Youth by Daughter.
Ordinary World by Duran Duran.
The Exit by Conan Gray.
~~~

"Run all you want, dear boy. You're too late."

"As long as I'm around, you'll be chasing after me."

"You and I will be doing this dance until one of us is put down."

He turned, grumbling and face scrunched up.

"Run to the end of the world, but know I'll always be a step ahead of you."

"My Empire will come to be!"

No. Stop it. They won.

"You were finished the second I stepped foot in Mobotropolis all those years ago."

"Argh-!" In annoyance, he kicked off his blankets, slipped on his trainers and stepped outside.

Tents weren't the comfiest things to sleep in, but unlike Antoine complaining and after all the caves and trees, he didn't mind. What he did mind however, was the same nightmare playing over and over again. After a week he'd grown more than sick of it, visibly irritable too.

Still, when Cream stopped playing with a blue chao (one that stuck with her since the fall of Robotropolis and thus named 'Cheese') to wave at him, he threw on a gracious smile and saluted in passing. Vanilla returned to her daughter with a slightly dirtied dress, no doubt coming back from assisting in the rebuild.

Now New Mobotropolis, the city was in desperate need for repairs. GUN, after a brief conversation with Sally about 'restoring trust in Mobius' and 'announcing the victory' vacated, but did leave recourses behind. Towers had spoken to Shadow, giving the latter a grumpy expression afterward (although Sonic couldn't tell if that was just his normal face).

Either way, Sonic gained a similar one too when the Commander heavily insinuated (once again) that his powers would be better suited elsewhere. Under his control no doubt. The speedster quickly shut it down and sent Abraham on his way.

A week later and between the news interviews and rebuilding, he was still restless. Of course. But now it came with a simmering guilt and strong urge to do more.

"I can drive you to be just as insane as I am."

"Pfft. Yeah, good luck."

Still, the fur on his shoulders stood on end. What gave with the dark fur and crazy teeth anyway?

He shook his head. It didn't matter. They won. It was over.

A sign of that was the stunning flora that had already begun to grow. Amy took charge in planting the trees, but the flowers came all on their own. A group of white roses in particular caught his mind. Amy had tried telling him each colour's meaning (many times), but quickly he'd always daydream and zone out. Maybe he could do something with the roses in a different way.

———

"No, Knuckles, that holes too big!"

"Too small, too big- I ain't a professional!"

"Try and match mine, okay?"

Knuckles crossed his arms, hay hat dipping over his eyes. "Because yours are so perfect." He grumbled.

Amy smiled, fingers stretching. "What was that?"

"As entertaining as this, I like Knuckie too much to see him turn into a pancake." Rouge interrupted, moving to stand between them.

"And I'd rather you not go to prison, Amy."

"Right. Sorry." The pink hedgehog rubbed her scruff and Rouge eyed the red guardian as a hint.

"What? I'm not apologising."

"Then I take mine back!"

"I didn't want it anyway!"

"Good 'cause-!"

"I ain't interrupting am I?"

Immediately, Amy's eyes grew to a cartoonish size, she batted her eyelashes and clasped her hands together. "Sonic! Never! I'm- w-we're always glad to see you!"

"You did, and I'm very glad." Rouge sighed, taking Knuckles' hand and leaving the pair be.

"You look nice in a hat, by the way."

The echidna flushed and blinked. "Was that a compliment?"

"You sound surprised. I always compliment you!"

"Not sincerely."

Rouge rolled her eyes. "Because you make it so easy." Then she smirked. "Wait, would you like me to compliment you more?"

Knuckles stomped. "That's not what I meant!"

Amy cleared her throat, suddenly becoming very aware of how dirty she was. "Did you want to help with the trees?"

Sonic shrugged. "Not that I don't want to, but right now I came to see you."

Her throat became weirdly dry and she squeezed the trowel tightly between her suddenly clammy hands. Her legs felt like jelly and she tried swallowing, only able to squeak out a questioning "Oh?"

