"What made him get fever in the first place?!" Vector asked.

"I'm not sure," Rotor answered. "Last time I saw him, he was already asleep."

"Same goes with me," Lariel said.

"The last time I saw him, he said 'goodnight' to me," Leo said.

"Not only that, but Clifton also has sniffles. Gotta tell you, there was a lot of snot in his nose," Tails said. Then, he made a disgusted expression. "Ugh. Yuck."

"For now, let's have Clifton rest until he heals. In the meantime, we'll search for the correct medicine for his fever and his sniffles," Destinee said.

Espio turned to Destinee and nodded. "Good idea, Destinee."

"In that case, let's inform Sally about this," Leo said.

Everyone else, except Clifton nodded. "Right."

With that, Vector, Espio, Destinee, Lariel, Rotor and Tails left the medical bay. Leo was the last to leave. He walked towards Clifton.

"Clifton, we'll inform Sally about this situation. Then, we'll direct course to the drug store to buy you medicine," Leo said.

"I... I don't like drugs," Clifton said on a croaky tone. "They disgust me."

"Maybe so, but the medicine is in the drug store. It's essential for you to be recovered," Leo said. "Lie down and rest, Clifton. I'll tell Sally you won't be training until you're fully recovered."

With that, Leo exited the medical bay, leaving Clifton lying in bed.

—————————————————————

The Bridge, Sky Patrol

"Clifton got sick?" Sally asked as she continued driving the Sky Patrol.

Leo, Lariel, Vector, Espio, Destinee, Rotor and Tails stood befmhind Sally's seat upfront. As for Antoine, Bunnie and Hope, they were also shocked, but they managed to focus on what they're doing.

"Yes, Sally. Clifton caught a fever this morning. We were wondering if we could stop by the drug store to buy medicines for him," Leo said.

Concern appeared on Sally's face. It took a few seconds before she spoke, "I'm sorry, guys, but we already went through one of the portals. For now, you guys should make your own medicines for him."

"Sally, none of us are pharmacists," Tails stated.

"You have that experience when you, Rotor and Shuzie make the cure for Leo, right?" Sally asked.

"Yes?" Tails asked.

"I'd like you to do the same with Clifton. Except that instead of the cure to venom, you'll create the cure to the fever and sniffles," Sally said.

Tails turned to Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Vector and Rotor for confirmation. Rotor and Vector shrugged. Espio and Destinee lowered their heads as they closed their eyes. Leo and Lariel nodded with a frown as they knew there's nothing else for them to do.

Seeing their responses, Tails turned back to Sally. "Okay. Rotor and I will do it."

Sally smiled kindly. "That's great. Thank you, Tails."

"We may take our leave, Sally," Leo said.

"Of course," Sally said.

With that, Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Rotor and Tails left the Bridge.

Little did they know, someone accidentally overheard the conversation.

—————————————————————

Medical Bay, Sky Patrol

Shivers spread through Clifton's veins. His eyes closed tightly and his teeth gritted. His arms wrapped around himself. His hot breath blew past his nostrils.

Clifton let out grunts, but it's not just because he's cold, despite having a blanket on himself.

Nothing else occurred in Clifton until he heard the door sliding open.

Clifton's eyes widened on surprise for a moment. Then, he slowly rose into his sitting position and turned to the door. Right before his eyes were Tails, Rotor, Leo, Lariel, Vector, Destinee and Espio.

As Tails, Rotor, Leo, Lariel, Vector, Destinee and Espio neared Clifton's bed, a question popped into the head of a young male crocodile.

"So, how'd it go?"

When they heard Clifton's question, Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Vector, Rotor and Tails lowered their heads as concern appeared on their faces.

Noticing this, Clifton tilted his head to the right in confusion. "What?"

Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Vector, Rotor and Tails turned to Clifton with apologetic looks.

"Sorry, kid. We didn’t buy any," Vector said.

"The Sky Patrol already went past one of the portals," Espio said.

"So we can't go to the drug store to buy medicine for you," Destinee said.

Clifton lowered his head in sadness. "Oh, I see."

"But..." Rotor said.

Clifton looked at Rotor in surprise. When he did, his surprised face met Rotor's smile. Clifton also met Leo's, Lariel's, Vector's, Espio's, Destinee's and especially Tails' smile.

