Starlight

by ChocolateSyrup

Summary:

"Please don't do this," she whispers, trying to hold back tears. "I need you. Our boys need you. Sonic needs you."

But there's no response.

Notes:

So I've read a few fics of Maddie and/or Sonic with Tom in the hospital waiting for him to wake up, or Tom recovering and finding Shadow afterwards.

I decided to do you all one better and write what Paramount is too afraid to do, I'll have him not wake up! I know I'm CRUEL, but if you know my writing, you know I love a good dose of angst hehe

Here we go...

Chapter 1

Maddie sits in the uncomfortable hospital chair, her eyes fixed on her husband Tom's peaceful face as he sleeps, hooked up to machines and the oxygen mask that are currently keeping him alive. His chest rises and falls rhythmically, the only sign of life in the sterile room. She gently holds his hand, feeling its warmth seeping into her cold fingers. It's only been a few hours since the incident, but the events she never thought would happen run through her mind like a horrifying movie. Nearly getting impaled by steel bars while stuck to the floor was one thing, but running to find Sonic and then finding Tom out cold on the ground...

The hospital room is filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the steady beeping of the machines and moving green lines on the monitor. Nurses come check on him, not leaving much time in between their visits. Maddie watches as Tom's eyelids flutter, another sign that he's still alive...but barely hanging on.

She considers calling her sister or even Wade just to have someone to talk to, but that would mean telling them the news that Tom might be...

She can't finish that horrible thought.

She's brought back to that moment when she got into the ambulance with Tom, the looks on her boys' faces haunting her every thought.

I should have said something...

Anything—to make sure that they know that Tom isn't in this situation because of them.

Had it been because she was too shocked to speak in that moment as the ambulance doors closed?

Or was it because she's still trying to convince herself?

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are everything. They've been like sons ever since each of them came so unexpectedly into their lives. She and Tom had welcomed them with open arms, much to Sonic's enthusiasm. He gained two brothers, and she and Tom gained two more sons even if Tails and Knuckles haven't considered the two of them as parents yet like Sonic had.

She and Tom always told them to make good choices, yet they had made the wrong one by getting involved with their break in plan.

She and Tom...

Could it really be just her soon?

"Please hang on," she whispers, refusing to let go of his hand when another nurse comes in to check on him once more.

As the night wears on, Maddie's mind drifts back to the day they exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other for better or for worse. Little did they know that 'worse' would come knocking at their door a lot sooner than they thought.

She remembers the first time she and Tom met, the instant connection she felt with this kind, loving man who always put her needs before his own. He stood by her through everything, constantly putting up with her sister's mean comments and accusations.

If only she and Tom had stayed home where they belonged, none of this would be happening. She'd even give Tom's creepy dummy another chance.

This isn't a game anymore and they both should have realized that sooner.

She'd give anything to see him standing on two feet again, unharmed.

She's a vet, she's been able to help some animals out of the darkest woods when their owners had thought it was the end. She should be able to help her own husband, but she's not a human nurse. She doesn't entertain the idea of trying to help him when she'd likely only make things worse.

She turns back to her still husband, gently squeezing his hand again and willing him to wake up, to open his eyes and smile at her like he always does.

"Please don't do this," she whispers, trying to hold back tears. "I need you. Our boys need you. Sonic needs you."

But there's no response.

She keeps her gaze locked on Tom's chest, still rising and falling. But his breathing sounds labored, signaling that he's probably in more pain than even the doctors can comprehend.

"What happened?!" she'd nearly shouted at Sonic, trying to keep her panic under control.

"I-I don't know, he was attacked by S-Shadow," Sonic had answered her with equal panic.

"Wait, wait, who's Shadow?" she'd asked, almost failing to keep herself calm. She has to for Sonic's sake...

"Another hedgehog who looks like me, but he's black and red. He s-said he did what he had to, a-and disappeared right before you got here!"

She almost couldn't understand him because of how fast he'd talked.

He'd been too panicked to give her any more details than that, but she got the gist of it pretty quick. Now she knows how Rachel felt when Tails showed up at her wedding.

Now there's four of them? An evil one? Knuckles had been misguided by Robotnik. He'd changed sides, but Maddie doesn't know anything about Shadow other than what Sonic had told her in that quick moment.

Tom was punched by yet another superpowered hedgehog, of course there would be major damage like internal injuries. She doesn't want to know about what other damage that hit might have done to him on the inside or outside. Does Shadow even regret doing what he did to their family? Was Sonic able to stop him?

The sound of footsteps in the hallway pulls Maddie out of her reverie. She looks up to see not a nurse but the head doctor doctor entering the room, his expression grave. Her heart sinks as she realizes that this might be the moment she has been dreading—the moment when Tom's battle comes to an end.

The doctor approaches Maddie, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Wachowski," he begins, and she knows what he's about to say even before the words leave his mouth. Tom's condition has deteriorated rapidly thanks to that hedgehog's strength, and there's little they can do to save him. "His internal injuries are worse than we thought. You may have to prepare yourself..."

Maddie's world comes crashing down around her as the doctor delivers the news. She feels a dull ache in her chest, a mix of grief and disbelief washing over her like a tidal wave.

This can't be happening, she thinks.

Not to Tom...not to their boys.

The doctor says something else, but she doesn't hear him. His words are muffled by the ringing in her ears. When she doesn't respond, the doctor leaves her alone again with Tom.

Not long after he leaves, something suddenly catches her attention out of the corner of her eye.

Standing up, she walks towards the window as the light burns brighter and brighter.

She should go back and stay sitting with Tom, but the light outside is too hypnotizing, even when it reaches its brightest and she has to cover her eyes for a moment until it slowly fades away.

From what she can tell, the threat from space is eliminated thanks to Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails. She knew they could count on them.

Their wonderful, harmless boys. They wouldn't hurt a fly. They weren't Shadow. This is all that other hedgehog's fault. It's GUN's fault and no one else's, especially not the three young kids who had made their lives so much brighter.

So why can't she convince herself?

She's startled by sudden beeping from the machines surrounding Tom, running back to his side.

"Tom!" she screams, frozen to the spot.

Nurses come rushing inside, one of them pulling her away from the bed. She can only stand in shock as the crazy beeping continues. She does her best to focus on him, her own heart almost stopping.

His chest isn't moving.

He's not breathing.

She doesn't hear herself continuing to scream, praying that the medical staff will be able to revive him, but the monitor lines go flat, the continuous beep echoing sharply in her ears.

She didn't even get to say goodbye and she was right there in the room with him, too distracted by the impending doom outside.

She should be happy. Tom should be happy. They should be celebrating with their boys and making s'mores, roasting marshmallows by the campfire with Ozzy.

It's all because of them—

She should have never thought it, but she can't stop thinking it. Maybe if she and Tom hadn't let GUN haul Sonic and the others off to fight said hedgehog, none of this would be happening. All of them would be safe and sound at home together, where they all belong.

The nurses offer their condolences as well as the same doctor from before, but she still doesn't hear them. She can't even hear herself crying, the world completely drowned out around her.

The tears finally stream down Maddie's face as she leans in to press a kiss to Tom's forehead. She whispers words of love and farewell, her voice cracking with emotion. The realization that she'll never hear his voice again, never feel his touch, never share another laugh or movie night with him, hits her like a ton of bricks.

She's alone once more with Tom, but he's not here anymore. He doesn't need the oxygen mask anymore.

She's truly alone...

How could they have been so stupid? Why did Tom have to be the one to find Sonic? Why did they even bother taking in Tails and Knuckles as their own, not to mention Sonic? She and Tom should have listened to Walters that first time he came to their house, offering them nothing but an Olive Garden gift card after everything they went through. But that hadn't mattered, because they'd gained someone worth so much more...

And now Tom is gone because of him.

Because of them.

He's gone, his beautiful light dimmed.

Dead.

Lifeless.

So still...

And there isn't anything she can do to bring him back.

She sobs quietly, gripping Tom's still hand harder and willing it to squeeze back.

It doesn't.

What is she going to tell them?

Sonic's face when she'd gotten into the ambulance sticks in her mind, refusing to leave.

What is she going to tell him?

Chapter 2: Denial

Notes:

Not gonna lie, I almost cried writing this chapter. It gets a little emotionally intense, so tissues might be needed.

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles burst through the hospital doors, their hearts racing with a mix of hope and dread. The sterile smell of antiseptic fills the air as they navigate the bustling corridors, their footsteps echoing against the tiled floor. Sonic leads the way, his blue quills standing on end with anticipation, while Tails fidgets nervously. Knuckles walks with a determined stride, but the tension in his shoulders betray his worry.

After falling safely from space, the first thing Sonic had wanted to do was see Tom. Maddie never even needed to call him on his phone.

Nothing else matters now that Earth is safe once more. Sonic wishes the same could be said for the moon...

As they reach the waiting area, they spot Maddie sitting alone, her gaze fixed on the floor. The moment they see her, a heavy silence falls over the three. Maddie's usually bright eyes are clouded with sorrow, and her lips are pressed into a thin line. She doesn't need to say anything; the weight of her forlorn expression speaks volumes.

Sonic's heart drops, a cold wave of fear washing over him. "Maddie..." he breathes, his voice trembling. Tails and Knuckles exchange worried glances, their instincts screaming that something is terribly wrong.

"Where is—"

Maddie gives him the room number, and it repeats over and over like a bad song he can't get out of his head.

Without waiting for confirmation on Tom's condition, Sonic bolts past Maddie, his heart pounding in his chest as he races toward Tom's room. He pushes the door open, and the sight that greets him is one he never expected. Tom lies still on the bed, the machines around him silent, their beeping replaced by an oppressive stillness.

His face is serene, but lifeless. Sonic stands at the side of the bed, his legs almost giving out numbly when he realizes that Tom isn't hooked up to any IVs.

"No! Tom!" Sonic cries out, his voice breaking as he rushes to the bedside. He grips Tom's hand tightly, feeling the coldness of it against his own hands even though they're covered with the gloves.

It's so still...lifeless...

Tom is gone and he hadn't been here. He hadn't gotten to say goodbye.

His heart races, a mix of disbelief and despair flooding his senses.

Wet blurs Sonic's vision as he looks at Tom's peaceful face, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging inside him. It almost looks like Tom is just asleep, and Sonic wishes that more than anything.

He's not going to cry. He can't cry yet.

Memories flash through his mind—Tom's laughter, his encouragement, the way he always knew how to lift their spirits and give them the best advice. "Please, wake up! We need you!" Sonic pleads, desperation lacing his words. "I need you!"

Outside the room, Tails and Knuckles stand frozen in the doorway, their hearts heavy with sorrow. Tails' eyes glisten with unshed tears, feeling the weight of loss pressing down on him. Knuckles, usually so strong and resolute, feels a lump in his throat as he watches his friends in pain.

Maddie quietly enters the room, her heart breaking for Sonic and the boys. She approaches them, her presence a gentle reminder of the love they all shared for Tom. "He loved you all so much," she says softly, her voice filled with warmth despite the sadness. "You brought him joy in ways you can't even imagine. I know he wouldn't regret helping you with the mission."

"No! This can't be happening!" Sonic shouts, his voice echoing off the walls. He clenches his fists, determination igniting within him. "I won't let it end like this!"

Maddie's eyes widen when she sees blue sparks start to emerge from him. "Sonic, what are you doing?"

"What I have to," Sonic manages to get out as he feels his energy starting to build. Shadow had to do what he did, now he has to no matter what.

"He's gone," she says, her voice cracking.

Sonic ignores her.

Maddie is wrong. The doctors are all wrong! Maybe everyone else has given up, but not him. He can bring Tom back!

She knows she's helpless to stop him once he has his mind set on something. It could be dangerous using so much energy inside the hospital, but she trusts Sonic. Tails and Knuckles follow her out of the room, hiding just behind the door. Knuckles stands in front of them both protectively. Sonic had been angry before going off to get the Master Emerald. Knuckles had refused to fight him then, and he refuses to fight him now. He just needs to be ready to support his teammate should Sonic need him.

With a deep breath, Sonic focuses the energy all at once, feeling the familiar surge of blue electricity coursing through his body. He closes his eyes, channeling all his speed and power into a concentrated force. The room begins to hum with energy as he crouches down, his quills sparking with vibrant blue light. He readies himself to start pushing on Tom's chest the way that he's seen it done in movies. Maybe it had been too late for Walters...

But not Tom. It can't be over yet.

"Come on, Tom! You can't leave us!" Sonic pleads, his voice filled with urgency. He places his hands on Tom's chest, feeling the stillness beneath his fingertips. The blue energy radiates from his hands, enveloping Tom in a shimmering aura of electric light. Sonic's heart races as he pours every ounce of his strength into the revival attempt, the energy crackling and sparking around them.

The light reflects in the group's eyes, giving them a flicker of hope.

"Please, just wake up!" Sonic cries out, desperation lacing his words. The blue light intensifies, illuminating the room as he channels his hope and determination into Tom. Memories of their adventures together flash through his mind—the laughter, the challenges, the bond they shared.

Tom had been the first human to help him in a life or death situation, now he has to help him!

As the energy swirls around them, Sonic feels a flicker of something—an echo of life for just a split second, and he pushes his hands against Tom's chest faster.

He'd called Tom that one special name after playing with Tails and Knuckles on the baseball field that day, but then he stopped. For stupid reasons he can't remember, he'd gone back to calling his new dad Tom.

Why? He'd been brought back to life to fight Eggman when Tom had called him his friend for the first time. This has to work the same way.

"Come on, Dad! Fight! You're stronger than this!" he urges, his voice rising above the hum of energy. He's tired, so tired from the whole ordeal in space, but he keeps going.

For a moment, the air feels charged with possibility, and Sonic's heart beats in sync with the pulsing light. But as the seconds stretch on, the energy begins to wane, and Sonic's hope starts to dim. He grits his teeth, refusing to give up. "I already lost Longclaw, I can't lose you too!"

With one final surge, Sonic unleashes a powerful burst of blue energy, enveloping Tom completely. The room vibrates with the force of it, and for a heartbeat, it feels as if time stands still. But as the light fades and Tom remains still, his peaceful expression unchanged. The faint echo of life fades away along with the energy.

Sonic collapses to his knees next to the bed, the energy dissipating around him. "No...no...Dad," he whispers, tears still threatening to fall from the corners of his eyes. The weight of loss crashes over him like a tidal wave and he bows his head, feeling utterly defeated.

In that moment of silence, Maddie enters the room, her eyes widening at the sight before her. She rushes to Sonic's side, kneeling beside him. "Sonic...I'm so sorry," she says softly, placing a comforting hand on his back.

She's surprised and relieved that there isn't any damage to Tom or in the room from all that energy, and that the power hadn't gone out in the hospital. Maybe this energy of his is different from the one that had caused a power outage throughout the entire pacific northwest.

Sonic looks up, his heart heavy and his eyes glistening, but no tears have managed to fall yet. "I tried, Maddie. I really tried…it's all my fault..."

Maddie wraps her arms around his trembling body, holding him close as they both grieve the loss of a husband and a father.

She places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You did everything you could, Sonic. Tom knew how much you cared. He wouldn't want you to blame yourself."

They share a moment of silence, each lost in their thoughts and memories. Sonic remembers their road trip and defeating Eggman together. Tails recalls the times Tom encouraged him, believing in his potential. Knuckles thinks of the strength Tom brought to their team, always ready to stand by their side. He and Maddie had wasted no time in aiding them during the GUN break in, but now he sees that it was a bad choice after all.

Humans are not as strong as echidnas. Maybe if he had realized that before, he could have convinced Tom and Maddie to stay home where they would have been safe, and Tom would still be here right now.

"Sonic?" Maddie asks, trying not to choke on her own voice. He seems to be laser focused on the hospital bed, but she doesn't want him to keep looking at Tom like that. That's not how she wants to remember him and that's now how Sonic and the others should remember him, either.

It sounds like he's trying not to cry, holding back tears until he lets out a sharp gasp.

"I-I'm sorry," he says quickly, rushing out of the room.

"Sonic!" Maddie calls, standing back up, but she knows it's no use. Once Sonic is ahead, it's no use trying to follow him.

At least for her...

Knuckles shifts uneasily as he tries not to look at Tom's still body. It reminds him too much of...of his birth father's...the way he had found him...

Tails grips her legs, hiding his face. Her heart breaks when she hears sniffling coming from him.

"I will follow him, but I will not push him," Knuckles says quietly.

Maddie can't hide her own sniffle, her eyes still glistening with tears.

"Let him take all the time he needs to process all of this. You take all the time you need, too. I'll take Tails home. You can both meet us there when you're ready."

Knuckles nods and sets off after Sonic, trying to focus even amidst his own grief. He won't let Sonic face the death of their human father alone.

He has to help his brother.

xxxx

Sonic steps into the familiar confines of his old cave, a wave of nostalgia washes over him. The stone walls, once a sanctuary filled with memories of his early days on Earth, now feel heavy with the weight of loss. He glances around, taking in the shadows that dance in the dim light, and his heart aches for the friend...no...father he just lost.

He finds the chalk that he'd used to draw the picture so long ago and sits down. Even though it was his first night on earth, he remembers feeling safe because of the chalk. It reminded him of how he used to draw back on the island, making him feel just the slightest bit safer on a new and terrifying planet.

Tom and Maddie had moved most of his stuff to their house, but they hadn't been able to fit everything in his room. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling hands. He can't believe that not that many hours ago, like yesterday, he and Tom had been standing in this exact spot after celebrating his bearthday.

When Tom was still alive.

No...it's not true, Sonic tries to tell himself.

He closes his eyes for a moment before he begins to draw.

With each stroke of the chalk, he brings Tom to life on the stone. He draws him standing proudly next to Longclaw, capturing his likeness the best that he can with trembling hands.

Once he finishes, Sonic stares at the drawing, his heart heavy yet somehow lighter. He traces the outline of Tom's face with a finger, wishing he could hear his voice one more time, wishing he could share this moment with him.

Exhausted from the emotional toll and stopping the weapon in space, Sonic lies down on the cool stone floor, curling up next to his drawing. He closes his eyes, the weight of his sorrow enveloping him like a heavy blanket.

"Please, Dad..." he whispers to himself, still refusing to cry. He doesn't need to cry, because Tom will be okay. "Please come back..."

This is all just a bad dream and he'll wake up in the morning with Maddie telling him they should visit Tom in the hospital while he recovers.

Dad will be better and they can all go home.

Notes:

It was heartbreaking in the theater during the scene when Walters died realizing that that's likely the first time Sonic has seen someone die. The portal closed just before Longclaw was killed, so I don't think that counts...and with Walters, it's likely the first time that he's seen a human die right in front of him ); Sonic 3 definitely has a lot of humor, but I think it also had just the right amount of heavy moments too. Maybe some of those moments could have lasted a little longer, but they were still well done imo.

Chapter 3: Anger

Notes:

This chapter starts off with a pretty messed up nightmare, so maybe skip the italicized part if that might bother you.

Sonic stands alone in the twisted forest, his heart racing as the shadows start to close in around him. The trees loom like armored sentinels, their gnarled branches reaching out and whispering his name coldly in the dark. "Sonic…you can't escape…" they hiss, their voices a chilling echo that sends shivers down his spine.

He takes off running, but the ground beneath him shifts, turning to a thick, black fog that clings to his legs, pulling him down. "No! I have to find them!" he shouts, struggling against the suffocating darkness. The cries of Tom and Longclaw echo in the distance, growing fainter.

"Help us, Sonic!" they plead, their voices filled with desperation.

As he fights to break free, the fog thickens, wrapping around him like a serpent. He feels the weight of despair pressing down, threatening to crush him. "You're too late, Sonic," the shadows taunt, their laughter echoing through the trees.

With a surge of determination, he breaks free from the fog and races deeper into the forest. The landscape shifts again, morphing into a nightmarish version of Green Hills. The vibrant colors are replaced by dull grays, and the familiar mountains are now jagged cliffs. He sees the whole town laid out before him, but it crumbles before his eyes, falling into an abyss.

