Vanilla's baked goods were renowned in the group. No matter how stressed one became, a warm pastry freshly made by the mother always brought a smile back to their faces. She relied on it to ensure they'd all become uplifted to some degree despite the weight on their shoulders.

So it concerned her, when setting down a tray of tea and pastries in the workshop, Sonic didn't seem all that bothered. His hand dropped from Tails' back and he watched, but he simply observed Cliff and the fox gather.

Vanilla politely tucked her hands before her anyway. "I thought everyone deserved a treat. You've all been working so hard!"

"Thanks! I've been craving this!" Tails smiled, biting into a croissant.

"I've heard great things about these." Cliff complimented, humming in content with a full mouth. "Now I know why!"

Vanilla graciously accepted the praise, carefully slipping away to not bring attention to herself so she could stand beside the Blue Blur.

"I'm sure that appetite of yours would like them."

Sonic chuckled. "I don't doubt it." He reached to fold a pale blue blanket.

"I'll have something later."

The mother's eyes searched. She'd had the fortune of seeing the hero grow into the young man he had become. Although they had spent much time apart, she could recall the days when Sonic could tuck himself in his father's quills.

So, she'd wager, she knew him pretty well. It worried her to see his growing distance with not just herself, but with his many other friends too. She knew Charles had wanted him to discuss his earlier life with them all, but- well- Sonic wasn't exactly known for talking about his feelings.

She had tried to mention it to him before. Urging him to speak to someone. To stop avoiding Amy's inquiries and Tails' or Knuckles' expressed concern. It only led to him snapping at her.

Sonic wasn't an angry hedgehog. Quite the opposite, actually. It was upsetting to see him chase down a fog he couldn't seem to touch.

"Hey, Sonic?" Tails asked, wringing his hands together.

"Sup?"

"I-If Snively's really involved, do you think we should...you know, tell Sally?"

A blue ear flickered and shoulders raised, but he maintained his laid back smile. "Why? We can handle it."

"She could be in trouble. The others too."

"They're tough. I doubt Snively laid a hand on any of 'em."

Tails' eye twitched and Vanilla and Cliff shared a glance.

"Shouldn't we check?"

"If they got hurt, they would've called."

"What if they couldn't?"

Sonic looked to the side and rather nervously bit his lip. His ears turned to the air and he began (hopefully it was mindlessly) chipping away at the skin surrounding his claws.

"What do the others think?"

"The- the others?" Tails' eyes narrowed. Why did that matter? Wasn't his reasoning enough?

Was it ever?

He shook his head. "I haven't spoke to them much more than you have about it. I still think we should consider Shadow's argument. Are we sure Eggman's a reliable source?"

"Dude didn't seem like he was lying to me."

"And we can trust him more than Sally and the others, right?" It was said before Tails fully realised.

When an alien glint flashed through Sonic's eyes and he straightened, the fox wrung his namesakes with a wince.

"It's been a very stressful time recently." Vanilla intervened. "Perhaps it's best we think about our options, have some space to think of our reasonings and come back for a compromise."

"Fine by me."

"I...yeah. Okay." Tails allowed Cliff to guide him from the workshop, missing the way Sonic glared at the dog behind.

"Well. You could have been nicer." Vanilla gently scolded, letting the speedster zip up and patiently perched on the stool.

"I know."

Admittedly, she expected more pushback. She didn't know whether to be pleased or concerned.

Sonic tugged on his quills and paced all the same. "He's probably right, too. I mean, it's Tails. He's always right. But I can't...."

"Maybe it'll be easier if you explain what's going on."

Green eyes rolled. "Shouldn't have to."

"True." She reasoned. "But it would help. He's only worried-."

"I know!" Sonic cringed. "I...I know. That seems to be the only thing my friends can feel for me lately."

"Can you blame them?"

A pause. "No."

Sonic whipped around. "I don't think Eggman lied-."

"You don't have to explain." Vanilla smiled. "I have trust in you. If you believe it then that's enough for me."

The Blue Blur stalled. "I...I don't know why people keep saying that."

"You don't have to, Dear. But you can trust it's in good faith."

"Ha. Maybe."

Vanilla's smile faltered. "Is the idea of seeing Sally again that painful?"

"Pathetic, ain't it?"

"Not at all. The two of you had a bond like no other. Under different, kinder, circumstances the outcome would've been different- I'm sure. You both went through a lot together. Seeing her will bring that all back, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe that's not a bad thing." She approached the teen, lifting his face.

"Remembering what you've lost isn't a setback. It doesn't make you weak. It brings gratitude for what you have left and appreciation for the life ahead of you."

"I'm...not ready."

Vanilla chuckled. "Are you ever?"

"I-."

"No matter what comes, you never give up. You don't back down and you don't leave the fight. It's admirable- if a little worrying sometimes."

Sonic stepped away, glanced at his claws, the air and back at the floor. His ears turned to the distance. Vanilla only followed and lowered to a knee.

"If you need more help in the next battle, that's okay too-."

"I'm fine."

"Dear-."

"We'll head out. Find Snively. If Sally and the other's aren't with him- then great." Sonic headed for the door. "We're after the Chaos Emeralds, not him-."

Vanilla's face twisted and she stood. "Sonic Maurice Hedgehog!"

He froze, wincing.

"When someone is in trouble, you never turn your back on them. Especially your friends. You may not have seen Sally, Nicole, Bunnie, Antoine and Rotor in years- but they are still people you care about. Nor do you allow someone dangerous to leave Scott-free." She approached and held his shoulder.

"Whatever is going on with you isn't a reason to push people away. Please, Dear, don't let it blind you. If you can't bring yourself to talk to them, then talk to me. But I won't let it make you walk down a path I can't follow."

