Anyway by Rebecca Black.
Rivalry by Airbourne.
~~~

The Great Oak had a magnificent workshop set up for him, he couldn't deny that. It was the perfect place to create and build. It was arched and tall and compact with tools and parts. He had multiple ladders equipped with rolling across the floor and whilst standing on one, dragged himself by a long blue sheet of metal. He had a wrench in his mouth, paint can beside his shoe and a red toolbox hanging over his arm.

"Aren't you meant to see Sally today?" He chuckled, slipping past a pair of swinging blue legs.

His blue companion munched on a chilli dog, twisting a paintbrush between his fingers. "Sure, later."

"Remind me why again?" A third voice asked, down below with pink fur dotted in yellow paint.

"She's gotta go into Station Square. Towers wants to see her, apparently I'm needed." The blue hedgehog bounced up and tossed a chilli dog to Amy Rose below.

"So he knows you're back." Tails hummed, flying to the other side of his next build.

Sonic dipped his paintbrush in red paint and stroked it across the end of one of the stretched blue metal rectangles. "That's what Sal' told me a couple days ago."

"She's been pretty cooped up since, huh?" Amy replied. "'Been with Nicole a lot."

"She's busy." The Blue Blur shrugged. "She has a lot on her mind. But I'm gonna take her out soon, get her mind off it all. Without Eggman around it seems like the perfect time to do so."

Amy fiddled with her paintbrush. "What do you think he's up to?"

"Scheming probably."

"He's not the only one." Tails winked. "You said you and Sally are conjuring something up after all!"

Sonic massaged the back of his neck. "Ha-! We've thrown some things around."

"Do you think we'll be ready?" The brothers looked to the worried sounding Amy, noting her tense posture.

"We've got G.U.N with us, we'll be okay." The twin-tailed fox smiled and flew down to her side.

"They've been at it a lot longer. I just...I mean the factory took so much out of us." Amy looked to Sonic who hopped to stand before her. "You guys mentioned Robotropolis right?"

"That's right."

"That's Eggman's biggest base. How can we handle that?"

Sonic raised an eye-ridge, stepping closer to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Something else is on your mind. Otherwise you'd be more optimistic than me right now."

Amy bit her lip. "It...it's me. I'm not ready."

"You will-."

"I won't though! I'm sorry, oh gosh, I'm sorry." She looked between the puzzled brothers.

"Last time I tried to help I completely froze and got Bunnie and Knuckles hurt. I just want to prove myself but I don't even have an actual weapon to fight with."

Oh.

"You have that slingshot of yours." Tails smiled. "It may not be the biggest thing, but a lot of the time people underestimate smaller things. Besides, look at how much you can do with it. Even without it you could stand against one of Knuckles' fully charged punches! We haven't seen anyone else do that. Look at Bunnie! When we trained for the factory she tried opposing him and Knuckles punched her straight through the War Alcove's roof! You're awesome!"

Amy giggled. "Thank you, Tails."

"When we met, you mentioned you were meant to have a weapon. What's that mean?" Sonic rubbed his nose.

"Oh um...."

"And you had to wait longer than expected?"

"In my family, for centuries, the first born of each household will be gifted with their own weapon on their tenth birthday. My father had an axe and when he and my mother had me...I was meant to get mine. But now I'm thirteen and...." She lowly waved the slingshot.

"You've never mentioned your mother before." Tails softly spoke.

Amy watched her hands, briefly believing she saw a dark hue circling them (Sonic's expression seemed to think so too). "She died when I was born."

"I'm so sorry...." The fox consoled as Sonic took her hands in his.

"She'd be proud of you. Your father too. I know it." The oldest assured.

"How?"

"Because we are. You're doing a great job, Ames. And I know they know that. Your weapon will come. It's okay to be a late bloomer." Sonic winked. "You'll be just as beautiful as those before you."

Speechless. But she squeezed his hands in thanks and nodded when his Comlink went off (Sally's voice soon being heard on the other end). Even as he left she watched where he'd been and reddened almost entirely from Tails' knowing nudge and smile.

—————

The Chaotix offered to take them into the city by Vectors mended car courtesy of Rotor and Charles. Station Square still held Freedom Fighters memorabilia, but it was more organised and formal (fitting in with billboards of G.U.N). It was risky, traveling there at midday, but Sundays in the city proved to be rather peaceful. It was weird seeing citizens pacing the streets and vehicles pulling across roads- usually they'd be hurried or hidden inside due to Eggman.

