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Chapter Text

Since the inevitable, yet difficult, defeat of the Chaos Council, the Paradox Prism has been restored, Green Hill returned, and the Shatterspace has been connected. Now with a dozen new friends and a careful system to visit each other, Sonic made sure to keep in touch with everyone. 

When Nine and Tails came together to build an easy communication system, Sonic was the first to get a communicator. In Green Hill, Sonic's communicator was a pale red with yellow stripes, matching his sneakers, and it attached snuggly at his waist. The included belt automatically adjusted to Sonic's side, thankfully not crushing him.

Whew, those prototypes were rough.

Nonetheless, everything has been made awesome! Even if Sonic continued to be the only one who could, comfortably and naturally, enter the Shatterspace without issue. That didn't mean he didn't use the portals. Hey, sometimes a guy wants to visit without barreling toward the ground.

Although, the portals weren't opened 24/7. According to Nine, if the portals stayed open, the energy would build up overtime and cause a major multiversal catastrophe. Thankfully, it was easily solvable by opening the portals twice a day for an hour. And, when Tails managed to sync up the different Shatterspaces times, all was made a breeze.

Sure, there was some hiccups here and there, even a year later, but Sonic couldn't be happier. Everything was okay. They've fixed everything.

So why did Sonic feel so...bored?

Realistically, Sonic knew it was because nothing evil has happened in a year. Eggman went dormant, G.U.N wasn't an issue, and all other threats were trivial at best. No one needed a hero. No one needed Sonic.

Which was good! That was totally good! Big bads and constant world-saving missions were a hazard in the long run. And short run. 

Sonic really wanted to run.

Okay, so Sonic was losing his mind. He was suppose to be a hero -- and a vacation was nice, don't get him wrong -- but it had been a year. A. Whole. Freaking. Year. Of nothing! Sonic was nothing if not a hero, a good friend, helpful!

And he was!

So... why did Sonic not feel it...?

Sonic needed to run. His bedroom felt suffocating now and Shadow wasn't there to keep him company. So, Sonic did what he did best; run.

He threw on a hoodie -- it was cold, can't blame him -- donned his sneakers, grabbed his earbuds, and sprinted out. 

Sonic stuck around the beach at first, trying not to disturb anyone who was asleep at 3am. The moon reflected beautifully on the water and the sand and the palm trees; a gorgeous dance of tranquility, allowing the subtlest cues of the universe be connected. The moon and the stars and the plants, the trees, sand, water, all of it was connected. It was beautiful. 

Sonic already felt more at ease. A run always made him feel better. Nothing could bother him like this. His music was blasting old songs he kept around just for these moments, the ones he made when he was a teenager. 

Sometimes, when Sonic shuts his eyes, he can drift back to those times. He hasn't played guitar in years, nor sang anything other than dumb tunes to make his friends laugh. Sonic hasn't wore his necklace in years either. He could -- not like it would activate without the other two -- but Sonic felt awful every time he looked at the thing. 

Once, he was asked about. That was when the necklace was displayed alongside his other trinkets. Sonic panicked and said it was from an old adventure. He hid it away after that. Too many memories.

They were good memories, with some exceptions. But they were still echoes of the past that Sonic didn't want to think about. They were ghosts and Sonic has already dealt with ghosts a year ago. He didn't want to be haunted! He didn't want to think about them!

"You may be older, Sonic, but that doesn't make you leader."

Sonic shook his head. Block it out. Block it out, hedgehog, that's what you're good at.

"There's no 'I' in team but there's always going to be one in Sonic."

No, no, no, why now? He wants to be left alone. Sonic raced faster, trying to race away from the memories; the voices that long infected his head. He can do it again. He can run faster.

"When you're done playing the solo act, you can beg all you want to come back to us--"

Please! Why wasn't Sonic fast enough?! Why were they still here?!

"--But you'll never be welcomed back."

S T O P !

Crash.

Sonic saw birds as he crashed into a wall. He tumbled off and swayed back and forth on his feet. His eyes crossed and he swore he was seeing double. There were two silhouettes floating above him.

"Actually, just me. Wasn't that a nasty bump, sweetie?"

"Ma...So... huh...?"

Rouge laughed. "Woof, sweetheart, and here I thought you stopped for nothing."

"Ow..." Sonic rubbed his head. "Oh...hi, Rouge and... your sister-?"

"Oh, poor sweetie," Rouge picked Sonic up before having him sit. She offered him her water bottle, making him sip. "There we go, baby blue, talk to me."

"Thanks, Rouge," Sonic wiped the bottle's mouth before handing it back. "I guess I got lost in the music."

Rouge pouted her lips.

"What...?"

"Sonic, I watched you crash. You... were crying," Rouge knelt in front of Sonic. "What happened, baby blue?"

Sonic hesitated. "I..."

Rouge smiled encouragingly, waiting patiently. Sonic knew Rouge wouldn't judge him for something like this -- anything else was fair game -- but, still, Sonic didn't want to bother her. He didn't want to bother anyone with it.

A little ding made Sonic jump but he instantly calmed down; it was his communicator. Someone sent him a message. It was 3am, who was needing Sonic at this time?

From Tails: Emergency. Meet @ the workshop

Saved by his best friend, Sonic instantly stood up. "Sorry, Rouge, duty calls! We'll have tea later, right? Okay, bye!"

Sonic sprinted off, not seeing Rouge sigh and shake her head. Getting to the workshop didn't take long; a split second and he was there. 

After typing in the password, Sonic went in and blinked. Tails's lab was a mess as the fox rushed around, encouraged by the flashing lights and message on his screen. Confused, Sonic rushed over, stopping Tails before he tripped.

"Woah woah woah, what's up, buddy?"

"Hi, Sonic, thanks for getting here!" Tails threw his hand toward the screen. "Something has gone wrong. Our portals have completely shut down. We can't go anywhere in the Shatterspace!"

"What? How did that happen?" Sonic didn't mean to sound so excited. "Is it the Chaos Council? Dr. Eggman? A new threat we've never seen before?!"

Tails blinked slowly. "Uh, actually, it's something in the machinery."

"Oh..." Sonic became confused again. "Okay so... why do you need me?"

"I needed someone to run me to the portals, as well as all my supplies."

Sonic groaned. "Oh come on, I was so ready to fight!--"

Tails raised a brow. 

"...right, tell me what I need to grab..."

It took less than five minutes to be Delivery Boy Sonic and he hasn't even broke a sweat. However, like Tails said, the machine panels were all busted and broken, wires hanging on for dear life as they sparked. 

"Hmm, must've been a power overload," Tails pulled down his goggles.

"Wait, I thought you and Nine made a safety system for it?"

"Yes, for the portal, not the machine to house the portals," Tails hummed, beginning to tinker away. "I'll have to add some back-up units in case this ever happens again. It won't take long, maybe until morning."

Sonic frowned. "So... what do I do?"

"Huh-? Oh-- yeah, you can go back to bed, I should have it covered from here. Thanks, Sonic, you're the best!"

"Oh, yeah, okay... I'll just head back home... are you sure you don't need anything? Pillow? Snacks? Tea?"

"Uuuhhh," Tails shook his head. "Nope! I'll be alright, Sonic, promise."

"Okay..." Sonic reached out to Tails, wanted to beg to let him stay, but he knew Tails needed to focus. Getting the portals up and running were first priority, far more important than Sonic's angst-fest.

It'll be better in the morning.

Sonic raced home and threw himself in bed, tossing off his shoes without care where they ended up. He charged his earbuds, turned over, and did his best to sleep.

The only punishment for staying up was Sonic missing his ringing communicator in the morning.

Chapter Text

"I'm awake I'm awake I'm awake!" Sonic sped into Tails's workshop, skidding to a halt before he ran into his friends. "What happened? Who's in trouble?!"

"Good to see you awake..."

"Nine! You're here!" Sonic ran up to Nine, giving him a high-five. "Hey, buddy, what's up? What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Sonic, glad to see you too," Nine half-smiled before turning serious. "When you didn't respond to the first distress call, Prim called Tails, who called me, and then your friends came one by one."

Sonic waved at his friends. "Hi guys! Oh! Does that mean the portals are working again?"

"Considering we're still here? No," Nine sighed, walking over to Tails. "When he called me, he explained the portal situation. I'll be stuck here for a few days but with our combined genius--"

"We'll fix the portals in no time flat!" Tails beamed. 

"But," Nine cut in. "There's still a distress call from Boscage."

Sonic nodded, tapping his foot in thought.

Amy chimed in. "Sonic, you have to go help them."

"Yes!--" Sonic laughed nervously seeing his friends give him curious looks. "I mean-- on it!"

"Give 'em hell, Sonic!" Knuckles cheered. 

Sonic nodded. "Wait, where's Shadow? I can't go without saying goodbye."

"Calm down, hedgehog, I'm right here--" Shadow huffed when Sonic hugged him tight. "Sonic... you'll be fine."

"Are you coming?"

Shadow shook his head. "No, I'm on portal duty. When it's fully recovered, and if you're not done, I'll join you then."

"I'll make sure to not let that happen! Can't have you putting in overtime," Sonic sped to the door, shooting fingerguns. "And when I'm back, let's go get boba!"