Sonic watched her in confusion for a moment, but at her continued silence he chose to carry on. "Yeah er, you've done a lot lately and um...you got that hammer you've been waiting on-."

He remembered that?

"-And you seem obsessed with roses so uh...guess it's in the name right?"

It was weird. The sweat gathering at his forehead and him nervously rubbing the back of his neck. But even stranger was how he couldn't even look at her when he shoved a white rose into her face- giving an awkward crooked smile. She'd never seen him so...frazzled before.

"Oh! Oh wow! It's...beautiful." Quickly, she dropped the trowel and brought the flower to her nose.

Amy glanced over it with pink cheeks to see him finally looking back at her. Her heart began pounding and when she opened her mouth to thank him, he zoomed off in a cobalt blur.

———

"How's Sally?" He asked.

His brother shrugged, rubbing his nose. "I haven't seen her much. Busy, though."

Tails bit his bottom lip. The first couple of days after Robotropolis' end, full of parties, music and food, the pair had basically been stuck at the hip. However, usually it always looked so fitting and yet...it was like something was pushing between them.

"Have you talked to her since...that?"

Sonic sighed. "You mean the last time we did and it blew up in my face?"

"She's just scared. We still haven't got Nicole back to their full self. Telling her you want to leave is-."

"I know I know. But it's-."

"I'm not saying it's fair for her to ice you out." Tails kindly smiled. "Maybe you just need to approach it differently."

Sonic leaned against red and white paint. "I dunno what else to say."

The fox watched the revamped Tornado. "That you both have different goals. But that doesn't mean you'll be apart forever. And, if she needs you, you'll be there."

The speedster chuckled and ruffled atop his head. "Pretty wise for your age, huh?"

"One of us has to be." Tails cheekily grinned.

"Har har. Oh!" Sonic snapped his fingers and dug in his quills before pulling out messily tied blueprints with red ribbon.

"What's this?" The young kit carefully undid the ribbon to reveal doodles of rings, cylinders and emeralds.

"Plans from Eggman and my Unc'." The older brother shrugged.

"Wow! There's the Master Emer- oh! All the phases of the Robotisizer! Hey, it's even got Metal Sonic ideas! Woah, are these golden rings?"

Sonic laughed and gave Tails a quick side hug. "Never change, Lil' Bro."

———

She was at that same makeshift-wooden log table again. Hands sprawled over papers and stationary. Rotor and Bunnie at either of her sides with the former deadly focused on N-I-C-O-L-E's device. Antoine was nearby, sharpening his sword and the first to notice him- giving a wave.

Sonic returned it before clearing his throat. "You busy?"

"Hmm? Oh, Sonic. Kinda. Still trying to track down Snively and Eggman."

He pulled his eyes away from a glaring Bunnie and awkwardly chuckled. "Any luck?"

Sally gestured to the highly dangerous and dishevelled surroundings of the Acorn Castle. "Not much progress with all the rebuilding needing to be done."

"Ah ha...yep."

"You need something?" Finally, she pulled her blue eyes off the paper and rested them on him.

"Oh er...actually I was wondering if we could talk?"

"But I-."

He took a deep breath. How could he implement Tails' stupid advice with nothing handed to him?

"Please." He held out a hand.

With a whisper from Bunnie she stepped to his side, eyed his hand and continued up the rickety stairs. He followed with an eye roll and frown.

"Don't you think this is silly? We've won the war and immediately we're in this...weird phase. We should be taking it all in. Take advantage of our freedom!" He threw a fist to the air enthusiastically.

"By leaving the second you can?"

Ah. Okay. New direction.

"Look, Sal, even if I'm not always here- I won't stop coming back whenever you need me."

"You think I'm upset because we'll be apart?" She turned to face him. "How selfish do you think I am?"

Sonic scratched his head. "Aren't-? Then what's going on?"