Sonic grinned at the sight, their victory truly beginning to sink in. Even as they entered the G.U.N building and let The Chaotix go their way (Sally had asked for them to look into Angel Island and that damned document). The reception was quiet and contained half wooden, half red painted walls. It had sconces and two archways at the back wall- leading to the elevators. G.U.N banners (on a small scale) hung centrally on the side walls and the pair sat on the circular bench in the middle of the room. Apart from plants and an empty receptionist desk, there wasn't much more to it.

"You doing okay?" Sonic whispered, feeling like he oddly had to be quiet.

Sally watched a painting of the Commander opposite them. "My minds a little frazzled, but checking this off will clear some room."

The Blue Blur scooted closer to hold her hand. "You can give me some of the weight you know."

"You've got enough."

"We both know I never do." He snorted.

"Perhaps I'd like to go for those chilli dogs after this." Sally suggested and pecked his cheek.

"I er- well- yeah. Okay."

"Excuse me?"

They turned to see a poodle with glasses tightly holding a clipboard to their chest, mouth dropping as their maroon eyes examined the believed-to-be-dead hedgehog.

Sally held back a giggle. "Daisy."

"Princess!" The poodle bowed.

"I've told you before- you don't have to do that."

"Right." Daisy quickly straightened and approached, nervously holding out her hand.

"I never thought Sonic the Hedgehog would walk through those doors."

"Without handcuffs? Me too." He completed the handshake.

"Oh! Hee hee. The Commander is ready to see you both now."

"Thanks, Daisy."

"You're welcome!" The poodle watched after them and waved longer than she had planned, refusing to get too excited from Sonic saluting her.

In the elevator, Sally pressed one of the top floor buttons and straightened the tiara atop her head. She huffed from Sonic snickering.

"Shut it, you."

"I didn't say anything!" He grinned, hands behind his back. "Your majesty."

"Ugh. One day I'll laugh at you in a crown." Sally felt heat on her cheeks immediately, panicking for if he noticed her statement.

But he merely removed her tiara and settled it on his head, leaning against the wall with a wink. "Really? I think I can pull it off."

"You wanna know something?"

"What's that?"

"I hate how it looks better on you than me."

———

Their destined floor incorporated lighter colours, but still embraced G.U.N advertisements. This floor, Sonic learned, was purely for Commander Towers (apart from bathrooms and storage spaces)- the information made his eyes roll. Sally, with her tiara, guided him past the corridors towards a pair of large dark wooden doors.

"You ready?"

"Always."

She knocked and squeezed her partners hand, ears twitching when a call came from the other side. With a deep breath she opened the door and braved a polite smile. It was gone upon Towers not being alone and they both appeared puzzled at seeing a teal hedgehog at his side. A hand on her hip and slyly she moved past the Commanders desk. Purple eyelids low and a smirk neatly painted on her muzzle, she held out her hand to the blue speedster.

"I thought you were dead."

She wore a red and white suit with matching ruby heels. Golden accessories adorned her wrists and ears and although her purple eyes leaked suspicion, Sonic matched her in a grin and took her hand to peck it.

"Not the only one."

"A guest all the way from Empire City." Abraham Towers stood. "She-."

"We know who she is." Sally's arms crossed with an expression of distaste. "Breeze Media's been at the forefront of covering Sonic's whereabouts after all."

"Which I must thank you for." The teal hedgehog straightened her silky white glove. "Without you two giving me so much news I wouldn't be Mobius' top news outlet."

"Including." Sally simply continued. "Spreading the rumour of his death."

The red-suited businesswoman shrugged. "The people were worried. Without their precious hero-." She winked at him pointedly. "They couldn't sleep at night."

"I'm sure telling them he died helped with that."

"It definitely helped me."

"Forever selfish, Breezie."

"Forever entitled, Princess."

Sonic frowned. "Enough, yeah? Towers why is she here?"

"To cover your return. She was itching to meet you."

"That's why you wanted him?" Sally practically snapped.

"Not entirely. Here, take a seat you two." Abraham gestured at the opposing chairs and lowered himself into his.

"She has a few questions, and then she'll be on her way. We'll discuss further afterwards."

"I appreciate this opportunity." Breezie winked and sat on the desks right edge, leg crossing over her other.

She pulled a small recording device from within her blazer (Sonic attempted to better see the symbol on it's back- but was fruitless) and held it towards him.

"Now then, Sonic. Let's uncover how you truly got out of that mess hmm?"

———

Tails had gathered the group outside the War Alcove, hopping excitedly at his workshops entrance. The others watched in wonderment and held their breaths in anticipation when the large, rectangular door groaned up and back. Inside, a hidden invention of the genius fox sat beneath an incredibly long white sheet.