Shadow slightly smiled, nodding. "You're buying."

"Obviously~" Then Sonic ran off.

Rouge hummed.

Shadow looked up. "What's strung up your wings, Rouge?"

"Sonic..." Rouge answered.

"What did he do now...?"

"Something's going on with him and it's not pretty."

Shadow hummed, eyes narrowing. "Sonic... what are you doing...?"

Right now, Sonic was speeding up the mountainside, laughing like a maniac. Finally! A mission! And from his friends at Boscage! Okay, so them being in distress isn't a good thing, but Sonic was back in action!

Barreling toward the ground as full speed, Sonic thought of all the possibilities; ancient demons rising from their restless sleep, dinosaurs roaming the earth, cursed artifacts?! Whatever it was, Sonic was ready to face it head on!

Sonic took a deep breath when he entered the Shatterverse. He stepped down onto the deep purple paths, the crystals extending from each portal to connect at the center. The Paradox Prism remained stationed between each portal, glowing vibrantly, and now protected with reinforced glass and state-of-the-art security technology. All thanks to Nine. 

Sonic approached the Paradox Prism, smiling up at it. "Hey, it's been a bit... glad to see you back in one piece again. I promise I'm not gonna mess up again."

There was no response but the continous harmony of the crystal's pulsing vibrations.

"Okay, I gotta go, my friends need me," Sonic ran to the vibrant green portal of Boscage. He turned around just to wave. "See ya!"

Jumping backwards into the Boscage portal, Sonic shut his eyes. When he felt solid ground again, and gravity hitting him full force, Sonic opened his eyes and greeted Boscage with open arms. And, in turn, was greeted with spears.

"Hey guys! Uh, can we put the pointy rock thingies down? Please?"

"Sonic," Prim smiled brightly, lowering her spear. "You're finally here. We thought you would never show."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, guys," Sonic fistbumped Gnarly. "I overslept."

Prim shook her head. "Better when the sun is high than low. Thorn will want to see you quickly."

"Awesome, where can I find her?" Sonic hissed when Gnarly punched his shoulder a couple times. "Ow ow ow, I know we're excited but fragile hedgehog arms here!"

"Oh, sorry--" Gnarly glanced around. "Wanted to greet you before things go wrong."

"Don't worry, I'm here now," Sonic looked around. "So where's Thorn? And Mangey? And Hangry? I gotta see everyone."

Prim and Gnarly exchanged glances, holding a silent conversation only the two understood. After a few subtle eye shifts and head tilts, Gnarly snarled.

"I will not leave you by yourself--! What if they find the Green Pool and I am not here to help?"

"Stop," Prim waved her hand, Gnarly biting down his words. "I'll be okay. It's only until you bring Sonic to Thorn. You'll come straight back. The sun won't even have moved."

Gnarly suddenly whined, a sound that clawed up from deep within his chest. "I..."

Prim connected their foreheads. "It's okay... the sooner you go, the sooner you return."

Sonic suddenly felt very awkward. This felt way too intimate a moment for him to be witnessing. Should he turn around? He should definietly turn around.

"Follow," Gnarly darted into the bushes.

Sonic waved one last time to Prim before following. 

It was a careful trek through the jungle, Gnarly occasionally ducking behind giant leaves or trees. Sonic always followed, taking note of how terrified Gnarly looked. The echidna flinched at each little noise, whether it was the wind or a bird, it didn't matter; he was scared.

Sonic couldn't remember if Gnarly and the others were as fearful of Thorn. Whatever was causing distress, to the point they needed to call Sonic, it was an even bigger threat than Thorn. This was bad. Very bad. 

Then, the smell of smoke invaded Sonic's senses. He gagged, covering his muzzle with both hands. Gnarly did the same, although the direction they were going made the scent worse.

"Here," Gnarly moved aside some shrubs, allowing Sonic to go in first.

Sonic's eyes widened at the sight; an entire section of the Boscage was ash. Trees were burned to their stumps, the ground was covered in soot, and the remains of embers sent smoke into the sky. It was a horror show. Sonic stepped into the center of the new clearing, sunlight catching on his quills. He wondered if anything would grow back.

"What.... happened?" Sonic asked, scared of the answer.

"The fire monsters," Thorn descended from the sky on Birdie, who spread her wings to make the landing smoother. Once on the ground, Thorn jumped off, approaching Sonic. "We think they showed a few suns ago. At first, we thought lightning had started the fire during a storm. But then another showed up. And another. And another. We put out the fires when we could, Birdie and I, but it was getting too much to handle."

Sonic picked up a handful of ash, watching as it blew from his hands. 

"The scavengers agreed we needed you," Thorn sighed. "We tried fighting on our own but... even with our body advantage, we were no match for their fire. Our failure is what lies here."

"I'm sorry, I... should've come sooner," Sonic frowned. 

"You're here now, thats what matters," Thorn nodded at Birdie, who lowered a wing. "Come on, we'll have birds eye view."

Sonic nodded, turning back to tell Gnarly to go-- but the echidna was already gone. Guess a goodbye wasn't needed anyways. Sonic turned back and climbed onto Birdie, sitting behind Thorn.

He held his breath as Birdie launched into the sky, soon soaring above the trees. Only then could see the damage; there were eight identical clearings, each one filled with the remnants of destruction. Sonic looked around, trying to find a pattern. 

"They have to be looking for something," Sonic concluded. "If their goal was to burn the jungle down, they wouldn't make circles. They'd just have to pick a spot and keep it ablaze."

"You noticed too," Thorn patted Birdie, who then dove toward a particular pair of clearings. "We think there's two monsters."

Sonic stared at the two clearings. "They're smaller but close together... what would they be looking for?"

"The Green Pool."

"The portal--? What would they want with it?"

"We don't know," Thorn pointed. "See? Those clearings curve around the Great Green. It's not what they're looking for."

Sonic nodded. "Whoever they are, they have an unusual level of control where the fires spread... do you know anything about them?"

Thorn didn't respond, lowering her head. 

"Hey, whatever it is, it's okay--"

"We have an idea but nothing else," Thorn whistled and Birdie pulled back, circling around. "Prim and Gnarly are guarding the Green Pool. Mangey and Hangry are back at the village. I'll tell you the tale then."

"Alright," Sonic didn't have much a choice, so he went along with it. Neither spoke the rest of the trip to the village, Sonic merely stared at the damage that faded away.

Chapter Text

Once Birdie flew close enough to the village, Sonic free fell until a branch was close enough. He unsheath the blades on his gloves, digging them into the bark to slow his fall. Reaching the platforms, Sonic sheathed his blades and did a little hero pose.

Mangey perked up, running over to Sonic and tackling him. Sonic hugged Mangey tight, spinning around a couple times. Both purred, Sonic clicking while Mangey made little feral noises.

"Hey, little guy! How have you been?" Sonic asked, laughing when Mangey tucked his head in Sonic's shoulder. "Yeah, I missed you too."

Hangry waved from his spot, sitting beneath the shade. He was a happy cat, midway through eating an apple. 

"Hey, Hangry, how's it going?"

Hangry nodded happily, ears wiggling.

"Awesome," Sonic stepped aside so Thorn could land with Birdie. "So, can I hear the epic story of how you know the fire monsters?"

Mangey started hissing.

"Shh, shhh, they're not here," Sonic gently scratched Mangey's ears, calming him down. "So, Miss. Thorn?"

Thorn nodded, sitting down. "Sit. I'll tell you what I know."

"You got it," Sonic sat in front of Thorn, Mangey sprawling across his lap contently.

Thorn took a deep breath, shutting her eyes. "This is a story of triplets... and their crawl into madness...

"It was said a red, full moon shined brightest when the triplets were born; bathing them in red light as they were abandoned to die. Yet... Somehow, the jungle took mercy on the triplets and they grew into three fine warriors.

"At first, they lived in harmony with the rest of the scavengers. They helped forage and used their gifts to help everyone thrive.

"One day, the eldest triplet discovered a new gift."

Fire.

"The jungle that took mercy on the triplets was then abandoned by the eldest. He wielded the fire and became a monster, corrupting his sister and brother to follow. 

"The jungle and scavengers had been losing... until a harsh storm flooded the jungle for several suns, chasing the triplets out. It drove them up the highest peak where no water would reach their precious fire..."

Thorn opened her eyes, cringing when she saw Sonic staring at her.

"Wow..." Sonic mumbled.

"We thought they'd stay away forever," Thorn shook her head. "We were wrong."

"And now you need my help."

"Yes," Thorn hummed, gathering her thoughts. "With your swiftness, we could send them back up the mountain before anymore harm is done. Are you willing to help?"

Sonic nodded. "I am."

"Okay... we can't track their movements, so we'll have to wait for the smoke."

"Wait for the smoke, got it."

"Once we see it, we all rush there and strike!"

"Woo!" Sonic's tail was wagging, adrenaline already coursing through his veins. It feels so fulfilling to be on a mission again!

Thorn stood, walking to Birdie. "Stay here and keep watch. Keep it in your head; see the smoke, go to it. We need you, Sonic, keep your strength."

And just like that, Thorn and Birdie were off.