"You dork." She sighed, massaging her temple. "Sure, it's gonna be weird without you but I've been preparing myself for that ever since you left the first time. You're destined for so much more Sonic, I refuse to be what holds you back." Stepping closer, she cupped his cheek.

"I can tell everyone's worried about Nic', yet they're trying to do everything they can to stay hopeful. They've been with me pretty much my whole life. I...need them. Losing them is just...." She shook her head.

"That's on my mind. And it makes me think what could happen to you. You've been at my side for even longer. You've gotten into situations even you couldn't handle before. It terrifies me that one day...it'll catch up."

"But I-."

"Am too fast yeah I know. I just...needed time to think about things. Probably shouldn't have yelled at you to leave but...." She guiltily chuckled.

Sonic pecked her hand prior to taking it in his. "Are we...cool?"

"Mondo awesome. Sorry for the dramatics."

"It's been a stressful time."

"Can I ask something?"

"Whatever you like, Sal'."

"What...about us? I-I mean I know nothing's been said formerly or anything but-."

Sonic's eyes saddened. "I wouldn't want you waiting out on me."

Did he understand there was a possibility he wouldn't...win?

Sally thickly swallowed. "Right. Both ways."

"Yeah...um. Okay-."

"Do you think there's a universe out there where we do make it together?"

Bringing her close, he wiggled his face between her ears. "I'm sure of it. And I'm sure they argue just the same."

Even though she laughed, she knew that perhaps they were just destined to fall apart.

She would've liked to stay there for a much longer while, but Rotor beckoned for them to come- urgency evident in his tone.

"What's wrong?" Sonic asked.

And she heard the words she'd been dreaming about all week, "I think I've got Nicole back!"

———

The news spread faster than Sonic could run. Every single Freedom Fighter quit any action they participated in and hurried to the castle, almost breaking the new doors off their hinges.

"Well, where are they?" Vector asked, looking around and scratching his head.

Perplexed, the group wondered as to why there was no smiling holo-lynx standing to greet them. Antoine was in Bunnie's arms sobbing together, but it didn't sound sad. Rotor looked too proud and Sonic and Sally too overjoyed for it too be bad news. Maybe they were trying a new way of coping?

In worry, Amy slowly stepped closer. "Everything...okay, guys?"

"You aren't seeing things are you?" Knuckles narrowed his eyes.

'No more than usual.' Sonic inwardly thought, but laughed on the exterior.

"They have lost it." Omega concluded, Shadow humming and nodding in agreement.

Rouge elbowed the pair. "Don't be silly."

"Do not be alarmed dear friends, everyone is well."

"Mx Nicole!" Cream clapped.

"But where-?" Charmy started.

Sally shook the holo-lynx's little device, screen lit in a familiar green. "They wanted a dramatic entrance."

"Why aren't they...ya know? Here?" Mighty wondered.

"Ah. I haven't been able to get them to that level yet. At the moment they can communicate though."

"With our joint efforts we'll succeed." Charles gave a thumbs up.

"It's impressive nevertheless. Well done sweetheart." Vanilla nodded.

"Without the Master Emerald, I think we'd be having a very different conversation right now. So...." Rotor shrugged.

"Does that mean I can take her home now?" Knuckles huffed.

"Her?" Sonic and Rouge echoed.

Sally giggled. "Yes. I think that's been long overdue. Will Angel Island be alright?"

"With everything restored, yes."

"Speaking of...." Mighty awkwardly tapped his thumbs together.

"Yes?"

"Well...."

"We were wondering if we could...go on our own for a bit. W-we'd really like to explore more of Mobius!" Ray explained.

"'Course if you ever need help, Knucks we'll-."

"That's fine. You both have done so much already. Not just for me, but for us and Mobius."

Mighty shyly laughed. "Bit dramatic ay?"

"He's a big softie beneath all that lonesome energy and muscle." Sonic squeezed his close friend with a grin.

