Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She had one thought as she vaulted over the fruit stand, her legs clearing the top as her hand pressed against the top of the table. The vendor’s eyes going wide as her feet narrowly missed the deliciously ripe looking mangos and peaches.

These guys are idiots.

And she wasn’t particularly wrong. The so-called ‘idiots’ were a pair of bumbling skunks that moved their way through the open air market with all the grace of a bull on roller skates. Crashing through stands, toppling people over and nearly falling on their faces. And some of that was even on purpose.

Needless to say, as her feet landed back on solid ground, steel-toed shoes clanking loudly on stone roads, Surge was pretty sure she was gonna catch them.

Surge ran after them, weaving and ducking where the two of them stumbled and bonked into one another, Surge was eating up the distance between her and them. It was a miracle they’d gotten as far as they did, but to be fair, Surge had given them a head start. It wasn’t fun if there wasn’t a chase.

Surge watched with a touch of sadistic glee as the two skunks’ ears perked up and swiveled, a slight shudder in the extremities at the sound her boots made. A loud clunking, that only got higher and higher pitched the faster she ran and the closer she got. Sure she wasn’t particularly stealthy, but Surge wasn’t going for stealth.

She was going for: pissing their ratty, variously stained pants.

Tumble and his quote-un quote: brains of the operation, Rough, finally busted out of the open air market and onto a busy street corner. The kind of place that marked the end of one thing and the start of another. A good place to disappear if you knew how, bad if you’re these guys and are looking for your chaser, rather than just trying to get away.

As if intending to prove Surge’s whole idiot theory, they decided to run into traffic, horns blaring and voice shouting curses. Fists shaking in the air as dashes were slammed in frustration. The two weaved through the traffic and Surge’s job was nearly done for her as they almost got pancaked once or twice by a thoroughly pissed commuter. Surge was about to laugh and chase after them, her mind seeing how she could use the hoods of the cars like lily pads to her leapfrog when a voice crackled in her ear.

“Turn right at the intersection.”

“What?!” Surge called over the din of angry pedestrians and angrier drivers, the flow of people starting to form a wave that Surge was having a harder time getting through.

“Turn right at the intersection.” The voice spoke again, this time a little more frustrated as if the eye roll was somehow visual instead of audible.

“Yeah, I heard you Kit, why?” Surge’s feet were nearly at the edge of the sidewalk. She’d jump from there, roll onto the hood of the first car, leap over the second onto the third and springboard between the ones after that, her large steps clanging on the hoods.

“Why do I have to explain every time? Can’t you just trust me?” The voice groaned. The voice pulled lower as it spoke, like it was being shoved down a drain.

“‘Course I trust you. I’m just trying to figure out why I should give a shit.” Surge’s left foot reached the curb, she just had to bring the other one around and pounce!

“Because you’ll spend the next 15 minutes chasing these guys, causing more of a ruckus where people will yell, cry or complain as their lives are set to blend. Upon which you’ll finally smack these two around enough that they are publicly captured as you attack two unarmed men with a sidearm strapped to your hip.” Surge’s eyes flickered for an instant at the sleek and discreet handgun resting tightly to her generous hips, its matte black finish still finding a glint in the bright afternoon sun. “Or should I remind you for the billionth time: You’re a spy.”

Surge turned right.

“So can you please–”

“I turned right, Kit! I turned right.” There was a pause as Kitsunami digested this on the other end of the line. Surge could tell he was weighing how satisfied he was. “And who uses the word ‘ruckus?’”

“‘Easily avoidable chaos’ is a bit wordy for my liking.” Surge’s head lowered as she swallowed a lump of shame, her throat taking a moment to speak properly again.

“Just tell me what’s next Kit, please?” There was a note of approval from the line and Surge saw the fennec’s nose go up in posh, better than thou tone as he straightened in the desk chair he sat in. Probably with the AC on and a steaming cup of tea at his desk.

“Very well. Since these two are clearly idiots–” Never let it be said Surge and Kit couldn’t agree on anything. “They’ll follow the other side of the road and head down that side street. It curves around to the right were it opens up into a tight road that only goes left or right. The left has construction that’s been going on for months and has many loud, clumsy workers, in which case they’ll head right–”

“Right back to me…” Surge realized.

“Exactly.” Surge could hear the flick of Kit’s pen as it tapped his desk. “There’s a road under a bridge to your left in 50 yards. Take it.” Surge’s head flicked up and her electric ice-blue eyes focused on her surroundings, the world slowing down for an instant as she absorbed everything and anything around her.

A woman with a phone with Chao stickers on it. A man and his wife huddled close together. A beggar with his head lowered and the cup out, empty. Two, three cars. Two sedans and an SUV, one of the sedans is missing a headlight and has duct tape around the left side-view mirror.

The bridge. And the roadway under it.

Surge’s earpiece crackled for a moment as the signal flickered under the 3 tons of concrete and asphalt over her head, but this was top of the line equipment, it’d hold up. Surge ran through the tunnel, her boots echoing in powerful gunshots through the tunnel. Boom. Boom. Boom. That heavy sound of her will and drive sounding ever louder.

“Stop.”

And she did. Her boots grinding on the concrete, kicking up sparks that flickered in the tunnel, showing off the bright of Surge’s eyes…and the grin of her teeth. She breathed in this space as she came to a full stop, but only barely. She was hidden in the shadow of the bridge, not daring her steel-toed boots to glint in the sun. Her breath barely filled her chest. Any more and there was the danger of giving herself away.

There she waited. She heard Kit’s breath on the other end of the earpiece. She pictured him on the edge of his seat. Waiting between this moment and the next. When she’d move from this moment of absolute stillness. To a whirlwind of action.

She heard them long before Kit ever had to give her a signal. A hodgepodge of swears and out of shape breaths and stomping and twisting feet that never knew proper balance. Their shadows grew beyond the edge of the bridge where Surge watched them get larger. Mere moments away. Surge stood motionless, mistaken for a mannequin by those that gave little more than a precursory glance.

And then the two figures got close enough.

“Now.” Surge was already moving when Kit gave the word. She took one long step out from under the bridge and calmly turned, smile lighting up her face as she saw the expressions of Rough and Tumble go from fear to shock. Surge gave no more time than that as she thrust an open palm into Rough’s solar plexus, the skunk’s eyes turning into something resembling confusion as he tried to figure out how a hand was now shoving its way into his abdomen. But Surge didn’t give him time to feel the pain as her other hand reached up and snatched at the skunk’s stupid mohawk and yanked, pulling his upper body over her fist like she was folding stinky laundry.

Tumble was still trying to come to a complete stop as Surge released Rough’s mohawk and planted the hand on his back before leaping over the skunk, this time using him as a vaulting point rather than a fruit stand. Tumble’s forward momentum brought his body ever faster to Surge’s boots as she buried them in his chest, a sound like a gurgle put through a blender exiting his mouth as something cracked in his chest.

The larger skunk went down hard, landing flat on his back and the rest of the air in his lungs being violently shoved out. Surge landed on her feet and tilted her head up to see Rough was now coming around, still trying to make sense of what just happened, still doubled over from the vicious gut punch she’d given him. His arms raised up in either defense or to try a less than half-assed attack, but Surge was already in motion once more.

Her arms twisted like pythons around Rough as she ducked under his guard and gripped tight, the skunk letting out a choke as Surge then began to pull back. Not wanting his windpipe crushed like a toilet paper tube, Rough and Surge went to the ground, Surge letting out only a small grunt as her back hit the pavement. Rough floundered above her but he was in no shape to properly grab at her. Still in shock, his arms flailed around but his size relative to her provided a major disadvantage, his larger torso creating a lovely shield from his grabbing hands that tried to snatch at Surge’s face or arms or legs.

Still, with a sturdy and well practiced grip, Surge wound her right arm around Rough’s neck and applied continuous pressure while her other arm fended off any close strikes. Finally, Rough seemed to notice the arm around his neck was the right problem and gripped it with two meaty and ratty hands. His fingers managed to find their way around Surge’s arm but they were so thick that they only heralded in his lessening consciousness.

Beside them, Tumble groaned a loud groan. His body trying to rouse him into action, knowing the danger Surge presented. Keeping her eyes on Rough, Surge slid out a foot from under the skunk and aimed it at Tumble’s fat head. The larger skunk turned to face Surge with bleary eyes. The movement catching his immediate lizard brain. But not enough higher function was available to avoid it as Surge slammed her heel into Tumble’s face. The skunk had a momentary shudder as his brain reset and went to sleep, Tumble’s head resting comfortably back on the concrete as he took a nice long nap.

Rough was working on gargling his own tongue before his eyes lost their shininess and rolled back in his head. The skunk’s limbs followed soon after, slowing, slowing, stopping. As they fell to his sides, Surge held her grip on his neck for a 5 moments longer, assuring herself the skunk was well and truly out.

Surge released the skunk and with two hands, shoved him off of her, Rough’s body rolling like a sack of potatoes as he landed in a heap. Surge then stood and stretched up, feeling her body pop and tense before she dropped her hands and relaxed.

“Alright Kit. I got ‘em. Send me the deets for extraction.” Surge hopped a little in place, not ready to let the adrenaline leave her veins.

“Yeah…about that.” Surge’s ears perked as the sound of sirens caught her attention. They wailed from all around, pounding through the tunnel and making her pull her ears back. “You’re about to have a lot of company.”

“And you didn’t redirect the nightstick nimrods cause…?” Surge’s fists tensed and she lowered her body as three patrol cars swerved into the intersection between the road and the tunnel, a half dozen officers piling out and waving around pistols like they were at a rave concert. They shouted something in a language Surge only knew bits and pieces of, but she got the gist it was: get down or we’ll shoot you.

“Not my call. Management caught wind of your parade through the streets. Looks like you’re spending the night in a cell.” Surge didn’t love the I-told-you-so tone in Kit’s voice as Surge lowered herself to the ground, face in the dirt as the officers continued to shout as they swarmed her and the two idiots she’d captured. And she supposed, the three idiots these cops just captured.

“I am an international officer.” Surge told the cops as they wrenched her from the ground and slammed her into the hood of a patrol car, the metal burning from the hot sun.

“Nope.” Surge heard Kit take a long sip from his tea. “Tonight you’re a kid in time out.” Surge heard Kit give a little laugh before the officer yanked the earpiece from her ear and handcuffed her.

The worst part? She had to share a ride back to the station with Tumble.

…

A bubble of discomfort in Surge’s back exited her mouth as a squeak as she tried to undo the knot in her spine with a weak stretch. The elevator doors opened with a far too pleasant ding for her mood as the doors to the top floor of the building opened.

And could you blame her? She just spent 13 hours on a plane after spending a night in a teeny tiny cell with twisted up springs for a mattress. And she spent half that time ignoring the glares from the stink twins and the other half trying to convince the halfwits at that hole they called a station that she was who she said she was. And she used the word ‘convince’ because less than half was talking and the other half was a fucked up game of charades before her paperwork finally came in.

She’d been too tired to enjoy the officer’s faces as they went slack jawed with realizing who and what Surge was. Each officer scrambled over the other to get her out of the cell. She’d finally been able to get in contact with HQ where they set her up with passage back to Station Square…in coach.

Surge enjoyed all the amenities of a 2hr delayed plane where she sat in a seat that didn’t recline with screaming toddlers to both her front and back. All the while picturing one officer’s face as she exited that falling apart little station.

Disgust.

She’d heard him mutter ‘G.U.N. noses where they don’t belong.’ Like come on. Those two skunks were building a dirty bomb to light up a football stadium for funsies. Thousands of lives were going to be at risk, and Surge wasn’t going to apologize for stepping in when those nightstick nimrods clearly weren’t up to the task.

Surge stepped out onto a floor of cubicles. The noise and clutter of an office filling her eardrums. Papers shuffling around, calls being made, heads bobbing up and down trying to grapple with where attention should be and when. To the immediate left, Kit was waiting next to the elevator doors as Surge walked forward, the boss’s office waiting at the end of the grid of cubicles.

“I’m surprised you didn’t have a giant I-told-you-so banner made up.” Surge rolled her neck and felt the stiffness make itself known, a knot not quite ready to come undone.

“I didn’t want to be predictable.” Kit looked up at her as he held his hands behind himself. “I did consider doing a small dance.”

“You’re not a dancer.”

“Are you sure about that?” Surge’s head flicked down to him and was pleased to find a small neck crack followed it, the knot finally coming undone.

“Kit, the day you’ve got a single rhythmic bone in your body is the day we get good coffee in this stuffy office.” Surge tilted her chin at a handler who took a sip of his coffee and then glared at it with enough disgust that she was pretty sure the coffee felt ashamed of itself.

“Hence why I drink tea.”

A smattering of giggles pulled Surge and Kit’s heads to the left where they spotted a head of pink quills as a woman stood up. She had a general roundness to her, but carried it well in soft cheeks and bright eyes. A smart-looking red dress with tiny pink hearts spotted all over it covered her form all the way down to where they met red boots at her ankles. A similarly colored hair band held the quills in place. The woman looked like a chalk candy heart come to life. And while Surge wanted to mock her for it, her personality resembled the mottos on those hearts with such sincerity that the tenrec couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Now the hedgehog talking to her on the other hand…

Surge just didn’t see it. A nice girl like her? A guy like him? It just wasn’t a thing. But the way Amy giggled as she pushed lightly on his chest as he talked to her…the walking talking sweetheart definitely liked the guy.

She just didn’t think Amy would go for tall dark and edgy.

“Are she and Shadow a thing yet?” Surge tilted her head down to Kit who took in the pair of hedgehogs with mild curiosity.

“I think so. First date’s this Saturday.” Kit’s eyes slowly drifted back to Surge, his interest in Shadow and Amy fading as quickly as it came. Whereas Amy was the epitome of a giant cartoon heart, Shadow was that but black and cracked in half with barbed wire strung up like Christmas lights.

The prone-to-brooding hedgehog was all black but with dark red highlights that lit up the ends of his quills and wrists. Plus a puff of white fur emerged from beneath his dark gray button-down. He was well built with decent muscle and handsome, but not too handsome. All the better to be the spy. Most of G.U.N. agents were designed not to distract. Surge being an exception that kinda proved the rule. A rule however that didn’t necessarily extend to…

“Isn’t there something about handlers and spies not being in relationships?” Surge’s eyes were still on the black and pink almost-couple.

“Not explicitly. Besides, ancient peoples sometimes encouraged relationships between military workers. They believed they might protect each other better.” Surge just blinked at Kit, not exactly hearing what she wanted to hear. Kit seemed to realize this and changed to an eyeroll. “I wouldn’t worry Surge, you’re not exactly my type.”

“I intimidate you.”

“I’m gay.”

“And I intimidate you.” Kit huffed and was now glaring at Surge, who’s grin showed off brilliantly white teeth. How did she get them so white? Kit hated smiling because his teeth always felt so yellow.

“Why do you care?” Surge bristled for a moment, the intake of her breath rattling for just a moment.

“I…don’t. Not really. I just don't want Amy to deal with that heartbreaker.” Surge’s eyes narrowed at Shadow and Kit turned his head to look at the dark hedgehog, who was now taking a subtle interest in the various tchotchkes on Amy’s desk. He smiled softly as Amy described all of them to him.

“Heartbreaker? He’s never dated anyone since he and Amy were assigned together. Is this because she turned you down?” Kit’s face twitched with a level of amusement that Surge found unsettling. She shifted her shoulders as she responded, hoping that would wipe off his smugness.

“Hey, she likes kissing guys, I like kissing guys. I just thought we had a lot in common.” Surge told Kit as they approached the office doors, where the Commander of the Station Square branch of G.U.N. waited.

“Riiiiight.” Kit drawled off the word and couldn’t help but notice Surge’s eyes were still lingering on Amy. “Hey. Are you gonna be okay?” Surge blinked once and inhaled, putting her game face back on. She was a super spy. A lethal weapon. An agent of G.U.N. She didn’t need to be distracted by wayward feelings for a girl that wasn’t interested in her.

“Fine. I’m happy for them.” Kit continued to hold his gaze up to Surge, waiting for something to break. But Surge held firm, eyes forward. But she still couldn’t resist getting the last word out. “They better just keep the kissy kissy to a minimum. I’ve got a sensitive stomach.” Kit let out a single laugh at that before he and Surge arrived at the office doors, their glass betraying nothing of the inside as the slated shades were drawn and closed. It was a box of unknowns and Surge just hope something inside didn’t claw at her.

“You want me to go in with you?” Kit asked but Surge just shook her head.

“Nah. Not worth it. I’m probably just gonna get yelled at and thrown onto some menial task like cleaning out the weapons on the testing range."

“And if it’s something worse than that?” Kit followed up as Surge’s hand reached for the door handle and turned it slightly. Surge turned her head to him and gave a smirk.

“What could be worse than that?” And then Surge pulled open the door and stepped inside.

Giving the door a yank behind her as she entered, Surge took in her boss’s office with its dark low to the ground styling. There were a fair number of browns and grays. Muted tones that really tried to sell the ‘we’re just a regular ol’ company and we don’t send trained killers across the globe’ vibe. A bookshelf with great literature there, a small table toward the front that was set either for chess or tea depending on a coin flip. And of course there was the desk.

A pair of lush soft leather chairs were across from it. Low to the ground and soft enough to melt into…or sink depending on the berating of the person behind the desk. The desk itself was not oak as one’s mind would go to, but cherry. A rich wood that tried for a splash of color in the monochromacy of the room. It was topped in granite. Black with cracks of a white stone running through it. Zigzagging left and right light lightning bolts or vicious scars. And then there was the person behind the desk.

Surge went in with a smile but it quickly fell away. She’d put it on in a mockery. To blow off whatever berating she was about to get. She did it every time…and every time the smile failed as soon as she saw the person behind the desk.

A dress buttoned up to the collar like something out of the Victorian era. But it split down the center allowing for easier movement and creating long coat tails. Long fingers and gloves so pristine they’d make a butler jealous. Makeup just around the eyes accompanied by long lashes that fluttered slowly as she blinked. Her fur was combed to the follicle, each one not daring to leave its place. As she worked on a document, her hand scribbling away in perfect cursive, the only sign that she had any semblance of stress was the crook in her tail. Surge had been told it was natural. But anyone who’d seen enough fights knew that was a battle scar. Still, it was perhaps not the only battle scar or sign of stress.

Surge had been told that when this woman had been younger, she’d been called a princess for her stately manner and regal looks. But this was no princess anymore. This was a queen.

Blaze the Cat had been in this cloak and dagger spy game for a lot lot longer than Surge had. It wasn’t a matter of years, but decades. The cat looked to be in her late-thirties, but Surge’s instincts told her it was a decade more than that. The odd wrinkle around the eye, fur at the edges turning a touch gray. The way Blaze just seemed so much more tired than anyone else. Blaze had been in Surge’s position two decades ago and now the cat was at the top. She’d earned it.

Which made it hard for Surge to rebel.

“Sit.” Surge sat into one of those chairs as Blaze didn’t find the need to raise her eyes to acknowledge the tenrec entering. Surge was quickly submerged in those too plush leather chairs, the padding soft enough to nearly swallow her. Surge tried for a few moments to get comfortable, but the fabric just kept moving, it was like a waterbed during an earthquake. As soon as she got stable, her balance evaporated.

Finally finding a pose that didn’t feel like she was about to do a somersault out of it, Surge opened her mouth…which she realized was immediately a mistake.

“So–”

“No. I talk first.” The cat’s eyes finally looked up, but the rest of her body remained somewhat hunched. Like she was writing a secret note to a schoolmate, one arm was positioned in front of the paper, the other pointed like a dagger down at it. Surge imagined there was a tiny bug that she was watching over, that pen ready to spear her straight through the middle. Or maybe the cat was just planning to bat her around. “Do you know how many phone calls I had to make yesterday?”

“10?” Surge said dumbly. Which might’ve been her best play. A more accurate number might’ve facilitated that Surge was smart enough to receive a more terrifying reprimand than what she was already about to get.

“37.” Blaze finally put her pen down and Surge got the feeling she now had the cat’s full attention…she didn’t want the cat’s full attention. The leather of the chair creaked as Surge finally decided to succumb to the chair’s plushness, maybe she could escape to another world. One of soft fabric, rather than this cat’s claws. “And that was before you parade yourself through the open streets of a foreign country chasing after a pair of IDIOTIC DIRTY BOMB MAKERS!” The cat’s voice reached a powerful pitch. One that made Surge fully believe she could be a powerful ruler…or dictator if Surge pushed too many more buttons. “Wanna guess how many after that?” Surge shook her head and watched as Blaze’s right eyebrow went up. A subtle tell that she realized there was something between Surge’s ears.

But the eyebrow soon relaxed and Blaze hung her head before placing both palms on the desk and rising to her feet. A power move and it worked, Surge wondering if there was somehow somewhere deeper into the chair she could go, like it would suddenly open a trap door into hell where Blaze stared at her with disapproval till the end of time.

“Oh Surge.” Something in Surge’s brain twitched. An anger. That phrase repeated to her over and over and over again. Her blood boiled, but the cat didn’t deserve it. And Surge had no desire to get fired. “You’re very very good at your job. Your mission success is top of the charts…and yet I keep having you come in here.”

“I dunno what you’re so worried about.” Surge mumbled her lips moving before she could stop them. “I got the bad guys.”

“And what if you didn’t?!” Blaze wheeled on her, the cat’s pose and words demanding but her eyes soft and worried. Age showing more there than anywhere else. “What if because of your recklessness other people got hurt? Could you have that on your conscience? And if not you, then me? I am responsible for how you act out there Surge! Every time you save the world by making a mockery of some idiot, the world sees us as a bunch of fools!”

“Then the world should mind its own business.” Blaze’s eyes turned harsher and Surge knew she was running out the last of the cat’s patience.

“This cannot continue Surge! I will not tolerate your brazen, reckless, FOOLHARDY–”

“Pastries!” The cat froze completely and Surge’s ears perked up as the door behind them opened. The pastry cart came first. It was not a simple plastic rolling cart, no this was all black metal with a pair of silver trays on its two shelves. Gold studs held the cart together and its wheels slid silently on the carpeted office. Then came the hedgehog behind the cart.

He was a cloudy white. The sky just before or just after a storm began. But as far as Surge could tell that was the darkest thing about him. His eyes were amber, no–gold! And his warm smile was of similar quality. His quills flared up in front of his face to such an extent that Surge thought he was copying her but in reverse. He wore black pants and a black vest over a crisp white shirt, a small bowtie tight to his neck.

Surge didn’t recognize him and she made it a priority to at least have a general read on anyone she worked with. His crisp uniform suggested a spy, but his smile and just the general aura of positivity said otherwise. He wasn’t part of G.U.N. that was for sure.

He rolled the cart in and to the side of Surge’s chair before he seemed to realize what he’d stumbled into, his smile giving way to honest error.

“Oh, so sorry. My bad. I’ll get out of here–”

“No! No.” Blaze spoke quickly and Surge’s ears flickered at the desperation in her voice. That was…interesting. Surge looked to the cat and saw them light up. Warm beacons as she looked at the white hedgehog. The hedgehog for his part smiled right back at her. He waited patiently, arms behind him. “I…I could use a pastry, Silver.” Silver? Blaze was on a first name basis with this guy? Silver waited a moment before kindly nodding.

“Alright then Mrs. Blaze.”

“Miss.” Silver paused again, looking Blaze directly in the eye. A feat even Surge couldn’t do right now.

“Ms. Blaze.” Silver rolled the cart between Surge and Blaze and revealed a dome of pastries. Brownies and pralines. Cookies and croissants. Silver held the top of the platter with one hand and gestured over the platter. Blaze looked at the dish with interest. It was interesting. Her wrinkles and stress seemed to fade, color returning to her face. “We’ve got a good assortment today. But if I have to recommend anything, it’d be the cheese danishes.”

“Cheese danishes?” Surge muttered, but apparently too loudly as Silver whipped around. For a second the tenrec wondered if he was going to whack her with the lid of the serving platter but he just continued to smile and nod.

“Want one?” With his back to Blaze, Surge saw the cat’s face change to one of disdain. Her frown intensified and fire danced in her eyes as she glared at Surge.

“P-pass.”

“Alrighty.” Silver turned back to Blaze and while Surge couldn’t see it, she was sure that his eyes were full of stars and rainbows shot from his mouth.

“Cheese danish?” Blaze’s smile was back, that version of her that was 10 years younger.

“They called to me.” Silver told her. “Flaky outer crust. Smooth custard, firm bottom.”

“And we want a–firm bottom?” Blaze spoke and while Surge was only partly sure that was partly a joke, Silver laughed. It wasn’t loud, but there was a melody to it. Something smooth, like woodwind instruments or a babbling brook. And Blaze smiled wider.

“If you like that kind of thing.” Silver told her and Blaze snatched a cheese danish from the tray and brought it to her lips. She bit daintily and Surge’s jaw almost fell open as her tail wagged. The cat even swallowed daintily and batted her eyelashes at Silver.

“Delicious.”

“I’m so glad you enjoyed.” Silver’s head bobbed in something resembling a bow before closing the lid on his pastry cart and positioning himself behind the cart. He pulled out from between Surge and Blaze before opening the door to the office and giving each of them a quick nod. “I’ll see you all again next week.” Blaze raised a hand in goodbye before the both of them watched Silver leave. Surge turned back to Blaze and watched as her eyes lingered for a moment on the last of the white hedgehog. Surge supposed that Blaze did like firm bottoms.

Surge said nothing as Blaze returned to her seat as did her years. The wrinkles returned and her makeup seemed to fade slightly. Her whole form seemed to thin as she slumped in her chair as she took a closer look at the pastry, now seeming more unsure of her choice.

“He’s hired by the building. A celebration for Friday.” Blaze waggled a single jazz hand. It did not seem very jazzed.

“Is he…?” Blaze’s eyes flickered to Surge, almost accusatory.

“A spy? No. Anyone that has access to this floor gets a thorough background check. And anyone doing it under something as silly as a corporate catering gets it doubly so. Silver’s so clean cut his life is made from blocks of ice. Absolutely pure.” Blaze paused at that, considering her cheese danish once more. “Grew up just outside the city, single mom. Made friends all throughout childhood till he graduated high school. His family didn’t have much but he got scholarships to a culinary school in the next state over. Graduated magna cum laude, came back to live with his mom before opening up a small pastry shop. A hole in the wall but he’s doing his best. He likes gardening and sunny days. His favorite color is purple and he’s an ace swimmer–”

“How’s his breaststroke?” Surge stopped Blaze. She watched the cat and Blaze swallowed hard. Seeming to realize she said too much, she straightened in her chair and tried to regain control of the situation.

“As I said, I did a background check.”

“And how old is he?” Blaze held Surge’s gaze, her mouth thinning. The cat was still, leave for the rise and fall of her chest. When she finally spoke, the words were tight and quick. A truthful statement, if cut short.

“Twenty-five.” Surge watched Blaze for a moment, but the cat was putting up walls. A barrier that had to be built as only someone in her position could. They were strong and sturdy. Kept most things blocked out. The snarl of emotions that must’ve been inside well contained. But one slipped through. Perhaps corroded through was a better word.

Shame.

“Hmm.” Was all Surge said. Blaze looked at Surge, through her. Vision so sharp, Surge was beginning to get concerned she was getting x-rayed. But the cat relented, a tired sigh deflating her. When her eyes came back to Surge, they were all business. No emotion, neither rage or shame.

“It’s time to discuss your punishment.” The cat’s hands folded over one another and Surge tried one final time to right herself in the chair. Determined to take this task with some kind of dignity.

“What are you gonna make me do? Clean bathrooms with a toothbrush? Disassemble, clean and reassemble every weapon at our gun range? Listen to Amy about her favorite romcoms?” Surge flapped a hand, each wave a dismissal of the power Blaze could wield when she wanted to.

“Are you sure that one isn’t a reward?”

“Amy and I are just friends…she made that perfectly clear.” Surge’s eyes flickered away but then she noticed the twitch of a smile on Blaze’s face. That was the scariest thing she’d done all day.

“Actually I was under the impression you liked romcoms–” Surge’s eye twitched. “–but no. In fact, I think you would not dislike any of those acts. And this is to be a punishment. And I can think of only one thing you would truly truly despise.” Despise? What did Surge truly despise? “You’re going back on mission, Surge.” Wait…no…it couldn’t be… “You and Kit will be overseeing the Woodland Awards.” No. NO! NO! NO! “Enjoy the jumbo shrimp. And do wear a nice dress.”

Surge let the chair take her.

Upon accepting her fate, Surge managed to climb up out of the chair, wiping down her outfit of any extra dirt hoping to get some of it on Blaze’s carpet, before turning around and heading for the door. Blaze’s head was down the whole time. Surge pulled opened the office door with a yank, the shades rattling angrily. But then the tenrec paused. Her head tilted down then back up at Blaze, the cat having bitten into her cheese danish as her brows furrowed in thought. Surge turned back to the open floor of the office building, and watched the guy with the pastry cart enter the elevator, big smile on his face as the doors closed and he vanished from view. Surge soon gained her own smile as she turned back to Blaze.

“He’s pretty cute, huh?” Blaze stiffened and was still. Only her eyes moved as she looked at Surge, a challenge in them. Curious how much Surge was going to go down this road.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The cat’s tail twitched. Either irritation or a tell…or both. Still, Surge knew when her luck was out and she ducked out of the office, softly closing the door behind her.

Kit was waiting for her outside the door and she raised an eyebrow at the fennec.

“You didn’t think to stop the guy with the cart of crummy confectionaries?” Kit’s eyes gave away nothing, but the crumbs around his cheeks gave Surge the full story.

“I tried my best.” Surge gave a heavy eye roll. “So what’s your punishment?” Kit asked as Surge started for the elevator herself, Kit willing to follow her as far as that.

“Isn’t it our punishment?” Surge’s head turned to Kit who shook his and placed a hand over his heart.

“I’ve been perfectly good. You’re the wild child.” Surge gave a grumble and twisted her neck, feeling a stiff pop, something left over from the pain and reinforced by the frustration of the last 10 minutes.

“We’re working the Woodland Awards.” Kit halted. Surge resisted another eye roll as his footsteps increased to keep back up with her, his fingers flicking between himself and her like a confused aircraft director.

“You. Woodland Awards. Working?” Surge huffed and glared at Kit. She hoped to intimidate him down, but the fennec was like a mountain, it was going to take a lot more than that to blow him down. “Don’t they want people to feel safe?”

“Who says I can’t make people feel safe?”

“Everyone you interacted on in your last…ever missions.”

“You’re not helping!” Surge hissed. Kit finally raised his hands in surrender, slowing his pace and dropping back just past the tenrec.

“Wait…you have to wear a dress. It’s a black tie event! Holy shit! You don’t even own a dress!”

“Says who?!” Kit fully stopped and Surge paused with him as the fennec raised and eyebrow and crossed his arms. “I own a dress!” Kit’s expression didn’t change. “I own a dress.”

“That, maybe I can believe.”

“Just get the mission prep. I’ve got to go home to change.” Surge gave one final snort.

“And make sure your dress doesn’t have moth bites in it.” Kit snorted as Surge reached the elevator, pushing the down button and giving him one last snooty glare, her nose scrunched as she stuck her tongue out at him. The doors began to close on the elevator when Surge took one last look around the office, finding Shadow. Still talking animatedly to Amy, the dark hedgehog’s eyes raising up to meet Surge’s. She whipped her head down and looked at the floor, fists still clenched. Blaze had told her that her mission success was top of the charts, but Surge knew. Shadow broke them. Surge dealt with important high profile cases that needed to be stopped before the world ended. Shadow dealt with them before they could even get off the ground.

And bodyguard duty at a fancy shindig? Not exactly winning any dignity points.

…

“I can’t believe it.” Kit zoomed in on Surge through the various camera feeds. “Are you…wearing makeup?!” Surge gave a groan, her body deflating.

“Y’know, I can look feminine, right?” Surge tapped at her earpiece as she watched the ballroom, eyes scanning over the crowd.

“I mean, I guess. I’m just curious what the temperature in hell is right now.” Kit’s snark was not exactly making Surge any happier about the situation. Her jaw clenched like a vice and she debated crushing the earpiece as she spoke into it.

“Will you can it about what I’m wearing and focus on the mission?!” Surge heard the straightening of a chair, and breathed a sigh of relief as Kit finally seemed to be taking this seriously.

“Geez, alright. I get it. You don’t wanna mess this up.”

“I no longer doubt that Blaze can do even worse to me. Just give the mission details.”

“Right.” Kit cleared his throat and scanned his other monitor, going over the mission. “Uhh, standard protection detail. There’s senators, business moguls, even some royalty in that room. It makes it a high value target.” Kit’s voice had the cadence of someone reading directly from a script. Surge further scanned the ballroom of the Acorn Memorial Hall in downtown Station Square.

Large pillars rose high to an arched ceiling with painted images of acts of civil service atop it. Below high-heeled feet was a marble floor that reflected every light possible and was woven with what looked like cracks of pearl. A stage done up in velvet sat at one end of the room, which stood a good distance away, the entirety of the room as big as half a football field. Small cocktail tables took up half the room and the other half were full tables. Folks with enough wrinkles to coat another person sitting, or snoozing in wood chairs with thick carpet around silk covered tablecloths. Waiters in penguin suits waddled around, platters full of cocktails, small pastry puffs, and something that looked delectably chocolate.

Snatching a chocolate off a literal silver platter, Surge popped it into her mouth and spoke back to Kit.

“So what? We’re protecting a buncha fatcats? Lame.” Surge mumbled.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Surge grunted. “And no. There’s actually a ton of security in that room. Metal detectors, guards paid in Fabergé eggs, a camera for every 10 feet of space, even digital noses to detect any gas based agents.”

“What? Like someone made of farts?” Surge swallowed and enjoyed the tired sigh on the other end of the communication.

“I mean stuff like poison gas or biohazardous vapor and you know it.” Kit didn’t sound like he was going to be able to take anymore of Surge’s shit so the tenrec pivoted.

“Okay so this place is locked down like fort knox. So…why did the organizers ask for a G.U.N. agent?” Surge huffed, her back slouching with the exhaustion of this non-mission.

“Well–” It was then that a sheep came up to Surge. She was a little underdressed for this event and the clenching of her teeth in a smile told the tenrec this girl was wound a little too tight. Her wool was done up in buns behind her head and she wore a suit that had clear pit stains showing through the arms. A pair of glasses sat crooked on her snout.

“Are you Agent Surge?” The sheep stuck out a hand while a clipboard remained clutched too tightly under her other arm.

“...the hell? I’m supposed to be a spy. Don’t come up to me sheepy.” The sheep’s eyes widened and then she nodded her head vigorously that Surge was pretty sure her glasses were about to pop off.

“Oh! Oh! Riiight. S-spy!” The sheep talked out of her mouth, hand to the side to block exactly 1% of the sound. “Well I’m Lanolin and if you need anything tonight please feel free to ask.”

“Uh…o-kay. Lanolin…thanks?” Surge’s brows furrowed and she tried to focus her eyes on Lanolin who appeared to be vibrating. This girl needed to lower her caffeine intake.

“The office of the mayor wanted to thank you again for coming. We really appreciate your time.” What the hell was this? Surge was a superspy, why did it feel like she was suddenly exchanging palm sweat around a boardroom. “We’ve been having this problem for a few years, so it’d be really great if you could wrap this up.”

“Huh?”

“Okay, have a nice time! And enjoy the chocolate truffles.” Lanolin pointed at Surge’s face and the tenrec felt a twitch in her side as she rubbed at her face with a hand to reveal some of the truffle still on her muzzle. Before Surge could ask anymore questions the sheep vanished into the crowd, swallowed amongst the bodies and the overwhelming scent of cologne and perfume.

“Kit…what the fuck is this mission?”

“Yeah, that’s what I was trying to get to.” Surge heard Kit’s clacking of keys as he brought up the fine mission details, her foot tapping with impatience. These heels hurt and she wanted them off. “The Woodland Awards is held every year in the Acorn Memorial Hall. It celebrates the economic, developmental, scientific and political achievements of the year. At the end of the night one person is awarded the Master Emerald. A beautiful gemstone that was held as a massive relic held by an ancient blah blah blah…”

“So wait…what am I doing here?” Surge raised up a hand in frustration. Her cover was clearly blown if she had any to begin with. And if these guys have enough security for them, what the fuck was she doing here?

“Apparently you’re…protecting the Master Emerald.” O…kay. A little below her paygrade but if this really is a big gem, Surge could kind of understand– “...from being graffitied.” Surge’s whole body twitched.

“What was that?” Surge clenched her teeth and felt blood beginning to boil in her ears, fist clenching tight.

“Yeah…apparently every year for the past 5 years someone has broken in, gotten past every layer of security and graffitied the Master Emerald right before it’s given out.” Kit himself didn’t sound very impressed, but his voice was flat. He couldn’t seem to care either way.

“I’m here to stop some hooded teenager from spray painting a dick on a gemstone?! What the fuck Kit?! I stop the world from ending, not swatting away wannabe taggers!” Surge spoke loudly, people starting to notice the tenrec’s outburst and shuffling away.

“Surge…look around you.” Surge’s head jerked up and noticed the change. She forced a lopsided smile and hoped it reached her eyes. Her hands lowered at her sides and she tried to look womanly. “You’re in a room with politicians, bankers, tech giants, scientists, land developers. This is a room full of the rich, smart and powerful. If they want a rock protected from bargain bin spray paint, they’ll get the top service. These are the people that pay our salary, Surge.” Surge gave a sigh and dropped the smile. It was stupid, this mission was stupid, but it made a kind of sense. An uncomfortable one, but sense nonetheless.

“And what, I guess it’s gotten bad enough that they had to ask for G.U.N.’s help?” Surge gave a scoff, hoping this tagger was just a stupid teen she could flash a snarl and kick out the back door before helping herself to champagne.

“Uhh, no. They got G.U.N. involved after the first time…” Kit’s voice took on that monodromic reading tone again. But it was paused, held with a kind of confusion. One Surge shared. Cops, fine. Cameras, flawed. Digital noses, who gave a shit? But this graffiti artist got past three other G.U.N. agents?

“Who the hell fucked this up? Who couldn’t catch one teen with a leaky spray can?” Surge scoffed again, paused as she looked out over at the stage, curtains drawn to hide the award. Surge began to get an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Like she was sitting at the top of a rollercoaster ready to launch toward the bottom.

“Holy shit…” Kit breathed and Surge could feel the shock from the other end of the line.

“Kit?” Surge’s eyes narrowed on the stage.

“Surge…these people get the best. The absolute best.never failed. Never ever. There are reports of him escaping from a hundred man manhunt with a pencil and a half used thing of dental floss. But he couldn’t get this tagger?

“Kit…I’m starting to think this isn’t a wayward kid with a spray can.” Surge’s hands were at her sides…they began to shake.

“You’re telling me. Who the hell can beat Shadow the Hedgehog?”

Elsewhere, just outside the Acorn Memorial Hall, a lone hedgehog sat on a rooftop. His legs dangled over the edge and a smile was lit up in the glowing lights of the hall. His eyes were such a vivid green they practically glowed in the night and his deep blue quills bristled with anticipation, giving off an almost mystical aura.

“This is gonna be fun.” Sonic moved to his feet.

Chapter Text

“Oooookay.” Tails laid out a roll of blueprints on the table. The roll was practically bigger than he was and the fox swatted Sonic’s feet off the table, the hedgehog rolling his eyes as his swivel chair turned slightly. “Now they’ve upped their security from last year. The digital noses are new and they’ve got government trained agents with serious training.” Tails’ finger waggled over the blueprints and began to trace Sonic’s path. “So this time you’ll go in through the front, disguised as one of the guests. From there, you’ll go to the bathroom where you’ll change into a waiter’s attire and–”

“Tails. Buddy, pal, little bro. I’ve got this. You know this is all security theater. I’ll run in there, slap your tag on the stupid award, grab one of those pastry puffs on the way out and be gone before one of those windbags finishes their golf stories.” Sonic picked up a plate from Tails’ desk and munched on the chili dog laying in it. Crumbs spilled from his mouth and of course found their way into the keyboard of Tails’ computer setup. The fox sighed and further rolled Sonic out of the way before trying to get any crumbs he could off the keys. “You know the only possible snag will be when the edgelord shows up, I insult him, he vows to bring me in and I make a fool of him. Easy as that.” Sonic gave a snap of his fingers.

“I remember a few of those ‘easy as that’s’ where you walked out limping or when I had to shut down the entire facility so you could slip out in the dark.” Tails grumbled at Sonic who paused his munching briefly, his brain trying to remember the almost disasters of trying to deal with the G.U.N. agent. “What if they send someone better than Shadow? Or more agents than Shadow?”

“I thought you hacked in and found that Shadow was their best agent?” Sonic spoke, mouth still full as he used the back of the chili dog to jab at the air.

“Well…yes. But what if there’s more?”

“Then we’ll deal with it, buddy.” Sonic set the chili dog down and raised an eyebrow at the fidgety yellow fox. “Do you seriously think there’s anyone that can hold a candle to us?” Sonic gave a laugh at his own statement before biting into the chili dog once more. Tails gave a groan and felt something twist in his stomach. He turned back to the blueprints and looked them over carefully.

“I wish you’d be more careful. I got a bad feeling about this time.” Tails whipped around once more and all but pleaded with Sonic. “Do you mind if we just run through it one last time?” Sonic gave a shrug and finished off his chili dog.

“Knock yourself out. Doesn’t matter to me. There’s nothing about tonight that could surprise me.”

…

Sonic was feeling a little cramped as he walked through the open doors of Acorn Memorial Hall. Maybe it was the fact that where he’d normally sneak in, he was going in wide open. But it was probably to do with the fact that he was wearing three layers of clothing for Tails’ three-act Broadway play with a couple of quick costume changes in the middle.