"Help us!" Tom and Longclaw's voices call again, now distorted and echoing from all directions. Sonic spins around, trying to locate them, but the landscape warps, and he finds himself in a maze of mirrors. Each reflection shows a different version of himself—some filled with confidence, others filled with despair. He sees himself failing, losing his friends and now Maddie too, and being consumed by darkness.

"Stop it!" he screams, but the mirrors multiply, reflecting his fears back at him. The shadows close in tighter, their whispers growing louder, drowning out his thoughts. "You can't save them, Sonic. You're too slow!" they taunt, their voices a chilling chorus.

Desperation surges within him. "I won't give up!" he shouts defiantly, pushing against the shadows, but they only tighten their grip. The mirrors shatter around him and he tumbles through darkness, the echoes of Tom and Longclaw's cries fading into heavy silence.

Suddenly, he lands in a dark, twisted carnival. The lights flicker ominously, and the laughter of children turns sinister. Clowns with twisted grins loom in the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice. "Welcome to your worst nightmare, Sonic!" they cackle, their voices echoing in the air.

He tries to run, but the ground shifts again, turning into a sticky tar that pulls at his feet. He attempts to use his powers to break free, but they're not working!

"You can't escape!" the clowns chant loudly, their laughter ringing in his ears. He struggles once again to break free, but the tar pulls him down, and he feels the weight of despair closing in.

"Please save us!" Tom and Longclaw's voices call again, now frantic. He races through the carnival, dodging the twisted attractions, but every path leads to another nightmare—the same funhouse filled with distorted reflections, a Ferris wheel that spins out of control, and a tunnel of darkness that threatens to swallow him whole.

He then finds himself in a room filled with clocks, each ticking loudly and counting down. The hands spin wildly, and he realizes they are counting down to something terrible.

"What is this?" he gasps, his panic rising. "I have to save them before it's too late!"

The clocks begin to shatter, each explosion echoing like a gunshot, and he feels the pressure of time closing in on him. "You're running out of time, Sonic!" the shadows taunt again, their laughter echoing in the chaos. "You'll never reach them!"

He races through the room, dodging the shards of glass, but the walls begin to close in, squeezing him tighter and tigther.

"No! I won't let you win!" he screams, pushing against the walls, but they only press harder, threatening to crush him until he can hardly get his breath back—

Sonic opens his eyes slowly despite the looming terror, finding himself back in the cave. He's still curled up next to his drawing, the floor of the cave both comforting and isolating. His heart aches, a heavy weight pressing down on him as he clings to the hope that this is all an awful nightmare like the one he just woke up from.

He doubts that he got much sleep at all. He's still sore from fighting Shadow and stopping the cannon, and drained physically and emotionally from trying to save Tom.

The nightmare still lingers, the echoes of Tom and Longclaw's voices haunting him, and how he couldn't reach them. He takes a moment to ground himself, but the feeling of loss and fear remains. The shadows refuse to leave the corners of his mind, whispering doubts and fears. "You're not fast enough, Sonic. You'll fail them again."

The weight of their words hang heavy. He couldn't save Tom from Shadow.

He'd been too slow.

In the stillness, he can almost hear Tom's real voice again filled with encouragement and love, trying to tune out his fake panicked voice from the nightmare.

"You can do anything, Sonic. Just believe in yourself and always make the right choices." The words echo in his mind, a bittersweet reminder of the bond they shared. But the reality of the situation crashes down on him like a wave, and he feels the tears he's been holding back finally threatening to spill over.

They had made the wrong choice by letting him and Maddie get involved. How could he have ever thought that was a good idea?

"Why did this happen?" he whispers into the silence, his voice trembling. "Why couldn't I save you?"

The cave offers no answers, only the shadows that dance around him, mirroring the turmoil within. Sonic's thoughts spiral, filled with regret and anger. He had been so focused on the mission, on saving everyone, that he hadn't been there for Tom when it mattered most.

When Shadow had done what he did. Sonic still doesn't understand why he'd go after Tom like that, and why he had to taunt him about it during their fight, but maybe it's for the best that he doesn't know the full story...

The sound of someone landing on the ground echoes in the cave, breaking the heavy silence.

Knuckles hesitates for a moment, taking in the scene before him—the drawing, Sonic's curled form, the palpable grief hanging in the air. He knows that Sonic had lived alone for ten years, but seeing where he lived for the first time is different. He'd never really gotten a chance until now, but he supposes that Sonic was never eager to show him or the fox for multiple reasons. He and the hedgehog might have more in common than he once thought.

"Sonic," Knuckles calls softly, stepping closer cautiously. He doesn't want to startle him. "You do not have to face this alone."

Sonic sits up and looks back at Knuckles, his emerald eyes red-rimmed against blue and filled with pain. He knew someone would try to find him, but he doesn't want to see anyone right now.

All he wants is Tom.

"What do you know about it?" he snaps, the hurt spilling over into anger. "You didn't lose anyone! He was my dad and you didn't see him like that!"

Knuckles, maintaining his composure, responds with a calm yet firm tone. He moves forward, sitting on the floor next to him. "On the contrary, Sonic, I am intimately acquainted with the depths of loss. I have not only lost my father but my entire tribe, a calamity that has shaped my very existence. Grief is a formidable adversary, one that can ensnare even the most resolute of hearts."

Sonic's anger falters, instantly replaced by guilt. He knows that Knuckles lost his entire tribe. He'd lost Tom and Longclaw, but Knuckles had lost everyone and at a very young age. He can't even begin to imagine what he'd gone through.

"I-I'm sorry," he whispers genuinley. "How did you deal with it? All by yourself?" His heart throbs. He remains sitting, bringing his knees up to his chin.

Back in space, he'd told Shadow that love is stronger than grief.

Maybe he was wrong.

Knuckles continues, his voice steady and measured. "One must confront the specter of sorrow with fortitude. It is imperative to acknowledge the pain, to allow oneself to feel the weight of such loss. In doing so, we honor those we have lost, ensuring their memories endure within us. It is through this process that we cultivate resilience and emerge stronger."

Sonic, taken aback by Knuckles' profound words, begins to reflect on his own grief. "Now Tom and Longclaw are both gone. I never got the chance to call her Mom...and I'll never get to call him Dad again."

Knuckles stares at Sonic's drawing, his eyes fixed on Tom. He wishes he could have gotten to know him better. The echidna warrior takes a deep breath. "I wish that I could have had that chance once."

Sonic doesn't know what to say. He never knew until now that Knuckles saw Tom as a father. Or maybe he was just starting to...

"H-he would have loved to hear you say that," Sonic chokes. Maybe Tails thinks the same. Dad would have had three sons. "I just...I don't know how to deal with this..."

Knuckles nods, his expression unwavering. "The path of healing is seldom linear. It is fraught with challenges and moments of despair. Yet, it is important to remember that you are not alone in this journey."

He sees the sincerity in Knuckles' eyes. "I thought I could save him. I thought I could bring him back."

"You did everything you could," Knuckles replies, his tone still firm but gentle.

"I didn't hurt his bod—did I?" he asks tentatively. He wishes that he could get the image of Tom's still form out of his mind. He doesn't want to remember his dad like that.

Knuckles places a hand on his shoulder. "No. It is unharmed."

Sonic almost feels like throwing up.

It.

Tom isn't Tom anymore, an empty shell that contains nothing of who he once was. The one comfort that brings is that he can't be hurt anymore.

Regardless, Sonic allows himself to breathe a sigh of relief. "I had no idea I could control my power like that. On the baseball field before meeting you guys, I caused an entire power outage because I was angry about being alone. But the power didn't go out in the hospital..."

Knuckles steals a quick glance at him. His brother may be immature sometimes—most of the time—but maybe he should give Sonic a little more credit.

"This time, you controlled your power with love and determination."

The words resonate within Sonic, and he feels a flicker of warmth amidst the coldness of his grief. "But it didn't work. I just want him back so much," he admits, his voice breaking. "He was just here with me after the party. I can't believe he's..."

Knuckles nods, understanding the depth of Sonic's pain. "We all do, but we can remember him fondly and pull each other out of the shadows."

Sonic's heart almost stops.

Shadows.

Shadow.

Shadow.

This is all Shadow's fault.

Sonic's fists clench. He squeezes his eyes shut, remembering Tom knocked out on the floor and Maddie screaming his name, begging him to wake up. Using his powers to try and revive him in the hospital.

Failing.

Knuckles realizes that maybe he shouldn't have used that word.

That name.

"It's all his fault," Sonic grinds out, his breathing starting to quicken. "I have to find him."

He gets up from the cave floor, Knuckles following suit not long after when he realizes what his brother wants to do.

"Sonic, you must remember that Shadow is no longer with us. He sacrificed himself to stop the cannon in space. His choice saved countless lives, including ours. You convinced him to join our side."

That doesn't matter. Shadow may have made the right choice in the end, but he had started with a lot of wrong ones, including hurting Tom.

"But not Dad! He's gone because of him! He could have survived somehow...I need to find him!"

Knuckles has to notice the way his legs are shaking slightly, but he doesn't care.

"You must be tired," he says, remembering Maddie's instructions: take time. "We can stay here for the night, or return to the others and rest with them."

He reaches out his hand. Sonic stares for a moment, but doesn't take it. There's a chance that Shadow could have lived, and he can't let him hurt anyone else.

He should have finished it when he had the chance, then he'd know for sure.

"I'm gonna find him. He'll wish I never let him go."

Knuckles can't believe what he just heard, frozen as Sonic leaves the cave in a blue blur.

He looks back at the drawing, placing a hand over Tom. The bravest human he had ever known. He wants to go after Sonic, but maybe the hedgehog just isn't ready. Like he told Maddie, he isn't going to push.

Sonic just needs time.

Shadow is gone. He isn't going to find him. He'll grow tired and return on his own.

Knuckles makes the decision to return to Maddie and Tails. Not too long ago, he would have never considered Green Hills a home, but the protector of the Master Emerald had helped him see that differently. He may have been alone when he lost his father and his tribe, but he isn't alone anymore.

He can't do this by himself, either. He needs to go home.

Back to his family. They need him...and he needs them.

He lets his hand fall away from Tom's drawing.

"Goodbye, Father..."

Notes:

I will neither confirm nor deny if Sonic is going to find Shadow...

Chapter 4: Together

Notes:

Happy new year! Or maybe not so happy in this case...

"Tails," she says softly, her voice trembling as she gently shakes the little fox awake in the car. "We're home."

Maddie doesn't remember most of the drive home.

She steps through the front door, feeling the weight of the silence. The house is still, like it's holding its breath. She stands there for a moment, eyes closed and taking in the familiar sense of home that's now hollow without Tom's steadfast presence. The warmth of the living room seems almost cruel, a reminder of the absence she feels in every corner of the house.

Tails doesn't enter, looking away from the house and taking a small step forward.

Then another.

Maddie had said home, like he belongs here too.

But he never should have been invited to stay. He can never be part of a family. It hadn't worked out on his home planet, and it certainly won't work here.

He needs to stop lying to himself, but what if he never finds another family like them?

Maybe he doesn't deserve a family.

"Tails?" Maddie says, turning back around. Her voice is soft but firm enough to stop him in his tracks. "What are you doing?"

Tails freezes, his ears flattening against his head. Slowly, he turns to face her, his blue eyes filled with guilt and uncertainty. "I was just...I think I should go," he mumbles, looking down at his shoes. "I don't want to make things worse."

She gently places a hand on his shoulder, her heart aching at the sight of his trembling form. "You're not making anything worse, Tails," she says softly. "Why would you think that?"

Because you didn't say anything, her inner voice snarls. You should have said something. Anything.

She never should have looked at them like that, like everything was all their fault. Without her reassurance, they come to their own conclusions.

They blame themselves.

Tails hesitates, his gaze darting away as if afraid to meet her eyes. "Because...because if I hadn't come here, maybe...maybe Tom wouldn't have—" His voice cracks, and he squeezes his eyes shut, tears slipping down his fluffy cheeks. "I thought I was helping, but I wasn't. I messed everything up. I always mess up. He shouldn't have gotten involved in our mission. Do...do you blame me?"

Say something, the voice demands, but it's softer this time.

She quickly kneels to his level and pulls him into a hug, holding him tightly as he shakes in her arms. "No, Tails," she whispers fiercely, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't blame you. Not even for a second. Tom wouldn't either. He loved you so much, just like I do. Never doubt that for a second."

It's a lie as the words leave her mouth, another sliver of doubt creeping into her mind. If Tom had never found Sonic in their garage, would he still be alive? She pushes the thought away, ashamed of herself for even thinking it.

"It's not fair," he says in a broken whisper.

"I know," Maddie murmurs, stroking his fur gently. "I miss him too. Every second. But you don't have to carry this, Tails. None of this is your fault, okay? Not one bit."

He nods against her, though his tears don't stop. Maddie pulls back just enough to look at him, brushing a stray tear from his cheek.

"Please don't leave," she says quietly. "We need you here. I need you here."

Tails hesitates but finally nods, his shoulders relaxing slightly. Maddie needs him as much as he needs her.

Inwardly, the doubts linger in the corners of her mind, whispering questions she doesn't want to face. But for now, she pushes them aside, focusing on the little fox beside her who needs her more than ever.

He doesn't respond right away. Maddie can't hold back the tears any longer.

She lets them fall, unable to stop them, knowing it's okay to cry.

They both need to.

"I don't know what to do without him," Maddie admits, her voice cracking. She sits on the floor in the hallway, the weight of her grief pressing down on her chest like she doesn't have the strength to even sit down properly. "It feels like the world should have stopped, but everything keeps going."

Tails follows her inside, sitting down beside her with the same helplessness she feels.

"I miss him already too, Maddie," Tails says quietly, his voice so small. "I keep thinking he's just...gone on a trip, like that one time he was out of town. That he's coming back. But he's not."

Maddie pulls him into a tight hug, holding him close as if by doing so she could hold onto the pieces of Tom that still linger between them. Her tears soak into his fur, but Tails doesn't pull away. He stays there, his snout buried in her shoulder.

"I never should have let you go in that room," she whispers, her voice hoarse. "You shouldn't have had to see that."

"I don't know how to fix this," he admits with a sniffle. "I can't fix this."

He can't fix death. He can't magically come up with a gadget that would bring Tom back.

Maddie sucks in a breath.

He sounds too mature for his age. She doesn't know much about his past or where he came from, but he must have seen and been through things he never should have that would make him want to abandon his planet without question. Whoever hurt this fox better pray they don't cross paths with her.

"You don't have to," she replies, her voice muffled. "We'll figure it out together, right? We have each other."

Tails nods, even though the pain feels too much to bear. He clings to her words, feeling the fragile hope they offer. Together, they can somehow move forward. Together, they can keep Tom's memory alive, even if he's gone.

For a long moment, they just sit there on the floor, holding each other in the silence of the house, both of them grieving but also finding a small sliver of comfort in the shared weight of their sorrow.

After a while, Tails pulls back slightly. His teary blue eyes look up at her, full of sadness but also a flicker of something else—understanding.

"We don't have to be okay right now, right?"

Maddie shakes her head, her lips trembling. "No. No, we don't."

Tears fall freely now, but she smiles through them, holding him even closer.

"We can not be okay together," he agrees, his words a promise. Despite it all she laughs quickly, but then it fades away.

He's so strong. Stronger than her.

She doesn't know how they're going to move forward, but with Tails by her side, she feels like she might be able to try.

Maddie wipes the last of her tears away, but they keep threatening to spill over, no matter how hard she tries to hold them back. Her emotions are a tangled mess, grief and love and longing all fighting for her attention. She looks down at Tails, who's still nestled in her arms, his fur damp with the tears she hadn't noticed falling.

"I wish he could've seen you grow," Maddie murmurs, her voice soft, reflective. "He would've been so proud of you."

Tails doesn't say anything at first, but he presses closer to her, his head resting against her chest. She feels the weight of his small body in her arms, the warmth of his fur, and for a moment, it feels like everything could just stop right here—like they could freeze time and hold on to this moment of shared pain and tenderness forever.

"He did see me grow," Tails finally says, his voice steady but still carrying the weight of loss. "I didn't know him as long as Sonic but he was always there, always encouraging me. And even though he's not here anymore, I know he's still with us, in the things he taught us, in everything he did for us. He'll always be a part of who we are."

Maddie closes her eyes, trying to absorb his words, wise beyond his years and trying to find some comfort in them.

It's hard. So hard. But she knows he's right. Tom's legacy isn't just in the things he left behind—it's in them. It's in the way they've learned to lean on each other, the way they've built a family out of nothing, the way they've loved each other even when times were tough.

"I just...I want Sonic to be okay," Tails says, his voice so small and quiet. "I don't like seeing him like this."

"I know, sweetheart. None of us do," Maddie whispers, gently rubbing his back. "But we have to give him time to heal. He'll be alright. He's stronger than he realizes. We all are."

Maddie's heart tightens at the question. She knows the little fox is struggling, too, unable to shake off the sense of loss that's settled over them all.

But she doesn't know if she's trying to comfort Tails or herself.

"Sonic will come back when he's ready. We have to give him time."

xxxx

The evening settles around them as the sky outside dims into a soft purple twilight, the house now draped in a gentle stillness. Her fingers absentmindedly trace the edge of the couch cushion, unable to settle. She doesn't even want to go back to her and Tom's bed. The emptiness there feels too much to bear right now.

It's then that she hears the attic entrance creaking open. She looks up to see Tails standing at the living room doorway, his eyes tired but wide with uncertainty. His small frame is barely visible in the dim light, the shadows of the hallway curling around him.

"Maddie?" he calls out, his voice soft and almost fragile, like he's not sure whether to interrupt the quiet or not. "Can I talk to you?"

Maddie immediately sits up, her concern for him pushing aside her own sorrow. "Of course, sweetie. Come here." She pats the space beside her on the couch.

Tails hesitates for a moment, his eyes flicking nervously back toward the stairs as if trying to find a reason to stay up there. But after a few seconds, he shuffles across the room, his small steps loud in the stillness of the house.

He climbs up beside her, curling his legs up against his chest.

"I can't sleep," Tails says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I keep thinking about...everything." His ears droop slightly, his eyes downcast. "It's just too quiet up there."

Maddie's heart tightens at his words, and she looks down at him, her eyes softening. She can see the fear in his eyes, the same fear that she feels in the pit of her stomach. He doesn't need to say it, but she knows. He's scared. He's scared of what's happened, of the sudden silence that's taken over their home.

Of not knowing what's next.

"Maddie," Tails whispers, his voice small. "Can...can I stay with you tonight? I don't want to be alone."

"Of course, Tails," Maddie replies softly, her voice a little hoarse from holding back the tears. "You can stay with me as long as you need. We don't have to be alone."

He looks up at her, his eyes full of relief, and without another word, he slides closer to her. He curls up next to her, tucking his head against her side, his small body trembling slightly. Maddie wraps her arm around him, holding him close, and for a moment, neither of them speaks.

The silence isn't as loud now, with Tails beside her.

Maddie leans back against the cushions, one leg folded underneath her, her other foot resting lightly on the floor. Her hands are folded in her lap, but her mind is far away, lost in thoughts of Tom, of everything they've lost. She tries to push the sadness aside for a moment, but it lingers, like a thick fog that refuses to dissipate.

Gradually, Tails' breathing begins to slow, his tiny form relaxing against her, his eyes fluttering closed. His soft, almost inaudible snores remind her of purring and fills the space between them. She smiles gently, feeling the tension in her own body begin to melt away as she watches him.

Maddie rests her head back on the couch, her fingers gently running through his fur. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest is calming, a steady anchor in the sea of her grief.

Her gaze shifts around the room again. The house is still, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. The walls seem to hold the echoes of laughter, of moments once shared with Tom, and yet, the emptiness in the air is undeniable.

But there, nestled in her lap, is Tails.

He stirs slightly in her lap, shifting his weight to get more comfortable. Tails has been through so much—far more than any child, or any fox, should have to endure—but he's here now.

With her.