Shadow snorted, only for his blue lookalike to zoom over and lightly pull on his cheeks.

"I didn't forget about you Mister Angst-but-secretly-a-teddy-bear, you."

"Get off." Expectantly, his hands were slapped away.

Tails cleared his throat, presently at Rotors side. "I know you'll have Charles but if you'd like I'd be willing to lend a hand."

Rotor ruffled the fox's head-fur. "Your brains would make this a walk in the park."

Sally and Sonic shared an anxious expression before the former coughed, gathering the FF's attention.

"About that...um. Eggman and Snively are still out there. New Mobotropolis needs to be rebuilt. I and some others are going to be staying behind but...."

"I'm headin' out." Sonic shrugged. "Got a whole planet to explore! Bad guys to beat and people to help...so...."

"You're separating?" Amy gasped.

"W-well I-."

"What will become of the Freedom Fighters?" Shadow interrupted.

"We agreed that, if need be, we'll come together to stop it. If Eggman or Snively try something like this again. But between that...there's not much need for us to be such a formal group." Sally informed.

"You...going on your own?" Tails wondered, ears dipping back.

Sonic's eyes widened and he glanced at his friends, most appearing similarly quizzical, before he patted his brothers head. "I want you all to do what ya like. We're all free to do so now. Spend the rest of your lives how you wish- until we're called upon. I don't expect you to come with me, I'll be after Eggman a lot and-."

"Sometimes Sonic, you can be really thick." Amy cut in. "After everything we've been through, don't you think we'd like to stay at your side? We do actually like you, you know."

"You do keep things exciting." Knuckled quietly added.

"And we always have a blast!" Tails smiled. "You're my brother. Where you go, I go."

"Someone needs to make sure you don't endanger the world more." Shadow (in a way) agreed.

"You guys...?" Weirdly, Sonic found a lump in his throat.

"Not us I'm afraid." Vector sadly shook his head.

"We do have a business to run." Espio reminded.

"But be sure to swing by!" Charmy buzzed.

"We'll come too, but after I think we could do with some peace." Vanilla chuckled, hugging her daughter close.

"I may be a GUN agent, but I have your back." Rouge winked.

"You guys really don't...." Sonic glanced at Sally who smiled and shrugged.

"You have a loyal family, Blue."

"Well...." Returning to etch their faces in, he found himself truly touched.

But he was not going to get sappy yet, so he grinned and flicked his nose.

"Only if you can keep up!"

—————

They had agreed to only go separate ways once N-I-C-O-L-E was fully themselves again and with another week rolling by, Charles, Rotor and Tails awoke their friends in the very early hours of a sunny morning. They'd quickly discovered New Mobotropolis was appearing much more green and tidy.

At first confused, but they soon saw the answer as to how. At the entrance of Acorn Castle stood the widely smiling holo-lynx with Sally behind, resting a hand on their shoulder. Purple and white dress hung up by a purple strip connected with a green jewel, they equipped black trousers, matching gloves and black and white trainers (finished with a fitting hat).

"Oh my Chaos oh my Chaos, Nicole!" Amy squealed.

"Lookin' good, Nic." Sonic gave a thumbs up.

"You did all this?" Shadow asked, gesturing to the flourishing surroundings.

"I did. Last night, with Sally. We thought we'd test out Tails', Charles' and Rotors work. Besides, it adds up as a nice surprise."

"How do you feel?" Espio inquired.

"For a hologram such as myself, I feel wonderful."

"We owe so much to you." Mighty bowed his head.

"Sally informed me of the wars final events. It sounds like you all were the true heroes."

"Nonsense! Without you we couldn't have beat him!" Sonic zoomed over and squeezed their shoulders.

"A group effort." N-I-C-O-L-E blushed a green hue. "In any case, we came out of it victorious."

"Absolutely. I'm still in slight disbelief." Sally giggled.