Still as Sonic approached the guard that was really a glorified bouncer, he gave a smile and handed over his invitation.

“Remember.” Tails spoke over an earpiece. “You’re Ogilvie Maurice Hedgehog. You’re a trust fund kid with a dad in oil. New money that’s made it big in offshore drilling. Snooty, but with enough knowledge to back it up. And add in a little frat bro.”

“Ogilvie?” The guard looked the invitation up and down and then to Sonic. Sonic cleared his throat and sat back on his hips.

“‘Sha.” He grunted, eyes half-lidded.

“The fuck was that?” Tails’ voice had the cadence of someone ready to rip Sonic’s throat out. But the guard shrugged and handed Sonic back his invitation. To which Sonic stuffed it carelessly into his jacket pocket. Sonic then stuffed his hands into his pockets and strolled into the event, his eyes sliding over the hall. He was doing some light scoping while also looking quite disinterested if he did say so himself.

“Okay, good, you’re in. Now go find a bathroom, and strip off the tux. Let’s get this done.” Sonic strolled into the center of the hall, noticing a waiter with a tray of those pastry puffs. He paused the man and took the tray from him.

“Thanks, pal.” He told the confused waiter, who walked off looking somewhere between confused and unsurprised that one of the guests would just take the whole thing for themselves.

“What are you doing?” Tails grumbled.

“I’m in disguise, Tails buddy.” Tails could hear the food in Sonic’s mouth and from the cameras watched as he hunched slightly over the tray. “Let’s live a little, rich fucks or not, this is a nice soree.” Sonic spoke to the earpiece and Tails felt a migraine start to form in the front of his brain. “Hey, any sign of tall, dark and angst ridden?” Tails gave a groan but felt it warranted a look.

Flicking through the cameras, Tails did a sweep for a sign of Shadow. He started on the edges, looking for a stiff figure that stuck to the edges. Somewhere high where he could watch over the crowd. Shadow’s wide look at things is what made him the most dangerous. Sonic could act as wild as he wanted too, Shadow knew what the end goal was and ended the line there. But…

“Huh…no sign of him.” Tails scratched behind his ear, then his head, then his chest. He was feeling itchy all over. That uncomfortable feeling was coming back…

“So they just gave up? Ha. Well this’ll be even easier than normal.” Sonic popped another pastry puff into his mouth.

“I….’m not so sure. I’ll pull up the G.U.N. list of agents I hacked and see if I can cross reference with those in the party. We’ve been expecting Shadow. A mix-up would throw us off.” Sonic gave a tilt of his head. That would be a fun change up, but it wouldn’t stop what was going to come.

“I see class has dipped in recent years.” A new voice perked at Sonic’s ears. It was feminine for sure, but there was a high-pitched roughness to it. Like someone who’d spent their youth shouting a lot. Sonic brought another pastry puff up from the tray and swiveled to the voice, but what he saw stopped him.

The yellow dress just wasn’t that flattering. It was clearly well made and the light sparkles that went in vertical lines were nice enough but really she just looked like an angry banana. And the way pale green quills were done high up on her head, pointed away from Sonic, but with how jagged and zigzaggy they were it looked like there was a lightning bolt coming out of her head. But that’s about where Sonic’s insult train stopped.

Large sharp eyes batted at him with thick dark eyeliner, eyelashes like wide wings around electric eyes that practically glowed blue. She wore a light bit of makeup, just enough to cover stress lines or graying fur and a touch of lipstick on full, pouty lips. Flat ears raised above her head and were pointed directly at him, a couple of golden earrings in each ear. The dress was sleeveless which showed off powerful arms, that were currently crossed to show off strong hands that held similarly golden rings on the pinkies and index fingers. When she turned slightly, Sonic gave the dress a little more credit as it held her form quite well, revealing a subtle bust and a short little forked tail which sat atop what Sonic could only define as a true badonkadonk. Legs that mimicked the power in her arms flowed down to a pair of short heels, but from the way her feet twitched, Sonic had a feeling she might tip over at any moment.

“I like to think I’m beyond the forced mannerisms of high class culture.” Sonic spoke with his mouthful at the tenrec, one eyebrow perked over the other. She didn’t laugh, but Sonic watched as the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing just a tiny bit of pearly white teeth.

“There’s nothing forced about manners.” Her eyes narrowed at him with a jerk of her head and it was Sonic’s turn to smile.

“But of course. After all, where are mine?” Sonic wiped his pastry puff stained hand on his suit pants to which the tenrec noticed and Tails groaned in Sonic’s ear. “Ogilvie.” Sonic stuck out a hand.

“Chrysanthemum.” The woman returned the handshake, a tiny chuckle in the base of her throat.

“Wow. And I thought my name was bad.” Sonic said out loud and was ready for her to snort or stomp away, but instead her chuckle turned into a laugh and she ran a hand through those long jagged quills that revealed clavicle in such a way that a weird jolt shot through Sonic’s body.

“Yeah, it’s…unusual.” Chrysanthemum looked away from Sonic into the distance, her eyes dancing with a mischievousness that told Sonic that maybe he wasn’t the only one using a fake name tonight.

“So what’s a snarky girl like you doing in a place like this?” Sonic tried, flashing a smile of his own. Chrysanthemum just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Try again, Oggie. If I’m still in the top 100 girls you’ve used that on, I’ll be impressed.”

“Would you be impressed if I said top 1000?” Sonic offered Chrysanthemum a pastry puff and she gave a little tilt of her head before taking two. Sonic’s mouth twitched.

“May–be.” She split the word and pointed at Sonic with a pastry puff before popping the other in her mouth. “You first. I’m not supposed to talk with my mouth full.” She spoke…mouth full.

“I’m just here for the free food. Say what you will about the rich. We put together a nice spread.”

“And you know all about spreading, don’t you?”

“Ooo.” Sonic laughed and Chrysanthemum did too. It was bigger than he expected but it was pure and giggly too. Like youth and childhood scaled up into an adult. “And after we bonded over eating food like wild animals? I’m hurt you think so little of me.” Sonic put a hand over his hart and mocked a groan of pain.

“I think I know exactly who you are.” Chrysanthemum spoke and Sonic made the tiniest flinch. That whole body tingle turned more jagged. Did she know what he was here to do? “You’re some frat bro that thinks he’s the center of the world. Hate to inform you. The world doesn’t really know you exist.” Chrysanthemum gave a full waggle of her hand, a mean girl tipping her nose up at him. Sonic breathed a sigh of relief. He’d somewhat dropped the frat bro personality, but enough of it remained to fool her pretty girl. Pretty GOOD!

“Really? But it sends me Christmas cards every year wishing me the best!” Chrysanthemum busted out another laugh and shaking her head, shocked and humored by the ego of this guy. “Okay, okay, enough about me. Why are you here?” Sonic popped another pastry puff in his mouth and felt it bite a little bit into his ego. Chrysanthemum recovered and straightened.

“Volunteer work.” She told him and Sonic waited, but as she cocked a hip, Sonic realized that was about all he was gonna get.

“You got into the event of the year because of volunteer work?” Sonic cocked an eyebrow and looked her up and down…and up and down…and up and down.

“Excuse me. Big girl volunteer work. I’m not just delivering boxes of girl scout cookies you know.” Sonic got a mental image of Chrysanthemum in a girl scout outfit and decided she was still hot.

“Okay then. Be all secretive. I’ll just guess.” Surge leaned back and her plush lips opened in a wide smile, revealing those bright whites. “Youuuu run a charity for boys that lose the wheels on their skateboards.”

“That’s my day job.” Sonic choked as he tried to suck air to laugh. He was not ready for her instant clapback. Not too many could keep up with Sonic. It was off putting…and fun. “Doesn’t exactly land me here.” Sonic continued to cough out the back end of a pastry puff, almost losing the platter in the process. “Geez, don’t die on me.” Chrysanthemum rolled her eyes and plucked a champagne glass off a nearby waiter and handed it to Sonic who nodded and took the glass. He knocked it back, both to try and push the crumbs down and to get a little more courage to talk to this girl. “Look, this has been fun. But you talk to one lame frat bro, you’ve talked to them all.” Chrysanthemum began to walk past Sonic and the hedgehog fought back tears to try and keep an eye on her. She was fun, and he wasn’t done talking to her yet. “But for what it’s worth…still better than a lot of these stuck up silver spooners.” Chrysanthemum disappeared into the crowd as Sonic’s throat finally cleared and he was left holding an empty champagne glass, a mostly eaten try of pastry puffs, and a sense of a missed opportunity. It began to gnaw at him a little. He frowned and bit at his lower lip. He had to finish this mission. It was critical…

But he also wanted to go after Chrysanthemum…

“Sonic?” Tails’ voice chirped in Sonic’s ear and the hedgehog jumped, having forgotten that the world existed beyond him and Chrysanthemum.

“Y-yeah? Yeah?” The shake in Sonic’s voice was a surprise even to him.

“Woah…you okay?” Tails paused for Sonic to continue but the hedgehog just shook his head and set it straight, muttering ‘fine’ to Tails. “Okay, well I got my list of G.U.N. field agents and it’s almost done running through a scan of the crowd. We should know if there’s any agents at the event.”

“Okay. Good…” Sonic’s voice trailed off, but he’d regained his composure and set down the champagne glass before making for the bathroom with the remaining pastry puffs.

“Hey, by the way…what was up with that flirting?”

“I wasn’t flirting.” Sonic spoke too quickly as he found the door to the bathroom and shoved it open, the swinging door banging loudly against the wall. A stall door was quickly after as Sonic closed and locked it behind. “Just figure out who the agent is.” Setting the pastry puff tray on the toilet seat, Sonic began to strip off the suit jacket and false shirt front to reveal the tuxedo underneath. Yanking a bowtie from the suit jacket’s outer pocket, he quickly tumbled it into a knot against his neck. A little too quickly it seems as he ended up with an end spilling out and a teeny tiny loop on the other. Grumbling, he undid it and tried again.

“Wait…hold on…” Tails’ voice mumbled in Sonic’s ear.

“What’s up, Tails.”

“Just…no…way. It’s her!” Tails’ voice perked up in shock and Sonic heard him clacking away viciously at his keyboard.

“Who’s her?”

“H-...HER! That girl you were talking to. She’s the G.U.N. agent!” Sonic yanked the knot of the bowtie too hard and choked himself. Fingers fumbling to free his windpipe, Sonic’s voice squeaked a response.

“No way. Chrysanthemum is not a G.U.N. agent. I know my G.U.N. agents.” Sonic finally righted the bowtie and coughed to clear up his throat finally.

“Sonic. I ran the system three times. That’s the G.U.N. agent. 100% confirmed.” Tails’ was screwing with Sonic. Not tonight. Sonic felt his jaw tighten and rolled his neck to relax himself.

“Who is she?” Sonic put a hand on the stall door, his body leaning on it for support as looked at the tiled floor, taking in breaths as he thought over the brief scenario he’d had with her.

“Her name is Surge the Tenrec. After Shadow, she’s one of the agency’s top agents. Be careful out there, Sonic.” Tails told Sonic, but there was a tiny little shudder in the fox’s voice. A note of acceptance. Tails knew Sonic wasn’t going to be as careful as he wanted. And that scared the fox more than anything.

“Surge the Tenrec, huh? Tonight’s going to be a lot more fun than I thought it’d be.” Sonic grinned and picked up the pastry puff platter, his waiter get up ready.

“I’ve looped the cameras. Anyone watching them will just think Ogilvie ate a bad pastry puff. Are you ready?” Sonic pulled open the door to the stall and took on a stiff back like a rod had replaced his spine. He tilted his nose up and pushed open the bathroom door.

“Showtime.”

…

“I’m telling you, Kit. This tagger’s a no-show.” Surge spoke with another chocolate truffle in her mouth. She wondered if Ogilvie would mock her for having chocolate on her face. Probably, it seemed right up his alley. Weird guy. Fun. But weird guy.

“Yeah…umm…it’s a pattern of many years, Surge. He wouldn’t…wouldn’t just stop after…” Kit’s voice trailed off and Surge heard him clacking away at the keys, his fingers moving swiftly.

“Uhh…Kit? You get distracted by the tabloid’s sexiest man of the year again?” Kit groaned and hissed.

“That was one time and no. Something’s up with the cameras…” Surge straightened and placed the truffle on a cocktail table. Her eyes scanned the room. A trill shot up her spine as her instincts told her something was off. Creeping around just outside of her line of vision.

“Something how..?”

“They’re…registering no change in certain spots…absolutely no change…” Kit’s voice got lower and the sound of the fingers on keys got louder in Surge’s ears. From his end, Kit scanned the camera feeds with a trained eye, his maroon irises scanning them on a few different monitors.

“Kit…?”

“Someone looped them! Someone fucking looped them! Nice try!” Kit laughed as he started to pull down the faux footage.

…

“Uh oh…” Tails called over the earpiece as Sonic nodded to a chef in the kitchen. He placed down the platter of pastry puffs, before grabbing one final one and disappearing out the back door into the halls of the building, making his way to the award.

“Tails?”

“I think they noticed the footage is looped. Gimme a second and…boop. I just sent them down a wild goose chase. We’re good.”

…

Kit noticed the misdirect as the pathway to the accessed footage shifted, someone on the other end of the wire trying to shut him out. Kit stalled it with a simple string of code that would mash random numbers in an attempt to break it as he went around the wall and accessed the real footage.

“No…fucking…way.”

“Kit?” Surge called as she stomped through the center of the main hall, shoving aside guests as her eyes flashed around, looking for anything out of place.

“Surge, it’s–it’s Ogilvie! That idiot you were talking to. He’s the tagger! He just James Bond outfit changed in the bathroom.” Surge’s head snapped up and she tried to ignore the sudden warming at her cheeks.

“Like…he stripped?”

“He’s into the back halls of the building. He’s moving toward the award. Go! NOW!” Surge nodded and snapped her head down. She moved into a sudden and full sprint, shoving away senators and wall street fat cats before blasting through a side door.

“Where is he?!”

“Uhh…uhh…left! Follow the hall to the end and turn right. He’s there!” Surge gave a grunt and ran down the hall, her legs pumping as the fabric of her dress stretched with the movement of her body. “Now let me see about this two-bit hacker.”

…

“Shiiiiiiit…wait. How did he? Uh oh.” Tails grumbled as he looked over his monitors. His firewalls stood off to the side as it tried to be jammed down while some G.U.N. agent was sorting through the camera files…and was now heading for Tails’ hard drive.

“Tails?”

“They’re onto us. Whoever their hacker is, it is not Shadow’s. We’re made! We’re so fucking made Sonic!” Head flicking from the advancing code and access ciphers, Tails noted the sprinting tenrec, moving at a dangerously swift pace toward Sonic. “S-S-Sonic! She’s right behind you. Abandon the disguise, just go!” Sonic’s head shot up and he heard the thumping of shoes on carpet. His head swiveled and he saw Surge barreling toward him, she was not smiling. The hedgehog took off, ripping the tux from his body to reveal slim cargo pants and a tight muscle shirt, both dark blue that blended with his quill color. With a flick of his wrist he tossed the remains of the tux at Surge, the tenrec not ready as she caught it in the face, hands flailing to yank it off as Sonic ducked down the corridor. “Okay. Whoever you are…” Tails focused on his own attacker. “Stay back…” Tails wished there was a little more confidence in his voice.

…

Amateur. Kit thought as he disabled this weak ass hacker that the blue hedgehog had brought. They knew enough to get by with most, but Kit was not most. Like a mole, he burrowed through this dime-store hacker’s security, drilling ever closer to the source. Whether or not they caught this graffiti artist tonight, their hacker was going to be kaput.

“Alright. Let’s see who you…” Kit trailed off. His voice dying as he encountered something. Failed entry. Apparently he’d missed some things and the last threads of this punk’s security was still holding him back. Okay…fine they had some tricks, but it wouldn’t stop Kit for long.

…

“Sooonic.” Tails whimpered over the line as Sonic hid in a storage closet, trying to hold his breath as he heard the sound of a tenrec moving around outside. Sonic probably had seconds before she found him, if not only mere moments. “This…this guy he’s…he’s way too good! He’s getting around my firewalls faster than I can build them!” Sonic gritted his teeth and mentally pleaded with the fox to drop the technobabble. “He’s gonna have access to everything we know and have built! I–I don’t know if I can stop him.” That was ridiculous. Tails was a genius and he’d made miracles happen with the tap of a key. Sonic didn’t care who this hacker was and what he was doing with walls. Tails could beat him. Tails would beat him.

“Go on the offensive.” Sonic told him. “You’re the smartest guy I know. Beat him at his own game.” Sonic’s voice took on a low gravel and he heard Surge’s stomping slowing. She was closing in on him. Sonic’s time was up and the more he thought about it…he’d be better off taking his own advice.

“Sonic, that’s crazy, this guy’s code is immaculate, it’s a perfect web of–” Tails cut himself off. Sonic smiled as he imagined the light switch flicking in the fox’s brain. “–I gotta go. Oh, and Surge is right outside the closet door.” Sonic let out a single breath of humor as the line cut, Tails off to figure out how to best this G.U.N. hacker. But Sonic wasn’t by any means on his own. Tails had given him one last important piece of advice.

“Thanks little buddy.” And Sonic slammed open the door. There was a resounding smack as the door impacted with something solid that sweared loudly. Throwing open the door all the way Sonic was face to face with a furious Surge, one hand pressed to her nose which was gushing blood like a faucet, the other curled into a tight fist. “Ooo, hey are you–” Surge took her hand coated in her own blood, placed it over her nose and twisted. A crack ringing out as she reset her nose. Sonic flinched. The tenrec gave a sniff and growled out a breath. “Holy shit, that was awesome.”

“You’re under arrest.”

“I bet I am.” Sonic grinned and Surge charged him. The tenrec threw a few wild haymakers, testing the hedgehog as her eyes danced and gleamed with adrenaline. Sonic ducked the first, then the second, popping up with a blow to her ribs.

It was like punching a wall. Surge gave into the blow, but damn it hurt. Sonic’s knuckles stinging with the indents of her abs. The tenrec then came at Sonic with close blows, jabs tight movements. Sonic noted the strain of her dress. She was a good fighter, a really good fighter. But she couldn’t move in that thing. And it cost her stable footing.

Shooting out a leg, Sonic kicked out Surge’s left leg, the tenrec pitching forward toward Sonic. The hedgehog sidestepped as she tipped like a falling tree. Her legs pinwheeled under her to try and regain balance, but she couldn’t quite get it, her whole body charging directly into the close where she crashed into a mop bucket and a rack of cleaning supplies, bringing the whole thing down on her. She let out a sound between a snarl and a yell. Bafflement and anger all rolled into one as she fell to the floor. Sonic stood outside with a smile and as she blinked through the lavender scented soap currently flowing down her face she leapt up at him, ready to bring him down.

To which Sonic promptly slammed the door back on her face and took off.

…

“I HATE THIS GUY!” Surge screamed in Kit’s earpiece as the fennec worked through the hacker’s sub optimal code. Random strings of misdirection and limited protection that Kit either dismantled, destroyed or just ignored. He was going to take this guy’s hard drive, peel its casing off for the world to see, and then use it as a paperweight. Still, he flinched and rolled his eyes at the screaming tenrec, it seemed like Kit was having more success than she was.

Kit was almost through. The defenses and countermeasures were becoming stronger but thinning. He’d be into this guy’s hard drive in moments. With a flourish of the keys, the hard drive opened to him. The fennec imagined it, a digital landscape of personal files and poorly hidden porn games.

Then Kit’s subroutines flickered. Processes to sort through the tangled web of defensive measures. Why…why were they still on? Kit was through. He didn’t need them anymore–they didn’t shut off.

“What the…?” Then a chill ran along the fennec’s spine. A haunting sensation that in his confidence he’d missed something. The defenses hadn’t just thinned, they’d changed. Become…easier.

It was a honeypot. A virus concocted to look like an easy backdoor. To encourage the user(Kit) to make a grievous, dangerous error. Which he had. Kit felt his breath in his throat, jittering as he suddenly found himself short on air. Kit’s fingers scrambled over the keys to disable his own code, but he was no longer in control. The honeypot had hijacked Kit’s work and was scrambling up it. Kit’s offense had suddenly become a highway right to Kit’s computer…and the G.U.N. office building.

Kit’s breath’s clogged his throat.

“No. No no no no no no!” Kit was wailing out loud now and he felt the attention of the office space shift to him as the fennec’s fingers scrambled madly to try and stop this virus, but his own computer was starting to recognize the honeypot as part of itself and not for the true invader it was. Like a cancer, it was starting to take over Kit’s computer. He had his own firewalls to protect the sensitive data, but it wouldn’t recognize the honeypot as an invader! What the fuck was he going to do?! This thing would cannibalize his systems from the inside out!

Out…it was still from the outside. It was jumping onto his systems, but it was still tracking from the outside! He had to cut the connection. But it already found the wifi, it wouldn’t need his PC. He didn’t have to just cut the connection…he had to cut the power.

Bursting from his seat, Kit slid into the aisles of the cubicles and practically bashed open the office door of Blaze. His breath heavy and eyes wide as she looked up at him with confusion and frustration, a cup of tea gripped tightly between a few fingers. She looked like she was about to reprimand him, but Kit didn’t have time.

“Sorry about this in advance!” And Kit slammed the door closed. Doing a 180, Kit’s feet skidded on carpet before getting traction as he made for the elevator doors. Silver’s beaming face came from it as they opened, him and his little pastry cart rolling out.

“Hey! How–”

“No time!” Kit shoved the hedgehog out of the way, Silver stumbling into a cubicle and landing atop someone’s desk. There was further clatter but Kit wasn’t paying attention as he leapt into the elevator and jammed the basement button repeatedly. The chaos of the office gave him various negative stares but all Kit could register was the doors closing painfully slowly.

The elevator began to descend giving Kit enough time to consider how absolutely moronic he’d been. He’d underestimated this hacker. This was the person working with Ogilvie to beat Shadow for years now. And Kit had taken not a single precaution. He’d trusted his ego rather than his intuition. Like a lamb to the slaughter, Kit had gone in with a smile on his face.

The elevator doors dinged open and Kit blasted out them, running through the building’s basement, long corridors with concrete walls and mesh ceilings. Kit knew the building’s layout well enough, but his stride was only so long, his brain on fire with what that virus was doing to the G.U.N. servers. How long did Kit have left before this hacker had every safe house, every operative, every document on every operation?

And it would be all–Kit’s–fault.

“HEY! What are you doing down here?!” One of the building’s custodians stepped into view, hands on hips as he prepared to berate Kit, but the fennec just did not have the time. Spotting the ring of keys on his belt, Kit shot past him, snatching the ring off the custodian’s pants and tearing a rip in them in the process. “WHAT THE–?!”

“Official G.U.N. Business! Sorry!” Kit shouted as he turned the corner and found himself next to the central breaker. Locked, of course. A small metal panel lying between secured files and the biggest data breach in recent memory. Kit scrambled with the keys, and–there were at least two dozen. Kit was fucked.

Screwing the keys, Kit bent the ring itself out of shape, twisting the metal end into something that could fit deep into the locking mechanism. Slamming his makeshift lockpick into the keyhole, Kit fidgeted with it, feeling it slowly slide deeper as the tumblers shifted. Kit tried to turn the lock but it wouldn’t twist, the tumblers not fully aligned. Swearing loud enough for everyone in the G.U.N. office to hear him, Kit jimmied the keyring, hoping to bounce the pins into place.

“Come on! COME ON!” Kit shouted before smashing his palm into the lock, bouncing the pins into place with the kinetic energy and twisting the lock open. Practically wrenching the fuse box door open, Kit’s shot down each and every switch, turning off power to various parts of the building piece by piece. “No one messes with my stuff!” Kit grunted at no one as the final switch flicked, power dying to the entire facility, leaving Kit…shrouded in darkness.

For a while Kit just breathed there, letting the darkness sit on him. A blanket that cut himself off from the rest of the world and his colossal fuck up. But then he had to go and turn the fucking lights on again. Turning around and feeling the cement shoes starting to form on his feet, Kit shuffled past the confused custodian, handing him back his keys and pushed the up button on the elevator. It hadn’t moved since he came down here so he didn’t have to wait long to enter it but…he’d been hoping to stall his fate a little longer.

“Who the fuck was this guy?” Kit breathed as the elevator doors closed and he could only hope Surge was faring better than him.

…

Surge ripped the bucket off her head as she stumbled out of the custodial closet, landing on her hands and knees, face burning with rage and embarrassment. She didn’t just get beat, she got made into a jester.

“This guy is going to get what’s coming to him.” Surge’s voice was full of knives. Yanking off her heels so she could actually run, Surge came to a stand and whipped her head around. She was practically foaming at the mouth as her vision reddened, looking for any sign of the blue hedgehog. Her chest heaved with the fury of it all and her training forced its way back into her brain. It commanded her to take a breath and reevaluate. Surge’s fury was powerful, she knew that. But misdirected it just led to destruction.

She let oxygen reenter her brain and tried to follow a trail of logic. The dots slowly linked up in her head, a map to the hedgehog laying out in her brain. She didn’t know where he was, but she knew where he was going. He wanted to mess with the award. So he had to get to it at some point…if he wasn’t already.

Surge’s feet moved under her body, carrying her from the floor of the hall down a slew of passageways. She knew the layout of the building well enough. Kit making sure to drill it into her head. For a moment the pathways blurred together, one long stretch of maple wood and red carpeting after another, a twisting maw of some overpampered beast. For an instant, Surge second-guessed herself, but she tamped that down, trusting both her training, and Kit.

A short set of steps led up to a door that Surge blasted open, the door rattling on its hinges as it gave way to the large open space of the stage. A red curtain to her left, the only thing between her and the guests, to the right were ladders, sandbags, stage controls, the back of the house. And in front was Ogilvie, his face a grin as he affixed what appeared to be a small disk to the award, a gleaming green emerald as big as his head, and Ogilvie had a pretty big head.

“STOP!” Surge shouted and the hedgehog looked up, his smile not fading for an instant, in fact, it looked like it got bigger. The smile now reaching his eyes. He placed the emerald back on its stand, a simple pedestal just past waist height, made of lacquered redwood. Posh, but held back to behold the majesty of the rock.

“Surge. That’s your name right?” Ogilvie directed a finger at Surge as he sat back on his heels, hands sliding into his pockets. Surge felt a trill of fear shoot up her spine. How did he know her name? Was it something to do with the hacker Kit was dealing with? Did the hacker…no he couldn’t have beaten Kit.

“Don’t wear it out.” Surge grumbled as she raised her hands, balling them into tight fists. She held the knuckles just above her chin, ready to strike or block at the drop of a hat. Ogilvie let out a single laugh. It sounded the same as when Surge had been talking to him earlier. It appears that…wasn’t fake.

“I make no promises. It’s a nice name.” Ogilvie gave a tilt of his head and Surge felt the fear turn to unnerve. This guy was pushing her buttons. And she was letting him. She had to shut him the hell up and take him down.

“I shoulda guessed no one would have a name as terrible as Ogilvie.” Surge spat, taking a few slow advancing steps toward him, the blue hedgehog not showing any signs of being intimidated. His breaths were slow and calm, his blinks similarly so. His smile broke into a full grin, and Surge had to fight the relaxation she was feeling roll off of him. His energy dangerously infectious.

“It’s Sonic. But everything else about me you’ll have to figure out for yourself.” Sonic pulled out that finger again, waggling it at Surge like it was a little treat for her to bite down on.

“I told you already, I know everything about you.” Surge’s eyes narrowed and she must’ve imagined it, but she was pretty sure there was a smile tickling at her cheeks too.

“Heh…” Sonic tilted his head down and rubbed his nose. “You might be a little surprised.” Surge wasn’t so sure. “Now come on. I bet you wanna fight me. You don’t look like a woman who takes being door-slammed lightly.” Sonic took out his hands and shook them, feeling the blood beginning to pump into his body as he took little hops, eager to see how she brawled when not being made a fool of.

“First thing you’ve gotten right about me all night.”

Surge of course struck first. Her feet pounded the floor as she charged. It appeared to be another reckless attack, but Sonic was watching carefully. Her arms were closer to her sides, her head lower. It was a bait. Tilting forward into the attack, Sonic triggered the trap, Surge’s hands suddenly shooting out to catch him. Instead Sonic then folded back like a blade of grass in the wind, knees bending as Surge shot past him again. Sonic managed to stick his foot out once more tripping the tenrec. She stumbled but stayed upright, feet a scramble of limbs to keep herself upright as she swiveled to face him. Frustrated, but not deterred.

“You don’t fight in a dress often, do you?” Surge only growled. Sonic scratched at his chin and let out a sigh. “That said, even if you were at the top of your game, I don’t think you could tussle with me.” Sonic waited for the tenrec’s anger to boil over again, he could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. But instead, she smiled.

“I’m just getting warmed up.” Surge straightened and cracked her knuckles, Sonic let out a sigh that was part laugh. Surge was on him once more. She let loose a flurry of body blows and jabs, keeping low to make her head a harder target. Sonic for his part mostly backed up, deflecting or dodging the blows. She was fast, he’d give her credit for it, but she was still being held back. She’d adopted a more boxing style of fighting, bouncing rather than bounding, her lateral movement slower.

Sonic could’ve just kicked her. A strong knee or a foot to the gut would send her tumbling once more, but he was having fun and didn’t want to take her out so easily. So instead he followed her lead, their fight taking on a dance like take as Sonic used his fists rather than his whole body. Blading his body, Sonic took quick jabs at Surge’s defenses, finding impacts on her arms…strong. He found he’d taken one too many test shots and discovered that Surge could strike back when given a chance, one of her own fists spinning through the air and finding Sonic’s diaphragm. He coughed and found himself light headed as he stepped back from Surge to try and regain his breath.

Surge, while restricted by her outfit, did not let it slow her much and Sonic only had an instant to breathe before she was striking at him again. Her punches were repetitive and predictable, but they were relentless. One quick strike after another, like she was trying to wail a nail into place. Sonic had to change tactics. He waited for her to strike again before ducking down and diving in, delivering a solid blow to her gut and sending the tenrec back. Sonic followed her style and didn’t slow down. He battered her sides with precision strikes, going for soft spots that wouldn’t kill or damage, but would hurt like hell in the morning.

In a flurry of disorientation and rage, Surge swung a wild haymaker at Sonic’s head, but the hedgehog was ready for it. He leaned back and let the strike fly by, a brutal but uncoordinated hail mary. He decided enough was enough and finish this dance with the tenrec. She was fun and he had a blast but…she just didn’t have the skill or staying power to deal with him.

Sonic let her wild strike finish before turning around to wind up a powerful roundhouse. He just hoped he could cradle her head as she went down. He didn’t want to leave her with–

Surge’s hands went around Sonic’s middle. Crossed over his lower ribcage in a tight bear hug. For a second Sonic wondered if he’d dropped into a different situation. Sonic’s legs then were airborne, partly from his attempted roundhouse, partly because…Surge had lifted him off the ground. Sonic had assumed that Surge was going for boxing techniques because she had trained in something more lower body focused, that she couldn’t use kickboxing techniques. But as Sonic found himself in the air, his body parallel with the stage floor, but a good few feet up he had forgotten to consider that Surge might be something far more dangerous, a grappler.

“Oops.” Sonic squeaked right before his head crashed into the ground and his neck bent at such an angle that Sonic thought it might snap before Surge finished the powerful suplex. Sonic felt needles in his spine as nerves exploded from the impact and he managed to roll over and see Surge standing above him. She was wreathed in stars. “Woah…” Sonic gurgled, a fog having taken over his brain.

“I’ve got you.” Surge hissed in his face as she yanked him by his collar closer. He got a closer look at her features from this distance. Her soft fur, the curve of her face, the striking look in her eye. Just…wow. Sonic wasn’t exactly sure what he would’ve said in response, being in total shock at the way the tenrec acted. He was, and there was no better way to say this–speechless.

But he didn’t have to respond. Because that’s when the chip triggered.

With Sonic’s collar still held in Surge’s fist, the massive curtains of the stage were ripped open, the wheels screaming as they revealed the massive emerald in all its glory, the chip sputtering before beaming out a massive hologram. The image moved like a wave and spoke in a synthesized voice, audio bars blaring to the crowd.

“GREETINGS POWERFUL OF THE WORLD. I WELCOME YOU ALL TO YOUR NIGHT OF FESTIVITIES AND MUTUAL GRANDSTANDING. ANOTHER YEAR OF BODIES PILING UP TO FORM YOUR PEDESTALS. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD. MORTALITY RATES FROM WORK RELATED INCIDENTS IS UP 7%. THE HOMELESS IS UP 5%. BANKRUPTCY 2%. AND YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT…SUICIDE RATES IS UP 12%. PEOPLE IN SUCH FRUSTRATION AND AGONY THAT THEY END THEIR OWN LIVES TO ESCAPE IT ALL. THAT DEATH IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE SOLUTION. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’VE MADE DEATH THE MOST DESIRABLE GOAL OF LIFE.” Surge had frozen as the speaker blared. This wasn’t graffiti. This was a call out. A threat and an unveiling all wrapped up in one. Surge’s eyes managed to slide out to the event’s guests and she saw a myriad of faces. Anger. Horror. Maybe even the occasional look of shame. All done up in lines across expressions like a twisted maze.

“POWER. GREED. YOU FEED THESE IDEAS BY CUTTING CORNERS AND EXPLOITING OTHERS. YOU BRIBE AND STEAL AND MAIM. YOU CUT THOSE DOWN, PIECE BY PIECE, TAKING PARTS OF THEIR LIVELIHOODS LIKE LIMBS. AND ONCE THERE’S NO MORE LIMBS TO TAKE? ONTO THE PYRE WE GO. MARTYRS OR FORGOTTEN ENTIRELY. ALL FOR YOUR POUND OF FLESH.” The voice paused, a slight breath, painfully long and drawn out. The voice was taking pleasure in the suspense, the unknown that put fear into the party goers. “SO NOW WE’LL BE TAKING THE POUND OF FLESH BACK.” Surge sensed the panic in the people, and she even felt it in her own body. What was this voice about to do? Sonic worked for this kinda person? Maybe she really did misjudge him. “12%. SUICIDE IS UP 12%. SO, WE’LL TAKE 12% OF YOUR WEALTH. CASH, STOCKS, OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS, COMPANY SHARES, LAND, ALL OF IT. BY TOMORROW MORNING 12% OF WHAT YOU OWN WILL FLOW INTO THE POCKETS OF THOSE YOU’VE CUT DOWN.” The panic increased, people were talking animatedly amongst one another, eyes shifting with uncertainty. Phones were yanked into pockets and screens buzzed as people shouted and talked, it would only be a moment before total chaos unfolded.

And Sonic wasn’t going to let that moment go to waste. Bringing his right knee up, he slammed it into Surge’s gut, the tenrec’s eyes bulging as she coughed and dropped Sonic’s shirt. The hedgehog landed on his back and crab walked backward as Surge stumbled onto her hands and knees. She looked up at Sonic through a haze of spots, but Sonic couldn’t let her get him. His face hardened before he slammed his shoe into the front of Surge’s head, knocking her back onto her side. A pang of hurt shot through the inside of Sonic at seeing her crumple on the ground.

An instant later, Sonic was on his feet and rushing off into the party goer’s chaos. People were running to and fro now. Bodyguards screaming for calm. People shrieking in confusion. Exits flooding. Sonic looked once more back at Surge and saw her already getting up. She was seriously tough. Sonic smiled at that, good to know it was hard to keep her down. And then he melted into the crowd.

The booming voice pulled Surge fully back into consciousness.

“ENJOY THE PARTY. AND WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.” Surge’s vision doubled and tripled. But she breathed, calming herself and taking stock of the situation. Sonic. Where was Sonic? Her eyes scanned the crowd for his deep cobalt quills. But the hall had dimmed in the chaos and people were moving too fast now. She glanced at the emerald and spotted the chip on it, which now with its message completed, sparked and died. It gave a final fizzing pop before falling off and landing on the ground.

Getting back on her feet, Surge shot over and snatched it up before rushing off to find Sonic. The tenrec blasted out the side door, shoving random party goers and people with too many names as she rounded the corner and went for the front. If he was trying to escape, he’d blend in with the crowd before disappearing into a side street.

Surge made it to the front and saw the flood spill out onto the street. The night lit up with police vehicles and the sirens joined the screams. Surge tried to make out any sign of the hedgehog. She ran to the center of the road and did a 360. Come on. He had to be somewhere!

And then her comm fizzled back to life.

“S-Su-r-rgeee?” Kit’s scattered voice crackled in her ear.

“Kit?” Surge put a finger to her ear.

“Y-yeah. Looks li-i-i-i-ke were almost b-back online.” The fennec’s voice cleared slowly. “What happened?”

“I was gonna ask you that…” Surge gave a sigh as she tilted her head back to the night sky. Sonic…was long gone. Kit gave a tired sigh from the other end.

“We just found out why Shadow failed this mission…personally. It uhh…didn’t go great here. Actually it went really bad. How ‘bout you?” Surge had never heard this level of devastation from the fennec. She was pretty sure she had it bad with the shoeprint on her face, but it sounded like Kit had his favorite pet stomped on.

“Shitty. I got my head slammed a few times and I lost Sonic. Oh, and there’s panic in the streets.”

“Ouuuughhhh.” Kit groaned and Surge sympathized. Kit’s head hit his desk and he covered his eyes. “We’re so fucking fired.” Surge didn’t say anything. She was too busy focused on the sky, hoping Sonic might reappear in it. She really really needed a win, right now. “Umm…hey Surge?”

“Yeah, Kit?”

“That uhh, that alarm you told me to set? It’s going off.” Already? No…no it couldn’t be. Today was…shit. And just when Surge thought it couldn’t get any worse.

“Fuck.” The tenrec swore. She raised her hand and looked at the chip. Mostly melted, pretty damn fried. But on the back of it was a little insignia. A pair of tails raised up mid flick. Hmm. Well at least they’d have something to talk about.

“You want me to reset it?” Surge didn’t answer for a moment, thumb casually rubbing the edge of the chip. The one Sonic touched… “Surge?”

“Hmm?” Surge’s head snapped up, remembering where she was. “Oh, yeah. Yeah. Look. I’m heading home for tonight. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. I love going to work just to get fired.” Kit grumbled as he started shutting down his systems for the day. Ready to go home and stare at the ceiling till he passed out from exhaustion.

“Look on the brightside, Kit. We’re getting fired together.” Surge snickered. Kit just groaned.

Chapter Text

A single note alarm went off announcing the opening of the barred door. Surge adjusted herself on the metal seat. Its chain link design allowing for just the absolute most uncomfortable seating imaginable.

Surge looked up and saw him enter, accompanied by a pair of guards. His wrists and legs were chained together only allowing for a small shuffle, but the man managed an eager wave, accompanied by an overly broad smile. Surge felt her stomach do a little flip flop of revulsion. The pair of guards, each clearly subsisting on a diet of whey protein and steroids, practically squeezed the man into the bench across from the table Surge sat at. He gave a slight grunt, but showed no other signs of protesting. He turned his face toward the two massive guards and grinned.

“Alonzo, Stephen. Thank you for carrying me out.” He said, his voice too sickly sweet. Like molasses left out in the sun too long. The two guards merely sneered at the man before stepping away, leaving Surge alone with the man in the visiting room. “Don’t mind them. Alonzo’s got a baby on the way and poor Stephen’s little boy isn’t doing too well in school…” Then the man leaned over as best he could, putting a hand to the side of his bill. “...cheating.” Surge leaned away, trying to get her body under control.

“Look, Doc–”

“Up bup bup!” The man stopped her. “Remember the terms of my plea deal!” There was almost a sing songiness to his words. Over eager and far too smug. Someone that lost, but was taking everyone down with him in order to get the last laugh.

“Look…” Surge gritted her teeth and swallowed her pride. “Look, dad.” Surge addressed the platypus before her.

Sitting at an age just past 60, the mad scientist Dr. Starline was well and truly Surge’s father(she’d done a disappointing DNA test). Unfortunately whereas most father’s worked to protect their daughters from the looks of boys and coddle them, Dr. Arthur Starline had sought to torture his daughter with experimental tests to turn her into some kind of super-powered hero. When Surge turned 16 she managed to escape the man and got to the police.

When they finally believed her story, a SWAT team busted down the door of her home to find the mad doctor having tea…while he cleaned scalpels. Dr. Starline was quickly arrested and Surge thought that would finally be the end of her nightmarish childhood. Until more about the Doctor’s experiments was discovered.

Dr. Starline wasn’t just an abuser of Surge, he was also a criminal mastermind, funding his experiments with mob money, drug trade, weapons dealing and even organ theft. The doctor was evil, but he was evil with connections. The state made him an offer. Time off his sentence to out his accomplices.

The doctor made a counter offer.

That, plus, once a month, Surge had to come visit him so he could ‘catch up’ with her. Surge had protested, vehemently. But the state begged her. The people they could help if Starline gave up names. She didn’t know these people, she just wanted her nightmare dad out of her life. But eventually she gave in. And now once a month she had to look the man who tore her apart and put her back together again in the eye and tell him if she’d been dating anyone.

“Dad–” Surge wanted to throw up. “–I don’t care about your guards or your stupid prison life or who was stupid enough to drop the soap. I’m here to fulfill my obligation. Then I get out of here and try to wash off the scent of you as fast as fucking possible.” The platypus pursed his bill, looking at Surge with an unsatisfied look. But after a moment he threw up his hands.