Sonic was silent, only shrugging himself free before giving a response. "Last thing I want is anyone of you walking this with me. I'll fix this, Vanilla. Promise."

Even with his head the other way, she noticed his grimace.

"You know me. I always do."

___

"There you are!" Rouge greeted.

Sonic gave a salute. "Hope I didn't keep you waitin' for too long."

"Mind telling us what our next move is?" Shadow wondered.

Their eyes were searching. Curious and apprehensive and unsure. They lurked and yanked and whispered. The corners of his eyes darkened and he urged and ridiculed and challenged.

Sonic smiled.

"Track down Snively of course and kick butt!"

"Metal is still an issue." Blaze reminded.

"Together, he's just like any other Badnik. Updates and all."

"Did Eggman hint at where they could be?" Amy wondered.

"I...no. But I'm sure we can handle it!"

Silver raised a brow at the...very chipper mindset the speedster held. "Do you know any places Snively would go to?"

"Well no but-."

"I'm on the case." Tails assured, waving his arm with his Comlink.

Sonic observed with a slight gape, shook himself and gave a finger gun. "Thanks, Little Buddy."

Knuckles cleared his throat. "And what about Sally? The others? We lettin' them know what's going on?"

"And yer Uncle!" Sticks added.

The Blue Blur sweat-dropped, feeling his brothers eyes on him. It only made him avoid the fox's direction more. Vanilla move passed from behind and, although she didn't speak, the pressure of her eyes was felt all the same. Shadow's eyes rolled and he went to (most likely) make a snide, but Sonic was faster.

"I'll call her."

Yeah. Okay. He probably should've expected the gaping, startled faces of his friends.

"R-really?" Amy blinked.

"Okay okay. Calm it- it ain't a big deal."

"The way you have been avoiding it seemed like it was." Omega so very helpfully argued.

"E-either way, that's great! We can get their help and bring the Chaos Emeralds together!" Amy chirped.

With great dizziness and aching stomach abruptly attacking him, Sonic groaned and rushed a thumbs up. "Yuh huh. Sure."

They weren't happy. He wasn't happy.

He was going to pay for this.

—————

It was late into the evening when he stepped out onto the porch. He'd excused himself to the bathroom whilst the others made plans and ignored Shadow's, Vanilla's and Tails' stares. Being sick had become a rather expectant development by then.

Seeing blood was new, though.

Maybe one of Vanilla's pastries wouldn't hurt? Or perhaps a chilli dog?

Man, he missed chilli dogs.

"Focus, Sonic." He scolded and sat down, flipping his Comlink open.

His stomach churned, but for once it was by his own independent responses. On the device, there came two symbols. One of his own blue head (longer, more stylised quills- but it was an obvious resemblance) and an acorn with two swords crossing behind.

He'd rarely seen his finger tremble so much as he pressed on the latter, freeing a shaky breath. A list of familiar, bittersweet names appeared and he couldn't prevent the smile that grew. He scrolled, stalling at the symbol of a chipmunk, brown in colour, with great masses of hair.

And he called her.

And it ringed.

And ringed.

And...ringed.

And it stopped.

So did his heart and Sonic shot up. He gave a nervous laugh and tried again. Coming up fruitless pushed him to pace, picking around his claws once more. Sally was fine. She was always fine! She'd be okay.

They laughed and mocked and boasted. He should've listened. Don't steer from what's important. They were right. He was wrong. Didn't he get it by now?!

N-I-C-O-L-E would be okay. Bunnie and Antoine were alright. Rotor was fine. They had each other. They'd make it through.

He circled and shook his head. Tutting away and speaking as if he were a child who had to learn an obvious lesson. Sonic should've listened. He never does. Now he has to pay the price.

Why was it, then, that his friends always ended up suffering?

"Sonic?"

"Who's- Blaze?"

The feline cracked a small smile, posture strong and elegant. "Is something wrong?"

"I-I...." He returned to his Comlink, attempting once more.

Nothing.

Sweet Gaia, was his uncle okay?

He went to Charles' image and shakily pressed, vision blurring. Annoying rings, but no answer.

Dancing dancing dancing. Drowning drowning drowning.

He...he should've been there! He had to keep his friends safe above anything else! Charles was the only family he really had left and all he'd done is moped about the older one's lies.

He kept messing up so why couldn't he be the one to harbour the consequences? Why did they have to take and take and take?

Screaming screaming screaming!

And Blaze was there, gripping his hands in her own.

"Th-they aren't answering." He spluttered.

"Breathe, Sonic. You must-."

"They won't pick up! I-I thought they'd be fine. I didn't think...."

That was the damn problem though, wasn't it? He never did.

"You said they can handle themselves. They won't be Freedom Fighters if that's not the case. If they're in trouble, we can save them. There is time. But right now you can't help anyone- so please. Breathe."

Through teary eyes, he followed. Blaze inhaled and he mimicked after- with struggle. He didn't know how much time had passed when they sat side by side, sun now set.

"Remember, they've all gone their own way too. You may have left, but they had their own path too. We shall find Snively and Metal Sonic, take the Chaos Emeralds and find them. If they aren't with him, they must be out on an adventure of their own. Trust that they'll call if they can. Trust that we'll find them."

Sonic pulled a hand through his quills. "Right. You're right. It's not over yet. I'm still breathing."

"W-well yes but-."

"Thanks. For pulling me together."

"It's not a problem." Blaze smiled. "Even you need to slow down once in a while."

"Yeah. Haven't been doing that lately. It's nice you can trust us, by the way. I'm glad."

"It doesn't come easy to me. But I learned how."

Sonic turned to her. "Oh yeah?"

Blaze's expression melted into reminiscence. "You taught me."