctively rubbed it to ease the discomfort.

"Everyone is DEAD!" Sonic seemed blind to his own violent action, his face consumed by rage beneath the tears. He shouted at Tails without reason, as if his best friend was nothing but a punching bag: "They're all dead! Every single one! We've lost!! Our resistance meant NOTHING—my life means NOTHING!! Everyone I was supposed to protect is dead!! So tell me, Tails—why did you save me?! Why couldn't you just let me die with them?! WHY?!"

Tails hadn't expected Sonic to ask such a question—no, he had... but he'd prayed it wouldn't happen. But when it did—it was worse than he'd imagined. Sonic had completely broken down, and being accused like this made Tails feel his own grief and frustration building up, rising to his brain and making his nose sting with unshed tears. He struggled to his feet: "But—but how could I just watch you die...? I'm your best buddy... your best sidekick—how could I possibly let you die like that??"

"What about ME?! Did you consider how I would feel?! Did you think about what saving me would accomplish?!" Sonic pointed at Tails, his finger trembling with rage, "Everyone I wanted to protect is gone!! And now I'm useless!! No super speed, no Light, NOTHING!! What was the point of saving me?—Sonic the Hedgehog is GONE!!!"

Before Tails could respond, Sonic strode forward and grabbed his mechanical arm. For a moment, Tails thought Sonic was going to hit him and instinctively shielded his face. But Sonic just looked at him with anguish, his voice filled with despair: "And look at yourself!! Look at what you've become trying to save me! You're half VEX!! You risked everything to save a useless wreck like me, and for what?! Everyone's dead! We're doomed! We'll just become the very things that killed our friends!! Tell me, Tails, what did you save?! What did you think you were saving?!"

"P-Please, Sonic... don't..." Tails pleaded, tears welling up and blurring his vision. "I-I know I'm useless... but I had to save you! I had to! I—I couldn't just let you die! I couldn't! At least, at least I had to save you—"

"You didn't save anything, Tails." Sonic dropped his hand and shook his head, cutting him off. He turned away, looking at Tails from the corner of his eye.

"—Why couldn't you just let me die?"

Sonic's voice was flat now, but that only amplified the despair and sorrow.

Tails' pupils shrunk to pinpricks as he stared at the blue hedgehog in disbelief. Those words cut deep, too deep—they negated everything, all his efforts. For a fleeting moment, Tails almost didn't recognize the person before him. It was like... he'd suddenly become a stranger. It shouldn't be like this, Sonic shouldn't be like this—

NO! MORE! OF! THIS!!

Tails scowled, marched forward, spun Sonic around by the arm, and lashed out with his tails.

SLAP!

Tails had pulled his blow, but the force of the slap still sent Sonic tumbling to the floor. Tails stood over him, his expression just as broken as Sonic's.

"That's for shoving me earlier!" Tails gritted his teeth, the words strained through clenched jaws. "You're always like this... always! Arrogant and self-righteous! Saying selfish things but demanding selflessness from others!"

Sonic was stunned by the slap. Had Tails just... hit him with his tails?

Tails had never hit him before.

"How can you say such selfish things? I gave everything to save you, my time, my life, my future!! And I didn't even expect anything in return—I just wanted to save you! I wanted you to live! And you just dismiss everything I did?!" Tears streamed down Tails' face, but as if that wasn't enough to vent his frustration, he crouched down, grabbed the dazed Sonic, and landed a solid right hook to his jaw.

The sound of teeth clicking together and the jolt of pain finally reawakened Sonic's fighting instincts. As Tails prepared to throw another punch, Sonic used his size advantage to break free from Tails' grip and block the incoming fist: "Stop it, Tails!! I don't want to fight you!"

"You don't?! Yeah! You don't! But I do!" Tails continued to throw punches, his fox high-pitched voice cracking with rage, his throat growing hoarse. "You always talk about what you want and what you don't want! You want to protect the world! You want to protect your friends! But what about me?! Do you ever care about what I want?! What I need?!"

"Of course, I care! But it doesn't matter now! What you want, what you need, it's all gone! It doesn't exist anymore!" Sonic dodged nimbly, moving behind Tails and pinning his arms, then using his weight to force him to the ground, trapping his tails beneath him.

Tails thrashed wildly, trying to headbutt Sonic: "Get off me! You jerk! You scum!"

"Not until you calm down!" Sonic increased the pressure, using his shoulder to pin Tails' head to the floor. "Face it, Tails!! Everything you wanted to protect, everything we wanted to protect, is gone!! There's no point in us living like this!"

"You're the one who needs to face reality! You're always so self-absorbed! You're so full of yourself!" Tails seized an opportunity, bucking his head up hard and connecting with Sonic's chin. Sonic recoiled in pain, and Tails immediately followed up with a kick to the gut, forcing Sonic back several steps. Tears flowed down Tails' cheeks, splattering on the smooth floor, only to be trampled under his shoes.

Sonic clutched his stomach, wincing. That kick had stung, but the furious fox showed no mercy: "Fine, you want to die! You think you dying would somehow save me, right?! Go ahead! You're welcome to die! You complain that I didn't consider your feelings, but did you consider mine?! Did you think about how I would survive without you?! Did you think about how I'm supposed to live in this world where everyone's gone, including you?!"

"I—" Sonic choked up.

"Say it! You jerk!" Tails shrieked hysterically. "Tell me! If you think you can't live like this—then why do you think I can, when I'm carrying the same pain?!"

"This isn't about pain! This is about meaning! This world is beyond saving, and so are we!!" Sonic stubbornly roared back, as if competing to see who could yell louder. "You're right! We can't live like this! That's the reality! Because everything that kept us going is gone!!"

"No! The thing that keeps me going is still here! The thing I want to protect most is still here! I fought so hard to pull him back from the brink of death—but now he's standing right in front of me—

Screaming that he wants to D I E !!"

Tails' voice cracked, and he broke into a violent coughing fit. Sonic stared at him, a dawning realization forming from Tails' words: "Tails...? What do you mean...?"

"Cough, cough... Y-You... you're my everything... you're my most irreplaceable, most precious treasure..." Tails coughed, feeling his vocal cords raw, his voice hoarse, forcing him to lower his volume. "Without you... I can't live... If I hadn't saved you... I wouldn't even have a reason to live... Did you ever think about that... You say 'let me die' so easily—but did you ever think about how much it would hurt me...?"

"Why... why would you go this far for me?"

"Don't you understand...?"

Tails gave a sorrowful laugh, his dull eyes fixed on Sonic, his fox ears drooping dejectedly, amplifying the misery.

"I love you, Sonic... Not like a brother... like a lover. Sonic, I love you.

But why are you being so cruel? Would you rather die—than let me have this last shred of happiness in this damned world?"

Despair consumed Tails like a parasite, draining his last bit of strength. He collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't understand, he felt an overwhelming sense of injustice. He'd anticipated Sonic's despair, his anger, his suicidal thoughts, but he hadn't considered that he wouldn't be able to get through to him, that he would even be subjected to Sonic's rage.

He loved Sonic so much. He didn't want to let go, he didn't want Sonic to die, and for that, he'd even sacrificed himself, allowing the deadly VEX radiolaria to infect him. Tails had given everything to save Sonic—only for it to end like this. Sonic didn't reciprocate his love, he didn't even want to live. All of Tails' love, all his efforts, all his sacrifices, seemed to have vanished into the void, without a ripple, without a trace.

Guilt washed over Sonic as he watched Tails cry helplessly, finally calming him down. He rushed forward to hug Tails, only to be swatted away: "Get away! You don't want to live, right?! So stay away from me!"

"I—I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I just—no, I'm sorry..." Sonic started to make excuses, but realized it was wrong.

Tails glared at him, turning his head away, refusing to speak, but his cries gradually subsided into sniffles.

"Tails—" "Don't touch me!!"

Sonic steeled his resolve and pulled Tails into a hug. Tails predictably struggled, so Sonic spoke quickly: "Listen to me—" "I don't want to! I won't listen!!"

"I love you too!!!"

Tails' whole body stiffened, then went completely still.

"You're lying."

They both breathed heavily, silence hanging between them for a long moment before Tails spoke, his voice laced with disbelief.

"I'm not..."

"I don't believe you. You like Amy. You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"I—Ugh." Sonic knew he was in a tough spot; after all these years, almost everyone assumed he and Amy were a couple. But no, his feelings for her were purely platonic.

Sonic had never had a "crush." He had too many friends, and maintaining those relationships was already a burden. But there were levels of friendship, and Amy clearly wasn't at the highest level.

So who was? Who was the friend Sonic spent the most time with, the one who made him feel safe and happy?

Who was the most likely person for Sonic to fall for?

The answer was obvious.

But it was taboo. For one, Sonic and Tails were both male. For another, they were like brothers. Besides, Sonic couldn't predict how Tails felt. If he made the wrong move, the emotional damage to Tails could be worse than any physical blow. How would they face each other afterward? Even if a confession failed, their relationship would be irrevocably changed. They could never go back to the way things were.

So, despite vaguely sensing his feelings for Tails went beyond friendship, Sonic chose to suppress them.

Until now.

There was no longer any need to hide. Sonic knew he needed to do something more direct to prove himself. He took a deep breath, turned Tails' face towards his, and kissed him.

Tails' eyes widened, and he struggled for a moment in surprise, his tails whipping against Sonic's back. But as he realized what was happening, the tension in his body melted away. He parted his lips, letting down his guard, his cobalt eyes glazing over as he quickly succumbed to the kiss...

This wasn't something Tails had expected. But because of that, the sudden rush of happiness magnified the feeling, temporarily eclipsing his despair and pain, allowing him to lose himself in this bittersweet moment in the ruins of their world...

But why, oh why, couldn't he stop the tears...?

They kissed for a long time, moving from the cold floor to the bed, never breaking contact.  Finally, when Tails' face was flushed crimson, he reluctantly pulled away, breathing heavily as he looked at Sonic with a pained expression: "Sonic... do you really... really want to leave this world...?"

"I... I don't know." Sonic looked away. He'd been completely resigned to his fate, but after such an emotional upheaval, his resolve wavered.

Tails bit his lip and cupped Sonic's face: "If... if you really decide to... please, take me with you... let me go with you..."

"Tails, you don't have to—"

"But I don't want to live in this world alone...!"

Hearing Sonic still refusing him, Tails' voice cracked with renewed tears, trembling with fear and insecurity. Sonic looked at him with a complicated expression. He had contemplated ending his own life, yes—but he still wanted Tails to live. Another reason he'd been angry at Tails for saving him was precisely because of the cost to Tails himself.

Sonic never wanted Tails to sacrifice himself for him. He never wanted Tails to die, even if it meant Sonic himself would be the one to perish.

But Sonic had never considered that Tails felt the same way about him. That Tails loved him just as much as he loved Tails.

"Don't you see...? I've lost everything too... All my friends are dead, everyone I cared about is gone." Tails started sobbing again, his shoulders shaking. "All I have left is you... My world, my everything, my happiness, it's all just you... I'm so scared, I don't want to be alone, I can't lose you again... I can't lose my love again—so please, Sonic, if you really want to die, please take me with you... I don't want to be apart from you ever again—I don't want to be separated from you again! If—if we're destined to die—then I want to die with you!!"

Tails' voice rose in intensity on the last sentence as he lunged forward, clinging tightly to Sonic, wrapping his tails around him as if afraid he might suddenly disappear.

"I..." Sonic hesitated. He still couldn't see any hope or meaning in living, but looking at Tails, at his utter devastation, his broken heart, the tears streaming down his face—compassion finally won out over his nihilism.

He sighed softly and stroked Tails' head: "I... I'll try. I won't die. I'll stay with you a little longer... As for what happens after that, we'll figure it out later."

Tails looked up, staring at Sonic, a flicker of light finally returning to his eyes. He sniffled, trying to compose himself: "...R-Really?"

"My word is my bond." Sonic managed a weak smile, trying his best to be gentle.

"...Heh, hehe, hehehe..." Tails finally broke into a teary smile, albeit a slightly dazed one on his tear-streaked face. He buried his head in Sonic's chest, nuzzling him gently and murmuring softly, "Thank goodness... Sonic... Thank goodness... I'll stay with you too... You'll be okay... Just... please... don't suddenly leave me alone..."

"...You've got tears all over your face, you look ridiculous when you smile like that." Sonic chuckled softly. Tails responded by lightly punching his shoulder, snuggling closer.

Sonic looked at the ceiling and sighed silently: "Tails..."

But when he looked down, he found Tails had fallen asleep. He was probably exhausted from crying so much, the emotional rollercoaster having taken its toll. But nestled in Sonic's arms, his breathing was even, his tear-stained face as delicate as a mermaid princess in the deep sea...

...What should we do now? First, we needed to find the remaining survivors at the shelter...

Listening to Tails' breathing, Sonic grew increasingly sleepy, eventually drifting off to sleep beside him...

————

...