“Alright! Cool. You don’t want to talk to your father. It’s not like I look forward to this every month. Like it’s the only thing keeping me going.” The platypus took a tired breath and Surge felt venom build in the back of her throat.

“I believe that your continued agonizing of me is the only thing keeping you alive, you old fuck.” The platypus narrowed his eyes and tilted his head at her confused.

“How old do you think I am? You know our family lineage actually has a history of long lives. Now are you going to continue to insult me, or can I actually hear about what’s going on in your life?” The doctor waved his hands eagerly at Surge, clearly not hurt by her insult. Surge groaned and sighed.

“I…I dunno. Not much is different.” The platypus gave her an unimpressed frown. “Fuck! I dunno. I tried cooking a brisket last week. I burnt it…”

“You never could cook. I tried to teach you.”

“Was that before or after you ripped out my nerves?”

“I put those back! Just like everything!”

“Yeah, my mental state’s perfect.” Surge snapped at him.

“My work is impeccable! There’s not a scar to be found on you! I would never damage you!”

“Damage…like I’m a fucking doll.”

“You are my doll.” The doctor tried to reach for her and Surge launched to her feet.

“STAY THE FUCK BACK!” She hissed, her fur standing on end, the lightest hum in the air.

“Okay…” Arthur Starline put up his hands in surrender. “Okay…I’m staying put. Don’t…don’t run off. Please.” Surge breathed heavily, her adrenaline coursing through her veins. It told her to run. To punch his lights out and run for the hills. But Surge breathed through it. Remembered the outside world. Where she could go and he would never see again.

Surge sat back down…slowly and the hum began to die on the air. So very slowly, ready for the seat to be blazing hot and she would bounce away once more. But it wasn’t. And the only part of Starline that moved was his eyes, tracking her as she lowered herself down.

“How…how are your powers?” Starline’s voice was soft. Not sickly sweet or smug for once.

“I don’t have powers…dad. I just…I’m a magnet for static electricity. That’s it.”

“My records also show you’re 12% stronger, faster and more resilient than before.”

“Don’t take credit for that. Just don’t.” Starline didn’t respond. “I’m…doing fine. Going to work. Soccer on Thursdays. I’m…gonna go see a concert next weekend. I’m doing…stuff.

“How is…work?” Starline’s fingers flicked up on the last word. A note of interest. A slight lean forward in his posture.

“You know I can’t talk about it.”

“No no. Of course not.” Starline shook his head. “My daughter, big bad agent of G.U.N. Doing secret spy missions to save the world. It’s not like…I’m proud of her or anything.” Surge didn’t respond. She didn’t dare give him the satisfaction. “But…you are being safe, aren’t you? I’m all for you saving the world but I don’t want you hurt.”

“Because that’d damage me?” It was a taunt Surge gave, a twitch of her shoulders in the process. Starline’s eye twitched and she could see his own rage begin to boil up.

“Fine. Go. You’ve filled your obligation. I’ll see you next month.” The doctor grunted and began to stand. Surge felt something in her pocket. It felt heavier than normal, weighing on her.

“Wait.” Starline froze. Since this arrangement had began, Surge had never once asked his to wait before leaving. The doctor turned back his eyes very wide, Surge had caught him completely by surprise. The doctor quickly sat back down, leaning closer to Surge. The tenrec reached into her pocket and pulled out the fried disc. She slid it over to the doctor and his eyes widened.

“Oh…how did you get this past security?” There was a smirk on his face as he quickly snatched the disc, gripping it tight in his palm.

“G.U.N. Agent.” Surge responded. “Now what is it?” Starline grumbled at her response, but straightened in his seat, before hunching over the device examining it closely. He flipped it over in his hands, attention close to it. Surge wasn’t sure if this was entirely his process or just a way to make sure no guard spotted the disc. “Well?” Surge grunted and Starline’s eyes slid up for an instant. They quickly slid back, the platypus not caring to respond. Surge shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the silence between the two of them somehow more uncomfortable than the yelling.

“Intriguing…” Starline said after a while. Surge leaned forward to hear more and Starline’s eyes looked up once more. He was enjoying her attention and she knew it. But she had to know what Sonic was up to. “It’s a transmitter. It simply displays image and sound.”

“Yeah, I got that part. It made an image of a creepy wave file that scared a bunch of fat cats.” Surge told him.

“Did it now?” Surge blew past the shiver she got from Starline’s smile.

“Can anything be retrieved from it? Like data and shit?” Starline’s tilt of a head and nondescript grumble did not give Surge confidence.

“I’m afraid not. It also appeared to have a small exothermic reaction in it. Something to completely melt the data chip into slag after having displayed its message.” Surge’s head fell.

“So it’s useless.”

“I wouldn’t say that, my dear.” Starline lifted the disc once more into her eye line, the tiny cylinder like a tiny peephole in a door they were looking through. “The software may be gone, but the hardware remains. A lot can be learned from the construction of such a device.” Surge straightened and crossed her arms, waiting for Starline to elaborate. “Come now. Walk yourself through it. I taught you to think critically.” Surge narrowed her eyes.

“Are you going to help or not?”

“I think helping my daughter by teaching her to help herself is, well, helpful.” Starline gave a tilt of his hand, that smug smile back. Surge didn’t want to engage, but her brain itched, maybe she couldn’t get specifics about the disc, but general ideas weren’t lost.

“Whoever made this is…super smarty.” Starline gave a grunt that said: sufficient.

“Incredibly intelligent, yes. They put a holographic projector, a transmitter, 3D image storage, and a tiny explosive all in a device the size of a nickel. That requires a host of skill sets.” Starline told her.

“So, what? This person is rich enough to fund this creation? Or it’s multiple people?” Surge leaned forward once more, feeling herself sucked back in. Starline gave an uninterested shrug.

“Perhaps. But why would a rich individual try to ‘scare’ other rich individuals? Why not outright exploit them? And if many are involved, that would require a larger organization, one that G.U.N. would be more than well aware of, no?” Starline let the disc roll between his fingers as he spoke to Surge, her mind absorbed in the problem. “I think your initial guess is more accurate. Someone is, how did you put it? ‘Super smarty?’” There was a twitch of Starline’s grin. “I think whoever made this is a single, driven individual with an extremely high IQ. One with the planning, knowhow, and design to create it.” Surge’s eyes went from the disc up to Starline’s eyes. They’d halted there smugness and gained a distance, he was fading into a time before all this…exactly where Surge wanted him.

“Who would have those skills? Did you…know anyone like that…dad?” Surge choked out the word, but saw the effect it had on Starline. A bead of sweat at his temple. Whatever his true reasoning was, it seemed like he really wanted to be Surge’s father. She could use that.

“Per…perhaps…” Starline coughed and slid the disc back over to Surge, where she put her palm over it and tucked it back into her pocket. “But…but…” Suddenly Starline straightened and seemed to realize himself. “But no.” Starline said with confirmation and Surge narrowed her eyes at him. “I mean it, honest. There was…someone. But he’s long gone and more than that…that device is…” Starline searched for the word. “...energetic. It’s bright, flashy, gives off a spark as it were. If we were dealing with…him…then the device would be a lot more…sterile. I think whoever this is…they’re someone new. Someone young. Someone interested in fighting against the ‘power’ as it were.” Surge gave Starline a hard stare, but the platypus remained unwavering, steady.

“Alright. Thanks.” Surge stood and backed up before turning around, feeling Starline’s eyes on her as she knocked on the barred door for exit. “See you around…” Surge felt the bile in her throat, but said it anyway. “...dad.”

…

Sonic leapt the concrete barrier of the construction zone and directly into traffic. Not his best plan, but when you’re fifteen and it's either that or an angry deli counter owner wielding a cleaver, you take the less–I’m about to get one hell of a quill-cut option. The cars squealed and honked, a flurry of faces and shaking fists to his sides, the pissed pig screaming at him from behind as he got caught up in the tarps and walls and barriers of the construction zone, the beating of Sonic’s own heart and the fast pace of his breath. A cyclone of sounds that sent Sonic’s adrenaline into his body like a broken faucet.

He should be scared right now. He was pretty sure most kids didn’t deal with this kinda stress on a daily basis. He should be thinking about school or something probably. But right now? In that moment between the next breath and being street paste…Sonic was smiling.

He was an adrenaline junkie, that was for sure. To be on the brink of nothingness and experiencing everything life had to offer? Best feeling in the world, hands down.

Sonic made it to the other side of the street, hands on his knees as he panted, feeling his breath try to come back to him. He looked down and felt the rough fabric of the brown paper bag in his right hand, clutched so tightly that the paper was wearing thin from the strain. Sonic straightened and looked forward, examining the six lane road he’d just sprinted across, traffic starting to rush back into the river; it was now that he’d stopped breaking through it like a stone. The pig was still on the other side, having now spotted him. He swore at Sonic but the beeping of the cars made for a natural censor. Sonic gave a two fingered salute at the pig before turning away with a laugh.

Sonic ran for four more blocks before trusting that he wouldn’t be found. No one gave him more than a cursory look as he did so, the bustling people of Station Square can’t be bothered with another skinny kid in falling apart sneakers. They had jobs to get to and appointments to make and whatever else adults did. All of which made it cake for Sonic to blend in, merge with the hustle and bustle and squeeze himself out into a side alley. Placed between a chinese food restaurant and a long derelict dry cleaner, it was every street in the city and none of them.

And a perfect place for Sonic to come down from his runner’s high. With a laugh and a smile, Sonic slammed his back against the wall of the dry cleaner’s and slowly slid down the wall, feeling the power of that run slowly drain from him. Tiredness seeped into his bones and hunger began to gnaw at his stomach. He took some more breaths feeling his heart begin to slow and a sensation began to eat at his brain. And with it all…a thought.

What are you doing?

Sonic gritted his teeth and ignored the thought, slamming his hand into the brown paper bag to pull out his prize. Roast beef piled high, melty cheese that dripped down his hand and seeped into the fabric of his already heavily stained glove, sauerkraut that dug into his nose and nestled into his brain, bread, thick and crisp. It was a risk filled meal, but it was–so going to be worth it.

Sonic had no idea.

It was the eyes. The eyes! Sonic was pretty sure if he’d never seen those eyes, his world would be a lot less complicated. Responsibility, accountability, and his future would’ve been so different. If he had them at all.

But they’d stared at him. A pair of baby blues. So wide and so big they practically glowed in the shadow of the Chinese food place’s dumpster. There was the flick of a tail, orange and white, it looked like it was a fluffy creamsicle.

Sonic carefully put the sandwich back in the bag and sat against the wall, staring back at the shadows which had pulled the eyes back into its darkness. His face tightened and his eyes narrowed. Sonic felt the pulse of adrenaline once more through his body. But it was forced this time, shoved through in a way that was almost painful.

“Alright. Who’s there? Are we gonna have beef?” The shadows and their eyes gave no response. “I’m serious. C’mon out. If this place is yours I’ll dip, but I won’t have anyone waiting to jump out at me as I’m trying to eat a frickin’ reuben.” There was a beat of silence. Then the eyes appeared again. So wide and blue and innocent.

As the shadows peeled away Sonic got a better look at the orange fox. He was small but his face held age that it shouldn’t. His fur, probably soft and silky when taken proper care of, was matted with stains and what Sonic feared was blood. He was little more than skin and bones, ribs visible through his small body. He couldn’t have been more than six, but he looked so worn down. The fragile innocence in his eyes a second away from being flipped into something more feral.

But it wasn’t anything Sonic hadn’t seen before.

“Geez kid. Don’t go hiding out in the shadows like that, you’ll give people the creeps.” The fox boy said nothing. Sonic didn’t really expect him to anyway and he was hungry, the hedgehog dipping his hand back into the bag and pulling out his sandwich. He brought it up to his mouth and–

Those fuckin’ eyes.

“Kid. Scram.” Sonic waved a hand at the fox, hoping to shoo him like some far too interested pigeons. The fox did not move. Sonic sighed. “C’mon kid, get outta here. There’s a shelter a few blocks up. They won’t turn away someone like you.” Again, the fox didn’t move. Sonic went again to bite into his sandwich and– “Dude–seriously. Leave.” Sonic glowered at the fox who did not even really respond to Sonic. Sonic then noticed something else about him. A twitchiness. A shake in his whole body. This fox. This…child.

He wouldn’t make it the few blocks up to a shelter. Right now…in that moment…

Sonic was the only person in the world that could help him.

The adrenaline left Sonic completely and he crumbled in on himself. When he raised his head once more, his green eyes met blue and he talked to the fox.

“If I give you my sandwich, you have got to stop staring at me with those giant peepers, okay?” The fox gave no indication that he heard him, or anything at all really, but Sonic thought he noticed a flicker of movement in the fox’s eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes. Alright, here ya go.” Sonic tossed the sandwich to the fox and watched as it bounced once on the ground and coming partially undone. Sonic was about to mourn the loss of a perfectly good meal when the fox pounced.

He stuffed it into his face like a wild animal, all hands and teeth. The fox tore into it like it was the last decent meal he’d gotten…ever.

“Uh…good sandwich?” Sonic swallowed hard and tried to back up further into the wall, not sure how solid the content between the fox’s ears were. The fox didn’t respond beyond guttural sounds of teeth and chewing. Which did give Sonic a chance to take in the fox further, or rather what he had.

Something gleamed dully beyond the fox. A thin box, bigger than the fox’s whole torso. A briefcase maybe? Sonic’s head tilted up and he tried to get a better view at it.

“Whatchu got there, little guy?” The fox twitched and those eyes turned on Sonic, the look of fear was unmistakable. But the fox wouldn’t respond with flight. His rail-thin body turned on the hedgehog and teeth were bared, a growl rose up from his tiny throat and those innocent eyes turned hostile. The fox’s fur stood on end, an attempt to look larger, all of which gave Sonic a look at something so much more interesting than a shiny box.

The fox had a second tail. It looked healthy, or at least as healthy as this kid could as a whole. It made movements in exact synchronicity with the first. They waved as a team, the two of them. But it wasn’t what anyone else had. Sonic could only figure it was a key feature in the series of events that led to this fox taking Sonic’s sandwich.

“Okay, okay. It’s yours. Whatever it is.” Sonic held his hands up in surrender and forced his body to relax. In doing so, it slowly passed onto the fox, who relaxed enough to finish off the sandwich, licking his fingers and mouth to get every possible morsel of food. Sonic tilted his head back until it hit the wall of the drycleaners.

He wasn’t done today. He had to keep moving, and hopefully find something else to eat.

But then the fox stood up, Sonic barely watching, as he stumbled over to the box and picked it up. And then he walked to Sonic, sitting down beside him.

“What the…?” Sonic asked, confused by the sudden change in the fox’s hostile behavior.

It was a laptop. A beat to shit, older than your grandma, held together by duct tape, laptop. But that’s what the box was. And the fox cradled it like it was made of gold. Sitting down beside Sonic, the fox opened the laptop lid, and began to dance across the keys with his fingers, words and letters and numbers flying across the screen. Sonic had no idea what was happening, but it was the most lively he’d seen the fox.

“Y’know you could sell that, right?” The fox stopped typing, his eyes shifting upward to Sonic. “Probably wouldn’t get a lot, but you could buy a decent meal and–” The fox began to growl again. Staring Sonic down. “Geez, okay! It was just a thought.” The fox continued to growl. “It’s important to you, alright…” The fox’s head turned back to the screen, apparently satisfied enough Sonic wasn’t going to try and hock his laptop for less money than the cost of a week old newspaper. “So important you’d rather starve than give it up…” Sonic shook his head and gave a laugh. “I don’t have anything like that…” Sonic’s laugh died on his tongue and his head hit the back of the wall again. “...I’ve never had anything like that…” The fox’s fingers slowed.

Turning his head once more, Sonic thought the fox was looking up at him again, but with a quick glance he was just looking at the bag once more.

“Look kid, I don’t have anymore food, okay?” The fox kept looking, nose sneaking closer to the bag, hand beginning to reach for it. “Kid. Seriously. No.” The hand reached further. “Stop.” Sonic told him, but this kid didn’t listen. That was going to be a problem. His fingers gripped the flimsy paper and Sonic yanked the bag away. The fox’s fingers clipped the edge and tore the bag, spilling its contents all over the ground.

$1991. The money from the deli's register.

“Brat.” Sonic hissed and the fox froze. Sonic, with a fearful haste yanked the money from the ground and stuffed it back into the remains of the bag, mumbling under his breath the entire time. He gripped it tighter, trying to hold it and the money together better. “Look what you did, Tails!” Sonic growled at the fox now.

The fox blinked. Confused.

“Y’know! Cause you–y’know?!” Sonic was trying to be angry, but he was tired and he was trying to fight off those eyes. “You got the…the cool extra tail…yeah…ugh…” Sonic rubbed his eyes together and stood. “Whatever, kid. I gotta go.” Sonic began to walk off, throwing up a hand to Tails as he walked away. “Hope you enjoyed the sandwich or whatever.” Sonic turned down the alley and tried to merge back into the crowd…but now he didn’t fit as well, something having changed.

But he was so focused on trying to merge once more with the crowd, he didn’t even notice the short little fox following him.

…

Blaze’s back was to Surge and Kit as they entered the room. She faced the office’s windows, gleaming beacons of rectangular light that faced the city that they all watched over. G.U.N. was a massive organization, stretching across the globe. This particular office sent agents all over the world, but here, in Station Square? Blaze never figured that home would be the source of any danger or frustration. And yet she was nursing a massive headache as the tenrec and fennec walked in.

The cat twisted her head just a bit, watching the two of them flounder in the too soft chairs, the leather fabric attempting to swallow them whole. Once they were thoroughly uncomfortable, Blaze turned to face them. There was definite fear on their faces. The wide eyes, the tight mouths, the way their fingers twitched, just at the tips.

“He’s called the Blue Blur. G.U.N. has been keeping an eye on him these last few years. Unfortunately, it’s rather blurry vision. All we get is the name: Sonic. Who–for the record–doesn’t exist in any state, federal or international database. He works alongside a kind of sidekick hacker. Who’s alias–Tails–has been linked to various mass data breaches in both governmental and private organizations. The two form a dangerously effective team. Sonic brings a speedy, unpredictable chaos. And Tails opens all the doors for Sonic to barge into. They’ve never been stopped. And for the most part, G.U.N. hasn’t been particularly interested in stopping them. They’re dangerous, but they haven’t proven themselves to be a problem…” Blaze groaned. “Until a few nights ago…” Blaze stared the both of them down, they wouldn’t look up at her. “Their disturbances have been minor. Calls for reform written in window light. Leaked data of government personnel scandals. Nothing that couldn’t be swept under the rug or lasted longer than a news cycle or two. What just happened cannot be swept under the rug. Many are calling it a statement of change…” Surge looked up at Blaze finally. “...and some are calling it terrorism.” Surge snorted. What happened that night wasn’t terrorism. It was just a bunch of complaining fatcats that someone shined a light on them to peel back their layers at the cockroach beneath. “No matter what it was–” Blaze’s lips peeled back. “I have to treat it as the worst case scenario…and how you responded to it…” Surge flinched and Kit began to shake.

Blaze needed them scared. Scared was how they double and triple checked things. Scared was how they trusted that voice in the back of their minds to be careful. Scared was how she kept her agents alive.

“Mass hysteria. Property damage. Reckless endangerment. Asset failure. Possible total and complete loss of security and privacy.” Blaze hissed out the last words and directed them at Kit. From the corner of her eyes, the cat watched as Surge leaned forward, her fear momentarily replaced by anger. An automatic desire to protect her handler. Normally it went the other way around, but Blaze knew that just like with Amy and Shadow, protective instincts on both sides made for a better team.

But it didn’t mean the two of them were in deep deep shit.

“And none of that’s counting the shit storm of angered guests and ‘emotional damage’ calls I’ve received in the last 24 hours.” Blaze directed her gaze back at Surge and the tenrec leaned back into the chair, ready for it to consume her. “And it’s not the first time with you two.” Blaze then placed her fingers to the desk, and applied pressure, ready to pounce at them like, well, a cat. “But I do intend for it to be the last.”

“Blaze…” Surge began but all it took was a look from the cat to shut her up.

“I…recognize that this mission spiraled out of expected parameters, but the failure to adapt, contain and neutralize the damage cannot be looked past. You are G.U.N. Agents for Chaos’ sake! And some of the best too! This was an unmitigated disaster and all the two of you did was make things worse!”

“That’s not–”

“NO! I am talking now! You two will shut up or I will have you forcibly removed from this office, this classification, hell this whole damn city if need be! You will learn to be responsible adults because for the LIFE OF ME I CAN’T FIND ONE GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN’T FIRE THE BOTH OF YOU?!” Blaze was screaming now. Both Surge and Kit’s ears back. They’d fucked up. They’d been fucked up. By all rights, they should be fired. Sentenced to a life in the fast-food industry, if not prison. But Surge could barely focus on the reasons why she wanted to keep this job. The way Starline had just given her a knowing look of disappointment. The way Kit had looked so sullen.

She could only picture Sonic’s grinning smile. How she wanted to see it again. Because she wanted to confront it. There had been too much in the air that night. Oxygen felt like it’d burned to ozone. She’d…felt something in his presence. But she couldn’t be sure what. Not adrenaline-fueled interaction. No…she needed to see him again. And she couldn’t do that if she was fired.

“Because you need us.”

“What?” Blaze sounded like she barely heard Surge, the woman’s chest rising and falling heavily, eyes burning pinpricks.

“More specifically, you need someone to take this guy down.” Surge lifted her head up to meet Blaze’s gaze and saw hesitation. The cat’s rage holding back enough to let logic go through for a moment. Surge took the moment, she wouldn’t get another. “This guy infiltrated a party with some of the most important people in the world, he attacked a G.U.N. agent and he even was able to infiltrate and assault our systems where we keep extremely sensitive data. And you don’t want to go after him? Sure he’s mocking the rich now, but what happens if he wants something more? What happens when he becomes a hired assassin? Or collapses banks? Blaze…we fucked up. We really really fucked up. But this guy, this Blue Blur, he needs to get what’s coming to him.” Surge spread her arms and gave Blaze the most sincere look she could…surprisingly it wasn’t hard. She really wanted to find Sonic. “Let us try.” Blaze’s eye twitched, and then she closed them. The cat lurched upward and groaned, rubbing her eyes like a mote of dust had begun to excavate into them. Blaze moved around the desk and flopped into the chair, energy draining out of her.

“Ffffffine. Yes. Okay. The Blue Blur and Tails are a problem. We’ve left them on the back burner for too long.” Surge smiled and Kit picked his head up, shocked that he wasn’t about to get canned. “But!” Surge and Kit straightened. “You two are on a short short leash.” The two nodded. “I want constant updates. Either of you so much as think about going down a path that I’m not anything but thrilled by, you’re fired–” A finger directed at Kit. “–and you’re gonna learn what a secretary does for a living and then hire one for me and become their secretary.” A finger at Surge. More nods from the two of them. After glaring at the two of them for a moment longer, Blaze let out a sigh and deflated further. “Alright, now get out of my sight. I don’t want to look at you for the rest of the day.” Kit and Surge scrambled from their seats, jostling each other to get to the door first. “And talk to Shadow. He’s the only other person who’s ever seen this guy.”

Kit got to the door first, but that was mostly because Surge’s feet had become frozen in place. Shadow…the best agent not only in this division, but this whole chaos-damn agency. And he couldn’t catch Sonic. What chance did Surge and Kit have?

As Blaze watched Surge and Kit leave she couldn’t help but notice the way they walked. Surge’s brazen confidence, Kit’s cautious observation. What was that saying about fighting fire? Blaze could only hope the whole world didn’t end up scorched.

…

“Kit, I really need you to look at this.” Surge had told him as he’d been walking out the door.

“Surge we almost got fired. And there’s still a chance we’ll get fired.” Kit told her as he packed up his bag, throwing his laptop, water bottle and other effects inside. He slung the messenger bag over his shoulder and walked past her. “I need to take a moment outside of work.”

“This is all the more reason to focus up!” Surge told him.

“I am focusing up! I’m focusing on Kit. Kit’s taking the afternoon to not explode. Kit’s taking the afternoon to get his head on straight. Kit’s taking the afternoon to go see a really cute guy he met online."

“Any news on when Kit will stop talking in the third person?” Surge cocked a hip and the fennec felt his blood pressure rise.

“Surge. I’ve cancelled on this guy twice already. By some miracle he’s still interested in seeing me. And don’t forget I cancelled because the mission couldn’t wait even though I told you to…repeatedly. So now I need you to listen to me? Okay?” Surge’s jaw shifted. “Please?” Surge had groaned, tilted her head back, and then forward. The world’s most awkward nod.

“I guess I can talk to Shadow first, see what he–”

“Great! I’ll see you tomorrow Surge. I promise I’ll put my attention all the way back onto you, you big diva.” Kit moved into the elevator, Surge still followed him for a moment, her jaw agape. Kit pressed the down button and the doors started to close as Surge’s brain restarted and she pointed a finger at her own surprised face.

“You’re risking us getting fired for a date and I’m the diva?!” The elevator doors shut.

That had been an hour ago and now as Kit waited at the coffee shop, latte between his hands, he wondered if he’d made a mistake. Not just with ditching Surge to see this cute, and let’s be clear super cute guy, but with working alongside her in general.

Surge was…pure chaos. She ignored him half the time, and the other half the time she was incessantly passive-aggressive! Like a moody teenager she could barely do what he fucking told her without an eye roll! It’s not like he was there to help her. Or to guide her on the best course of action. Or give here fucking everything in order to succeed.

Horse to water and all that…

Why couldn’t she just take a single quenching sip? No. Everything had to be difficult. Why was he partnered with her in the first place? If Kit wanted to think about mistakes he just wished he could identify the one that got him saddled with the prone-to-punching tenrec.

Kit noticed he was clutching his latte too tightly, the paper cup starting to push inward, the rich colors of the coffee bubbling up like an overpriced caffeine enriched geyser about to spew.

Kit forced himself to relax, his shoulders going back to some sense of normalcy, his breath returning to a steady pace. This-was not the mood to meet Miles in.

A couple minutes later the aforementioned cute boy arrived. Deep baby blues that held both mystery and youth and innocence all in one. Something Kit lacked in his day-to-day job where secrets were spilled about old codgy men struggling to hold onto any semblance of power through the worst possible means. But it wasn’t just the eyes. Ohhh no. This boy was the whole package.

High school chess team into Station Square University on a robotics scholarship where he double majored in applied computer programming. He had a boxy head, but it was soft at the corners, a touch of fat that made him look more like a huggable pillow than a sharp cube. Tall ears perked up, rotating this way and that, guiding the yellowy-orange and white fur around like a pair of radar dishes searching for the best creamsicle to match to.

The fox wasn’t super tall but neither was Kit and even at 5’ 6” he was still 3 inches over Kit. And that short form came with the added benefit of holding muscle in the arms so that Miles looked like someone ready to throw out a coiled haymaker and then bat those baby blues at you.

“H-Hey! Kit? Right? Good to meet you-u.” Oh. Oh my gosh he was nervous too. Fuck he was cute. Kit was ready to curl up on his chest and nibble at those perked ears.

Okay. Woah. Hold back Kit. No need to scare him off.

“Thank you.” Kit finally responded, a tilt of a head that he hoped showed off a slightly mysterious smile, trying to draw Miles in. “It’s good to meet you too, Miles.” Miles gave a nervous smile, the corners of his cheeks bouncing with twitches. The fox sat and ran a hand through his bangs, three flicks of fur that pointed outward like the indicator of which way the fox looked. “Thanks for agreeing to seeing me. I…” Kit thought for a moment, but decided his pride wasn’t worth blowing this. “...apologize for blowing you off twice before.” Miles’ smile forced itself wider. It no longer looked natural, but from what Kit was seeing, Miles had forgotten how to be natural.

“Oh–OH! It’s–it’s cool!” Miles told him. “Honestly, I was–was pretty nervous to see you–” News to me. Kit smirked internally. “–I uhh, don’t do a lot of online dating.” Miles whispered it like it was a secret. Like several million hadn’t discovered that dating was a nerve-wracking shit show that hopefully went down better through an illuminated rectangle of left and right swipes. Still, Kit gave an empathetic shrug and found his gaze back down at his latte.

“Me neither.” A half-truth. Kit did a ton of swiping left and right on his phone. Eyes tracking hundreds of different guys that strutted about on beaches and boats and bars and clubs. Laughing with friends and showing off their muscles and commenting about how ‘wild’ they could be. Kit often imagined himself in those photos, getting drunk alongside them. Falling into their arms and never being let go.

But the actual talking? Over text? Not much. And in person? Now that was a funny joke. This was the first actual date Kit had gone on in a year, seven months, and sixteen days…not that Kit was counting.

“And…I’m kinda surprised you were interested in meeting me.” Kit found himself saying sheepishly. Wishing he’d had some of the ‘I’m chasing you’ confidence he’d had just a moment ago. Miles tilted his head, his confusion evident as his ears gave a little bounce and Kit had to resist the urge to squee like a middle school girl. “I uh…cancelled on you twice. Figured that was that.”

“Oh.” Miles’ ears perked up for an instant once more, his posture straightening. He shimmied a little in his chair, not quite finding it comfortable. “I…understood. I guess? You said your coworker needed some help as soon as possible–” Which was true, Kit just figured Miles had no idea it was with stopping a gun runner’s shipment. “–and I know what that’s like. My…coworker–” Miles paused on the word, biting briefly at his lower lip and Kit sensed that the word was insufficient. Kit supposed ‘coworker’ was insufficient to describe Surge either at this point. “–is pretty chaotic. Like…when he gets an idea–”

“–Everything has to drop in order to work around it?” Kit finished, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Miles did a tiny little double take, then a grin slowly spread across his face.

“Heh…yeah.” The fox sighed. There was acceptance in the exhalation. But also fondness. That the frustration could not, would not outweigh what had been built. It was curious to Kit.

“Well, thanks for meeting me anyway. I’m glad we could find the time.” Kit finally spoke after a full 10 seconds. He’d taken a long slow sip of his latte and was mulling over what Miles had said. So…they had something in common.

“What are you drinking?”

“Hmm?” Kit had all but missed what Miles had said, his eyes flicking up to those baby blues and the fennec almost fell in.

“Yo-our drink. It s-smells good.” The fox’s tails moving back and forth in a swift wag. Wait…Kit did a double take but came to a sudden conclusion. Eyes widening, the fennec saw that Miles had not one, but two white tipped tails. They moved in unison bobbing to the left before swiping over to the right and back. They were almost hypnotic the way they moved, one conducting the other. It wasn’t until Miles spoke that Kit realized he’d been staring too long.

“Oh…I get it. Umm, bye I guess.” Miles slid back the chair and Kit’s head snapped up, the man standing, but his head low. Kit got a glimpse of those eyes again, but the innocence and mystery was gone. It was replaced by a dejection and self-loathing. A kind of twisted expectancy that told Kit Miles had been through this before and that leaving now was his best option.

“It’s a latte.” Miles paused, head turning just a little to see Kit clearer, maroon meeting blue.

“What?” Miles’ voice was stern, but not outright hostile. Possibly surprise, possibly disbelief.

“It’s just a latte.” Miles’ face flickered, the dejection not quite got, but put on hold. The blue eyes flitted around. From Kit to the latte to the counter of the coffee shop, like he was trying to decide if the latte was actually that good, or Kit was just trying to fill the void…multiple things could be true. “There’s a reason I chose this coffee shop.” Miles slowly slid back into his seat, gripping the edge of the chair and lowering himself back into it, his eyes fixed on Kit the whole time. Kit kept his eyes on Miles but he saw the tails in the periphery, poofed up slightly…scared. Kit wondered what was better. To ignore them, to brush them off or just…to call them out. “I like them.” Miles didn’t respond, but he didn’t leave either and Kit decided he should keep talking. “They look soft.”

“I…” Miles began, but he closed his mouth and coughed, his throat clearing. “I’ve got a conditioner I can recommend you.” Kit gave a small smile at that and saw Miles return it.

“Can I buy you an overpriced but really good latte?” The fennec asked.

“I’d like that.”

…

There was no easy way to say this–Shadow was sweating. Why the fuck was he sweating? Shadow had spent years of his life learning to control the so-called basic bodily functions. It was important when one spent hours to days on a roof waiting for the perfect shot to pull a trigger. To look completely at ease when bluffing your way into a restricted area. To pushing away the pain when the torture began. But now?

There was a small river of sweat running down his back. He thanked Chaos he was wearing a blazer or it would look like he’d taken a very peculiar dip in a pool. Shadow told his brain to stop dumping adrenaline into his body and turn down the apocrine glands that were triggering under the bizarre fight or flight response. He wasn’t in danger. He’d been in far far more danger than this.

This was just a date with Amy Rose. His partner. Quite possibly his best friend. And the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid his eyes on.

Shadow had been…aware of the rose’s beauty from when she was first assigned to him. Her bright smile, the kind eyes, the way she seemed ready to give a hug before he even knew that he needed one. Not that he’d let her get that close in the early days. No, he’d kept her at a distance. She’d appeared so…fragile to him. Everything about her was so soft. Her form, her eyes, her heart. Shadow was constantly concerned that something would happen to her, even if she was always on the other end of an audio connection.

But as time went on he began to see a strength in it. She wasn’t merely soft, but tough. Harsh words rolled off her, she moved with the punches, finding alternate solutions that he’d never think of. He remembered so clearly the time she’d coordinated a protest for a faux dam in order to give him a crowd just to get away. Shadow had to hide a smile as he walked through the crowd, a woman shouting to, ‘save the ducks!’ as he’d slipped away from several large angry looking mercenaries. It was just one of the few times she’d saved his life.

Shadow was strong…but he’d found he could be brittle. When things went wrong, when his plan failed he’d…frozen. His brain trying to compensate for the incalculable variables and locking up like a piece of gummed up machinery. It had been Amy’s voice that pulled him out of it. That got him one solution, then the next, and the next until everything worked out okay.

Shadow’s…affection for her had grown by the day. The way her voice soothed in his ear, like he was hearing the sounds of the most wonderful spring day even while trudging through a sewer. Shadow had tried to work up the courage to ask her out a half dozen times, but each time his brain did that frustrating lock up and this division of G.U.N.’s best agent found himself totally tongue-tied.

And of course, Amy had proven to be tougher than he was and asked him out. To which he’d promptly declined and told her it wasn’t appropriate for field agent and handler to date.

Idiot.

Amy had quickly called his bluff. She’d seen him get nervous around her and somehow sensed he wanted to ask her out. Shadow had flinched and Amy had only laughed. They’d only worked for a while at the time and yet she’d already figured him out. The best agent read like a children’s book. It was a little embarrassing…and comforting.

Shadow would make many more attempts to ask her out and fail each time, his brain unable to calculate what he brought to the table that would interest this woman. His eyes caught on her silky pink quills, her plush lips and rounded curves. Her bright eyes that were solely directed at him. Like he was all that mattered in the world. The world’s most amazing woman’s attention all fixed on him…it was a surprising amount of pressure.

Amy would always ask if he would like her to ask him out. He’d made a foolish excuse each time. Something about working out, or preparing for a mission, or his apartment catching fire…which while false, almost happened as he was cooking dinner later and zoning out about how cowardly he’d been.

Around Shadow’s twelfth attempt Amy had stopped asking. Instead she’d done something different. She’d stood up from her chair and rose to her full height. A good half foot shorter than Shadow. She’d walked over to him and pointed at the ground–she wasn’t going to come up there, so he better come down here.

Shadow had squatted.

“When you’re ready. Take me to dinner. I’ll have waited for too long. I won’t accept anything less.” Shadow’s mouth had been hanging open from the moment she’d walked over to him and gotten so close he could practically taste her strawberry shampoo on the air. But he managed a simple nod. “Good. For now, this’ll have to do.” And Amy kissed him. Not quite on the mouth…but not not on it either. Just to the left of his lips, between where cheek met the corner. A kind of tease perhaps. Shadow hadn’t known that Amy could be that cruel.

But her words had sat with him. Wormed into his brain and made it their home. He’d turned them over in his mind, examining each one. The inflection in her tone, the exact choice. What had she meant? What did she want? And Shadow always came to the same conclusion.

She had been dumbing it down for him. Amy wasn’t going to play games. So the very next time Shadow attempted to ask, he better fucking do it.

So he’d waited too. Put the boxes of his mind with all their undefined, swirling, chaotic emotions in their right spots. Collected the words of his heart and mind. Focused on what he wanted to do rather than getting it exactly perfect.

He wanted to go on a date with Amy, and that’s just what he asked her. She’d smiled so brightly.

But here? Now? Shadow’s brain was starting to lock up again. It had gotten to the ask Amy out part, and it was pretty confident that she’d say yes, but now that he was here? Shadow was starting to feel smoke come out of his ears.

And then she’d sat down. Wearing that dress! It was ruby red, something taken out of Dorothy's adventures, rhinestones and all. It was sleeveless of course, because Shadow wasn’t having enough distractions as it was, and reached down just above her knees. It wasn’t tight around her pink tight gripped legs…but not particularly loose either. A wondrous heart shape made up the bust, or perhaps that was just her own cleavage forming a valley that Shadow feared in only a primal part of his brain.

A black band hugged her middle and she wore similarly colored flats, a simple strap folding over the top with a little bow. Her make up consisted of a faint dusting of blush coated her cheeks and pastel pink lipstick, making Amy look all the more like the world’s attractive piece of cotton candy. She hadn’t done anything particularly different with her quills, which was fine, they were perfect already, but she had swapped out her normal red headband for a black one, completing her goth inspired black/pink mixture.

But her eyes were the standout. Those clear cut greens. Such a beacon in a storm. Shadow could be drowning in the blackest water and those eyes would shine right through. He’d swim up and find her waiting for him. A knowing, if slightly teasing smile on her face that said: How did you get yourself into a pickle this time Shadow? And he would say: I forgot to wait for you. And Amy would laugh and–

“Shadow? Shadow!” Amy snapped her fingers in his face and Shadow was yanked from his thoughts, which while chaotic and self-serving were still better than actually having to make real small talk with Amy fuckin’ Rose!

In reality…he could fuck up. Irreversibly.

“Hmm? Yes?” Shadow asked her, trying for an expression that said: I wasn’t zoning you, you were zoning out. Because trying to make Amy look foolish was how he was going to win her over…When Shadow got home after this disaster he was going to facepalm so hard he was going to have a dent in his skull the shape of his palm.

“I was wondering if you wanted to order some wine?” Oh, fuck yes. Finally, something he knew something about. Focus on a topic he understood. Steer clear of anything he didn’t. Shadow needed to show some fuckin’ competency.

“Yes. That sounds appropriate.” Shadow cringed at his own sterileness. This was a date, not a business meeting. “I did some research on this place before coming here. They have a lovely 19XX Rosé from the Southern Chao Valley. I’ve had my eye on trying it for a while and wanted to…” Amy was smiling at him. Why was Amy smiling at him? Did he have something on his face…oh fuck he did! What was it?! Shadow shifted uncomfortably in his chair as his eyes flicked around the restaurant for a close enough reflective surface that he could see what was smeared all over his face.

“Shadow!” Amy perked up and Shadow’s head snapped back to her. What just happened? “That’s so sweet of you!” It was? Had he said something? What was it that was ‘sweet?’ “It does sound ‘lovely.’” Amy deepened her voice on the last word and mimicked Shadow, her face making that of a wine snob, which in Shadow’s defence, he was.

Their waiter arrived, a tall, lanky meerkat in an ever so slightly ill-fitting suit who’s mustache was too small for how much wax was in it. He brought over a basket of fresh bread and Shadow ordered the wine. Amy perked up at the bread as their waiter departed.

“Oh I just love the bread at these kinds of places. So flavorful and varied!” Amy picked up a slice of sourdough, examining it before picking up the bread plate’s accompanying butterknife and pushing it through the butter. Amy slathered a smear of the yellow fat onto her bread and popped it into her mouth, her eyes closing and a smile forming on her face as she ate. “I’ve tried making it like this before, but I can never get it right!” Amy swallowed and a tiny frown formed on her face.

“You…bake?” Shadow asked, knowing full well she did. Amy was an incredible baker. Cookies, tarts, pastries of all manner and country of origin. It had helped lend to her softer figure. But her absolute favorite was strawberry shortcake. She’d started baking when she was five alongside her mother. It had mostly been a hobby as she’d grown up, putting out tiny bake sales along her street where a lemonade stand might go anywhere else. Amy had the chance to go professional and get into culinary school when…well…life got in the way.

“Shadow.” Amy stuck the dark hedgehog with another one of those knowing looks. “I know you know that I bake. I’ve told you a million times.” Amy shook her head at him, her quills doing a little dance around her face, flowing like waves on a beach.

“Oh. Right.” Shadow coughed into his fist. “I…must’ve forgot.” Amy tilted her head down at him and raised an eyebrow.

“Shadow. You have an eidetic memory.” Shadow felt the waterfall down his back turn into a flood. “Are you going to treat this like a date? Or a mission?” At this point? What was the difference? Shadow didn’t know how to ‘date.’ He knew how to strip a weapon in less than 5 seconds. He could kill a man 12 different ways with the blunted butterknife in Amy’s hand. He could drive any vehicle on the planet with wheels and most of the ones with rotors. But this…this was a whole new world. And he was a helpless child, grabbing for anything that made the nearest amount of sense.

“I…don’t think I know the difference.” Shadow admitted. He wanted to appear strong for her. Someone that she could rely on. But the truth was so much more clear. Amy let out a sigh. It was a heavy one, but Shadow detected a cocktail of different emotions in it. And he was relieved to discover that frustration was not the only one.

“Well, when it gets here, the wine will help.” Shadow only nodded. “But I want to know about you, Shadow. What you like, what you don’t. What your hopes and dreams are. Where you see yourself in five years. What you never want to become.

