Chapter Text
Yellow was... fast.
When the fox had pleaded to join the run, Sonic, as annoyed as he was about it, had slowed down. After all, Yellow didn't have superspeed of his own and was injured on top of that. So he had run at a pace a bit slower than when he usually jogged with Tails.
Instead of the fox trailing behind him, as he thought, the kit zoomed right past him.
The hedgehog had been shocked, immediately speeding up to see if he had just put too much energy into the jump, or maybe he was using some sort of machine to keep up- but no. All the fox did was grin at him. "I didn't know you slowed down so much, Sonic!"
And just like that, Sonic stopped caring about whether the fox was keeping up and ran.
To his surprise, Yellow kept up with him. Just barely, but he did.
"Other me never mentioned you having superspeed!" He called out, yelping when he almost ran into a car. Right. Don't focus on Yellow, focus on the road.
"I don't!" Yellow cheerfully replied, giggling as he passed the hedgehog once again. Sonic huffed, and increased speed.
"But you're so fast!"
"I grew up with you!"
A sharp turn left. Yellow didn't drop or fall.
Despite needing to keep his eyes on the road, Sonic couldn't help but glance at Yellow every now and then- the fox seemed determined, having a strange smile Sonic had never seen on Tails before on his face. That smile changed soon enough when a childish joy blossomed, he stretched his arms and spun in the air. "I missed this!"
"Running?"
"Couldn't do that in a cell!"
Cell. Right.
Finally, the two slowed, coming to a halt in front of the back door of the house. Sonic stretched his arms, about to comment on his surprise- when a thump! had him turning around. "Wha- Yellow!"
He panicked at once when he saw the fox collapsed in the grass, body shaking and panting, struggling to catch his breath. Despite this, the fox was smiling and turned around to roll in the grass. "I'm fine." He wheezed, purring with delight. His tails wagged in response.
The door opening had him looking back at the kitchen- Knuckles looked confused, hand still resting on the doorknob. Ozzie ran outside as soon as freedom was in sight, attacking Sonic with affection at once.
"Pfft- Ozzie, ew, stop!" He laughed, attempting to protect his mouth from being licked over. Still, the dog managed to push him on the ground.
"...The fox is injured."
"Am not!" Finally, Yellow's breathing calmed slightly. Yet he didn't move.
"Tails?!" Blue was outside as soon as he heard his little brother, eyes wide and looking worried. His worry melted away when he saw the other was alright- but instead of relief, he looked... Sonic knew that look. "Miles."
"Tails."
"Fine, Tails. I remember someone being injured. His tail too hurt to fly with? Ring any bells?"
"And I remember someone attempting to race with Shadow after twisting his ankle to prove a point."
"..."
"..."
"..."
After a staring contest that felt like forever did Blue gave up, letting out a defeated sigh and looking away. Yellow grinned in victory, then nuzzled his face into the grass.
"You're gross."
"Says you."
Knuckles cleared his throat. The two looked up. "...Mrs. Mother told me to come get you. She wanted to look at your tail again."
"..." Yellow looked at Blue.
He nodded.
And the fox got up to follow the echidna without any argument.
Sonic, who had finally managed to escape from Ozzie, was still giggling as he got up, attempting to wipe the slobber off his face. Blue just stood there- and crossed his arms. He didn't seem mad, just unimpressed. "He used puppy eyes on you didn't he?"
Sonic narrowed his eyes. "...He called them Youngest Sibling Privileges."
"This kid- Tails Youngest Sibling Privileges are not a thing in this world either!" Blue yelled, stomping back inside- probably to scold the other one. From the inside, Sonic could hear Knuckles ask.
"Does that mean we have Oldest Sibling Privileges?"
"... That's different."
"You can't decide one exists while the other doesn't!"
Sonic closed the door behind him, watching as their dog ran into the living room- and heard the chaos that followed. "Ozzie wait no no-"
"It's attacking me!" He heard Yellow shriek, followed by a thump! of something hitting the floor.