Sonic held his sigh, knowing that the waiting game would be the worst part. He already waited a year, what's another day? Although, Sonic wished he had breakfast before coming here. His stomach was gnawing at him, demanding food.

Mangey blinked up at Sonic before rushing off. Sonic smiled when Mangey brought over some berries, setting them down in front of Sonic. When Sonic hesitated, knowing how valuable all resources were for the scavengers, Mangey pushed the berries closer with his nose.

"Thanks, buddy," Sonic ate the berries slowly, savoring them to the last drop. He remembered how he learned to do that, who he learned it from. 

"--But you'll never be welcomed back."

Not now. Why now? 

Sonic covered his ears, shutting his eyes tightly. He didn't know how the memories followed him from universes apart -- they shouldn't have, Sonic is on a mission -- but they needed to go away. Wasn't he suffering enough? Didn't his self-doubt and foolishness make up for it? 

A little nervous whimper made Sonic's eyes fly open. He saw Mangey looking at him with worried eyes, Hangry kneeling beside him. Sonic shook his head, removing his hands from his ears.

"Sorry, guys, I'm good..." Sonic rubbed his own chest, feeling how it ached. He must've been hyperventilating. 

Mangey bounded off, bringing back an apple for Sonic. Once Sonic took it, Mangey settled back into Sonic's lap, purring in order to comfort the hedgehog.

Sonic couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Mangey..."

Hangry offered some bark.

"Uhh, no thanks, Hangry, but thank you for trying," Sonic waited until Hangry went away before laying down, tucking his hands behind his head. Mangey moved to lie on Sonic's chest, curled up with his tails covering him on both sides. 

There were a few clouds in the sky, the sun at its peak. There were a few plinkies chirpping nearby, the tree branches lightly swaying. Sleep whispered in Sonic's ears, forcing his eyes to close. A nap would be fine, sleep promised, you have all day to wait.

It was nice, being unaware and dreamless, floating in a subconscious void.

That was, until, Mangey jumped on Sonic's stomach repeatedly. Sonic wheezed when he woke up, sitting up quickly. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. It was significantly darker, the sun barely peaking over the horizon. How long had Sonic slept?

"Mangey? What's going--" Sonic stood up instantly. "Smoke! There's smoke! Come on, guys, we have to go!"

Sonic scooped up Mangey and sprinted into the jungle, Hangry taking his time working up the courage to go. 

Sonic zipped through the greenery -- ducking under vines, jumping over roots, dodging past thick bramble towers -- getting closer to the smoke. He looked up, seeing Thorn and Birdie fly by. He felt comforted, knowing he wouldn't be alone.

Mangey was making feral noises and Sonic couldn't tell if he was excited or angry.

Just another mystery to solve later. After kicking some fire monster ass!

Sonic's nose twitched when he smelled smoke, knowing he was close. This was going to end here and now. Boscage Maze would be free from all fire enthusiasts! 

There were already a handful of trees burnt down, creating a hazardous clearing full of embers and smoke. Sonic could hardly see in the haze, covering Mangey's muzzle before covering his own. It was difficult to breathe, difficult to think, and the only light around was from the fires.

A gust of wind pressed down from above, clearing out some of the smoke and pressing down the embers, even as they glowed brighter. Sonic wiped his eyes, smiling when he saw Thorn and Birdie from above. He waved, receiving a wave in turn, and setting Mangey down on an untouched root.

"Stay," Sonic turned quickly and rolled into a ball. Just as Birdie spat out water stored just for the occasion, Sonic spin-dashed toward the center of the clearing, hoping to hit something.

Surprisingly, he did.

Sonic crashed into somebody, running them into a tree. When he backed off, Sonic nearly screamed. 

Staring back at him was a clay mask with pink markings along it. Two, small eye holes revealed black pupils and nothing more, capturing Sonic's gaze. Sonic backed off and took in the monster's whole form. Their chest was wrapped in leather, the same material as their skirt, which sported tribal designs of fire around the hem. Their arms and legs were wrapped in thick bindings, decorated with blue beads. Their quills -- deep pink, short -- had tinges of red and orange in the tips, creating a strange sunset gradient.

"What the--" Sonic yelped when the monster threw a punch, barely ducking in time. He managed to jump over the monster's strange double-ended spear. Except, instead of sharpened stones, there was flint wrapped in cloth. Sonic compared it to a two-sided match. "Okay! How about we put down the--"

The monster started making rapid clicking noises, striking again at Sonic. Then again. And again. They were a relentless force, even as Sonic proved to be faster.

"Hey! I'm trying to talk to you here!" Sonic yelped, instinctually kicking up and kicking the monster's weapon out of their hands. It flew high into the sky, both Sonic and the monster watching where it would land.

It would never land.

"Prim!" Sonic smiled. "What took you so long?"

"Not all of us are as fast as you, blue--" Prim squeaked when the monster jumped up, grabbing their weapon, and kicking Prim in the chest. Both went flying but it was the monster who landed gracefully.

The monster twirled their match-like weapon around, showing off their comfort with using it. As Sonic squared up, the monster struck one end of the match against a stone, creating a spark that ignited the cloth. 

Sonic sprinted at them, dodging around the flame. "Thorn! You got anymore water?"

"The nearest pond is an entire field away!" Thorn dropped into a tree. "Birdie! Go! Fly! Get all the water you can!"

Birdie cawed and took off, allowing Thorn to join the battle. Thorn raced to Sonic's side, countering the monster's weapon with her hammer. Even with the two of them, even when Sonic was using his speed, the monster could catch up. They effortlessly blocked each of Thorn's attack and managed to trip Sonic each time he tried.

By the fifth time Sonic was tripped, he changed focus and tried finding Prim. She wasn't far, and thankfully uninjured, but she was searching.

"Prim?" Sonic called. "What's wrong?"

"It's Gnarly!" Prim didn't try to hide her worry. "He was right with me--"

A sonorous war cry alerted everyone where Gnarly had gone to. He was a good distance away and more smoke flooded the sky.

"I'll get Gnarly, you help Thorn!" Sonic sped off toward the new smoke. It barely took a second but the sight was horrific.

Gnarly was bleeding. From his mouth and nose, blood dripped down and mixed into his red fur. He had a large burn across his back that singed his fur, heaving as the trees around him burned. 

Then there was the second monster. They had the same mask as the other but with green markings instead of pink. Leather wrapped around the entirety of their arms and halfway up their legs. Around their waist was a series of bindings with little bags all across, each having the same tribal fire symbol from before. Their green quills spread wildly over their mask, the rest tied back with a blue bead.

Being terrifying in their own rite, there was something twice as starling about their weapon; two hollowed out metallic spheres hung from the ends of a braided leather rope. Both spheres were burning bright, even as the monster carelessly swung them in circles, striking the ground each spin.

Gnarly stepped back on unsteady feet, trying to breathe. The monster approached anyways, taking pride in its clear victory.

Not on Sonic's watch.

Sonic grabbed Gnarly as the monster attacked, running him to the village before going back. The monster stared where Sonic once was, taken off guard. It stood straight, rolling its shoulders as it wrapped the middle section of the braided leather around their wrists. 

"You leave my friends alone!" Sonic shouted, letting out a squeak when a flaming sphere missed him by an inch. Sonic touched his cheek, feeling the warmth where the fire grazed. "Why are you doing this?! What do you get out of this?!"

The monster became frozen in place, a statue where its angered form once stood. Sonic didn't understand. What was the monster trying to do?

"Hey! Im talking to you!--" Now the one taken off guard, Sonic was too slow to realize what the monster was doing. A quick snap of the leather rope and the sphere wrapped around Sonic's legs tightly. 

Sonic fell down, landing hard. The sphere weighted fifty pounds at least! He tried to pull the rope off, but his hands were quickly grabbed and then similarly bound. Sonic was trapped and the monster was leaning over him.

"You won't get away with this!" Sonic hissed, never stopping his attempts to try and escape.

The monster made clicking noises -- hedgehog clicking? -- before picking the spheres, and Sonic, up. It's ears flicked and began running toward the others. It kept clicking, even as it burst into the clearing.

"Sonic!" Thorn gasped, skidding back after being sent flying. "Hang on, we'll get you!"

"No!--" Sonic continued to struggle. "You're all too hurt! Fall back! I'll catch up later, I promise!"

Prim hesitated, but nodded and picked up Thorn. "I hope you know what you're doing!"

Sonic hoped he did too.

Once Prim and Thorn flew through the clearing, the two monsters turned to each other. They both clicked rapidly, a secret language Sonic wasn't invited to know, but it felt familiar. The pink monster walked up to them, staring at Sonic for a long, long time. 

Then, they shook their head at the green monster, beginning to run. 

The green monster didn't like that, chasing after the pink while clicking. Sonic was a second thought as the monsters argued, sprinting through the jungle. Despite everything, including hitting his head on a few annoying roots, Sonic noticed how the monsters moved; they were familiar with the jungle.

So familiar, in fact, that they found their way to the mountainside in less than a few minutes. They still clicked at each other, climbing up the side of the mountain with relative ease, still forgetting Sonic was there.

It wasn't until they reached a cliff that the green monster threw Sonic down at its feet. Both monsters looked down at Sonic, the pink shaking their head while the green nodded.