Amy. Most things that aren’t Amy. To wake up with her at his side and to go to sleep with his arms around her. Alive…alone…

“I’m…not sure.” Shadow told her. “That’s…a lot. I don’t know what to say about that.” Amy straightened in her chair and looked Shadow dead in the eyes.

“Shadow. What do you know about me?”

“I–”

“General overview. Go.” Amy commanded and Shadow went.

“You grew up in Station Square alongside your mother and father Athena and Albert Rose. You have two sisters Anna and Avery. You’re the youngest of the family and attended public school for the first 18 years of your life participating in everything from cooking club to pen pals. Your father passed away when you were 17. Terrible car collision–” Shadow paused for only an instant to read Amy’s face, but she seemed like she was barely paying attention, having grabbed another piece of bread and slathering it with another generous helping of butter. “–with two sisters in college and no income, you took it upon yourself to help the family because you care about people like I’ve never seen before. You worked various low paying side hustles before finding work at an emergency call center. Your helpful demeanor and resilience to various stressors shot you through the ranks until G.U.N. took notice of your call center’s response time and number of successful situations deescalated and reached out. You were hired and we began working together. You hate injustice, cruelty, liars and the very notion of hatred itself. You love strawberry shortcake and romcoms, the pitter patter of rain, blooming wildflowers and-”

Shadow finally took a breath.

“Shadow. Do you realize in that ‘overview,’ you had enough time for me to butter and eat an entire piece of bread? Chewed and swallowed? And I’m a slow eater. Amy put an elbow on the table and shot a glare over at Shadow, the dark hedgehog starting to sink into his seat. “Here’s what I know about you after working together for five years. Your name is Shadow. You’re normally soft spoken but have a commanding voice when it’s needed. You do things your way and use that ability to save lives. And you like lavender shampoo.”

Really? Shadow had let the shampoo thing slip? Then he flinched internally as he realized what Amy was getting at.

“I…suppose I’m not very open.” Shadow sunk lower into his seat, his normally perfect posture crumbling under this woman’s logic.

“I just–” The waiter returned with the wine. Offered Shadow a glance at its label. The hedgehog managed to tear his eyes from Amy and look at the bottle. He managed a first nod at the bottle. The waiter popped the bottle with an expert flick of a bottle opener as Amy looked directly at Shadow. Not glaring but…not not glaring either. The waiter poured out a splash into Shadow’s glass and Shadow moved on autopilot, the dark hedgehog’s hand swirling the glass robotically, the wine sloshing about. Despite its rose tinting, Shadow found it more akin to blood. The hedgehog took a sip, letting the liquid spread over his tongue and down the back of his throat.

It tasted like ash.

Shadow nodded at the waiter a second time and both wine glasses were filled. The waiter straightened and looked the two of them over.

“Have you considered the menu or would you like some–”

“I’ll have the crusted salmon with raspberry roulade and fig jam. And a small salad. Thousand island dressing. And there better be no cucumber–” Amy didn’t like cucumber, although Shadow knew that too. “He’ll have the mac and cheese.” Shadow blinked at her. The waiter stiffened, looking unsure.

“M-ma’am…that’s a children’s item…and for lunches only.” The waiter finally seemed to notice the tension between the two of them and Shadow commended him for either being brave or stupid when questioning Amy. Still, Shadow had caused this distress and decided to spare the man.

“I like mac and cheese just fine.” Shadow gave the waiter a nod and with a far too fast nod, the waiter receded, blending into the background as he folded under their requests.

“Oh? Do you? Or is that just part of your mission?” Shadow bristled, his anger starting to build in his chest. It tightened and spiked out at him, quills filling him both inside and out. How did he just talk to her? Like a normal fucking person? How did he tell her that he…

…that he was in love with her…

“Perhaps this…was a mistake.” Shadow’s head hung and he cursed himself for saying it. Coward. That’s what he was. Maybe it was good that he couldn’t tell her.

“Shadow…” Amy’s soft voice washed over him after a minute of silence. When Shadow raised his head he saw her large eyes looking at him apologetically. “I’m sorry. I was being a bitch.” Shadow practically scoffed at the very idea. “I just…I like you.” She…did? Him? Shadow the Hedgehog? Amy Rose liked…him? Shadow played back the clip in his head a few times, confirming it as the truth and yet he still wondered if it was somehow faked. “And when I like someone, I want to get to know them.”

“I’m…not very open.” Shadow repeated, wondering if it would mean anything more the second time around. Amy fixed him with that knowing smile once more.

“And I tried to be patient. For you to talk to me. For you to open up to me–” Amy leaned over the table and Shadow got a strong whiff of her perfume. He felt his heart accelerate as her lips got close to his. Their possible taste flashed through his mind. But it was as predictable as a star billions of lightyears away. “–For you to ask me out on a single flippin’ date.” Shadow was sure it was a mistake, but the heat rising from his collar into his cheeks was unmistakable.

He was blushing.

“So if we’re gonna date. And I think you and I are both interested in it–I wanna know something about you.”

“About…me?” Shadow blinked and tried to come up with something interesting about his life that Amy would like.

“Do you see any other dark and mysterious hedgehogs around here?” Amy said ‘dark and mysterious’ in what Shadow assumed was her best attempt at his voice…it was pretty good. “Every time we go out–You have to tell me something about yourself. Something real. I want to know you, Shadow.” Shadow’s jaw clenched for a moment and he swallowed hard.

“Does…this mean there’ll be a second date?” Shadow managed a smile and Amy fought to hide her own.

“Depends on what you say next.” Amy lifted her eyebrows at Shadow and he paused for a moment, the air heavy with tension.

“I–” And then Shadow’s brows furrowed. The air wasn’t just heavy with tension. Something had changed. There was…a presence. Call it superstition but Shadow had learned to trust in his sixth sense. Now he did well and truly snap into mission mode as his eyes left Amy for a moment, if only to perceive threats. The pink hedgehog called to him but Shadow’s eyes flicked around the room, trying to figure out what had set off the wailing alarms in his head.

The heavy earthy scent of eyeliner and the faintest static in the air. Surge.

He spotted her before she spotted him, the tenrec stomping into the restaurant with her heavy steel-toed boots, head snapping around as she looked for someone. Probably him.

“Unbelievable.” Shadow muttered and Amy looked confused for a moment. But soon she followed his gaze to the green tenrec who had now shoved herself past the hostess and was wandering about the dining room, head forward, like she was hunting for a misbehaving child. Shadow knew this couldn’t be good. Amy simply tilted her head and let out a: huh.

Finally, the tenrec’s head snapped up and spotted the two of them. In that moment, Shadow forgot all of his stealth training and chose to stare at the tenrec, a deer caught in the headlights. With authority, and a distress hostess behind her, Surge stomped toward Shadow and Amy. With all the grace of a newborn panda Shadow fumbled with his menu before stuffing his nose inside, hoping that the tenrec lacked object permanence.

“Hi Surge!” Amy chirped and Shadow was almost upset at her. Didn’t Amy know that giving her attention would make her less likely to go away?

“‘Sup Pinkie Pie.” Surge gave a tilt of her head to the cheerful hedgehog before jabbing an index finger at Shadow. “Can I borrow him?” Amy thought for a moment as Shadow peeked above the edge of his menu, eyes just cresting the top. Amy had a finger to her chin and considered the question. Shadow wondered if he could convince her to say no.

“Well alright. But I need him back in a few. He was just about to tell me something about himself.” He was? The dark hedgehog felt Surge’s grip on his arm and he had to use all his willpower to keep from grabbing her wrist, flipping her over the table, slamming her into the floor, putting both knees into her gut and shoving his forearm into her neck. Shadow, almost bonelessly, followed in Surge’s guidance as she dragged him through the restaurant and into the women’s bathroom.

“I’m…not supposed to be here.” Shadow felt himself wanting to look around the room. The taboo of being where he wasn’t allowed caused a drifting of the eye. It’s not like he hadn’t been in women’s bathrooms before, but that usually involved shooting someone in a stall, or grabbing a fingerprint. Mission stuff. Not…dating stuff.

“Yeah, careful. You might see a pussy.” Surge waved him off and Shadow felt a tightness in his jaw. “Look, I need a favor.” Shadow’s jaw tightness progressed up his face, his eyes narrowing at the tenrec.

“I’m on a date, Surge.” Shadow told her.

“Sounds like it’s the end of one.” Shadow felt a growl begin to rise up in his throat. Fuck she could get on his nerves. Only one other person had ever frustrated Shadow to this degree. And he– “What do you know about Sonic?” Shadow’s eyes shot open and in an instant Date Shadow was totally gone.

Mission Shadow was in charge.

An arm shot out and caught Surge in the chest. She was totally surprised by it and could not react, not that Shadow was giving her any time. He pushed the arm forward, Surge forced to walk backwards to prevent falling over. Shadow advanced until she smacked against the tiled wall, her shoulder bouncing off a porcelain hand dryer with a loud PONK! The tenrec let out a grunt, but made no other noise, her eyes narrowing on Shadow. Her humor was gone too and the tenrec was baring her teeth.

“How do you know that name?” Shadow’s voice was even and focused. There was not a hint of anger, but the voice was laced with malice.

“He and his buddy made Kit and I look like chumps at the gala.” Shadow’s eyebrows perked just the tiniest bit. They’d…interacted? When he’d learned Surge was working it this year, he just assumed they’d fail without ever even seeing the Blue Blur. It was…unlike Sonic to take a vested interest in any of the agents. “So who–”

“Listen to me very closely, Surge. You are not to interact with this man. You are not to search for him. He is extremely dangerous and unpredictable. You cannot beat him. Stop everything even the slightest bit related to him and hope he gets bored of you and moves on.” Shadow was hoping to scare her, and while he saw concern reflected in her eyes…curiosity was more prevalent. That was not good. “I mean it Surge!” Shadow growled in her face, but Surge just tilted her head back slightly as to avoid his spittle.

“...yeah alright.” Shadow breathed out a sigh and released the tenrec from the wall. He stepped away and Surge pulled herself away from the tile, rolling her shoulder where it’d smacked against the hand dryer. “Just tell me one thing.” Shadow was starting to get sick of that phrase tonight. “Who the hell is he?” Shadow set his jaw and looked away from the tenrec and to the mirror. Saw his own reflection. The concern there. Sonic taking an interest in someone could only spell disaster.

“The most dangerous man alive.”

“...bit much, no?” Surge coughed out a laugh and Shadow could only meet her gaze. He turned away to leave the bathroom when Surge called out to him again. “Something small.” Shadow paused. “You don’t have to tell her something big. But at least give her your full name, man.”

Shadow tilted his head down. Not quite a nod. And then he exited the bathroom.

Chapter Text

Kit hadn’t slept in the last 50 hrs. After his date with Miles, and the second and third and upcoming fourth…Kit had been riding on such a high that he’d delved deep into work just to use up all the energy. He’d been trying to hunt down the hacker that had nearly bested him on his and Surge’s first encounter with Sonic and Tails. Tails…the name alone grated on Kit’s ears.

Buh-ding!

Kit’s phone blipped and his head snapped around to it, his eyes swiveling over the text.

You remind me of waterfalls. Came the sappy note from Miles. Kit felt the urge to both roll his eyes and coo. He yanked up the phone and thought for a moment, before shooting back a text that he hoped played it ‘chill.’

What? I make you have to go pee a lot? This text, as Surge would later tell him. Was not ‘chill.’

For his effort, Kit received a laughing emoji and an explanation. No! Because you’re powerful and beautiful and I enjoy watching you… Kit shifted his jaw and tried to ignore the heat in his cheeks. But I’ll admit…I do think about you a lot in the bathroom… The heat in Kit’s cheeks intensified.

“See, if he was a girl he could’ve just said you make me wet.” Surge’s voice was like the crack of a shotgun in Kit’s ear. Kit shot out of his seat, phone flying through the air. With reflexes like a jungle cat, Surge snatched it out of the air as Kit tried to overcome the heart attack she’d just given him. Clutching at his heart, Kit could only watch wide eyed as Surge thumbed through his messages to Miles. “Wow…this is sappy. I mean, what? You guys have only been dating a couple of weeks? You’re gonna give each other cavities. It is starting to get a little steamy though…” Surge gave an approving nod and Kit found his heart had slowed enough to spit out a response.

“Give…it…back…” Kit made a weak grabby hand at his phone, but his body was still recovering. Surge made no motion to give it back, her pose relaxed, weight on one hip as a coffee was held loosely in one hand, and Kit’s phone in the other. She gave him a look that said he had a better shot at growing another foot than getting his phone back. She set the coffee down on Kit’s desk and took the phone in both hands.

“Well maybe I should join you next time.” Surge spoke aloud, her fingers taking at the digital keys.

“S-Surge? You’re not–! Stop! Give it!” Kit recovered fully now, launching himself at the tenrec, but Surge just held the phone higher, out of reach of the fennec.

“–And I’ll show you just how powerful I can be.” Surge laughed as she typed, Kit trying to use her as a climbing wall in the hopes of getting to the phone. But Kit had no such luck, the tenrec spinning the phone around far out of his reach.

“You wouldn’t dare–!”

“And–send.” Surge said with a grin and showed off the text to Kit. The fennec went boneless in an instant, sliding from Surge and collapsing in his chair. Well…it was over. Miles was gonna think he was a weirdo. Why the fuck did he put up with–

Buh-ding!

A response…oh no. Kit put his head in his hands and slumped forward, elbows on the desk. He felt like the contents of a food processor. Mush and paste lumped together. Surge gave a little laugh as she brought the phone up to her face to read the text.

“Let’s see what your boyfriend–” Surge’s voice trailed off and she grumbled something…Surge wasn’t happy? Kit’s head lifted from his palms and he tilted it to face the tenrec who was now frowning as she offered the phone back to Kit. “Did your coworker take your phone?” Kit breathed a huge sigh of relief as he remembered how he told Miles about his ‘coworker’ and her extreme lack of boundaries. Kit snatched the phone back and held it close to his chest. He stayed in that moment for an instant, Miles understanding of his situation before snapping back into focus, giving Surge his best death glare. Then he typed on his computer for a few moments and sent out a line of code and some encrypted data.

Buh-ding! This time it was Surge’s phone. She glanced at Kit for an instant, pulled out the phone and looked it over. She didn’t notice any messages and she turned her attention back to Kit.

“What? Did you upgrade it or something?” Kit held her gaze for an instant.

“Or something.” Kit then showed off his phone’s contact list, scrolled to Surge and dialed.

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gummy Bear!
Oh, I'm a yummy, chummy, funny, lucky, Gummy Bear–

Surge had to press the silent button three times as the song played at full volume. “You…” Surge’s teeth were bared as she stared down the fennec. But Kit held it, his eyes narrowed.

“Enjoy your ringtone for the next month. Or until I feel like you’ve learned your lesson about messing with my phone.” Kit nodded at her with a smile before turning back to his computer. But Surge wasn’t done with him, grabbing the back of his chair and spinning him around to face the tenrec.

“Change. It. Back.” Surge snarled at the fennec, but Kit just blinked back at her calmly, his head turning but a few degrees.

“Is that my coffee?” The fennec asked, before grabbing the cup from Surge’s hand and spinning his chair back to face the machine. Taking a sip, he felt the heat of the tenrec’s breath on his neck and for a moment he worried she might actually retaliate, but a groan echoed behind him and Kit noted as her head slapped against his desk, the tenrec now on her knees.

“Pleeeease.” She moaned and Kit ignored her, turning his attention back to the screens once more.

“Okay, so I did a deep dive into our respective foes.” Kit started up, pulling up files he’d scoured the internet and all its levels for. “Unfortunately, it seems your dance partner is just as elusive as his reputation perceives him to be.” Kit pulled up a photo of a blurry object. Blue with green smudges where eyes would be…and an unmistakable grin. “It’s not like he’s hiding either, he just…appears and disappears. And when he appears…” Kit fumbled for a moment, noticing Surge moving to a standing position. The tenrec started to lean forward, getting a closer look at the images. “...shit happens.” Kit then pulled up various reports. “G.U.N. tried their best to look into him, but the further back I go the less I find…recorded.” Kit searched for the right word.

“What do you mean?” Surge’s eyes flicked to him but then back to reports.

“It’s kinda like he just…doesn’t exist.”

“Kit. He punched me in the face. He exists.” Kit grumbled and glared at Surge.

“No, I mean I tried to find connections between his appearances and people in the area at the time. Reports of bystanders, nearby hotel stays, even familial records. Nothing matches up with this guy…and the weirder thing? The reports of his appearances keep going back. A robbed store, a sudden collapse of industrial blockages, broken up fights. For two and a half decades.” Surge snorted and rolled her eyes.

“Kit, Sonic couldn’t have been older than 29.” Kit paused on Surge’s face for a moment, biting his lip. She was right…but he was too.

“I know.” The words sat there as Surge’s eyebrows traced their way up her forehead. Kit then pulled up a photograph from over twenty years ago. A group of cops knocked on their asses by a blur of color no higher than their hips.

“Since he was a kid…” Surge breathed out, her eyes glued closer to the monitor. Kit saw Sonic reflected in her eyes. The fennec didn’t know much about Surge’s days before G.U.N. but he knew that she had been forced into a life that no kid should have.

“His appearances get more frequent for a while, probably into his late teens. And they get volatile.” Kit pulled up an old police report on a smoking warehouse. “A mysterious explosion. Stolen military technology.” Then there was a medical report. “Deaths.” Surge straightened now and Kit watched as she swallowed hard.

“What then?”

“Then? He dipped. Poof. Vanished into the either. For five years, there’s not a single sighting of this ghost.” Kit spread his arms wide, fingers displayed in an act of showmanship. “And then five years ago…he starts popping up again. But this time, his acts are…different.” Surge gave another raise of an eyebrow. “They’re more targeted. But also, almost philanthropic? Like here.” Kit pointed to a G.U.N. report from a few years ago. “A CEO of a health company selling hazardous prescriptions was scared into resigning. Here’s one where a bank was forced to shut down after he acquired data from isolated servers showing the bank was creating predatory loans.” Kit pointed to another report. “Look, here’s one where he even did our jobs for us. He exposed a cult leader that would’ve created a terrorist bomb threat.”

“So what? He’s a vigilante?” Surge snorted. Kit waggled his hand.

“More like a modern day Robin Hood.” Kit dug into the files a little deeper, pulling up extraneous notes about each case. “Each time he does something like this, there’s a lot of money and resources that go missing. Like he’s giving it out to people somehow.”

“Or keeping it for himself.” Surge glared at the monitors, arms crossing. Kit could only shrug and nod along. “So what caused his supposed ‘change?’” Surge gave finger quotes and everything. Kit gave a tilt of his head.

“This guy.” A symbol of a pair of twin tails. Their coloration almost turned red by the orange filtering on Kit’s monitors. “One of only a few connections besides the explicit is that Tails’ rise follows the curve of Sonic’s return.” Kit pulled up a few more documents, which were more restricted than Sonic’s. Sonic’s, while some of which were private G.U.N. documents, consisted mostly of newspaper clippings and eyewitness accounts. Tails’ appeared to be almost entirely internal memos from various governmental and corporate sources. “I think the term is ‘hacktivist.’” Kit was the one to put up air quotes this time. “He’s threatened to leak documents pertaining to dangerous work practices, embezzlement, poor disposal of hazardous chemicals. Basically anytime a company has tried to do something that could get civilians hurt or killed by poor corporate responsibility, Tails has been there.”

“Anytime? Look, I’m glad he’s not taking candy from babies, but whenever a CEO so much as blows their nose a village in a third-world country sole well breaks.” Surge leaned a hand on Kit’s shoulder and the fennec grunted, pulling her arm off and taking a sip from his coffee.

“Okay, so not every time, but corporate malfeasance has been on a downtrend in the last few years. Look, I hate to give credit to them, but their actions, if not their motives are on the up and up. It seems like they’re doing the right thing.” Kit told Surge but she just narrowed her eyes and looked over the massive docket Kit had pulled on Sonic and Tails.

“Or they’ve appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner. They wanted to help? There’s other ways to do it. Their sense of right and wrong clashes with the law. That means it’s our job to take them down.” Surge got a dark gleam in her eye that sent a nerve of unease through Kit. And in that moment, he fully believed they would stop Sonic and Tails, but one thing still bugged at the back of the fennec’s mind.

He didn’t know everything about Surge, but he knew that the ‘law’ hadn’t fully given her justice in her youth. But now she seemed shockingly ready to uphold it now, even if she was brash about it.

“O…kay…” Kit gave a tilt of his head, still unsure. “Well either way, you’re going to have to make a visit to her.” Surge’s face flickered. A moment of unease. No. Of fear.

“Whatever do you mean, sweet Kit?” Surge forced a smile but the way she was gripping the chair so hard Kit could hear the plastic straining said otherwise.

“By cross referencing his spotted locations with current VIP movements and upcoming events I figured out with 90% accuracy where Sonic’s next going to be. Aaaaand it’s another fancy-shmancy place. Your current wardrobe isn’t going to cut it. You’ll have to see her.” Surge crumpled behind Kit, her body collapsing to the floor as she groaned loudly. “Don’t be a child. The faster you see Rouge, the faster you get this whole thing over with.”

…

“...you want a dress…from me?” The bat’s hip was cocked, and one finger was raised up daintily and directed at her own face. A face that held something between slight surprise and disgust. Despite the fact that it was midday and they were in a refurbished warehouse, the bat was wearing cocktail attire. Heavy makeup pulling attention to full lips and alluring teal eyes. A skintight dress with a heart on the front that hugged every generous curve the bat had been frustratingly blessed with. Tall, gorgeous ears and chest adorned with enough gemstones to make an island nation jealous.

Surge wouldn’t call Rouge a goddess. Goddess implied natural beauty. And while Rouge most certainly had that in spades, the bat liked to show off, what with the glittering gold dress she now wore. Surge had never seen the bat without at least a dozen different glimmering stones, she was pretty sure the bat even slept with her crystal collection. No, Rouge loved to display her wealth and status. She was a duchess, preening for the world.

If only she didn’t look so downright good.

“I don’t want one.” Surge gritted her teeth, but Kit elbowed her in the side. The tenrec didn’t flinch, but her eye did twitch.

Now Rouge worked outside of the law. That was for certain. Her wealth and holdings acquired through…less than legitimate means. But it mostly boiled down to subtle blackmail and failed proper documentation. And while Surge would’ve liked to take her down, letting the bat bend the law had greater long-term benefits. Anyone who was anyone eventually found their way onto Rouge’s doorstep. She knew everything about everyone and had clientele that ranged from those looking for information, those looking to have things fixed, and yes, sometimes clothing. And allllll the while those big ears were perked. Hearing every dark secret and scandal. Some of which, when they became of a certain greater threat level, the bat slipped to Surge and Kit. Why everyone let their guard down around her, Surge would never know for certain, but she supposed the canyon of cleavage she put on had something to do with it.

“I require one.” The bat perked an ear. “I’m…infiltrating a–”

“Infiltrating? Isn’t being an angry green wrecking ball more your style?” Rouge grinned and Surge’s eyes flashed with fury. Kit gave a sigh and took out his phone, preparing for the inevitable outburst.

“Hey! I can be refined!”

“Cold in hell today, huh?” Surge then took an angry step toward Rouge and the bat smiled softly, throwing her hands up in surrender, watching as if she only wished she had popcorn. But by now, Kit had enough.

“Look if you’re not going to be helpful I’ll just–” Kit rolled his eyes and tapped at his phone.

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gummy Bear!
Oh, I'm a yummy–Heavy eyeliner. Maybe covering up blemishes or bags?” Rouge tilted her head and Surge’s jaw set. “It’s a liner. It’s in the name. Not football eye black.” Rouge tutted and stepped back from Surge, a vein pulsing in the tenrec’s forehead. “And that fivehead…geez. Maybe let your quills down once in a while.”

“I DO!” Surge snapped and Rouge leaned away, a look of humor just causing a curve in her lips.

“That remains to be seen.” Rouge finally turned away from insulting Surge to look at Kit. “What’s the occasion?” Kit blinked. “What is she getting dressed up for?” Rouge drawled out the words like Kit was five. He straightened and cleared his throat.

“–That’s classified, Rouge.” Surge snorted and crossed her arms, giving a sneer at the bat. Rouge blinked and clicked her tongue.

“That’s cute.” She turned to Kit once more. “What’s she need the outfit for?”

“Art gallery.” Kit gurgled, unsure how to act around a woman like Rouge. Rouge’s eyebrows went up once more before settling with a smile as she faced Surge once again.

“So refined! A cocktail party, maybe. At least Surge could get wasted and dull her personality, but a place of high class? Now that is a challenge.” Rouge spun on 8 inch heels and walked through the warehouse, racks of clothing rising high like thick jungle trees. Furs and leathers and boas adding to the foliage. The bat stopped ever so often, an item of clothing catching her attention and she snatched it from one of the clothing rack trees, a fruit ripe for the picking. “With an art gallery, there is beauty and mystery everywhere. It captures the senses! It’s a constant fight for attention!” Rouge seemed to find a necklace that she approved of and took it off of a marble bust. “You have to be the work of art, Surge.”

“I’m a spy Rouge. I’m trying to blend in.” Surge told her, struggling to keep up as the forest of racks seemed to morph into a maze.

“Oh no you’re not. Not there. If you came to me that means you’re looking to attract attention. To stand out. You want everyone to–” Rouge paused mid sentence. She swiveled on her heels and looked Surge dead in the face. “Who’s the girl?” Rouge put a finger to her lip.

“Guy.” Kit spoke and Surge kicked him in the shin.

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Ye–

Surge’s phone cut out with a strangled cry as she jammed the silent button. Rouge tutted and shook her head.

“You’re straight? And I thought you were interesting.”

“I’m bi.” Surge grumbled. “And I’m not interested in him.” Rouge rolled her eyes and turned her gaze on Kit, her in house Surge-translator.

“Is she interested in him?” Kit shrugged.

“She was…until she learned he was the target.” Rouge gasped and clasped her hands together.

“Scandal! Lovers from different worlds. I always did love Romeo and Juliet.” Surge’s eyes moved from Rouge to Kit and back.

“Didn’t…didn’t they both die in the end?”

“Yup!” Rouge spoke cheerily. “So…we’re trying to capture the attention of…” Rouge spun her hand in a circle, waiting for the fennec and tenrec to fill in the blank.

“Classified.”

“Hmm, odd name.” Rouge didn’t miss a beat. “So what do we know about about Mr. Classified? Is he tall, short? Older, younger? Does he have taste or will he settle for big-mouthed fatass tenrecs?”

“Fuck you, you bitch! Kit we’re out of here!” Surge snatched Kit’s arm and turned around, but the fennec held firm.

“Excuse me green meanie, I have to fit something that fits your colossal ass!” Rouge held her hands up to her face like a director trying to find the perfect shot, except it was centered around Surge’s posterior.

“It’s not–”

“Oh please! When you first walked in here I was worried at all times you were going to sit and crush me!” Rouge flapped a hand while flipping through dresses on a rack. “I mean seriously! How do you fit through door frames?”

“How do you not topple over from your ballooned tits?” Surge snarled and turned back, arms crossed. Rouge paused for a moment. She tilted her head back to look at Surge and gave a placated smile. One that said: You wish this was all fake. Surge’s arms dropped. “Touche.” Rouge gave a tiny tilt of her head. “I do wonder though, if you ever had a kid, would it just slip out? ‘Cause those hips? Mwah.” Rouge kissed the air.

“Just shut your sex-pilled trap.” Rouge groaned and tilted her head back.

“Chaos, you're dense. I’m trying to give you a compliment.” Surge blinked. “You’re an attractive young woman, Surge. The struggle in finding a dress is that it has to be good enough to highlight your beauty. Not drag it down.” Rouge gave a tired sigh, done with playing the game with Surge. “Fine, so Mr. Classified is an everyman. But there’s a possibility he’s interested in Surge. He attends art galleries and is important enough that Ms. Shittalker over here is willing to deal with me. Do I have that right?”

Surge and Kit said nothing.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Alright, Surge come with me. I think I have some options that might make you appealing. And just so you know, if you don’t like any of them, I’ve got some duct tape that if placed over your mouth should make you twice as likeable.”

…

Surge had wanted it in yellow. But after Rouge had threatened to call her a bitchy banana, Surge decided on the blue one.

It was a bodycon in a soft, almost blanket like fabric. The color of a deep ocean, it was blue with just a hint of green and to Surge’s disgruntled approval, it did hug the contours of her body frustratingly well. It had wide shoulder straps that held it up, if the way it pressed into her didn’t hold it well enough. At the bottom it began to whitened in an uneven fade creating an effect like a colorful shot being poured into a clear liquor.

“It’s…fine.” Surge grumbled, but as she took a look in the mirror she had a hard time finding a lot of things wrong with the way she looked.

“Fine? You insult me. You look sexy and powerful, say I’m wrong.” Rouge leaned back and cocked a hip. Kit gave a nod in approval.

“You look not like you.” The fennec said and Surge snarled at him.

“Ignore him. You look even more like you.” Rouge swatted the fennec away and he threw up his hands in exasperation before stepping back. “Now that we’ve got your–”

“How am I supposed to run in this thing?” Surge tilted her head at Rouge, gesturing to way the dress pulled into a tight pencil skirt at her legs. Rouge rolled her eyes at this before approaching the tenrec, bending her knees and pulling at a zipper that was hidden into the seams of the dress. She yanked it up to the hip and all of a sudden Surge was showing off all kinds of leg.

“Woah…” Surge was…admittedly, impressed. There was a similar zipper on the other side and after pulling it up, she did some stretches and found that she could move really quite well. “Guess I’ll just make sure to wear tights under it.”

“It’s also impact and fire resistant.” Rouge shook out a hand like it wasn’t of great interest.

“It’s what now?”

“What? You think I half ass anything?” Rouge glared at Surge. “It’s a special nylon and aluminum blend that spreads out kinetic and high-thermal forces. I wouldn’t jump off a building in it or go bathing in fire, but gut punches will hurt less and sparks of flame will bounce off.”

“You’re shitting me.” Surge’s jaw was on the floor.

“No.” Rouge examined her nails like they were the only interesting thing in the universe. “But you better bring it back to me in one piece. It and its piss-colored cousin are the only supply of that fabric that I have. Now. Let’s talk shoes.”

“What? You got ones with blades in the toes?” Surge joked.

“No, but I do have ones with tasers…” Rouge put a hand to lip like she was actually considering it. “Ah! Here we are.” Rouge pulled out a pair of white sandals with a maze of straps that looked like they were for some kind of foot torture.

“I would recommend heels, but your man feet would never fit and you’re expecting to run anyway–”

“Think you could go five seconds without insulting me?” Rouge decided to simply bulldoze over Surge’s words.

“–these will fit quite well and here–check it out.” Rouge twisted the pair around to reveal a tiny switch on the heels. She flicked it. In an instant, the shoes went from plain flat sandals to having ridged traction lines, part of the sole pulling up. “These are multi-purpose. Engage the ridges for stealth as the design negates 90% of walking or running sounds. Disengage for loud powerwalks.” Rouge popped up her eyebrows and offered up the sandals to Surge. The tenrec took them with solid curiosity. She played with the switches for a moment, watching as the shoes changed between their two modes. Then she tried them on.

Perfect fit. Fuck Rouge. And…they were pretty comfy. Double fuck Rouge.

“Cool. Okay So–”

“No, hold on. We’re not done. We gotta fix this eyeliner explosion you got going on.” Rouge approached Surge, hand forward. The tenrec stumbled back, hands up prepared to hold off the designer bat. Rouge smacked her in the sternum and Surge fell back into a chair she had no idea was there. But Rouge kept pressing forward, face to face with the tenrec.

“Woah! Woah! Woah!”

“Don’t move…” And then came out the makeup cleaner cloth. Surge was scared again.

…

Sonic was trying to pay attention, he really really was. But his brain was fuzzing and Tails just kept going on and on and on. Now normally, he could tune in just enough to get the general gist of what they were doing and how they were going about it and how it was really smart and helpful and all the things that were ‘good.’ And Sonic did care about those things, just…not as much as Tails did and it made it harder to focus. But what was

really pulling on Sonic’s attention was the glow in Tails’ cheeks.

“So how was the date?” Tails stopped, caught off-guard in between explaining the personal private network accessor and the point of entry for Sonic into the target location.

“The date is today, Sonic.” Tails explained slowly, his head tilting down at Sonic in confusion. His brother had always been a bit flighty, but he had to know today was the day of the art exhibition.

“No, no!” Sonic waved that off. “Yeah, I get that part. I meant how was your date with Kit?” Sonic leaned forward on his elbows, eyelids fluttering at the yellow fox. Tails’ eye twitched and he felt the desire to scold his older brother like an incontinent pet, but held it in.

“It was…fine.”

“Fine? Just fine?” Sonic slumped forward, head lying against the table and his eyes upcast like an old bassett hound. But in an instant Sonic popped up and out of his chair, the seat rolling off under the force of Sonic’s jump. “You were practically levitating when you got home last night–” Sonic leaned over the table, his eyes now locked onto Tails so tightly the fox felt like his gaze was frozen. “–late.”

“I…” Tails swallowed hard and leaned away from his brother, his mouth suddenly dry. “We…we just hung out…and talked about programming…and our other interests…and–and…”

“Aaaand?!” Sonic was practically standing on the table at this point, Tails finding himself backed up against a wall.

“...and how annoying our coworkers are!” Tails finally snapped, shoving Sonic’s face away and pushing him off the table. The hedgehog landed with a crash and Tails readjusted all the paperwork and blueprints he’d set up, now with Sonic’s sneaker treads on them. “Why do I even bother…” Tails grumbled aloud as Sonic recovered with a laugh.

“Come on li’l bro. I’m just trying to make sure you’re having a good time.” Tails scoffed and finished realigning all of the documents, his brain recollecting where he’d last left off.

“Sonic, I like this boy. I’m trying to take it slow.” Tails explained, wanting to just get back to the stupid mission. He didn’t need to think about Kit right now…and his soulful maroon eyes. Or the softness of his fur right behind the ears…

“Is lying to him part of taking it slow?” Sonic tilted his head in confusion, but his eyes held a challenge. Tails’ face twitched, his lips curled downward. “Cause you told me you guys talk about coding…and how you’re ‘learning’ it.” Sonic held up air quotes and everything. “Does ‘slow’ involve failing to tell him that you could program circles around him?”

“Why the hell do you care?” Tails grumbled, arms crossed. His body language was clear, and Sonic knew it. But Sonic was often as subtle as a runaway jackhammer.

“‘Cause I’m your big brother. And I can tell you like Kit. So why not just tell him you’re a coding wizard?” Tails shook his head. Sonic mixing magic and technology was like pouring oil into boiling water.

“It’s not that simple! Relationships are complicated. You’d know if you ever tried.” Tails shot back, finally ready to be on the offensive. But Sonic just fixed him with an unamused look.

“Tails, you know as well as I do that no girl could handle this.” Sonic waved a hand over himself. “Besides, none of them interest me.” Sonic just shook his head. Tails chewed his tongue. It was…true. Sonic had been on a few dates in recent years. Attempts by Tails to get him to find people that he shared things with. And so he could stop being around Tails at all times. And no one really stuck. And it’s not like Tails could blame them. Sonic was a lot, and he required a lot. No one could seem to match his energy…and yet…

…and yet the name was out before Tails could stop himself.

“What about Surge? You were checking her out!” Tails spoke it like it was a sudden revelation. He clamped his hands over his mouth a moment after. Surge was their enemy, surely Sonic wasn’t actually interested in her.

But he paused. And then he laughed…a fake laugh.

“Are you kidding? She’s crazy. And dangerous. And besides I wasn’t checking her out. I was checking out her ass.” Sonic rolled the chair back forward and sunk into it, but his limbs were all knotted up, eyes flicking away.

And he’d put his feet on the table once more.

“ERGH! Fine!” Tails grabbed Sonic’s ankles and tilted them up and off, the hedgehog going over once more. Once he’d recovered again, he found the fox standing over him, eyes glaring with overwound tension. “Gimme your phone.”

“Uhh…” Sonic raised it up before he could really think about it and Tails snatched it. Sonic sat dumbfounded by the fox’s outburst as he tacked away at the device’s keyboard. A few moments later, he tossed it back to Sonic, the hedgehog bobbling it for a few moments before get a good hold of it. “Wha-what’d you do? Give it an upgrade?”

“Something like that.” Tails shrugged as he turned away from Sonic, pulling out his own phone and calling up the contacts. “I just figured if you liked looking at girl’s butts all day…” Tails hit the call button.

I. LIKE. BIG BUTTS AND I CANNOT LIE! YOU OTHER BROTHERS DON’T
DENY THAT WHEN A GIRL WALKS IN WITH AN ITTY BITTY WAIST AND A ROUND THING IN YOUR–

“The fuck is this?!” Sonic finally managed to stop the ringer. Which was blasting at full volume, mind you.

“A punishment for your lack of focus. Now are you going to listen up, or do I have to have your phone play it on loop with reverb on the ‘big butts’ part?” Sonic’s jaw tightened and he took his seat.

“This better not last.”

…

“No sign of him yet.” Kit’s voice came over the earpiece. Surge heard it through a tunnel, her attention locked onto her own face.

The art piece was called The Folly of Chaos. A pretentious little thing, being that it was only a mirror with an intricate silver trim and the word ‘Greatness’ spelled out in spray paint near the bottom. But it did provide Surge with an up close view of her own face. And the…edits Rouge had made. They were nothing crazy, and Surge still felt like she was herself, but somehow…moreso. Like a translucent sheet had been held in front of her throughout her life and now was only being pulled away.

Surge’s eyes shined brighter, her fur seemed more luminous, even her nose somehow was more attractive. How could a nose get hotter? Surge poked at it cautiously, concerned Rouge had put on a prosthesis and Surge was in danger of making it fall off. And then there was the eyeliner. Surge had followed that to the nth degree. A wall of black coating the edges of her sclera. A way to guard against the world. But this? Sharp, sleek, curves that moved with the rises and falls of her skin. It practically swirled inward, Surge felt like she was being drawn to her own eyes. An intriguing self-indulgent effect.

And it was sparkly.

Despite being the most jet black color Surge had ever seen, it sparkled with the light, like it had been infused with tiny diamonds. For all Surge knew about Rouge, it might very well have been. She hated to admit it. She looked good. Felt good. She–

“You’re standing in my spot.” Surge froze. Her body locking up in an instant. And yet her inside immediately began to warm. The adrenaline right on the edge of a cliff. Ready to dump into her bloodstream. She could practically feel the endorphins wanting to flow. But no. She would hold them back. She could be a professional.

“Yoooooou’re under arrest.” Surge drew out the word as she frowned at Sonic, his eyes rolling from the ‘art piece’ to the tenrec. He flashed a smile and Surge struggled to retain the sound. Surge then gave a tap at her earpiece and spoke aloud. No point in trying to remain hidden anymore. “So much for not here yet.” She told Kit…and found there was no snappy response. “Hey? You hear me?”

“You said that already. And did you think we’d let you get the jump on us twice?” Sonic raised an eyebrow and blew out a breath. “We’ve been casing this place this–” Sonic paused, his voice stopped in his throat and Surge watched as an eye twitched. “–Tails has been casing this place for hours.” Sonic straightened and tried to smooth out his outfit. He wore something similar to his outfit at the cocktail party. Suit jacket and slacks, but whereas the party’s were black these were brown and had similarly colored shoes. Tightly weaved loafers that made Sonic look more like he was on a yacht than at an art gallery.

“Trouble in criminal paradise?” Surge snorted at him and felt her fingers twitch, ready to move in an instant.

“Don’t get me started. I have to manage an attitude while also being supportive. It’s–”

“Like being a parent?” Surge’s eyes flicked to Sonic’s and his eyes widened slightly, clarity and connection made for a moment. “And he thinks he’s the adult.” Surge crossed her arms and Sonic’s eyes were drawn to them, the sturdy musculature rippling with intense work. “Word of advice. Don’t ever let them get your phone.”

“Ugh. Don’t I know it.” Sonic rubbed the back of his neck and turned to The Folly of Chaos. “I bet mine’s way worse.”

“I don’t–”

I. LIKE. BIG BUTTS AND I CANNOT LIE! YOU OTHER–

Sonic looked like he was going to have a heart attack as he yanked his phone. Sonic got a glance at Surge’s face as he did so, her eyebrows resting amongst the clouds. Sonic tried to shut off the ringer, but it continued to play at max volume, other art gallery attendees turning to the sound and making silent judgments.

“Do you need a second?” Surge managed and Sonic could see the laughter building in her face, contained, but slowly turning her face red.

“If you wouldn’t mind.” And then Sonic spun and answered his phone, hunching and whispering. “Not a good time, buddy!”

“SONIC! HE’S PRACTICALLY IN MY SYSTEMS! I’M TRYING TO SHUT HIM OUT BUT–” Sonic ended the call and turned back to Surge, eyebrows still up in the air.

“...Telemarketer.” Sonic coughed into a fist.

“Oh? Wow, even ghosts aren’t safe.” Surge snorted and looked at the ‘art piece’ once more.

“Ghost?” Sonic tilted his head up and down, an excuse to look over Surge in that dress. ‘Holy shit’ didn’t suffice. She was a total knockout. Did she always look like this? Or was this just for him…the more he considered this he not only hoped it was for him.

But he felt something akin to anger at her doing it for anyone else.

“You don’t exist.” Surge’s head tilted back and rotated to face Sonic and gave him a view of her neck and clavicles. Sonic swallowed hard.

“I assure you, I am very real.” Sonic told her, his eyes half-lidded in a challenge that Surge felt the need to rise to.