Sonic sat up. He was in the Threshold Tower, Tails' workshop and secret base.

The last part of his nightmare... was facing reality. Facing the fact that all his friends were dead. Heh, how ironic. But he'd also gained something new—Tails' love.

Though "discovered" might be a better word than "gained"...

Whether it was Sonic being oblivious or Tails being reserved, it was hard to say. But at least now, they could finally be completely open with each other. Emotionally, physically. They were free, no longer needing to hide.

And since the feelings were mutual, after their first night together... everything else seemed to fall into place naturally.  Like two halves of a yin-yang symbol, reunited after hardship, fitting together perfectly without any extra effort.

They were each other's last shred of happiness in this ravaged world. Soulmates, destined for each other, and deeply in love. Sometimes, Sonic would think: There's no couple in the world more perfect than me and Tails.

Hah, though there weren't many people left in the world...

"What are you spacing out for, Blue?" Tails, sitting at his computer in a lab coat, glanced over at Sonic.  He looked like a proper scientist. "If you're awake, come and help me—"

Before Tails could finish, Sonic flopped back onto the bed, face down, pretending to sleep. Tails' fur bristled: "Hey!! I didn't say you could go back to sleep and skip helping! Am I married to a pig?!"

"Snore... mmph... snore... mmph..."

Sonic slept peacefully like a child.  A vein throbbed in Tails' forehead as he jumped out of his chair, marched over, and yanked on Sonic's ear: "Get up! Get up! You lazy bum!"

"Ow ow ow stop stop stop it hurts it hurts! It's gonna rip off! It's gonna rip off! I'm up! I'm up, okay?!" Sonic yelped, scrambling up. Tails finally released his ear, huffing: "You're so lazy, even for simple chores. Maybe I've spoiled you too much."

"Spoil me a little more, it's fine..." Sonic muttered, rubbing his ear, then quickly shook his head when Tails responded with a sharp, "Hmm?!"  "Ah! I mean, I'll definitely do better next time!"

"Hmph, go get me a can of axion particles from the storage room." Tails gave his order, sitting back down to focus on his screen. Sonic shrugged helplessly and headed to the storage room.

This little guy was just impossible... Who would've thought that after 12 years, he'd become so assertive? Should he say the little fox had finally grown up? Though this side of him had its own charm. After all, during "those moments," he was more clingy and obedient than a puppy... tender and sensitive. The contrast was enough to make one's heart melt... hehe.

While Sonic's mind wandered to some not-so-innocent thoughts about Tails, he returned with the can. Tails took it and turned to say thanks, but caught Sonic's strange expression: "You... what's that look? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Hmm... what do you think?" Sonic instantly switched to a cool, dominating expression, reaching out to lift Tails' chin—"SNAP."

"Ow!!" Sonic yanked his hand back, staring at Tails in shock. "You—you bit me!!"

"Just a little punishment, besides you're wearing gloves, it couldn't have hurt that much~" Tails feigned innocence, though his hidden smirk gave him away.

"You didn't have to bite me..." Sonic sat down next to Tails, sulking as he removed his glove to check for injuries. Tails had bitten quite hard—though the glove wasn't pierced, there was still a red mark.

"Hmph, I didn't complain nearly as much when you left all those hickeys on my shoulder." Tails shot Sonic a sidelong glance, deliberately turning his right shoulder to show Sonic his handiwork—several purple-red marks visible even through his golden fur.

Sonic could only look away awkwardly. He did tend to do that... because Tails was just too cute, especially during those moments when he looked so vulnerable and shy, Sonic couldn't help wanting to claim him... to mark him.

"Anyway, I'm busy now, really busy." Tails swept his large fox tail across Sonic's back. "Here, put this super-charged battery in the Hydra's spinal battery slot."

"Uh, are you sure this is a good idea?" Sonic raised an eyebrow as he took the battery, double-checking. "If we put this in... that Hydra will come alive."

"We have to try. I've taken defensive measures." Tails' tone was firm. He knew this was their only viable plan, even if it was risky.

The Hydra, an advanced unit in the VEX army, usually functioned as a battlefield signal relay antenna. It looked like an inverted triangle, with a large mechanical head connected to a mechanical spine, hovering in mid-air like a vertical mechanical centipede. Of course, it didn't have nine heads.

Encountering a Hydra on the battlefield was extremely dangerous. Not only could it coordinate other VEX units, but the two Aeon Maul cannons beside its head fired like a bullet hell pattern, almost never stopping. It was also surrounded by three energy shields that could dissolve even nuclear missiles—the principle behind it unknown.

Sonic and Tails had gone through hell to capture this intact Hydra. Hydras had another feature: when severely damaged, they would self-destruct to prevent enemies from salvaging anything from their remains. To capture a Hydra, you had to incapacitate it and remove all its batteries...

So what did Tails want with this dangerous Hydra? To make it work for them, of course. But negotiating with it was impossible. Like any VEX tech—you either had authorization or you had to rewrite their programming. For example, while VEX weapons were powerful, Mobians couldn't use weapons dropped by defeated Goblins or Minotaurs. They didn't even have triggers.

"Alright, if you insist." Sonic tossed the battery playfully as he walked behind the Hydra. "I'm putting it in—"

Tails poked his fox head out from behind the computer screen and gave a thumbs up to signal he was ready.

Sonic inserted the battery into the Hydra's spine, and blue light quickly began flowing through the energy conduits along the spine. Sonic quickly backed away—he didn't want to be behind a Hydra, even a disarmed one.

However, after nearly half a minute, the Hydra remained motionless, and the blue electrical light suddenly went dark.

"Huh...? What happened? Why did the readings suddenly disappear?" Tails' confused voice came from behind him. The Hydra had definitely activated for a moment, but then it just... went silent. The terminal wasn't giving any feedback either, as if it had shut down after a self-test. Tails wondered if a wire was loose or a component wasn't properly installed.

Maybe the memory manager...? Hmm... Gotta check.

Tails jumped off his chair and walked to the front. Sonic asked, "What's wrong? Is it broken?"

"Uh, I don't know, it shouldn't be. Maybe I messed something up when I put it back together?" Tails was puzzled, scanning the Hydra with his tablet. "That's not right, these components are working fine—wait, why are the components—"

Before he could finish the word "working," realization dawned on Tails, and he immediately turned to shout, "Sonic! Quick—YIPE!!"

Before Tails could finish his warning, several modified wires shot out from seemingly nowhere, binding his limbs and hoisting him into the air. His tablet clattered to the floor, shattering. Sonic instantly drew his weapon and fired at the wires, but they were numerous, thin, and agile, making them difficult to hit.

"Tch! Tails! What's the Plan B?!" Sonic dodged the attacking wires, switching to his melee weapon and slashing through one that came too close. Tails frantically tried to activate the security system: "Plan Alpha! Password 19921121!... Plan Omega! Password 19910623!... N-No response! It—It must have overwritten my—"

"Wait, why am I Omega and you're Alpha? Shouldn't it be the other way around?!" Sonic noticed something odd. This made Tails laugh in exasperation: "You—is this really the time to worry about that?! Yipe—AHH!!"

Tails screamed as more wires bound his hands, rendering him completely helpless.

"Tails!!" Seeing Tails trussed up like a mummy, Sonic grew increasingly anxious. "At this rate... I'm going to destroy that thing! Tails!"

"N-No!!" Tails shouted back. "We don't know if we'll get another chance to capture—MMPH!! MMPHMMPH!"

Tails couldn't finish his sentence as wires wrapped around his muzzle. This only reinforced Sonic's conviction to destroy the Hydra. Who knew what it would do? It might hack the entire Threshold Tower, disabling the external camouflage. If it succeeded, they'd be instantly swarmed by VEX, with no chance of escape!

"Sorry, Tails, but—" Sonic pushed himself to his remaining speed limit, rushing towards the nearby quasar cannon. Even without his super speed, he was still physically superior to the average Mobian. The wires swarmed towards him, but he deftly sliced through them with his blade. With a flying leap, Sonic reached the cannon, turned, aimed, and charged—

Faster... faster!

Just before the wires could reach the barrel, the cannon charged and fired. Concentrated plasma vaporized the wires in its path and struck the Hydra's eye in a flash of blinding light.

Got it—Huh?!

Before Sonic could even celebrate, he was yanked into the air and flung against the wall. Pain shot through his body, making him nauseous. As the smoke cleared, the Hydra was damaged—but not destroyed. And it was—flashing...? No, the entire lab's wiring was flashing!!

It—it's going to self-destruct!!

If it exploded... the chain reaction would rip apart the lab, no, the entire Threshold Tower! Including him and Tails!

No, no, no, NO!! This couldn't happen!

Sonic looked at Tails, who stared back helplessly, his face covered by wires, his airway blocked. Tears seeped through the gaps, rolling down his cheeks.  He couldn't move, his tails bound tightly. He couldn't speak, he could barely breathe.  Only Sonic could still act.

But Sonic had no weapons. How could he stop the Hydra before it detonated?

Think! Think! Sonic racked his brain, the ticking clock echoing in his mind. Time was running out, there was no way to stop it—

If they died here, everyone in the sanctuary would die too! He could accept his own death, but Tails—

The Hydra's light pulsed faster, the noise growing louder. It was over—

No, not yet! Give me a gun, just give me a gun!!

"Damn it AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

Sonic roared in frustration, a final defiant cry before death.  The Hydra ignored him, the blue light intensifying, crackling with gold—

Sonic wanted a gun, desperately. He'd never craved a gun so much. With his super speed and Light-infused strength, he'd been able to destroy most VEX with ease.

But now, all he wanted was a gun. He wished for it, prayed for it—

And then, he got one.

Sonic stared in disbelief as his limb shifted. His right hand and arm, like liquid metal, burst through his white glove and rapidly restructured, transforming—Sonic recognized this construction method, it was... it was...

It was... the VEX's... way of building matter. It was a transformation at the fundamental particle level, often seen in commander-class VEX that could switch weaponry...

But why, why was it happening to him?!

A thousand thoughts raced through Sonic's mind. But as his right hand morphed into a VEX laser rifle, he pushed them all aside.

He could figure this out later! Right now—this was his only chance to save Tails!!

Sonic aimed the rifle at the Hydra's head and, on pure instinct, willed his hand to fire.  He didn't know why he had this "instinct"—but it worked. The laser rifle unleashed a continuous high-energy beam, melting through the Hydra's head. The dazzling purple light was identical to that fired by Minotaurs wielding the same weapon.

The beam tore through the Hydra's already damaged central processing unit, emitting a piercing shriek. Finally, just as it was about to self-destruct—it went dark. Sonic had melted its brain, silencing it completely. The flickering energy conduits in the lab calmed down as the Hydra went offline.

"Hah—Oof!"

As Sonic breathed a sigh of relief, the wires lost their grip, sending him plummeting to the floor.  His jaw slammed against the hard surface with a sickening crack.

But he didn't have time to care. He sprang to his feet and rushed to Tails, frantically tearing at the wires: "Tails!! Are you okay?! Hang on, I'll get these off you—my hand's back...?"

Sonic stared at his normal hand in bewilderment, but seeing Tails turning blue and his eyes rolling back, he pushed his confusion aside and got to work. As soon as the wires were off his face, Tails gasped for air, breathing rapidly: "Gasp—! Hah... hah... I... I'm so dizzy... I think I was about to suffocate..."

"You... rest for a bit, I'll get the rest of these wires off."  Looking at Tails' distressed state, Sonic felt a pang of guilt.  He suddenly thought, if his hand could turn into a gun, could it also turn into a—

...knife?

It—it worked. His hand had transformed... not exactly into a standard knife, but it was certainly sharp enough. More than enough to cut through these wires.

Soon, Tails was finally free. Shaken and relieved, he immediately hugged Sonic, his voice trembling with fear: "S-Sonic!! I... I'm so sorry... this is all my fault—I thought, I thought we were going to..."

Sonic started to hug him back, but suddenly stopped, pushing Tails away: "Stay back! I... something's wrong with my body..."

"It's okay, it's just... it's just your emotions affecting your radiolarian conversion rate... it gave you some VEX abilities..." Tails tried to approach and comfort Sonic.  However, for a fleeting instant, in Tails' clear cobalt eyes—Sonic caught a flicker of hesitation, a hint of evasion.

Sonic and Tails, how long had they known each other? Sonic had taken Tails in when he was two; it had been 18 years. They'd been partners for 12. Sonic could pick up on even Tails' smallest, most instinctive movements.

Normally, Sonic wouldn't think twice about it.  Why bother? Everyone had their secrets.

But now, at this moment, Sonic had detected a flicker of uncertainty in Tails' eyes...?

No, something wasn't right. Tails was definitely hiding something important.

"Tails..." Sonic stepped back, "You... know something, don't you...? My body... what's really going on...?"

"It really, really is just like I said—I'm not lying!" Tails seemed anxious about this.

But this response only confused Sonic more: "Lying?? I never said you were lying...?"