The pink monster threw their hands up, apparently defeated. The green monster raised its head in victory.

"Uh, hi, yeah, I don't speak clicker?" Sonic glared. "Look, your little camp is really cute but I need some explanations."

Both monsters glanced at each other, nodded, and pulled their masks off.

Sonic felt his heart drop, struggling to speak. 

"...Sonia...? Manic...?"

Chapter Text

Of course! Of course it's his sister and brother! Of course it's the only two people from his Shatterverse who never wants to see him again! And of course they kidnapped Sonic! Just his lucky day, isn't the universe giving him a joke! He must be the punchline!

"Look, I don't know what you want with me," Sonic said, doing his best not to give away his feelings. Ugh, Shadow would be much better at it. "But can we just all try to get along? I mean, maybe we can work together? The scavengers don't want their home burned down, so what do you want?"

Neither Sonia nor Manic spoke, exchanging glances before Manic tilted his head. Sonia sighed and leaned down, her nose twitching as she sniffed Sonic.

"Uuuhh," Sonic turned his head away. "Hey, pal, I don't appreciate this--"

"Don't smell him."

...holy shit, they can talk?!

Manic scowled. "It doesn't make sense. He looks like Scruff, head and tail."

"But he isn't," Sonia waved her hand as she sauntered off toward a circle of rocks. An impressive campfire was at the center of the cliff, away from everything else. Wood was stacked evenly, cut to specific length.

"But he is!" Manic argued. "It's Scruff, I know it! He's just... soft. Maybe you don't smell him, but it has to be him!"

Sonia rolled her eyes, striking her match staff against the rocks. A spark lit and fire licked the wood hungrily. "If you want to be prey, then be prey. But we both know Scruff is..."

A heavy pressure fell over the area. Even Sonic felt it.

"We can't mimic him with an unfamiliar face," Sonia laid her match staff across the wall, by the entrance of a cave. "Try if you want, but spare no tears when it doesn't work."

Then, she disappeared into the cave.

"I'll show her..." Manic growled, snapping his head toward Sonic. "You..."

"Me?" Sonic was a little scared now, shrinking in on himself. He knows when he's at a disadvantage.

"You said names. Other names. You know us somehow, explain it."

Sonic hesitated. "I..."

Sonic considered his options. If he said yes, Sonic would have to confront part of himself he kept running from. If he said no, there was a high likelihood he would be tortured for information. If it was Eggman or the Chaos Council, Sonic wouldn't give an inch even if they took a mile. But this wasn't them. This was his brother. A different version of his brother, but still his brother. And this Manic was smart enough to recognize him.

He had Shatterverse variants too...

"You..." Sonic chose his words carefully. "Looked like old friends of mine."

There was suddenly hope in Manic's eyes. "Perhaps you are in there."

Manic reached out to touch Sonic's cheek but Sonic bit at him. Manic growled, barring his fangs at Sonic.

"Hey, hey, hey, this is a two way street, bud," Sonic huffed. "Why are you calling me Scruff? Who's Scruff?"

"You! You are Scruff! You're my brother!" Manic fell to his knees gripping Sonic's shoulders so tight, there was a major chance the flesh would bruise. "Come back to me, brother... please... I miss you so...so much..."

Sonic's heart ached. It was painful to watch this Manic beg, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. The green hedgehog breathed deeply, bowing down low that the top of his head aligned with Sonic's chest.

"My brother... come home..." Manic whispered, not unlike a hymn. "Please, come home..."

"Hey..." Sonic was improv-ing, having no idea what to say but going to say it anyways. "Look, I may not be your brother but... there's also a chance I am?"

Manic looked up. "Scruff... I..."

"Actually, my name is Sonic."

"Sonic," Manic cringed. "No, it doesn't fit you, brother."

"But that's what I wanna be called," Sonic smiled gently. "And we have to respect names, right?"

Manic nodded slowly. "Yes, yes you are right as always, brother."

"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot--" At Manic's confuses expression, Sonic tried again. "--We fought when we should've talked first. Are you willing to talk? Maybe... talk about your brother? It sounds like you need it."

Manic hesitated, having a silent conversation with him. Even his mouth moved, answering without a sound. 

"Or," Sonic offered. "We could start over? I'll go first! Hi, my name is Sonic, my favorite color is red, and I am severely uncomfortable with being weighed down right now. Okay, your turn."

Manic looked confused, brows furrowing. "My name is Feral... I like the colors of fire? Ah, and we want the scavengers to pay."

"Woah, okay," Sonic laughed awkwardly. "Any particular reason why, buddy?"

Manic-- Feral glared. "You were with them, fighting alongside them, you should know why."

"Not really," Sonic admitted. "I mean, they told me the story of the triplets who became fire monsters--"

"We are not the monsters!" Feral growled, gnashing his teeth in anger. "Those scavengers have the gripe to call us the monsters?!"

"I mean, not to sound bias, but you are... burning down their home?"

Feral shook his head. "After what they did, they deserve no home at all."

Okay, Sonic was sensing a pattern with the conflicts of Boscage Maze. First, Thorn was protecting the forest because they were hurting the jungle. Now, these guys were burning the jungle because they were hurt. Sonic guessed no one has communicated anything.

Well, that would be too easy.

"Okay, so, Feral, what happened?" Sonic asked. "I mean, have you talked to the scavengers? Maybe this is a big misunderstanding--?"

"Killing my brother is no misunderstanding."

And Sonic will forever shut his mouth now. Thank you and goodnight. 

Feral shut his eyes. "Scruff... was the eldest of us. Born as three, survived as one...

"We were infants when we were abandoned, and we only survived by chance then. Our mother was an owl, who fed us, kept us safe, until she could no longer. We buried her in her favorite tree, not moving for days after...

"It was Scruff who kept us going. He found us food, kept us safe, found us friends... everything an eldest brother should do, he did... and he was growing too, a kit leading other kits... something we forgot."

Sonic stared, unsure what to say.

"One day, there was a storm," Feral continued. "Lightning rained down from the sky, striking our mother's grave. It burned to ashes before we could save it. We flooded the jungle with our tears until... Scruff found hope in the destruction.

"Fire. It burned so lowly, barely embers, yet in the shape of an owl. Mother has sent us a gift, Scruff would always say, she gave us something to learn from.

"The fire, it was warm. I burned my hand. We cooked our food then, kept the chill of the nights away sleeping next to it, and then, one day, Scruff had an idea. Fire was so beautiful, he said, do we not deserve to be beautiful too?"

Sonic didn't like where this was going.

"He made claws from materials in the mountain, but they were not claws like the ones he already had. He called them fire fans, and taught us something new; dance. With the fire.

"Scruff was good too, he had practiced without the fire first and then added the fire later. He was so careful, minding where he was at all times. Scruff taught us too. Fluff, she learned to wield her staff. I chose to use my strength with my balls of fire."

Fluff... that must be Sonia's name here. Fluff, Scruff, and Feral. 

"Things were good. We practiced in the day, performed at night for the other scavengers. And then, it all went horribly wrong.

"Scruff was performing in a little clearing. He practiced the dance for many suns, moons even, and we know he wasn't the clumsy type. Scruff fell, tripped supposedly, and his fire fans hit a tree. It was a dry season, so the trees burned. The fire ate and ate and ate, until it started raining.

"The jungle flooded, swallowing all trunks of the tree. Fluff and I managed to get to high ground but we had lost Scruff. 

"We never had a chance to look for him, or his body, or whatever remained... the scavengers chased us to the mountain. Fluff and I stayed up here, too scared to come down, especially when Thorn had taken over.

"Until... we saw the strange animals in the sky. It gave us... hope. A distraction, really, to go searching. So we did."

Sonic nodded. The entire fight with the Chaos Council was what led the siblings off the mountainside. 

"We searched for suns," Feral said, staring at his hands. "We found nothing. No trace, no scent, nothing. It was like he was never born with us. Just... gone."

"I... I'm so sorry... but-- but why are you burning the jungle?"

Feral let out a fiercesome snarl. "If we cannot find our brother, we'll make his death the food for our anger. It was an accident, and they still chased us away. They knew we were without our brother, that we lost a part of ourselves, and kept us away anyways. Why shouldn't we let them burn?"

"Because! Because, and hear me out, they didn't have the full story," Sonic really wished he could move his hands. "You and the scavengers only have your half of the story. If you all could talk, it would clear a lot of things up. I... I don't think anyone meant to cause harm."

"But they did," Fluff emerged from her cave, a few kabobs of apples rested against her shoulder. "And that's enough for me."

Feral bared his teeth at Fluff. 

"You don't scare me," Fluff laid the kabobs over the fire, letting the apples cook. "Get the bowls."

Feral huffed but did as told, bringing out a few clay bowls carved with patterns on the outside. "Are you still going to deny the mimicry?"

"Yes."

"Fluffy, he's Scruff. If he's not Scruff, he's... he can be."

"Do I get a say in this?" Sonic asked. And was completely ignored.

"Our brother is gone, Feral, end of talk."

"No! Not end! Look at him, Fluff! Just... look at him."