“Well then you’ve taken one huge step off the grid.” Surge took a closer step toward Sonic and the hedgehog got a whiff of her perfume? Shampoo? Natural scent? Rain, earth, and lightning. Nothing like the city. She smelled like the open sky and woodchips.

“Surge, I was never on the grid.” Sonic told her and he watched as her eyes narrowed a touch. Cursing himself internally, he’d forgotten that Surge wanted him behind bars. They weren’t so much flirting as poking at the weaknesses of the other person, and Sonic had just given her a major clue.

“Yeah?” Surge grinned, her teeth shining. The tenrec once again leaned closer and Sonic realized her shoulder was only a good half foot from his. “Tell me more.”

“I…” Sonic’s eyes shifted to the side, trying to ignore the beautiful, but dangerous woman at his side. “Think it’s time you told me a little about yourself.” Surge’s eyes narrowed, her smile becoming more forced. “I don’t like talking about myself all the time.” Surge snorted.

“Yeah, right.”

“Excuse me?”

“I remember your whole frat bro energy last time.” Surge prodded Sonic in the chest hard and Sonic could swear he felt a tingle of electricity run down his spine.

“You mean my cover?” Sonic touched his index fingers to thumbs and stretched out his hands like he was about to conduct a piece of music about how wrong Surge was.

“Pffff, that wasn’t a cover.” Surge blew out a raspberry with enough force that some spittle hit The Folly of Chaos. “You were just playing up what was already there.”

“My cover was as real as your ‘community service’ schtick.” Sonic stuck his face in Surge’s, the tenrec having to lean back as Sonic’s green eyes took over her view.

“Th-hat wasn’t a schtick.” Surge gave a little half laugh, amused by how ridiculous Sonic was being. He knew nothing about her.

“Yeah, ‘cause G.U.N. is a pillar of the community.” Surge’s eyes shot open and she stared at Sonic, mouth open. Her lips gaped like a fish but no sound came out. “Oh, please. It wasn’t hard. Even if Tails didn’t have my back on the research front, I would’ve spotted you as a G.U.N. agent from a mile away!”

“HA!” Surge laughed. “You couldn’t spot me when I was three feet in front of you!” Sonic snarled at Surge, and she snarled back. “I am arresting you.” Surge grabbed Sonic’s arm in a flash, her grip like iron on his wrist. Sonic flinched and grunted, body tilting with the force of her grab.

“Is…everything alright?” A new voice entered the mix. Both head turned to see a woman in a deep gray outfit, a loose fitting sleeveless dress that poofed and curled toward the bottom. The gallery’s curator.

“Fine!” Sonic grunted. Teeth trying to form a smile, but only managing a grimace. Surge then yanked Sonic closer to herself and Sonic felt her warmth at his side even through his suit. She was like a living furnace. Powerful, yet inviting. Even if her attitude suggested otherwise. But it seemed like that too could be changed.

“Oh totally!” Surge’s voice was too high pitched and the way she leaned into him like she was fighting for support. Were her legs all of a sudden not working. “It’s just Oggie here said he was taking me out!” Surge flipped her quills to one side, eyes rolling heavily. “And, like, I love art and everything, but c’mon babe I thought we were having fun tonight.” Surge pouted at him and Sonic had to resist recoiling reflexively at this girl Surge had become, not the woman he’d become fascinated with.

The gallery owner forced a smile and looked over at Sonic with an expression that said: control her.

“I’m so sorry ma’am.” Sonic now forced a smile. “Not everyone can appreciate the realer things in life.” Sonic’s eyes flicked to Surge as he said it, but she just blinked emptily up at him. Those long lashes sparkling with her eyeliner. Did it always sparkle like that? “We’ll just be outside.” Sonic took Surge’s arm in his and with a final smile to the gallery owner, steered the tenrec through the artwork, her grip strength increasing the whole time. Sonic grunted and pushed Surge’s weight forward, she teetered off-balance like she was drunk and ended up shoving into a table. “Oop! Sorry dear.” Surge’s head snapped around and she glared at him for an instant, her eyes containing bright fury. But it was gone in an instant, a placid smile returning in a moment. “Maybe you’ve had too much to drink?” Sonic said loudly, eyes turning to the both of them. The tenrec didn’t seem embarrassed, but her eyes did narrow. Surge regripped his arm and yanked down, Sonic’s knees bending and nearly making him fall over.

“Not nearly as much as you, sweetie!” Surge flashed a million-watt grin and if he didn’t know it was 100% fake, he would be wowed by its strength. Sonic and Surge shared forced laughs as they pushed and pulled each other through the art gallery, before finding a side exit and Surge shoved Sonic through, the hedgehog spinning around and landing on his back. The door made a heavy slam as the two of them found themselves in the stairwell of the building, hard concrete below them. “Put your hands up, you’re under arrest.” Surge told Sonic, all cutesy pretense gone as she reached down to grab hold of him.

“This again?” Sonic rolled his head and kicked up at Surge’s hands, the tenrec pulling away as Sonic backrolled until his feet were under him. He popped up, his blazer jumping up and down before he smoothed it out. “C’mon Surge. You can’t catch me. Even your edgy co-worker Shadow couldn’t catch me. So–” Surge didn’t really feel like waiting for him to run his mouth. Her hands grabbed at him and the hedgehog’s eyes widened. He took steps back as she attempted to latch onto anything connected to the hedgehog. Face, arms, torso, hell she’d even take the edge of his suit jacket. But she’d give it to him, he was a slippery fuck. Even as she tried different angles, he kept moving out of the way. Until he couldn’t. “Why don’t you take a breather and–” Sonic stopped as he felt himself hit the back wall of the hallway. A maze of pipes and ductwork to his right, the building’s stairs to his left. And a very determined tenrec in front of him. Surge snatched Sonic’s blazer and growled in his face. Why did she have to be so close? It sent weird swirls through him when she did.

“You’re done.” She spoke, her piercing electric blue eyes locked onto Sonic’s emerald greens. Sonic for his part, just tilted his head and smiled.

“Oh, toots. We’re just getting started.” And then he kneed her in the gut. Surge flinched, but didn’t let go. “Okay…uh, that usually works better.” Surge’s eyes narrowed at him and Sonic slammed his head forward, smacking against Surge’s skull…and regretted it. “OOWUH! You’ve got a hard head!”

“People say I’m stubborn.” Surge snorted with a smile, trying to ignore the pain in her gut and head.

“Yeah…figured as much. But people say the same about me.” Sonic’s foot shot out, catching Surge’s right leg. The leg buckled and both Surge and Sonic went to the ground in a tumble of limbs.

“STOP RES–” Surge was cut off as Sonic shoved his hand in her face. He could feel the resulting growl through his palm and extracted himself from the tangle by rolling backward…right down the set of stairs. The hedgehog curled into a ball to reduce the impact and uncurled as he smacked into a wall, halfway down the first set of stairs. He was sitting upright and shook his head to clear the fog only to see Surge on her hands and knees, getting up to stand. Her gaze was locked onto him…she did not look happy.

“Look you’re good in a fight girl. But good luck running in that…” Sonic trailed off as the tenrec bent over to reveal a pair of zippers that pulled up. And when she was done, Sonic was facing a much more mobile opponent…with thighs like tree trunks. “That’s hot.” Surge tilted her head and Sonic figured this was the time to run.

Shooting down the stairs, Sonic was initially able to make good headway, but as he descended the spiral staircase, he could hear Surge’s feet pounding after him, clearly only a floor behind him.

“YOU’RE ONLY ADDING YEARS TO YOUR SENTENCE!” Surge howled from above.

“AND FEET OF DISTANCE BETWEEN US!” Sonic laughed upward as he yanked himself around another corner of the staircase. Sonic smiled brighter as she snarled in fury higher up…and then there was a grunt. A blur of green and white shot past Sonic and his head turned to watch as Surge’s hands smacked into the concrete barrier of the stairwell to his right. She’d jumped. “You’re fucking crazy!” Sonic scrambled to a stop, almost tripping down the stairs as he spun to reach for Surge’s arms before she slipped.

She…didn’t need his help. It was a touch slow, but with incredible strength, the tenrec hauled herself over the lip of the stairwell and was now mere feet behind him.

“I’m gonna run now…” Sonic told her. He shot off, moving double time now to put more distance between himself and this crazy, incredible woman.

“RUN LITTLE HEDGEHOG! RUN!” Surge laughed in pursuit and it hit Sonic in a multitude of ways he didn’t have time to decipher right now. Sonic’s feet hit the ground floor and for an instant he considered blasting out the side exit and onto the streets. Open space gave him more room to run…but it also gave Surge a clearer view of him. Not to mention if Surge’s hacker really was giving Tails a run for his money, he could access the city’s cameras and guide the tenrec.

No. He needed to confuse and mislead her. These buildings were old, they had a myriad of steam and servicing tunnels all connecting each other. Sonic knew them like the back of his hand. And he knew they had no cameras. Sonic turned the corner and shot for the basement.

“Bad move hedgehog!”

“Oh you’ve yet to see my moves, Surge!” Did that come out wrong?

Smashing into the basement door’s crash bar, Sonic spun around to see Surge sprinting toward him, full speed. Her focus locked onto him like a lion stalking its prey. Sonic didn’t want to be prey. Spinning back around, Sonic shot through the tunnel, the pounds of his feet were heard in echo as Surge’s movements were traced behind him.

Sonic cursed. Losing her down here was a possibility, but not if she was right behind him. He needed to create some space, a distraction. They’d been moving down the tunnel for a good 20 meters when Sonic saw it. Just a piece of rubble. Around the size of a football.

Not even slowing, Sonic dipped to snatch up the hunk of concrete and tile before whipping back around. Surge’s eyes widened and she brought up her hands…did she think he was going to hit her with it? Was she…afraid of him? Her eyes were tightened at the corners and her lip pursed. Maybe it was nervousness…he hoped it was just nerves. Sonic had scared off a lot of people in his life.

So why did it feel so disheartening with Surge? Sonic didn’t have time to consider this fully if he wanted to keep his momentum. So with a grunt he hurled the stone.

These old access tunnels were filled with various connecting systems. Sewage, power and even heating. Large, multisystem boilers that funneled heating and hot water throughout neighborhoods and complexes. Sonic just hoped he hit the right pipe.

The stone gave a heavy clang that rippled through the tunnel before bouncing off and causing it to shudder and pop like a massive metal belt. Steam blasted through the tunnel in a swirl. Spinning and filling the air with clouds. Surge gave a roar as her vision fogged and her skin stung with the heat of the steam.

“See ya’ later Surge!” Sonic laughed as continued moving, lost into the rising steam and mist. Surge groaned and charged forward. He may be cocky, but she had to admit he knew a few tricks. Surge kept moving forward, limbs wading through the air to try and push away the steam, but it continued to move through her midst, preventing her from getting a visual on the hedgehog. Surge gave a tap at her earpiece.

“Hey! I need a blueprint of the tunnels.” No response. “Hey?!” Still nothing. Then a faint crackle…the tunnels. There was easily a dozen feet of concrete over her head…fuck that hedgehog was clever. Okay. This might actually be interesting.

Surge heard the own pounding of her feet as she ran, the heavy thump thump thump. Sonic would know exactly where she was at all times like this. She had to try a new strategy. No Kit. Unknown territory. And she was wearing a dress. Not ideal. But it did give her a chance to try out her new toy…

Kicking up her heels, Surge flicked the tiny switch on the back of her sandals and instantly heard, or rather didn’t hear the sound of her own feet. It was barely louder than a soft breath. Sonic wouldn’t be able to hear it over the sound of his own shoes, which for Surge’s benefit…were loud dress shoes.

As the smoke cleared, the tunnel began to diverge into different pathways, neither with a clear look at Sonic, but one of which with the loud clack of men’s dress shoes…she followed that path.

The haze of the smoke continued to lift, cooling the sweat on the back of Surge’s neck. Sonic’s footsteps continued to get louder, a good sign she was closing in. Surge rounded a corner and got a glimpse of a heel moving behind a door that closed with a soft hiss. Surge shot for it, the tunnel closing in on the point. She was going to get him. She would catch Sonic the Hedgehog. Surge reached for the door and–

A prickle at the back of her neck. A tiny zolt of electricity arcing across. It wound down her body and into her hands, making her fingers twitch and clench. Surge’s eyes widened and she stopped, heels digging into the ground, but two feet from the door.

The door which suddenly swung open violently. Sonic stood behind him. His face was almost unreadable, but his eyes betrayed the surprise.

“That won’t work on me twice.” Surge told him. Sonic gave a sigh, deflating under the exhalation. And then his eyes locked onto hers.

“Fine. Hard way it is.” Sonic rolled his neck.

“Always.” Surge cracked her knuckles. Surge could swear she saw a flicker of a smile on Sonic’s face. He was the only person she’d ever seen smile at their incoming beating.

A swing of Surge’s right hook missed completely but it opened up the space between the two of them and forced Sonic back. Surge quickly noted that once more they were in a stairwell, but as Sonic’s foot hit the first step, this time they were going up. The hedgehog took a few more steps up and grabbed the railings on both sides and kicked out. The height advantage meant Surge’s head was an easier target. She flicked to one side, then the other. Sonic’s hard heel missed her skull by a few inches.

The third time he kicked out, Surge’s arms moved in a blur and caught it. She yanked and caused both of them to lose their balance and they hit the ground. Sonic groaned as his spine hit the corner of a stair but he managed to refocus. Important too as Surge was already reaching for a better grip on him.

Bringing his other foot up, he lashed out at Surge’s head again, the tenrec dodging once more by twisting her upper body, but just barely. Surge tried to find a better spot to avoid his strikes, but the foot was already coming around again. Damn, he was fast. Surge had a tough head, but she didn’t need a foot to the skull and stepped back, waiting for an opportunity.

But Sonic was already taking his.

Spinning around onto all fours, Sonic was on his feet in the blink of an eye, running up the stairs, his suit jacket ruffling with the air against his body. Surge gave chase, her focus completely glued to Sonic. She was going to catch him. No one would escape her twice.

Reaching out she snatched the edge of Sonic’s jacket right as he hit the first floor landing. He spun instantly and Surge lost her loose grip. She was now face to face with him, the hedgehog moving backward…smiling. And she found she was too.

Surge threw out a jab at his torso, but Sonic raised an arm to guide it to the side. The hedgehog grabbed hold of her wrist and yanked her off her feet and slammed her against the wall of the stairwell, pinning her wrist. Surge gave a grunt of pain before reaching around to try and grab hold of Sonic’s neck. But the hedgehog was already moving away. Abandoning his own grab in favor of surprise and delay.

Sonic shot up the stairs once more, shooting past the first floor exit and taking the steps two at a time. Surge didn’t have time to consider why he didn’t just leave, she barely had the time to catch up to him. She practically leaped up the stairs, the second and third levels going by in a blur as she focused on the well-dressed blue hedgehog in front of her.

At the fourth level Surge managed to close in on him enough that she was able to grab him by the right wrist right as he was shooting around a turn.

“RGgh!” Sonic grunted as she tried to pull him back. But Sonic was pushing forward, Surge’s arm bending the wrong way as she was forced against the column of the stairwell, face shoved against rough concrete. “LEGGO!” Sonic shouted.

“NEVER!” Surge roared back and with incredible strength, pulled Sonic back. Despite the lack in total leverage, Surge’s muscles tensed with furious power. She managed to get her elbow over the center of the column and shoved it there, able to use the joint properly rather than being in danger of her arm snapping. From there Surge reached around with her other arm and snatched Sonic’s shoulder, spinning him around the column and throwing him to the floor where he collapsed in a heap of limbs, pebbled concrete and plastic sheeting.

Surge barely had time to consider the construction work being done on this building as she lunged for Sonic, fist extended. She watched as Sonic’s eyes widened and he managed to roll just enough for her fist to smack into the concrete.

“SONOFA–” Surge howled but it was cut off as Sonic shot out a leg, kicking her in the shin and causing Surge to drop, face hitting the ground. She felt blood vessels pop and a warm trickle down her snout, but she managed to raise her head to see Sonic getting to his feet once more. “Oh no you DON’T!” Surge scrambled up, taking Sonic by the shoulders once more and shoving him into the wall. He groaned as his head snapped up against it, but Surge wasn’t through. She threw out a punch to the side of his ribcage and the hedgehog gasped, eyes bugging out of his head. He gasped for air and found none, the wind knocked out of him. He teetered on his feet and Surge went to grab him once more. But Sonic was faster, his hands flying in a blur and smacking her in the ears.

Her ears rang. The tenrec howled from the impact and barely considered the blow to her stomach that sent her to the ground once more. Her balance disrupted, but her vision undeterred all Surge could do was watch as Sonic stumbled away and up the stairs once more. Surge stewed as she waited the grueling seconds as her equilibrium returned.

One foot under her, then the other. The world spun but she managed to stay upright. She grabbed the railing as a guide and moved up the stairs after Sonic. She was a good dozen feet behind, the hedgehog almost to the fifth floor. She moved faster. Then faster still. Her balance finally righting as Sonic reached the door to the fifth floor.

With a final roar Surge jumped at Sonic, the two crashing onto the unfinished fifth floor of the building. The wind howling up here and sheeting ruffling. Through the scramble Sonic managed to lift a foot up between himself and Surge.

And he slammed it home.

Striking her gut, there was enough force that the two were separated. They stumbled back before Sonic toppled into a wheelbarrow which tipped toward him, crashing down on his head and taking him to the ground. Surge was spun into an oddly placed deck chair which crumbled into scrap under her impacted weight.

Both of them groaned. Both of them sat there…breathing. Staring at one another.

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gummy Bear!
Oh, I'm a yummy, chummy, funny, lucky, Gummy Bear

“Do you…do you need to…hah…get that?” Sonic panted, nodding at the buzzing in the pocket of Surge’s dress.

“...hah….hah…no.” Surge panted back.

I'm a jelly bear
Yes, I'm a Gummy Bear
Oh I'm a movin', groovin', jammin', singin', Gummy Bear
Oh yeah!

“Fuck…five minute break?” Surge asked and Sonic didn’t have the strength to answer, waving a hand as Surge took the call. “What.” Surge growled into the call…it wasn’t a question.

“Oh sweet! I can contact you again.” Kit’s voice was ticked up a few notches. He was excited. “I’ve got him on the ropes, Surge! I really do! How’s it going with Sonic?” Surge panted a little more, looking over at the hedgehog who was staring back at her. He looked determined…but tired. A strain in his cheeks from holding up a constant weight. “Let me call you back.” And Surge hung up, putting the phone back in her pocket.

“Gummy Bear, huh?”

“You got something to say Sir Mix-A-Lot?” Sonic held his hands up in surrender, clearly knowing he’d lose that argument. There was another pause, both still catching their breath. “Why an art gallery? What were you gonna do?” Surge threw up a hand to emphasize her question. She could manage little else at that moment.

“Ah…see that’s where you’re wrong.” Sonic raised a smug finger and tried to mimic it with his face, but it just looked like he was cringing through pain. “What did we already do? Tails needed to clone the data from those art 'connoisseurs’ so he can get access to their data.”

“So you can blackmail them.” Surge narrowed her eyes at the hedgehog.

“These people profit from suffering. They skim on welfare. Reduce safety procedures. Subtly dismember unions.” Sonic argued at Surge.

“And that makes you better than them?” Sonic breathed for a time. The pause too long for Surge’s words to not resonate at least a little. Surge wondered how much he was actually considering her words. Few actually listened to what Surge had to say. She had to respect him for keeping his ears open.

“No…no I’m not. But the buck stops with me.” Sonic tried to find a grip on the wheelbarrow, but it just rocked on the ground and he was on his butt once more.

“No…” Surge told him. “It stops with me.” Sonic swallowed hard at that, glaring the tenrec down. “I am a member of G.U.N. We uphold the safety and security of the world. You are a threat to that.”

“I’m a threat to billionaire bottom lines.” Sonic spat back at her. “Nothing more.”

“A threat is a threat is a threat.” Surge gave a half hearted shrug. Sonic scoffed.

“And I thought you were interesting for a moment.” The hedgehog shook his head as Surge managed to crawl onto her hands and knees before finding her, if shaky, footing.

“Hey…heh.” Surge brought up her fists, first in an offensive pose, then palms up. “You’re the one who came and talked to me.”

“Maybe I was just looking for evidence you were the corporate sellout I always knew you were.” Sonic turned and glared at her as he used the wheelbarrow to put his feet under himself once more. “Why didn’t you break cover and take me down then and there in the gallery?”

“Little fact you should know about me…” Surge grinned as Sonic brought up his own fists. “I relish in the chase.” Sonic then gave a smirk and shook his head. When he raised it again, his eyes were gleaming.

“Well, I guess we both enjoy a little excitement now and then.” Surge’s grin grew into a full-blown smile.

“Alright then blue boy. THRILL ME.”

Sonic swung first this time, a pair of quick jabs at Surge’s core, the tenrec stepping back and forward with one fluid motion to deliver a powerful thrust to Sonic’s jaw. The hedgehog grunted but retaliated with an advancing forward kick. Fast and strong, Surge wasn’t prepared and caught it in the gut. She stepped back and almost tripped, having to keep moving as Sonic followed it up with a series of punches. Surge kept her arms up, feeling his fists pound against her forearms.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity, Surge saw it as he overextended just a few inches. Surge leaned to the side and grabbed his arm, pulling him forward and off his feet. Sonic tipped forward, about to fall. But Surge underestimated his speed. The hedgehog’s legs kicked out and tangled in Surge’s. The tenrec lost her balance as well, being brought down under the tangle of limbs.

Bringing her head up for an instant, she popped it back down as Sonic’s foot came up to slam her in the head again. His shoe beat against her back, head tucked in. Surge was still laying on one of his legs so she knew he couldn’t fully get away, but if she didn’t time this right she’d get her face smashed in. Her eyes flickered around for anything that could keep her in this fight.

Sonic’s blows were unrelenting. He may be cocky and good-natured, but he didn’t slouch in a fight. It was only when Surge saw his attacks in reverse that she realized the way out. A hunk of metal sheeting, leaned up and angled against an unfinished wall. Sonic’s image was blurry, but it was most certainly him. And he was rearing back.

Surge spun in a blur, hands instantly up to catch the foot and shove it to the side. Sonic half turned over and Surge clawed her way up to his arm, grabbing it and yanking it back once more.

“What the?!” Sonic yelped as Surge pulled the arm to her chest and whirled her legs around, getting them around Sonic’s legs in an armbar. Sonic floundered on the ground, trying to choke out words, but Surge only tightened her grip. Sonic tried to reach up a hand to grab at anything. Surge’s leg, her foot, her clothing. In response, Surge arched her back pulling on the arm, threatening to yank it out of the socket. Sonic howled and flopped some more. Body bouncing on the ground, a fish trying to leap back into the water. But Surge held firm. But Sonic kept bouncing, their combined momentum rocking back and forth. It took all of Surge’s strength to hold onto Sonic as it happened.

Sonic’s legs tucked in and he rolled with Surge, the two of them flipping over onto their stomachs. Well Sonic onto his stomach. Surge onto her face. She coughed out blood onto the plaster and dust ground, but held onto Sonic’s arm. But now they were face down and Sonic had the advantage, his fist coming around and smashing into Surge’s side. She tensed, trying to loosen the blow, but it stung. She once again groaned at having to thank Rouge for the dress reducing the impacts. Still, Surge felt her insides shift and bone strain as Sonic wailed on her side. She endured the hits for as long as she could, knowing the kind of bruise she’d have in the morning before lashing out.

As soon as one more side blow came, Surge lashed out with a foot, clipping Sonic in the face with enough force to shove him off her. Good news was he couldn’t punch her in the side, bad news was she no longer had a grip on him. Sonic got to his feet and Surge was close behind, noticing the beating he’d taken. Blood drooled from his mouth and seeped into the sclera of his right eye.

Surge ran at him, leaping toward him, feet first. The hedgehog raised his hands to stop the blow, but he was basically catching a fully grown, well muscled tenrec with his body, and it did not agree. The drop kick landed Surge on the ground again, but it took down Sonic. The hedgehog landed flat on his back, groaning painfully, hands hovering around his chest, unsure if he wanted to provide pressure or never even think about touching his chest again.

Surge wheezed, energy drained as she got to her feet once more. She advanced toward Sonic, half stumbling, feeling the wind blowing stronger as their fight had taken them closer to the edge of the building, lights and sounds of the city rising up from below. With an inhuman groan she reached down and yanked Sonic up by his coat, hauling him onto shaky feet. She glared him down and opened her mouth.

The jab came so fast, Surge could barely register it. A flicker of a fist that struck her in the solar plexus. Sonic’s face had changed too. No cockiness, but a determined coldness. Surge was unprepared for it. Her hands slackened and she let go, which earned her a knee in the side, just below the right side of her ribcage. Surge staggered back, her brain filled with static as her eyes tried to focus on Sonic. She reached up a hand for him but he swatted it out of the way, pushing down the length of her arm until he hit the shoulder and shoved her, spinning her around and causing her to stumble, body half bent over. It was only in the peripheral of her vision that she saw his fist rising once more. It would be a powerful strike. Muscle and bone lined up to demolish her. A blow to the head that would not only knock her out, but concuss her severely.

He wasn’t fighting to stop her…he was fighting to kill her. This was the man who carried out the missions. The ghost that had never been properly identified. That had beaten Shadow on multiple occasions and lived on the fringes of society for decades. Surge had never had a chance. It had been all games to him. To see what she was. To see if she could interest him. But she had been a bit more than he expected. The games were over, and he was ending this.

Surge supposed she had no other choice.

Her hand went to her hip, the edge where her dress opened to her thigh. And she reached under, the leather clearing smoothly and cleanly as Surge’s hand gripped around it. Surge managed one step further back, Sonic’s blow ruffling her quills as she snapped up–

–and aimed her handgun at his head.

“You–!” Sonic blinked. That mask of coldness dissipating. It didn’t disappear so much as shatter. Pieces remaining, but split. A mirror that showed many sides of him. “You cheated.” Sonic told her.

“Hands in the air.” Surge flicked the muzzle of her handgun at him. It was small, and guns weren’t Surge’s thing, but it fit her hands perfectly. Custom grip and sized to fit anywhere on Surge’s person. It was a must…as deigned by Kit. She supposed she had to give him credit too. She’d probably be dead if it wasn’t for him.

Sonic’s hands moved up…slowly, a slight stuttering to them as he glared at Surge. If Surge didn’t know any better she’d say he looked disgusted.

“Sonic the Hedgehog, you are under arrest for corporate espionage, conspiracy to commit corporate espionage, blackmail–”

“Seriously?! This is how you do it?” Sonic took a step toward Surge and something in her shuddered violently. A snap, a scraping of bone on bone.

“BACK THE FUCK UP!” She yelled and Sonic’s eyes went wide, the hedgehog taking a large solitary step away from her.

“Okay. Okay. Fine. But you won’t arrest me. I haven’t stayed off the grid this long because of luck.” Sonic told her, taking a few more steps back. Surge began to advance toward him, her arms fully extended, eyes locked down the sight. Sonic’s eyes were patient, if slightly guarded.

“You haven’t been arrested because you’ve never faced me.” Surge told him. Sonic’s mouth twitched up a little at that.

“I don’t get you.” Sonic told her, still moving backward…toward the building’s edge. Surge registered it in the back of her mind, but she was so tunneled on his face, his words, the way he spoke that made her want to hear what he said next. “One moment you’re all corporate. The next you’re this totally awesome badass.”

“Are you just shocked I can contain multitudes, or that a woman can?” Surge narrowed her eyes, focusing all the harder on Sonic’s face, her footsteps carrying her closer to him.

“I’m surprised anyone can these days. Things are so…black and white these days.” Sonic gave a flick of his hand.

“I don’t live in the gray Sonic. I can’t afford to.” Sonic was suddenly at the edge of the building, his heels sitting in open air, the wind at his back.

“I don’t mean like that, I just mean…you empathize. See things from a view that’s not your own.” Surge paused for a moment, but didn’t respond. “You don’t get that view unless you’ve been the person everyone’s blind to.” Surge found herself closer to him still. Her gun was only a few feet from his chest.

“What does that mean?” Surge asked, only noticing the slight waver in her voice until long after she said the words.

“I mean…I like that.” Sonic’s face flickered and his arms lowered a half inch. His eyes wavered and then steadied. “I like you.” Surge’s eyebrows moved up an inch and she paused, foot raised in midstep. An instant of weightlessness as her balance evaporated. And that’s exactly when Sonic struck. With a swat of a hand she’d been stupidly ignoring, Surge’s gun hand went to the side and Sonic spun his hand around her wrist to grab it and yank it up. The force pulled her to him and–

He kissed her. He fucking kissed her. How dare he?! How could he suddenly do that?! And…and why did she kiss him back? Surge’s eyes closed as she leaned into him. Her lips moved up into his and Surge yanked on her arm trying to pull her gun away but Sonic held her tight. His lips fought with hers, this relationship always a battle. Sonic opened his mouth, his tongue asking for entrance. To let him in.

And that’s when Surge pushed him.

A light tap with her free hand and his balance went. He let go of her gun, not wanting to take her with him as he fell…right…off…the fifth floor.

Surge’s eyes snapped open and she watched with shock and horror as he slipped off the edge, his last glance at her a question of: Really? He fell without a sound, a dark shape through the night, only glances of him as he fell past illuminated windows. He watched her watch him fall the whole time. His brows were furrowed. Even as he fell to his death he still remained confused about how he felt about her.

Recently, the city’s trash collection union had been fed up with low wages and long hours. Talks of strike had been in order. And sometimes they just let the garbage sit. Dumpsters left open to let the stink rise and seep into the air. And sometimes, falling hedgehogs crashed into them from the fifth floor.

Sonic had picked his fall carefully and double checked with Tails about which dumpsters had been picked up this week. He wasn’t stupid. But that didn’t mean it didn’t fucking hurt.

Bursting up from the refuse of the city, Sonic’s back screamed at him as a leftover burrito dumped its contents onto his arm, and a mysterious liquid soaked the back of his pant legs. He crawled out of the dumpster, landing face down on the concrete and groaning painfully, his back lighting up like a firework had been set off on his vertebrae.

But he managed a stand and looked up at Surge, his fingers raised in a little salute. She was staring at him the whole time, mouth agape.

“Cute.” He spoke into the city air. Then he turned around and limped off into the night.

Back on the fifth floor, Surge just watched him limp away, pissed at him and herself. She’d had him. HAD HIM. And then he kissed her?! And…and she hadn’t hated it…and then she’d PUSHED HIM!...OFF A BUILDING?! Who the fuck does that?!

Surge took a look down at herself. She was battered and bruised. Pain in her side where Sonic had punched her repeatedly in the side. Blood trickling down her nose from the repeated hits to the face…and the stains on her new dress. Well, looks like Rouge was going to kill her. Surge tapped at her earpiece, Kit groaning on the other side.

“It was all a diversion…” Kit whimpered. “They already siphoned the data and–”

“I know.” Surge grumbled. Kit just groaned again. “Hey, question.” Surge spoke and watched Sonic round a corner and disappear from sight. “Can you access the city’s cameras from my location?” A pause and the taking of fingers on keyboards. “They’re…down. And…” A heavy sigh. “The signature reads as Tails’ work.”

“They played us…again.” Surge gave a heavy sigh and sat on the edge of the building, legs dangling over the side.

“What does this mean?” Kit’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Now Blaze fires us.”

Chapter Text

The chain link gates opened on rusty wheels. A scraping sound so violent and piercing even the Everhold prison’s normally stoic guards winced at the sound. It didn’t help that it was preceded by a blaring alarm. A warning sound. One that declared the opening of the gate yes, but of something else too.

Of a prisoner’s release. Perhaps some would like to believe it is the beginning of a second chance, or freedom. But no. As the figure walked out, just as ramrod straight as when he’d entered decades ago, the guards knew very well what was happening.

A criminal was being put back onto the streets. And to him?

The sound of the gate being opened was a beautiful symphony. A rusty tearing sound that announced his return to the streets. What he’d had on him had been returned to him, for the most part. The only frown that had been put on his face had been put there by the state of his clothing. Moth-eaten and decayed with two decades worth of aging. He’d put a finger through one of the holes in his suit and grimaced. There were many stops on his return to the world, but far and above the first of which would be to a tailor.

His hat had aged better. Whether it was just the quality of the craftsmanship or just the strength of his character bleeding through to his most prized belongings, who really knew? And who really cared for that matter?

He gave a little tip of his hat to the guards as he walked out, their eyes on him as he strolled by. He could see the fury behind their eyes, their desire to hurt him and throw him back behind bars. He wondered what they wanted to do to him. How they would abuse him. He almost laughed. Being feared and respected was nice, but being hated? Well that got you a lot more attention.

It was only his cane that he was missing as the gates closed loudly behind him. It had been a beautiful thing. Carved from an ancient tree in lands far away. It had been a gift of sorts, or perhaps peace offering might be a better word.

Clutch had never thought of Dr. Starline as the sentimental sort. But it had been a nice cane. Clutch supposed it was locked away in some police station or sold at an auction years ago. A shame, but Clutch would find something better. He had no love for the cane itself, but the power he felt while wielding it. The sound it made as he walked by. The way heads snapped up and turned to him?

Clutch liked to say he was someone who ruled from the back, hidden in red tape and shadow. But really? It was all about exclusivity. The nobodies and civilians had no idea who he was. But those higher up? Even those above him? They knew exactly who he was. And hated him for it. Only he deserved the attention of those in power and the thing about that?

It gave him more power than all of them…

There was a car. No…a limo. Sleek, black, polished until the sun’s rays were like laser beams flickering off and making it glimmer like diamonds…it looked like Clutch’s ride was here. Clutch strolled over to the long vehicle, trying to appear as refined as his moth-eaten suit would allow.

The rear door of the car was opened for him before he even got in. And they say chivalry is dead. Clutch the Opossum lowered his substantial height into the car, head ducking and hand holding his hat as he entered. Clutch had many second-in-command’s over the years during his reign(they never seemed to stick around) but the one in front of him was not one he recognized.

He was a cat. Sunken beady eyes, sunken face, dark, dull blue-black fur. He was hunched in the seat in front of Clutch, hand shoved into a no-shit hoodie with enough holes in it that Clutch figured he was just trying to be sympathetic to Clutch’s own outfit.

“I…don’t recognize you.” Clutch waved a hand at the cat, his structure rattly enough that Clutch figured him for a junkie.

“You wouldn’t.” The cat shot a look out the window, eyes flickering on the prison and its walls. He jumped as the car started up and rolled down the road. Clutch took a moment to enjoy the ride. The smoothness of the wheels and the circular containment of the limo. A private world of excess that he had the pleasure of enjoying. “But I know you.” The cat’s eyes were back on him. “You’re Clutch. The greatest crime lord this city had ever known.” Clutch felt his teeth grind at the past tense in the cat’s words.

“Then I’m at a disadvantage. Care to illuminate on who you are? And what you’re doing in my limo?” Clutch leaned forward, hands together…twitchy. Chaos did he wish he had his cane back. It would give him something to do with his hands. The cat’s head twitched again, a little tic facilitated by a crossed wire in his brain.

“This isn’t your limo. It’s not even mine. I rented this.” Rented? Clutch was sitting in a rented limo? Clutch felt the fabric under him. It was rougher than he would’ve liked. It peeled in corners. This was no return to his empire…this was its last embers.

“You didn’t answer my question, boy. Who are you?” The cat’s eyes shot down and Clutch saw him breathing heavy, hands grasped tightly together in his hoodie.

“I’m…I’m Duo.” Duo…Clutch couldn’t place the name. It was odd enough that he was certain he’d never met anyone named Duo, yet the name still rang a bell. “You…knew my father. Mimic. Mimic the Octopus.” Clutch’s reaction was completely involuntary. He sat bolt upright, his eyebrows rocketing up. Mimic…this kid’s father was Mimic?! Mimic had indeed been one of Clutch’s second-in-command’s. The most ruthless, one of the most dangerous, and overall the best one he ever had.

Until he wasn’t.

Mimic had been an army officer. Stealth operative and infiltrator. He’d been a part of a group called the Diamond Cutters. A domestic attempt at G.U.N.’s agents…until Mimic had been dishonorably discharged. It was a simple mistake what had happened with his team. And yet Mimic had gotten the short end of the stick and was tossed out. Clutch didn’t believe in wasting good talent like that. He was awfully big into recycling.

Clutch had recalled the octopus having mentioned that he had a kid at one point. But it had been so offhanded and brought up only the one time that Clutch had all but thrown the memory down a dark chute in his mind. Well…Duo didn’t look like much. Clutch supposed that Mimic amounted to little in the end.

“I see…and as for my…other question?” With a little more knowledge on this scrap of a living thing, Clutch felt more relaxed. He waved a palm and placed it in his vision so Duo sat in it…ready to be crushed.

“I…need your help.” Needed his help? Needed?! HA! If Clutch’s empire was nothing but dust in the wind he was the one who needed help. He was sitting in a CHAOS DAMN RENTED LIMO! It was time he tossed this boy out. This ride would be nice enough and then Clutch would have to figure out a way to put the pieces of his life back together. “Before he died…my father told me you owed him. And that should I ever need it…you could help me.”

Owed him?! What could–oh…oh dear. Clutch felt his heart pound a little harder in his chest. A little voice in his mind trying to scream loud to ignore it…but Clutch supposed…he supposed…

He did owe Mimic, didn’t he?

“I’m…I’m in a bad spot. I…owe some people. Some bad people. I used my last cent to rent this limo cause…heh…” The cat trembled. A half-laugh, half-shudder. One hand went from his pocket to his head, grabbing hold like he was going to fall apart if he didn’t. “...I figured a crime boss would appreciate a little chivalry, huh? Heh…hehehehe.” The cat broke into titters, legs curling up onto the seat, hands back in his sweatshirt pocket.

Bad people and chivalry…well that was Clutch’s wheelhouse wasn’t it? Clutch narrowed his eyes at Duo. This person on the fringes. He was about to break completely. Unless of course…Clutch intervened. But why would Clutch do anything to help this helpless mewling child when he had nothing himself.

“I’ll do this…but let it be known. If I fucking die. You owe me Clutch.”

Right. That.

In all fairness, Clutch didn’t expect a dead man to come collect on his debts.

“Bad people, huh?” Clutch leaned back in his seat and removed his hat, feeling the brim in his hands. Duo gave a faint nod, unable to meet his gaze. “And what exactly do these bad people do?” Duo shrugged now, head shaking.

“What don’t they do? Drugs, money, booze, guns, people.” Duo curled himself tighter, hands still shoved so tight in his pockets.

“All that, huh?” Clutch tilted his head up and felt the corners of his mouth shift upward. Empires never really died. The rulers changed, and so did the governments. But the systems? The infrastructure. The businesses? Those stayed the same. Clutch’s empire had indeed remained. It just seemed like everyone who’d forgotten who was in charge.

It seemed like he would have to remind them.

“Duo…” The cat perked up at his name. “I think, perhaps. We can help each other.” Duo blinked and his eyes focused on Clutch, the haze of repeated drug use fading in his face for an instant. “But on one condition.” Clutch held up a lone finger and Duo leaned forward.

“A-anything sir.” Clutch’s eyes flickered down to the pocket of the sweatshirt where Duo’s hands were.

“I’m going to need you to refrain from using that knife to stab me in the back.” Duo’s eyes flickered again. This time there was an eagerness in his face. A bizarre mix that held both the brief consciousness he’d seen and the haze of drugs. A kind of energetic trance. One that finally showed Clutch some similarities between this cat and his old man. Duo pulled out the combat knife that he’d been holding in the sweatshirt pocket so tightly. 8 inches of tempered steel. Blade serrated like shark teeth. A point sharp enough to split stone. Mimic’s knife. Duo’s knife.

“I would never, sir.” And Duo smiled.

…

Blaze was breathing heavy. No, scratch that. She was downright about to hyperventilate. Technically, she couldn’t fire them for trying their hardest. She couldn’t fire them for being downright out played by the hedgehog and mysterious hacker. She couldn’t fire them for their failure causing the transfer of several million dollars from accounts going missing in one place and suddenly appearing in another.

But for the sheer incompetence of an inability to work together and coordinate?! Well that was a different matter.

Surge looked at the vein on the cat’s forehead and wondered what would burst first, the vein or the rage filled tension in the room. Ultimately, it seemed as if neither would be the case. Blaze flopped into her seat, arms spilling over the sides as she groaned and rubbed her forehead, a headache either asserting itself or powering up. She opened a drawer and pulled out a pill bottle. Surge and Kit waited patiently in those two, quicksand-like chairs as Blaze shook one pill into her hand…then two…then paused…and decided on six before popping them into her mouth and taking a large sip of her water glass.

“You two are off the Sonic case.” Blaze said with a tired certainty. It felt like it was out of her hands. Surge considered getting up to argue, but Blaze had no energy. Surge felt like she could yell all day at the cat and Blaze would just blink up at her tiredly, the answer unchanging. “I putting Shadow and Amy back on it. They’ve dealt with Sonic a lot more than the both of you.”

“You’re not…firing us.” Kit tried to lean forward in the chair, hands clasped together.

“What would be the point? You didn’t do anything wrong, did you?” Blaze perked up an eyebrow and Surge swallowed a bit too hard. Her…tactical liplock with Sonic had somehow been forgotten about when Surge wrote the report. She and Kit shook their heads. “Then I just need a different set of eyes on this. It’s not your fault they’re just better. I shouldn’t have put you on this in the first place.”

Both Surge and Kit flinched, a motion that Blaze ignored or didn’t notice.