"Ah. He likes you. Excellent."
The hedgehog tried to hide his snickers and peeked from the door. Yellow was pinned to the floor by Ozzie, demanding attention the same way he had done with Sonic. Yellow, however, tried to push him away. "This is gross! I get it you like me, please go away-"
"Oh no... Tails." Blue stretched his arm lazily, before pulling it back. "Oh well."
"Sonic, dear, could you wake up your brother please?" Maddie kindly asked, not at all fazed by the many kids around her. Her son saluted him, then raced upstairs.
Only for Tails to not be in his room.
...Huh.
"Tails!" He called out, running to the guest room next. "Amy! Red! Good morning!"
Those two were missing as well.
"...Uhm." he frowned. One by one, he went through all the rooms in his search... and found the three in the basement. With the master emerald and the one Yellow had managed to protect.
Lost in thoughts, Red was holding the smaller emerald in his palm, seeming to be meditating with his eyes closed on the ground. Amy and Tails were looking at the bigger one.
"I don't know, Tails." The hedgehog sounded uncertain, placing her hands on her hips as she attempted to stand straighter. "You're sweet, you all are- but you can't. I know you mean well but-"
"-Our counterparts fight!" The fox insisted, a determined expression on his face. "So why can't we?!"
"You guys?" Sonic calling for them had the two looking up. Red didn't stir, still in a trance. "What's going on?"
Amy looked guilty as she looked away, unable to face him. "...Sonic, you must understand-"
"They want to leave!" His little brother cried out, accusingly turning back to Amy. "But you can't! Eggman is way too strong!"
"Which is why we have to go." Her voice was softer as she murmured.
Sonic blinked. Before it hit what she was saying. "Hey, what, hold on you can't just- why would you leave?"
They wanted to go? Out there? To a world they knew nothing about? Blue had broken his leg in the first week! Yellow mentioned being poisoned- Red had sprained his arm. Even Amy herself had looked beaten up! Not to mention, none of them seemed to have any survival instincts. Red maybe a little, but that was it! Yellow definitely not, he let himself be captured. Amy and Blue?
"We have no choice, love," Amy muttered, holding her hands together and lowering her arms, along with her face. "Robotnik... he has too much power. He has almost all the emeralds. He knows there are two of you now. Not to mention, he has tracked So-... Blue many times before. He'll find a way to do it again. I know he will."
"You're going to die out there!" The fox raised his voice, before immediately covering his mouth with both hands. He didn't mean to yell, but it was true: they were toast.
"The longer we are here-" Red finally spoke, spooking all three of them by suddenly speaking. "-the more danger you are in. You especially, Sonic."
"...Me?"
"Your chaos energy is untrained." The echidna got up from his position, stretching his arms above his head while still holding the emerald carefully. "Unfiltered. Chaotic."
"...You don't need to rub it in." Sonic crossed his arms, muzzle turning slightly red.
"Your powers have yet to be shaped.'' Red paid him no mind, gently setting the emerald next to the master one, closing his eyes for a moment. "If he can find a way to shape your powers as he pleased... it's too dangerous. We need to go.''
"...I'll get Sonic and Tails."
"Hey hold on!"
Maddie looked up, just having finished up with rebandaging Yellow's tail, noticing how the pink hedgehog's expression was solemn and her son's panicked. ''Are you two alright? You look pale-''
"They want to leave!'' Sonic immediately let her know, causing her to freeze. "Mom stop them!''
Blue and Yellow looked at each other, then at Amy. Neither seemed surprised. Still, Blue asked. "Now?
"Yes, now. Knuckles just finished meditating.''
"Wait, what is-'' Maddie was confused mostly, her brain taking a second. ''Where are you going?"
''They think it's too dangerous for them to stay.''
''Because it is.'' Yellow dusted himself off, curled his namesakes together, and then walked towards his older brother. The human grabbed his arm.
''Yellow, honey, you're injured. Not to mention... you do know there are no other Mobians out there? How will you get home without being able to build a portal?''