"Scruff is Where the Lost Ones Roam, do not chase what is no more," Fluff snapped her finger. "End of talk."

Sonic blinked. "Where the lost ones roam?"

Fluff and Feral turned to Sonic. There was an exchange of clicking but, instead of argumentative, there was an easy agreement. So, Fluff continued to cook while Feral stormed off.

Sonic had nothing else to do but think. Maybe, if he finds Where the Lost Ones Roam, then he can find his Boscage Maze variant. Talking seemed useless, neither the scavengers or the siblings would want to. Also, it was hell trying to make Thorn and the others make up, Sonic would like an easier solution than being beat up senseless for hours until he stumbled into the right answer.

Right now, though, Sonic had to figure out how to escape. He tried his bindings, noting they were strong but, with something sharp, he could cut through. Sonic looked around, noting the several sharp stones but none were in reach. Did he want to ruin the braided leather anyways? How difficult would it be to replace? And how mad would Feral be?

Sonic sagged, his muscles already strained from the weight. He had no idea how Feral carries these things so easily. 

Last he remembered, Manic was slim not muscular; built for nimble fingers and quick getaways, not a fight.

Was... that still true? 

He'd never know. He wasn't welcomed to know. And he was too afraid to try.

"Blue," Sonic opened his eyes and was greeted by Fluff with a bowl. She knelt down and held the bowl to his lips. "Drink."

The orange-tinged liquid was tart, yet had enough sweetness not to be too bitter. It reminded Sonic of apple cider, even having some apple chunks, but warm and untouched.

When it was gone, Fluff pulled the bowl away, satisfied. She set it down to the side, gripping Sonic's jaw and forcing his head to tilt. She examined him closely, scrutinizing each little detail. 

"You look like him," Fluff said, sharply. She let Sonic's head drop, shaking her head. "Your heartbeats the same, your fur the same texture...hah, I bet if I groom it, you'd taste the same. It was your scent that gave you away."

"I'll have you know I bathed regularly--"

"I'll give you that I was fooled until that," Fluff continued. "I don't know who you are or why you look like our brother... but you're staying with us until we get what we want."

"You want destruction! The entire jungle burned!"

Fluff smirked. "And you'll have the perfect view from up here to see it all."

"Wait-- where are the Lost Ones? Maybe I can find them? I can search for your brother--"

"No."

"No--?"

"Where the Lost Ones Roam is where all the dead go for their final days. You can never catch them, ever. They're faster than the winds, faster than a running stream, faster than you." Fluff's ears flicked. "Even I can't keep track of them long enough to trap one. If we could, we wouldn't need you, need any of this."

"Would your brother need the jungle destroyed?"

Chapter Text

Mangey was told to stay, so he did. He stayed right on the root, hiding behind the bark when he was startled. The fox both wanted to run and to fight, to help and to hide, and yet he stayed. But the choice was already made for him.

Stay, Sonic said, and Mangey did so. He watches the fight, whining and whimpering when one of his friends was struck. He scratched at the wood when the monsters revealed themselves, when they kept up with Sonic and Thorn. Yet, he still didn't move.

Then Sonic left, chasing after Gnarly's cries. Mangey tried to see him, even standing upright. When he couldn't see Sonic, Mangey howled with all that was in his chest. 

"Tell them, Mangey!" Thorn yelled, half-laughing. "We're not letting them stay here any longer!"

Mangey howled again, jumping up and down as Thorn fought valiantly. Despite the pink fire monster being a dirty fighter, taking no regard to the pride of a clean win, Thorn matched their strength. This was a battle of stamina now and Mangey was terrified to know the winner.

Yet, there was no winner. There wasn't time to name one.

"Sonic!" Thorn gasped, skidding back after being sent flying. "Hang on, we'll get you!"

"No!--" Sonic continued to struggle. Mangey growled, fur spiking up seeing Sonic  "You're all too hurt! Fall back! I'll catch up later, I promise!"

Prim hesitated, but nodded and picked up Thorn. "I hope you know what you're doing!"

Mangey refused to go but he hid behind the tree, watching the two monsters. He wanted to dart forward, bite until there was nothing left to bite, but Mangey knew better. Even without their fire, the monsters were stronger, faster than Mangey. He'd be like a tick digging in their fur.

So, he waited, watching them argue before taking off. Mangey followed, making sure to stay out of view but always having the monsters in his sight. Thankfully, due to the arguing, the pink monster was too distracted to hear Mangey.

The mountain came into view and Mangey hesitated. They'd definietly see him. That'd do more harm than good.

Pouting, Mangey climbed up a tree on the edge of the mountainside. He found a good branch, chased his tails three times, then laid down. All he had to do now was wait.

Waiting felt like eternity, especially now that he was alone. The shadows both hid Mangey and scared him, like a comforting hug where the claws poked into your back.

...he missed Sonic...

But Mangey waited. Even as the shadows grew larger and the world grew colder, Mangey waited. When the moon shimmered through the leaves, high in the sky, that was when Mangey made his move.

He climbed up the mountain as quickly and quietly as possible, following the flashing lights that peaked over a cliff side. Mangey hissed when he got closer then went silent as he peaked over the edge.

The monsters were laughing.

The green monster threw various powders into the fire, each stored in a different pocket on its person. The powder created strange colors in the fire, turning the flames from their usual vibrant orange to... blues and pinks and greens and even white and black.

For a moment, Mangey was mesmerized. It was unlike anything he's ever seen before. The way the fire danced and changed colors, it... didn't look so scary anymore. In fact, the fire looked warm and inviting. 

Then Mangey shook his head and looked for Sonic. He perked up seeing Sonic laying nearby, carefully crawling over to the dazed hedgehog.

Ouch, poor Sonic had a bump on his head. Must've been a nasty hit.

Mangey sniffed around Sonic, noting the leather bindings and heavy metals. It was the green monster's weapon, which was good news! That meant the monster was defenseless. Except, the reason it was defenseless was because it captured Sonic.

The leather was braided but Mangey has chewed tougher bark. He started gnawing on the bindings, occasionally ducking down when the monsters looked in Sonic's direction.

"We should aim for their village tomorrow night," Said the pink monster. "Now that they've become use to our pattern, they'll never suspect it."

The green monster laughed. "And once they're gone, Scruff can go to mother."

"And what do you plan to do with the mimic?"

"He..." The green monster lowered its head. "He is brother, I know it, but... he is not our brother..."

The pink monster nodded slowly. "Your grief will get you killed..."

"I know, sister..."

"But your hope makes things easier."

The green monster's ears raised, alarmed. "What--?"

"Oh don't make me repeat it," The pink monster laughed, throwing a berry at the other.

In their conversation, Mangey managed to bite through the leather, carefully nudging the binding until Sonic's hands and feet were free. Knowing the hedgehog was too dazed to move, Mangey took Sonic's arms and took off flying.

"Hey!" 

Mangey hissed, dodging the various rocks thrown at him and Sonic. The green monster even hurled one of his broken spheres at Mangey, who blew raspberries in response. 

Then the fire monsters stopped, looked at each other, and nodded. Mangey watched, shaking like a chihuahua seeing the monsters gathered their weapons. As the pair started sliding down the mountain side, Mangey panicked and dropped into a tree.

Desperately, Mangey started shaking Sonic. He carefully scratched at Sonic's chest and poked his head, whining until the hedgehog opened his eyes. 

"...Mangey...? What...?" Sonic suddenly sat up. "Where are we?! Is it too late?! Is the village okay?! Did it burn?!"

Mangey's eyes widened. The monsters are gonna burn the village?! Mangey thought they were just chasing him!

Sonic stood up, stumbling. "Hoo, woah-- okay, okay..."

Mangey pouted, sitting by Sonic's side with concern.

"I'm okay, just... got knocked down a little, you know me and my big mouth--" Sonic reached for his communicator, sighing in relief when it was still in tact. Actually, it transformed into a similar style to his shoes and gloves, with a leaf texture and stone-like buttons. He sent a signal to Prim, praying she would answer. "Come on, come on, come on--"

"Sonic?"

"Yes! Prim! It's me--" Sonic jumped when he saw Feral and Fluff run underneath them. "The monsters are on their way to the village! They're going to burn the village!"

"What?!"

"Mangey and I are on our way," Sonic picked up Mangey. "Wake everybody up, get as much water and sand as you can, and stay safe!"

"Why-- why are they burning down the village?!"

Sonic started running, not at full speed but fast enough. "They... Prim, they're vengeful, they're grieving..."

Prim went quiet.

"They told me about their brother, Prim, how... how an accident or something happened with the fire, the flood, how they weren't allowed to look for their brother--"

"They... they were dangerous--"

"It's Thorn all over again! No one communicated anything!--"

"This is nothing like what happened with Thorn!"

"Yes! Yes it is! Things were getting hurt, no one was talking, someone died!"

"It's more complicated than that, Sonic!"

"The jungle burned! I get that! Your home was partially destroyed!" Sonic yelped, thankfully skidding to a halt bwfore he ran into a tree. "Mangey, you okay--? I'm so sorry, little guy--"

Mangey nodded at Sonic. He was fine.

Sonic started running away. "Prim? Prim, are you still there--?"