"Wha' is this Suga'?" Bunnie asked.

"Just you wait!" Tails eagerly flew up and grabbed the sheet, giving it a tug.

It hardly budged. Growing more nervous he awkwardly chuckled and pulled again, gulping from it moving just a tad more.

"Hold on Mr Tails!" Cream hopped to his aid. "It's stuck under this." Shoved beneath a small sphere, she pulled on the trapped material and quickly looked away from the little wheel.

"Thank you, Cream." Giving a grateful smile, he spun his namesakes quicker and performed another pull- cheering when he successfully tugged the sheet off.

Quickly, gasps and excited, proud chatters burst from the group and they hurried closer to his complete project. Tails lowered to join them and flicked his nose, smiling in pride.

"This is magnificent!" Rotor congratulated, dragging a hand across blue steel.

"Good work, Tails." N-I-C-O-L-E praised.

"Well look at zat." Antoine pointed Bunnie towards little tail symbols.

"You did a great job." Charles gently shook Tails' shoulder.

"Thank you." The latter whispered prior to flying to it's top, standing to look at his friends.

"I gladly introduce, the Tornado X!" His arms stretched and the group clapped, but grumbles and mutters outside made them all silent.

Amy was the first to the entrance, holding out an arm to keep the other back.

"Are Sally and Sonic back?" Vanilla asked.

"I don't think so." The pink hedgehog whispered, lifting a hand to observe the sky.

"What's wrong?" Tails approached her.

"Ah hear it." Bunnie followed. "Sounds lak'...wings? Flappin' fo' sure."

"There!" Amy suddenly yelled, pointing, and hurried outside.

The group accompanied her, all looking above, before jumping and freezing from a red sphere crashing into the ground. For a moment it didn't move but when Amy reached it sprung open to reveal a deeply frowning echidna.

She squealed and immediately pulled him into a tight squeeze. "Knuckles! You're back! We missed you!"

"I...missed you too."

Tails' namesakes twirled excitedly. "How'd you get here?"

The guardian grumbled and nodded past the group. They turned and saw an unfamiliar, tightly dressed bat dusting off her dark purple wings. She smoothed her longer white fur back and gave the Freedom Fighters a coy wave.

"Who's that?" Bunnie watched with suspicion.

"Relax. She's annoying, but harmless." Knuckles ignored the bat huffing and stood at her side.

"This is Rouge. Although unwanted, she visited my island."

"Why?" Chuck inquired.

"May I?" Rouge interrupted, patting the further frustrated echidna's chest. "Can't a lady explore?"

Knuckles rolled his eyes. "There's a lot to say, but she has something vital for us."

"And that is?" Amy pushed.

"Rouge knows what's on that locked Gun document."

———

"You were found beneath the Factory's remains, yes?" Breezie began.

"Sure."

"By...?"

Sonic shifted, arms crossing. "Friends."

"Royal type friends?" The teal hedgehog briefly glanced at Sally.

"I-...well-."

"That'll be a no then. Curious that, isn't it? That they didn't come find you."

"I know they would've if they could." Sonic pointedly eyed the Commander.

"You've all pushed your boundaries on the law before. For example, breaking into his Factory to begin with. Hacking into Robotnik technology and G.U.N. Why was this any different?"

"It wasn't as dire."

Sally tensed and looked to him with wider eyes. 'What?'

Breezie paused. "Hmm. Interesting. Well, you were at the Factory's top, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Then how could you survive the fall?"

Sonic shrugged. "Nothin' can keep me down for long."

"A week isn't long to you? The world worried and sleepless for a week, without any idea on where you are, isn't long to you?"

His eye twitched. "I-."

'They don't know you. They only care because you give them something. They lost their shield and they were panicked. They don't care.'

No. Not again.

He cleared his throat. "I appreciate that everyone thought 'bout me, but I'm back now. I'm not planning on going anywhere either so everyone can rest assured they'll be protected and safe."

"Back to my question before, how did you survive?"

"I answered that."

"Vaguely."

"I don't know what else to give."

Breezie shifted closer. "I think you do."

'You're in danger.'

Sonic felt the beginnings of a headache.

'You're connected.'

"I don't know how I did. But is it that shocking? Eggman and Snively got out too."

Breezie blinked. "Sorry? Eggman?"

"Better than Robotnik ain't it? He doesn't sound so bad anymore."

"Is that something you do often, Sonic?"

"What? Be incredibly creative?"