"...we have good news for you," Rotor said.

"What good news?" Clifton asked.

"Rotor and I will make our own medicine," Tails said.

Shock immediately overcame Clifton. He slightly leaned back as he raised his hands. "Wait, you'll make your own medicine?! But none of you are people who make medicines! There must be some expert who does that!"

"That's what I said to Sally when she informed us about it, but she reminded us that we and Shuzie have experienced making a cure to heal Leo during the Second Underworlder War," Tails said.

"That's true," Rotor said. "And because of this, we'll find ways to make a cure for your fever and sniffles."

"It might take time, but once Rotor and Tails finish making the medicines, you'll feel better before you know it," Lariel said.

"Until then, keep resting. No more training until you're fully recovered," Leo said.

Clifton lowered his head in sadness and dejection. "Okay."

With that, Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee and Vector left the medical bay. As for Rotor and Tails, they went to another room in the Sky Patrol to get to work on the medicines.

—————————————————————

A few hours later...

Clifton had stayed in bed while he rested. Most of the time, he did it with his eyes open. He took naps here and there, but itdidn't take long before he woke up. And every time he woke up, he always moved his body in bed.

Right now, it was noontime, which meant it was lunchtime. Everyone — except Clifton — went to the dining room in the Sky Patrol to eat lunch.

Clifton still laid in bed. His eyes of determination and eagerness held open as he waited for lunch to be served in the medical bay.

Just then, a few minutes later, Clifton heard the door slid open.

Clifton immediately sat up and turned to the door. After he did so, he was surprised to see what's in front of him.

Clifton was expecting to see either Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Rotor, Tails or Vector. Instead, he saw Bubbles. She had a concerned look on her face as she held the bowl of hot soup in her hands. Laid halfway inside the bowl was the metal spoon.

Clifton's surprised face turned into a confused one. "Bubbles? What are you doing here?"

Bubbles walked towards Clifton. "I came to see if you're okay."

"Yeah, I'm good," Clifton said, smiling at Bubbles. "It's just a little fever and sniffles. I'm sure they'll go away eventually."

Bubbles came to a stop when she knew she neared the bed enough. Then, her concerned expression turned into a serious one. "No. You're not."

Clifton was surprised. "Huh?"

"During lunchtime, Leo, Lariel, Espio, Destinee, Vector, Rotor and Tails were being quiet. It's like they're thinking of something super important," Bubbles said. "Lucy asked them if they're okay and they told her how sick you were. I got so worried, so I brought you a bowl of hot soup to help you feel better."

Clifton was stunned as he heard Bubbles' words. He blinked a couple of times. "Oh. Right."

With that, Clifton slightly lowered his head. "In that case..." He held out his hands and reached them out towards the bowl. "I want to eat the soup by myself."

Confusion and surprise appeared on Bubbles' face. "What? Are you sure?"

Clifton nodded. "Yup. I don't wanna be treated like a baby. That's why I want to eat by myself."

"Oh. I see," Bubbles said. Her confused and surprised expression turned into concern. "Just to let you know, the soup is hot. You might feel uncomfortable."

Clifton shrugged with a smile. "Nah, it's alright. I've been through far worse than that."

Bubbles slightly lowered her head. "Okay..."

With that, Bubbles slowly handed the soup to Clifton. As Clifton's hands grasped on the bowl of hot soup, steamed heat rushed through his veins.

Clifton let out a soft "agh," but he managed to hold the bowl in front of himself.

Clifton scooped some of the soup with the spoon. He gently blew the soup before quietly sipping it. The taste of milk and cream exploded in his tongue. He could even feel chunks of mushroom in his mouth.

As Clifton continued eating the soup, Bubbles watched in concern.

I hope you end up being fully recovered and well, she thought. I don't want you to die like my mom.

The process was repeated until the soup was all drained. Clifton laid the spoon in the bowl and handed them to Bubbles.

"Thanks, Bubbles!" he said.

Bubbles retrieved the bowl from Clifton. She smiled. "You're welcome! Get well soon!"

"Alrighty!" Clifton said as he smiled enthusiasticallyand gave Bubbles a thumbs up and a friendly wink.

Bubbles nodded in response. Then, she turned behind her and left the Medical Bay.