"I bet the old man's sat in a cave, wallowing in self-pity somewhere." Vector laughed.

"Knowing the Robotnik type, I'm sure he's already making his next plans." Shadow frowned.

"Sure. Maybe. But that's not as funny. 'Sides, whatever he's up to we'll be ready all the same." Sonic rubbed his nose.

"Not if you continue hanging around here. Sally said you have grand adventures ahead." N-I-C-O-L-E lightly pushed the speedster.

"Do tell us when you return will you?"

"You can count on it."

"Oh." Amy whined. "Everything's so nice here I almost don't want to go!"

"You don't have to."

"I said almost!"

"You'll be tracing Snively, but won't that be difficult with New Mobotropolis returning to the map?" Espio wondered.

"We're going to keep a low-radar. So low, Nicole's going to cast one of her shields to hide us from view. We'll disappear. In fact Tails tweaked our Comlinks last night so there's a site with all of us and another for you all to use. It's much easier to understand what's going on between our groups that way too." Sally explained.

"We're really going to miss, ya'll." Bunnie flinched when Antoine lifted his face off her shoulder, revealing his quivering lip before hiding again.

Sonic looked between the five, his eyes (always- he found) meeting a glassy, spectacular blue. "H-hey, it's not forever. We'll see each other again."

"If we ever leave." Shadow sighed, gesturing for Rouge and Omega to follow (who did after giving waves).

Vector watched his team head for his car before he, sweating and tapping his thumbs, approached Vanilla (who comforted a sobbing Cream).

"You know, if you ever do fancy a bit of action again- y-you could come by. A-at our agency. O-or we could come to yours for baked goods or-."

Vanilla giggled. "I- we'd like that."

"Oh! O-okay! Great!" With a bounce in his step, the large crocodile hurried to his car.

"We'd better get moving." Charles hummed, patting his nephews back (who was busy observing Mighty, Ray and Knuckles hug prior to separating).

"Who-? What?" Sonic's face twisted into confusion. "Oh. Uncle Chuck I didn't think-."

"After years, I'm finally reunited with the only blood family I have left. Then he decides to be a hero. Then I get him back and now he wants to run off again." Charles grinned. "You thought I'd stay behind?"

"Kinda?"

"Would...you want me to?"

Even though his uncle was technically a machine, Sonic could read the sadness in his eyes. He sighed, lowered his head and settled his hands on cold, metal shoulders.

"It's not that I want ya too...." He glanced at his friends boarding the Tornado with Sally's group approaching.

Then back at his shoes. "But finally, I've got you back. I gotta make sure it stays that way. It's safer here."

"But-."

"'Sides, Sally needs ya. Rotor, Nic'. Bunnie and 'Twan too. I'll come back. I promise. But it'll help me sleep at night knowin' you're here. Safe."

And steel arms were tightly around him. A pointed moustache dug in his shoulder, but only slightly.

"Fine. But promise me you'll tell them. I want to know you'll have all the support you need."

"Hide it all you want. They'll see what you really are sooner or later."

"Maybe." He whispered and gulped. "S-sure."

"I'm proud, Sonny. I know your siblings and parents-."

"Thanks." Sonic croaked, lightly pushing his uncle away with a chuckle.

Charles smiled. "I know how wonderful that heart of yours is. I know how brave you can be. Show Mobius what my brilliant nephew can do."

And he was off, but the mechanical uncle etched every line of his smile, every shade of green in his eyes and every stitch in his gloves (one shaping into a thumbs up) into his mind.

"He looks just like you, and acts just like you both."

He crossed his arms, watching how Sonic embraced Sally and handed her his shoes golden buckles, saluted Antoine and Rotor and dramatically bowed to Bunnie and N-I-C-O-L-E.

"He'll be fine, you're right I know. You remember how we used to go on adventures like that, brother? I suppose Mobius rests in their hands now."

And with a final stir of the engine, the Tornado was reaching the clouds.