Tails froze for a moment, but quickly continued with a firmer tone: "Trust me! Just take the suppressor, and there won't be any other problems—"

The suppressor... the device VEX put in my brain... No. None of this adds up.

Sonic thought back through his memories, noticing logical inconsistencies: "Tails..."

"Trust me! I'll take you right now to—"

"TAILS!!"

Sonic cut off the clearly panicking Tails, staring at him intently: "Tails... what did you do to my memories?"

"I—I didn't—"

"Tails, VEX don't take prisoners. They're merciless, they even convert corpses into VEX. So tell me—"

Sonic pointed to his head.

"If they could put this device in my brain—why didn't they just kill me?"

Tails' pupils constricted sharply, further confirming Sonic's suspicion—his memories had been tampered with.

And Tails... Tails was the one who had altered them.

Tails lowered his head. Sonic decided to stand there, giving him time.

"...This day has finally come."

Tails' voice suddenly seemed to age a decade, becoming weary and bleak. He looked up, his face showing only a bitter smile: "I had hoped... to keep it hidden longer... because I was afraid, afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it... afraid you'd leave me..."

"What? I would never do that, I swore an oath!" Sonic quickly tried to reassure Tails. But Tails just shook his head: "Really? What if I told you... you actually died long ago, and now you're just a ghost in a VEX body? What if I told you... I'm actually responsible for Amy and the others' deaths, through my inaction?"

"What... what do you mean?" Sonic felt like he'd been struck by lightning.

Tails remained silent, walking past Sonic to the main computer. He booted up the backup operating system. After entering a series of complex codes, a hidden compartment opened, revealing a chip.

Tails took out the chip and reluctantly handed it to Sonic: "I've... been prepared for this for a long time... This is the truth you want. These are memories extracted from me... my memories. I'm tired, so tired... and so guilty. Read it—then you'll see the reality you want."

"But how do I..." Sonic took the chip, unsure how to read it.

"You're a VEX... not a Mobian anymore." Tails simply repeated this fact, "Think like a VEX would."

Sonic was quiet for a moment, then his hand holding the chip suddenly liquefied, and the chip sank into his flesh. Immediately, countless memories—Tails' memories—flooded into his mind from a first-person perspective. This was complete memory data, including Tails' thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations—as if he had become Tails. And these memories took him back 12 years, back to that moment when he was struck by the VEX—

✲✲✲✲

"Son…ic…Look…out—!!"

Tails' desperate, heart-wrenching cry snapped Sonic back to reality—but it was too late.

The instant he turned, a beam struck his head. Impossible—how could it penetrate Ward of Dawn…? No, it wasn't a beam, but some kind of device, it…burrowed…into…???

The last thing Sonic heard was Tails' shattered, mournful scream…

Then, with a snap. Half of Sonic's head instantly exploded. The device was actually a bomb. Sonic collapsed backwards, stiff as a board, while Tails' pupils contracted to pinpoints, his mind going blank.

No... No... This can't be...

Tears burst forth. Tails trembled, staring at Sonic, whose head was blown away, a mess of blood and flesh. A murky, indescribable mixture of liquids flowed across the ground, emitting an unbearable bloody stench.

"So-"

"SONIIIIIIIC!!!"

Tails couldn't believe it, refused to believe it. His fury overcame his entire body's pain, and he leaped up, spinning his tails and charging towards the distant Hydra preparing to fire again: "I'll kill you!! You bastard!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

But how? Tails had already lost one arm, and if Hydra landed a single bullet, he'd likely turn to ash.

So the answer was simple—blind it.

Tails unhooked the mini grenade from his waist, pulling out the pin with his teeth. This grenade wouldn't do much against Hydra; it was designed to counter small Vex units with wide-area fragmentation. However, precisely because of this, it could kick up massive dust in certain geological environments—if the timing was right!

Tails flew into the air, threw the grenade. It detonated before hitting the ground, raising a huge cloud of dust that indeed obscured Hydra's vision. Just as Hydra prepared to move, Tails—positioned at a high vantage point—drew his energy knife, dove rapidly, and stabbed it directly into Hydra's compound eyes, slashing viciously multiple times!

Hydra's greatest weakness was close combat, but it wasn't stupid. It quickly emitted a shockwave to repel Tails and began self-repairing its eyes. But this moment was enough for Tails to retreat. He knew he absolutely couldn't defeat it right now, so his only choice was—grab Sonic and immediately escape!

He quickly withdrew, lifting Sonic with his remaining hand, summoning all his strength and speed towards the base...

No no no... Sonic... Hold on, hold on! I'll definitely save you... There's definitely a way to save you!

You've got to... hang in there!!! Sonic!!!

High-speed teardrops drew a straight line in the air, then fell silently on the blood-stained ground, disappearing without a trace!

✲✲✲✲

"BANG!"

The headquarters' door was kicked open. Tails flew in, face full of tears and panic, carrying Sonic, his two tails still spinning as he shouted: "Medical... medical support! I need—Sonic needs medical support! He's about to die!!"

Almost everyone was startled, not just by the loud door kick, but by his words—and the blood-dripping Sonic corpse on his shoulder. The scene was dead silent; almost everyone could see that Sonic wasn't "about to die"—he was already a corpse.

But Tails was completely oblivious. Seeing everyone motionless and exchanging glances, he anxiously yelled: "What—what are you all standing around for?! Quickly help me take him to the medical room!! I—" Tails gritted his teeth, "Forget it! I'll take him myself! I can't believe you're all—"

Suddenly, Amy in the distance couldn't help but cry. Knuckles also slammed his fist on the table in frustration, then looked at Tails: "Tails... Sonic is already dead."

"What nonsense are you talking?!" Tails immediately retorted, glaring angrily at Knuckles, "I really—what's wrong with all of you today!! Isn't losing an arm enough for me? I really don't have time to argue with you about this useless—"

"Look at what you're carrying! Look at what Sonic has become!!" Knuckles suddenly roared, his deep voice echoing through the hall, "Tails!! Sonic's brain is already mush!!"

Tails panicked for a moment, but quickly shook his head stubbornly. "No! I can save him! I'm Tails! I'm the smartest one here! How can you just declare Sonic is beyond saving?!"

"Isn't his brain splattered all over the ground enough?!" Knuckles pointed at the murky puddle on the floor. "What?! Are you going to shove that goo back in?! It's been trailing behind you all the way here! Get a grip!!"

Tails' face paled instantly, his tails stiffening. He stared blankly at his remaining hand, the formerly white glove now stained crimson and sticky. Then he looked at Sonic—Sonic's face was now a bloody hollow, his eyes gone.

"I... I don't—I... Sonic..."

Tails stammered, Knuckles' words echoing in his mind like thunder.

"I just... It's not... It's not like that..."

His voice trembled, hoarse, his heart shattering into a million pieces, piercing his flesh with agonizing pain. His two tails wrapped tightly around each other, as if seeking some kind of comfort.

"I... Sonic... sob... sob... WAAAAAHHHHH! WAAAAAHHHHH!"

Tails' voice grew softer, then suddenly, he collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Sonic's body fell beside him, lifeless. Tails clutched his head with his remaining hand, curling into a ball, his tails dragging limply on the ground. "No! It's not like this! Sonic... Sonic can still be saved! I can save him! I can definitely save him!!"

A world without Sonic... I... I don't want it... I can't live without him! I refuse to accept this!! I don't want this!!

Suddenly, Tails looked up, a flicker of madness in his eyes. He struggled to lift Sonic, staggering to his feet, his voice sharp with despair. "You... You ungrateful traitors! You backstabbing liars! Sonic... Sonic did so much for you... sacrificed so much!! But in the end, none of you are willing to save him!"

He stumbled back, breathing raggedly, panic and despair stripping the last vestiges of sanity from his cobalt eyes, leaving them hollow. "Fine... Fine! If none of you will save him, I will! I'll bring him back!!"

"Tails!" "Tails—"

Amy and Knuckles moved forward simultaneously, trying to stop him. But Tails was closer to the door, so before they could reach him, he turned and flew out, carrying Sonic's body.

Gritting his teeth, he quickly located the Tornado. He secured Sonic's body in the backseat, then climbed in and started the engine. Piloting with only one hand was difficult, but not impossible, especially for an experienced pilot like Tails.

I... I will definitely bring you back... I'll find a way...! Sonic, don't think you can just leave me like this...!

I can't live without you!! A Tails can't exist without his Sonic!!

With Tails' roar, the engine howled, and the Tornado soared into the sky...

✲✲✲✲

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 01]

I must... face the facts. Sonic is dead... completely dead.

Tails sat at his workbench, his forehead resting on his hand.

Besides, no one can help me. They don't understand. They only think about themselves. They don't get that without Sonic, we have no chance.

Tails opened his computer and began searching his database.

The Vex use time-space technology. They're non-linear, meaning they can… summon past versions of themselves from the timestream.

The principle is complex, but I happen to have a Vex core. I need a way to access it...

And to access Vex technology... I have to become Vex, even if only partially.

Tails jumped off his chair and headed towards the specimen room. There, he kept the remains of many Vex... including an intact Vex arm.

It would serve its purpose.

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 03]

"Tails—"

"Amy. I said not to contact me unless it's important. Skip the comfort and encouragement; it's useless." Tails coldly interrupted Amy, focused on the data on his computer screen. Amy's video feed was minimized; Tails didn't even want to look at them. He was still furious about what happened three days ago. "My time is precious. The longer Sonic is dead, the lower the chance I have of finding him in the timestream."

"But Tails, your arm—"

"I know. That's also useless chatter." Tails grew impatient, his Vex arm's index finger quickly transforming into a USB interface, which he plugged into the computer. "I know what this means. But if you're not willing to make sacrifices—then I will. It's that simple."

"Sorry, Tails, I just… I wanted to let you know things are bad. Eggman's robots can't hold back the Vex…"

"That's why we need Sonic, don't you get it?!" Tails slammed his fist on the table. "We can't win without him! Now, if you have any love for Sonic at all, let me work in peace and bring him back!"

"I... I understand... Sorry..."

Sigh...

Tails let out a long sigh.

Must... keep working...

He pulled an energy stimulant from a drawer and injected it into his arm. The fatigue vanished, though the underlying exhaustion remained. Because people aren't just physically tired; their hearts get tired too.

But there's no time for a tired heart. Sonic... I will definitely bring you...

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 09]

I... How many days haven't I slept? I'm so tired...

Tails was drowsy; even the stimulants couldn't fully dispel his sleepiness. They weren't miracle drugs.

Time... is precious, I can't... "Beep beep beep!"

The incoming communication alert startled Tails awake. He shook his head and answered. "Amy... I'm really tired—no, I'm really busy right now. If there's something, make it quick."

"Tails... Shadow... Shadow is gone…"

A pang of something hit Tails, but it quickly faded. "Okay, we've lost another valuable asset."

"Tails?? How—Why are you being so cold?" Amy's voice was a mix of sadness and disbelief.

Tails paused. "I don't have time to grieve until I get Sonic back. I'm sorry... but I can only save one person."

"Okay... I just wanted to tell you, things are really dire. Whatever you're doing, you need to hurry…"

"I am hurrying." Tails closed the communication, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

Shadow is gone, huh… Seems the Ultimate Lifeform finally reached his limit as a lifeform…

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 13]

Threshold Tower was Tails' secret base, built for the most extreme scenarios: Eggman taking over the world, Super Sonic going berserk, a zombie apocalypse, that sort of thing. It had a camouflage coating made of a special material, making it virtually undetectable by any known means. Inside were the most advanced electronics Tails could gather, capable of incredibly high concurrent processing… a true doomsday lab.

However, its living standards were… limited. Most of the food was meticulously calculated, scientifically balanced for calories and nutrients, and designed for maximum efficiency with minimal actual eating. In other words, it kept you alive, but it tasted awful. Nobody wanted to live on nutrient paste.

But Tails had to. He wasn't just cutting back on sleep; he was cutting back on eating, too. He knew time was of the essence.

Even so, he still dry-heaved after swallowing the nutrient paste today, fighting with all his might not to throw up.

I'll definitely design something tastier next time. He shook his head and chugged a large glass of water.

The timer chimed, signaling the end of lunch. Tails returned to work, mechanical in his movements.

Alright, I think I've got it. Sonic's body... is completely unsalvageable. Knuckles was right; how can you save someone whose brain is splattered everywhere? But, consciousness, from a higher dimensional perspective, can be… shaped. And something that can be shaped can be quantified, can be extracted…

So, the tasks are: first, build Sonic a new shell. Second, use Vex technology to intercept Sonic's consciousness and memory stream from the timestream right before his death, and graft it onto the new shell…

But, consciousness needs a hard drive—a brain. The human brain hasn't been fully quantified yet. What can I use to create a high-performance hard drive like the human brain—

Tails looked at the active Vex core.

—Or… not a human brain…?

Tails gasped, horrified by his own thought—using a Vex core as a brain would mean turning Sonic into a Vex! His most hated enemy!