She tilts her head back, the weight of grief still pressing on her but feeling lighter somehow with Tails in her lap. There's no grand resolution, no easy fix for the emptiness she feels inside, but she knows that as long as they have one another, they will face whatever comes next.

Her hand continues to move absentmindedly through Tails' fur, the rhythm lulling her into a state of peace, the sadness ebbing just enough to allow her to breathe again. All that matters is the warmth of Tails beside her and the quiet comfort of their shared presence.

His breathing slows further, his small form completely relaxed in her lap. Maddie smiles softly, her heart swelling with affection for this brave little fox who, despite everything, still has so much love to give.

Just as the stillness begins to feel overwhelming, she hears the familiar clink of nails on the floor. Maddie's eyes flicker toward the sound, and before she can fully process it, Ozzy pads into the living room.

With a low whine, the dog approaches the couch and pauses, looking up at Maddie with big, soulful eyes. She can't help but smile faintly.

"Hey, Ozzy," she whispers softly, reaching down to scratch behind his ears.

Ozzy, sensing the sadness in the air, doesn't bark or jump around like he usually does. He whines, his eyes hopeful.

Maddie shakes her head. "I'm sorry...he's not coming back."

Ozzy tilts his head to the side, deciding to lower himself to the floor beside the couch with a soft huff. His head rests on his paws, eyes half-closed as if trying to comfort the human and the fox who are clearly in pain.

Maddie leans down, her hand resting on the dog's soft fur, a sense of warmth and comfort emanating from the simple gesture. "Thank you, boy," she murmurs, and Ozzy gives a small, contented sigh as if he understands, offering his quiet companionship in this difficult moment.

Maddie feels something akin to hope. Maybe they're not okay yet, but they will be, eventually.

One step at a time.

Together.

xxxx

The front door shuts softly behind Knuckles, but the silence inside the house is deafening. Pretzel Woman—no, Maddie—must have left it unlocked for him. Sonic is still out there somewhere, chasing after a ghost of vengeance. He'd tried, but Sonic wouldn't listen. The way he had looked at him, that look of anger and grief together, and the words that he'd said is something that Knuckles won't forget anytime soon.

The exhaustion starts to catch up with him. He'd hoped that Sonic would listen, that he would find some peace, but it's clear that the pain of losing Tom and Longclaw still grips him tightly. Knuckles knows what it's like to lose someone, to lose everything, and how much the pain can consume in its early stages.

As he enters the living room, his eyes meet Maddie's. She's sitting on the couch, Tails curled up in her lap, his small form peaceful in sleep with the four-legged creature resting on the floor in front of them. The weight of the day is still visible on Maddie's face, her eyes tired and red from the strain of everything that's happened.

Maddie gives him a silent look—soft, understanding—but her expression says more than words ever could.

He doesn't need to say anything, simply shaking his head.

He'd failed to bring home another member of their tribe.

She gestures gently with a slight movement of her hand, her fingers brushing the cushion next to her, inviting him to join them. It's a wordless offer of comfort, an understanding that even when words fail, sometimes presence is enough.

Knuckles hesitates for a moment, then sighs and moves over to the couch. He doesn't need to be told twice. He lies down, careful not to disturb Tails or Ozzy, and positions himself on the opposite side of the little fox. His body is still tense, but the softness of the moment makes him feel something he hasn't felt in a long time—at ease, even if just for a few minutes.

Maddie still doesn't speak, but she places a gentle hand on his shoulder, offering him the same silent comfort. It's like the weight of the world has been lifted, just a little, in this quiet moment. Her warmth, her presence, even Tails' gentle breathing, makes the pain of loss feel a little more bearable.

He makes a silent vow to the Lord of Donuts that he'll always keep watch over them.

Knuckles closes his eyes, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. The rhythm of the house, the sound of Maddie's soft breathing, the feel of the couch beneath him—everything begins to fade. He drifts off into sleep, his body relaxing for the first time in what feels like forever. He knows that tomorrow will bring new challenges and new griefs to face.

The last thing he feels before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep is Maddie's hand on his shoulder, steady and grounding.

He finally feels like he's home.

Outside the windows, lightning flashes in the distance.

Chapter 5: Bargaining

Shadow could have fallen anywhere from space.

Even home.

Sonic races through the empty streets of Green Hills, his eyes scanning every alley, every shadow beneath the trees. The town feels unnaturally still, as if holding its breath.

He searches for any trace of him.

Why did you do it? Why Tom?

The thought of finding Shadow and confronting him twists like a knot in his chest. He wants to fight him again. He needs to fight him again and win this time. But no matter how fast Sonic runs or how hard he searches, Shadow is nowhere to be found.

Maybe Knuckles is right. Maybe Shadow really did die in the explosion. They would have seen him falling, right?

The golden glow from the explosion itself still lingers in the sky, visible from Green Hills night or day, and Sonic realizes that the glow might be a permanent effect. He hopes the moon itself is going to be okay, that damaging it isn't going to have any negative effects on Earth.

Sonic skids to a stop at the top of the hill overlooking the sleeping town. The empty streets below feel so suffocating in their silence. His heart thuds heavily, and the frustration building inside him threatens to boil over. Still, he refuses to let the tears fall.

And maybe if he can just find Shadow, he won't even have to cry. He even goes back to the cornfield where the three of them landed, but he can't find anything there either.

There's only one place left to check.

He looks back in the direction of home. He doesn't want to leave them, but...he has to. They won't even know he's gone.

I'm sorry...

The idea of going back to the place where Tom was injured twists his stomach, but there's also a chance that Shadow could have ended up there from space, too. GUN might have even captured him again.

Without another moment's hesitation, Sonic takes off. The world blurs around him as he speeds toward GUN headquarters and his mind consumed by the singular thought:

I can't live like this.

The wind howls in his ears, but it isn't loud enough to drown out the whispers of guilt and pain that have taken root in his heart. His legs move automatically, carrying him forward, even as the weight in his chest threatens to slow him down.

I never should have gone in their garage. Dad never should have found me. I never should have asked him to help me...

Maybe Maddie won't say it out loud, but he saw it on her face that she blames him.

Them.

And he doesn't blame her for thinking that. He wants her to, because he deserves it after everything.

Someone has to take the blame.

The sky opens up as he runs, rain pouring down in sheets that soak him to the bone. Each drop feels like a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil, cold and relentless. The world around him is nothing but gray, the once-familiar landscapes of Green Hills obscured by the storm morphing into the city of London.

If he can't find Shadow, maybe there's something else that can help.

And if not? Sonic wasn't sure what he'd do next. He's grasping at straws, but at this point, he doesn't care.

He isn't even sure if GUN has what he's looking for, Shadow or otherwise. Maybe they don't. But they've had everything else—machines, weapons, tech that shouldn't exist like the up and down floor and even a cannon that could have destroyed the entire planet.

They have to have what he wants.

There's no energy shield this time to stop him...

He finds her office just by racing around the facility, looking for her name on one of the doors. Director Rockwell's office is cold and sterile, almost like the hospital. Screens line the walls, displaying live feeds from around the world. Rockwell herself stands behind her desk. Her sharp eyes narrow as Sonic appears right in front of her after running unnoticed past the guards like he had done the first time during the mission.

When Tom was still alive...when he had managed to get in with Maddie thanks to Tails' hologram technology.

Otherwise, she keeps herself well grounded even though he just came out of nowhere.

"Sonic. Why did you come back so soon?" Rockwell asks evenly. She's looking at him the same way Maddie did, probably wondering if she should call security.

He asks the first question that he needs an answer to. "Do you have Shadow again? Have you seen him?"

"Shadow?" Rockwell asks, still confused but curious why he's back already.

Very few people knew of Shadow's existence, Walter's words come rushing back. He probably hadn't even told Rockwell.

That other GUN facility was completely disintegrated. Why had he thought Shadow would be here in London? He had to try something.

"Nevermind," he grumbles, shifting his feet.

Maybe he should go back home. Maybe he shouldn't have come here in the first place, but his feet remain rooted to the floor.

Curiosity wins her over when he still doesn't leave. "Is something else on your mind?"

Sonic hesitates, knowing that was most likely the case.

Now for step two.

He's rehearsed what to say during the run over in case his plan with Shadow failed, but now, standing in front of the Director, the request feels heavier.

Finally, he forces them out.

"I need you to erase my memories."

The room seems to freeze. The Director's brow furrows deeply. "Come again?"

Sonic's voice cracks as he repeats, "Erase my memories."

He just wants it to stop.

Rockwell's expression softens slightly, though her tone remains measured. She crosses her arms and tilts her head slightly. "You know, Sonic, GUN paid for Tom's flight to return to Green Hills after he was injured here, even though Mrs. Wachowski was part of your little plan to steal the key. She begged us to help take him home, and we didn't have to do that. And frankly, after what happened with the moon, we could lock you and your friends away again if we wanted to. You're asking for something dangerous. Maybe you are dangerous like we originally thought."

Sonic squeezes his eyes shut. Why can't GUN just make up their minds? First they trust them and want them on their side, now they don't. If he was human, they probably wouldn't even be arguing with him. They're the ones who made Robotnik build the cannon in the first place in exchange for his freedom!

He just saved the world with his team and now GUN is blaming them again?

"He would want to be home," he remembers Maddie telling the London doctors, her voice shaking. They had warned her that moving Tom in his condition could be detrimental, but she hadn't listened to them after what they had told her.

He might not make it.

So she had somehow contacted GUN out of desperation, hysterically blaming them for all they were worth, and they granted her a non-stop flight back to Green Hills.

Tails doesn't have anymore rings. Knuckles had used his last ring to teleport to earth saving them, and his own rings are still lost and nowhere to be found at the bottom of a mountain in Siberia.

Flying home had been the only option.

In the end, it hadn't mattered, just like the doctors warned.

But he had passed away at home, just like he would have wanted.

Sonic opens his eyes again, narrowing them slightly at Rockwell.

"Shadow killed him. He didn't make it," he mutters, the guilt from it all still lingering with his overwhelming pain. "Are you going to pay for his funeral too?"

Funeral...he feels sick to his stomach. He doesn't want to be there when that time comes. GUN should pay every last cent.

Rockwell's expression barely even twitches, but something in her eyes tells Sonic that he hit a nerve.

"You think wiping it all away will make you feel better?" her voice sharpens.

He's surprised that she just openly admitted that GUN might actually have what he wants now more than anything. "I don't know, okay? I just...I can't stand seeing Maddie look at me like that. Like it's my fault. And maybe it is. But I can't live with this pain anymore."

"It may leave you standing here again, emptier than before."

"I don't care!" Sonic snaps, his voice rising. "You have the tech, right? I know you do. Just use it! Wipe it all away—the pain, the...everything. I can't..." His voice breaks and he looks down, his hands trembling.

The Director sighs, stepping around her desk to stand closer to the distraught hedgehog. "Listen to me, Sonic. Erasing this memory wouldn't just take away the pain. It would take away everything tied to it. The moments you shared with Tom, the lessons he taught you, the love you felt for him. Is that what you want? To lose all of it?"

Sonic's breath hitches. He hasn't thought of it that way. The memories of Tom's death are a constant torment, but they are tangled with moments of joy and love that he can't bear to lose.

A flicker of a memory surfaces: Tom laughing as he tosses Sonic a baseball, the warmth in his eyes when he calls him family.

Calling him Dad for the first and last time.

"But it hurts so much," Sonic whispers, his voice barely audible. "I can't even close my eyes without seeing..." He trails off, his shoulders shaking.

Rockwell crouches slightly, meeting Sonic's gaze head-on. Sonic can tell she's starting to crack through the shield that she put up. "Grief is the price we pay for love, Sonic. It's painful, and it's heavy, but it's also a reminder of how much that person meant to us. If you erase the pain, you erase the love, too."

Sonic's eyes fill with tears, but he still stops them from falling. He wants to argue, to insist that the pain is too much to bear, but deep down, he knows the Director is right. Losing his memory of Tom entirely would be like losing him all over again...except he wouldn't even know it.

Rockwell leads him to another room.

Sonic feels his feet moving slower than they ever have as they walk down the same hallway where Tom had been hurt.

The same hallway...

"Tom!" Tails had called, also trying to shake him awake when he and Knuckles had arrived.

The weapon rose from the water and they looked up in horror.

Horror for the world...but mostly for Tom.

"Don't touch him!" Maddie shouted, pushing him away when they couldn't even see the weapon anymore.

Tails had shut up instantly, his eyes widening. He curled in on himself, looking away from Maddie.

"We must do something," Knuckles had said. He didn't appreciate that she just hurt Tails, but she likely hadn't been thinking rationally at the time. "He needs a healer right away."

Rockwell turns down another hallway, and Sonic lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. She opens a door and leads him inside an empty room.

Except it's not entirely empty.

She gestures to a nearby device—a sleek, metallic helmet lined with glowing circuits and a single seat right underneath it. "This is the Memory Scrambler. It's capable of altering or erasing specific memories. Like the cannon, this too was originally developed by Gerald Robotnik, though we've since modified and tested it. It's experimental, dangerous, and not something I can authorize lightly. But I wanted you to see what you're asking for."

Sonic stares at the device, his heart pounding. A new question bubbles to the surface of his thoughts, one he hadn't considered before. If GUN has this...why didn't they use it on Shadow? His mind races through the possibilities. Would erasing Shadow's pain have changed things—maybe stop him from the path he chose? Could everything have been different if someone had just wiped away his darkest memories?

Or maybe they had just been too concerned with capturing him after he'd tried to escape, not even giving him an option.

What would he have chosen?

He remembers the look in Shadow's eyes during their last fight—cold, distant, yet flickering with something Sonic recognized all too well.

Pain. It wasn't just anger that drove Shadow; it was the weight of loss. Sonic understands that now more than anything.

But he immediately feels uncertain. Shadow's pain, like his own, was part of who he was. Would erasing it have left behind the same emptiness Rockwell warned him about?

He shakes his head, trying to push the thought aside, but the question lingers, heavy and unanswered.

If only he could just find Shadow.

But it's like the hedgehog never even existed.

Sonic realizes that he's looking for a needle in a haystack. Shadow has the power to teleport. If he lived, he most likely doesn't want to be found and could make it so he never is.

The Director's voice interrupts his spiraling thoughts. "I can't make this decision for you, Sonic. But know this: once we proceed, there's no going back."

Rockwell's sharp eyes study the hedgehog, searching for any hesitation. When she finds none, she nods solemnly and pauses briefly. "You know," she begins quietly, "when you were still here with your friends, I thought Commander Walters was still alive. I could've sworn I saw him walking the halls and even talked to him, giving him the key."

Sonic latches on to that new piece of information. What does she mean she gave Walters the key?

He's dead, too. He shouldn't have had to die either...

So much has happened ever since he arrived to Earth, and it's all because of him.

"...But I must have been confused. Grief can do that—it makes you see things that aren't really there." Rockwell's voice softens, the weight of her own loss evident. "I thought forgetting might help me too, but forgetting doesn't bring peace. It just leaves emptiness where those memories used to be."

Sonic lowers his gaze, the weight of her words adding to his conflicted heart.

"This device is experimental," Rockwell reminds him again, her voice softer than he's used to hearing from her now. "There's a chance that you won't just forget Tom, but other things too. Other losses."

Does that mean he could also forget Longclaw? What would she think? What would Tom think if he goes through with this?

But they're both gone, and they can't tell him what to do next.

No one can stop him.

After a long moment, Sonic's voice comes out barely above a whisper, but firm in his choice.

"Do it."

She nods, understanding. "Very well. Prepare yourself, Sonic..."

Sonic steps forward, his legs trembling slightly as he sits in the Memory Scrambler chair. As the Director begins calibrating the device, ready to place the helmet over his head, Sonic takes one last look at the room, his thoughts a storm of fear and longing. The weight of what he is about to do threatens to crush him, but he forces himself to stand firm. The room seems to grow colder as the device powers up, its circuits glowing ominously.

He closes his eyes, ready for the pain to disappear.

To be free of the grief and agony.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry, Longclaw..."

Notes:

Me, looking up if the Sonic franchise has ever had a memory erasing device and finding the Memory Scrambler: yes

I did modify it to fit in with the movies.

Chapter 6: Fragments

Notes:

This chapter took a little longer because it could have gone a few different ways. I ended up going with this one...do I need to hide?

A low hum surrounds Sonic as he sits on the chair with the helmet over his head. The bright lights overhead blur as the machine's circuits pulse, sinking hooks into his mind. He tightens his grip against the armrests of the seat, preparing himself.

At first, nothing happens.

Could he really do this? Could he really wipe away Tom's memory just like that, all because he doesn't want to feel pain?

Nothing could be worth forgetting his Dad.

"Wait! I-I change my—"

But Rockwell has already started the Memory Scrambler, controlling the device from another part of the room behind a glass for her safety.

Before he can run, the memories start coming full-force.

Out of order.

Scrambled.

"I know she w-would be, pal. 'Cause even though you lost her at such a young age, you didn't let your pain change who you are. In here."

"Sonic, taking care of yourself is not what being a hero is all about. It's about taking—responsibility for other people. There will come a time when your powers will be needed. But you don't choose that moment. That moment cho—chooses you."

"SFPD, pen-ding b-background check! Paws in the air!"

"Uh...m-m-m-eow?"

"Do you think Longclaw would be p-roud of me?"

"You have a power unlike anything I have ev-er se-en."

"San...Fr-ancis—Fr-a-ancisco?"

"This world is on the far side of the universe. You should be sa-fe the-re."

"Donut Lo-rd?"

"Or y-your he-art."

"I lear-ned ther-e's some-thing eve-n mo-re powerful than pain."

"No, you put people in danger and that's not what a hero d-oes."

"Y-yeah. I-n m-y lu-ngs."

"It can t-t-talk. Yo-u're not...you're n—ot here to abd-uct me, a-re y-ou?"

"You ab-duc-t—b-ducted me!"

"I do-n't have time to expl—ex-plain, b-ut yo-u ha-ve to h-help m-e!"

"N-o, I do-n't!"

"Well, myy le-gs, wh-which normally would be clas—classified as lethal w—eapons, feel like s-spaghetti. I ne—need your help. Please. It's li-life or death."

"I want a chance to prove mys-elf."

"Would you stop with the 'Do-nut Lord?' I have a n-name. It's T-To-m."

"I already lost Longclaw, I ca-n't los-e you to-o!"

"I'm S-Sonic."

"Please, just w-ake u-p!"

"Howdy, part—partner!"

"I'm not your par-tner. Come on. We're leav-ing."

"Your best fr—friend is a magnet for ddanger."

"Oh, a-anointing yourself as the b-bestie?"

"You're n-ot just any ki—kid. You're our kid."

"A little presumptuous, but I mean...No, I lik-e you, of co-urse, b-ut, you kn-ow, we're not best fr-friends."

"Co-me on, D-ad! F-ight!"

"You t-ucked me in l-ast n-ight."

"We are a c—coup-le of loo-se can—cann-ons ju-st liv-ing by o-ur own r—rules."

"I'm h—happy for you, pal. Got your w—wingmen. Perfect friends to gr—grow up with."

"Fam-ilies stick t-ogether."

"I don't want to g—go, but I c—can't stay. As long as I'm h—here, I put everyone in d-danger. I can't do th—that. I just want you to kn-know that these last two days have b—been the best two days of my life."

"You kn-know, I never thought I'd say this, but, I'm actu—tually gonna miss you, you lit—little blue devil."

"I'll miss you too, Don—Donut Lord. Th-thank you."

"For wh—what?"

"What I had to."

"For sav-ing m-my life."

"I've got a lot mo-re than that...Dad."

"H-he was my f-friend."

"Wh-what? Yo-u're g-gonna bucket list with m-me?!"

"I'm n-ot pla-aning o-n dying anyt-ime so-oo-n."

"If yo-u erase the pa-in, yo-u erase the lo-ve, to-o."

"Su-re, why-y not?"

"Y-ou w-won't re-gr-et th-is!"

"O-h, I'm p-pretty sure I w—will..."