The fox paused, seeming to think about it. His ears lowered.
''Tails will find a way.'' Blue sounded confident, and trusting, gently taking Maddie's hand so she would let go of the other, then let go himself. ''I appreciate your kindness, Maddie, but it's time to go.''
Red reappeared too, finally, holding the emerald Yellow had brought with him. He nodded approvingly once he saw all of them. ''Good. We can go.''
"No, you can't-''
''We can't,'' Yellow spoke up, sounding defeated. His tails limply lying on the floor. The others looked at him in surprise.
Blue was the one to first speak. ''...Tails, if you're worried about us being hurt-''
''No, not that.'' He shook his head, looking ashamed for some reason as he hugged himself. ''Mrs. Maddie is right. I don't have my tech. Or my tools. Or my lab. Not even the Tornado... I can't build a portal. Not on my own.''
''I did not go back to my village for you to just leave!" they heard Tails yell from downstairs, sounding offended.
Tom came walking downstairs, looking sleepy, with his oldest son leading him to the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes. ''Who's leaving?''
"No one is leaving!"
"We are."
"We can't-"
"How about." Maddie cut them all off again, getting up to be able to look at all of them. They shut up. "You think about it, first? You can't make a choice so fast. You won't die from one more day."
"...Fine." Amy huffed, turning to the kitchen to be able to start breakfast. Red, seeing the decision was made, went after her so he could go to the garden.
"..." All eyes turned to Yellow and Blue. The older one just looked frustrated, the younger one defeated.
"...I want to see the Tornado,"
"Fine by me." Blue stretched his arms, then legs then held out a hand. Yellow jumped, started flying, then took it.
Within a flash, the two of them were gone. So fast everyone except Sonic stood there, astonished.
"...I'm that fast?" Tails peeped, threatened for some reason. He couldn't even start to imagine going at such speeds- but if his counterpart could do it, he should probably too right?
But...
His ears lowered. Sonic cleared his throat. He couldn't stand the silence.
This time, the hedgehog knew where he was going.
This time, he could take a detour.
This time... he could run with his little buddy instead of sitting and waiting in a car.
Distantly, Blue knew he was being selfish- Yellow had already flown enough today, his tails probably hurt worse then the fox wanted to admit, and he hadn't even had breakfast yet. But he had missed running with the fox, missed the way he didn't need to slow down so the other could keep up, missed his laugh... but most importantly-
"You've gotten slow, Sonic!" Yellow laughed, winking, waving, and then speeding up.
He missed kicking the other's butt.
"Why you little-" he grinned, holding his arms behind his back, then sped up. Okay, he wasn't going full speed- the only ones who could actually keep up were Silver and Shadow. Still... Yellow was doing a decent job.
"And where do you think you're going?" He teased, waging a hand in front of his face. "We're going right, bud."
The fox nodded, changing course. Blue followed along, making sure to be just in front of the other.
They ran like that for a couple more minutes until Yellow tapped his wrist-watch, Blue's lighting up to signal he was done for now. The older one nodded, slowing his pace so instead of sprinting he was jogging, then stopped altogether. The younger followed suit, lowering himself to sit on the ground to catch how breath.
Blue was amused. "You good, buddy?"
"Hm." He hummed, a smile on his face as he held his hands up. Blue pulled him back up again.
"Let me know if you get too tired, yeah?"
"I'm not a baby, Sonic."
"Uh-huh,"
Yellow narrowed his eyes. "Is that sarcasm?"
Blue mock-gasped, putting a hand on his chest. "I would never."
"..."
"..."
The two grinned, then decided to continue. Now at a slower pace, considering the trees.
"...How did you even find Eggy in this jungle?"
"IIts a forest, Sonic. And it wasn't hard!" Yellow looked proud, stepping on a twig. His proudness turned into annoyance as he grumbled. "He was trying to chop down the trees."