"What did you say to her?!" Demanded Thorn, who had taken over. "She's off watering the village with her tears!"

"I told her about the monsters, Fluff and Feral, and what they told me. I know both parties were hurting," Sonic avoided a root that was placed just so. "I said it was just like the situation with you, Thorn. It was an accident, they didn't intentionally hurt the jungle!"

Thorn dropped the call.

"Oh come on!" Sonic reattached the communicator. "Let's get there, Mangey!"

Mangey covered his ears as Sonic sped back at full speed. 

The village was okay -- for now -- but everyone was panicking. Hangry was running around, unsure what to do. Thorn was covering the platforms in sand while Birdie sprayed water. Gnarly was comforting Prim, hugging her tightly.

Sonic raced onto the platforms, setting Mangey down. "Okay! So I said some dumb things but I need you guys to listen to me!"

Thorn picked up her hammer. 

"You're all hurting! You've hurt each other! And maybe things won't be the same again but, maybe if you talk, you all won't try to kill each other all the time!" Sonic was not lost at the hypocrisy of his words. Or, if he was kinder to himself, he would say he grew up. "Someone died already... we can't keep doing this lack of talking bit."

"There's nothing to talk about! And if youre not with us," Thorn raised up her hammer, aiming it right at Sonic. "You're against us."

"No! No I'm not!" Sonic held up his hands. Mangey stood in front of Sonic, glaring. "Wait, no, we're getting off topic. Mangey, it's okay. Thorn, please listen to me..."

From behind Sonic, Fluff and Feral clawed their way to the peak of the platform. Their masks were perfectly on their face, Fluff's match staff alight. Feral had tied off the ends of his spheres, now having two weapons with seperate lengths.

"Please--" Sonic tried, but was instantly cut off.

"You are monsters!" Thorn shouted. "Both of you and your brother! To burn the jungle, to threaten our lives, you are why the frogs cry!"

"Thorn, wait--"

"Us?! Us?!" Fluff shrieked, pointing her staff at Thorn. "You are the ones who killed our brother! He's gone! Gone and never coming home! It's all your fault!"

"Just listen to me--"

"You're willing to make war?" Thorn lowered her head. "You're willing to slaughter us? Including a carrier?"

Sonic furrowed his brows. "A carrier--?"

"...you're not a carrier," Fluff took a step. "Only mud would mate with you."

"No, not me."

Feral straightened his posture, suddenly afraid.

Gnarly bared his teeth. "Don't you think about it..."

Feral turned to Fluff. "We can't--"

"Our brother is dead!" Fluff suddenly grabbed Feral's arm, yanking him to her side. "He's dead and it's all because of them!"

"They didn't bring the flood," Sonic said, anxiety in his eyes. "And Scruff didn't purposely burn the jungle. All of this is a big misunderstanding--"

Time slowed as Fluff brought down her match staff. The sand and wet wood did little to help as the village went up in flames. The innards of the wood was too dry, the sand too spread, the leaves were the first to go. As embers flew into the sky, a song of screaming accompanied them.

Sonic covered Mangey, hugging the fox kit tight as fire burst around them. His back was singed, quills burning with pain, but it was the last thing on Sonic's mind. In a swift movement, Sonic raced Mangey to the base of the tree, going back up to grab Hangry next. But Hangry had already fallen through, the ashened wood unable to hold his weight. Sonic searched for Prim and Gnarly, both surrounded by enraged fire. 

"Fly! Fly away!" Sonic yelled, trying to run through but the heat was too much. "I can't get to you!"

"My wing--!" Prim hissed. "For the heart of the jungle!"

"They're burned!" Gnarly hugged Prim tightly, their foreheads connecting. "Save Thorn, Sonic, save yourself..."

"No, no, no-- you're my friends! I can't--" Sonic yelped as he was shoved aside. Sonic's eyes widened, watching as Feral darted through the flames. With the few seconds where the flame parted, as if welcoming Feral's actions, Sonic could see what was happening.

Feral was greeted with intense growling, a blooming anger that was only possible by betrayal. Yet, Feral picked both Gnarly and Prim up, facing the flames again to jump off with them. The hedgehog hadn't even thought twice.

Sonic yelped when one of his hands fell through the wood, ashes dusting his arm. Sonic pushed himself up, watching in horror as more and more of the village fell apart. The heat was unbearable. The smoke thick and black and Sonic had to duck down to see. 

"Thorn! Fluff! Where are you?!" The clashing of weapons was Sonic's only answer. He navigated his way through, dodging past the collapsing platforms and falling branches. Still, Sonic continued forward, persisting until he saw the two pink hedgehogs fighting.

They were vicious; a clash of animalistic and performative, both aiming for blood. The girls wanted death. 

"Stop!" Sonic started coughing. "Stop! You're both going to get hurt!"

That's what they wanted. If one of them couldn't make the other suffer, then they would both suffer. 

"Please!--" As Sonic begged, a branch came barreling down toward him. 

"Sonic!"

"Scruff!"

He looked up, taking a step to run before being pushed. Sonic whipped around, shocked to see that it was Fluff who pushed him.

The second shock came when the branch crashed into her, the platform beneath her disappearing under her feet. Then, the rest of the village collapsed.

Sonic panicked and grabbed Thorn, throwing both of them off the platform. It was a hellish fall, Sonic spinning to catch himself but not coming away without a forming bruise. Thorn landed with a loud thud, head spinning but otherwise okay.

"Our home..." 

It was gone.

By the time Birdie flew by, spraying water from her beak, the village was ash. Birdie landed besides Thorn, wrapping the hedgehog in her wings. Thorn could only sob, her chest heavy as the weight of mistakes and emotions pressed against her.

Hangry hung his head. His home was gone. Their food was gone. The memories there were only ghosts now. 

Prim looked up, finding a mask before finding the ruins. She took in Feral's form, noting that he was fuller and yet deep melancholy remained. Prim carefully stood with Gnarly's help, his and her eyes meeting. 

Gnarly nodded. The trees were silent, even as their sister burned, as if they didn't care. Gnarly wanted to care. He wanted to be good and kind and care. Did the hedgehog he once knew care too? Why did he care...?

The two reached out to Feral, who stepped back, but they followed. Prim and Gnarly wanted to see his face. 

Feral felt vulnerable. He knew he was crying -- first his brother, now his sister -- and now he was showing it. He was exposed. He hated it. 

"...I'm sorry..." He whispered. Then, Feral gasped as her was hugged so, so tightly.

Mangey looked at them sadly, pushing his head into Sonic's hand. It would be alright, it had to be. Someone would make everything right. Yet, turning to look at Sonic, Mangey concluded that it wouldn't be an easy fix... if it was fixed at all.

Sonic bowed his head, knowing he had failed. 

"...you'll never be welcomed back."

Chapter Text

A piercing scream tore through every inch of Boscage Maze. 

Sonic sprinted to the remnants of the village, tearing through the rubble to find Fluff. Anything of Fluff. He didn't care how much his hands burned, how much soot entered his eyes, he needed to find something. Sonic had already lost his siblings to a careless mistake in his youth, he couldn't let their variants suffer because of him either.

No matter what was rational, Sonic would always blame himself. He didn't help today. He didn't help at all. He made things worse. So much worse.

"Let me guess, you didn't think it through."

No, no, he didn’t. He never did. Sonic thought on his feet, dealt with the consequences later. That's why the Paradox Prism break in the first place.

"You are so childish and selfish and... ugh!"

It was stupid of him to think, to believe so greatly, that everyone would talk. How absolutely idiotic of him to try it. It didn't work with Thorn, why would it work this time. Sonic didn't even try a different method.

"You're the worst, Sonic! Can't you take anything serious for once?!"

Sonic knew he was hyperventilating, heart pounding in his chest. He was panicking and terrified and knew he messed up.

"You may be older, Sonic, but that doesn't make you leader."

He was the eldest. Of triplets. Why did he think he was leader? He wasn't a leader. He made so many mistakes that leaders don't make. He can't lead a crew. He can't leader a band of jungle warriors. He can't lead a rebellion. He can't lead his sister and brother to victory.

"There's no 'I' in team but there's always going to be one in Sonic."

Selfish. And childish. And annoying. Doesn't think anything through. Forever immature.

"When you're done playing the solo act, you can beg all you want to come back to us--"

Sonic couldn't go solo. Even if he tried. He was nothing without his friends and boyfriend.

"--but you'll never be welcomed back."

Sonic hung his head. He was a failure again. Always again. 

Deep down, rising to the surface, a thought came to Sonic. One he was told a thousand times, between all the correct words thrown at him -- childish, immature, selfish -- there was one that haunted him most. It was the truest one, the one reason why he never went back to his sister and brother.

They would be better off without him.

Then, as other hands began to dig around him, Sonic silently started applying to his friends. They would be better off without him too. After all, it was Sonic who ruined the fight, it was him who shattered the Paradox Prism. Yes, Sonic made fights easier, but they didn't need him. Maybe they'd thrive without him.

Shadow... Shadow didn't deserve his selfishness either. Shadow was everything Sonic was not -- serious, mature, highly intelligent -- and, yet, he settled for Sonic. He was stuck with Sonic. That... that had to be Sonic's fault too. Maybe he was so pathetic that Shadow felt bad for him.