Sonic clenches his jaw as the warmth in his chest starts to hollow out. The machine's hum grows louder. Tom's voice grows distant, as if carried away by the wind.

The edges of the memories fray, peeling away in strips.

Sonic starts to relax mentally as the pain starts to fade. No one else is going to die because of him. He has to stop putting people in danger...

Tom's voice calls his name one last time, but the sound fragments into static.

His face fades, details slipping away like grains of sand through Sonic's gloves and dissolving.

By the time the hum stops, the weight that once pressed down on his heart lifts. But the emptiness that replaces it chills him.

Sonic steps out of the chair, blinking against the sterile light and lifting a hand to his head. Rockwell watches him carefully from behind the console.

"It's done," she says after a long pause, her voice almost reluctant. "How do you feel?"

Sonic rubs the back of his head, frowning slightly.

"I feel...fine, I guess."

He glances around the room as if trying to recall why he came here in the first place. The weight that once pressed down on his heart feels lighter, but the emptiness that replaces it feels strange.

Hollow.

"Good," Rockwell replies flatly, but her eyes linger on him as if expecting something more. "You should go home. Rest."

Sonic nods quickly, offering a half-hearted smile before zipping out of the room, leaving a faint blue streak behind him.

Rockwell sighs.

She saw and heard him hesitate but she still did it.

It's safer for everyone this way, she thinks, but wishing it hadn't come to this.

Sonic's grief could have transformed into something dangerous. Now there's less chances for more global cataclysmic events, and maybe GUN won't have to watch him as closely. She'd known that there was a rogue alien on the loose, giving Sonic a very short brief on the flight to Tokyo so his 'team' could follow the damage.

But not what kind of alien. Walters had refused to tell her. All she knows is that it was most likely another hedgehog, threatening innocent lives.

She'll never understand how the Commander had blindly put his faith in these aliens.

Then he had paid the price.

They just can't be trusted.

xxxx

Sonic feels an odd tugging sensation—something instinctual but faint. The thought of home feels strange and unfamiliar.

Where is home? The question gnaws at the edges of his mind, but he can't answer it. There are no clear images guiding him back, only the pull of a hollow instinct urging him toward somewhere distant, somewhere he assumes should feel right.

The wristband on his arm buzzes suddenly, cutting through the sound of the wind. He slows to a jog, glancing down. Tails' voice crackles through the connection, laced with concern.

"It finally works, the connection has been getting interrupted all day! Sonic, where are you? You've been gone for hours—please tell me you're coming home."

Sonic narrows his eyes at his wristband, hesitating. Something about Tails' voice feels distant, like hearing someone from the other end of a long tunnel. He taps the band to respond but pauses.

He sighs. "I'm heading home...I think. Where's home, again?"

The line crackles with static for a moment before Tails speaks again, quieter this time. Uncertain, like he'd said something wrong.

"Very funny. Green Hills! Just...come back soon, okay? We're all so worried about you."

"I will," Sonic says, though he isn't sure if he means it.

It's not the memory of it that leads him—just the sense that he's supposed to be there.

Only when the rolling hills and winding roads come into view does Sonic slow down. The trees lining the unfamiliar path to Green Hills stretch upward, bending gently in the breeze. The strange sensation tugs at him, something beyond memory. His feet carry him forward and he follows that hollow instinct, like a compass that points him towards 'home' even if he can't quite remember the way.

xxxx

Maddie stands on the front porch, her eyes widening the moment she spots Sonic approaching. Relief floods her expression, but before she can move, Tails runs past her.

"Sonic! You're finally back! Where have you been?"

Sonic slows to a stop in front of the house, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looks at Tails. "I was just...taking care of something."

Tails frowns, picking up on the distant tone in Sonic's voice. "I know. Did you find out anything about Shadow? Is he alive?"

Sonic blinks, confusion flickering across his face. "Who's Shadow?"

Tails freezes, his eyes widening. Something is wrong.

"You...don't remember Shadow? Sonic, we fought him, but then he helped us. But he's also the reason that Tom is—" Tails freezes mid-sentence, his voice faltering as Sonic glances over his shoulder, confusion etched across his face.

Sonic hadn't responded to Tom's name.

Maddie steps closer.

Unable to hold back any longer, she throws her arms around him in a tight hug, holding him close as if she never plans to let go.

"Are you okay?"

Sonic stiffens awkwardly in her embrace, pulling back with a furrowed brow.

"Uh...who are you, lady?" His voice is calm but distant as he steps away from her, glancing between Tails and Knuckles as if searching for answers. "Why are you hugging me?"

Tails had said that this is home, but something is off. Why are he and Knuckles here with this human?

Maddie lowers her arms to her sides as she stares at him, disbelief washing coldly over her face. Tails swallows hard, taking a small step closer, his heart sinking at the empty look in Sonic's eyes.

Something about the way she held him feels familiar—like a distant song he can't quite recall. No images comes to mind. The warmth fades quickly, leaving only confusion.

Maddie's breath catches in her throat. She searches Sonic's face, desperate for any glimmer of recognition, but all she finds is polite detachment.

Her hands tremble at her sides.

"Sonic...it's me," she says, her voice soft but breaking with disbelief. "It's me. Maddie—"

Sonic steps back another inch, the confusion in his eyes deepening. "Look, I'm sorry, but I think you've got the wrong hedgehog." He forces an awkward laugh, glancing toward Tails. "I mean, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I really don't remember you."

A disbelieving laugh escapes her lips, though it holds no humor. "This isn't funny, Sonic."

"I'm not trying to be funny," Sonic replies, shrugging carelessly. "I'm just being honest."

The light in Maddie's eyes dims, replaced by something fragile and broken. Her mouth parts to speak, but no words come out. She finally exhales, shaky and uneven.

"What about Tom?" she asks under her breath, barely loud enough for even herself to hear. She's afraid of the answer, but she has to know if something is truly wrong with him.

"...Who's Tom?"

The words hit Tails like a punch to the gut. His eyes widen, and he takes a shaky step forward.

"What do you mean? Tom—Tom Wachowski. Your..." He stops, realizing the emptiness in Sonic's expression isn't a joke. "Donut Lord?" he tries weakly. Something really is wrong.

"Sorry, buddy. That name doesn't ring a bell," Sonic says casually.

Tails' heart drops as he sees Maddie step back, her face frozen in shock and disbelief. Knuckles' gaze darkens from the porch, stepping down slowly.

Maddie swallows hard, trying to compose herself. "Sonic...you really don't remember me?"

Sonic shakes his head with a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry. I don't think we've met."

Maddie's shoulders tremble, her eyes searching his for any flicker of recognition—but there's nothing.

Tails takes a deep breath and and steps even closer to Sonic, scrutinizing him. "You...you're messing with us, right?"

Sonic glances at him warily. "I don't know what you're talking about. But hey—at least I feel better now. Isn't that the point?"

Tails' fists clench, his voice trembling with hurt.

"No, Sonic. That's not the point." Tears well at the edges of his eyes as he takes a step back, feeling the surrounding woods start to close in around him. "It's like Tom and Maddie never even existed to you..."

For the first time since he arrived to this house, Sonic feels something stir in his chest—a hollow ache that he can't place.

"I'm going to fix this," Tails says firmly, his voice rising with determination. "I don't know how yet, but I'll find a way to get your memory back. I promise."

Sonic frowns, not liking the idea that Tails wants to fix something that isn't broken. "You don't need to fix anything, Tails. I feel fine. There's nothing wrong with me."

Tails can only stare, shocked. "Nothing wrong? Sonic, you just forgot two of the most important people in your life! How can you say you feel fine?"

Sonic shrugs, crossing his arms. "Maybe it's for the best. If I forgot, maybe it means I wasn't meant to remember them. Whoever they were." He offers a faint, almost dismissive smile. "I'm not broken, Tails. Stop acting like I need to be fixed. Can we get out of here?"

He wants to go back to his cave.

Tails takes another careful step forward. "Sonic...what did you do? Where were you?"

Sonic looks away from him. Why can't he just back off? "I just needed to clear my head. Maybe that's exactly what happened."

Knuckles' gaze hardens suspiciously. "You mean to tell us...you genuinely have no recollection of Father? Or Moth—"

Maddie's eyes start to shine with tears. Knuckles just called Tom 'Father' for the first time, and he almost called her...she has to sit down on the porch to regain herself.

Tails storms into the woods, and Knuckles steps closer to Maddie.

Sonic stands there, staring at the empty doorway. Fragments of memories flicker at the edges of his mind, but nothing takes hold.

A voice calling his name. A laugh. A warm, guiding presence he can't quite grasp.

This lady named Maddie sitting on the porch crying over something that he forgot, and Knuckles remaining protectively by her side. She sounds like she's in shock, but Sonic still doesn't know why.

The echidna warrior finally breaks the silence. "You cannot simply erase the existence of those who mattered, Sonic. Regardless of who you do not remember, his absence echoes profoundly within us. I will ensure his legacy is not so easily discarded."

And for a fleeting second, Sonic wonders if he's made a horrible mistake he can't undo.

xxxx

Tails walks aimlessly through the woods alone, his steps slow and uneven. The early morning light filters through the branches, but it feels distant—muted, like the world itself is mourning alongside him. The breeze tugs lightly at his fur, but it does little to comfort the weight pressing down on his chest.

Sonic doesn't remember Tom. He doesn't remember Maddie.

How could something like that even happen? Tails glances up at the faint glow still lingering in the sky from the explosion. It feels like a scar, a reminder of everything they lost. He wonders how much more they're supposed to endure.

"Me and Knuckles don't really have anything to do with Sonic meeting Tom and Maddie, so maybe that's why he still remembers us," Tails thinks aloud to himself. "Maddie shared a lot of moments with him and Tom, so it makes sense that he would forget her, too."

Sonic doesn't remember Shadow either because he'd been the reason for Tom's death.

The cause of his pain.

In a way, Tails is glad that Sonic remembers him and Knuckles, at least. But how did he forget his parents?

Does GUN have something to do with Sonic's lost memory? If only he could have contacted Sonic before he made his decision...but it couldn't have been a decision.

Sonic wouldn't just choose to forget Tom.

His wristband sits silently against his fur, but he doesn't bother trying to contact Sonic again. What would be the point? Sonic's words echo in his head—'I feel fine.'

He isn't fine. None of this is fine.

"I'm going to fix this," he whispers to himself, the determination growing stronger with every step. He doesn't know how yet, but he'll find a way.

He has to.

For Tom. For Maddie.

He'll help Sonic remember, even if it's the last thing his friend wants. Sonic can't just forget because he doesn't want to hurt anymore.

They're all hurting, and forgetting doesn't make the pain any better.

Tails pauses, his ears suddenly flicking forward at the sound of crunching footsteps.

He turns, expecting to see Knuckles or maybe even Sonic—

"Tails," Eggman's best friend says softly, raising his hands to show no harm. "I've been looking for you."

Tails' fur bristles instantly. Stone might have partnered up with his team at the research base, but then he and Robotnik had teamed up with Eggman's grandpa.

"W-what are you doing here?"

Stone's eyes lock on to the fox. "I just want to talk, that's all. I know you've been through a lot...I have too." His voice carries a strange calmness that unsettles Tails. "The Doctor is gone; you know that as well as I do."

Tails shifts uncomfortably, glancing toward his wristband.

"It's pointless to call for backup," Stone says with an apologetic smile before he can even try activating it. "I hacked into your signal so you couldn't see mine this time and disabled it."

So that's why he hadn't been able to reach Sonic. Maybe if he had gotten through sooner—before Sonic did whatever he did—his best friend would still have his memory. He should have still been alert after coming home!

Tails' eyes widen as Stone takes another step closer.

He prepares himself to run or even fly, but...why is he suddenly starting to feel sleepy?

"I also made some adjustments remotely."

Tails makes an attempt to move, but loses his footing. "You can't just—"

"Relax," Stone says calmly, coming even closer. Tails can't even take one step back, his legs feeling like jelly. He can hardly keep himself standing upright... "I'm not going to hurt you. I just need to borrow you for a while."

Tails struggles against the oncoming tiredness, but his vision blurs as the world around him tilts. He sways slightly, struggling to stay upright. The exhaustion creeping over him is sudden and relentless, like a heavy fog settling in his mind.

Stone steps forward, catching Tails by the arm before he can fall. "Easy now. It's just enough to keep you calm."

What's enough to keep him calm?! He grasps at his wristband with his other arm, but it's no use. He has to get it off!

But his limbs are barely responding. "Why...are you...doing this?"

Stone's expression softens, but his grip remains firm. "You're the only one who could possibly understand. Robotnik's gone, and I have nothing left. Maybe keeping you around will help...balance things out."

Robotnik may have helped save the planet in the end, but that doesn't mean Stone could be trusted now. He may have called him adorable and they worked together once, but they are not teammates.

Far from it.

"I have no one now, and I need you to help me," Stone says simply, void of any kind of emotion at all. It's surprisingly similar to how detached Sonic's tone had been.

The woods around them spin fast, and Tails' strength fades. His eyes droop despite his best efforts to fight it. How is he going to help Sonic regain his memory now?

"Sonic...won't...let you..."

Something might be wrong with Sonic's memory but he'll still save him, right?

His fading hearing catches the words, but he's not sure if they came from Sonic or Stone as he feels himself being lifted gently.

"I need you."

Notes:

I know it looks bad now but I PROMISE I have a plan!

Chapter 7: Depression

"Tails! Come back!" Sonic calls from the porch.

Since Tails had stormed off after getting upset about his memory, the woods are quiet.

Too quiet. He holds his wristband up, tapping the button for what feels like the hundredth time.

"Tails? You there, buddy?" Sonic's voice cracks slightly and he clears his throat, forcing an upbeat tone. "Please come back. You can even tell me more about this Tom guy."

Nothing. Only static crackles in response.

"Please. I need you," Maddie reminds him softly. He had been thinking about leaving last night, but then decided not to. He didn't change his mind, did he?

No...something else must have happened.

First Tom, and now...

She doesn't think she can handle this too. Tails has to be okay.

Knuckles continues standing by Maddie's side, refusing to leave. She doesn't want him to. She's positive that without his unwavering support, she would unravel right there.

"Fox?" Knuckles asks into his own wristband. "We can eat dinner in another garden tonight if you answer now."

Sonic tilts his head in confusion. Why would they eat dinner in a garden?

Silence.

He can't stop the feeling of panic from bubbling even more strongly.

"This isn't like him," Sonic mutters, lowering his arm and turning to Knuckles. "He always answers no matter what! What if something happened?"

"He could be on his way back," Knuckles suggests, trying to keep calm. But deep down, he can feel that something is wrong.

Sonic isn't convinced. He taps his wristband again, speaking faster this time. "Tails, come on. At least send a beep or something to let me know you're okay. I'm serious."

Knuckles watches silently as Sonic's voice echoes slightly in the still air. When no response comes, he frowns, his usual confidence tinged with something heavier.

"What do we do?" Sonic asks, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to get him upset and then kidnapped!"

Maddie gets up suddenly, using what little strength she has left to call out. "Tails!"

Her call still goes unanswered.

"Do not jump to such conclusions in front of Mother!" Knuckles scolds him sharply.

Sonic's eyes widen. This is so unlike the Knuckles he knows, but he can tell that this Knuckles is being serious just by the hard way he's looking at him. "You see her as your mother?"

Knuckle's eyes reflect the sun, as genuine as his response. His expression relaxes.

"You do, as well."

Sonic doesn't have any idea what to say in response to that. Maddie is just some random human that Tails and Knuckles came across. Knuckles still hasn't even given him a reason why they're staying with her, and why they can't just get up and leave yet if Tails hadn't gone missing.

"I'm going to find him," Maddie says, taking several quick steps forward. She doesn't even seem to notice what Knuckles just called her, too worried about their missing brother. "Who's coming with me?"

Knuckles reaches out, grabbing her hand before she can go any further. Sonic is surprised when she doesn't yell out in pain from his strong grip, but maybe he's learned to control it.

"You are in no condition to do such a thing," he says firmly. Maddie makes an attempt to pull away, but his grip on her hand remains firm enough to hold her in place but surprisingly still not enough to hurt her.

It sounds like she growls under her breath. Sonic doesn't think he's ever seen a human so angry before. Then again, he usually does his best to avoid them. "Let me go! I have to do something. I need something to keep my mind off of..."

Knuckles does understand. She wants to use the same tactic of keeping busy like she had done with Tom before they came back home to plan their break in mission.

Distraction.

"I'll stay with her while you look for him," Sonic offers, still unsure. What comfort could he be to her if he can't even remember anything?

Maddie stays in place, as if her strength has almost fully drained from her. Knuckles can feel her hand relaxing even through his glove.

Until he's sure that she won't try to hurt herself, he lets go of her hand slowly. To Knuckles' relief, she stays where she is on the porch.

"Wise decision. I will look for our brother alone."

"Promise you'll find him," Maddie says.

"Not just a promise. An oath," Knuckles says, and Maddie's face visibly relaxes.

Knuckles never breaks his oaths, and Sonic is surprised that he just made one with this human. Maybe there really is more to her than he thinks.

Before Knuckles disappears completely into the woods, he turns back around. "I know it hurts, but you must try to remember the pain, and in doing so, remember Father."

What was that name Tails had used again?

"Maybe you can tell me more about Tom?" Sonic asks Maddie. It's hard for him to keep eye contact with her, but she never breaks it.

She'd said she needs a distraction. Maybe he can be that distraction for her even if it might hurt to talk about this 'Tom.'

"Of course," Maddie whispers, taking one of his hands gently in hers. She still doesn't understand where he'd gone and why he'd come back with no memory of her or Tom, but she'll help him remember no matter what. "He was your dad..."

xxxx

Tails stirs weakly, his vision blurring as the faint hum of machinery buzzes in his ears. He blinks slowly, the light overhead piercing his eyes sharply. He's expecting to be tied to a chair with his mouth gagged, but to his surprise...he's free.

But he is sitting in a chair; the same one that Robotnik once sat in when Stone had led them here the first time.

Apparently, they're back in the Crab...or what's left of it. It sounds unsteady, and Tails can feel it swaying slightly back and forth. He really did a job on the vehicle by flooding it in that tunnel; Tails wonders how Stone managed to get it all the way here from London in one piece.

Wherever 'here' is, anyway. All the video screens are ruined including the main big one, some even letting off sparks. Looking down, Tails sees his wristband is still in place. He taps at it, but nothing happens. Stone must have left it on because it's still disabled.

"You're awake."

The voice is calm, almost soothing, and it makes Tails's fur bristle. He turns his head, spotting Stone seated across from him. The man's expression is unreadable, his hands clasped loosely in front of him as though this were nothing more than a casual conversation.

"What...what do you want?" Tails croaks, his throat dry. "Let me go! I have to go home—"

Where he belongs. He never should have tried to leave last night!

He needs to get back. His family needs him! Maddie hadn't abandoned him, blamed him or thrown him out, now he can't give up on her.

Stone tilts his head slightly. "I told you, I need your help."

Tails glares at him, his eyes narrowing. "You kidnapped me. That's not how you ask for help."

Stone leans back in his own chair, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Would you have come willingly?"

Tails hesitates, his ears twitching at more unsteady mechanical sounds coming from the broken Crab. "Would have depended on what you want."

Stone chuckles softly, the sound laced with bitterness. "You're smarter than I expected. But you wouldn't have understood."

"Then try me," Tails can't help but snap. He'd been taken away from his family! They need him! "What do you want?"

Stone's gaze darkens, and for the first time, his composure wavers.

"He's gone," he says quietly. "Robotnik. The Doctor. He's gone, and I...I don't know what to do without him. Maybe if Shadow was still here it would be easier, but he's gone too."

The raw emotion in Stone's voice catches Tails off guard. Again, it reminds him of how Sonic sounded after his older brother had somehow gotten part of his memory wiped.

Stone's voice grows softer but more desperate. "You could help me forget. Build me a device...a machine or something. I can't keep living with this emptiness. It was hard enough the first time I thought he was dead."

Tails stares at him, his expression hardening as the request sinks in. Had Sonic considered asking him, only to decide that he'd likely refuse? Is that why he'd gone somewhere else to get help?