But what other choice is there…? How can I just whip up a "human brain" on short notice?

Oh no, if Sonic is resurrected this way and learns the truth, he'll kill me… But… but I…

Tails stared hesitantly at the Vex core, memories of Sonic flooding his mind… the thought that he might be gone forever…

No, no, no, absolutely not! Even if he hates me, I have to—

Tails immediately resumed his work.

Nothing… nothing could be worse than him being gone… I will not let go…

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 17]

"Beep beep beep. Warning: You have exceeded your rest period by 1 hour. Please—"

"Override timer. No rest today." Tails interrupted the automated voice, resolutely deciding to skip sleep altogether.

Almost done, I'm almost there.

Tails worked with intense focus, manipulating the machinery. Lasers, like precise scalpels, danced between flesh and metal, constructing human cells and mechanical components like a 3D printer, fusing them together.

This was Tails' most perfect creation. And his most ethically questionable. He was committing a scientific taboo even Eggman wouldn't touch: merging Sonic's flesh with Vex machinery.

Sonic's original body was beyond repair, true. But, it could still serve as a flesh shell, concealing the fact that Sonic's core was Vex. After all, if Sonic revived and found himself as "Metal Sonic"—he'd lose it. He'd never accept it.

So, a white lie was better…

Tails meticulously "hollowed out" Sonic's original body, literally. He practically rebuilt all of Sonic's organs; lungs for breathing, kidneys and liver for circulatory system maintenance—all crafted from VEX Chromium. Most of the flesh, blood vessels, and connective tissues were replaced with Vex mechanical structures.  Externally, this body looked no different from a normal Mobian. It still seemingly required food, air, and other necessities of biological life. But internally—it was pure Vex. Even a pierced heart wouldn't hinder its mobility.

Heh, this is the ultimate lifeform. Tails gave a bitter chuckle.

But, this also meant the body, like the Vex, could temporarily alter its structure. Meaning Sonic might accidentally turn his hand into a gun…

Tails pondered as he continued sculpting Sonic's new body, his tails swaying thoughtfully.

Right, I also need the suppressant to… suppress the infection from this Vex arm. I can modify it to inhibit that ability in Sonic, make him seem… normal. That way, he won't suspect anything…

With the final Vex component sculpted, Tails let out a long breath, collapsing into his chair.

It's done… I actually did it…

Tails felt extreme exhaustion, but his eyes sparkled with an undeniable excitement. The final step was next: using Vex technology to connect to the timestream, find the exact moment of Sonic's death, and link his consciousness to the 'present'.

This was risky, extremely risky. The Vex network contained not just the timestreams of the real world, but countless simulated timestreams. If he got lost or captured by a Vex intelligence, Tails might never return…

But for Sonic, I must do this. If I fail, both Sonic and I will die. But if I don't do this, Sonic is definitely dead...!

Tails stood up, looking at Sonic's newly crafted body and his carefully repaired head. Suddenly, an impulse struck him. He couldn't help but lower his head and softly kiss Sonic's cold lips.

Oh... Sonic... I really... I really love you so much... If only you could understand...

Tails kissed him passionately, and a tear rolled down his cheek, falling onto Sonic's body and then disappearing.

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 19]

Tails gasped, sitting up from the virtual reality pod, tearing off the connected tubes, shouting excitedly: "I did it!! I did it!!"

Though he was alone, he couldn't help but fly up in celebration, his two tails spinning with unprecedented joy. He had just been ambushed by several Vex Axis Mind in the timestream network—but he escaped, and not only did he escape, he brought Sonic's consciousness with him!

Now, Sonic's consciousness was stored in the Vex thought core of his main machine. The next step was to graft this core into the prepared Sonic body, and Sonic would—would—

"Come back to life!!!"

He shouted joyfully, flying to the computer and frantically typing.

Sonic... Sonic...

Tails repeated Sonic's name in his mind, as if his brain contained only this word.

I missed you so much... I finally... I can finally see you again... Everyone must be waiting too! I'll tell everyone this good news! Sonic is back, Sonic finally— hm?

Tails suddenly noticed an email in his inbox. It was sent without any notification, which gave him a bad feeling.

He opened the email. It was a video message from Amy.

Amy? Why didn't she just video call me directly?

But thinking about his previous attitude, Tails felt a bit guilty. He knew his attitude had been terrible, he just...

...I'll apologize properly later. Let me see what Amy has to say first...

"Tai—Tails—"

The video image flickered and vibrated, clearly recorded under unstable conditions. Buildings were shaking, dust cascading from the ceiling in the background. A badly injured Amy looked sadly at the screen, steadying the camera with both hands.

"We... we've lost... VEX has taken over headquarters..."

Tails' pupils contracted sharply.

"All civilians are taking underground trains to evacuation shelters. We're providing rear guard resistance against VEX to protect their escape. But I think we won't survive... We can't risk VEX discovering the passages..."

A violent shake made Amy unstable.

"I know you're busy saving Sonic, and I didn't want to disturb you. But please, you must succeed... Take Sonic to the shelter, protect the remaining people—"

Amy was almost crying, but she held back her tears, her expression resolute.

"Sonic is in your hands, Tails. I know you love him, I've always known... You must love him well, include my share of love too... But please also tell him that I love—"

Suddenly, the image stopped. The video ended. Tails stared blankly at the computer screen, then suddenly collapsed in his chair.

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 20]

They're all... dead... Everyone...

Tails huddled on the bed, trembling all over. Sadness, fear, guilt, shock. Complex emotions tortured him as he realized the fact that he had abandoned his companions when they needed him most.

He went to headquarters and saw the devastation. Without his help, some gun turrets were compromised by Vex electronic warfare, further accelerating its fall. Would things have been different if he had stayed to help defend, build, and manage the defensive turrets?

Nobody knows. The die was cast; reality could not be changed.

Sonic... Sonic will go crazy... He can't handle this, he can't...

What do I do, what do I do, I can't just implant the consciousness core into the body... Sonic will absolutely lose his mind...

Tails painfully scratched his ears, almost drawing blood even through his gloves. His brain raced, trying to find a way to make Sonic accept everything.

Not just making Sonic accept this, but also making him forget the memory of his death. He must find a reason to explain the loss of his super speed and Light, and make him regularly inject suppressants with him... What do I do... I...

Memory... memory can be quantified and reshaped!

Tails realized. He could modify Sonic's memories—guide him to accept!

But, but is this really right? Manipulating someone's memories, imposing non-existent experiences and emotions...

But if I don't do this, the risk...

Tails held his head, suddenly becoming hysterical.

No!! Absolutely not!! I've done so much, I won't let it all be in vain! I won't accept it! I won't let Sonic leave my side again!!

Tails jumped off the bed and flew to the computer, locating Sonic's final memory: being headshot by Vex.

I'll start from here...!

Then he began the absolutely forbidden operation—manipulating, playing with someone else's memories... modifying them into what he needed.

This was absolutely terrifying and unethical. Even anti-human and anti-humanity. But Tails had abandoned these trivial moral considerations; his mind contained only Sonic... He was left with only Sonic. Tails must save him, by any means necessary.

Nothing is worth the risk...

[Threshold Tower: Time - Day 21]

...!

Sonic bolted upright in bed, instinctively looking around to assess his surroundings. From the interior design, he was clearly back in Tails' Threshold Tower. As he turned his head, he saw Tails sleeping peacefully beside him....

✲✲✲✲

[Threshold Tower: Time - Now]

Sonic stood frozen, having instantly experienced Tails' complete memories, including his emotions, thoughts, pain—everything. And thus learned the painful truth.

"Tails... you..."

Sonic looked at Tails with a melancholic gaze. Tails just smiled sadly: "...This is the truth. I caused their deaths... I recklessly pulled you from death... I arbitrarily modified your memories... I turned you into a monster... All of this... was my doing..."

"Tails—"

"You must hate me now... Hate me for being so selfish, so willful... I wasn't a good child, I only thought of myself..." Tails painfully interrupted Sonic's words, tears continuously sliding down his face, his two tails hanging limply on the ground. "But... even if I could choose again... I would still choose to save you... Because I truly love you, I can't lose you... But I also know that I no longer deserve you..."

"Tails..."

"I know... our relationship is over forever..." Tails wiped his tears, taking out an injection from the drawer, his trembling hand displaying his despair and sorrow. "But without you... I can't live... I'm sorry... Please go... I'll find a place to—"

"Tails!!!"

Sonic, who had been interrupted multiple times, finally roared, rushing forward to snatch the injection from Tails' hand and throw it aside. The injection shattered on the ground. Then he suddenly hugged Tails tightly, lifting his head: "Do I look like I'm trying to leave you? Look at me, Tails!"

"...So...Sonic...?" Tails stared blankly at Sonic, seemingly startled by his sudden action. Yet, the warmth of Sonic's embrace made him instinctively snuggle closer, though he didn't realize it himself.

"The past is the past... You must be... exhausted. Carrying such a heavy burden for so many years..." Sonic pressed Tails' head against his chest. "...You know, Tails, you're such a dummy. You could have told me sooner, you didn't have to shoulder it all alone... You did nothing wrong, Tails. You don't need to beg for my forgiveness. We already had that fight years ago, heh."

"You... You don't blame me...? I... I killed Amy..." Tails' voice was broken, trembling with insecurity.

"...Don't say that. Their deaths weren't your fault, you didn't do it. Even if you had stayed at headquarters, do you really think you could have changed anything?" Sonic shook his head. "How do you know... you wouldn't have become another casualty? Who can say for sure? If we all died, what would happen to the civilians? Who would protect them? Tails, stop blaming yourself. You simply... chose the path you believed in, between two difficult options. You did nothing wrong, and I have no reason to blame you... If anything, blame fate."

"Sob... sob..." Tails' voice turned into a whimper. He buried his face in Sonic's chest, his tails wrapping tightly around him, seeking physical and emotional comfort.  "I'm... sorry... I just... I..."

"Hey, I'm not mad at all. After seeing your memories and feelings, I just feel... I understand you better. I feel like I've never understood you this well before... Like I stepped into your heart. I'm grateful that there's a little fox in the world who loves me this much." Sonic shifted to a lighthearted tone, trying to soothe Tails' trembling heart. "And I still love you just as much, always and forever. So Tails—stop trying to push me away, okay~?"

Tails sniffled, punching Sonic's back, a mixture of happiness and annoyance.

✲✲✲✲

"Whew, looks like we need to catch a new Hydra..."

Sonic placed the last piece of wreckage in the disposal area, wiping his brow. Tails quietly followed behind him, tugging his arm. "Sonic..."

"Hold up. If you're about to apologize or beat yourself up again, just don't. I'm getting sick of hearing it." Sonic interrupted playfully. Tails pinched him in response. "No! I'm trying to say, even though you can freely use Vex abilities now... don't use them in the shelter! At least, don't get caught! You'll cause a panic!"

"Huh? You mean I don't need the suppressants anymore?" Sonic picked up on something else—and promptly received a smack on the head.

"The suppressants aren't just for suppressing your abilities; they're mainly for suppressing your connection to the Vex network. If you want to slowly lose yourself to it, then sure, skip them." Tails huffed, retracting his hand as Sonic cradled his head, groaning. "Your consciousness is fragile; it can't fully control a complete Vex core. Remember, even the weakest Vex Goblin can simulate dozens of timelines with its individual processing power. Without the suppressants, the radiolaria inside you will eventually take over. However..." Tails' tone shifted,  "...I could modify the suppressant formula so it doesn't inhibit your Vex abilities."

"Knew my good buddy Tails would have a solution. Come here, gimme a kiss—" "Get away, get away, you're disgusting, Sonic, don't come near me!!"

Ignoring Tails' tsundere act, Sonic grabbed his hand and one of his tails, pulling him in for a kiss. The scorching kiss nearly melted Tails' mouth, setting fire to his newly calmed mind, pushing him from extreme sadness to the other extreme: extreme bliss.

Ah... Sonic, you're such a jerk... But... why do I love this jerk so much...?

A dazed look entered Tails' eyes. He stopped resisting, letting Sonic pick him up...

Chapter Text

【6】

Everything was... ready at last.

A cross-universe Gate, a supercomputer converted from a VEX Hydra. Using this supercomputer, they could break through the boundaries of this universe, allowing the Gate to traverse infinite streams of spacetime and connect to other universes.

Tails had located a parallel version of Earth. It was remarkably peaceful and stable there - Dr. Eggman was actually a benevolent president in that universe, which left both Sonic and Tails completely dumbfounded. Of course, that world had no heroes like Sonic or Tails... or perhaps they existed, but as ordinary people. After all, a peaceful planet didn't need that many heroes.

"Everyone will be able to live well there," Tails exhaled deeply. His mission was about to be complete - he had simulated an escape route for everyone in the shelter. Now, all that remained was to turn this path into reality!