Sonic was nothing without his friends and boyfriend.

But they were everything without him.

Only a cry of relief ripped Sonic from his thoughts. He watched as Feral pulled Fluff from the rubble, cradling her tightly as Fluff weakly dusted herself off. It was Fluff who pulled her mask off, showing the tears that fell from her eyes. 

"I saw mother..." Fluff said softly. "She was radiant..."

"Sister..." Feral started clicking, connecting their foreheads. "My sister... my sister..."

"Shhh..." Fluff carefully sat up. "I'm fine, brother..."

"You're about to not be!" Thorn raised up her hammer. "We aren't through! You burned our home! You killed the trees!"

"Wait--" Feral held up a hand. "Wait... let us help rebuilt, make a new home, a new village. If we are to go Where the Lost Ones Roam, be with our brother and mother, then let us go knowing we cleaned our mess."

Thorn tightened her grip on her hammer. "I should kill you where you stand."

Feral rested his chin on Fluff's head. "Then do it. I'll tell the Lost Ones to forgive you."

Sonic reached out, unsure what he could do or say, he just wanted everything to stop.

"Dammit!" Thorn threw her hammer down, ranting and raving in a language native to Boscage Maze. Then she glared down at the remaining triplets. "You rebuild our home and then you're gone."

"Gone, I'll do it myself," Feral stood, picking up Fluff. He carried her out of the rubble and rested her on a soft patch of grass. "You'll forget we were ever here. Just like our brother."

Thorn hissed. "Be quiet. You build and nothing else. I don't want to hear your voice."

"Wait--" Sonic tried, pushing himself to his feet. "Why don't we put it to a group decision?--"

"Fine! Raise your hand if you agree that the twins rebuild our home," Thorn raised her hand.

Hangry raised his hand without question. Prim and Gnarly followed, their empty hands holding each other. Mangey looked up at Sonic, only raising his hand when Sonic did. It seemed fair to Sonic.

"And who agrees to let them be crushed by my hammer after?"

Sonic instantly put his hand down and Mangey followed. "It's not right..."

Hangry kept his hand up, too afraid to let the burning continue.

"That's us versus you," Thorn said, turning to Gnarly and Prim. "It's up to you two now... I know you will be most effected, but remember what we could lose here."

"And," Sonic added. "Think of what you could gain."

Gnarly looked away, trying not to shake. The trees were still quiet, waiting with bated breath to see his answer. He would be a liar if he said he didn't miss the green hedgehog.

Prim stared at the firey hedgehogs, her mind racing. She knew the danger, the consequences that were possible, and all of it could go wrong. Prim was smart, she was capable, and yet she wanted to keep her hand down.

"We... no, I," Prim set her hand down. "Want him to live."

Thorn looked at Gnarly. 

"I..." Gnarly nodded to himself, lowering his hand as well. "Do not want to know he is Where the Lost Ones Go..."

Thorn clicked her tongue. "Fine... we voiced our feelings, so the hedgehogs live. If anyone changes their vote at anytime during the rebuilding process, then it will change."

"And after?" Sonic asked.

"The vote is final then," Thorn hauled her hammer, rest it on her shoulder. "The consequences their own."

"How long will it take to rebuild?" Sonic knew, with the scavengers by themselves, the building could take months if not years. "I'll help."

"Depends," Thorn concluded. "On what we build from, where we build, all that."

Feral spoke up. "We'll carve out the trees, make homes out of the remaining wood. They'll be lined with clay. Much stronger material than pure wood."

"...fine," Thorn sighed. "Just don't take anymore than you need."

"Never... this was our home too."

"Was. And get use to keep saying was," With that, Thorn stormed off. Either she was going to scream her anger out or check on their food sources. Both seemed productive.

With a deep breath, Sonic called Tails on his communicator. "Sonic to Tails, are you there?"

It took a few seconds for Tails to pick up.

"I'm here, Sonic! What's up?"

"How are the portals coming?"

"We were stumped for a long time, but Nine and I managed to create a seperate power source. On top of that, we are just finishing up an outsource for all the quantum energy the portals give off."

"Which means the portals can be open for longer." Nine butted in. "When testing is done, we'll be opening the portals again tomorrow."

"How is the mission in Boscage Maze?"

"Yes, how is it?"

Sonic sighed. "Both good and bad. The good news is that no one is seriously hurt. The bad news is that the scavengers village was burned down."

Tails gasped. "Oh no!"

"Don't worry, Tails," Sonic glanced at Fluff and Feral. "The arsonists were defeated and going to repair the village."

"Let me guess," Nine said, unamused. "You're going to help too."

"Yep, how did you know?"

"Lucky guess..." Nine definietly rolled his eyes. "If you're going to stay there for a while, remember to call your edgehog boyfriend. He's been visiting us every hour on the dot, checking if you're home. It's honestly sad."

"Hey! Don't call Shadow sad!... and I will. But everything is okay with you guys?"

"We're all good, Sonic!"

"What happy-go-lucky said."

"Alright. I'll talk to you guys later," Sonic hung up, sighing deeply. He looked at the others. "Will you guys be okay if I'm away for ten minutes?"

Prim nodded. "We'll be fine, Sonic, go talk to your mate. I'll take it from here."

Sonic saluted and darted off a distance. He wasn't prepared for the conversation. How was he suppose to tell the most amazing boyfriend in the world that Sonic was horrible for him. Shadow didn't deserve Sonic's stupidity, his immaturity.

That... probably was the wrong thing to take from all of this. But Sonic decided, as he was calling Shadow, that he didn't want to be the rock to Shadow's balloon. That's how he became solo act in the first place. 

Love was letting go, wasn't it...?

"Sonic."

"Shadow, Shads, hey..." Sonic leaned against a tree, needing the support to stay upright. 

"How are you? How is your mission?"

"I'm okay, a little hurt but nothing I can't handle," Sonic hesitated, but told Shadow all the ins and out. He spilled everything -- the fires, his siblings' variants, being kidnapped, the village -- and needed a long breath after. 

Shadow hummed. "A difficult situation. You did the best you could with what you were given."

"...Shads, I..."

"You're okay to stay for a few days. We'll get boba after."

"Shads--"

"There's also a new chili dog stand, I'll be sure we stop by--"

"Shadow, I don't want to keep being a burden on you..." When Shadow said nothing, Sonic continued. "This entire mission, everything that happened, my siblings-- I... it made me realize that I am just the worst... you're so clever and amazing and I'm not. I'm just not. And you deserve so much better, so much better than me."

Shadow was still quiet..

"And... and you deserve someone who..." Sonic started picking at his arm. "Someone who didn't destroy all of reality, kill our home, and then had the audacity to think their love was enough to make up for it... and now I got a village burned down, and people are hurt, and I'm... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"Sonic."

"I'm so sorry..." Sonic wiped his eyes. Crying, how manipulative of him. "I-I love you too much to let you stay with a mistake..."

"Sonic, what the hell--"

"I'm so sorry..." Sonic couldn't handle the yelling that was inevitable. He didn't want Shadow to waste his voice on his stupid, immature self. So, he cut the call. Was it bad to break-up over communicator? Probably, Sonic could add it to his list of mistakes, but he knew he was too much of a coward to face Shadow otherwise. 

He hoped Shadow celebrated being free.

Shadow kept trying to call, probably to yell at him, so Sonic hung up his communicator. He could remember this spot and get it later. 

And he ran back. 

It took him long enough, everyone had started rebuilding.

"Sonic...?" Prim spoke softly, noting the redness in his eyes. "What happened? Was your mate okay?"

"I... don't have a mate..." His words felt heavy against his tongue. "What do you need me to do?"

He'll better himself. He will. Then, maybe after a lot of time, Sonic will become someone worthy of being looked at again. Being loved again.

Thirds time the charm.

Chapter Text

Sonic worked until he dropped.

He didn't care that it was late into the night, nor that everyone had already gone to bed, or that the moon was mocking him for his feelings. He already felt regret eat at him, the venom of heartbreak coursing through each vein with maniacal laughter, he didnt need mockery too.

But, still, Sonic worked and worked, taking careful instructions, until he inevitably passed out. It was a mix of things really; insomnia catching up, overworking his body, lack of calories for his insanely high metabolism. 

At least they had all the needed trees carved out. Tomorrow, they would build platforms and put in the clay, then furniture, including food storage, and then Sonic would have to go home.

At least it wouldn't be tomorrow, where he'd have to hear about how much happier Shadow is.

Sonic dreamed of being in a band again. He would play his guitar, killing it with his voice, but all the credit would go to his sister and brother. Sonia was a queen with her keyboard. Manic was unstoppable with his drums. They made the band. Sonic was just a face.

They were happy. Sonic liked when they were happy. 

It didn't last long. The sun was up and so was Sonic. He sat up, groggy, and patted his cheeks to wake up. He had work to do. He needed to improve. 

Mangey woke up with him too, although not as fast. The poor fox kit was following Sonic, wobbling like he was a newborn. Even when Sonic offered Mangey food, the poor baby just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep.

Sonic apologized and started getting clay for the new homes, Mangey sleepily following all the while. Sonic stayed at a walking pace so Mangey could keep up.