"No."

Stone's head snaps up, his desperation flaring into frustration. "Why not? You said you're the gadget guy! I know you can do it!"

"I won't," Tails says firmly, his voice unwavering. "Because forgetting him won't make the pain go away. It'll just bury it, and it'll still be there, eating away at you."

Stone's fists clench, his composure unraveling. "You think I don't know that?! You think I don't feel it every second of every day? He gave my life meaning. Without him, I'm nothing."

"You're not nothing," Tails counters, his voice quieter but no less firm. "You're more than just someone who followed orders. You have a choice now. You can decide what kind of person you want to be."

Stone's shoulders slump, the fight draining out of him. He looks down at his trembling hands, his expression hollow. "I don't know how to be anything else."

Tails' gaze softens. "Then start small. But building a machine to erase everything you felt for him? That's not the answer. Honoring him doesn't mean forgetting him. It means doing better. Living better. He wouldn't want you to live like this."

And neither would Tom in Sonic's case.

"He'd want you to be happy," Tails finishes in a whisper. "Right?"

Tails' words settles over them like a heavy fog. Stone presses his hands against his face, his breath shuddering as he grapples with the emotions spilling over.

Stone's posture is rigid, but Tails can see the tension trembling just beneath the surface.

Tails sits on the edge of the worn chair. The silence stretches between them like a chasm neither one is sure how to cross.

But Tails is beginning to understand.

"You know, you don't have to do this alone," Tails says softly, watching Stone's reflection in the dark, broken video screens.

Stone's jaw tightens, but he doesn't turn around. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not." Tails' voice wavers with quiet insistence. He stands up slowly, approaching carefully like one would with a wounded animal. "I know what you're trying to do. You think if you can erase him from your mind, it'll stop hurting. Sonic must have thought the same thing, but it won't work."

Stone's grip on his upper arms tightens, his nails digging into his sleeves. "You don't understand."

"I do. I just lost someone who I saw as my dad." Tails stops a few feet away, his twin tails curling behind him in hesitation. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes. Tom had been more of a dad than his real dad. "I know what it's like to lose someone who meant everything and put all the blame on yourself. To wish you could just...forget the pain. But forgetting doesn't fix it. It only takes away the good memories with the bad. The only thing left are fleeting, unreachable memories of someone you once knew."

Stone finally turns, his eyes sharp and guarded. "He's not gone. Not completely. I can still hear him. Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice. I see the look in his eyes when he knew he wasn't going to win." His voice breaks at the edges, and he swallows hard to keep it steady. "If I could just let that go—"

"You don't want to let him go." Tails whispers, thinking of Sonic's similar blank expression. "Because what's left...isn't anything better."

Stone looks away, his fingers now twitching restlessly at his sides. "I don't know how to live without him. Everything I did was for him. I thought if I was useful enough, if I was loyal enough, it would mean something."

"It did mean something." Tails' voice softens, and he dares to take another step closer. "It's okay to grieve, Stone. It's okay to miss him. But don't throw away everything he left behind. Don't throw away who you are because of it."

Stone's shoulders tremble as he exhales a shaky breath. For a moment, he looks as if he might argue, but the fight slips away from his eyes. "I thought maybe if I had you here...I could understand. Maybe I could figure out why he chose to stay behind, why he saved everyone else but couldn't save himself."

Tails blinks, surprised. "I don't know why he suddenly chose to save everyone. Maybe he didn't even know. But he made his choice and died a hero. Now you have to make yours."

Stone's gaze drops to the floor, his hands curling loosely at his sides. The tension in the room softens just enough for the weight of grief to settle between them.

"I don't know if I can," Stone whispers.

Tails gently places his gloved paws on Stone's arm. "You can, and I'll help you. I won't build you a forgetting machine, but I can fix all of...this."

He gestures around the Crab. It might be a good distraction for him.

Stone smiles faintly. He doesn't pull away.

Notes:

Maybe Knuckles isn't going to have to look for long :)

Chapter 8: Familiarity

The interior of the Crab is a mess of wires, exposed panels, and flickering lights. Tails crouches near the main console, a wrench in one hand and a cluster of tangled wires in the other. Sparks occasionally fly as he works, his brow furrowed in concentration. The faint hum of the vehicle's damaged systems fills the air, broken only by the creak of the Crab swaying in the wind.

"Almost there," Tails mutters to himself, his voice low but focused. "If I can reroute the power here, it should stabilize the legs. At least for now."

The cabin of the Crab is silent now, save for the occasional groan of metal as the vehicle sways slightly in the wind. Stone sits slumped in the pilot's chair, his hands dangling limply over the armrests. His gaze is distant, fixed on nothing in particular, as Tails continues tinkering with the console. The faint whir of tools and the soft hum of power returning to the systems barely registers.

Stone exhales deeply, his thoughts swirling. He hadn't expected Tails to trust him enough to talk about Sonic, let alone share something as personal as his memory loss.

The kid could've kept quiet, could've tried to escape, but instead, he stayed. He listened. And somehow, he managed to convince him not to go through with his original plan to wipe his own memory.

He looks over at Tails, intently focused on reconnecting a panel, his tails twitching behind him.

"I'm glad you told me," Stone says suddenly, his voice low but steady.

Tails pauses, looking up from his work with a curious tilt of his head. "Told you what?"

They've been lost in conversation while he works...

Stone hesitates for a moment. He still can't believe what he'd been about to do if Tails hadn't changed his mind. "About Sonic. About his memory. I could have done the same thing."

Tails frowns slightly, his ears twitching. "Yeah. He hasn't been the same since Dad died. He doesn't even remember how he lost his memory. None of us know." He sighs, his expression growing heavier. "I just want to help him."

Stone nods slowly, his gaze dropping to his hands. The idea that what he had wanted is out there somewhere unsettles him. He pushes it to the back of his mind.

And I almost made the same mistake.

It hasn't even been that long, but he remembers the way he'd begged Tails to build a machine to erase his own pain, the desperation that had consumed him after Robotnik's death. At the time, it had felt like the only solution, the only way to keep moving forward. But Tails had stopped him, his quiet conviction cutting through Stone's despair.

"Erasing your pain won't make it go away," Tails had said, his voice steady despite the weight of the words. "It'll just eat away at you until there's nothing left."

Stone shivers at the thought. He'd been so close—so close to making a mistake he couldn't take back. And now, knowing that Sonic had done exactly that, it makes his chest ache with a strange mix of pity and relief.

Tails adjusts a panel on the Crab's console, securing a stubborn wire into place as the vehicle groans and tilts slightly. He glances over his shoulder at Stone, who leans forward in the chair, watching him work. The man's expression is unusually contemplative, his usual smug demeanor replaced by something softer, almost hesitant.

"You're a good kid, you know that?" Stone says suddenly, breaking the silence. "Your heart is in the right place."

Tails pauses mid-adjustment. "Uh, thanks, I guess? But why bring that up now?"

Stone shrugs, his fingers idly tracing the edge of a nearby console. "You've got this thing about fixing everything. Machines, people, situations—it's like you can't let anything stay broken."

Tails tilts his head, unsure if that's a compliment or a criticism. "Well...if I can help, why wouldn't I? I've lost family, too."

Stone pauses, wondering if he should continue. The fox seems to want him to. "Look, I get it. I'm all about loyalty too, or...I was. But what if you're looking at it the wrong way?"

Tails, still in a sitting position, leans back on his heels. "The wrong way? What are you talking about?"

"Sonic," Stone says, his tone calm but pointed. "You're so focused on 'fixing' him, on making him remember whatever it is he's lost. But maybe he doesn't need to be fixed. Maybe...maybe what he needs is to be pushed."

Tails frowns, his hands gripping the edge of the console. "Pushed how? I've already tried talking to him. He doesn't remember Mom or Dad."

Mom and Dad. Tails wishes that he could have called Tom 'Dad.' Maybe he still has a chance to call Maddie 'Mom.'

Stone crosses his arms, his gaze shifting to the flickering screen in front of them. "Sonic's not like you or me. He doesn't process things by sitting around and talking it out. He's energy. He's motion. He's action."

Tails' frown deepens as he mulls over Stone's words. "Are you saying...I should push him physically? Like...make him fight or something?"

"Not fighting," Stone says, scooting closer. "You've seen it, haven't you? The way his energy reacts when he's emotional—angry, desperate, determined. That power? It's connected to who he is, to everything he's feeling. Kind of like how the Doctor controlled the giant robot. If you can get him to tap into that...maybe it'll break through whatever's blocking his memories."

Tails' eyes widen slightly as realization dawns, recalling how Sonic tried to revive Tom in the hospital. That night on the baseball field. "You think his energy could trigger his memories?"

Stone shrugs again, but there's a glimmer of confidence in his voice now. "I'm not a scientist, but it makes sense, doesn't it? He's not going to remember by sitting in a quiet room and staring at photos. He needs something big—something that forces him to feel, to remember what he's fighting for."

It's risky, but Stone isn't wrong. Sonic's powers are deeply tied to his emotions, and if he could harness that...

"But what if it hurts him?" Tails asks quietly, his voice tinged with worry. "What if it's too much?"

Stone leans back against the chair, his expression softening. "Loss will always hurt. The pain was too much, so he wanted to forget. But it's like you said...what's left isn't anything better. You're his family; you'll catch him if he falls."

Family...it finally starts to sink in that he has a family.

The words hit Tails harder than he expects, and for a moment, he feels a pang of guilt for doubting Sonic's resilience. He nods slowly, his determination returning.

"Thanks, Stone," Tails says, standing up straighter. "I think...I think you really might be onto something."

"Thank you," Stone says gratefully. He truly doesn't know what he would have done without this little guy who had stopped him from going down such a dark path. "The Crab is all I have left of him...do you think this will hold?"

Tails glances at him but doesn't stop working. "It'll hold. Long enough for you to figure out what's next." He pauses, adjusting a connection. "You trust the gadget guy, right?"

Stone exhales shakily. He regrets kidnapping the fox the way he did. "Yeah, you're right. You know, you're not so bad."

Tails looks up from his work, smiling. "You aren't, either."

The Crab suddenly lurches violently to the side, throwing Tails to the other end of the room and nearly causing Stone to lose his footing. A loud, metallic clang echoes through the cabin, followed by a deep, earth-shaking rumble. Tails grabs the console to steady himself as sparks rain down from above.

"What was that?" Stone yelps, his eyes wide.

Tails doesn't answer immediately, his ears twitching as he listens. Another clang reverberates through the vehicle, this time accompanied by a faint growl that sends a chill down his spine. His heart sinks.

He knows that growl.

Tails scrambles to the nearest monitor, tapping rapidly on the controls. The screen flickers to life, showing an external camera feed. Through the grainy static, he spots a familiar crimson figure perched atop the Crab, his fists glowing faintly.

"Knuckles," Tails whispers, his stomach tightening. He doesn't have time to process the relief or the panic that floods him because another blow rocks the vehicle, and the entire cabin tilts dangerously to one side.

Stone stumbles, gripping the edge of the console. "What's going on? What's hitting us?"

Tails spins around, his voice urgent. "It's Knuckles! He's here to—" He cuts himself off, the weight of the situation hitting him all at once. "He thinks you kidnapped me."

Stone pales. "Technically I did! But you stayed—"

"That's not how it looks to him!" Tails snaps, rushing below the closed hatch. "Knuckles! Stop!"

Another blow shakes the Crab, and the vehicle groans under the strain. Tails can hear Knuckles growling from outside, his strikes methodical and unrelenting. The echoing sounds of metal crumpling fill the air, and Tails' heart pounds.

"Knuckles, it's me!" he shouts, his hands raised. "I'm fine! Stop attacking, you're going to mess up everything I did!"

For a moment, the blows cease. The cabin settles, the eerie quiet leaving Tails and Stone frozen in place. Tails waits, holding his breath. Then, with a deafening crash, the hatch is ripped clean off its hinges, and Knuckles drops into the cabin in front of Tails.

Knuckles' eyes lock onto Stone instantly, and his growl deepens as he points at him with a gloved hand. "You again. Goat milker!"

Stone stumbles back, his hands raised defensively. "I didn't—"

"Enough!" Knuckles roars, taking a step forward. "You're lucky I didn't tear this thing apart already."

Tails darts in front of him, spreading his arms wide to block his path. "Knuckles, stop! He didn't hurt me!"

Knuckles blinks, caught off guard. His fists open slightly, but his gaze remains hard. "Then what is this? Why are you here, working on this hunk of junk with him?"

Tails takes a deep breath, his tails flicking nervously. "He's grieving. Robotnik's gone, and Stone doesn't know what to do. He asked for my help, and I...I stayed to fix the Crab."

Knuckles' expression twists into a mixture of confusion and anger. "You stayed? After everything we've been through, after everything he's done, you stayed?"

"Yes," Tails says firmly. "Because he's not a threat right now. He's lost, Knuckles. And if we hurt him, we're no better than when Robotnik tried to hurt us before he decided to save the planet!"

Tails knows he has to remind Knuckles that Robotnik actually helped them save the world, because it seems like he's already forgotten.

Knuckles glares at Stone, who shrinks back, then looks at Tails. "You really believe that?"

Tails nods. "I do. Please, Knuckles. Don't make this worse."

Knuckles breathes deeply, his shoulders dropping slightly.

"Fine," he mutters, stepping back. He turns to Stone, his voice cold. "But if you so much as look at him the wrong way, I'll finish what I started."

Stone nods quickly, his face pale. "Understood."

Tails places a hand on Knuckles' arm, his voice soft. "Thank you."

Knuckles doesn't respond, but he gives Tails a slight nod before climbing back through the hatch. Tails watches him go, his heart still pounding as the tension slowly ebbs.

"You should leave or he'll never let you out of his sight," Tails says quietly. "Maybe you can find somewhere new to live. You shouldn't forget him, but maybe...you can find out who you are without Robotnik. You were more than just his assistant!"

Stone hesitates, then nods. Maybe he can start another coffee shop, or do something else entirely. He might even leave Green Hills...

"Yeah...maybe I will."

He reaches out a hand. Tails blinks in confusion for a moment, then smiles again, shaking it.

xxxx

The adjustable ladder creaks as Maddie pushes it into place, pulling it down from the ceiling with a practiced motion. It extends to the floor, its wooden rattle echoing softly in the quiet hallway. She steps back, motioning for Sonic to follow.

"Come on up," she says gently, her voice warm but tinged with hesitation. "I think you'll like this."

Sonic stares at the ladder, his hands shoved deep into his sides. His quills twitch faintly as he tilts his head, eyeing the narrow opening in the ceiling. Something about it feels oddly familiar, like a memory just out of reach.

Some flicker of familiarity runs through him, but he hesitates. "This is the attic, right?"

Maddie nods. "Yeah. It's where you stay. We thought it'd give you some space while still being...part of the family."

Sonic's ears flick back at the word 'family,' but he doesn't argue. Instead, he grips the ladder and climbs, his movements still hesitant but steady.

The room is bathed in a soft, golden glow from strands of fairy lights strung along the slanted ceiling. Sonic stops in his tracks, his eyes widening as he takes in the space.

A bright racecar-shaped bed sits against one wall, its red paint slightly scuffed in places. A beanbag, lumpy but well-loved, rests in the far corner near a round window at the top of the ceiling. Shelves of comic books and DVDs line one corner, a mug stuffed with pencils perched precariously on the edge.

Sonic's heart pounds. He steps further inside, his gaze darting from one detail to the next.

"This..." he mutters, trailing off. His hand brushes the edge of the racecar bed, his fingers lingering on the cozy sheets. "This is my stuff. From my cave."

Two other beds on either side of 'his' bed. A blue plane and a truck with flames on it...

Maddie steps closer, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. "It is. We moved everything here. Me and Tom."

Sonic looks at her sharply, his quills bristling. "You...moved it? Why? How did you even—"

"We wanted you to stay with us," Maddie says softly, cutting him off. "When things got dangerous, we both agreed it wasn't safe for you to stay in the cave anymore. So, we packed up everything. Tom and I made sure it all fit up here, just the way you liked it."

Her words hit him like a hammer. Sonic takes a shaky step back, his eyes scanning the room again. Every detail feels too perfect, too familiar.

"You...you brought all of this here?" His voice cracks, disbelief and something heavier threading through his words.

Maddie nods, her expression softening. "You're family, Sonic. This was your home from the first moment when Tom found you in the garage. We wanted you to feel that."

"Family?" he echoes, the word foreign and strange on his tongue.

"Yeah," Maddie says, taking a step closer. "Family. Me, Tom, Tails, Knuckles...and you. We wanted you here. We wanted you to have a home—not just a place to hide."

Sonic's chest tightens, his breath coming faster. The realization starts to settle in, overwhelming and impossible to ignore. This isn't just a random attic filled with stuff. This is his room. Tails and Knuckles live here. He lives here.

"You're saying I live with you," Sonic says, his voice barely above a whisper.

Maddie nods, her gaze steady. "You do. After—" She stops herself, her lips pressing into a thin line. "After everything changed. For the better."

She has to stop blaming her sons.

Sonic swallows hard, his eyes flicking to the two other beds. "So, Tails and Knuckles...they live here, too?"

"Of course," Maddie says, smiling faintly. "The three of you are practically inseparable. It didn't feel right to separate you."

The weight of her words presses down on him, heavy and suffocating.

"It doesn't make sense," he mutters. "Why would I move in with humans? Why would you even want me here?"

Maddie steps beside him, her voice soft but firm. "Because we love you, Sonic. You're part of this family, whether you remember it or not. You've been through so much, and all Tom and I ever wanted was to give you a place where you didn't have to face it alone."

Sonic's breath hitches. He can feel his pulse pounding in his ears, his mind racing to catch up with everything she's saying. He looks at her, at the quiet kindness in her expression, and suddenly the room feels too small.

He takes a step back, shaking his head. "This doesn't feel real. I don't remember any of this. How am I supposed to believe it's true?"

Maddie's eyes glisten, but she doesn't falter. "You don't have to remember it all right now. But it's true, Sonic. Every part of it. This is your home. And we're your family."

The words settle over him like a heavy blanket. He stares at the room again, at the fairy lights casting warm shadows across the walls, at the cluttered shelves and the quiet signs of life. Slowly, reluctantly, he lets the truth sink in.

Somehow, without him even realizing it, this had become his home.

"I live here," he murmurs, almost to himself. His fingers brush the edge of the bed again. "I really live here."

Maddie smiles, tears shining in her eyes. "Yeah, you do."

He might not remember everything yet. He might not remember her or Tom...but this is a good start.

Sonic closes his eyes, his chest tightening as he lets the reality settle in. It doesn't erase the confusion, or the ache of what's missing, but it's something.

A place to start.

For the first time since feeling that strange pull lead him here, he feels like he's found something solid to hold onto.

And maybe, just maybe, it's enough.

His body suddenly feels heavy, like he's been running for days, and his thoughts swirl in chaotic circles. He can't remember much of what happened the last few days. He might have been in Tokyo with Tails and Knuckles for some reason, but he can't recall any more details than that.

Maddie watches him quietly, standing a few feet away. She doesn't push or prod; she knows better than to rush him.

Finally, Sonic turns to her, his ears lowering slightly. His voice is small, uncertain. "Can I...can I sleep here? In my bed? I'm really tired."

Maddie blinks, her breath catching for a moment before she smiles gently. "Of course, Sonic. It's your bed. You don't have to ask."

He shifts on his feet, his gaze dropping to the floor. What had he done that made him so exhausted right now? "I'm really tired. I feel like I can't keep going right now."

"You don't have to," Maddie says softly. She steps closer, her tone calm and reassuring. "You've been through so much. If you need to rest, you rest. That's what this room is for—to give you and your brothers a place where you can just...be."

Brothers...he's always thought of Tails and Knuckles as his friends. Best friends, even.

Brothers sounds better.

Sonic nods slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a little. Without another word, he walks to the bed and sits down on the edge. His fingers trail over the warm, comfortable surface before he stretches out, his head sinking into the pillow.