"Finally, this nightmare is ending," Sonic gazed at the Gate with a grave expression. He placed his hand on Tails' shoulder, resting his nose against it. "Tails... are you sure you won't leave with them? I can't leave because I'm stuck here - I can't let my VEX-infected self contaminate that universe. But you..."

"We swore to be together forever," Tails cut off Sonic's words, turning around to grasp both of Sonic's hands, his eyes resolute. "Don't make me break my oath."

"...You're such an idiot." Sonic embraced Tails tightly, laughing bitterly as he nuzzled the fox's ears. Tails' ears twitched sharply before relaxing downward contentedly.

"I will, absolutely will stay by your side... so please, don't abandon me, and don't let me abandon you. Let me hand in hand... and see the end of the world together. Whether in life or death, I want to be with you... never apart."

This melancholic and intimate atmosphere lingered for a while before Tails actively pushed away from Sonic's embrace, clearing his throat lightly: "Alright, let's review the plan one more time."

『First, this Gate, powered by the enslaved VEX Hydra mind, can send the remaining refugees to another Earth.』

Tails tapped the Gate's frame.

『However, crossing universes requires enormous energy and needs to utilize the VEX space-time network. This means once we start the charging process, we'll undoubtedly be discovered by the VEX - and face invasion.』

Sonic walked to the Gate's side: "The energy accumulation takes time, and because of the massive power consumption, we can't maintain the base's warp suppressors and shield generators at maximum power. We can only protect the area around the Gate. So, the VEX will bypass the surface defenses and teleport directly into other parts of the shelter for a surprise attack."

『The VEX will do everything to capture the Gate to obtain coordinates and plans for invading another universe. Our objective is simple - protect the Gate, protect the civilians. Finally, get all civilians and warriors evacuated.』

"And then..." Sonic sighed, "...it's up to us who can't go to the parallel universe to handle the final stand."

Tails silently walked to a precise mechanism glowing with dark blue light nearby, stroking it once: "Since the Gate uses the VEX space-time network and has been calibrated, merely destroying it won't stop the VEX from finding the other universe... So, you and I will cover the rear, activate and protect this... Stasis Bomb. Once it successfully detonates, it will make this entire area... fall into absolute stasis, separated from the timestream... becoming an existence that doesn't exist. This way, even the VEX... won't be able to harm another universe."

The Stasis Bomb was Tails' ultimate weapon. Through an indescribable Paracausal method, upon detonation, it would turn a vast surrounding area into a state of absolute zero - no, beyond that, it would transform the entire area into a state of perfect static, or Stasis. An area in perfect stasis equals non-existence, as there is neither time nor space. Everything in the shelter's area, even light, even energy, would be forever cut off from this universe, frozen. Even the VEX couldn't find something that no longer exists.

Tails could only create one such bomb. If the VEX destroyed it prematurely, it would mean mission failure, and their escape would doom another universe. But if the bomb detonated successfully, Sonic and Tails, along with everything nearby, would be frozen forever outside of spacetime. They would both objectively exist and practically not exist. To put it bluntly, it would be no different from death.

But the two were prepared. Sonic couldn't go to the new universe because he was essentially VEX now.  Without the VEX radiolaria to create suppressants, the VEX would eventually track his signal in the new universe.

And Tails? Tails simply refused to leave Sonic. He could survive alone, but he wouldn't. He loved Sonic too much to accept a world without him. Moreover, dying alongside Sonic for a noble cause was his greatest honor in this apocalypse.

"If... we fail to protect the Stasis Bomb—"

Tails, of course, had a backup plan. If the Stasis Bomb failed to detonate, the two would have to go through the Gate—and then explain the situation to President Eggman on the other side and atone for their actions.

"No, we won't fail."

But Sonic interrupted Tails with a playful grin, ruffling his head.

"As long as we're together, there's nothing in the world we can't do."

"There's nothing I can't do, you just put in the elbow grease," Tails retorted, playfully punching Sonic's shoulder before quickly snuggling into his arms, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Hey, Sonic... tonight's our last night... I... I want to... go wild with you one last time..."

"Of course, buddy. I was thinking the same thing."  A wry smile touched Sonic's lips, and he swiftly scooped Tails up into a princess carry.

"Ah!" Tails yelped, his face flushing crimson. "Don't be so sudden! W-what are you doing carrying me?"

"Because I—can't wait for tonight! Let's have a few warm-up rounds!" Sonic grinned mischievously, rushing towards the bedroom with Tails in his arms. Tails' flustered protests faded away as Sonic closed the door behind them.

✲✲✲✲

The next day, all combatants were ready for deployment. Everyone was fully armed, some even equipped with exoskeleton mechs. From Fireteam B to Fireteam Z, a total of 97 combatants stood in formation, awaiting their final glory.

Sonic cleared his throat, stepping onto the podium with Tails's speech in hand. Tails winked from below, giving him a thumbs-up for encouragement.

Sonic spoke into the microphone. His firm, resonant voice instantly filled the room.

『My brethren, hear me, for there is little time left.

All that remains of our race, our civilization, are those that stand beside you now...

Our kind once basked in sunlight, our future once blazed with glory.

But against the VEX invasion, we faltered, and fell into ruin.

This universe, meant to be our cradle, has become our tragedy. Its hope was a lie.

Today, that lie must come to its end, and look to a wider cosmos, consign all this to history.

For now we fight in the belief.

That our kind has not seen its end;

That we Mobians can stand bound by a belief in unity;

And that we Mobians will forge a great and mighty new civilization!

Trust each other in the fight ahead! Strike as one will!

Let our last stand burn a memory so bright that we will be known throughout eternity!』

Sonic raised his right arm, and simultaneously, all the warriors roared in unison. The immense wave of sound swept through the room, even causing the walls to vibrate slightly.

"Alright, troopers, get to your positions!" Sonic switched off the microphone, tossing it aside and clapping his hands. "It's time to rumble!"

The warriors responded in unison, swiftly moving to their designated positions according to the plan. Tails flew onto the podium, hugging Sonic excitedly. "That was awesome! You're the best, hubby."

"Of course, even though your lines were a bit cheesy... Ow, ow, ow! Don't pinch me! It's the last day and you're still pinching me!" Sonic hopped in pain, but Tails held him tight. Suddenly, Sonic noticed Tails's shoulders trembling slightly. "Tails..."

"I... I'm fine..." Tails' muffled voice held a hint of a sob. "I just... need to hold on a little longer..."

『Report! All combat personnel in position!』『Report! Civilian group ready! All within shield perimeter!』

Communications came in one after another - everyone was ready. Tails reluctantly released Sonic, wiping his reddened eyes and forcing a smile. "Let's go, Sonic. It's time."

"Yeah." Sonic took Tails' hand. "...Together. Never apart."

They quickly reached the hall housing the Gate. Tails rushed to the main control computer, using his VEX arm to interface with the enslaved VEX Hydra mind: "Everyone, final confirmation - are you ready?! Once I start the Gate's charging sequence, the VEX will pour in endlessly! This mission cannot fail - success is our only option! All squadrons report!"

Confirmation reports came in one by one. Tails glanced at Sonic, then at the civilians protected by the shield generators, seeing their worried yet trusting eyes. These were the people they protected, the civilization they safeguarded, everything they fought for.

Tails took a deep breath.

"Gate charging sequence, initiating!"

The VEX Hydra's eye began glowing red as power from throughout the shelter was diverted to supercharge the Gate's batteries. Without the warp suppressor's protection, Tails' computer quickly detected spacetime network fluctuations— "Everyone ready!! The VEX are coming—"

"VWOOM—!"

Crystalline patterns began flickering throughout the shelter as waves of VEX Goblins poured through as the vanguard. Combat reports came in from all positions, radar contacts multiplying rapidly, the sound of weapons fire echoing deafeningly through the corridors.

『Greenhouse reports Angel! Help! Angel in the Greenhouse!』

Tails and Sonic exchanged glances, streaking toward the greenhouse as twin blurs. There, a massive, specialized Hydra had warped in. The "Angel." As a VEX advanced battlefield nexus, it would enable more elite units to warp in—unless it died!

Tails quickly drew his Linear Fusion Rifle, targeting the gap in the Hydra's rotating tri-shields to pierce its eye. Sonic's shapeshifting ability transformed his right hand into a sharp blade as he circled behind the Hydra, slashing at its power core. This was their optimized method for disabling a Hydra, perfected during their capture operations.

However, this special Hydra didn't fall. Instead, it released a shockwave that sent Sonic flying, immediately began repairing its eye, and tracked Sonic with twin Void Aeon Maul cannons. Tails spun his tails to take flight, catching Sonic and glancing at the Hydra below: "There are two more power cores on its head! Sonic—"

"Let's do it, just like old times!" Sonic gripped Tails' hand and began swinging. At maximum momentum, Tails hurled Sonic with all his might!

Sonic shot like a blue ball, landing firmly atop the Hydra's massive head. He immediately plunged his blade into one power core, ripping out radiolaria fluid. The Hydra tried its shockwave trick again, but Sonic's VEX body held firm. He spun in mid-air and bounced back, destroying the second power core. Without its power cores, the Hydra's energy conduits quickly dimmed before it crashed to the ground.

Sonic pulled his blade from the Hydra's remains, reverting it back to a hand as he wiped his brow: "Phew! What a pain— Agh!" Before he could catch his breath, a VEX shot him from behind. His rear burned like fire, but nothing serious. He jumped up with a yelp, frantically patting his backside to extinguish the flames before diving behind cover. The Fireteam stationed there maintained constant fire, covering Sonic while destroying the swarming VEX.

『Report! Angel in the Bar District!』

『Report! Angel in the Residential Area!』

Sonic and Tails rushed between areas, helping squads deal with the Angel Hydras. Yet despite their efficient and seamless teamwork, taking down Angels took time. And when one Angel successfully established a temporal beacon in an area, even more VEX poured through.

"Fall back! Fall back! Abandon the Lab District!" A soldier in a mech exoskeleton broadcasted loudly, directing troops to retreat. The mech's left-hand rotary gun spewed relentless fire, mowing down VEX Goblins, while its right-hand missile launcher fired rockets at the Angel Hydra. Unfortunately, the missiles all crashed against the Hydra's rotating shields, instantly dissolving into nothingness. In the distance, a Hobgoblin was quietly charging its line rifle, aiming at the mech's cockpit—

"Watch out!"

Tails arrived just in time, shooting the Hobgoblin in the head. The impact made its line rifle beam veer skyward. The mech pilot seized the opportunity, blasting the Hobgoblin to ash with a rocket: "Thanks for the assist! This Angel—"

"Time beacon's complete, we can't hold here anymore. Fall back to the previous defense node!" Sonic threw a smoke grenade, obscuring the VEX's vision. "Move, move, move! Nobody dies today - hold out until the Gate opens! We've lasted 13 years, we're not falling at the final hurdle!"

The VEX lost their aim in the smoke, but it also prompted their forces to push forward. The remaining Mobians, encouraged by Sonic's words, quickly regrouped and retreated in order.

When one sector began to fall, others followed more quickly. Soon, all outer areas were lost, and all forces pulled back to the second line of defense.

"Is everyone out?!" Tails called as he ran, suddenly feeling Sonic push his head down, dodging an incoming Void plasma bomb. VEX Minotaurs had joined the battle - larger, tougher elite VEX typically equipped with laser weapons or plasma launchers. But worst of all, each Minotaur had its own omnidirectional personal shield generator, greatly enhancing their survivability—making them even more troublesome.

And unlike the mindless Goblins, Minotaurs were more aggressive—they'd actively chase you down. Just like the one pursuing Sonic and Tails now.

"Agh—you're so annoying!" Tails shouted in frustration, pulling a high-explosive grenade's pin and spinning his tails to turn and throw it. The grenade exploded in the Minotaur's face, just barely breaking its energy shield. But that was enough for Tails, who quickly aimed at the Minotaur's radiolaria core, but couldn't get a clean shot: "Damn it, this guy's wobbling around...!"

"Then—" Sonic turned back, morphing his hand into an Arc caster, firing a stunning current. The Minotaur froze for a moment, and Tails seized his chance, pulling the trigger. The beam pierced the Minotaur's radiolaria core, white fluid exploding outward. With a mechanical wail, the Minotaur's body crashed down, splitting in half at the waist.

Even handling a few Minotaurs was this demanding—yet they were just common units in the VEX's mass-produced army.

『FireTeams B-E cleared!』『FireTeams G-K cleared!』『...』

"Good, everyone's out. Tails, do it." Sonic nodded. Tails quickly issued a voice command to his VEX arm: "Initiate Twilight Sunset Protocol!"

The charges buried in the first line detonated instantly, massive cave-ins blocking the corridor behind Sonic and Tails. Thanks to Tails' modular load-bearing structure design, one area's collapse wouldn't affect others.

『VEX temporarily held back! Regroup and reform the line!』

Collapse alone couldn't destroy the VEX time beacons, only delay them briefly. Soon, the VEX would warp through the structure, use radiolaria to assimilate and remove the debris, then modify and fortify the collapsed areas to continue their advance toward the Gate. Even so, this breathing room was invaluable.