"Use poor jokes and puns as a defence."

"I wouldn't say they're poor." Sonic's hands curled into fists. "And I don't use 'em as a defence? I'm just naturally charming."

Briefly, Breezie frowned and Sally took more pride than she was willing to admit from it.

"Towers?"

"Yes?" The Commander straightened.

"I think it's time to show Sonic what's on that tape."

"What...how did-?"

"It's in your top drawer. When you left to find your receptionist I had a quick look." Breezie stood, setting her recording device down.

"I didn't see all of it. Relax. Although I find 'Prison Island Level Six Corridor' a rather interesting, albeit specific, name."

"How dare you-?!"

"If you want I can tell these two another incriminating name. However, this time it'll be you who looks worse at the end of it."

"What in Chaos does that mean?" Sally demanded, watching Towers stand with the tape and approach his little television.

She went ignored. "For a week no one knew where you are." Breezie continued. "But you said you were rescued days after?"

"The friends that saved me gave me sometime to rest." Sonic glared, quills sharp and shoulders tense.

"And the days prior, you just laid there?"

'Huh.'

"Guess so. Only thing that makes sense ain't it?"

Breezie grinned and dragged his chair around to face the television. She continued to stand behind him.

"Not quite."

Abraham tensely started the black and white recording and sat back on his chair. Sonic's heart picked up even quicker than usual and Sally held her breath in anticipation. There was flashing, and it became apparent the recording was silent. It wasn't the highest quality either and at rare times glitched. Still, three figures were clearly seen traversing through the corridor. One large and one with a long nose and the third-

Sonic flinched when Breezie squeezed his shoulder.

A hedgehog. The two familiar humans were accompanied with a hedgehog. It resembled him, sure, but-

A flash and the recording cut to black. The hedgehog had leaped into the air and a wave of...something erupted from it and demolished a door. The recording resumed and Sonic found himself shrinking a touch when the hedgehog pulled the humans with it. Running much faster than the cameras could keep up with. As they left the recording stopped, having reached it's end.

"I had some of my staff dig further and they found you'd been sighted in Seaside City. Not alone, but days after the Factory's fall. So I'm curious as to what you did for the three days before then."

Sonic laughed in shock and shot up. "If your staff  did a good job they would've told you I was beaten pretty badly too. So I couldn't have-."

"I doubt even you would be completely unharmed from a Prison Break. And it is a good cover."

"Good- good cover?"

Sally stood. "Sonic-."

"No. No no." He stormed over to the Commander. "It was a Prison Break, right?"

"We thought so but this...we hadn't arrested any of you."

"Right! It couldn't have been me then-."

"No one goes as fast as you." Breezie interrupted, stepping to Abraham's side.

"And Robotnik- or Eggman- is smart enough to use a Prison Break as a cover."

"If that's the case, why would Sonic be there? Why would any of them be there?" Sally countered.

"Prison Island contains many facilities, Princess. An armoury, for example. That would be useful to Eggman."

"Well, was anything taken?"

"I have a team conducting a search now." Towers replied.

"This still doesn't explain why I'd be there." Sonic scoffed, but Breezie could see his panic.

"Why don't you tell us that?"

"Out of all people, you think I'd help him?" The lights were too bright and his heart was too loud.

"It's a betrayal none of us expected."

"I didn't-!"

"Look, I don't want to believe this either. But we need you to tell us what you were doing for those few days." Abraham reasoned.

'Don't. Towers wants to use you as is. Imagine what he'll do to you when he discovers this.'

The world started to spin and Sonic's legs ached. He needed to move. He had to move.

"Sonic?" Sally pleaded.

'She believes them.'

No. She just wants answers.

'She doesn't trust you. How can she after that? And you can't tell her anything because you'll both be in danger.'

Colours were pale and Sonic felt sick. What was this?

"I can't say."

Towers sighed in disappointment. "Why not?"

"Not because I'm a criminal! I-I'm not!"

'You aren't alone. He has agents waiting for you outside. Run.'

"Then what is it, Blue?" Breezie pressed.

"I...."

He had to move.

"You gotta trust me." He looked to Sally.

"Of course I do. Just tell them so they can too, okay?"

"I can't."

Move.

Towers stood and looked to his doors. "I really need you to work with me here."

'Run!'

"Sonic!"

"Get him!"

Little lights and yells. Stomps following him. Agents. Sally's call. Booming boots thudding after him. Elevator! Shouts and Towers' demands. He skidded and crashed into the lifts back wall, leaping to press the buttons. Charging agents. Weapons?! Handcuffs. Sally shoving past them.