Maddie watches as his body melts into the mattress, his exhaustion evident in every movement. She steps toward the attic opening, pausing.

"I'll be downstairs if you need anything," she says softly. "I just have some calls to make."

Some calls. She doesn't know if she can bring herself to do it.

To call her sister, even though she hated Tom. To call Wade and let him know his best friend is dead. To call Tom's brothers.

His family. They still don't know.

Maybe she should wait until Knuckles brings Tails home—it's only a matter of time—and for her anxiety to go down, but...she doesn't know when she'll have another moment to herself like this.

Sonic's eyes are already half-closed, but he murmurs back, "Thanks, Maddie."

Her heart aches at the vulnerability in his voice, but she smiles and leaves him to rest in the room that has always been his.

Maybe his full memory hasn't returned yet, but it's a start. She's confident that Tails and Knuckles will figure out something to help him remember his Dad...and his Mom.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Sonic lets himself relax.

The bed truly feels like home.

This house truly feels like home.

Maybe it really is.

Notes:

Stone may or may not be right about Sonic's energy and his memories...

I'm so glad the Knuckles series showed us that Tails and Knuckles moved into the attic with Sonic!

Chapter 9: Acceptance

Notes:

This was probably my favorite chapter to write. Happy Sonic 3 streaming release day! (It's coming out later tonight on Amazon!)

Tails and Knuckles exchange a quick glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Tails steps forward, forcing a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, Sonic," he says, trying to keep his tone light. "Knuckles and I were thinking...how about a race? For old times' sake?"

Sonic, lounging lazily on the couch, perks up slightly. "Another race? Seriously?"

Knuckles crosses his arms, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"What, scared you can't win anymore?" he taunts, his tone playful but deliberate and calculating.

Sonic's quills bristle faintly, and a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Scared? Me? You're on, big guy. Where are we racing to?"

Tails forces himself to laugh. "The base of ball field. First one there wins."

"Easy," Sonic says, standing and stretching. "You two don't stand a chance. Let's go!"

Knuckles huffs, pretending to adjust his gloves. "We'll see about that. On your mark..."

Tails steps back, his heart pounding as he joins Knuckles at the imaginary starting line. He glances at Sonic, who's already crouched in a runner's stance, his energy flickering faintly around him. Tails swallows hard, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest.

How can he look so happy? Tails thinks bitterly. How can he be having so much fun when Tom is gone?

"Get set...go!" Knuckles bellows, and all three of them take off.

The world becomes a blur of motion and wind as Sonic surges ahead, his speed almost effortless. Tails pushes himself in the air harder than he has in weeks, and Knuckles' powerful strides thunder across the ground, his crimson aura leaving a faint trail in his wake. But no matter how fast he flies and how fast Knuckles runs, Sonic is always ahead, his blue streak cutting through the night like a shooting star.

By the time Tails and Knuckles reach the baseball field, Sonic is already there, standing triumphantly on the pitcher's mound with a smug grin.

"Told you," he says, crossing his arms. "Fastest thing alive, remember?"

Tails slows to a stop, his chest heaving as he fights to catch his breath. Knuckles arrives a moment later, grumbling under his breath but managing a grudging smirk.

"Fine. You're fast," Knuckles admits. "But don't get so used to winning."

Sonic laughs, the sound light and carefree, and Tails' heart clenches. He forces a smile, but the weight of his thoughts is crushing. This isn't supposed to be fun. This is supposed to help him remember, to bring him back to who he was.

The hedgehog eyes them closely, suddenly suspicious. "What is with you two? I'm gonna run a few laps if you wanna join me, unless you're too tired now."

When Sonic is out of earshot, Tails decides to voice his concern. "Knuckles, maybe we should talk about this more before we do anything," he says, fidgeting with his gloves. "What if Stone's idea doesn't work? What if we hurt Sonic instead of helping him? What if GUN traces his energy levels and we get in trouble?"

Knuckles' violet eyes narrow. "We've been waiting too long already. Sonic has been like this for weeks, Fox. Do you want to keep watching him drift further away from Father?"

His ears twitch backwards. "Of course not. But...this isn't just some broken machine we can fix. This is Sonic's mind, his memories. What if we push too hard and he shuts down completely?"

The echidna's jaw tightens, the faint glow of his energy starting to pulse faintly around his fists. "You think I don't know the risk?" he says, his voice softer but no less intense. "What's the alternative? Let him keep living like a shadow of himself? Forgetting everything—forgetting Father and Mother forever?" He pauses, his voice dropping further. "Tom wouldn't have wanted that. He believed in Sonic more than anyone."

Tails swallows hard, guilt gnawing at him. "I miss him too, Knuckles. Every day. And I know Sonic does, even if he doesn't remember. But if we're wrong about this..." He trails off, his tails curling tightly behind him. "I just don't want to lose him."

Knuckles places a hand on Tails' shoulder, his grip firm but steady. "We're not going to lose him. We owe it to Sonic—and to Tom—to try. Even if it means taking a risk."

His shoulders are squared, his stance firm, as if bracing himself for a battle. The determined set of his jaw and the unyielding intensity in his gaze make it clear—he's ready to do whatever it takes.

Tails knows that Knuckles is right, but the weight of the decision sits heavily on his shoulders.

Finally, he nods, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. Let's do it."

The grass is damp underfoot as Tails reluctantly leads Knuckles into the quiet baseball field.

"This is where it happened," Tails finally says. He gestures toward the pitcher's mound. "Where Sonic first lost control of his energy. Where he caused the power outage."

Knuckles grunts, his gaze scanning the field. "And you think it will happen again?"

Tails hesitates, still not sure if this is a good idea. "Stone said...Sonic's energy is tied to his emotions, and he's right. If we push him hard enough, it might break through the block in his memory. But..." He falters, glancing at Knuckles. "We have to push him farther than I'm comfortable with."

Knuckles' fists tighten, faint red energy beginning to pulse around them. "If that's what it takes to bring him back, then we push."

Sonic stands at the edge of the field, his arms crossed and his quills faintly bristling as he watches them approach him. They hadn't joined in on running laps...

"What's this about?" he asks sharply.

They're definitely up to something...maybe he shouldn't have agreed to come to the field in the first place. He hasn't said anything to them, but he's definitely noticed that they've been acting weird around him ever since Tails brought up Tom that day. Then the kit had gotten kidnapped, but Knuckles saved him. Maddie had been so relieved, showering Tails in hugs and kisses when he came back. He'd gladly returned the hugs.

Knuckles steps forward, his energy beginning to glow brighter, the faint hum of power crackling in the air.

"We're here to help you remember," he says bluntly.

Sonic's brow furrows. "This again? I already told you—I don't remember anything about Tom. He doesn't matter. He probably never did."

Tails gasps. He hadn't realized that Sonic was this bad...that Tom means absolutely nothing to him now.

"That's the problem," Knuckles growls, stepping closer, the crimson glow around him intensifying. "You don't remember because you've buried it. You've run from it."

Sonic stiffens. "Run from what?"

Knuckles' voice lowers, a dangerous edge creeping into it. "From the truth. From the fact that you weren't fast enough. That you failed Tom."

The words hit Sonic like a physical blow.

"What are you talking about?" he snaps, his voice rising.

"You know exactly what I mean," Knuckles presses, his energy flaring brighter. "Shadow attacked, and you couldn't save him. You weren't fast enough. The 'fastest thing alive'—and you couldn't get there in time."

"Stop," Sonic mutters, his voice unsteady. "That's not fair."

"Fair?" Knuckles snarls, his glow blazing. "It wasn't fair for Father to die because of your failure. Maybe Mother's sister was right—maybe she should have left him while she had the chance!"

Sonic's breath hitches tightly, his shoulders trembling as faint blue sparks flicker weakly along his quills. "No—she would never leave him," he whispers, his voice breaking. "She wouldn't..."

Knuckles steps closer, towering over him. "You let him die, Sonic! You let him die, and now you're too scared to face it!"

"Knuckles, stop!" Tails shouts. His golden energy flares around him in a radiant burst like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, but his voice is filled with hesitation. "We're going too far!"

"No," Knuckles growls, his energy crackling like fire. He ignores Tails, keeping his focus on Sonic. "We haven't gone far enough. The Commander is dead too because of him. If he had warned us sooner about the drones before they attacked..."

Sonic flinches sharply like Knuckles had physically slapped him.

He needs this. "Longclaw is also dead because of you! Maybe she wouldn't have died if you just stopped running—"

Sonic stumbles back, the blue sparks along his quills fading. Red and golden energy bounce off him like an invisible shield. His breaths come in short, ragged gasps, and his legs threaten to give out. Tails watches, his heart sinking as he realizes something is wrong.

He isn't reacting—not the way they expected. He isn't gathering a large amount of energy like he had when he caused the power outage. The stadium lights aren't even flickering.

And then it hits Tails. The faint glow of red and gold reflecting off Sonic's trembling form. The way his blue energy flickers weakly, barely visible against his and Knuckles' red and golden energy.

His eyes widen. "Knuckles...it's not his energy."

Knuckles pauses, his crimson glow flickering. "What are you talking about?"

Tails steps closer, his voice trembling. "He's not reacting to his emotions. He's reacting to ours."

Knuckles looks down at Sonic, at the way he's hunched over, clutching his arms as if trying to shield himself from their overwhelming presence. The realization cuts through Knuckles like a blade, and his energy dims.

Tails lets his golden aura fade, the warmth dissipating into the night air.

"We're hurting him," he whispers.

Knuckles hesitates, then takes a slow step forward. The crimson energy around him dissipates completely as he moves towards Sonic, his expression softening.

"Sonic," he says quietly, his voice stripped of its earlier anger. "I'm sorry. We didn't mean to—"

Sonic crumples before he can finish, his knees hitting the grass as a choked sob tears from his throat. He clutches his head, his whole body trembling violently as wave after wave of emotion crashes over him.

Tails rushes forward, dropping to his knees beside him. "Sonic!" he cries, wrapping his arms around him. "It's okay. We've got you."

Knuckles moves closer, his movements slow and deliberate. He kneels beside Sonic, his heavy hand resting gently on the hedgehog's shoulder.

"You're not alone," he murmurs softly. "We're here."

Sonic stiffens at first, his breaths coming in shallow gasps, but then he leans into their hold. His arms reach out, grabbing at Tails and Knuckles like lifelines, his fingers clutching their fur tightly. He presses his face into Tails' shoulder, his sobs muffled but raw, shaking his entire frame. Knuckles shifts closer, his other arm coming around to steady Sonic's trembling form, his grip firm but protective.

The hedgehog burrows deeper into their embrace, his tears soaking into Tails' fur and Knuckles' chest. His body trembles with each ragged sob, his cries broken and desperate, as if years of grief and guilt are finally pouring out all at once.

As they hold him, the faint flicker of blue energy returns, swirling gently around Sonic. It mingles with the glowing red from Knuckles and the golden light from Tails, the three colors intertwining in the air like a protective cocoon. The energy pulses softly, warm and alive, a reflection of their bond.

Tails feels his own chest tighten, his eyes glistening.

"It's okay, Sonic," he whispers, realizing that this is the first time Sonic has cried since Tom's death. "We're not going anywhere."

Knuckles presses his forehead gently against Sonic's, as if trying to absorb some of his pain.

"You don't have to carry this alone," he says quietly.

Sonic clings to them, his sobs slowly beginning to subside, though his body continues to tremble. He leans his full weight into them, as if their combined presence is the only thing keeping him grounded.

Minutes pass, the three of them huddled together on the damp grass, the world around them fading into the background.

Glowing blue, red, and gold energy swirls gently around them, forming a vibrant halo in the night.

Sonic feels whole. To Sonic, the energy feels like an unspoken promise—warm and alive, wrapping around him like a protective embrace. Tails' golden light radiates comfort and hope, like the first rays of dawn breaking through a storm. Knuckles' red energy pulses steadily, strong and grounding, a reflection of his unshakable loyalty.

Together, the colors intertwine with Sonic's flickering blue, their combined power weaving a cocoon of connection that holds them close in a moment of shared strength.

Sonic recalls what Knuckles had said back in the cave.

"This time, you controlled your power with love and determination."

So he lets himself feel everything—the loss, the pain, the love he thought he'd forgotten.

And in their embrace, he begins to remember.

Tom's laugh, loud and full of life, the kind that could brighten even the darkest days. Maddie's smile, warm and gentle, like the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window on a quiet morning. The smell of freshly made waffles filling the air. The way they called him family—with every word, every gesture, they made him feel like he belonged, like he was home. He sees it all now, vivid and undeniable.

The way they loved and cared for him.

He remembers everything.

Including the one who had murdered Tom. Shadow may have helped in the end, but Tom still died. Sonic almost wishes that he could go back to not knowing if his dad was going to make it or not.

He hadn't made it. He's still dead because of Shadow.

Sonic pulls back slightly, his tear-streaked face trembling as he looks between Tails and Knuckles. His voice comes out choked and raw.

"I remember them," he whispers, his eyes wide with the weight of his memories. "I remember Tom and Maddie, and Longclaw. I remember Shadow."

Tails' ears perk up, his blue eyes shimmering with hope. "You do?" he asks softly, relief filling him. Stone's idea worked!

Sonic's gaze drops to the ground, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He had even forgotten about Longclaw.

His voice is barely audible as he speaks. "I didn't save him."

Tails tilts his head, stepping closer. "What do you mean?"

Sonic's breathing grows heavier, and his shoulders tremble. "I couldn't save Tom. I wasn't fast enough... " His voice cracks. "I-I should've been there. I could've stopped Shadow. If I hadn't wasted time—if I had just been faster—he'd still be here!"

"Sonic, it's not your fault—" Tails starts, but Sonic cuts him off.

"It is my fault!" Sonic shouts unexpectedly. "I'm supposed to be the fastest thing alive! I'm supposed to protect the people I care about, and I couldn't even save my own dad!"

Knuckles shakes his head. "You did everything you could, Sonic. Shadow made his choice to attack, and Tom..." His voice softens, almost breaking. Maybe for once, he doesn't have to be the strong and noble warrior he always claims he is.

Sonic covers his face with his hands, not wanting to look at his brothers. "He didn't have to die. He didn't deserve what happened because of me. I let him down...I let all of you down."

To Sonic's surprise, Tails immediately disagrees. "Sonic, Tom didn't think that. He believed in you, even in his last moments. He loved you so much, and he wouldn't want you to carry this blame."

Knuckles tightens his hold. "Tails is right. Tom knew the risks, and he still wanted to help with the mission. He never regretted taking those risks for you. He chose to protect his family and save the world because that's who he was. You were his family, Sonic. You still are."

"I wanted to find Shadow again and really end it this time," Sonic says, scared of his own words, but he can't stop them from coming out. He can't stop feeling them to the fullest extent, blue sparks starting to fly out of his gloves. "I still do. But he's nowhere—"

"Don't think about Shadow," Tails says as Sonic shivers with every thought about the hedgehog who had destroyed everything. "Think about Mom and Dad."

Fresh tears spill over. The sparks gradually fade away. "Tom's laugh. Maddie's smile. The way they always made me feel like I belonged. How could I have ever forgotten them?" He clutches his chest, shaking his head. "How could I have been so stupid? I...I chose to forget them. I made that decision."

"You made that choice because you were hurting, Sonic. But remembering them now doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger," Knuckles says.

Sonic remembers how he lost his memories now. Rockwell had shown him a machine called the Memory Scrambler. He had changed his mind just as the machine started up, but Rockwell had kept going. She had erased his memories even when he decided he didn't want to forget Dad, but that's no excuse; he still shouldn't put any blame on her. He shouldn't have returned to London begging for an easy way out. He never should have sat in that chair.

His breathing hitches as he presses his hands against his face, his body wracked with another sob. "I thought it would be easier," he whispers. "I thought if I didn't remember the pain, I could keep going. But I forgot everything...their love, their faces...How could I forget my parents?"

Tails leans in closer, wrapping his arms around Sonic again. "You didn't lose them, Sonic. Maddie is home waiting for us, and Tom is still with you, in your heart. And now, you've got us too."

Knuckles nods, his grip firm on Sonic's shoulder. "We're your family too. And we'll face this together."

The swirling red, blue, and gold energy intensifies briefly, glowing brightly around them like a shield. It feels warm, alive, and protective, a physical manifestation of their bond. Sonic leans into their embrace again, tears continuing to flow as he lets the memories and the love they represent settle over him.

"Thank you," he whispers, his voice muffled but full of gratitude. "Thank you for not giving up on me. You're the best brothers ever."

Tails' heart skips a beat. Sonic doesn't only see him as a friend, he sees him and Knuckles as his brothers. He truly has the best family ever; he wouldn't change a thing.

As their energies fade, Sonic slowly lifts his head from their embrace, his tear-streaked face trembling but filled with a new sense of clarity. He takes a shaky breath, looking at Tails and Knuckles with a faint, tired smile.

"I need to go home."

Tails tilts his head, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure, Sonic? Do you want us to come with you?"

Sonic shakes his head, wiping his face with the back of his glove. "No. I need to do this alone. I need to tell Maddie..." He pauses, his voice catching. "I need to tell her that I remember her and Dad."

Knuckles nods, giving him a faint smile of approval. "She'll be glad to hear it."

Sonic's resolve strengthens. Without another word, he stands, his movements steady but purposeful. The blue energy around him flickers faintly as he turns and speeds off into the night, heading straight for the house.

The house itself is quiet as Sonic arrives, the soft glow of the porch light casting long shadows across the yard. He slows to a stop just outside the door, his chest tight as he stares at the familiar sight. His hands tremble slightly, but he steels himself, pushing the door open gently.

Maddie is sitting on the couch, a mug of tea cradled in her hands. She looks up as the door creaks open, her eyes widening when she sees Sonic standing outside.

"Sonic?" she says. She knows he had been at the field with Tails and Knuckles playing baseball; she's accepted that he might never truly remember her or Tom. She's just glad that he seems to be happy. "What are you doing back so soon?"

Sonic steps inside, his heart pounding as he meets her gaze. "Maddie," he starts, his voice trembling. "I...I remember you now. I remember Tom...Dad."

Her breath catches, and she sets the mug down on the coffee table, standing slowly.

"You do?" she whispers, her hands clasping together tightly.

He nods, tears welling up in his eyes again. "I remember everything. How you both took me in, how you made me feel like I had a real family. How much Tom cared about me, about all of us." His voice cracks, and he takes a step closer. "I don't know how I could've forgotten you. I'm sorry, Maddie. I'm so sorry."

Maddie crosses the room in a few quick steps, pulling him into a tight hug. "Oh, Sonic," she says, her voice breaking as tears stream down her face. "You don't have to apologize. You're here now. That's all that matters."

Sonic clings to her, his head resting against her chest.

"I missed you," he whispers. "I miss him so much."

Maddie holds him tighter, her tears soaking into his fur. "We missed you too," she says softly. "Tom would be so proud of you, Sonic. He loved you so much. You gave him the chance to be a dad, the chance for us to be parents."

She hugs him even tighter when he calls her the one thing she's always wanted to hear him say since Tom had told her what he called him that day on the baseball field.

He hugs her even harder in return.

"I love you too, Mom."

Notes:

There's only one more chapter after this. It's probably going to be the longest, so I really want to take my time with it all.

Chapter 10: Never Truly Gone

Notes:

I wasn't lying when I said this would be the longest chapter! I hope it lives up to your expectations!

Maddie sits on their—her—bed, her hands tightly holding a picture of Tom in her lap. Her eyes are red-rimmed, but her tears have dried for now.

Sonic stands by the bedroom door. He doesn't know how to start, how to say what's been building inside him since he got all of his memories of Tom and Maddie back.

"Mom? I...I want to talk about Dad."

She looks up at him, her expression softening. "Of course, Sonic." She pats the spot on the bed next to her. "Come here, baby."

He hesitates for a second before sitting down beside her. His quills droop slightly as he stares at the photo of Tom, his chest tightening. "I just...I can't stop thinking about how I missed so much. I didn't even know..." His voice cracks, and he clenches his fists. "I didn't even know who he was anymore, or you. I missed his funeral, didn't I?"