“Go. Sift through some old cold cases, make yourselves busy.” Blaze wobbled a hand at the door, not feeling up to a full directed point. Surge and Kit waited a full five seconds, figuring there would be more, but Blaze simply tilted her head to the side, looking out the bright floor to ceiling windows of her office and seeming to age a full decade. The pair stood and exited, Surge giving the cat a final look before turning around and passing Silver, the cart boy as he entered the office.

“Hello Ms. Blaze!” He cheered and Blaze turned back, some life coming back into her eyes at the young hedgehog.

“Silver, please. It’s just Blaze.” She smiled at him and he smiled back, his warm demeanor bringing brightness into the room.

“Of course, M–Blaze. I’ve got scones today and…” Silver reached under the cart and pulled out a large silver pot. “Tea! Could I pour you a cup?” Silver gestured forward with the pot and Blaze gave a faint nod. Silver then produced a cup and plate from the cart and served the cat, a warm scent of black tea rising into the air. Silver slid it over to Blaze and she took it gingerly, having found her spine had returned and she was able to sit upright in the chair. She sipped at it and found it tail-curlingly warm. She gave a sigh and relaxed against her chair.

“And how are you today, Blaze?” Silver then offered up a cranberry and orange scone and Blaze was mildly offended he even had to ask.

“Oh, you know…ups and downs.” Blaze forced a smile at that and Silver gave a brief, if empathetic nod.

“I get that! I guess that’s why they’re called ‘ands.’” Silver spoke as he cleaned up his cart, making everything look spick and span.

“I’m sorry?” Blaze tilted her head, the tea cup following and almost spilling before the cat noticed and was quick to correct.

“‘Ands.’” Silver repeated. “It’s ups and downs.” Blaze blinked, not really understanding what the cute young hedgehog was talking about. “Well if there’s an up, then that means there’s gonna be a down, right?” Blaze furrowed her brows but supposed there was some grammatical truth to the statement. “So if there’s a down, doesn’t that mean an up is due?” Blaze blinked again. And then she laughed. And laughed again.

“I suppose it does!” Blaze chuckled to herself until the laughing caused her to spill her tea. Nothing very damaging, but it would stain her leather desk mat if she didn’t wipe it up. “Oh, bother.”

“Oh!” Silver was quick to pull out a cloth napkin and lean over Blaze’s desk, already wiping it up. His face was close to hers. Blaze felt her heart jump and her body heat up. No…she couldn’t feel like this. This teenage heat. She was an adult. But as Silver smiled at her and gave a little tah-dah at the cleaned spot. Blaze felt those thoughts crush under the spinning heat within. “See! Now you’re due for an up!” Blaze’s face broke into a smile once more and nodded.

“I–look forward to it.” She spoke. The heat had reached her cheeks and she hoped to Chaos it wasn’t visible.

“Here! I’ve got one for you. Why don’t you come down to my bakery and I’ll get you a dozen cupcakes. On the house.” Silver spoke and Blaze moved back in her chair, doing a little double take.

“A dozen? Silver, that’s awfully kind of you, I–couldn’t.” Why was she saying no? Of course she wanted to see Silver that wasn’t in this bizarre server mentality. She wanted to hear him laugh and get excited. But...she couldn’t.

“It’s not that kind.” Silver gave a lopsided smile. “They’re a couple days old.” Blaze raised an eyebrow. “A large order came through, and was canceled at the last minute. And now I’ve got a hundred and twelve cupcakes with a video game character on them and no idea what to do with them.” Blaze tried to hold in a snort.

“A video game character?”

“Tomatopotamus.”

“Tomatopotamus?” Blaze gave a knowing nod and tried to ignore the fact that she had been in college when the first Tomatopotamus game had come out…in 1991.

“Yup…and I’m foolish enough to not have my business have catering orders be paid up front.” Silver gave a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. Blaze gave a sympathetic sigh and set down her tea cup once more.

“Oh, Silver…” Blaze looked him up and down. His posture showed…disappointment maybe, but it never quite reached his eyes. Still so full of life. “Ups and downs, right?”

“Right!...so maybe you can come into my shop and brighten it up a little?” Silver gave a lopsided smile and Blaze gave another laugh. She had a hard time imagining that Silver’s place of business wasn’t illuminated in god rays at all times, but she found herself giving a nod.

“Maybe…I’m not a woman who turns down free cupcakes.” Blaze finished off her cup of tea and handed it back to Silver who took it carefully and placed it back under the tray.

“Then I’ll be sure to see you soon. I’m sure everyone could use a little more ups then downs.” Silver thumbed at the door and Blaze realized he was referring to Surge and Kit. The two of them had looked a little downtrodden when they’d left.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about them.” Blaze told him and he perked up, a slight tilt to his head that somehow made him look even more cute. “I’m just trying a new mode of motivation on them. Slackening the leash, as it were.”

“Oh.” Silver gave a nod, the hedgehog completely unaware as to what actually went on in this office. “Do you think that’ll work?” Blaze gave a shrug and dug into her scone. It was buttery and cumbly and filled her mouth with the taste of citrus. She swallowed and spoke.

“Well, they’ll either do better just to spite me or…” Or we’ll all be fired. Blaze thought in her head. Silver’s eyebrows raised a few notches.

“I don’t mean to intrude Blaze but…isn’t that a bit risky?” Blaze gave an affirmative nod.

“Most certainly. But I trust them.” She told Silver and he brightened. “I just can’t dare let them know that.”

…

Sonic was up to something. Miles knew it. He could smell it. Sense it. He’d known the hedgehog most of his life and every fiber of his being told him Sonic was up to something…or maybe hiding something?

One might think they were the same, but with Sonic? Those were two very different things. When Sonic was hiding something it was small. A pet they couldn’t take care of. A chili dog he snuck when he shouldn’t have. But when he was up to something? It was a much larger plot.

And almost always got them in serious trouble.

“What the fuck are you up to?” Miles finally peeked over the edge of his laptop and glared at the hedgehog, who was, indeed, eating a chili dog when he swore that he’d only eat them on weekends.

“Mmm?” Sonic perked up, his ears perfectly straight as he paused mid bite of chili dog. Miles watched him for a second, trying to see through the hedgehog’s thick skull into what his brain was cooking up. “...eatin’?” Sonic’s own uncertainty added to Miles’ concern.

“...I thought you were going to eat healthier.” Miles set his hands on his hips. Sonic gave a shrug and pointed to the chili dog, which appeared to have some wedge of something green on it.

“This has jalapenos! Those are healthy.” Miles remained unconvinced. “Fine! I’ll add avocado or something next time.” Sonic waved him off and returned his attention to the chili dog. Sonic took another big bite, but Miles could tell…he was hamming it up. There was a bizarre slowness to his bites. Each chew overly contemplative for the normally forward thinking hedgehog.

“What are you up to?” Sonic’s eyes slid slowly from the distance to Miles and a smile was found…forced.

“Eating?”

“...No…” Miles shook his head. “You’re up to something.”

“I’m not!”

“You are!” Miles jumped up from his seat and pointed a finger at Sonic, the point wobbling. “Maybe not now, but your brain…it’s…it’s thinking.” Miles annunciated every syllable.

“I would never think.” Sonic protested putting his chili dog down.

“I can smell the smoke coming out of your ears. You are thinking something!” Miles did a little hop, finger still pointing at the tip of Sonic’s nose.

“I would never!” Sonic threw out his hands, an umpire declaring an out.

“Never?”

“Never.” Sonic insisted, hand over his heart…and his other hand behind his back. Miles’ eyes narrowed.

"Hedgehoguptosomethingsayswhat."

"What? DAMN IT!"

“Show me your other hand.” Sonic blinked. “Show it…” Miles directed a finger at the ground, Sonic a misbehaving pet. Sonic shook his head. “Shooow iiiit!” Miles demanded again and once more Sonic shook his head. “That’s it!” Miles came around the table and Sonic leaned back in his chair, the chair tipping back and causing Sonic to somersault out of it, popping up with a hand still behind his back, but in the second where he’d rolled, Miles had seen. “I see your crossed fingers!”

“What crossed fingers?!” Sonic raised his hands up in a surrender…revealing a middle finger wrapped around an index.

“A-HAH!” Miles pointed a final accusatory finger. Sonic cursed and lowered his hands.

“I…may…or may not be thinking about something.” Sonic admitted, looking everywhere but at Miles.

“What is it?” Miles crossed his arms and tapped a foot. Sonic blew a raspberry and waved him off.

“Nothing important. Don’t you worry your cute little head about it.” Sonic patted Miles’ head for emphasis, the fox swatting him off.

“If it wasn’t important, you would’ve blabbed it out nonchalantly a while ago. Like your idea for snack delivery systems or high speed lanes for sidewalks.”

“I stand by that last one!”

“What idea are you thinking about?” Miles walked up to Sonic and got in his face, glaring up at the hedgehog who had started to sweat, a bead of moisture rolling down the hedgehog’s cheek.

“Don worry ‘bout it.” Sonic muttered, still looking away.

“When you keep an idea to yourself, it sooner or later blows up in our faces…like the snack delivery system. It took months for us to get the garlic smell out.” Miles prodded a finger at Sonic’s nose.

“I wasn’t defending that one.” Sonic tried for a smile.

“WHAT’S GOING ON IN THAT HEAD?!”

“I LIKE SURGE!” Miles took a full step back. Then another. Then another.

“No.” Sonic swallowed and looked away. “Noooooo.” Miles raised a finger at him. “No.” Miles waved his hands at the floor, smoothing out an invisible carpet.

“Yes.”

“No.” Miles told him.

“Yes.” Sonic gave a tilt of his head.

“Nooo.” Miles groaned.

“Yes.” Sonic gave a nod.

“No!” Miles stamped his foot.

“...Yes.” Sonic gave a sigh and Miles threw his hands into his face and spun around, growling and grumbling at everything. He paced around the room twice and spun to face Sonic.

“Her?! Of all people? The tenrec that tried to beat you up?! The girl that wants you arrested?! The violent girl?” Miles made slaps at his palm.

“I think she’s just enthusiastic.” Sonic gave a shrug.

“You finally take interest in someone and it’s a cop who wants nothing else than you behind bars?” Miles asked and Sonic couldn’t meet his gaze.

“I mean…I don’t think that’s all she wants. It’s just a…semi-high priority.”

“Semi-high priority? That’s what you’re going with?” Sonic gave a shrug. “Well what else could be of more interest than that?”

“I mean she didn’t seem to hate it when–” Sonic stopped talking. Miles felt a disturbing bile rise up from within him and birth a dangerous idea in his head. He felt queasy.

“What…did…you…do?” Sonic said nothing. “What. Did. You. Do?” Sonic scratched a toe at the floor. “Whatdidyoudo?!” Miles spat out all at once.

“We kinda sorta made a kiss or something, okay?” Sonic’s hands went up and he tilted his head and he shrugged all at the same time in such a fashion Miles wasn’t sure if he was confused or having a stroke.

“No…nooooo…” Miles pulled at his cheeks. Sonic nodded. Miles closed his eyes and took in a deep inhale. “Okay! Okay. It’s fine. We can fix this. Let’s clear this up. So you kissed? Fine. How about all the other things she did? Did she punch you? Kick you?” Sonic gave a couple nods. “Okay what else?”

“She pushed me off a building?” Miles’ jaw fell open.

“She pushed you off a building?! How high?!” Sonic shrugged and scratched at his cheek.

“Couple floors?”

“Wh…when did this happen?!” Miles demanding.

“After we kissed.” Miles took a full three seconds to absorb this, his brain ready to give up on his brother before throwing his hands up and stomping back over to his laptop. “Alright, bro. You like this girl. But let me show you that she doesn’t like you.”

“What…what do you mean?” Sonic approached Miles as the fox sat down at his laptop and began typing away.

“I mean–I’m one step closer to accessing G.U.N.’s databases. Remember when you were cloning all those phones at the gallery? Well Surge’s phone was there too. I don’t have full access, but GPS? You betcha. Let’s just see how Surge is contemplating that kiss.”

Miles booted up the satellite link and targeted Surge’s phones’ GPS, locating her phone directly without having to go through cell tower triangulation. The building pusher was currently in downtown Station Square, apparently having a snack at a local cafe. Miles glared at the red pulsing dot on his screen. Who was this girl? And why in the world did Sonic have to like her? And most importantly, how likely was she to get him and Sonic thrown in jail…or killed.

“So…what’s she up to?” Sonic leaned over Miles’ shoulder and the fox resisted the urge to place his shoulder in the hedgehog’s throat. The eagerness in his voice was unnerving. There was an almost lyrical tilt to it. Like Sonic was about to break into song over his affection for Surge. Miles’ stomach did a belly flop.

“...eating, I’d guess.” Everyone ate, but the specific timing with Sonic having just eaten as well made Miles extra concerned.

Doing a quick scan of the area, Miles found a slew of security cameras just waiting to be accessed. He hijacked the feeds from two dozen cameras in the area and began to flip through them, looking for any sign of the mean green face-punching machine. He started with the cafe’s cameras but found them strangely devoid of a snarling tenrec face. The inside, kitchen, and back alley cam were all duds. But then Miles noted through a corner of one camera the cafe held outside seating. Miles flipped through the other sets of camera’s he’d hijacked and found one just across the street.

Boom. One face-puncher…and she was eating a giant panini. Sonic and Miles watched with blank faces as she bit into it and pulled pork shot out the back end, landing on her plate and splattering sauce onto her shirt.

There was no audio, but Surge’s swear was evident from the way her mouth was stretched open wide. Sonic gave a little laugh.

“No no.” Miles flicked a finger at Sonic’s nose, pushing it up and away from the screen. “Don’t find her endearing. She’s yelling at a panini. Don’t find people who yell at paninis endearing.”

“Well…yeah.” Sonic smirked, his eyes drawn back to the screen where Surge was now furiously wiping at her shirt, her anger with the panini not yet resolved. “But when was the last time you saw someone so vehemently themselves?” Miles swallowed for the answer was actually easier than Sonic might think. Miles saw it every time his brother entered a room.

“She’s vehemently a mess.” Miles grumbled and blocked out all the times Sonic had made the same mess on his own shirt.

“Wait-wait-wait.” Sonic then leaned forward again and pointed at the screen once more. “Who’s she meeting with?” A small figure approached Surge. He’d emerged slowly. His body almost seeming to blend in with the natural shadows of the world. He took the seat across from Surge and began to talk with her, and from the way it looked, Surge was listening very carefully. “Who’s this guy? An informant? Is he someone she’s…she’s investigating as well?” Miles felt a dark chill in his body. It pierced at his skin and wormed down to his bones. The fox felt his stomach do a 180 and the acids within boil upward, singing his throat and putting an acrid taste in his mouth. “Tails. Bro, we gotta find out who this guy is. Do…do you think she’s fighting other people?” Miles couldn’t find the ability to deal with the sudden rise of his brother’s jealousy. He could barely keep his eyes on the screen without seeing red. “Tails?”

“He’s…he’s not an informant.” Miles gritted his teeth, the bile rising in his throat and threatening to spill over as venom. “THAT’S MY BOYFRIEND!” Miles spoke as he watched the figure of Kit talk to Surge, the fennec clearly reprimanding the tenrec.

…

They weren’t giving up. There was no chance in the universe that Surge was letting Sonic go. Not after getting beaten twice. Not even with Blaze breathing down their necks. Not even with the possibility of her getting killed. Not after he’d…he’d kissed her.

Like seriously?! She was about to shoot him and he just goes and kisses her? How fuckin’ crazy do you have to be to do that?!

…it was a pretty fuckin’ good kiss.

No! No. She couldn’t think those thoughts. She was the law and he was just some vigilante acting like a child who had no faith in the system. The irony of him playing the punk and her the straight-edge was not entirely lost on her. But right now. She was the cop, and he was the criminal. And speaking of criminals…

Surge took a tiny bit of enjoyment at the look of surprise on Starline’s face as she sat in the waiting room for him. The platypus took a few tentative steps into the room, eyes on her. They narrowed ever so slightly, as if unsure if she was real or not. He managed a seat across from her, his body hunched and small. Was he trying to ingratiate himself to her by making her feel bigger? She couldn’t know. Everything he did was designed to manipulate.

“Daughter–”

“Surge is fine.” Starline swallowed and nodded.

“Surge…I didn’t think I would see you again so soon. You are not required to–”

“I’m not required to do anything.” Surge grit her teeth and Starline flinched. He was acting lower than usual. Was he actually this eager to see her? It couldn’t be true. Not him. Not. Him.

“Of course…” Starline cleared his throat. He then tried to spread his hands but the chain connecting his wrists made it looked like he was just poorly framing his face. “What…what brings you back again so soon?” Surge shifted in the uncomfortable chairs and straightened, giving her throat a clear.

“Something…happened.” Starline blinked and Surge noted the touch of frustration in his eyes. She wasn’t being succinct. Starline didn’t care for beating around the bush. He was smug, and pompous, but at least he preferred shit out on the table. “Gimme…gimme a second. I’m trying to get this together.” Starline gave a tilt of his head and Surge saw recognition behind his eyes. A smile moved across his face. Too wide, too knowing. Surge felt her stomach roiling.

“Surge…I was under the assumption you might have another piece of technology you might need help with but…” Starline straightened, that slack pose falling away to reveal the man and his eternal greater-than-thou style bleeding through. “Is this a personal matter?”

“No.” Surge said…too fast. The doctor leaned forward and searched her face. Surge leaned back, holding a neutral expression. He would not get in her head. Not anymore than he already had.

“Very well.” Starline grumbled and returned to a more normal position. He still sat straight up right, but there was a tiny hunch in his neck, a relaxing of the pose. Or maybe just a reserving of energy until the time to strike came again.

“I’m…I’m tracking down someone.”

“The same someone who made that disc?” Starline raised an eyebrow and Surge found the strength to meet his gaze, hold it.

“An associate of theirs, yes.” Surge found that she was the one hunching now, her elbows on the table as she slouched. Starline was glaring at her, his eyes piercing and cold. She yanked her elbows from the table, a distant baked in shame. Then felt angry for letting him get to her. “I’ve tracked him twice. And both times, right when it looked like I had him…he slips away. Pulls a crazy stunt that I can’t see coming and vanishes.” Surge gave a spreading of her hands, an invisible smoke bomb going off.

“Someone that does things you find crazy? This man is clearly insane.” Starline considered his nails and blinked. Surge gave a cough of a laugh. The doctor might actually be right for once.

“Yeah, I got it…dad.” Surge said the word again and Starline’s eyes found hers once more. The word somehow making him more cooperative. “But how do I beat someone like that? I…I’ve been made a fool of.” Surge’s hands coiled into fists and Starline took note.

“A fool, hmmm?”

“‘I do that myself,’ huh?” Surge spoke for him and Starline looked away, not impressed.

“So you played his game, and lost? Yes?” Surge gave a nod. “So you played again and lost again?” Another nod. Starline turned his head back to her. “Stop playing. Don’t let him take the fight on his terms. You’re clever…when you want to be.” Starline grumbled, then he leaned forward once more, his face close to Surge and for once she didn’t feel the revulsion to pull away. “Make your own rules.” As Starline pulled away, Surge felt a strange beating of her heart. A steadiness that had never been there. She agreed with him. This monster…he was right. Once! Just…just this once.

“Are we done here?” Starline turned his head toward the cell block exit of the waiting room, a tiredness reaching his face.

“Just…just one more thing.” Starline raised an eyebrow. “I…I might’ve met someone.” Starline tilted his head down and Surge couldn’t come up with the reason why she was telling him this.

“Really? Well knowing you, anyone that you share a relationship with will get you both killed.”

…

Shadow fought with himself as he stood on the sidewalk. Two halves warred within. Each screaming out a different thing as he stood blankly, his vision fuzzed with the internal discussion.

What was he doing here? This wasn’t his place. This wasn’t his space. He didn’t know how to…operate somewhere he didn’t know the exact layout of.

And Amy’s home was certainly one of those places.

What would he find? His initial assumption was that she lived in a gingerbread house with tables made of the finest chocolate and pillows made from fine-spun cotton candy. But instead…her apartment looked like an apartment.

A plain concrete facade with some light brickwork on the edges to give it some flare. It was well maintained, middle class but a modern electronic lock on the front of the building made Shadow feel more comfortable with her safety.

He’d…he’d brought flowers. Why had he brought flowers? It just seemed like the thing to do. He’d heard it was a romantic gesture. And the roses were nice enough…Shadow internally face-palmed. He’d bought Amy Rose…roses. She would think it was a bad joke. Shadow knew he should’ve gotten lilies! Lilies were so much more refined!

Shadow stepped toward the building feeling a general sense of unease. He liked Amy. He knew that much. But then why was the idea of talking to her so…uncertain? Shadow’s predictive brain overloading at the completely unknown variable that was Amy’s response to him.

The hedgehog entered the front atrium of the apartment building and faced the intercom, a list of names present alongside a series of buttons. People that had the pleasure and luck to live alongside her. Shadow scanned the names, taking relative disinterest at people with which he had no knowledge of yet resented all the same. And then finally, 2D–Amy Rose. With a hard swallow, Shadow pushed the button.

The intercom made a series of noises, some digital, some mechanical and for an instant Shadow feared the device had been booby trapped. But with a deep click, it connected.

“Amy? It’s Shadow.” Shadow said. The hedgehog cleared his throat. “I’m here for our meet.” Shadow paused for a second, looking at the intercom and trying to imagine what she would say in response to his sterility. Came up short. “I…I brought you flowers.” Shadow coughed and was surprised to find his throat as dry as it was. “I got roses, which are perhaps a bit on the nose, but I was told they were in season and–”

“Are you her boyfriend?” Came a voice from the intercom, that despite how muffled it was, was most certainly not Amy. Shadow blinked and could not respond. “And you bought her flowers! How nice you are!” The voice was still feminine, but it crackled with age. There was an ever so slight southern tilt to it, like the woman on the other end had lived her childhood in the sticks and the rest of her life in the city. That old southern twang never quite receding. Shadow took another look at the button he’d pressed, confirmed it was 2D, then at his phone and confirmed that Amy had texted him that she lived in apartment 2D.

“Is…is this 2D?” Shadow leaned forward awkwardly, still concerned the intercom was booby trapped.

“Oh! No dear! This is 2C!” The voice called. “They mismatched the numbers on the callbox! I’ve been trying to get them to fix it for months now!” The voice told him. “Low priority they say. Now my husband Garfield, may he rest in peace, always got around to a job no matter how small. But there are advantages! I get to talk to nice boys like you.” The voice continued. “So how long have you two been dating? Now a nice girl like that is hard to find these days, what with all the internets and social medias. Everyone’s so vain! But not that Amy. She’s so kind and cares for everyone. Just the other day I couldn’t change a lightbulb in my bathroom and I called the maintenance man and he said he’d be here–” Shadow felt his eye begin to twitch. “–at some point between noon and 6. And I told him that’s ridiculous, I don’t have all day to ask someone to change my lightbulb. And what if I had to use the bathroom? Such a bother. But that Amy was home and she was so sweet to fix the lightbulb and so I baked her a batch of cookies. Now Garfield, may he rest in peace, did not care for my cookies, ‘too much butter’ he always said. It was one of our sticking points, but Amy’s nice enough to take a few. But I do wonder if all those social medias might have a few things right, Amy should watch her figure, she’s already a little fat and–”

“Ma’am–!” Shadow stopped the elderly woman from talking about Amy’s weight. Not only did he think it was none of this woman’s business, but he had places to be.

“Oh…oh! Not my place, of course not. I bet a nice young man like you is all about…what was it? Good body photo?”

“Positive body image.” Shadow blinked slow and wondered why he didn’t just call Amy when he arrived.

“No…it’s something else…” The voice continued. “I’m Edith Wenawick and–”

“Mrs. Wenawick.” Shadow put a little more gravel into his voice. “I need to see Amy, so if you could direct me to which call button is Amy’s I could–”

“Oh, it’s no bother dear. I’ll let you in.” Mrs. Wenawick spoke and Shadow turned his head to the click of inner door opening it. Without waiting for another word, Shadow pulled open the door and let Mrs. Wenawick’s voice recede into the background. Shadow situated the apartment around him and found the stairs, taking them up to the second floor.

Pulling open the door, Shadow entered the second floor and took the steps toward 2D when another door opened. As it pulled open, the dark hedgehog resisted sigh as he caught the number: 2C.

Mrs. Wenawick was an elderly skunk. Her body was worn down with age, but parts of it were held up with pride and smiles. Crinkles at the corners of her eyes and a strength in her step that told Shadow that while she might chase him in a shuffle, she would most certainly chase him. Shadow came to a slow step as she exited her apartment, her eyes peering up at him as he contemplated just pushing past her and going to Amy’s apartment, one room away.

“Okay, let me get a look at you.” Mrs. Wenawick came at Shadow with both hands. Arms up she reached for his face. Shadow considered his angle of attack. Wide arm guard. Flick to the throat. Knuckles to her center mass and flick around for a throat choke to the ground. Incapacitate limbs with a leg.

Instead Shadow let her grab at his face.

“Wow! You’re so handsome! And I thought Amy was lucky, but look at that jaw!” Mrs. Wenawick gripped Shadow’s face with a stronger grip than he thought the little woman would be capable of. “And these muscles! Are you some kind of body builder?”

“N-no ma’am.” Shadow relented to the skunk prodding him like a prize bull.

“Well then you keep in great shape. And that’s key to a healthy mind, you know.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Oh hush with all the ‘ma’ams.’”

“Yes ma–Mrs. Wenawick.” Shadow caught himself. Mrs. Wenawick looked at Shadow for a few more moments before setting her hands on her elderly hips and giving a fine nod. “Alright, I’ve kept you long enough son. Go on now. Be good to her.” Mrs. Wenawick gave Shadow a flick of her hand and the hedgehog nodded.

“Of course, Mrs. Wenawick.” Shadow started again for Amy’s door but the skunk stopped him one more time.

“Hold on. Bring her a plate of these.” Shadow turned around to a plate of fine china topped with chocolate chip cookies. A little burnt on the edges, with steam still rising from their centers. Shadow took the cookies, because frankly, he didn’t know how to turn them down. “Good luck, son.” Mrs. Wenawick gave him a little wave before disappearing back into her apartment as quickly as she’d arrived.

Shadow’s next step was slow. Held with the confusion of what had just happened and the transition into his next mode of thought. It carried him to Amy’s front door where he tapped at the doorbell with an elbow, one hand holding roses, the other a plate of fresh cookies.

“One second!” Amy called from within and Shadow tried to tamp down the little excited jitter that shot through his heart. It was like a second him was emerging. But he knew so little about it. It scared him…and interested him. He had no idea how to properly care for it. Amy’s door pulled open and Shadow’s second self got even more excited.

She lacked the dress of their first date, but just seeing her in jeans and a simple pink blouse was enough to pump blood faster through Shadow’s heart. She smiled up at him and pulled back a few quills, eyes meeting his. Shadow felt himself quite literally get pulled in, his body leaning over to get closer to her.

She frowned.

The illusion broke and Shadow straightened trying to remember what was happening and why he was here.

“Why do you have flowers?” Amy asked him and Shadow blanched. He…didn’t exactly know, it was just a thing people did for their girlfriends…right?

“I…”

“Shadow…this wasn’t a date.” The second Shadow crumbled from within. “We’re just talking about work stuff.”

“But…but you invited me to your home…” Shadow told her as she examined the roses, eyeing them up and down. For someone not expecting them, they certainly interested her.

“Shadow…” Amy laughed. “I always invite you to my home to discuss work. You just always turn me down.” That was…true. Shadow recalled innumerous times she’d wanted to discuss mission plans in person. But he’d always pushed for online or over comms. But now they were dating and he figured…he thought…

He’d totally thought this was a date.

At least he’d thought it was casual and dressed appropriately. Shadow had no idea what he’d do if he’d shown up in a suit.

“Well, I’ll just take these as a housewarming gift, hmm?” Amy plucked the roses from him and smiled that beaming smile once more. Shadow wanted to live in it. It was so full of life and innocence. It needed protection at all times.

“Cookies.” Shadow lifted the plate of cookies, his words flat. Amy glanced down at them and groaned. Shadow flinched.

“You got caught by Mrs. Wenawick, huh?” Shadow breathed an internal sigh of relief that her apparent frustration was not at him but her neighbor. “I should’ve just told you to text me when you arrived.”

“Are they not good cookies?” Shadow looked down at the plate and Amy gave a laugh, turning around and heading into her apartment. Shadow held for a moment, but when nothing happened, he realized that was his cue to follow her.

“Look, she’s lovely and quiet, but that woman cannot bake.” Amy spun for a moment and threw out a hand, cutting off the possibility of Mrs. Wenawick’s pastry aspirations. “I never looked into it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Wenawick simply faked his death to get away from her hard as stone confections.” Shadow gave a faint nod as his eyes trailed up to take in a proper look at Amy’s apartment.

G.U.N. work paid better than your average 9 to 5 but it was no six figure salary. That said, Amy had done well with what she’d had. A clean, inviting home done in pastel colors and warm tones. The two bed one bath put Amy in the heart of downtown. Shadow feared for the crime in the area, but he couldn’t deny that she had access to the various nightlife and sights. Countless bars, museums, parks and restaurants all within easy walking distance.

As Shadow walked down the front hall he took note of the watercolor paintings she’d put up. Forests, oceans, mountains, all render in long swooshing strokes. He wondered if she’d painted them. He wondered if she longed for them.

The front hall opened up into the living room, a rich plush couch sat around a low lying square coffee table. The top was bewildering, a mismatch of darker browns that looked like they’d been painted in Andy Warhol style. A slew of different reports and documents were laid out atop it. The couches themselves were a similar brown but Amy had put on blue covers that looked like blanket fabric. A few shelves dotted around the living room, either stacked with books or—and Shadow put this in the best way possible—modern art. Bizarre sculptures that were vaguely humanoid in poses that Shadow did not believe were physically possible…at least not without breaking some ligaments.

To their left was the kitchen, a half wall dividing it from the living room. A dining table, which appeared to have sections that could be folded down, was pressed up against the half wall and gave glimpses into the kitchen where pots were hung up on hooks and a few cabinets lay open. Spices and cans caught unaware at Shadow’s arrival. Amy took a look at the few dishes laying unwashed in the sink and shot Shadow a nervous smile.

As Amy approached the kitchen Shadow tilted his head to the right and got a glimpse down a hall where a door lay half ajar…Amy’s bedroom. Shadow felt a tightening of his throat, a natural rubberneck to see what lay within. He felt both confused and ashamed at this desire. What happened in that room?

“We’ll just get these in some water first.” Amy set the roses down on a kitchen counter and began to fumble around for a large pitcher.

“Your home is…nice.” Shadow decided that word was sufficient.

“Yeah?” Amy spoke, but it was almost a question. Something she herself was unsure of. “I got a pretty good deal, and I like the area but, y’know…” Amy gave a shrug.

“No?” Shadow looked at her as she found a tall pitcher and started to fill it in the sink.

“It feels stiff. I don’t spend a lot of time here. Always at work or out. I basically just cook and sleep here. It’s not quite…home, I guess?” Amy gave a shrug and pulled the pitcher out, placed the roses in it and carried it out of the kitchen, “I’d like some more art, or interesting furniture…” Amy placed the roses on the dining table. “…plants!” She gestured to the roses.

“You have more art than me.” Shadow tread carefully, each word having a full quarter second pause before the next. Amy gave a half laugh.

“And how much art do you have?”

“None.” Shadow admitted. His home was purely practical. Large flat surfaces covered in metal or concrete. No flaws, no imperfections. Another half laugh from Amy as she took the cookies to the living room and placed them on the coffee table.

“Okay!” Amy cheered as she plopped herself on the couch and looked up at him. He stared back at her. She blinked at him for a moment and then patted the spot beside her. “This is where you sit down next to me so we can get to work.”

“I see.” Shadow spoke as he approached the couch and sat beside Amy, getting a light whiff of her shampoo. Strawberry and coconut. Shadow wondered how much he could sniff without getting caught. And then she looked at him and he nixed the idea.

She was so beautiful. Shadow could barely stand it. The brightness of her eyes and the ease of her smile. Every tilt and contour of her form was like something out of a museum. Shadow felt like he was basking in the light of a star at all times and feared for his vision.

“So we’ve got a lot of work to do.” Amy reached past Shadow at one of the documents and Shadow got that whiff of her quills once more. He swallowed hard and tried to appear uninterested. “Blaze put us on the Blue Blur case completely now. We’ve got to find this guy and bring him in.”

“Do we have anything to go off?” Shadow asked, his eyes finally managing to take a look at the papers Amy had picked up. The report gave detailed times, each referring to some sort of event. Personnel locations and actions.

“Some.” Amy gave a lopsided shrug. “But we’re looking at a shallow testing pool. Almost no one has actually seen the guy, much less talked to him or gotten any useful data.”

“I talked to him.” Shadow told her and Amy gave a single nod.

“You did. Which makes you better than most.” Amy leafed through some of docs on the table, finally finding a manila folder that she liked. “But your conversation was…sparse.” Shadow thought back to the encounters he’d had with Sonic. Each time was a close battle of wills and strength. And while Sonic had always slipped away, Shadow felt like he had been better, victory just out of reach.

“We communicated.” Shadow tried again and Amy glanced at him with a slightly exasperated smile.

“Shadow: Halt! You are trespassing. You are to be brought in for questioning. Sonic: Fat chance. Come get me.” Amy read off. Shadow remembered his and Sonic’s first encounter, it was the most surprising mission Shadow had ever had…and his first loss. It had been…frustrating. “And each of your following encounters read similarly Shadow. You tell him that he’s breaking the law, he goads you, and you fight. Then the Blue Blur manages the upper hand and leaves you all moody.”

Moody? Shadow didn’t remember being moody after a loss. Perhaps mildly annoyed, but he was simply planning his next move. Trying to figure out how to take down Sonic.

“You are, for the record, moody.” Amy spoke, reading his thoughts. It must’ve shown on his face because Amy laughed and covered her mouth. “You have this cute pouty face on and you get stubborn and refuse to eat or sleep, which only makes you more moody and it just spirals until after like a week you crash and finally eat something.” Amy giggled through the whole explanation, Shadow feeling heat rising in his cheeks.

“Am I…that predictable?” Shadow looked at his hands and interlocked them, holding himself.

“Well sometimes this goes on for two weeks.” Shadow didn’t really know what to say to that. “On the other hand, we have the reports from Surge and Kit.” Amy placed down the first folders and held up a much more beaten up stack, the edges worn and crinkled.

Shadow struggled with the tenrec/fennec duo. More often than not they were unprofessional and arrogant. Getting themselves in situations they could hardly haul themselves out of. This whole debacle with Sonic is the most recent example. And now it required him and Amy to get them out of it. They looked bad on both him and G.U.N. as a whole.

That said…Shadow had to admit they still managed to get things done despite their internal abrasion against one another. Even in tough circumstances. They were #2 at the Station Square chapter for a reason. Shadow could warrant a bit of respect for them. In the same way he gave it to those who were struggling to make ends meet but did so with their heads held high.

“Anything of use?” Shadow tilted his chin at the manila folders. Amy let out a strained grunt and wiggled her head back and forth.

“Yyyeah, kind of a lot.”

“A lot?” Shadow snorted. Surge and Kit were good. But with Sonic?! He was surprised they were alive. Amy gave a sigh, her head falling slightly.

“She and Sonic kind of…bonded, I guess?” Bonded? What did that mean? “They have a repartee. Enough that we can get a bit of a psychological profile on the guy. He’s arrogant and fast-talking. Quick to strike and quicker to keep moving.”

“Sounds a lot like Surge…” Shadow grumbled and Amy gave a nod of agreement.

“Probably why they made this connection. Anyway, their most recent encounter has the two of them crash through a building down to the basement, through a haze of smoke and mirrors and crash back up an unfinished structure over in midtown. And they basically keep a conversation the whole way, right up until the end.” Amy then ran a hand through her quills, brows furrowing at the page.

“What happened?” Shadow leaned over to take a look at the document.

“Surge pulled her service weapon on him and he jumped off the roof.” At that, Shadow’s eyebrows did go up. “Apparently he landed in a dumpster. Sonic’s not just arrogant, he’s over-confident. Like he knows the outcome of any situation, long before it ever happens.

That…sounds more like me… Shadow thought.

“Do you have any footage of this showdown?” Shadow realized he was suddenly very close to Amy, her irises flowing into rich black pupils.

“No. Because it’s not just Sonic we have to worry about.” Amy grabbed at yet another folder. “One of the biggest reasons we can’t ever get this guy? Tails. Sonic will bust through any wall, and the ones he can’t? Tails knows how to open. And no one’s ever so much as seen this hacker. No gender, race, or real name. We know more about the Loch Ness Monster than we do Tails. Except…” Amy opened the folder and Shadow leaned further over, this time with full realization of where he was. If Amy noticed, she said nothing. But…was that some pink staining her cheeks? “Except for Kit. That fennec has gone toe to toe with Tails in the hacking arena and gotten close twice.”

“Can we get a psych profile on Tails going?” Amy paused for a moment but shook her head.

“I wouldn’t count on it. Surge will write reports about what was said, but Kit will write them about the events rather than the people. And it’s a lot of technobabble.” Amy told Shadow, her face falling slightly.

“You know hacking.” Shadow told her. Amy sighed a little and tilted toward him. For a moment, Shadow thought she was going to lay her head on his shoulder but she pulled back at the last second.

“Yeah, I’m better than your average hacker, but Kit’s way better than I am. He can keep up with Tails. I could barely wrap my head around some of the concepts that the two of them do.” Amy managed a weak smile.

“Sonic’s uninterested with me, and Tails is a superior hacker?” Shadow grunted and crossed his arms. “So how do we beat them?” Shadow tilted his head back until his body touched the back of the couch, leaning in. Amy followed his motion, the two of them staring at the ceiling.

“Well…they’re very similar to Surge and Kit. Maybe the answer isn’t how do we beat Sonic and Tails—”

“But how do we beat Surge and Kit?” Shadow finished and tipped his head till he faced Amy. He blinked in surprise to find her face was right next to his face, her eyes drifting slightly south. “You’re very close to me.” Shadow told her.

“I am…” Amy breathed. “Is that a problem?” Shadow slowly shifted his head side to side. Amy let out a tiny chuckle, a snort at the very end. “Good. ‘Cause it makes it easier to do this…” Amy pushed forward, her lips meeting Shadow’s, the two bows pressing into one another with gentle strength.

Shadow had no idea why she was doing this. He’d been notified this wasn’t a date. In addition, he was also under the impression that she was still mad at him for being so withholding.

“Terios. My name is Shadow Terios.” He told her when Amy pulled away. At this, the pink hedgehog’s eyes widened and moisture built in the corners of her eyes. Had Shadow…done something wrong?

But instead, Amy swiveled on the couch, one leg going over Shadow’s center so that she was straddling him. Then she leaned closer again, but her head went over Shadow’s, her lips at his ear.

“I’m going to take your pants off now.” Well, it was official. Shadow didn’t understand women. He could only hope the walls were thick enough that Mrs. Wenawick didn’t have a new piece of gossip.

…

Sonic had been surprised to get the call. But more than that he was surprised he’d answered. He’d listened intently, and as patiently as he could, but eventually he had to get to the point.

And the meeting was set.

The sounds of cars beeping and people shuffling across the street filled the background as Sonic approached the figure on that rooftop. He could understand why this was the meeting place. Dark roof, plenty of escape routes, clear 360 degree visibility in a quieter part of town. But even after the call, he still wasn’t exactly sure why he was here.

“Y’know…” Sonic trailed off as he stood by he edge of the roof and looked down, 5 full stories before splattered hedgehog. “Last time I was on a roof, it didn’t go so well for me.” Sonic spoke to the figure.

“I know. But that also means we have unfinished business.” Surge stepped from the shadows. Not in any dress or fancy outfit. But in yellow sweats and a ripped shirt. Sonic didn’t think she looked sexy or anything, no she looked downright badass.

“Look. I’m not looking to fight.” Sonic spoke, but he still stanced up, fists at the ready.

“Hey, I said I wasn’t gonna fight, I’m not gonna fight.” Surge snorted as she approached Sonic, arms crossed.

“Then why call me out here under cloak and dagger?” Sonic’s fists lowered, but only an inch.

“I told you…” Surge’s eyes narrowed as she got in Sonic’s face, her breath on his. She had the allure of a wild animal, a shiver running down Sonic’s spine. “We have unfinished business.” She breathed and brought her lips to Sonic’s, the hedgehog’s eyes widening before he leaned into the kiss, the two engaged in a competitive lip lock.

Fuck it. Sonic thought. How bad could this go?

Chapter Text

The Suppression Squad had made their name through fearmongering. Threats of extreme personal violence and public showing had let their territory stretch through the southern district into the docks. An area larger than that of the entirety of Mystic Ruins.

And they were nothing more than thugs with bad attitudes to Clutch. Powerful, dangerous thugs, but thugs nonetheless. And thugs? Well, tolerating them was Clutch’s specialty.

“You can’t just walk into their territory!” Duo hissed as Clutch strolled down the street, arms casually behind his back. The cat was taking to the shadows, eyes flicking left and right as he moved behind trash cans, sign posts, and the occasional mailbox.

“On the contrary, I can very much enter their supposed territory. What I cannot do, is allow it to remain theirs.” Clutch let out a deep growl, his throat full of rust and sharpened glass.

“What are you going to do?! You’re one guy. One old guy, mind you!” Duo complained and Clutch watched as the cat fished in his pocket for the combat knife, flipping it over in his sweatshirt. Flip. Flip. Flip. Like the killing tool was a fidget toy.