"What are our losses?" Tails rushed back to the computer. Thankfully, the 97 lights representing the shelter's combatants were still lit, indicating no casualties.

『Report: Fireteams C and E, one exo-suit lost each.』『Report: Fireteam U, personnel injured.』『...』

"Move the wounded to the civilian group." Tails chewed his fingertip, activating all his Servitors. "Let the Servitors take their places and provide supporting fire."

Servitors were robots Tails developed, typically used for cleaning, but they could also carry guns in times of need. Their aim wasn't great, so Tails hadn't deployed them on the first line. But the second line was funnel-shaped, with VEX crowding through corridors into concentrated crossfire. Deploying Servitors here was more effective—after all, they just needed to shoot.

"BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!"

Rubble exploded as the VEX surged back onto the battlefield, immediately facing the shelter's concentrated firepower. Goblins were shredded, and Minotaurs attempting to break through were focused down by the exo-suits. Sonic darted between defensive positions, handling emergencies, while Tails remained at the main computer, controlling Servitors to draw fire and fill gaps.

Good... the Gate's charging will be complete soon... Tails anxiously watched the charge level. The situation only looked good on the surface; the shelter's ammunition was extremely limited. There were two exo-suit models. The first had only 20 rockets and a 3000-round rotary gun. The second had a 150-round 30mm cannon. Neither could be resupplied – single-use only. Regular soldiers' firepower was only enough for Goblin-level armor. They could kill Minotaurs after piercing their shields, but it was a struggle.

Faster, faster... if the VEX manage to warp that thing in...

『Wyvern!! Wyvern sighted!!』

Oh no.

"Sonic! Go help them!" Tails immediately rushed towards the reported location.

By the time they reached the line, a VEX Wyvern had torn a hole in the blockade, its Void Warp Lance firing wildly. These weapons fired slow-moving splitting projectiles that triggered a Void explosion on impact. Like an explosive-round shotgun. As for its power...

Tails glanced at a nearby exo-suit, riddled with holes and wrecked, grateful the pilot had bailed the moment they saw the Wyvern. With the suit's poor mobility, it would have been a sitting duck.

"Use an EMP! Expose its core!" Tails yelled. Sonic tried to aim but was quickly forced back by Hobgoblin snipers. As a bipedal mech, the Wyvern was a powerful assault unit, not just for its concealed radiolaria weak point and terrifying scatter cannons, but also its large wing-mounted shields that could "unfurl" to protect VEX units behind it, truly like a dragon from myth.

This won't work... Tails raised his rifle, hitting one of the Wyvern's legs, making it stumble. This drew the Wyvern's attention, and a screaming arc of scatter projectiles flew towards him.

Tails moved quickly, aligning himself with Sonic: "Sonic!! Look behind it!! Shoot the core!"

Sonic immediately found cover, watching the turning Wyvern. Its radiolaria core was completely exposed at its back, unprotected. However, flanking a Wyvern alone was usually suicide. But with Tails' help, Sonic had an opening: "Got it! Eat this!"

Sonic's hand transformed into a Minotaur-style laser rifle, firing a roaring purple beam at the Wyvern's radiolaria core. The Wyvern jerked forward as if startled. But other VEX units targeted Sonic, providing covering fire and forcing him back into cover. The Wyvern turned, seemingly enraged, then leaped high, retracting its legs—

"No!! Sonic, move—"

Too late. Like a true dragon, the Wyvern swooped down at Sonic. The massive arc shockwave sent Sonic flying into a wall. Even with his VEX body, he was dazed.

"Sonic!!"

Tails gritted his teeth. This wasn't the time for sentimentality. It was a perfect opportunity while the Wyvern was temporarily facing away—!

He maxed out the Linear Fusion Rifle's charge power, aiming at the Wyvern's radiolaria core.

Only one chance!

Tails focused entirely, electrical surges humming in his ears. Other soldiers cleared remaining VEX, with Hobgoblin sniper beams quickly countered by their own snipers to prevent interrupting Tails' aim.

Come on... Sleeper Simulant... full power discharge!

A crimson high-energy solid beam instantly illuminated the entire area, accurately piercing the Wyvern's core in a straight line. The reflected beam even vaporized nearby Minotaurs. The Wyvern's radiolaria core turned to ash, its body severed in two, crashing down with a wail as remaining radiolaria splattered.

"Hot! So hot!" Tails quickly dropped the gun, the heat penetrating his gloves and burning his palm. This was the drawback of full-power shooting - why there was only one chance.

Ignoring his own condition, Tails rushed to the still-dazed Sonic: "Sonic! Are you okay?!"

"I feel like... I've drunk two tons of alcohol..." Sonic shook his head to clear it, "I'm... fine. We need to help the others."

Indeed, Wyverns were appearing elsewhere. No matter how careful they were, these monsters were beyond ordinary soldiers' capabilities. Reluctantly, they had to admit the second defensive line was collapsing as Wyverns broke through.

Soon, the second line's forces were forced to retreat to the Gate hall. The detonation of secondary line bombs gave them another brief respite. This situation was worse than before - almost all mechs were damaged, and Servitors nearly completely wiped out. They essentially had no real combat capability left.

"Gate charging at 87%... It's time!" Tails glanced at Sonic, making a decision and pressing another button, "Sonic! Come quickly! I'm activating the Stasis-Bomb synchronization!"

As Sonic ran towards him, Tails addressed the civilians and soldiers: "Remember! According to our plan, you'll have only 5 minutes to leave once the Gate opens! After 5 minutes, the Paracausal Stasis will permanently seal this entire area outside spacetime! Civilians, line up and follow your group leaders, passing through the Gate group by group. All soldiers, defend near the Gate and provide rear guard. Once civilians are out, you'll evacuate too! The safety of our new world depends on you!"

"Brother Tails! Mr. Sonic! Aren't you... coming with us?"

A little girl suddenly asked, instantly thickening the atmosphere with emotion.

Tails was considering how to answer without hurting her feelings, but Sonic walked over, smiling and patting her head: "Your brother Tails and I have to stay here. This way, you'll be able to find your way back home."

"Oh? Is that so?" The innocent girl didn't notice the surrounding sadness, instead becoming excited, "Won't you be lonely?"

"...As long as you're with the ones you love, you're never alone anywhere. Remember that, child." Sonic showed a brilliant smile, handing her a badge, "Take this. When you get home... use this to summon me. We'll definitely come to you."

"Okay! Promise! Anyone who lies has to swallow a thousand needles!" The girl happily accepted the badge, carefully storing it like a treasure, then extending her pinky.

"Promise." Sonic bent down, hooking his pinky with hers, making a promise he could never fulfill [a lie].

BOOM!

The Vex didn't allow for much grieving.  The final layer of rubble exploded inward.  Sorrow quickly turned to steely resolve as every soldiers raised their weapon, sights trained on the trembling entryway.

"Sonic...it's time." Tails retrieved a glass container from his satchel and handed it to Sonic.  Sonic's eyes widened. "A Chaos Emerald?! I thought the Vex had taken all of them…"

"This is the last one.  Shadow managed to get it out before… well, before the end. I recovered it when I went back to scout the ruins of HQ. I kept it hidden from you, knowing you'd try something reckless." Tails took a deep breath, a flicker of remembrance in his eyes. "A single Emerald isn't much use on its own. It can't even give you a Super form. So, I modified it. I turned it into a…"

Sonic lifted the Emerald from the container. Familiar power surged through him. The Solar Light of the strong-weak force, the Arc Light of electromagnetism, the Void Light of gravity – the fundamental forces of the universe, the very essence of life itself, all flowed back into him after so long.  It was everything he had lost.

"...a vessel for Light!"

The Chaos Emerald shattered.  Solar, Arc, and Void Light roared outwards, engulfing Sonic.  The three colors blazed around him. In that instant, clarity and power, absent for thirteen long years, returned. His own inherent strength, dormant for so long, surged through him, screaming for release, demanding to tear through anything that stood in its path.

"I'm… BACK!!" Sonic yelled, ecstatic. His Light was back, and with it, his super speed. The sheer intensity of the energy rippled outwards, palpable even to the Guardians around him.  He couldn't resist.  He rocketed around the perimeter of the teleport chamber thirty times, Arc Light trailing behind him in a brilliant blue streak.

"Sonic!!  Don't get carried away!" Tails shouted, exasperation tinged with fond exasperation. "That's all the Light I could scavenge, just channeled into you! It's not infinite like it used to be! I doubt it'll last more than thirty minutes!! And if you burn through it too fast, it'll be even less!"

"Oh, right." Sonic skidded to a halt. Just then, the remaining rubble exploded outwards, showering the chamber in dust and debris. A Vex Wyvern stalked out of the cloud, its metallic limbs whirring ominously.  Every soldiers opened fire, but their weapons barely scratched its armor.

"Alright, Tails, my buddy, always coming through, huh?" Sonic, undeterred, cracked his knuckles and grinned, already sprinting towards the Wyvern. "Guess this is… hero time!"

The Wyvern targeted the source of the intense energy signature – Sonic.  The quantum shotguns mounted on its wings fired bursts of explosive Void plasma.  But to Sonic, now infused with Light, the projectiles were agonizingly slow.  Amplified by Arc Light, his speed was unbelievable. He weaved effortlessly through the incoming fire, closing the distance in a blink.

"Hey there."

Grinning, Sonic stared straight into the Wyvern's glowing red eyes, even sticking his tongue out. Then, with a roar, a massive, blazing hammer, forged from pure Solar Light, materialized in his hand.  He slammed it into the Hydra's head with a resounding clang.  The mechanical monstrosity flew backwards, crashing into the wall. It whined, its red eyes flickering and dying.

The soldiers stared, stunned, then erupted in cheers. Sonic, basking in the applause, rubbed his nose. "See? I told ya things would be different if I had my Light back— Ow!"

His gloating was cut short as a Vex Goblin tagged him in the rear with a Slap Rifle.  Yelping, he dashed back behind the Shields to extinguish the flames. One Wyvern down, but the Vex were still pouring in.

"Ugh, you like playing with fire? Let me show you what real 'fire' looks like!" Sonic extinguished the flames licking at his backside, feeling humiliated. He pivoted fiercely, leaping high into the air. The scorching Solar Light ignited around him, forming a flurry of fiery blades. Grabbing one of the blades, Sonic spun in mid-air, using the momentum to launch the entire barrage of blades at the advancing Vex Goblins and Minotaurs.

For a fleeting moment, it appeared that they had weathered the storm. But that was merely an illusion. Before Sonic even touched the ground, the fiery barrage erupted, exploding in a series of deafening blasts, turning a large group of Vex to ash.

"It's not over yet!"

Arc Light crackled around Sonic, illuminating him in blue flashes. With a thunderous hum, he executed a long-forgotten Spin Dash, transforming into a comet of electricity, hurtling toward another group of Vex.

"BOOM!"

A blinding flash of electrical energy engulfed the area, akin to a massive flashbang. The Vex caught in the heart of the explosion turned to cinders. The surging Arc Light then formed chains of electricity, jumping between the surviving Vex, causing them to overload and explode. A Wyvern attempted to rise and retaliate, but Sonic was already there, wielding an Arc Staff. With a graceful slide, he delivered a thunderous upward strike, sending the Wyvern crashing into the ceiling, its body disintegrating under the power of the Arc Light.

"Northwest entrance! Vex Minotaurs are pouring in!" Tails shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

Sonic remained focused, refusing to let his recent victory distract him. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Void Light, twisting it into a swirling black hole. A predatory instinct surged forth, giving birth to the Child of the Old Gods Spawn. In an instant, the creature shot toward the horde of Minotaurs. Violet tendrils of Void energy latched onto each Minotaur, devouring their life force, energy, and matter, continuously replenishing Sonic.

Harnessing this immense power, Sonic conjured a volatile sphere of energy and hurled it like a baseball. As it flew through the air, the unstable energy ballooned outwards, transforming into a massive violet supernova. All eyes watched as the Void supernova barreled toward the cluster of Vex, detonating into a swirling singularity upon impact. Even the Minotaurs' shield projectors couldn't withstand such gravitational force, their limbs and bodies torn asunder, especially weakened from the Child of the Old Gods' Spawn. In an instant, the entire group was sucked into the Void Light's singularity, vanishing as if erased from existence, leaving behind nothing but a smooth crater.

Not enough… more… I need more!

Gold, blue, and purple lights danced throughout the underground space as Sonic wove through the enemy ranks, turning wave after wave of Vex into Scorch, Disintegrated particles, or Demolition. The sound of Light roared around him, almost as if it recognized that this was the final battle, unleashing a desperate cry.

"98%… 99%… 100%!"

As Tails called out the final number, the massive Gate hummed to life. Its restraining and projecting components brimming with energy, began to shift and open at the edges. The projectors unleashed a pale blue energy pool, while the restraints stabilized their connection within the fabric of spacetime, linking to another universe. The pale blue pool began to morph, revealing a landscape of Green Hills and pristine waters, untouched by chaos—Sonic and Tails' dream starting point.