"Sonic," Maddie interrupts gently, her voice steady but firm. "I need you to listen to me."

He glances at her, his chest still heaving slightly from the weight of his crushing emotions.

"When you were gone and came back that day..." She pauses, swallowing before continuing carefully. "When we knew something was wrong with your memory, I couldn't bring myself to plan a funeral right away. I couldn't face it—not without you."

Sonic's eyes widen, and he blinks at her in surprise. "You...waited? For me?"

Maddie nods, her own eyes glistening with fresh tears. "Of course I did. You're our son, Sonic. There was no way I was going to say goodbye to him without you by my side."

"But I would have still been by your side," Sonic whispers, his voice trembling. "I just wouldn't have even known who I was saying goodbye to..."

"That didn't matter," Maddie says softly. "Because I knew you'd come back to us. I knew that you would remember. And until you did, I couldn't bring myself to let him go. Everyone was willing to wait."

It's almost too much...everyone waited, not just Maddie?

Her voice wavers, and she looks down at her hands, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her wedding ring. "Every day, I hoped it would be the day you'd remember. And when your brothers finally brought you back..." She takes a shaky breath, her smile faint but full of warmth. "I knew we could do this together. The way that Tom would've wanted."

Sonic feels his throat tighten, his vision blurring with tears. "I'm so sorry, Mom," he whispers. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. For him. You shouldn't have had to wait for me."

Maddie turns to him, her hands gently cupping his face. "Sonic, stop. You were always there for him, for us. You gave him so much joy, so much love. He was so proud of you, every single day. And he'd understand what happened—why you forgot."

Sonic's shoulders drop quickly, and he feels himself on the verge of tears again. "But he deserved so much better..."

Maddie pulls him into a tight hug, her tears soaking into his fur. "You were enough, Sonic. You were always enough. And the fact that you're here now, remembering him, missing him—that's what matters."

Sonic clings to her, his tears spilling out freely. Since remembering, it seems like he's been doing a lot of crying. But every time he cries, he feels just the slightest bit better.

"We're going to get through this. Together," she assures him.

They sit there for a long moment, holding onto each other as the weight of their shared grief fills the room. Finally, Sonic pulls back, wiping his eyes with the back of his glove.

"Thank you," he says quietly. "For waiting. For believing I'd come back."

Maddie smiles through her tears, brushing a stray quill from his face. "You're family. Family sticks together."

Sonic looks back at the photo of Tom. "I hope he knows how much I love him. How much I'll always love him."

Maddie nods, her voice steady. "He knows, Sonic. He always knew."

Sonic stays with her for the night, snuggled safely together under the covers.

He doesn't have any nightmares.

xxxx

The church is filled with quiet reverence, the murmurs of the congregation fading into silence as the service begins. Sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows, casting soft rainbows across the pews. Maddie sits in the front row, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes red from tears that refuse to stop falling. Beside her, Sonic sits rigid, his ears drooping. Tails and Knuckles sit next to them, their presence steady and reassuring.

The minister steps forward, speaking of Tom's life as a police officer—his courage, his kindness, his unwavering love for his family. Maddie bows her head, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. Sonic's eyes remain fixed on the urn resting on the altar, his chest aching with a weight he can barely carry.

Maddie glances at Sonic, her hand moving to rest gently on his arm. Her touch is light, but it pulls him out of his thoughts. He looks up at her slowly, his wide eyes filled with uncertainty.

"You okay?" she whispers.

Sonic hesitates before nodding, though the motion feels heavy. Maddie searches his face for a moment before leaning closer, her voice barely audible. "Do you...want to say something? About Tom?"

He blinks, his ears lowering further. "Me?" he whispers back, trying to make himself as small as possible. "I don't know if I can."

Maddie squeezes his arm gently. "You don't have to, but...you were so important to him, Sonic. You were his son. If you want to say something, it's okay. I think it'd mean a lot—to me, to everyone."

Sonic looks back at the urn. The idea of standing in front of all these people, of trying to find the right words, feels impossible. But then he remembers Tom's smile, the way he always encouraged him, always believed in him. And he knows—this isn't about him. It's about Tom.

He takes a shaky breath and nods. "Okay," he whispers. "I'll try."

Maddie gives him a small, tearful smile. "You'll do great," she says softly, her voice full of quiet certainty.

When the minister pauses, Maddie gestures to him, and the minister nods.

"Sonic would like to say something," she announces gently, turning to him. "Are you ready?"

All eyes turn to him, and for a moment, Sonic freezes. His throat tightens, and his legs feel like lead. Maddie gives him another reassuring squeeze, and he forces himself to stand. Step by step, he makes his way to the front of the church. The room feels too big, too quiet, but he keeps moving.

Finally, he reaches the podium. It's too tall for him to stand in front of, so he braces himself and turns to face everyone instead of hiding behind it. His heart pounds, and for a moment, he thinks he might bolt. But then he looks at the urn, at the man who gave him a home, a family, a chance to be more than a lonely hedgehog running through the woods.

And he begins.

"Tom Wachowski," Sonic says, his voice trembling but clear, "was the first human to ever help me."

He pauses, his chest tightening. "I wasn't supposed to be here. I didn't belong here. I spent my whole life hiding, running, surviving. But then Robotnik came looking for me, and I had nowhere left to run. I thought...that was it. That I was done for. But then Tom found me in our garage."

Sonic's voice wavers, but he pushes forward. "He didn't have to help me. I was a total stranger—a weird, blue alien who'd just turned his world upside down. He could've turned me in, walked away, saved himself from all the trouble. But he didn't."

He glances at Maddie watching him with tear-filled eyes. "Tom chose to help me. He gave me a chance when no one else would. He protected me when Robotnik came to our house that day. He risked everything—for me."

Crazy Carl gives him a small smile, his eyes watery.

Then Sonic lands on Rockwell.

She shouldn't be here, but she is. She's staring at him with a furrowed brow—maybe wondering how he remembers all of this when according to her, his memory is still supposed to be erased since the last time he saw her.

Sonic tears his gaze away from her before he can frown at her, focusing on Knuckles and Tails instead. The echidna holds Wade's hand, surprisingly gentle like he had been with Maddie when Tails was kidnapped. Wade is crying into his shoulder, but Knuckles doesn't seem to mind. After what happened on the baseball field, Sonic isn't surprised. Tails has placed himself in Maddie's lap, and she buries her face in his fluff.

He continues. If not for himself, then for them. "And he didn't just save me that day. He saved me in ways I didn't even realize at the time. He didn't just become my friend. He became something so much more."

He looks down, his voice breaking. "H-he became my dad."

The words hang in the air, heavy and raw. A hush falls over the congregation, broken only by the soft sound of someone sniffing. Sonic's own tears spill over, but he doesn't wipe them away immediately.

He allows them to fall this time, because holding them back is even worse.

"Tom taught me what it means to be part of a family," he continues, his voice thick with emotion. "He showed me what it means to care about others, to put them first, to be brave even when it's hard. He didn't just tell me to be a hero—he showed me how. He lived it, every single day."

Sonic's gaze lifts, his green eyes shimmering with tears as he looks out over the crowd. "Tom didn't have powers. He wasn't fast or strong like me or Knuckles or Tails. But he had something even better. He had a heart bigger than anyone I've ever met. And he used it to help everyone he could—even an alien like me."

He presses a hand to his chest, his next words barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't be here without him. And I don't just mean alive—I mean...I wouldn't be who I am. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."

Sonic takes a shaky breath, his tears falling freely now. "I miss him. I miss him so much. But I know...I know he wouldn't want us to stay sad forever. He'd want us to keep going, to keep helping people, to keep being a family. Thank you, Dad. For everything. I promise...I'll make you proud."

When that time comes...

As Sonic returns to his seat, the church is silent save for the sound of quiet weeping. Maddie reaches for his hand, holding it tightly, and Sonic leans into her touch, his head bowed. Next to them, Tails wipes at his eyes, and even Knuckles' expression softens as he exhales deeply, gripping Wade's hand a little tighter.

The service continues, but for Sonic, the most important words have already been spoken.

Tom may be gone, but his love, his lessons, his legacy—they'll live on in the people he touched.

And in Sonic's heart, they'll never fade away again.

xxxx

Wade Whipple stands awkwardly in the corner of the kitchen, holding a plate of untouched food. He fidgets with his tie, which feels like it's choking him. It's not the tie's fault, though—it's the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders.

He's trying to avoid eye contact with anyone, especially Maddie. The thought of her or anyone else asking him how he's going to handle stepping into Tom's shoes as Sheriff makes his palms sweat.

"You are ill at ease," a deep, familiar voice says suddenly.

Wade jumps, nearly dropping his plate. He spins around to find Knuckles standing behind him, arms crossed, his crimson fur striking against the somber tones of the room. Knuckles tilts his head, studying him with the intensity of someone who doesn't know the meaning of subtlety.

"Knuckles, jeez!" Wade exclaims, his voice a little too loud for the quiet kitchen. He lowers it quickly, glancing around nervously. "You startled me, man."

"You appear troubled. Are you not supposed to celebrate the life of the fallen at such a gathering?"

Wade frowns, his grip tightening on his plate. "It's...not that simple, Knux. People aren't just 'celebrating.' They're grieving. And me? I'm—" He stops, biting his lip.

Knuckles' eyes narrow, but not like he's upset. "You are what?"

Wade sighs and sets his plate down on the kitchen island. "I'm freaking out, okay? Tom's gone. And now...now I'm supposed to be the Sheriff. Do you know how scary that is? Tom was the guy everyone trusted. He was the one who knew what to do. I'm just...me. I played hockey with the Master Emerald and couldn't protect it from Sonic. How can I protect an entire town?"

Knuckles nods slowly, as if processing the information. "You doubt your ability to lead. This is understandable, especially when it comes to the Master Emerald."

"Yeah," Wade says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry I was so careless with it."

To his surprise, Knuckles doesn't seem that upset. "Not even I was able to stop Sonic. Nothing...no one was going to stop him."

Wade still feels guilty, but he's relieved that he hasn't lost Knuckles as a friend when he was so sure he would.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved working with Tom. He made it all look so easy. But now it's just me. What if I screw it all up? What if the town falls apart because I'm not good enough?"

Knuckles steps closer, his posture as imposing as ever, but his tone surprisingly measured. "You are afraid of failure. Again."

"Uh, yeah. Pretty much nailed it there, buddy," Wade mutters. Okay, maybe Knuckles is still a little salty about the Emerald.

Knuckles tilts his head, considering his words carefully. "Father did not think such things about you. He believed that even the smallest acts of courage mattered. He believed in you."

Wade blinks, surprised. "He did?"

Knuckles nods. "He spoke highly of you. He trusted you to uphold the law, to protect this town. If he did not believe you capable, he would not have chosen you as his second-in-command."

Wade looks down at his shoes. "Yeah, but...what if I can't live up to that? What if I can't be who he was?"

The more Knuckles goes on, the more relaxed Wade feels. "You are not meant to be Tom Wachowski. You are meant to be Wade Whipple. The Lord of Donuts did not expect perfection from you. He expected you to try, to care, and to learn. These are the qualities of a true leader."

Wade's eyes glisten as he meets Knuckles' steady gaze. "You think I can do it?"

Knuckles nods confidently. "I know you can. And if you falter, you are not alone. You have allies—Sonic, Tails, Mother...and me." He straightens his posture, his tone growing more resolute. "I will stand with you again if the need arises."

Wade chuckles softly, a faint smile breaking through his nerves. "Thanks, Knux. That...actually means a lot."

"Why would it not? You are part of this family now."

Wade blinks, startled by the sincerity of the statement. He hadn't thought about it like that before, but Knuckles says it with such certainty that it feels true.

"Yeah," Wade says quietly, the weight on his chest lifting just a little. He had always thought of Tom as like a brother to him. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Knuckles gives him a satisfied nod. "Then do not fear. Tom trusted you. And I still trust you, even after the hock-ey."

Wade smiles, this time more genuinely. "Thanks, big guy. I needed that."

The echidna warrior steps back. "Good. Now, you must eat. You will require strength for your new role."

Wade looks at his plate. "Alright, alright. I'll eat. You're worse than my mom, you know that?"

Knuckles raises his brow. "I accept the comparison as a compliment."

As Wade chuckles and takes a bite of a donut, he feels a flicker of hope.

xxxx

The living room is full of muted conversations, the quiet clinking of glasses, and the rustle of people shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The house, usually filled with laughter, feels unbearably heavy today. The wake has drawn family and friends together, but the weight of Tom's absence hangs over everything.

Sonic stands near the window, looking out at the backyard. His plate of food sits untouched in his hands, his appetite nonexistent. He hasn't eaten much the last few days, deciding to throw the plate away. He glances around the room, his sharp eyes catching sight of Maddie's sister, Rachel, sitting with JoJo on the couch. She's holding a glass of wine, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Taking a deep breath, Sonic walks over, his sneakers making almost no sound on the carpet.

"Hey," he says softly.

JoJo smiles sadly at him, reaching her arms out. He offers his own and she closes the space, making sure to be gentle. "I'm sorry about Uncle Tom."

Sonic squeezes her a little tighter.

Rachel looks up, surprised to see him. Her expression softens, and she gestures to the seat beside her. "Hey, Sonic. Sit down. JoJo, why don't you get some more food?"

She nods, taking her plate back to the kitchen.

He sits, awkwardly settling onto the couch. For a moment, neither of them speaks. The silence stretches, filled only by the faint hum of conversations around them.

"I'm sorry," Rachel says suddenly, her voice breaking the quiet. She doesn't look at him, her fingers tightening around her glass. "For...everything. For the way I treated Tom. For the things I said about him to Maddie."

Sonic blinks, caught off guard. "Rachel..."

She shakes her head, cutting him off. "No, I need to say this. I was wrong about Tom. I always thought he wasn't good enough for Maddie. I thought he wasn't the one for her. That he would never be enough for her. And when you showed up..." She trails off, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I thought bringing an alien into her life was the worst decision he could have made."

He stares at his hands. "I get it," he says quietly. "I was...a lot to deal with."

Rachel lets out a humorless laugh. "That's an understatement. But I was wrong. Tom wasn't weak, and he wasn't reckless. He loved Maddie, and he loved you. He always wanted to do the right thing, even when it was hard. And I never gave him credit for that."

Sonic looks up at her, his green eyes shimmering. "He saved me and Tails at your wedding. That's why he took the ring from Randal..."

Rachel nods, her gaze distant. "Yeah, I know. I saw the whole thing." She pauses, taking a sip of her wine. "I used to think Maddie should have left him. That she deserved someone better. But now I realize...there wasn't anyone better. Tom was the best. And I'm sorry I didn't see that until it was too late."

They sit in silence for a moment, the weight of her words settling between them. Finally, Sonic speaks, his voice soft but steady. "Thanks for saying that. I think...I think it would have meant a lot to him."

Rachel smiles faintly, her eyes glistening. "Yeah. I just wish I could've told him myself."

Sonic hesitates, then asks, "How's Randal? He didn't come today."

Rachel exhales sharply, her shoulders sagging slightly. "He stayed home. This...wasn't easy for him either."

Sonic tilts his head, curious. "Because of GUN?"

He realizes that he hasn't seen Rockwell anywhere since the funeral. Maybe she's already left, and Sonic hopes she stays away.

Rachel nods, her jaw tightening. "Yeah. After everything that happened with GUN, Randal's had a lot to think about. He regrets a lot of things—things he didn't see clearly until it was almost too late." She looks at Sonic, her expression softening. "But he's trying. We're both trying."

Sonic agrees, understanding more than he says. "I'm glad he's trying. That's all anyone can do, right?"

If GUN had contacted her about the mysterious appearances of her and Randal, she keeps it to herself. He hopes they didn't get in trouble.

Rachel smiles, a genuine, if small, smile. "Right."

For the first time since he sat down, Sonic feels a small weight lift from his chest. It's not much, but it's something. And in a day like today, something is enough.

"Sonic," Maddie says softly. Her voice is steady, but her eyes are filled with pain. He has to be there for her now since Dad can't. "We're going to the lake now."

He nods, his throat too tight to respond. He stands, his movements slow and deliberate, and follows Maddie outside.

When they arrive, the lake is bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. The water ripples gently in the breeze, and the surrounding trees sway gently, their leaves whispering in the wind. It's a place of peace, a place where Tom had always felt at home.

Maddie steps out first, cradling the urn as she walks toward the edge of the water. Sonic follows, his steps hesitant but steady.

Tails and Knuckles hang back, giving them space, though their watchful eyes never leave their brother.

She stops at the water's edge, her gaze fixing on the horizon. She takes a deep breath, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the urn.

"He loved this place," she says. "It was always his favorite...it's perfect."

Sonic stands beside her, quiet for a moment until he speaks. "Remember when I was late meeting him to fish?" he asks quietly, smiling faintly at the memory he never wants to let go of ever again. "He told me something I'll never forget again."

Maddie looks at him, her expression encouraging.

"He said..." Sonic's voice falters, and he takes a shaky breath before continuing. "He said, 'Sonic, taking care of yourself is not what being a hero is all about. It's about taking responsibility for other people. There will come a time when your powers will be needed. But you don't choose that moment. That moment chooses you.'"

Maddie smiles faintly, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. "That sounds like him."

Sonic swallows, feeling his own tears approaching again. "I didn't understand it then. Not really. But now..." He swallows hard, his voice breaking. "Now I get it."

Maddie reaches out, and he leans into her embrace. "He was so proud of you, Sonic. He always believed in you."

Sonic looks at her to see tears already escaping from her eyes. "I miss him, Mom. I miss him so much."

She pulls him into a hug, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. "I know, sweetheart. I miss him too. Every single day."

After a minute, Maddie steps back, holding the urn carefully in her hands. She glances at Sonic.

"Do you want to help me?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sonic hesitates for only a moment before nodding. His gloved hands hover over the urn, and Maddie gently places it in his grasp, her hands still holding it steady. Sonic can't believe that 'Tom' is in there...everything he had ever been, or was ever going to be, is in that little urn.

"Let's do it together," she says, her voice filled with quiet strength.

They walk closer to the water, standing side by side at the edge.

Sonic feels the need to say something more, and this time it's a little easier without an audience. "I don't know if you can hear me Dad, but...I'll never forget what you taught me again. I'll take care of Mom, of Tails and Knuckles. I'll keep being the hero you always believed I could be. I promise."

Maddie exchanges a glance with him, smiling, and with a deep, shared breath, they tilt the urn together.

The ashes spill out, carried by the wind. Tails and Knuckles watch in quiet amazement as they swirl and dance in the golden light, glinting like stars as they scatter across the water. Sonic watches, his heart heavy but full. He feels Maddie's hand on his shoulder, grounding him, as the last of the ashes drift away.

For a moment, neither of them speaks. The lake is quiet, the only sound the soft lapping of water against the shore.

"Goodbye, Tom," Maddie whispers.

"Goodbye, Dad."

"Goodbye," Tails and Knuckles say at the same time.

The words hang in the air, carried by the wind, and as they fade, Sonic feels a strange sense of peace. The ache in his chest remains, but it's lighter now, tempered by the love he knows will never leave him.

Maddie pulls Sonic into another hug, her arms wrapping tightly around him. He leans into her, closing his eyes, letting the moment wash over him.

Behind them, Tails and Knuckles stand silently, their presence a quiet reassurance. Maddie gestures for them to join the hug, and they gladly oblige until all four melt into each other's warm embrace.

The sun dips lower on the horizon, casting the lake in a pleasant, golden glow.

"I'll keep my promise," Sonic whispers, more to himself than anyone else. "I'll make him proud."

When that time comes...

Maddie squeezes his shoulder gently, her own tears glistening in the fading light. "You already have, Sonic. You always have."

xxxx

The morning sun filters through the windows of the Wachowski house, casting a light glow in the kitchen. Sonic still can't bring himself to eat much, but he's trying for Mom. She'd gotten a box of donuts, probably not immediately realizing the significance they have on him and Tom.