—————————————————————

Later on, in the middle of the night...

Clifton's eyes shot open. Again. Like last time, he immediately rose into his sitting position and turned to his surroundings.

Multiple shaky breaths escaped Clifton's mouth. His head lowered as he found himself letting out whispers.

"I have to get them out of my head. I have to get them out of my head. But resting and sleeping might not work. It might cause memories to run through my head again. But how?"

Clifton's hand moved to his forehead. Frustration and distraught occurred in him as heat rushed through the veins of his hand.

"Still hot."

Clifton laid his hand down and laid back in his bed. His right hand moved to his forehead again.

"Oh, what now? What to do in a time like this? I can't sleep, but at the same time, I have to stay here. And worst of all, these things are getting in my head. I have to get them out of my head!"

Clifton rose into his sitting position again. He let out a sigh. "If only there was some way."

Clifton's right hand moved to hs chin. His eyes narrowed as he went into deep thought. "Hmm..."

A few minutes passed. Still, nothing came to Clifton's mind. Soon, stress overcame him. His hands covered his face as he raised his head.

"Aagh, I want to get to training! I wanna get to training so bad, but I can't! Leo said I shouldn't train! How can I train while I stay in bed!" Clifton yelled out.

Clifton laid in bed again. His right arm laid on his forehead. He let out multiple breaths.

Then, all of a sudden, an idea popped into Clifton's head.

Clifton stood on his bed and laid himself on his belly. After that, he laid his palms and toes on his bed. Then, he pushed himself up using his chest and the pressure he placed on his hands.

Clifton was halfway to straightening his arms, but then, he slipped and fell back on his belly.

"Oomph!"

Clifton's head fell flat on his bed.

"I... can't quit," he whispered. "I..." Then, Clifton raised his head and looked straight ahead. "...won't give up."

With that, Clifton attempted to do push-ups on his bed. In the first few attempts, he slipped. Then, when he finally straightened his arms successfully, he lowered his body until his chest almost reached his bed.

Lots of breaths escaped Clifton's mouth and sweat rolled down his temples and forehead as he did so.

—————————————————————

The next morning...

"AAAHHH!" everyone exclaimed.

Vector, Espio, Destinee, Rotor, Tails, Bubbles, Leo and Lariel had visited Clifton in the medical bay. When they saw Clifton lying with his feet on his pillow, they freaked out a bit and backed away. The one who was most freaked out was Vector.

"Wh... What's happened to Clifton?!" Vector exclaimed.

Rotor moved his hand on his chin. "I don't know. Maybe he moved around a lot in the middle of the night."

"He must've had the crazy dream, so naturally, he moves around a lot in his sleep," Tails said.

As Tails, Rotor and the rest conversed some more, Leo noticed that Clifton's snout was moving slightly. He narrowed his eyes as he examined the movement of his snout.

After a few seconds, Leo heard Clifton muttering, "Got to... get them... out of my head."

Leo's eyes widened in shock as he realized. Clifton... He has something in his head that makes him sick.

Lariel took notice of Leo's  expression. Concern appeared in her eyes.

A small kick was felt in Lariel's abdomen. Lariel laid her right hand on her abdomen and caressed it. As she continued to feel small kicks, she realized what the baby wanted her to do.

Lariel walked towards Leo and laid her hand on his left shoulder. "Are you alright, Leo?"

Silence filled the air. After a few moments, Leo spoke in a voice only Lariel could hear. "Lari."

"Yes?" Lariel responded.

"I think..." Leo said. "...we're gonna have a talk with him about what happened last night."

Lariel turned to Leo. "Last night?"

Leo nodded. "Yes. Something's wrong with Clifton."

Espio, Vector, Destinee, Rotor, Tails, and Bubbles took a glance at Lariel and especially Leo. Concern filled their eyes as they listened to Leo's words.

"I don't know what's going on and I can't put my finger on it..." Leo paused. "...but..." His shocked expression turned into a serious one. "...I know that what he's doing to cope up with what's going on is wrong."

"I see," Lariel said. "Let's wait for Clifton to wake up. Then, we'll talk to him."

Leo smiled and nodded. "Alright."

With that, everyone in the Medical Bay waited for Clifton to wake up from his slumber.