"We did it…" Tails murmured, awe mixing with disbelief. Despite having run countless simulations, the unique nature of the portal meant there was no way to directly test it. They only had one chance to succeed… but he had pulled it off.

Yet he knew he could never step through to that world.

Shaking his head to dispel the unwelcome sorrow, Tails shouted, "The Gate is operational! Everyone! Begin an orderly evacuation! Move quickly!"

Sonic materialized a handheld Supernova, unleashing a Void detonation that obliterated the Minotaur in front of him.  He absorbed the resulting energy and matter, replenishing his strength.  He glanced at the scene on the other side of the portal, a wry smile touching his lips.

"Always the sentimental one, Tails."

"Hurry! Follow your squad leaders!"

"Maintain order! The shield projectors are holding! Don't panic!"

The soldiers shepherded the civilians, maintaining a vigilant rearguard.  The portal was drawing immense power, limiting the shield projectors to a small area. Every stray Vex shot sent ripples across the golden energy field.

Finally, the last of the civilians were safely through.  The remaining soldiers, the rearguard, formed up quickly and efficiently, a stark contrast to the civilians.  Every soldier, even the wounded, turned towards Sonic and Tails, offering a final salute.

"Sir! All B-Z Fireteams accounted for, ninety-seven personnel! Formation complete, requesting permission to extract!"

The lead squad leader's voice was hoarse, but his words rang with strength. His eyes were red-rimmed, but he held back his tears.

"Go. Protect those kids. You're veterans of the Vex War, the last of our fighting force.  Don't let those people on the other side give them a hard time."

Tails managed a weak smile, waving them forward with a heavy heart.

"Goodbye, everyone. If we ever meet again… Now go! Evacuate!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

The soldiers responded in unison, turning and running towards the portal.

As the last soldier disappeared through the Gate, Tails reached for the deactivation switch.  Three minutes and thirty seconds remained until the Stasis-Bomb detonated.

Suddenly, Sonic shimmered into existence beside him, a violet haze of Void Light dissipating in the air.

"Sorry, Tails, but I can't just let you die."

Sonic grabbed Tails' arm, intending to throw him through the portal. To his shock, Tails didn't budge.  He should have been able to toss the fox like a ragdoll, even against a Minotaur.

"I am... the smartest genius fox in the world. A super genius… whose IQ surpasses even Dr. Eggman's."

A thin layer of frost formed on Sonic's gloves. Tails suddenly materialized a Stasis-Spear out of thin air, impaling a teleporting Minotaur, turning it into a shower of ice shards.

"Aren't you curious, Sonic?  There's always a shadow to the light.  What's the opposite of Light? Light represents the physical world: the strong and weak forces, gravity, electromagnetism. So, what's its antithesis?"

"It's the mind, Sonic. Metaphysics and idealism. The power of thought, of will, bringing things into existence."

As a Wyvern roared, Tails flung a pulsating lasso of emerald green strands. The lasso exploded, abstract strands of reality solidifying into binding threads that ensnared the Wyvern, hoisting it helplessly into the air.

"Sonic… we've lived together for so long. You think I wouldn't know what you were planning?  You think I wouldn't have a contingency?"

There was no accusation in Tails' eyes, only a glimmer of sly triumph. Seeing Sonic's stunned expression, he punched him lightly on the shoulder. "I told you I'd stay with you until the end. You'll never leave me behind again."

"Well— looks like I'm out of options, huh?" Sonic rubbed his forehead dramatically. "Alright, you got me. But let me ask you one last time… is it worth it?"

"Our lives were never about 'worth it.'"

Tails smiled, gripping Sonic's hand tightly. Together, they pressed the deactivation button. The portal's hum faded, the image of Green Hills dissolving, the pale blue energy dissipating. Now, only Sonic, Tails, the Stasis-Bomb, and the endless, relentless Vex remained.

The Vex, emitting their characteristic chattering cries, advanced relentlessly, their weapons hammering against the failing golden shield. They felt no fear, no confusion. As long as the portal existed, even as dust, they could retrieve the data they sought. They simply needed time—and as a race unbound by its constraints, they had an eternity.

"Come on, Sonic. Let's stand together one last time."

Tails clasped Sonic's hands, dark golden light beginning to intertwine with Sonic's blue and white aura, mirroring the energies they each embodied.

"Sonic, Light represents matter, the laws of physics in the universe. The opposite of Light is Darkness. Darkness embodies the mind, metaphysics. But Light and Darkness aren't inherently good or evil; it all depends on how we wield them. I've spent a long time learning to harness these abilities from the Darkness, and I've realized that, just as they don't represent absolute good and evil… they also don't represent absolute opposition."

The dark golden hue symbolizing Darkness intertwined with Sonic's blue-white Light, creating a mesmerizing dance of colors. Suddenly, a pink glow shimmered in the air like crystalline light.

"I am your Yin, and you are my Yang. Sonic, only those who are truly in tune with each other can harmonize the use of Light and Darkness… Are you that person for me?"

Sonic, noticing Tails' sweet smile that contrasted with the perilous environment, tilted his head playfully and winked. "What do you think?"

In the instant their lips met, pink energy exploded around them, radiating with blinding brilliance. Six forms of Paracausal energy swirled around the pair, merging into a dazzling prism of colors. Even the Vex paused in their advance, their red eyes flickering as they tried to comprehend this new Paracausal power.

Soon, the Vex had a new objective: capture Sonic and Tails for research into this unprecedented energy.

Two minutes and thirty seconds remained.

"Let's begin—" Sonic's voice was low and resolute, determination shining in his eyes.

Tails nodded in response, mirroring Sonic's fierce resolve. Suddenly, both of them underwent a Transcendence, erupting in radiant light, the beams resembling those of a prism. The air was filled with a piercing sound, as if the very fabric of reality was being sliced apart.

"Let's have our final dance!"

They shouted in unison, confident smiles stretching across their faces. At that moment, their golden protective shield shattered under the relentless barrage of Vex firepower. Energy fragments fell like a meteor shower, illuminating the determined figures of the last two survivors.

Sonic struck first. His target was the Wyvern, just released from its entanglement, still disoriented and attempting to regain its bearings. Before it could react, a Void-forged battle axe soared through the air, crashing into its forehead.

One axe wasn't enough, so Sonic launched a second and then a third. The axes whistled through the air, and when the third one struck the Wyvern, the excess Void Light surpassed its threshold. The creature's body twisted and melted, transforming into a roiling pool of violet liquid. This unstable substance radiated ominous light, and before long, it detonated, Demolition nearby Vex.

"Only targeting the big ones, huh?" Tails chimed in as he dashed forward, tossing a green-tinged Arc grenade. The grenade bounced into a cluster of Goblins, detonating on impact. In that moment, the web of reality was yanked taut, emerald strands spreading like a spider's web, ensnaring the Goblins, immobilizing their limbs and joints, turning them into puppets.

But that wasn't the worst of it. While the Shackle grenade was originally non-lethal, once synchronized with the Arc Light, the Jolt energy began to surge through the web. It was like a fisherman casting a massive electric net into the water, the Arc chains overloading the bound Goblins one after another. Their core reactors began to overcharge and explode. Under the immense pressure of the electric currents, their metallic bodies twisted and deformed, ultimately being torn apart by the binding strands, disintegrating into green remnants that evaporated into the air.

"They say, 'Cut off the head of the snake.' The bigger they are, the harder they fall!" Sonic cackled, reveling in what might be his last hurrah. He couldn't wait to test out the Darkness powers he'd synchronized with from Tails.

Sonic draws his Light Barricade through a Dark sieve. Instead of the expected energy shield, massive ice pillars erupted from the web, forming a Stasis wall. These weren't ordinary ice formations, but perfect, physics-defying crystals, a manifestation of the concept of "stasis" itself. The air around them seemed to freeze as the crystals materialized.  The Vex Hydra and nearby Goblins were instantly caught in the grip of this terrifying Darkness power. Their movements became sluggish, even the Hydra's formidable shields failing in the extreme cold. A shimmering, ethereal frost rapidly encased the Vex, transforming them into beautiful, yet fragile, ice sculptures. Sonic grinned, charging a punch and slamming it into the nearest Vex.

"Crack!" The crisp sound of shattering ice broke the silence. A cascade of similar sounds followed, like an avalanche. Cracks spiderwebbed across the frozen Vex, and they toppled like dominoes, shattering into shimmering fragments, forever buried under the power of Darkness.

Tails watched Sonic gleefully bounce around the battlefield, testing out his newfound abilities with childlike enthusiasm. (Even now, he couldn't resist playing around…)

Tails wanted to say, "That's why I love you!" But the sight of the approaching horde of Vex Minotaurs, their plasma cannons trained on him, made him reconsider his playful remark.

A hawk's cry pierced the oppressive atmosphere. Solar Light surged through Tails, igniting his fur from within. His golden fur blazed with divine light, as if infused with the very essence of the sun. He rose into the air, a miniature sun hovering above the battlefield. Gentle yet deadly Solar Light radiated outwards, illuminating the cavern and highlighting the enemy's forms.

Under normal circumstances, such an exposed position would be suicidal.  The Vex Minotaurs seized the opportunity, focusing their fire on the airborne fox. But a miracle occurred. The incoming plasma projectiles were incinerated by the intense Solar Light before they could reach him. It wasn't that the attacks were ineffective, but rather, the Solar Light was so overwhelming that it neutralized the enemy's energy completely.

Tails extended his hand, energy crackling at his fingertips. Several blazing Solar Light hawks erupted from his palm, each letting out a piercing cry—a beacon of hope to his allies, a Banshee wails to his enemies.

As the Solar Light hawks struck the Minotaurs, they instinctively tried to swat them away. Their efforts were futile. The pure Solar Light burned straight through their hands and bodies, the excess energy igniting them, causing chain reactions that incinerated nearby Vex.  With multiple hawks diving into the enemy ranks, the battlefield transformed into a spectacular fireworks display. Accompanied by the echoing cries of the hawks, groups of Vex exploded one after another. Even Sonic had to backpedal to avoid the blasts. "Whoa, dude, that's insane!"

"Hee hee. Happy to hel—"

Before he could finish, a blinding light pierced through the cavern, momentarily blinding them both.  That light was…

Sun--light?  Why?

They looked up, stunned. The thick rock ceiling was gone, replaced by open sky.  The Vex had… removed the entire mountain above them?!

"No! They've saturated the area with spacetime anchors…" Tails frantically checked his electronic armband. "They couldn't directly teleport the Gate away because of the translocation scramblers… so they moved the mountain above us!!"

Before Sonic could ask why, he saw it—a massive Vex Gate looming overhead.  He didn't need to ask anymore.  A deafening hum, unlike anything he'd heard before, resonated through the cavern as the Gate blazed with white light. Components tore into existence, assembling rapidly. Within seconds, a colossal Vex Minotaur, at least thirty meters tall, slammed down into the chamber.  Landing on one knee, its single eye glowed with a menacing red light, fixing on the stunned Sonic and Tails.

"So… Sonic?  Weren't you all about taking down the big guy…?  Time to shine…?" Tails nudged Sonic with his elbow, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. Sonic grimaced, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Is it too late to take that back?" he muttered.

The colossal Minotaur wasn't interested in a fair fight. It simply reached down, its massive hand descending towards them. Sonic reacted instantly, conjuring a spherical Ward of Dawn, the solid Void Light barely holding against the Minotaur's crushing grip.  The hand transformed into a gigantic drill, grinding against the Ward, rapidly depleting its strength.

"No, it's not enough, we don't have enough time…!" Tails anxiously watched the Stasis-Bomb's countdown. They were trapped, with no escape. At this rate, the Ward of Dawn would collapse before the bomb detonated.

Sonic gritted his teeth, preparing to unleash his remaining power in a desperate last stand. Tails grabbed his arm. "Don't! It's pointless!"

"We have to try!"

"Not like this! Listen!" Tails pulled Sonic back. "There's no time to explain everything! The three powers of Darkness: Stasis represents the endpoint of quantum mechanics, Strand is the abstract theory of everything, and Resonance governs the ontology of existence itself! The fundamental building blocks of reality aren't quarks or anything like that, they're 'strings.' The vibrations of these strings create 'reality,' and their 'resonance' dictates how things interact. The only way to defeat this thing—"

"—is to disrupt its reality structure." Sonic instantly understood. "Tell me what to do!"

"Darkness is… the power of the mind. Its theories are all metaphysical. So…" Tails took a deep breath, taking Sonic's hand in his. "Stand with me…"

"Remember the times we've had together, the good and the bad…"

Tails closed his eyes, extending his other hand. Dark golden dust swirled around them, shimmering with an oscillating glow.

"Strings need instruments to play them. And those instruments… are our memories."