“And you should mind your elders, boy.” Clutch waggled a finger in the air before nodding and tipping his hat to a passing woman. “I know more than you think. More than a few members of the Suppression Squad ended up behind bars and they’re not awfully tight lipped.” Clutch told Duo.

“Well do you know they cut out the tongues of those who betray them?”

“Seems a tad excessive, besides a pen and paper means they can still squeal.” Clutch turned down the road and noted the way the buildings were leaning in, closing in on him and Duo bit by bit.

“Do you know they chop off the fingers of those that get in their way?” Duo whimpered at him, the dark cat’s eyes like dinner plates.

“It’s really quite a brutish tactic. And why just the fingers? It’s far more efficient just to chop off the whole hand.” Clutch gave a roll of his eyes…tracking the figures in the windows as he and Duo neared their destination.

“Okay, well do you know what they do to people who can’t pay their debts?!” Clutch gave a groan and swiveled in the cat.

“Yes, yes! They slice open your belly and feed you your own stomach. They’re sinister and dastardly and everyone should be afraid of them lah-di-da!” Clutch spat, his teeth beginning to grind. “But you know what they’re not?! Subtle.” Clutch grabbed at Duo and hauled him to his feet, glaring down at the cat, who was now shaking in fear. “Have some Chaos damn respect for yourself. Stop mewling in the gutter. You have two options kid, either hide away in a hole until they eventually find you and kill you…or…stand up straight and prove you’re not so easy to disappear. To who? I could give less of a shit. The Squad, your dad, yourself, just do it.” Duo’s lower lip quivered for a moment, but eventually he nodded and stood up straight, Clutch releasing him and turning back around.

“So umm…can I ask…do you have a plan? One that’s not just walking up to their front door and challenging them?” Duo slouched slightly, but at least now he was walking in step beside Clutch, his fur standing on end. Clutch couldn’t blame him, the kid’s danger reflex was at least on point, in the last minute, the number of eyes on them had doubled.

And yet Clutch only fixed him with a stare.

“Oh…oh Chaos I spent my last dollar on a crazy person.” Duo held his head in his hands before fishing for that knife in his sweatshirt pocket.

“Please, at most I’m eccentric.” Clutch waved him off. “And would you take a breath kid? I have a plan.”

“Do we live this plan?” Duo looked up at him and Clutch frowned.

“Mmm…80% of survival. And that’s if she’s there.”

“If?! And what do you mean she? And what if she’s not?!” Duo scrambled the questions rapid fire.”

“Then you might want to rethink the hidey hole idea.” Clutch waved a hand. Duo stifled a sob. “Quit the waterworks, kid. We’re here.”

In the earliest days of Station Square, when it was just beginning to become the prime import/export center of the world, a few of the richest from across lands and seas had built homes and structures on the shores wanting to be close to their centers of industries. They had not yet realized what this scrap of land would become, and if they had…they would’ve built even bigger mansions.

Nevertheless, the three-story Tudor manor was quite the beautiful structure with wide arches, old wrought iron lamps powerful wooden columns that had withstood the salt from the sea and over two hundred years of slowly intensifying construction. The Suppression Squad had clearly tried to eat at its majesty with graffiti, random holes in the wood siding that Clutch hoped were construction attempts, and heaps of trash strewn about like disgusting overgrown thrown snowballs. Still, the bones of the building remained strong and stoic, refusing to give into the downright hooligans that inhabited it.

Clutch strolled up its walk, stone tiles placed immaculately, only starting to give way to roots and plant life shoving up underneath it. His hand traced over the fences that guided the walk and imagined what the gardens just outside might’ve looked like in their heyday, the service that went into it, the people and power that had bought that service.

Clutch approached the front stoop and noticed the two figures waiting, one slumped against the door jam, another sitting in a rocking chair, ready to give out. Clutch stood over them, waiting for a reaction. A spout of anger, a snapping of attention, hell, he’d even take a blown raspberry at this point. But no, they just sat there, eyes thousands of miles away and no light within their heads.

Clutch tilted his head back toward Duo, as if to say: Really? These are the people you’re afraid of? But Duo just looked at the two, Clutch noting the speedy rising and falling of his chest.

“Excuse me.” Clutch attempted the one in the chair, he at least was managing to stay upright. “I would like to have an audience with your boss.” Clutch straightened and once more wished for his cane, just to have something he could really grab their attention with. But from the continued lack of interaction, Clutch doubted it would’ve done anything. “Hello there? I would like to enter your home.” Clutch tried once more, flashing a grin of sharp teeth, one gilded one glinting in the sun. When he continued to get no further interaction, Duo came running up and grabbed at Clutch’s arm, trying to pull him away. Clutch yanked at the arm and scowled at the navy cat who stumbled back and almost fell off the front steps of the manor. “Do not grab me, boy!”

Duo flinched slightly under Clutch’s tone, but stayed low, power in his pose. When he was certain Duo would stay put, Clutch straightened once more and looked over the two husks outside the manor.

“Since I cannot get in direct contact with your boss, I’m going to have to see myself in.” Clutch stepped forward and gripped the front door. He gave it a preliminary pull and was surprised/unsurprised to find it open. “Can’t even lock the front door…” Clutch tutted and shook his head. The possum to a step forward and the two husks seemed to finally take notice of him.

“Heeeey…” The one against the door jam slurred. “You can’t go in.” The goon reached a sweaty, grimy hand up at Clutch and the possum’s eyes flared. His foot shot out, catching the goon in the chest. The goon groaned, but didn’t react in pain, his senses far too dulled. Instead he simply fell backward, his body sliding to the deck like he was moving in slow motion. He lay there and did not move, his eyes unblinking. He might’ve been alive or dead, but Clutch couldn’t care any less. He did note the look of sheer terror on Duo’s face at the act, but Clutch had better things to do than to be concerned over a drugged up child of a former coworker’s emotional state.

The central atrium of the house had once been gorgeous. Tall vaulted ceiling inlaid with gold trim, twin central staircases, a chandelier of glass that couldn’t not be looked at. Now it was tired and dusty, tagged and retagged. Posts taken out on the staircase, and containers that had once held different drugs and intoxicators littered about like a bad game of marbles.

“HELLO!” Clutch shouted to the atrium, his powerful voice carrying through the manor’s various halls. “I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH SCOURGE THE HEDGEHOG!” The house seemed to stir at that. Not a full awakening, nor a hostile one, but a turning of attention. Clutch felt its eyes on him. The spotlight falling all around him.

He gave it a smile.

“You got a deathwish, old man?” The prodigal hedgehog stepped from the shadows, his body wreathed in a raggedy robe, his feet clad in stained boots as he placed on a low banister overlooking the atrium.

“Far from it!” Clutch straightened his outfit. “I have an interest in your business, and making it grow!” Clutch raised a finger, his best showmanship on display. Scourge gave a rasping laugh, sandpaper over steel as he raised his hands in gesture to the large mansion he ruled over.

“Do I look like I need help with my business? But I like the suit. How ‘bout you hand it over and I’ll let you walk out of here with your…well I won’t say dignity.” Scourge laughed again, but Clutch’s smile didn’t drop for a second.

“Apologies, but I’m afraid I can’t let this suit go, I’m rather fond of it. But I can promise you results, Scourge. Perhaps it would help if I introduced myself?” Clutch paused a moment, his ears perking as he detected the arrival of more of Scourge’s goons. They came limping into the great hall, nothing more than zombies attracted by the sound of motion. “My name is Clutch the Possum. I assume no further introductions are necessary?” The ripple that was sent through the crowd was nothing as compared to Clutch’s golden years, but it still put a smile on the possum’s face to see that even decades later his name carried weight.

Scourge’s face flickered and Clutch knew he was recognized, even if the hedgehog began to scowl.

“Sorry gramps. I dunno who you are and I frankly don't care.” Scourge waved him off. “Get out before I kill you.” Clutch watched the hedgehog for a moment, letting the pause hang in the air, itching at Scourge’s spine.

“No? Well I’m rather knowledgeable about you my friend.”

“Not!–your friend.” Scourge interjected…too fast, the balance of power settling differently in the room. Not quite understandable, but felt, even in the hearts of Scourge’s wacked out posse.

“I don’t mean to assume.” Clutch offered an apologetic hand up at Clutch, turning him into a tenuous damsel on the back foot. “It’s just, it seems like your business is…inefficient.” Clutch put a hand to his chin, starting to pace, unafraid and unintimidated by Scourge’s legion of the damaged. And before Scourge could get in another word, Clutch moved. Not toward Scourge, but toward Duo, the cat’s eyes going wide as Clutch brought him out into the open. “I mean, just look at this young man.” Duo was breathing extra heavy now, sweat pouring down his brow, his body shaking with withdrawal. “He owes you and no one has even tried to collect from him?”

“Wh-wha-what are you d-doing?!” Duo squealed in Clutch’s arms and the possum pretended not to hear him.

“Shouldn’t you be breaking his legs or…what was it you did to people…? Slice open his belly?” Clutch couldn’t be sure if Duo was shaking out of withdrawal or fear now. “He looks rather unsliced.” Clutch tilted his head at Scourge, the hedgehog’s face twitching with barely contained rage.

“I’m gonna gut you!” Duo snapped at Clutch, but the possum now had the cat firmly by the arms, pinned at his sides.

“So we fix that.” Scourge turned and started to descend the stairs, but Clutch tutted, his head shaking.

“But I’m guessing this young man is not the only one to slip through on a payment.” Scourge slowed, but didn’t stop. “How many have gotten through your brutal but uneven recourse?” Scourge arrived at the bottom of the stairs but went no further.

“Careful what you say next you old fuck.” Scourge’s voice had all the softness of gravel.

“I merely suggest an exchange of aid.” Clutch let go of Duo and the kid stumbled away from him, glaring at him. “I was in your position as the king of crime once. I might be able to provide some advice.” Scourge paused on this. He waited, waited. Clutch could see the gears turning in his head, the smoke rising from his ears. This hedgehog wasn’t used to making deals with someone smarter than them.

“Whatever.” Scourge said after long enough and Clutch released an invisible breath. “What do ya got?” The hedgehog crossed his arms, jaw tightening.

“Well I’ve got a few things. If you’re interested in the details I can share them. A little bit of supply chain management, proper delegation of tasks, you know I’ve heard wonders for the success of gamification–”

“Bah!” Scourge groaned and threw up a hand, Clutch closing his mouth mid-pout. “I don’t do nitty-gritty. Talk to my girl for that.” Clutch held back his smile.

“Ah? And where might she be?” Clutch said, oh so politely. Scourge looked at his fingers before jabbing a thumb down a hall. “Take the second hall to the right and it's the first door on the left.” Scourge rolled his eyes and stomped past Clutch, shoving on of his goons and laughing, a conversation starting up that was heavy in testosterone.

“Thank you Scourge!” Clutch beamed. “I really appreciate…how fucking stupid you are…” Clutch muttered under his breath so that only Duo could hear.

“What the…?” The cat mumbled and Clutch spun him around, taking him by the shoulder down the pointed hall. “Wait a second…”

“Do catch up.” Clutch snarled.

“You don’t want to broker a deal with Scourge, you want–” Duo was cut off by the wrapping of Clutch’s knuckles on the door he was searching for. It gave no answer. Clutch tried again. Still no answer. Clutch gave a third knock, but it was only the first wrap of his knuckles that was heard before the yelling began.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT SCOURGE?” A feminine voice laced with contempt came from door. It held a certain level of rust, more from yelling all the time than any drug-laced state. It was heavily accented, someone who was born, raised and most likely to die in Station Square.

“I’m afraid it’s not Scourge.” Clutch called through the door, his hand still placed on Duo’s shoulder. The door gave a pause, then responded.

“What?!” Clutch groaned.

“My name is Clutch the Possum and–” The door was wrenched open and a fox stood in the doorway. Deep eyes loaded with suspicion, a tight outfit that showed off generous curves, a deep red fur coloring that was the exact color of fresh blood. “Well he–”

“You don’t look like much.” The fox chinned at him and leaned against the doorway. She played with a pencil in her left ear and Duo noted the various documents gripped tight enough to cause creases in her right hand.

“Being…surprising has its advantages.” Clutch rolled and hand before grasping the fox’s delicately. “I suppose you would know a great deal of that Ms. Fiona Fox.” Clutch placed his lips upon the top of her hand before letting go.

“Uh huh.” She was unimpressed. “What’s your game, old man?” Clutch grunted and straightened, glancing at Duo.

“I’m only in my early 60s, I’m really not that old.”

“That’s old.” Duo and Fiona said at the same time, Clutch letting a growl roll through his throat before swallowing it.

“Ms. Fox. I was wondering if we might consider a deal. I will grant you some of my knowledge about running a criminal empire, and in return you grant me…well we can discuss that in the future.” Fiona paused for a moment, eyes narrowing at the possum.

“Yeah…I don’t know what you’re talking about. My boyfriend’s the guy in–”

“Please Ms. Fox. Don’t play stupid with me. Scourge is scary but that’s all that he is. You need brains, grit, and sheer strength to create what you have now. Don’t lie to me about who the real boss of the Suppression Squad is.” The corner of Fiona’s mouth twitched, an unmistakable joy. The kind that comes from recognition.

“...Guilty.” Fiona raised her hands in a sheepish admittance.

“It can be hard to hide in the shadows when you’re so deserving of the light.” Clutch’s words flowed like honey, but Fiona’s smile dropped, her eyes hardening once more.

“Alright, enough with the buttering. If I wanted to talk to a stupid guy, I’d call my boyfriend. What do you want?” Fiona’s arms crossed tightly and Clutch felt his mouth dry up. His teeth gritted for a moment before finally breathing a sigh.

“I want my empire back. What you have now is built on my sturdy foundation.” Fiona gave a single short laugh.

“Sturdy?! This shit was ready to fall to pieces before me and Scourgey came along. Without you your empire wasn’t gonna last. All the growth? All the branching out into new weapons and drugs? All me, bitch!” Fiona snarled at Clutch and he paused, taking a breath. This was Fiona’s house, and he was pissing on the carpet. If he wanted any semblance of control back, he needed to reel in his ego.

“I…apologize. You have made strides where…” Clutch felt his throat want to close, but he forced it open. “Where I could not.” Fiona gave a smile. “But for all you’ve done, you have to realize that I have more experience and discipline. There are holes in the floor of your empire, you must realize that? Drugged up goons? Loose payments–” Clutch shook Duo and the cat felt the knife get heavier in his pocket. “–If I had to guess you’ve got rivals poking through these holes, seeing how fragile your empire is.” Fiona gave a heavy breath. Then another.

“The Rogues are poking in through the north…and the Hooligans are knocking to our west.” Fiona set her jaw, eyes looking anywhere but Clutch.

“Your empire is built on a lie, Fiona. It’s time to stop hiding in the shadows, you are this place’s ruler, Scourge is merely the figurehead.” Clutch explained, true sympathy coming into his voice. Fiona sucked in a breath, eyes shutting as she sat on his words, only opening them when she was ready to face it.

“Scourge won’t like it.” Clutch gave a shrug.

“Let him tantrum. He can do it under your grace.” Fiona pouted.

“He is extra stupid and cute when he tantrums.” Fiona tapped at her chin, finally coming around with a nod. “And I’m guessing you want to co-lead my empire?” Fiona’s eyes flicked back to Clutch, the possum noting she didn’t stay blind to his antics for very long.

“Please, it’s your empire. All I ask is that I make my voice heard. You might find you like what you hear.” Clutch gave the fox a grin.

“I’m…still on the fence.” Fiona took a cautious step back from him. Then her eyes flicked to Duo. “And what’s with this one?” Clutch did a double take, all but forgetting Duo was even there.

“Oh yes, well he drove me here, so I was wondering if his payments might be forgiven?” Clutch tried for another smile, but Fiona looked unimpressed.

“Or his lack thereof?” Clutch shrugged. Fiona gave a sigh and turned to Duo. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Duo.” The cat squeaked and Fiona made a symbol of a checkmark in the air.

“You’re all even in the books. Just stay in the black.” Duo gave a vigorous nod. Then Fiona turned back to Clutch, rolling her shoulders. “There’s some empty rooms in the west wing of the manor. Take any two then get back here. We’ve got work to do.” Fiona took a step further back into her room, the door quickly slamming in their faces.

“I think that went well.” Clutch smirked as he once more guided the navy cat through the manor.

“Are you really going to co-lead with Fiona?” The cat was all but being dragged. Clutch gave a chuckle, then a laugh, then he was downright cackling.

“Oh dear boy, Fiona’s smart but there’s something she’s completely forgotten.” Clutch knocked his knuckles on his head. Duo tilted his head at the possum. “She’s a woman and her soldiers are meatheads. They won’t listen to her. You can’t rule from the shadows and suddenly come into the light and expect them to obey you. No, no. My plan will be to ingratiate myself to these fools, while also slowly bringing in those who can do basic addition. And once I hit critical mass, then the only person I actually have to go to do battle with is Fiona, and she doesn’t really pick fights she isn’t 100% sure of her victory.” Clutch examined the doors of the west wing, finally finding a room that wasn’t too destroyed or reeked of drug use.

“C-can I ask one thing?” Duo tilted his head and Clutch gave a roll of his hand. “Why are you telling me this? Do you trust I won’t spill this to Fiona?”

“I absolutely do!” Clutch’s head snapped around to face Duo, a smile…then a sinister grin. “I trust you won’t tell Fiona because if you do, she won’t take the chance that you’re not on her side and cut you into bite-sized pieces. And boy…she won’t forget to collect on that.”

Duo swallowed.

…

Sonic’s first thought as he woke up had nothing to do with what happened last night. But instead, as he looked up at the ceiling he realized…hey that pasta sauce stain is gone.

Which is when he realized this wasn’t his apartment.

And the next thing he realized? He had no pants on.

Sonic bolted upright in bed and took a quick scan of the room. Shabby interior, minimal furniture, general dark colors with shocks of bright lighting in old concert posters or carpets. Swathes of dirty clothes littered the floor, none of which were–wait! There were his pants! Bunched up at the ankles, one pant leg tried to reach out as if in a dying breath. A window was open giving Sonic a view of the outside world. They were maybe 12 stories up. Not a survivable jump height.

The movement of a figure.

Sonic’s eyes snapped around the room, locked onto the soft padding of the figure as she slunk about the apartment in a long t-shirt. Sonic watched silently as Surge walked into a kitchenette and opened a cabinet, her arm reaching up for a cup. Up, up, up, wait was she not wearing any–

Oh…great heavens…

The tenrec’s little forked tail gave a little twitch, a little guide for Sonic’s eyes to follow. He swallowed hard at the sight which granted him memories of what happened last night.

“Coffee?” Surge pulled the mug off the cabinet shelf and lowered her arms which both mercifully and unmercifully lowered her shirt around her hips.

“Do squirrels eat acorns?” Sonic spoke flatly, his wit moving before his attitude could catch up. Surge gave a snort laugh and powered up a one button coffee maker that looked like it had never seen better days. “Hey so…what the fuck happened last night?” Sonic leaned forward on the bed, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down his neck as he looked at the state of bed and its sheets, some of which were not even on the bed, but had journeyed to the floor.

“Wow, bad memory and can’t eat me out? Not winning any awards, hedgehog.” Sonic choked. “Just kidding…I barely remembered last night’s whirlwind.” Surge gave Sonic a finger gun and he was about ready to crash out. “Oh relax, you were perfectly good, but we’ll work on it.”

“Surge.” Sonic’s voice gained a deep strength. He wasn’t messing around. He was fully serious in this moment. “What happened last night was a one off. You’re hot, I’m hot, our adrenaline was already tensed from before, it was just…” Sonic rolled a hand. “Letting off some steam.”

“Riiiiight.” Surge waved her as of yet unused mug at him. “Cause most one night stands have long breaks in the middle where you stare into my eyes for an hour and slowly run your hands through my quills.” Surge ran a hand through her long silky quills for emphasis…Sonic wanted to do it again.

“I was-was taking a break!” Sonic coughed out a response, his voice strained. Surge gave a little tut of her head.

“And here I was, thinking we had something.” Surge turned away as the coffee maker gave a weak ding.

“Well, you thought wrong.” Sonic shrugged, but Surge swiveled on him.

“You cuddled me!” Sonic recoiled at her shout, not sure of what to say as Surge pointed a finger in his direction. Her eyes twitched, looking away for a moment and then back. Her own voice weakened, and a blush crept in at her cheeks. “Really tenderly…and supportively.” Surge breathed hard for a few moments, and Sonic had the time to read her T-shirt. You have died of dysentery. Well, he hoped that wasn’t an omen. But Surge kept talking and Sonic was pulled back to her voice and face, her bright eyes and sharp features, and he felt his heart do a little jump. “Like what the fuck man…? You can’t do that to someone and not expect…” The tenrec turned away and started to pour the coffee.

“Expect…?” Surge gave a sigh and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to pull what threads of herself were coming apart.

“More…” Surge groaned and turned her head to glance at Sonic, her face looking both frustrated and nervous at the same time. “Sugar, cream?”

“Just sugar please. A–a lot.” Sonic rubbed the back of his head.

“Good, cause the only milk I got is this and–” Surge opened her fridge and gave the milk a sniff. “ –I think a new kingdom of life is being created in it.” The tenrec dumped a heavy spoonful of sugar into both mugs and stirred, the clinking of her spoon was the only sound in the apartment.

With the sugar added, Surge turned back around and carried the coffee to Sonic, sitting opposite him on the bed with her legs crossed. She handed him the mug and he took it, taking a sip. It was burnt and flavorless, the sugar being the only thing that gave it any redeeming qualities…just like how Sonic made it.

“Look, Surge…I didn’t mean to mislead you, I was just–”

“Blowing off steam.” Surge finished and took a sip of her coffee, her face pointed right into it, not able to meet Sonic’s face. “You said that already.” Sonic paused, then let out a sigh and took a sip of his coffee. Why was this so hard? They couldn’t…do whatever happened last night again. She was a cop, he was a crook, that’s what it boiled down to. Someone was going to get hurt, and if things got really bad, everyone was going to get hurt. “Why did you kiss me? On that building, while we were fighting?” Sonic’s fingers drummed on his mug, his hand feeling tight, like he couldn’t grip it properly.

“You…were…worth kissing.” Surge raised an eyebrow at him. “That’s not to demean you or anyone else!” Sonic quickly corrected, then cleared his throat and tried again. “I just…I feel like sometimes the world is…bland. Or–or–or harsh. And just seeing you, how you walked, talked, acted, it’s like the world had life again…” Sonic gave a laugh, a smile crossing his face. He tried to tamp it down, but it wouldn’t go away, his body feeling all warm and squiggly inside, a bubbling lava lamp glowing ever brighter. “I just…had to show my appreciation, I guess.” Sonic drank from the coffee once more.

“Glad I could help.” Surge finally said after a full thirty seconds, to which Sonic just gave an apathetic nod, his gaze not able to meet her own. “I had…a thought.” Sonic’s eyes flicked up, fast. Just his eyes…but the interest was most certainly there. “What if…what if we kept our two lives separate?” Sonic raised an eyebrow now. “Like…you can do your stupid trying to help people at the expense of others–”

“That’s what you do.” Sonic interjected and Surge fixed him with a stare before straightening to literal rise above him.

“–and I can do my actual job…but when we’re on personal time…we can…” Surge swallowed, her breath rising fast in her chest. “...date?” Date? Date? Sonic had barely been on half a dozen dates in his entire life. And they’d all been rushed, uninteresting disasters. And now he was to actually engage in a relationship with someone? Someone who was actively hunting him?! There…there was no way. It was way too risky, even for him.

“And if I don’t?” Why didn’t Sonic say no outright? Why bait the response? Because he wanted to keep talking with her of course, but he couldn’t tell himself that.

“Mmm, cause of that.” Surge swallowed a throatful of coffee before she gestured to the bed and for a moment Sonic was confused…and then he lifted his other arm.

He was handcuffed to the bedpost.

“Really?” Sonic tilted his head and fixed her with a look of frustrated lack of surprise. Surge gave a shrug.

“You either date me, or…I take you back to G.U.N. as soon as I put some pants on.” So this was how it happened. This was how Sonic the Hedgehog, rebel, one man army, the Blue Blur, robber of the rich was finally taken out. By a punk with a sweet ass in an Oregon Trail t-shirt.

“So you’re actually crazy?” Sonic wanted to be angry, and yet a note of laughter built up in his throat.

“So you’re actually stalling?” Surge leaned forward and took a long sip of her coffee. So long that she paused, her face twisting for a moment before she coughed, splattering some coffee at Sonic. “Kaff! Ough, wrong pipe.”

“You deserve that.” Sonic took a careful sip of his coffee, a smirk hidden by the mug. Why was her coughing even endearing? He liked her…he really did like her.

“Fuck off.” Surge waved him off, an impressive frown pulling her cheeks down.

“Okay.” Sonic said.

“Okay, you’ll fuck off?” Surge’s electric-ice blue eyes danced with humor. Sonic shook his head and laughed, rising up to meet her gaze.

“Okay I’ll go on a date with you.” Surge’s eyes widened at his gaze, his eyes soulful and deep. She was getting pulled in deeper than she wanted to. The interaction getting away from her in a way she was as of yet unfamiliar. The ground was unsteady, and yet she couldn’t keep from looking down.

“G–good. Fun.” Surge declared, hoping that her words reflected what she was feeling and not this stirring within her that threatened to dump more than coffee from her mouth.

“Are you…going to let me out now?” Sonic jiggled his hand at the handcuff. Surge perked up and gave a stiff nod. She sat up quick on the bed and swiveled off to go get the key.

Stop. She’d seen something. A strange movement. Something unnatural. And yet with purpose. What had she seen? Her feet were just touching the floor as she replayed the last second in her head at triple speed. Sonic had done something. A facial expression? No, that had been significantly stupid. A hand motion? Maybe.

Surge was just putting pressure on her feet to stand.

His hand had done something. What was it that grabbed her attention? Surge replayed the motion. Again. Again…again…again. His thumb looked weird.

Shit.

Sonic’s feet smashed into Surge’s back and sent her tumbling forward to the ground, her coffee cup flying from her hand and shattering against a cabinet. She whirled around just in time to see Sonic slipping his hand free of the cuff, his dislocated thumb giving just enough room to slip through the handcuff.

Surge put both hands to the ground to stand as Sonic popped his thumb back into place and fixed her with a sheepish grin. And then he shot for the front door.

Leaping like a wild cat, Surge snatched his leg and the both of them went to the ground, Sonic bumping painfully against the corner of a wall. He groaned and Surge tried to pull him off it.

“Don’t–forget–your–pants!” Surge spoke through gritted teeth as Sonic recovered and tried to shove her off of him. Bringing up his knee, he shoved it into her chest, the tenrec rolling away in pain as Sonic scrambled away, finding and grabbing his pants.

“Thank…you…” Sonic huffed as he put one leg into it, and he started to get the other when Surge leapt at him again, this time on his back. “Geez! What are you? Part flying squirrel?!” Sonic stumbled around, a tenrec on his back, and only one leg fully through the pant hole.

“Sambo! 8 years of it!” Surge laughed as Sonic straightened before slamming his back into a wall, using Surge as a cushioning device. She let out a groan, but did not let go. Sonic shrugged and thought: Hey, if the wall didn’t cut it… Sonic turned around and tipped back, falling from a standing position.

“The fu–” Was about as far as Surge got before a whole Sonic landed on top of her. She didn’t fully let go, but it was enough for Sonic to wriggle out and get to a half crouch where he quickly spun around, expecting and finding Surge coming after him again. A quick forearm jab created a clotheslining effect that knocked Surge back allowing Sonic to get to stand and finally put his pants back on. He shot for the door, ripping it open as he heard Surge recover once more.

Sonic was through the door and gave the advancing tenrec one last look, his hand going up to the side of his face, pinkie and thumb extended. He gave it a little shake.

I’ll call you.

And then he slammed the door shut.

Surge smacked into the front door of her own apartment, sighing as Sonic slammed yet another door on her face, the sounds of his footsteps receding in the distance. Straightening, she stretched out her back, feeling the bruises already start to form. Wow…he did not hold back.

Surge giggled like a little school girl.

And then her joy shattered in a second as she spotted something. Whipping out her phone, the tenrec raised it and snapped a photo. She pulled open the text application and sent out a message.

You owe me new sheets. The photo of Sonic’s spilled coffee over Surge’s mostly clean sheets clear evidence of the hedgehog’s crime.

He sent her a thumbs up emoji.

…

Miles couldn’t even out his breath.

His heart was racing, his brow was sweating, and his mouth had all the moisture of the Sahara. Why? Why? Whhhyyyyyy?! Why did the first boy he really connect with have to be the same one that wanted him in a concrete box where the sun never shown?

Why couldn’t he have really been into essential oils? Or–or–or wrote cringey fanfics? Hell, Miles would’ve even taken a Patriot’s fan. But no. He was secretly a G.U.N. agent, hell bent on arresting Miles for his crimes under the current laws.

And yet Miles wanted nothing more than to keep his arm around Kit’s shoulder as they watched the movie.

“What do you think the possibility of jumping from one building to another with a car is?” Kit asked, his ears soft against Miles’ hands. He wants to arrest you! He wants to arrest you! Miles repeated in his head over and over again, trying to not get sucked into Kit’s deep maroon eyes.

“Uh, well, that’s glass designed to handle extreme winds and sandstorms, I don’t think it’s likely for cars to get enough energy to break through one set of glass, never mind two.” Miles stuttered, hoping some sterility would break the connection.

“Huh…that makes sense.” Kit breathed out. “Think we could calculate the kinetic energy of the car vs the resistance of the glass?” No! Having a boy ask him math problems was going to excite Miles in a way he was not prepared for right now!

“I…I don’t know. That’s pretty complex math.” Miles’ grin was tight. It wasn’t complex. It was a simple manner of knowing the make, and model of the car, its top speed, the density of the material it was hitting, adjusting for wind and gravity and loss of acceleration while in the air and–well Kit didn’t need to know that Miles was currently calculating it in his head.

“Oh…sure, yeah I couldn’t…heh…” Kit shifted in Miles’ grip, pulling away ever so slightly and Miles felt part of himself go with it. The first tumbling of a domino stone. Kit’s attention shifted further to the movie, his eyes narrowing, trying to restrict the view of Miles in his peripheral. Miles’ eyes looked to Kit’s but the meeting of the eyes wasn’t there.

Then the movie paused.

Kit’s brow furrowed and he spun his head to look at Miles, but the fox’s face was right in the fennec’s those large blue eyes wide and excited.

“Want to see if we can math it?” Kit did not hold back his smile. But he did try to hold back his squeal. Poorly. The fennec’s arms shaking with excitement, his eyes shining with a child-like joy.

“What tipped you off?”

It ultimately took a couple of hours. It wasn’t particularly difficult, not for two genius foxes. But for two genius foxes trying to hide their own intelligence? Not to mention all the flirting and snuck in touches and kisses. Then when hot chocolate with peanut butter whiskey is added? Well it took the two of them some time, and a fair deal of giggling.

“No mure.” Kit slurred, a finger pointing at Miles who had gained his sea legs on land as he threatened Kit’s mug with another splash of whiskey. Miles looked at Kit with large sad eyes, one ear flopping down. Then he pouted and Kit’s resistance crumbled. “Nuh-uh…I’ma strong–hic–strong willed.”

“Strong…willed?” Miles pondered, eyes shifting from the whiskey bottle to the hot cocoa mug.

“Ye-up!” Kit gave a laugh and spread out his upper body over the sheets of paper they’d pulled out to manually calc the car jump. His arms pumped around him like he was swimming, the papers jamming up and floating off the table. Kit was starting to feel like he was floating. “That’s why I can take another one.” Kit managed to lift his head up and smile at Miles, who gave a nod and added another shot to Kit’s hot cocoa before managing to stumble his way over to the fennec, plop in a chair and set the cocoa before Kit. All without spilling a drop. It would be his finest achievement of the night.

“Okay okay okay okay.” Miles waved his hands around, trying to push the fog of liquor from his brain. “What’s the math say?” Kit’s brows furrowed.

“Math?” Miles lifted a finger up and jabbed at the papers. Kit’s confusion cleared. “Ah! The math! The mathy math. The mathety math math…maaath. Math. Maaaaaath. Mattttttttth.” Kit smacked his lips. “Math’s a weird word. Like…if you really–” And Kit gestured with his fingers for this part “–squeeze out the last part it sounds like ass…but with an M.” Kit turned his head to face Miles and held his gaze for a moment.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Miles frog blinked.

“M-ass.” Miles narrowed his eyes and stared into an unknowable horizon.

“I think that’s somethin’ else.”

“The amount of matter in an object as to calcu–hic…calcu–hic…calculate inertia and other shit.” Kit explained and Miles nodded, noting that the world was starting to become sideways…that’s weird.

“Kit…Kit…Kitty. Kit. Kitteeee.” Miles flapped at Kit’s face and the fennec giggled before Miles grabbed him by the lips and steered him back to the papers.

“Oh! Pff, duh! Ummm…” Kit’s face inched closer to the paper and Miles watched as his eyes drooped lower. The fox put out a hand to catch him, but the fennec perked up at the last moment. “I’m fine! I’m awake!” He insisted and narrowed his eyes to focus on the pages. “Um, so it…it would probably make it through the first set of panes, but like…blown up a bit. And then with the second it’d lose so much uhh…”

“Inertia.” Miles hiccupped.

“Yeah that, that it’d just uhh, uhh…” Kit made a motion with his hands of a car bouncing off a building and then falling. The fennec let out a low whistle which got steadily quieter as the imaginary car fell. Kit and Miles watched it fall, their eyes meeting in the middle.

They broke out into peals of laughter, falling over themselves as the fog of alcohol thickened in their heads until said heads bumped together. Just so, the lightest tap, laughter dying off as their eyes met. Faces leaned forward into a kiss. Sloppy, and slow, but heartfelt nonetheless. Kit giggled again.

“Whatchu laughin’ at cutie?” Miles raised an eyebrow.

“He…hee…heh…heh. M-ass.” Another peal of laughter.

“Did I ever tell you, you got a sweet m-ass?” Miles kissed Kit again, pushing him to the back of his chair and beginning to lace kisses along his neck.

“I figured you liked it…onacounta lass night.” Kit breathed, a pant beginning to build in his throat.

“Whad I do?” Miles paused only momentarily, to find Kit’s eyes, the irises rimmed with desire.

“What didn’t ya do to it?” Kit giggled again. “This mornin’ I was walkin’ like I rode a horse for a week straight.” Miles managed to lift his head up and placed it besides Kit’s so he was talking right into his ear, the soft fur tickling his nose.

“You’re not that much of a bottom…” MIles offered up.

“You’re cute.” Kit whispered back and kissed Miles’ ear. “I’m the bottomiest bottom to ever bottom. Deep sea divers get to the lowest part of the Mariana Trench and are like: Welp! We’re half the bottoms Kit is!” Kit broke into laughter and Miles pulled back staring him in the face till he stopped laughing. “Wha?” Miles smiled. Then smirked. Then laughed. “What?!” Miles giggled a little more before finally managing to stop and look Kit straight in the face.

“Bottom.” Yet another peal of drunken laughter. This one took a lot longer to stave off. It wasn’t until Kit managed to reach up and grab Miles’ face. He brought it close to his own, joy alight in his eyes.

“I love you.”

Miles’ stomach dropped. It was almost comical. A cartoon running off a cliff and floating for an instant of time. And then it took his heart with it. There was a moment where Miles couldn’t find breath, the roar of the alcohol reaching a feverish pitch. He tried to get breath, swallowed, tried again. And when he found he could finally breathe again, he realized he’d waited too long.

“Miles?” Kit looked at him, his face tilted more downward now, the heavy pause sobering him, but little twitches of the faces betrayed both his continued intoxication and confusion…bordering on hurt.

“I–”

“Oh…Chaos.” Kit hiccupped. “It was too soon. I’m…I’m so sorry.” Kit immediately let go of Miles’ face like it was burning hot. The fennec stumbled back in his seat almost completely falling out of it.

“No it’s…I didn’t…you’re–” Miles threw up in his mouth, shutting it tight to keep the bile in and he stood up–way too fast. The room spun and he nearly puked for real, holding onto the table for stability.

“It’s–fine.” Kit hissed through clenched teeth. He stumbled around the apartment, getting his things to leave. “Wait…this is my apartment.” He swiveled on the fox who was just managing to stand up straight now.

“I…I should go…” Miles’ vision blurred, seeing Kit as if through watercolors, things bleeding into one another.

“N-no…” Kit breathed after a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose like the hangover was already setting in. “It’s way late. You can sleep on the couch…” Kit didn’t mean it like it was rude, but all Miles could think about was how warm Kit’s bed was when they were both in it.

“Mmm–mmm.” Miles shook his head. “I’ma go home. I can get–get a cab.” Miles picked up what he could of his things, managing to put his shoes on the right feet.

“Don’t…don’t go.” Kit breathed, but Miles pretended not to hear it. Instead, the fox turned and tried to focus on the fennec’s face.

“I…I didn’t mean to…I just…I…you…you’re not…I–” Miles wanted to cry.

“It’s…me?” Kit swallowed hard, his brows furrowing and Miles decided he didn’t want to cry, he wanted to sob.

“No–! Yes!” Shut up. Shut up. Shut UP! “I can’t…you’re…” Miles wanted to explain everything. And nothing. But more than that, for the first time in as long as he could remember, be on a different side of things.

“You’re…” Kit’s jaw clenched and he breathed out. “You’re right. You should go home.” Miles squeezed his eyes tight. Then he nodded. The fox turned and stumbled toward the door, pulling it open and walking out into the hall. He turned to face it, but quickly found it shut in his face.

“Congrats Miles…” Miles told the empty hall. “You kept your secret…happy now?” Miles kind of hoped the hall would answer for him.

Chapter Text

“We’ve got ‘em. This time–we got ‘em!” Kit cheered into the mic, calling to Surge who at the moment was running after Sonic on a rooftop.

“That’s for sure!” Surge laughed as she leapt an AC casing, gaining inches on the hedgehog who turned back to send a wink at the tenrec. Stupid hedgehog. Stop being cute. I’ll make you pay for that tonight. Surge’s brain squeaked up the thought, pushing through the focus that work Surge was trying to instill.

Or, y’know. You’ll catch and imprison him. In which case…you’ll probably never see him again. Work Surge offered. This…was a good thought? Right. Surge wanted to catch him. He was dangerous, and misguided, and hot.

Surge’s pace slowed ever so slightly. Enough that she could lie to herself about it happening. Meanwhile, Sonic ascended the rungs of a water tower, launching himself up two rungs at a time. His hands scrambled on the top level before shoving himself up, landing on his side and breathing heavily. His eyes scanning the ground and finding a tenrec charging toward him, her powerful legs moving, her chest heaving. Fuck she was cool.

“I told you the heat was too hot right now!” Sonic spat into his earpiece, Tails yelping at the other end over his outburst. “That loan office was also in too tight of a spot!” Sonic stumbled onto his feet, hands sliding on the railing as he scanned for another way out. His ears perked at the sound of metal shaking and tenrec grunts…she was climbing the railing.

“I–I’m sorry! I–I know!” Tails called at the other end of the connection, the sound of his keyboard clacking furiously. “I’m looking for escape routes. I’ll have one soon!”

“I need now, Tails!” Sonic’s eyes spotted a gloved hand reach the top step. Its fingers gripped the wood tight and Sonic watched as pure power lifted Surge. “Shit…okay, time to go.” Sonic’s head spun around, but he was trapped up here. And the only way down was past a powerhouse.

Sonic looked over the edge of the water tower, 10 feet to the building's roof, and past that…over a hundred feet to the pavement below. Sonic didn’t like the idea of a pancaked hedgehog. Sonic’s head tilted up and–the building across the street.

They were over a simple one lane road. The opposite building’s roof was only a floor, maybe two down…and across a 20 foot gap. Surge torso was now on the water tower, her eyes flashing with triumph.

“Gotcha!” She grinned. Sonic’s eyes rolled up to the sky as he approached the handrail of the watertower.

“Sonic, I got it! You can–” Tails probably said more, but by that point Sonic was screaming as his body flew through the air. A feeling of weightlessness overtake him before gravity started to kick in and the ground started to get closer. Sonic had only fractions of a second and he used them to stretch out his body, his best attempt at Surge’s flying squirrel as his eyes locked on the roof opposite where he’d just jumped.

Well this was stupid. Was Sonic’s last thought.

The hedgehog crashed into the side of the opposite building, his gut taking the hard concrete top edge of the structure, his top half scrabbling at the gravel roof, his legs kicking in midair. Gravity took hold again and Sonic slid down, his fingers kicking up gravel pebbles but finding no purchase. More and more of him inched towards the edge before his fingers found the lip of the roof and dug in.

“RRrrgh.” Sonic grunted, his arms flexing as they pulled his weight. He breathed fast, his chest burning with the pain of the impact, but still he ascended. His knee moved up, tried to grab the edge, failed. He panted heavily, tried again. This time the leg caught. He pushed it into the concrete, grabbing more purchase, his waist going over, then his hips and finally he flipped over onto his back, body resting on the gravel. It was quite comforting compared to concrete in his torso. He let out a laugh. Then another. Let’s see–

Her legs were outstretched, legs pumping over him. It was like she could run in the sky. Her boots tapped at his nose as she flew by, Sonic’s eyes tracking her before she fell out of his peripheral, his last sight her little tail twitching over that fine butt before disappearing. The sound of gravel filled his ears and Sonic spun his head to see Surge in tumble, rolling end over end before coming to a stop. She gave a groan, but it was more out of soreness than actual pain, like it was little more than the act of stretching that would’ve made that jump totally comfortable.

She rose up and dusted off her sweats, giving Sonic a cheeky grin as she raised her fists.