His ears twitch as he hears Maddie's voice, and he glances toward her just in time to see her approaching, two unfamiliar men following behind her.

"Sonic," Maddie says gently, her tone carrying something unrecognizable that instantly puts him on edge. "I want you to meet someone—or, well, two someones. They're really sorry that they couldn't make it to the funeral."

Sonic's eyes flicker to the men. The first is tall with a quiet presence that feels grounding.

The second man, however, makes Sonic freeze. His breath catches as he takes in the sight of someone who looks so much like Tom that, for a split second, Sonic's heart leaps, thinking it's him. This man's blue eyes hold the same spark, and his brown hair is just slightly shorter than Tom's had been, but the resemblance is uncanny. It's like looking at a spitting image of his dad.

Maddie gestures to the first man. "Sonic, this is Andrew, Tom's older brother." She then turns to the second man. "And this is Danny, his younger brother."

Andrew steps forward first, extending a hand.

"Tom talked about you a lot. He didn't give us all the details, but we could tell you were someone special to him."

Sonic takes Andrew's hand, but he can't stop staring at Danny. "He...he was special to me, too."

Andrew nods, smiling faintly. "Tom didn't share much, but we could tell something big had happened in his life. Something—or someone—important. He always seemed a little brighter whenever he talked about Green Hills, about his job. Then he told us he was staying here instead of moving to San Francisco because...someone needed him."

Danny steps forward next, his movements smoother, more confident. He crouches slightly to meet Sonic's gaze, his expression both curious and kind.

The resemblance is overwhelming, and Sonic has to look away.

Danny notices, his own smile softening. "Yeah, I get that a lot," he says quietly, his tone more serious now. "I look like him, don't I?"

Sonic only nods, unable to speak and probably looking like he's just seen a ghost.

"Hey," Danny says softly. "It's okay. I know this can't be easy for you. It's not easy for any of us."

Sonic blinks rapidly, trying to hold back more tears. He thought he was done crying...

"It's just...you look so much like him," he whispers. "It's like...he's here, but he's not."

Danny's expression softens further. "Tom was one of a kind," he says quietly. "I might look like him, but no one could ever replace him."

The words hit Sonic like a wave, and he feels his shoulders slump as the weight of everything crashes down on him again. "I miss him so much," he chokes out, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry."

Andrew's presence is relaxed and calming. "We all do, kid," he says. "But I'm glad that you found each other."

Danny nods. "And he was proud of you, Sonic. He loved you like you were his own son. He talked about you every time we spoke. He'd tell me about how fast you were, how smart you were...how much you'd grown. He just left the alien part out in order to protect you. But we're not going to hurt you."

Sonic's vision blurs. "He saved me," he whispers. "He didn't have to, but he did. He was the first person who ever made me feel like I wasn't alone. Like I had a home."

Danny's eyes glisten brightly, and he nods. "That sounds like Tom. He always had a way of seeing the best in people, no matter what."

Maddie watches the exchange silently, her own tears slipping down her cheeks. "We're all here for you, Sonic," she reminds him gently. "You're not alone."

Sonic looks up at her, then back at Andrew and Danny. These men, Tom's brothers, might be strangers, but they're still family.

"Thanks for being here..."

Andrew smiles. "Tom would have wanted us to be, and I know our Mom and Dad would have been here too, but they're all together now."

Danny ruffles Sonic's quills gently. "And if you ever need anything—anything at all—you've got two more people in your corner now."

Sonic nods. "I...really appreciate that."

Danny reaches out his arms. Sonic moves closer until his head is against Danny's chest and his arms are around his waist.

For just a moment, he imagines that Danny is Tom and he's hugging his dad one last time, gripping him tighter.

Until he notices that Andrew's gaze lands on the box full of donuts.

Sonic can't help but laugh a little, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Want to share some with me in honor of Donut Lord?"

xxxx

The late afternoon sunlight casts long shadows across the grass from the trees.

Sonic walks slowly.

He hasn't run fast in a year.

He stops in front of a simple but beautiful plaque surrounded by a patch of flowers, etched with the words Tom Wachowski aka Donut Lord: Beloved Husband, Father, and Friend.

The flat, glass plaque is close enough to the house to not be that far of a walk, but far enough away to not be seen as easily.

Sonic kneels down, his gloved hand brushing over the cool glass as his throat constricts.

"Hey, Dad," he says softly, his voice trembling. "I...I still miss you. I miss your dumb jokes and your advice, and I miss hearing you call me 'pal.'"

He glances to the side and freezes. Just beside Tom's grave lies aster flowers, their white petals pristine as if they had just been placed there. Sonic's brow furrows. He hadn't brought flowers, and Maddie hadn't mentioned bringing any earlier. These flowers are different from the rest, almost resembling stars.

His sharp eyes scan his surroundings, his quills standing on edge.

That time has come...

"Shadow," Sonic says quietly, his voice low but steady. He doesn't even turn around. He can feel the difference in the air, like it's just as energized as their powers. "I know you're here, so you don't have to hide. I'm not going to fight you."

He wants to.

He wants to so, so bad.

But he can't, because he made a promise to someone important.

For a moment, nothing happens. Then, Sonic stiffens as he hears footsteps approaching, turning around to face the one he'd been looking for but never managed to find.

After all this time, Shadow has finally found him.

He's alive even after stopping the Eclipse Cannon, and Sonic isn't sure how to feel. He doesn't physically look any different, but something has changed about his normally angry expression.

"You left those, didn't you?" Sonic says, gesturing to the asters. His voice is calm, but there's a certain edge to it.

Shadow doesn't respond at first. Finally he speaks, his voice low and measured.

"Yes."

Sonic takes a shaky breath. "I figured it out. I know why you attacked him."

Shadow's gaze sharpens slightly, but he doesn't interrupt.

"Director Rockwell told me what happened," Sonic continues, unsure if he can, but he does anyway. "She said she saw Commander Walters that day. She said he convinced her to give him the key to the Eclipse Cannon." Sonic's fists tighten. "But it wasn't Walters, was it? It was Tom. My dad...he used Tails' hologram device to disguise himself. He tricked Rockwell to get the key."

"I didn't know," Shadow says quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "I thought..."

"You thought he was Walters," Sonic says, his tone sharper now. "You thought he was the Commander standing in your way. So you killed him."

Shadow doesn't deny it. "I didn't realize until it was too late. I didn't care who got in the way. He changed back right after I hit him."

Sonic's voice trembles as he presses on. "You didn't kill just anyone, Shadow. You killed my dad. I'll never get to share another movie night with him, or a holiday or bearthday—"

The wind picks up slightly, rustling the leaves in the trees. Shadow's gaze flickers to the plaque, and for the first time, his mask cracks.

"I...didn't know," he says again. Sonic is afraid he might run or disappear, but he stays. "I thought I was stopping the one who put me in stasis for all that time."

Sonic takes a step forward, not even hesitating. "I hate you. I want to hate you forever. But..."

He glances back at Tom's plaque, his fists trembling. "But Dad wouldn't have wanted that. He always believed in helping people, in giving them a second chance, even when they don't deserve it. Especially if what happened was an honest mistake."

Shadow's eyes widen slightly, his posture stiffening. "You're saying that...you forgive me?"

Sonic swallows hard, the words catching in his throat. "I'm trying to, because I can't keep holding on to this anger. The pain isn't ever going away. It's still just as strong as the day I lost him. But I need to let go of the anger, because it almost hurts more than the pain. And because...I think you need this as much as I do."

Shadow's eyes flicker with something unnameable—confusion, disbelief, and maybe, just maybe, a hint of hope.

Sonic takes another step forward, his voice soft but unwavering. "I know you lost someone who was just as important to you as Tom was to me, and I know you've been carrying it alone for a long time. Too long."

"You're going to make the right choice when it matters most."

Before Shadow can even react, Sonic closes the distance between them and wraps his arms around him. Shadow tenses immediately, his entire body going rigid as if he's forgotten what it feels like to be touched, to be comforted.

"Maybe sometimes, you don't have to be alone."

Shadow stands frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking. Slowly, hesitantly, his arms lift, and he returns the hug, his grip awkward and unsure, like someone trying to remember something long forgotten.

His first hug in over fifty years.

"How can you—I don't deserve this," Shadow murmurs, his voice breaking for the first time. "Not after what I've done. I almost destroyed Maria's world—that wasn't a mistake. I chose to follow the Professor. I would have killed the Commander even if it hadn't been your father. All of those were choices, not mistakes."

Sonic pulls back slightly, meeting Shadow's gaze. "Maybe you don't, and maybe those mistakes had been intentional then...but Dad believed that people can change, and...so do I. You helped me save the planet in the end."

Shadow's expression tightens, a flicker of regret crossing his face.

"That doesn't change what happened. What I did to your family."

Sonic nods slowly, his quills bristling faintly. "No, it doesn't. But I think...I think it's time for both of us to stop carrying on the way we have been."

The black hedgehog's eyes squeeze shut, and his posture completely relaxes like he's readying himself for something. "If I could take it back, I would, but...I can't. Please...let me see Maria again."

Sonic understands what he's asking. He hadn't understood on the moon when Shadow had begged him to do it, but now he understands. It may have been for a different reason on the moon, but now Shadow's guilt about Tom must be crushing him.

"I wanted to...I really wanted to. But like I said before, that's not who I am...and I'm nothing like how you were."

Sonic needs to say that again and again in his head until he really believes it. Shadow really has changed since they last saw each other.

He's no longer full of anger, and Sonic knows he needs to follow his example.

Shadow's eyes open again in response to a gentle grip on his shoulder. "Come with me."

His guard is still up. "What are you saying?"

Sonic takes a deep breath, his gaze softening. "I'm saying I want to show you something."

Shadow's brow furrows, his stance tensing as if he expects a trap. "What could you possibly have to show me?"

"You'll see," Sonic says simply, turning and gesturing for Shadow to follow. "Come on."

Shadow hesitates for a moment, but then he follows Sonic as they walk a little farther into the woods—just past Sonic's old cave where he would be safe from prying eyes.

A place far enough from the house where Shadow can be alone...with her. Just in a different way than he had wanted.

The path is quiet, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze. They approach a simple but elegant headstone, the inscription carefully engraved.

Maria Robotnik: Forever a Light in the Darkness.

Shadow stops in his tracks, his eyes widening as they lock onto the gravestone. For a moment, he doesn't move, his entire body frozen as if he can't quite process what he's seeing.

Sonic steps aside, giving him space.

"I asked them to make it for her when Dad's memorial was made," he says softly. "I figured...you deserve a place where you can grieve properly."

Shadow can't stop the flicker of suspicion. "So you can keep tabs on me?"

Sonic shakes his head, but he understands why Shadow would think that. "So you can visit her whenever you want. She's still here, Shadow, just in a different way. In you."

Shadow doesn't respond immediately. His gaze remains fixed on the gravestone, his usually stern expression crumbling into something raw and unguarded. Slowly, he steps closer, his movements hesitant, almost reverent.

He kneels in front of the stone, his gloved hand trembling as he reaches out to trace the engraved words. His voice is barely a whisper when he speaks.

"Maria..."

Shadow's shoulders shake slightly.

"She always believed in me," he murmurs, his voice tired with emotion. "Even when the world didn't. She saw something in me that no one else did."

Sonic steps closer, his tone gentle. "And you loved her."

He nods slowly, his hand still resting on the gravestone. "She was the only light I had...until it was taken away."

Sonic swallows hard, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. But he can't let himself lose control. "She sounds a lot like Tom...always looking for the good in people, even when they don't deserve it. I wonder if they've met each other up there yet."

Shadow looks up at him, his eyes shining like stars.

"Why are you doing this?" he asks, still surprised by the blue hedgehog's empathy even when he'd lost someone because of him. "Why do this for me after everything I've done?"

Sonic is sure of his answer. He believes it. "Because Maria wouldn't want you to be alone. And neither would Tom."

Shadow's gaze drops back to the gravestone, his expression unreadable. Sonic hesitates, then steps forward and places a hand on Shadow's shoulder.

"You don't have to carry all of this by yourself," Sonic says quietly. "You can't change what happened, but you can choose what you do next. I was alone when I lost Longclaw, but I'm not anymore. That makes the pain a little easier to bear, and eventually...I think I can be happy again. That's what Maria really would've wanted, right? For you to be happy..."

Shadow doesn't answer, but the faintest nod of his head is enough. The silence stretches between them, but it feels different now.

His gaze lingers on the gravestone. "Thank you," he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sonic nods, his smile faint but genuine. Slowly, his anger begins to fade. "You're welcome."

"I think I'm going to stay here for a while," he says tiredly.

Sonic walks away a few steps as Shadow continues kneeling.

"If you had the chance," Sonic asks suddenly, turning back around. "Would you forget Maria? If it meant forgetting the pain?"

Shadow doesn't move at first, his fingers still brushing the engraving on the headstone. The silence stretches, but Sonic doesn't look away, his heart pounding as he waits for the answer. He still wonders why Gerald had built the Memory Scrambler. He had to have built it sometime after Maria's death; maybe another side project for GUN? But then he hadn't used it.

Shadow tilts his head slightly. It takes a moment for him to answer but when he does, he sounds sure of his decision.

"No," he says, his voice low but resolute. "The pain is part of who I am. It's part of what she left behind. It still hurts even after all this time, but...I would never want to forget her, nor the kindness and love she showed me."

Shadow turns to look at him, his gaze steady and unyielding. "She taught me how to be happy even when the scientists were poking and prodding at me, even when all of that hurt. If I forgot her...I'd lose everything she gave me, and in a way, she would die a second time. The pain is a reminder of love. I was foolish and let the anger take over. Maybe...maybe I can try to be happy now, too."

Sonic's breath hitches, and he smiles again, wider this time. Maybe Gerald just hadn't been able to make himself forget Maria even after he built the machine.

Shadow says nothing more, but the silence isn't as suffocating. Sonic feels a little lighter.

From a distance, Tails and Knuckles exchange a glance but remain hidden in place.

Tails smiles, knowing that his older brother is making the right choice.

Knuckles brings down his raised fists.

If Sonic can try forgiving Shadow, then...so can he.

xxxx

The world around Sonic is bathed in a warm, golden light. The soft hum of a gentle breeze stirs the air, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers. Sonic blinks, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. He's standing in an open field, the kind of place that feels familiar yet otherworldly. The sky above is endless, painted with hues of orange and gold, as if frozen in a perpetual sunrise.

"Where am I?" Sonic murmurs, his voice echoing softly in the serene stillness.

"Sonic."

That voice stops him in his tracks. He turns quickly, his heart skipping a beat as he sees a figure approaching. The silhouette sharpens into the face he knows so well, the face he's missed so much.

"Dad?" Sonic's voice cracks as he takes a shaky step forward.

Tom stands there, his familiar warm smile lighting up his face.

"Hey, pal," he says, his voice steady and comforting. "It's been a while."

Sonic doesn't hesitate. He runs to Tom, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. "Dad!" he cries, his voice trembling. "I missed you so much. "I didn't get to say goodbye..."

Tom's arms encircle Sonic, holding him close. "I know, buddy. I missed you too. But I've been watching even if you can't see me, and I'm so proud of you."

Before Sonic can respond, a shadow passes over them. He looks up, and his breath catches. Descending gracefully from the sky is Longclaw, her immense wings spreading wide as she lands a few feet away. Her brown feathers shimmer in the ethereal light, her wise eyes full of warmth.

"Longclaw?" Sonic whispers, his voice barely audible. He steps away from Tom, his gaze locked on the owl who had been his mentor, his protector, and his mother figure.

"Sonic," Longclaw says, her voice as soothing as he remembers. She steps closer, lowering herself slightly so her eyes are level with his. "My brave little hedgehog. Look how much you've grown."

Sonic feels tears streaming down his face as he rushes to her, burying his face in her feathers. "I thought I lost you forever," he says, his voice muffled. "I tried to keep going, but I never stopped missing you."

Longclaw strokes his quills gently with her wings. "I never left you, Sonic. Not really. I've been with you in spirit, watching you every step of the way."

Tom approaches until he's standing next to Longclaw. "She's right. You've done so much, Sonic. More than any of us could've imagined."

Sonic pulls back, looking between them. "But I messed up so much. I wasn't fast enough to save you, Dad. I forgot about you and Longclaw..."

Longclaw shakes her head gently. "Sonic, you've faced challenges far greater than anyone should have to endure. And through it all, you've kept your heart. That's what matters."

Tom kneels down, placing a hand on Sonic's shoulder. "And forgiving Shadow? That was huge. I know it couldn't have been easy."

Sonic wipes his eyes with the back of his glove, sniffling. "I just...I didn't know what else to do. It's what you would've done, Dad."

Tom smiles, his eyes glistening. "Exactly. And that's why I'm so proud of you."

Longclaw steps closer, her towering presence radiating warmth and love. "You've become everything I always believed you could be. You've protected your family, your home, and your world. And you've done it all with courage and compassion."

Sonic looks between them, his chest tightening. "But why are you here now? Does this mean I get to stay with you?"

Tom's expression softens, and he glances at Longclaw before looking back at Sonic. "We're here because you needed us. But, kiddo...we can't stay."

Sonic's heart sinks, and he takes a step back, his eyes wide. "No. No, you can't leave again. Please. I just got you back!"

Longclaw's wings fold gently around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. "Sonic, our time here is brief, but our love for you is eternal. You carry us with you, always."

Tom nods. "You've got a lot of life left to live, pal. A lot of adventures, a lot of people who need you. Maddie, Tails, Knuckles...I know you'll take care of them for me. And they need you to keep being the amazing person you are."

Tears spill freely down Sonic's cheeks as he shakes his head. "I don't want to say goodbye. Not again."

"Sonic, you're going to be okay. And no matter what happens, I need you to do one thing for me."

Sonic sniffles, looking up at him. "What?"

Tom's smile widens, his voice steady and full of love. "Keep running. No matter how hard things get, no matter how much it hurts, keep running. Because when you run, you don't just move forward—you carry us with you. Every step you take, we're there, right alongside you."

Longclaw nods, her eyes shimmering with love. "You've already made us so proud, Sonic. Keep running, but not to hide this time. Keep shining that light of yours."

Tom leans in, wrapping his arms tightly around his son. "This isn't goodbye. We're always with you, Sonic. In your heart, in your memories. Fate can never really draw us apart. Every time you do something good, every time you make someone smile, we're there."

The golden light around them begins to brighten, the field dissolving into a warm, radiant glow. Sonic tries to hold on to them, his hands clutching at Tom's shirt and Longclaw's feathers.

"I...I promise. Please don't go," he whispers, his voice breaking. "I need you."

Tom and Longclaw both smile, their forms beginning to fade into the light.

"We have to go. Maria is waiting for us," Tom says. "Just remember that you're never alone. Tell Mom I said hi..."

Sonic blinks in surprise. So they have met...

Longclaw's voice echoes as the light engulfs them. "We love you, Sonic. Always."

As they disappear, Sonic is left standing alone in the golden field, the warmth of their presence lingering around him. He closes his eyes, letting the light wash over him, and takes a deep, steadying breath.

When he opens his eyes again, he's back in his bed with his brothers next to him in theirs, the morning sunlight streaming through the window. His chest feels heavy, but his heart is lighter than it has been in a long time.

He glances at the Little Tom dummy that he'd brought upstairs with him into his bed to sleep with. Maddie still finds it creepy but she's able to laugh at it now, and it's comforting to him.

"Thank you Dad," he whispers with a small smile. "Thank you, Longclaw."

Notes:

This chapter was hard because I kept flipping back and forth on if Sonic would or wouldn't forgive Shadow, or if Shadow would truly even show up at all. I wanted to add him earlier into the story, but I think he fits the most here...so I saved the best for last!

Also, I'm pretty sure that Tom's brothers don't have confirmed names, so I made them up! And I can't remember if his mom is alive either (based on his and Sonic's conversation in the boat during 2, I don't think his dad is) so they're both gone here...

Thank you for reading!