It was the sixth trip to the nearest lake, where Feral said you could fish clay from the bottom, that Mangey suddenly woke up; fur sticking up and growling wildly.

"Mmm? Mangey? What's wrong--?" Sonic looked over his shoulders. When he did so, his heart dropped. 

Sonic hadn't the time to react before he was tackled, pinned down with his hands by his head. He tried to get up but he was pushed down harsher. 

"Sonic..."

"Shadow, I..." Sonic was terrified. He hadn't prepared for this. He thought he would have time.  "I'm sorry, I just--"

"Shush," Shadow carefully squeezed Sonic's hands, trying to bring comfort. "Now, we're going to talk. We're going to talk and you're going to let me in, because I'm not a mind reader."

Sonic looked everywhere but Shadow's eyes. Mangey was ready to attack, only remaining out because Sonic could've gotten hurt.

"Hey," Shadow gently cupped Sonic's face, rubbing his thumb over Sonic's cheek. "Talk to me, sweetheart."

"I... I'm sorry-- I'm not... good-- I'm not smart or serious or anything you deserve..." Sonic knew that wasn't enough. "I make so many mistakes all the time and a hero can't... a hero can't keep doing that and not learning. I never learn... and you're too amazing to be with a reckless idiot."

Shadow stared, unreadable.

"I just want you to be happy... and I knew you would be happiest without me."

"How dare you."

Sonic tried leaning away from Shadow's hand, but Shadow wouldn't let him. In fact, Shadow leaned down and captured Sonic's lips. 

The kiss was so loving and passionate and it stole Sonic's breath. There was nothing but gentle adoration, pure love in that kiss.

"How dare you assume that, sweetheart," Shadow whispered, a quiet prayer to Sonic and Sonic alone. "To think so lowly of yourself, enough to isolate yourself from me in a self-deprecating attempt at punishing yourself."

"Shads, I--"

"You assumed my feelings, you assumed I hated you for things I adore you for, and you wanted to drown in your negativity..." Shadow connected their foreheads. "No, no, not on my watch."

"I don't... I don't deserve your love, Shadow, you don't deserve a horrible excuse for a person--"

"This isn't about deserving. This is about my boyfriend needing help... I'm not going to abandon you, even when you try to push me away. Ill push back, Sonic, you know I will," Shadow gently pressed a kiss to the space between Sonic's eyes. "So, here's what we're gonna do, sweetheart..."

Sonic was shaking. This wasn't... he didn't... 

"Shh," Shadow hummed. "You're going to come home, okay? Ah, no, Boscage Maze will be fine. You're coming home, we're going to get boba and relax, we're getting you a therapist, and you're getting pampered until those asshole thoughts are out of your head."

"You don't have to--"

"I want to," Shadow sat back, pulling Sonic up until he was sitting. "What are those silly vows... in sickness and health, disaster and desire?"

"Those are wedding vows--"

"And maybe I want to marry you, have you considered that?" Shadow huffed. "Now let's get you home, okay?... I want my boyfriend home."

Sonic nodded. "Can... can we at least bring Mangey and the clay back?"

Shadow nodded. "I'll assist."

"Thank you."

It was a brisk but quiet walk back, Mangey walking in between Sonic and Shadow. Occasionally, when Shadow tried to hold Sonic's hand, Mangey would bite at Shadow. No, Mangey didn't care that Shadow was Sonic's mate. Sonic was tackled and Mamgey didn't trust it.

"You should call off your guard dog," Shadow said, meaning it in a joking manner. 

Sonic laughed a bit. "Mangey's just protective."

"Bitey. Little ankle-biter."

"He's just a little guy."

"Rat baby."

"Shadow--"

"Sonic."

Shadow smiled slightly. "Can you hold my hand, sweetheart? I want to hold your hand."

"Oh--" Sonic moved the clay and the makeshift bucket to one side, pressed against his hip, then took Shadow's hand.

Mangey conceded, although he wasn't happy about it.

It was a little strenuous to tell the scavengers that he was being boyfriend-ordered to leave. Thorn was hoping for his help longer, and the others were nervous about being without him while the twins were still here, but none of them would argue. A mate's demands were not easy to ignore. 

Although Mangey's puppy eyes were very convincing, a big squeezing hug would keep him happy.

"We'll call you back if we need you," Thorn said, to ease Sonic's mind. "Now shoo."

"Alright, alright, I just have to say goodbye to..." Sonic trailed off, looking past Thorn to watch Feral tend to the work of twelve. And yet, despite the strain, the green hedgehog still tended to Fluff as she recovered. Sonic looked to Shadow first, who nodded, before going over. "Feral, Fluff."

Fluff slowly looked up. "Sonic. Going home, I see."

"Yes..." Sonic bowed his head respectfully. "I'm sorry about everything that happened."

"Do not let it haunt your mind," Fluff said, waving her hand. "We... have things to work through. But, it was nice to see our brother's face."

Feral merely hummed. 

"I hope you see him again," Sonic offered a smile.

"We see lost family eventually," Fluff mused. "We become lost family."

Sonic hesitated on his next words. "I lost the privilege of seeing my sister and brother again. I was... a jerk. A really bad one. So, for what it's worth, it was genuinely an experience to see you."

Feral snorted.

Fluff laughed. "An experience."

"It was hellish and amazing and terrifying and enlightening and it'll haunt me in every nightmare... and give me new dreams that I'll be a better me, the best me, for them. Even if they want nothing to do with me still."

Feral offered his hand. "Let them know you care, brother, there is no greater thing you can do."

Sonic took Feral's hand, shaking it. "Thank you, brother."

"You two are ridiculous," Fluff smiled though. "Now go home, brother... you have life to live, a mind to enlighten."

"Of course, sister," Sonic didn't know why it felt so natural to say it. He wondered, for a moment, if calling each other by title was due to a consequence of language

He'll leave that discovery up to one of the Tails.

"Sonic," Shadow called. "I believe we have a date."

"Right, coming--" Sonic waved one final time. 

He had a lot to work on... and a lot of therapy to get through... but Boscage Maze was safe, his friends were safer, and now Sonic had seen a variant of his sister and brother. Ones who don't entirely hate him.

Honestly, what he wanted more than anything was a nap. And to not have panic attacks and nearly devastating his relationship because of it.

Actually, thinking about it during his boba date with Shadow, Sonic wondered if Sonia and Manic would want to say hi. Would they tolerate him? Would they forgive him for being a selfish teenager? Would they say congratulations? 

If Sonic peaking at Shadow's phone during their date was any indication, he definietly wasn't lied to about getting married. 

Well, even if they didn't respond, even if they completely blocked him, Sonic wanted to try. 

"--But you'll never be welcomed back."

Sonic took a deep breath, and sent a message. It was long, and definitely had Sonic's rambling, but he poured his heart into it. He loved his siblings, even a decade later, and they deserved to know. 

And, if nothing else, that's all Sonic wanted them to know.

It wasn't until midnight, when Sonic was plugging his phone in, that he checked the message again. He just wanted to see if it sent or if he was blocked, but Sonic was greeted to something else entirely.

Sonia & Manic are typing...

Sonic was nervous and excited. Nervous, because this could end badly. Excited, because it could also be good.

Then, there was a message.

Sonia: Let's talk in person. Our spot. Noon Thursday

Then another.

Manic: Its good to hear from you, Sonic

Sonic replied with a simple our spot, got it then laid in bed. He remembered their spot, it was an old diner in their old city that always had a new issue every other week, and could reach there within an hour. 

Thursday at noon. Sonic should bring Shadow, and tell Shadow not to schedule a therapist at that time. 

Deep breath, Sonic, you're getting better.

Chapter Text

The jungle smelled of smoke. It was heavy in the air no matter where one went. Even at the Edges, the smoke lingered. It had become even more prominent since the previous night, worrying the other Outlanders. 

One Outlander, however, felt comfort in the scent. As he cared for his crops -- a soon-to-be bountiful harvest -- memories flooded of the days he use to dance. He didn't dance anymore, refused to even as the Outlanders hosted humble festivals. 

He should be concerned. Smoke meant fire and fire meant destruction. All of that combined led to nightmares. However, he was not concerned and he dealt with worse nightmares just looking at water. 

The Outlander was alone at the moment, tending to those crops and then moving to the berry bushes. Being alone meant he moved his mask to rest upon his head.

It was a humble mask, with blue markings and no eye hole. He molded it with clay, carved it with his own claws, and then painted it with the love of his soul. It only covered half his face, the half that haunted him. 

Fire burns. It leaves scars.

He hummed an old song, swaying partially. He wished it would rain, so he didn't have to travel to the river every day to water the plants, but so be it. Besides, it's nice to see something with similar coloring to his quills and fur.

Blue. A pretty color.

It went well with pink and green.

He stood properly, looking toward where the smoke originated. He remembered watching the fire last night, when he climbed to the tallest peak of his tree that went above the leaves.

He knew what caused it. Who caused it. Why they caused it. But he was a coward and he was too afraid to face his sister and brother.

In a sense, he had died in the flood. The part of him that was able to do anything would never return.

Scruff hung his head, begging for forgiveness from their mother.