Memories flooded their minds: their first meeting, their countless adventures. Amy, Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge… even Eggman.  They were gone, but for a fleeting moment, Sonic felt his hand enveloped by other warm presences.

Gone, yes, but perhaps not so gone that they couldn't dream.

The Minotaur's drill continued its earsplitting assault, a discordant symphony of destruction. Cracks spread across the Ward of Dawn, Void Light bleeding into the void.

"Now, Sonic, let's give this guy—"

They opened their eyes simultaneously, furious Resonant blazing within them. Connected by the power of Darkness, the living and the departed joined in a final, harmonious chorus.

"—one hell of a rock concert!!"

A piercing shriek ripped through reality. Memories became instruments, playing the strings of reality, transforming into a beam of pure Resonant that gracefully pierced the Minotaur's heavily armored core.

A flash of orange.

The Minotaur let out a long, dying wail. Its mechanical body began to unravel, limbs collapsing with metallic groans. The remains were consumed by the obliterating Echo, its reality structure completely extinguished by the Resonance.  And then nothing.

The attack had drained them of all their Paracausal energy. Tails' knees buckled, and he would have fallen if Sonic hadn't caught him. But Sonic, too, was weakening, and they both ended up on the ground, leaning against each other, a perfect image of Yin and Yang.

The Vex Gate continued to hum, attempting to teleport in reinforcements.  But it was too late.  The Stasis-Bomb was about to detonate. Even a race unbound by time could be caught by it in the end.

Tails gazed tenderly into Sonic's green eyes. "So… any last words?"

"Hmm… see you next time?" Sonic, ever the optimist, offered a characteristically ill-timed joke.

"See you next time… Yeah. We'll definitely meet again."

Tails smiled sweetly, a nostalgic expression that reminded Sonic of their carefree days under the palm trees, where Tails would chatter about things Sonic often found nerdy.

"In the next life, I'll still be your 'girlfriend.'"

"I'll gladly accept that, my dear little wife."

They struggled to move their weary heads, their exhausted muscles protesting with every twitch.  But they persevered, bringing their faces close.

"Hey, Tails… I wanted to say—"

"I love you. Right?" Tails finished his sentence.

"…I love you too, Sonic. Until the last flame dies and all word had been spoken."

They closed their eyes and shared one last kiss. Five seconds later, the Stasis-Bomb detonated. A Paracausal wave of dark blue energy erupted outwards, infinite perfect crystals spreading like a living glacier, consuming everything.  Within its radius, all things were severed from the universe. In that absolute stasis, existence itself lost all meaning. Energy, space, time, light—all became irrelevant, nonexistent.

Thus, the hedgehog and the fox vanished from reality, eternally locked in an entropy-defying embrace of ice, becoming one with eternity.

Chapter Text

// WISH-NET // U#5354566578576f6e // VidCHNL-Ascendant-C // ENCRYPTION: Status=Uncomplete

// DECODEMIND ARCHIVE PARALLAX-A // ANNOTATED // CLASSIFIED

Execute Subroutine: PARACAUSALl ENCRYPTION

A▷ This is all the memories of this isolated spacetime○ Wrapped by the universe→ yet separated from it○ Like an ice cube unable to merge with water→ lonely and lifeless○

T: They... are frozen forever in this moment. Sonic...

N: Indeed... When I absorbed the Vex Unified Mind of this universe, I felt something was missing. I didn't expect this universe's Tails would use Stasis power to such an extent...

A▷ Is this surprising? You've already absorbed Vex network collectives from many universes→ Your mastery of Paracausal power is far beyond this○

N: ...Don't speak as if I intentionally seek to grow stronger this way. You understand, I don't treat universes like a buffet because I still have humanity. Any other One Above All mind entering an Omniverse would become an even greater disaster.

A▷ So→ now that I've fished this ice block out of the water→ what do you plan to do? This is condensed Paracausal power→ Consuming them would make you stronger, right○

T: ...'N'?

N: No. They've suffered enough.

N: No more running away. Let me give them their final rest.

TRANSCRIPTION ENDS

Chapter Text

【 8 】

"Uh... mm-hmm…"

Tails rubbed his head, waking up in a haze of dull pain and confusion. He propped himself up and looked around. The grass was lush and vibrant, life teeming everywhere. The familiar hills stood nearby, shimmering under the glow of the setting sun.

"Green… hills…?" Tails murmured to himself, trying to piece together fragments of his memory. Death, Vex, escape, the portal, Sonic… the Stasis-Bomb. A flood of terrifying memories surged within him, and he almost leapt to his feet in alarm.

What's going on?! Why… why am I… I should be forever frozen in the flow of time, nonexistent! Did the Vex break the Stasis power?!

Panic washed over him, and he felt tears threatening to spill. If he had failed, it meant another world would meet its doom.

He looked beside him. Sonic was lying on the ground, sound asleep. Tails urgently shook and nudged his lover. "Wake up, Sonic!! We failed! The Vex cracked—"

"Shh—"

Sonic made a gesture for silence, pointing to something above. Tails looked up to see a pair of birds building a nest.

"Don't disturb them, Tails."

Tails felt a wave of confusion wash over him. If he had failed, this place should have been a battlefield, filled with the stench of Vex radiolaria. How could there be birds here?

Where on earth are we?

"I know you're confused. Honestly, I'm not sure what's happening either. But everything here… feels peaceful," Sonic said leisurely, his tone devoid of tension. "And Tails, look at your hands."

"My hands…?" Tails extended his arms, glancing down. In that instant, he realized the source of the strange sensation he'd felt all along—his Vex mechanical arm was gone. In its place was… a complete arm. A biological arm made of flesh, blood, and golden fur, just like the one he had lost years ago.

He trembled as he touched his regained arm. He had been without that arm for over a decade, nearly forgetting what it felt like to have a real one. The Vex arm was functional and agile, but it lacked sensation, warmth, and life. This living arm felt so foreign yet astonishingly familiar.

"But… this… this can't be…" Tails rummaged through his waist pouch and found a simple radiolarian measurement device, quickly taking a blood sample.

The device indicated that his blood had a Vex radiolarian content of 0.

"Try mine," Sonic said, taking off his glove and raising his hand. Tails hesitated; he was afraid to see an unwelcome result because everything felt too unreal. But in the end, he grasped Sonic's hand and extracted a blood sample.

…

Bright red blood… not synthetic.

Tails stared in disbelief at the reading of 0 on the measurement device, then at Sonic, struggling to comprehend. "You… you've turned back into a normal Mobian…? But… how is that possible…? You… I…"

"Maybe this is a miracle," Sonic joked lightly, unsure what else could describe their current situation.

"But… even if we explain it that way… where exactly are we? Are we in another universe? Or a reflection of our past timeline?" Tails pondered, looking around as his two tails flicked gently in the air like radar probes.

"Well, why don't we go take a look?" Sonic jumped to his feet, stretched, and cheerfully grabbed Tails' hand. "After all, it's been 13 years since we've had a date in the green hills, right, my dear wife?"

Tails blushed and playfully smacked Sonic. "Flirting again, you—ugh, fine." He shook his head and firmly grasped Sonic's arm, feeling the warmth radiate from it, as if letting go would mean they would be separated again.

"Hey, hey, holding me like this makes it hard to walk." Sonic affectionately ruffled Tails' hair. This sparked an idea in Tails: "Then—carry me!"

"Hey~ Aren't you a bit too old to be asking for a piggyback? Are you still a kid?" Sonic teased, but he obediently squatted down.

"...In front of you, I'm willing to forever be a pampered child. Because a pampered child gets the candy."

With a joyful exclamation, Tails jumped onto Sonic's back. His plush cheek pressed against Sonic's soft quills, feeling more real than ever, just like in their childhood.

"Alright then—let's go! Big Blue, charge ahead!"

Tails excitedly stretched out his arm, pointing towards the circular hills. Sonic was already ready; with a confident chuckle, he grabbed Tails' little legs and smoothly transitioned from a crouch to a running stance, transforming into a blue flash that sped off.

The wind howled past Tails' ears as he braved the pressure, his excitement bubbling over. "Super speed…! Your super speed is back…!!"

"That's right! I feel completely revitalized!" Sonic beamed, racing towards the G iant loop. In an instant, Tails felt the world spin around him. He instinctively held on tighter to Sonic, fearing he might fall off. Tears welled in his eyes, but he couldn't tell if it was from overwhelming happiness or the rushing wind. All he knew was that this was not a dream.

No, this isn't a dream. Whether it's a miracle or something else… he and Sonic were together again. No Vex, no war, no death… Everything felt like it had returned to the days under the olive trees thirteen years ago. Everything was…

"Sonic… I—"

Tails shielded his face from the chaotic wind, shouting with all his might.

"I love you!!! Sonic!! I LOVE   YOU !! We—will—never—be—separated—again—!!"

His voice echoed through the air, elongated by their incredible speed. Sonic's smile widened as he accelerated, barreling towards the cliff ahead. Tails' pupils dilated, and just as he thought to shout for Sonic to stop, he suddenly understood what Sonic intended to do.

As Sonic's foot planted on the cliff's edge and he leapt high into the air, Tails tightly gripped his arm, his two tails spinning like helicopter blades. Rather than plummeting down, they soared high into the evening sky, illuminated by the warm glow of the sunset, like a phoenix reborn from flames.

The entire landscape of the green hills lay beneath them, a breathtaking view. Now, the once verdant hills were bathed in a golden hue, resembling a land of gold. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing a refreshing softness.

"It's been so many years since we flew like this, Sonic," Tails reminisced, gazing down at the pristine, untainted land. "After all, it's impossible to fly while wearing a gas mask. You'd tire out in no time."

"Yeah, it really has been a long time," Sonic replied, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. He lowered his gaze, trying to kiss Tails' hand, but not quite reaching, so he playfully stuck out his tongue to lick it instead.

" W hat the heck! What are you doing?!" Tails burst into laughter at Sonic's silly act.

Sonic sheepishly retracted his tongue. "You really need to wash your gloves."

"Do you want me to drop you right now?" "No, please don't!!"

"Ahem." Sonic cleared his throat. "In any case! I love you too, Tails. We will never be apart again. Until the last flame die —"

"—and all word had been spoken ."

They spoke the second half of the sentence in unison, a testament to their perfect synchronicity, before bursting into hearty laughter in the crisp, high-altitude air.

After flying for a while, they landed next to a vast field. It was harvest season, with golden wheat swaying in the fields, filled with the essence of nature.

But they had no time to admire the scenery, as they immediately embraced in a passionate kiss upon landing. Both Sonic and Tails eagerly matched each other's movements, their tongues entwining like two pink serpents. The exhilaration of regained emotions, coupled with the unbelievable nature of being alive again, made the moment feel transcendent. If this wasn't D estiny bringing them together, then what could be?

Tails thought with a blend of yearning and happiness, wishing they could kiss like this forever… With his last shred of rationality, he gently pushed Sonic away. "Okay… okay… we should probably figure out what's going on in this world first… I don't want to sleep on the side of the road tonight, okay? Once we find a place to rest, we have all the time in the world… to do whatever we want…♡"

Tails narrowed his eyes flirtatiously, licking his lips. This tempting gesture struck Sonic deep in his heart, causing his quills to instinctively perk up in excitement.

Just as he was about to continue their flirtatious banter, a figure in the distant farmfield caught his attention. "Oh, look, Tails. There's a local. Let's go ask them something."

Tails nodded, walking forward with Sonic. He quickly considered several explanations to disguise their identities. But when the young girl examining the wheat stalks turned around, he froze, instantly forgetting everything he had planned to say.

The girl was equally stunned upon seeing them. On her chest, a slightly worn badge still reflected the sunset's glow.

Sonic looked between the girl and Tails, utterly bewildered: "Uh... do you two... know each other?"

The girl suddenly broke into a brilliant smile. She removed the badge from her chest and walked directly to them, presenting it.

At that moment, Sonic finally remembered what the badge was and realized exactly which universe they had arrived in.

" 『 As long as you're with the ones you love, you're never alone anywhere』... Wherever our loved ones are, that's our home. Right?"

The girl repeated the words Sonic  had told her when she was kid , then smiled sweetly, taking both of their hands.

"...Welcome home. Brother Tails, M r.  Sonic."

A stream of clear tears rolled down Tails' face. Now he knew his plan had succeeded. Everyone who had escaped back then had found their new home. Past pain could not be erased, but a brand new future had already begun.

"So—what do you say, Tails?"

Sonic leaned down, gently wiping away Tails' tears of joy.

"We're finally home, my beloved."

Under the sunset's glow, the golden fox clung tightly to the blue hedgehog, finally releasing a mixture of laughter and tears—not from sorrow, but from a sense of relief and happiness.

All nightmares had finally ended.

No more running  away . Rest now, Tails.

In the distance, a black-haired girl and another golden two-tailed fox quietly watched everything from within an Void Light Cloaking  field , exchanging a gratified smile before stepping together into a Vex P ortal  Gate . The portal flickered with a blue-white light and then vanished completely.