"Sonic!"

'Escape!'

The doors slammed shut. He jumped from bangs and yells. His legs wobbled. His heart thundered. His lungs were sore. Flashing light in the elevator. The doors opened. He stumbled out. More agents. Daisy. Panic. A boot slid out and he stumbled over it.

"Get him!"

"Don't let him escape!"

Must escape.

'Get away from them!'

Dark mist and pale colours. He weaved and twisted. They reached and Daisy hid behind her desk. Handcuffs. Trapped. No Sally. Prison? Him? Helping Eggman?

He shook his head. Focus. Early night sky flooded his vision and a chilly air brushed past his fur. He tripped onto the pavement, inhaled and took off again. Criminal? Him?

Something wasn't adding up and something told him Breezie was more suspicious than just his and Sally's paranoid thinking. He skidded around a corner. Agents' yells were disappearing. He twirled past a corner building and practically slammed himself against the brick wall.

Breathe. In. Out. In. Out.

He watched the first stars of the night twinkle into view. His heart was still too loud, but he had to move. Thus, he ran.

He rounded another turn and skidded to a stop. There were apartments circling him and annoyingly he'd come to a dead end. With a huff he turned but hissed from a blindingly bright flash of white light. Then he wheezed from a punch to his stomach drawing out the air from his lungs and gasped as he was thrown to the ground. No time to catch his breath. His leg was grabbed and he was sent spinning straight into a lamppost.

He groaned and shook his head, trying to clear his vision. "What...?"

Another flash and Sonic's quills were tugged on, bringing him up and back down onto the concrete. He whined and tried pushing himself up, but a surprisingly hot shoe dug into his back. He yelled and twisted immediately, but his head forcefully crashed against the ground again.

The shoe left him and he was quick to roll onto his back. He wheezed and with shaky hands rubbed his eyes. A fist immediately dove for his face, but he was quicker and caught it. He twisted (retrieving a hiss from his opponent) and flung his unknown attacker against a bench. Sonic wobbled as he stood and looked to the bench- finding it empty.

"It all starts with this."

He jumped and whirled around to a bus stop where a- hey! A hedgehog stood rather pridefully on top. They were black and red and adorned white gloves with golden bracelets, similar to his ankles. Now Sonic knew why his back still stung, for the hedgehog wore Air Shoes- not simple trainers like himself. Around his left ankle was a piece of blue fabric and atop his fluffy, white chest hung a golden necklace.

Sirens in the distance blared too. Oh no.

"Look, I gotta get-."

A flash and a fist collided with Sonic's jaw. The Blue Blur hopped onto his hands, flipped and readied himself with a frown.

"Running from them won't make you appear innocent." The hedgehog's low voice mocked.

"Don't worry. They're not my focus right now." In a blink he was gone and with another the mysterious hedgehog found a blue sphere slamming into his stomach.

He gasped, but the ball attacked again and unraveled. Sonic reached for black quills and pulled, throwing his opponent against a lamppost. The black and red hedgehog spat, slowly stood and straightened his glove.

"Now I think I know what's going on a bit." Sonic stretched his legs. "Gun's mistaken me for the likes of you! Mind telling me why you want me arrested?" He huffed. "Say something you fake hedgehog!"

The pair charged at each other, simultaneously curling into dagger-sharp balls. They collided and sent a tremendous wave of dust, but were unfazed and zoomed for each other again. However, the dark hedgehog unraveled last second and squeezed the blue sphere between his hands.

"There's no time for games." He tossed the ball up and before Sonic could uncurl, he was kicked straight for the ground.

But the dark hedgehog caught his quills before he landed and threw him towards one of the apartment buildings. Lights from within snapped on and the mysterious opponent hurried to punch Sonic towards the concrete- letting him reach it.

Sonic gasped as an Air Shoe pressed into his stomach and he spat. He pulled on black fur as the other lowered himself.

"My name-." A flash and Sonic was held up by the throat against a wall.

"Is Shadow." Another and he crashed into a bench, groaning as his opponent stood atop the bus stop.

"And I am the world's Ultimate Lifeform. Farewell."

"Hey-!" He growled in annoyance from yet another snap of white light.

Sonic groaned and held his arm as he stood, then straightened his puffer-coat. "Shadow, huh?"

He rubbed his eyes and stretched a leg, freezing when red and blue lights danced across the street. Sirens blared and with narrow eyes he looked up to see a circulating helicopter.

"Don't move!" An Agent below called. "Stay where you are and show your hands!"

Sonic cursed. "Chilli dogs."