"Of course he was." His mood soured at the mention. Before his eyes softened when he saw the familiar path of destroyed trees. "...Do you remember crashing here, Tails?"
"I was too busy keeping the Tornado upright!" He smiled again, following the trail and taking a look around his surroundings- seeing the destruction he had caused with his landing alone. "...Maybe I could ask Knuckles if we can use the emerald to restore the trees."
"And have the place buzzing with chaos energy?" Blue's voice had lowered, a bit sad remembering the last time they had been here. He didn't want to imagine his brother in such a situation- plane crash, all alone, new world, what, because Blue failed? Failed to protect him? The rest of Mobius?
Because Blue had been the stupid, stupid idiot to give Yellow the emerald instead of keeping it himself.
Maybe, if he had the emerald, he would have been able to stop Eggman before he even fired the portal. Maybe he would have retrieved the rest of the emeralds. Red wouldn’t be mad at him. And everything would be alright now.
Of course he messed up. Just like how he angered his counterpart and messed too much with his business. Because Blue was the moron who didn't think things through, stupid stupid-
He hadn't even realized they had gotten there until he bumped into Yellow.
The fox had grown quiet, his smile gone, as he stared at the wreckage. His expression softened.
"...She really is done, isn't she?" He mumbled, reaching out to place his hand on top of the spray-painted words. Blue sighed, crossing his arms.
"Its old, Tails. I'm surprised it didn't fall apart sooner."
"I took good care of it." He hummed, brushing a hand over the letters. "Until now..."
"Hey." A hand was placed on his shoulder, causing Yellow to look up. "It's just a plane. We can get a new one. I'm just glad you are still in one piece."
"I guess." He still looked sad, his tails stopping its movement to hang limply. "...I can see if there are parts I can use. But the plane herself is done it seems... sorry."
"Wha-" Blue blinked, confused. "Why?"
"I ruined your plane." He flew up to get into the cockpit, wincing at the amount of furr that covered the chair, amongst other things. "...Oh chaos."
"You think I care about that?" Blue sounded offended, zipping up so he was in top of the plane as well, hands on his hips. "Tails, I can get a new plane. I can't get a new little brother though. So forget the Tornado! We can get an even cooler one!"
"But... I wasn't careful-"
"Miles Prower."
Nothing else was said after that.
Blue sat down at some point, legs crossed and quietly watching the sky while Yellow pulled apart what he could. Most looked burned. Made sense, considering the Tornado wasn't built to handle something as strong as an emerald. It had, literally, fried.
He really didn't care about the plane though. It was sad, but just a tool. Something he could replace. He had found it somewhere abandoned when he first got it anyway... maybe Tails would know what to do with it.
He didn't even look down when he heard glitching from his phone again, knowing that if it were important, there would be some grant announcement. Still, he frowned. The fox stopped his work to check his own phone, and huffed. "He's doing something alright..."
"The longer we stay here, the worse its gonna be for this world." Blue looked down finally. "Are you sure we can't leave?"
Yellow stopped messing around for a moment. Before he sighed, and attempted to loosen the screws of the main panel.
"Sonic... it's like I said. I don't have my lab. Or my tools. I don't... I don't have a plan. That was keep the emerald save until now. I can't do anything without the tools or at least place to work... I'm useless here."
"Hey, don't say that-"
"I didn't mean that in an insecure sense." The fox looked up, unimpressed. "I mean it. I'm not strong, I know you hold back when running with me- don't give me that look, its alright. I don't even have a weapon- Amy at least has her hammer."
"You can spindash!"
"With your help." Yellow managed to pull the board away, then reached down to pull out some wires. "Other me already has the blueprints and materials- maybe he started building the portal already? It will go much faster if we stay. And then we'll be gone for good."
"..." Blue sighed, and looked back up at the sky again. "...Our counterparts go to school here " he mumbled after a moment.
"Because they're normal here." Yellow got out, threw a piece of metal outside, then dove right back into his work. Blue sighed again.
Normal. Right.
What he wouldn’t give for that to be true.