“You…” Sonic caught his breath. “...are something else.” Kipping up, Sonic landed on his feet as Surge came at him, powerful jabs aimed at his head rather than his torso. She was aiming to inflict damage. She really didn’t hold back, did she? Sonic sidestepped, and then moved back, flicking away the punches, or diverting their movement. She could really bring the power…Sonic wondered if he could use that.

Throwing out a few kicks and jabs, Sonic baited a grab, his lower limbs looking like soft and easy targets. He caught a few strays in the side before the tenrec got the hint and used those powerful hands to go for his legs. With only inches remaining, Sonic thundered his foot down, planting it hard enough to shove aside the gravel down to the concrete roof. Surge was still moving forward and Sonic used her grab against her, grabbing her arm and–wow she was buff–and yanking her forward. Sonic lowered his body for more leverage and tossed Surge way past him.

The tenrec stumbled for a few feet before losing her footing altogether and crashing down into a roll…right…off…the edge. Sonic’s heart shot into his throat and he threw himself toward her, his voice screaming out her name.

CLANG!

Sonic’s face went over the roof and he let out a gargled sigh as Surge landed face up on a fire-escape only half a dozen feet down.

“Ough…” The tenrec groaned, grabbing her head and looking up at Sonic. “Watchu lookin’ at?” She snarled at him. He raised his hands in a surrender and pouted.

“Nothin’.” Why had the words ‘punk-rock angel’ come to mind? Sonic and Surge paused for a moment, the tension stretching–stretching–snapping and Sonic shot off, making for the roof door. Surge shot to her feet and gripped the fire escape’s railing tight before throwing herself around it, taking the steps down two at a time.

Sonic was taking the building’s steps two at a time himself, the floors flying by as he tried to reach the ground floor before his punk-rock angel–

–Enemy…could.

Residential, a business, residential, the floors and people yelling at him as he shoved them aside, trying to get past and out of here. More businesses, a kitchen, a restaurant–

–Wait…a kitchen?

Surge knew Sonic would take the side exit. The alley hidden with shadows and enough escape routes to make a movie theater happy. What she didn’t expect was the trashcan. The door flew open and Surge leapt at him, ready to wrap him up in a crushing bear hug to restrain his limbs. Whether or not she got to smell his coconut scented chest fur was of non-importance. But instead he came out with a yell.

“BANZAI!” And stuffed a metal trash can over her head. A foot to the can shoved her back and suddenly there was heavy wrapping of knuckles at the sides of the can, disorienting Surge as she was spun around. Her legs kicked out wildly, but she felt Sonic’s arms around her sides and was frustrated to find she instantly relaxed, before he lifted her up and dumped her into something heavy and metal.

A dumpster. Fun. And to top it all off?

She felt a pinch to her rear as she fell into the dumpster. Her cheeks were on fire. The heavy whump signified the dumpster’s lid being closed and the sound of metal scrapping across metal told Surge Sonic had shoved something through the parts of the dumpster, locking her inside.

This loss…sucked.

“See you around Surge!” Sonic laughed and the tenrec groaned. But her ears perked as she didn’t hear his immediately receding footsteps. Then, his voice came again, softer, quieter. “Hey…are we still on for tonight?” Surge paused, pursing her lips. Then she vigorously shook her head, dislodging her earpiece from her ear. Scooting around the dumpster she got close to the dumpster’s wall, signified by her trashcan ringing off it.

“Yeah. Just…push it to 7:30…I think I need a couple showers.” The scent of the dumpster, despite being recently emptied, was not a pleasant one.

“Sweet, see you then.” Surge then heard the sound of Sonic making kissy noises, which was somehow more embarrassing then being beaten using two forms of refuse disposal. But what was even more embarrassing still? She made the kissy noises back.

The sound of Sonic’s footsteps quieting told Surge that she was now alone. She attempted to stand and her trashcan immediately banged against the roof. Okay, time to get out of here. She managed to find her earpiece, and gripped it in her hand before standing up and feeling around the dumpster. The top was shut, but most dumpsters had–ah! A side window. Sliding it open, Surge shoved her trashcan out, then the rest of herself, landing on the pavement with a grunt. Putting one foot under herself, then the other, Surge managed to stand and took on the task of de-trash canning herself.

Surge groaned as she attempted to remove herself from the trash can, her quills getting stuck. She gave a sigh and readjusted, letting out little squeaks of pain as her quills were still caught in the lining of the can. A third adjustment and Surge managed to pop her head free of the trash can, sucking in fresh air.

Air that Shadow the hedgehog happened to be breathing. Surge let out a little yelp.

“What the fuck man?! Where’d you come from?!” Shadow narrowed his eyes at the tenrec.

“I was watching. Lying in wait for the Blue Blur to appear…and saw you instead.” Shadow’s voice had all the kindness of 60s school teacher with a ruler. Surge tried to take in a breath, found it dissatisfying, and tried again. It came out as a cough instead.

“Well, you know me…” Surge turned her head slowly to the dumpster, then back to Shadow, his arms slowly crossing across his chest. “...dumpster diver?” Shadow’s face twitched, almost amused. But it withered under his seriousness and a scowl returned.

“Your orders were to stay off this case, tenrec.” Surge tightened her fists. “Amy and I are responsible for bringing him in, not you.” Surge said nothing, tightening her jaw. “Now do you have any actually useful information that might aid me in tracking him down?”

A shipment. Kit was unsure of the contents, but they were hyper valuable. It would be coming in next week on the southern end of the city. A freighter with hundreds of containers, one of which containing the package. Plus, she knew that he loved the wind in his face and a good nap after a run...not that any of that was mission critical. Having Shadow on the case would practically ensure that Sonic was taken down. Surge opened her mouth–

No. He’s mine. Surge was surprised by the voice in her head. What was even more shocking was how quickly she let it take over. A soft blanket that still managed to strangle her prefrontal cortex.

“Sorry. I got nothing.” Surge said flatly, feeling her breath tighten. Shadow said nothing for a long time. When he finally spoke it was little more than a grunt as he backed up and stepped aside. Surge tracked the dark hedgehog with her eyes before walking forward and out of the side alley. When she turned the corner and was sure she couldn’t be seen by Shadow she started to run.

And run. And run.

Shadow leaned against the side of the building, feeling the cool brick firm against his back. He let out a long and slow breath, his body deflating and becoming part of the structure. Not just a shadow, but a statue. Immobile and inanimate. When he finally moved, it was slow and methodical, stone grinding on stone as he reached up to his ear piece and connected with Amy.

“I was too late. Figuring out how to beat Surge and Kit is only going to get us so far to Sonic. We need to predict them too.” Shadow breathed into the alley.

“Shadow sweet, we can’t predict if Surge and Kit will like pineapple on pizza, much less how they’d react in a fight or flight scenario.” Amy’s voice called over the line and despite Shadow’s calmness, he still detected the uptick of his heart.

“We don’t have a choice.” Shadow then felt a tickle at his brain. An itch that told him something was wrong. “And…” Shadow trailed off, trying to find the itch. What was it telling him?

“And…?” Shadow could hear her leaning forward in her seat, hanging onto his voice.

“I think…I think Surge just lied to me.”

…

The doctor’s face was beaming as the prison door opened, his tiny spectacles practically dancing on his bill.

“Surge! You’re back! Again!” The doctor rushed over before the guards grabbed him and yanked him back, practically lifting him and carrying him to the seat opposite Surge, his legs dangling in the air. “Oh yes, yes. Right, I forgot.” The doctor smiled at Surge again and she leaned back, not wanting to be too far into his space. Then he reached his arms out and Surge thought for a moment she wanted him to shake his hands. And then she realized he was trying to hug her.

“No.” She told him flatly. The platypus’ eyes flickered but then he managed a stuttering nod and slowly lowered his hands to the table. Surge watched them carefully as they inched toward her own hands. She’d have to keep track of them.

“You should know things are going quite well in here.” Starline dipped his head. “I got to make friendship bracelets again on Tuesday. I want to bring you one someday…if they’d let me.” Starline tilted his head to look back at the guards, their flat faces and flatter expressions told Surge nothing, but Starline seemed to find it amusing. “Oh the old silent treatment. They’re not happy after I hit their coworker with a lunch tray.” Surge groaned. “I know, right? It’s not my fault they won’t give enough of a scoop of mashed potatoes.”

“Dad, you can’t go around hitting the guards with lunch trays. You’re lucky they don’t add years to your sentence.” Why did she care? And why did she reflexively call him dad? No…she didn’t care, and she called him dad because that was her cover right now. Daughter that gave a shit. Who gave a shit about the person who tore her apart! Surge’s jaw tightened. Never forget. Never forget that she wasn’t his daughter, she was a doll he’d reassembled time and again.

“Oh, they did. But it was worth it. Seeing Luis with mashed potato over his face! Worth a whole 365 days. I shall treasure the memory forever!” Starline gave a happy sigh and relaxed in the bench. Then he moved. His hands reached out and Surge was prepared for him to grab hers. She jumped back, moving out of the bench so fast, Starline couldn’t even track it with his eyes. Her hands moved in a blur, grabbing Starline’s hair and smashing his face down into the bench.

Surge did a double take at her own action, pulling her hands back and putting them up in a surrender. The guards moved forward, trying to figure out what happened, their gazes skewering Surge. Their hands moving down to their waists where tasers waited, their electric tips already crackling with energy.

“Oh! Ow! The pollen is terrible this year.” Starline’s voice called up from the table as he raised his head. “I can’t believe I just did that, that’s so embarrassing.” Starline waved off the guards as he brought his hand to his beak, his glove coming away red. “I mean…what a sneeze.” Starline laughed at that point, actually laughed.

The guards shifted their looks. Their determination fading to confusion as they looked between Surge and Starline.

“Yeah…he sneezed.” Surge told them, noting that her hands had turned into fists. She forced them open, turning them back into innocent palms. The guards held her gaze for a moment before turning away and giving the two of them some space again. Surge lowered herself back to the table, her eyes focused on Starline as he wiped more blood from his beak.

“Quite the grab.” Starline whispered. “I didn’t even see it coming. Well done.”

“I hurt you.” Starline’s eyes tracked up to hers.

“You defended yourself.” There was some grit in the platypus’ voice, his teeth clenching and she saw blood there too. “It’s what you’ve always done. I can’t fault you for that.” Surge breathed, tried to form the word: what? But her facial expression must’ve done the job for her. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m taking credit for your reflexes. I mean, my work on your nerve endings and their connections is finer than anything nature could put out.” Surge groaned and dropped her head. Whatever moment they’d just had shattered away. But Surge wasn’t ready to just give it up.

“Why did you defend me?” Starline leaned away, confused.

“I didn’t want you in jail, Surge.” Starline crossed his hands over his lap.

“No. Enough.” Surge spat, hands flying aside. “Stop this–this–this nice dad act. Why are you doing it?” Starline looked at her, his brow furrowed.

“Surge…I have always defended you. Everything I did was to make you strong.”

“Tearing me apart and putting me back together made me strong?” Starline’s eyes didn’t falter for a second.

“Equipping you with increased abilities made you strong. And I don’t regret it, daughter.” Surge scowled at him, but still he continued. “Don’t tell me for a single second that in your life, even in your G.U.N. career there was ever a moment you thought: I can’t do this. I’m not strong enough, fast enough, smart enough.” Starline’s voice was level, every word out of his mouth spoken like the immutable truth. Surge narrowed her eyes at him, her brows raising slightly. Disbelief.

“I felt that every moment in your house.” Starline looked away. Not shame, or sorrow, but maybe acceptance. Something he could live with.

“Surge, I’m glad you came to see me when you didn’t have to, but I’m starting to question why you’re here.” Surge swallowed. Wanting to follow this more. Wanting him to admit what he did was wrong. Wanting him to understand the fear and inadequacy she’d carried throughout her childhood. But instead, she sighed, and gave in.

“I’m dating this guy.” Surge admitted. Starline raised an eyebrow.

“You? A guy? I figured the…finer sex would be to your taste.” Starline gestured a hand up and down at Surge. She gave a grumble.

“Well the sex is fine, actually.” Surge grinned.

“Nope! Nope! Lalalala! I will not hear my little girl talk about intercourse!” Starline plugged his ears and Surge noted the satisfaction in her belly at his suffering.

“Dad, take your fingers out of your ears.” Starline did so and he had an almost pleading look on his face.

“Have you tried women? I’m just saying with today’s public, being a lesbian will get you so much more public support.” Surge put her head in her hands.

“Dad, I’m bi.” Surge spoke into her palms.

“...what’s the difference?” Surge wanted to weep.

“Cool, I’m not having this conversation with you.” Surge threw out a hand to cut him off. “I’m dating a guy right now. Okay? That’s what matters.”

“So, you’re saying you being a lesbian is not out of the picture?”

“DAD.” Starline raised his hands in surrender.

“Okay, okay, you’re dating a…guy.” Starline’s voice grated on the last word and Surge’s eyes rolled upward.

“And I really like him–”

“AH! There’s a but!” Starline pointed a finger at Surge and she considered snapping it. But instead she rolled her neck and tried again.

“I do.” Surge growled at Starline, trying to force back his disapproval. “He’s fast, and stupid and quick witted and we just click in all the right ways, and he thinks he’s funny, but he’s not really funny which in itself is actually pretty funny and–” Surge cut herself off as she saw Starline’s eyebrows raise. The tenrec pursed her lips and tried to stop the blush that had heated her cheeks.

“Holy shit. This is real.” Starline tapped at the table like he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or not. In a second he was going to probably start pinching himself. “You actually are seeing someone.” Surge brought one hand to her forehead and nodded into it slowly. The fact that it was so shocking to Starline as much as herself told Surge a lot about how she was perceived…and how true it might be. “Surge…are you in–”

“No no no!” Surge held up a finger. “I can’t think about that yet. I can’t even consider considering about that right now.” Surge made a tight fist and closed off the sentence.

“Then Surge…I have to ask…why even bring this up? And by all means, I’m glad you did…but why me?” Starline spread his hands as wide as the chains would allow, a prosecutor addressing the court. Surge sucked in a breath. Held it for a long time.

“Because there’s a but.” Surge groaned and admitted, Starline for once not opening his beak. “And because the but’s bad enough that I can’t…can’t tell anyone else.” For a second Starline’s jaw remained shut.

Then it fell open.

“Daughter…are you telling me that I’m…your sole confidant on this?” Starline brought his hands together, an ecstatic prayer being made.

“Begrudgingly.” Surge spoke through gritted teeth.

“Yes! YES! My daughter confided in me! My daughter confided in me!” Surge was certain if not for the chains the platypus would’ve gotten up and done an irish jig.

“Keep it down! Now the whole prison knows!”

“Oh they most certainly will! I’m going to tell everyone! This is joyous!” Starline squealed, his hands brought to his cheek as he cooed.

“Just another reason not to tell you stuff.” Surge threw out an exasperated hand.

“No! No! Wait! I’m just joking. I swear! Please! Please tell me!” The prayer hands were back. Surge watched him for a long time, the hands in prayer not faltering for a second.

“I’m…going to regret this, aren’t I?” Starline did not respond, which didn’t do well for Surge’s confidence. She gave a sigh. “Fine, just please try to not let this get out.”

At first, Surge just gave the basics. That they were on different sides, they could disagree on large issues. That people would disapprove of their relationship, and how, admittedly, confusing it was. Enemies by day, lovers by night. But as Surge continued to talk, the more she found herself saying. The words rushing from her like a broken dam. How she and Sonic first met. How they found attraction in the other. How they were both crazy enough to try something like this.

And the more she talked, the more she wanted to say. The more she liked talking about Sonic and how much she liked him. How she thought about him all day and wanted to spend more time with him. How the day felt like a slog until she was off and could chat with her criminally suave boyfriend. When she finally finished she found she was out of breath. As exhausted as if she ran a marathon.

“So…that’s…him.” Surge tapped her fingers on the table, her heart pounding and her jaw offset. She wanted approval. She wanted Starline’s approval? No. NO…yes. She couldn’t find why in that moment. It was too much to consider in addition to her frustrating affection for Sonic.

“Surge…” Starline carefully set his hands on the table. Then he spoke to her with a chilling calmness. One that teleported her back to her childhood and all its cold metal tables where she was examined. The mask going over her face and the gas that was released. The way her body felt different every time she woke up. “...You need to break up with Sonic.”

Surge’s hands tightened into fists.

“Why?” Surge’s anger was barely restrained. The urge to smash his face into the table again surfaced and this time it had nothing to do with reflexes.

“I know that man Surge. It’s not about your Romeo and Juliet love story, or your similarities or differences, it’s about him specifically.” Starline told her.

“What do you mean?” Surge’s fists loosened ever so slightly.

“I mean beyond any jokes, you’ve found the only person in the world I don’t want you to date. No, forget date. Be friends with, be around in any capacity. Surge my dear, we are talking about the most dangerous man on the planet.” Starline told her and Surge found herself getting sucked into his gaze, almost hypnotizing, his eyes locking onto her own.

“Why does everyone keep saying that about him?” Starline did a double take, his head thrusted forward.

“You were warned?”

“What? It’s not like he killed anyone!” Starline paused. And held it long enough for a creeping sensation to ride up her spine. “...Right?” Starline set his jaw.

“Nothing…confirmed.” Surge released a sigh. “But Surge, do you realize who he is? Have you actually talked to him, about him?” Surge said nothing. Her eyes flickered away. “I was on the pulse of the criminal world, and he appeared at the end of my time but Surge…the things I heard still scare me.” Surge found she couldn’t help herself, she took in a breath…and leaned forward.

“What did you hear?”

“A baby. Found with no documentation. Surge, the reason he’s a ghost? He doesn’t just have destroyed files, he wasn’t given any to begin with. From there it was suspected that he was taken in by a criminal group and trained since infancy to infiltrate, to hurt, to grab intel and goods.”

“What kind of…goods?” Surge bit her lip.

“Did it matter? I…have a hunch as to the individual responsible for his upbringing but I can’t be certain and this man…well there was nothing he wouldn’t touch.”

“So…what happened? With Sonic? Any idea why he does what he does now?” Starline paused and shook his head.

“No. My network of information took a hit after my arrest and when I got it back…well, that hedgehog was a ghost once more. But Surge you have to understand who he is. He was raised to break things, to do anything to survive and overcome. He understands people in a dangerous way and knows what’s of value. And on top of everything he holds no ties. There is nothing that he truly values. No family, no purpose, no guiding principle. Do you understand what a man of that nature is capable of? What he could do if he really wanted to? What lines he would cross cause he doesn’t understand that they’re there in the first place? He is impulse and instinct and as changing as the wind. He is dangerous.” Surge found breathing hard. What did she really really know about Sonic? What he’d actually done growing up? Why he did the things he did? Could she live with not knowing? Would it get her and other people killed?

“I…I don’t…I don’t know. He…he doesn’t seem like that.” Surge managed, but her voice felt small.

“Alright, let me put it this way, daughter. You told me you got closer to beating him than anyone else. Yes?” Surge managed a nod. “Who’s to say that didn’t scare him? That he’s interested in you because you were a worthy adversary? That he’s keeping you close to figure out how best to beat or even kill you?” Surge shook her head. No, it…it didn’t make sense, it wasn’t possible. Sonic wouldn’t.

…right?

“But…but we like each other. We’re–we’re having fun.”

“Maybe you are.” Starline got close and his eyes actually looked sympathetic somehow. “And maybe he is…but what happens when you bore him? When all that’s interesting about you has been laid out? He’ll move on from you Surge. And your best hope is that it’s simply done through text message.” Starline leaned back and Surge found herself shaking ever so slightly. Anger? Fear? Why was it both?

“Y-you’re just trying to scare me.” Surge scowled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes and Starline caught all of it.

“Yes. Yes, I am. You should be very–very afraid of Sonic the Hedgehog.”

…

When Blaze learned that she could be seen walking back and forth outside Silver’s bakery for the past 10 minutes she figured that was it. It was time to wrap it up on her life and shuffle off this mortal coil.

She’d been weighing the pros and cons back and forth in her head the whole time. Her internal struggle feeling ready to split her into two different Blazes. One that was ready to run in there and say hello. And maybe…possibly flirt. And the other half of herself was ready to yank her away and scold her for being distracted from work and shame her for thinking she could ever be with Silver…it wasn’t that he was too young…

She was too old.

She was an old old woman. Silver wasn’t interested in her, and definitely not like that. He was at best being kind and at worst tolerating her. He probably didn’t even expect her to actually show up at his bakery.

Blaze looked up at the sign, no illumination, simple print on a plastic sheeting held in place by metal screws. The whole width of the place was maybe 10 feet and if Blaze had to guess it had the dimensions of a mid-sized studio apartment.

But from the smells that were gliding on the wind out of it, you’d imagine the place was some kind of godly haven.

Precious Goods.

It was a good name Blaze liked to think. And with Silver’s family being all named after precious metals it also had a decent pun in there. She would admit to smiling at it once or twice. It was probably the name that ultimately got her to walk in the front door, pulling it open after said allotted 10 minutes. Her eyes were drawn to the walls and floor of the establishment. Old hardwood that creaked and groaned like an old farmhouse. Exposed brick walls dotted with both family photos and baked creations.

A glass display case was lit up, both in lighting and with the various sweets that lie within. Cupcakes, Cookies, brownies, biscuits, scones, croissants, danishes. Blaze began to feel her mouth water. She cleared her throat of the fluid and turned to address the young woman at the counter, currently tap tap tapping away at a phone.

A tenrec, bright shiny quills that cascaded down her back. Plain blue blouse and a red skirt with black leggings. A few tattoos dotted her arm and amber eyes glazed with the glow of her phone screen, the communication brick in a sparkly blue case with a couple phone charms at its base.

Platinum. Silver’s little sister. Majoring at Station Square University in Global Studies with a minor in Psychology. She worked here part time to help Silver out, make a few bucks and the most likely reason, try to keep her off her phone. Emphasis on try.

But Blaze didn’t know any of this. She was just supposed to be the Office Manager for a security company. Not the head of the local branch of a global spy and policing organization. And certainly not anyone Silver the Hedgehog would be interested in.

“Uh…hello?” Blaze gave a little tap at the wooden front counter with her finger, the young twenty something’s eyes rolling up from her screen to take in Blaze.

Maybe ‘take in’ was the wrong word. Perceive that Blaze was even there was perhaps better.

“Uh, yeah?” Platinum spoke in a tone that both grated on Blaze and wished for her approval. The girl’s eyes were already finding her phone screen again and Blaze wondered what kind of parade had to stroll through the establishment to attract Platinum’s attention.

“Yes, hell, I’m Blaze. Is…Silver here?” Blaze cursed the eagerness in her voice.

“Yup.” Platinum popped the ‘p’ like bubble gum. Blaze waited a moment longer before realizing that the girl needed a little more prompting.

“Can…can you…get him for me?” Saying it out loud felt rude, but Blaze wasn’t sure how to interact with this girl, she wasn’t even sure they were the same species…figuratively speaking.

“Uh huh.” Platinum mumbled after a moment longer before lifting her phone from the counter like it weighed four times its weight and walking to the back room, her eyes never drifting from the screen.

Blaze waited patiently…but her ears perked.

"Bro, there’s some woman here for you.” Platinum’s voice came muffled through the wall.

“Oh! Who?” There it was. The cheer that was second nature to him. The way he practically glowed seemed to seep through the wall and wash over Blaze, making her feel like a young woman again.

“I ‘unno. Just some old lady.” Blaze felt her claws unsheathe. She should go. This…this was wrong. It was wrong to have these feelings about a man just under half her age. Blaze felt her breath rise in her chest, a heat in her cheeks. Her jaw was set and her vision turned red as shame and anger churned a dangerous cocktail in her stomach. She was furious at Silver’s sister. She was furious at herself! She–

“Hey! Be nice.” Silver’s voice came again. Blaze’s shame and anger didn’t go away but it…dimmed. Enough for her to refocus as Silver came out, followed by his sister, face still in her phone. “Ms. Blaze! I mean Blaze! You came!” He smiled at her his golden eyes like glowing gems. Blaze let out a little laugh, the anger and shame pulling to the back of her mind as her claws sheathed themselves.

“Yes, well, you did insist.” Blaze gave a little tilt of her head, a thank you for the invitation. “I quite like this place. It’s–homey.”

“Yeah! I like to think so.”

“I think it’s all he could afford as a place in the city.” Platinum mumbled and Blaze resisted the urge to scold Silver’s little sister.

“I…suppose there’s that too. But I’ll take homey.” Silver put his hands on his hips and glanced around his establishment with approval. Blaze watched him for a moment, partaking in his joy and simple pleasure. His life was simple and perfect. Blaze wasn’t just angry and ashamed.

She was jealous.

“How long have you had it?” Blaze asked even though she knew the answer was 2 years, 7 months and 12 days.

“Oh uhh, I think two and a half years now. Pretty cool, right?”

“Very cool.” Blaze gave a tilt of her head.

“Oh! Oh! I’ve got something to show you!” Silver dipped into the back once more, his energy infectious…and young. Platinum’s eyes drifted back up to Blaze as she waited, the tenrec’s gaze narrowing. Blaze swallowed and cleared her throat.

“How do you know my brother?” Blaze found she couldn’t meet the tenrec’s gaze and stared up at the family photos. An image of Silver giving a baby what Blaze could only assume was the now moody teen, a bath. Platinum had been laughing.

“He brings pastries to our building.” Blaze answered honestly. Platinum blinked at Blaze and she felt a twitch in her claws.

“That’s…it?” Blaze said nothing, eyes drifting back to the tenrec. “Strange that you would come to see someone who just serves pastries.” Blaze’s throat dried up.

“He’s a…friend.” Blaze tried but the tenrec scoffed, finally putting that phone down. It appeared that she did care about something more than the world of selfies and desperate validation.

“Uh huh.” Platinum grumbled. “Yeah, my big brother is good at making friends. Everybody likes him.” Blaze felt the desire to creep away from Platinum, a nervous chill running down her spine. “Which is a problem when people take advantage of him.” Platinum sneered at Blaze.

“Excuse me?!” Blaze snapped, her shame and anger flaring up once more. She was ready to spit fire! “How dare y–”

“How dare I?” Platinum shot back. “I’m not some rich fat cat getting low income individuals making them custom goods for free!”

“I–what?!” Blaze did a double take, the conversation taking a left down a road she was unaware of. Platinum looked like she was ready to jump the counter when Silver reappeared, Platinum and Blaze pulling back from each other into something resembling civility.

“Cupcakes!” Silver spoke, his voice a parading trumpet. The white hedgehog came out with a large pastry box in his arms. He walked over to the counter, Platinum seeming to slink into the shadows as her bright light of an older brother moved in front of her. “I made them for you!”

“You…did?” Blaze stammered, her gaze flitting between the Tupperware and Platinum’s face, her gaze disgusted. Silver pulled off the box’s lid with a pop to reveal a dozen purple cupcakes, their surfaces covered in a light slathering of frosting that after a closer inspection revealed them to be in the shape of a lilac cat face. “It’s…me.” Blaze giggled a little, noting that Silver had even made sure to put in the detail of her decorative red gemstone as well as a stern expression that Blaze took in stride.

“Yup! You’re always so nice to me when I get to your office, it’s a far cry from the bored stares that I usually get, if even that much.” Silver gave a soft laugh, a touch of melancholy in it.

“I’m just…appreciative of your work.” Blaze waved a hand at the cupcakes, feeling their stares coming back at her.

“Well go on then–try one!” Silver waggled the box in Blaze’s direction and the cat made noises of confusion she didn’t know she could make. Her eyes once more found Platinum, whose nose was wrinkled up in distaste. But Blaze couldn’t say no, her hand finding one of the cupcakes and bringing it to her mouth.

Buttery, airy, slightly sweet and melt in her mouth. And then it got better. A rich, creamy filling that was sugary and thick, with a hint of tang that made Blaze’s taste buds do a little happy dance.

“‘Re dese filld?” Blaze spoke through her food. An act that surely would’ve gotten her a slap on the wrist as a little girl.

“Yup! I haven’t gotten to play too much with Ube and it had the right color as you. And–and-and then for the filling you liked those cheese Danishes so much it inspired me to try out a ricotta filling like a cannoli. Do you like them?” Blaze found her eyes locked onto Silver’s face, his joy and interest and dedication like a spotlight she couldn’t look away from until there was but only one possible answer.

“I love them.” Her voice was soft, the cupcake now long gone. Somehow, Silver’s smile got brighter.

“I’m so glad! Here you go!” Silver then closed the box and gave it to Blaze.

“I’m–sorry?!” Blaze pulled her hands away before Silver could deposit the box in her arms. His smile faded slightly, but it returned quickly.

“I made them for you. So, you should take them! Or y’know, give ‘em to your coworkers if you don’t like them that much.” Silver gave a nervous laugh. Blaze’s eyes found Platinum’s again as she put the pieces together of what the tenrec had been saying.

“S-Silver I couldn’t, really. It’s your hard work.” Blaze placed one palm on the box, pushing it back toward the hedgehog. But Silver shook his head and pushed it forward once more.

“Please, I insist. You were my muse on their creation, so it’s only right you have them!” Muse? She was…a muse? But Blaze shook her head, Platinum’s judgement still weighing over her. “I…thought these were for a child’s party with…a tomatopotamus…on it…?” Blaze’s voice trailed off.

“Heh…” Silver gave a weird flinching smile, a strange change in his normally perfectly warm demeanor.

“Well then at least let me pay for them! I–” It was Silver’s turn to shake his head.

“No way. Your building already helps me enough with buying my catering–” Blaze made a little squeak sound in her throat, unsure of how to answer that. “–think of it like…a bonus!”

“A…bonus?” Blaze swallowed and saw as Platinum fumed from behind Silver. She couldn’t take the box. She couldn’t take the box. She could not take the box.

She took the box.

“Thank you Silver…thank you.” Blaze held the box close to her, hoping some of his essence would rub off onto her.

“You’re welcome!” The dangerous cocktail in Blaze’s stomach churned all the harder as cupcake and adolescent joy dumped into it. “Oop! I gotta get back in the kitchen, I’ve got an order to work on!” Silver turned and headed for his kitchen, giving Blaze a happy wave as he disappeared. “See you soon!”

Blaze managed a little one-handed wave before turning to see Platinum’s fury still on her. Blaze shuffled her feet uncomfortably.

“I–bye.” Blaze turned and exited the shop, turning down the sidewalk and moving swiftly away. But Blaze’s senses tingled and her higher awareness told her she was not alone. And judging from the pounding of feet behind her and the general sense of teen angst, Blaze knew exactly who it was.

“You’re such a bitch!” Blaze turned to see Platinum following her, the young tenrec pointing a finger at Blaze. “You don’t even feel a little bad, do you?! My brother is the nicest guy and all you can manage is a: ThAnK yOu?!” Platinum mocked. “Couldn’t manage to open your wallet even a cent.”

“Platinum, I tried.” The tenrec recoiled.

“How do you know my name?!” The tenrec snapped at Blaze and the cat had enough, narrowing her eyes at the obnoxious teen.

“It’s on your nametag, you brat.” Platinum flinched and looked at the nametag on her shirt, her name printed right next to an image of Silver’s bakery’s logo. “Silver is kind to me, that is all. I am not taking advantage of him. I am simply trying to return his kindness.”

“And the ‘fuck me’ eyes you give him?” Blaze choked and almost dropped the box. She tried to open her mouth, but Platinum continued. “Don’t deny it. Every woman gives my brother that look. But most have the decency to not do it when they’re twice his age.” Blaze felt herself shrink a little. “He’s my brother. Not some boy toy for you to cozy up to, use him and toss him out. Stay away from him you selfish, coldhearted cunt.” Blaze found her legs shaking, her rage roaring in her ears as she felt herself age. She wanted to respond, maybe argue, maybe apologize, but Platinum was gone, already halfway down the block back to Silver’s shop.

Blaze teetered on her heels and managed to hobble to a bench, practically falling into it. She…she couldn’t like Silver. Not like that. He was too young for her. His whole life ahead of him. To take an interest in him now. To ask him to engage in a relationship with her? Well then, she really would be a selfish coldhearted cunt.

With a sigh, Blaze opened up the box once more, eleven Blazes staring at her judgingly.

“Oh don’t look at me like that.” She told them, their expressions changing to something like mild disapproval. She plucked out another one and bit into it furiously, staring forward. Which is when she noticed something on the bottom of the box lid. A sticky note.

Call if you want more.

-Silver

Blaze found the cupcake tasted like ash now.

Chapter Text

“Make the delivery. Isolated. Stick to side streets off the main road. Make our customers feel welcome, but not too welcome.” Clutch snapped the folder shut and handed it back to the goon whose name sounded like an advertisement for male enhancement medication. The goon nodded and took off, leaving Clutch to take in a breath, his brand new cane smacking into the floor with a commanding whack.

Chaos, he loved having his cane back. It wasn’t as fancy or well cared for as his previous one, but that one had earned its place as a prize for a successfully run empire. This one was sufficient enough for now. Plus it did have a certain amount of sentimentality.

“You’re really liking it?” Duo approached low, his mouse-ishness ill suited for a cat. Clutch gave a snort and looked out over the balcony of one of their production warehouses, two dozen workers below mixing, isolating, formulating and concentrating all before packaging up and sending out for distribution.

“Yup.” Clutch stated flatly before bringing the cane up and giving it a glance, the decals on the bottom showing licks of fire. “It’s bitchin’.” Clutch gave Duo a too sharp smile and the cat didn’t know whether to laugh or back away. “Oop. Heads up, controlling canine at twelve o’clock.”

“Technically I would be at your nine o’clock.” Fiona's voice was uninterested and throw away. She was flipping through some papers, appearing more and more unhappy with what they were telling her.

“Ta-may-toe, Ta-mah-toe.” Clutch waggled his cane around and Fiona took note of it briefly, her eyes managing to contain mockery alongside all that uninterestedness.

“Flames?”

“They make me look like I’m going fast.” Clutch tapped his cane on the metal walkway twice, the sound ringing out and making all the workers turn their heads up at Clutch. Clutch turned to look at them, an eyebrow raising. There must’ve been something in his eyes because all of the workers’ heads shot down like they’d seen a hundred-dollar bill there. Clutch grinned.

“Sure.” Fiona rolled her eyes and scoured her eyes over the documents.

“Is everything to your liking, Ms. Fox?” Clutch’s face was pointed at Fiona, but his eyes didn’t quite seem to meet hers. It was something Duo had noticed that the possum did often. A way of giving people the illusion of his attention while his mind worked on other matters.

“They’re…satisfactory.” There was a slight gritting of teeth on the behalf of Fiona and Duo watched as Clutch’s mouth creeped upward. He relished in her reluctance, the admittance of his own satisfaction. And while Duo wasn’t surprised, he was impressed. But everything Clutch did made sense. He’d turn a gang into a business with criminal tendencies.

Deliveries were more organized, training was done. The lines were hopped back and forth across with such quickness that the deed was done long before any kind of policing force could get wise. And if anyone stumbled, well…they were more likely to not get back up.

Ruthless efficiency. That’s what the possum had called it. A culling of the unhelpful and slow. It wasn’t all death and slit throats, but one day you might go to a warehouse, and find it empty, all your gang friends gone without you. There were no pink slips, you were a part of the machine until you weren’t.

But if Fiona’s expression was any indication, profits were up and costs were down. Clutch had taken this sputtering gas-guzzling heap of a crime syndicate and turned it into a fuel efficient hot rod. For the modern world!

“You don’t seem happy.” Clutch gave a saddened tilt of his head, empathizing with the fox. She looked up at him and scowled. She took a step toward him and Duo found himself doing the same, his hand going to the knife in his pocket. She wouldn’t get closer to Clutch. She wouldn’t!

Then, without taking his eyes off the distance beyond Fiona, Clutch held out a hand in front of Duo, the calmest palm. Duo glanced at it, eyes tracing the limb up to Clutch’s face. His expression didn’t change, but the light shifted in his eyes. Hold back, it said.

Duo moved back, hands settling in his sweater pocket, his gaze widening. He hadn’t even realized he’d narrowed his focus to him and Fiona until Clutch stepped back in.

“There’s…complications.” Fiona brought up a hand to her mouth and began to chew at a fingernail. It surprised even her, the fox pulling her hand from her mouth and examining the nail with distaste. Clutch blinked once. “Scourge is…unhappy.”

Raging mad was more likely.

“I see. Learned his little empire wasn’t really his, huh?” Clutch now took a step toward Fiona, his large form like a circus tent, imposing those in the shadow of the event, a show about to be put on. Fiona gave a grumble, unknowingly shrinking under Clutch’s frame.

“He wants to talk to you.” Fiona spoke in a high pitched voice. It was a sight to see. Just a couple of weeks ago she was all powerful here. Now she was all but bowing to the true master.

“Oh I bet he does. But we’re quite busy now. Ramping up productions, pushing away those other lesser gangs. He can complain all he wants, but I don’t see what leg he has to stand on with all the money we’re putting in his pocket.” Clutch moved like a shadow, always behind Fiona, always whispering in her ear. Duo’s eyes widened as he pulled on her puppet strings. Was this how he played the game? It was terrifying…and inspiring. “Perhaps it was time Scourge took a step back, spent that money, you know? You could join him.” Fiona seemed to come back into herself at that, her eyes narrowing slightly, like her vision was blurred and she was trying to focus on the ever changing form that was Clutch.

“This is still my gang, Clutch.”

“Oh of course! Of course.” Clutch brought his hands together with a powerful enough clap that Fiona had to blink. A flinch. “I thought you two might care for a little vacation. Some time for lovebirds to reconnect.” Fiona’s eyes were still narrowed but she managed a slow nod. “But if Scourge really wants to talk, then we’ll set up a time. A few weeks maybe?” Fiona nodded again, her body unclenching as Clutch’s words wormed their way into her brain.

“R-right. Well, that’s the main issue then.” Clutch paused at that, not a stiffening, but a stilling. A quietness dissenting over the factory.

“Main issue?” An eyebrow was raised and Duo felt a tick up in his heart rate. An almost fight or flight response. “We must have no issue Fiona. That is how I lost this all once before.” For as nervous as Duo felt, Fiona clearly felt it more, finally starting to realize just how dangerous Clutch could be.

“There’s…someone. A factor we haven’t yet identified. But they messed with one of our deliveries without really knowing it.” Fiona pulled at one of her files and held it out to Clutch. The possum’s eyes narrowed and he clutched at the folder opening and scanning its pages. “We were to swap some good for bank details but they got swiped by this person and now we’re out a buyer. We’ve still got the product but–”

Clutch was shaking…rage coiling off him like smoke, his eyes wild and burning through the page. Fiona took a step back. Duo had to admit, she was smarter than him because he was frozen in place.

“It’s not…IT’S NOT!” Clutch fumed his breathing was rabid and saliva building at the edges of his mouth. Clutch then bit his tongue, trying to hold in his fury. He didn’t need it now. It wasn’t useful now. With a shaking hand he closed his fist tight until his claws bit into his palm, nearly breaking skin. He focused the rage there, burning white hot until as the last of it drained into his fist he let it go.

Taking a deep breath he slapped the file folder back down into Fiona’s hand, his eyes boring into hers.

“Find him.” Clutch spoke in such a tone that Fiona forgot she was still the one in charge. “This is the priority.” With a flick of his cloak, Clutch disappeared down the hall opposite the balcony. A series of offices were laid out along the hall, full of tall glass windows were the powerful could observe the worker bees as they toiled. It was through the biggest of these offices that Clutch burst through, muttering as the door shook on its hinges behind him. Duo and Fiona watched as the possum paced around, cane smacking the floor as his eyes flicked about.

Was that…paranoia? Duo wondered. He’d seen many states the possum could be in; outright off-footedness was not one of them. The dark blue cat turned to Fiona, raising a finger.

“F-find him.” That cat found he could not embody the same kind of power Clutch could as Fiona simply raised an unimpressed eyebrow. Duo was forced to retreat, spinning around and flicking his head back to watch Fiona for a moment before heading into the office after Clutch. Duo carefully closed the door and perked his ears, catch just the slightest snippets of Clutch’s speech. Scraps of a larger document put through a paper shredder.

“Ungrateful…impossible…how could he…where…?” The muttering continued and Duo watched as this powerful silver tongued man got tripped up by his own twisting thoughts.

“S-sir? Clutch?” The possum’s head snapped up. Too fast, too jerky. A yanked puppet string…or the twitching of a zombie.

“What is it boy?!” The possum shrieked, less control, more wild cry. Duo backed up and found himself against the door of the office, foolishly having closed it behind him.

“What’s…what’s…what’s–” Duo mumbled, fighting through his pocket for the knife, clutching its grip and hanging on for dear life.

“What’s what?!” Clutch shouted, his fur bristling as he seemed to grow in size three-fold, a mass of fur and cloak and rage barely contained. It hid just beneath, pressing at the cloak, testing it, feeling the thinness of its constraint.

“Wha-at’s-s happ-pening?” Duo squeaked out his eyes widening as Clutch encompassed his vision. Clutch saw himself reflected in the deep brown irises of the cat and something close to recognition and realization managed to pull through the possum. He didn’t flinch so much as flicker. A shifting of his attention.

“What’s happening is I’m being FUCKED WITH!” Clutch roared sliding his hand across a desk, pens and cups and file holders and computer monitors flying through the air and crashing against a wall. “HE KNOWS I’M BACK! AND HE KNOWS THAT I KNOW!” Clutch shouted as he reached under another desk and lifted its side tipping the whole thing over, more office supplies crashing to the ground with the sound of bouncing plastic, cracking wood and shattering ceramic. “AND HE THINKS HE CAN STOP ME! FUCK ME OVER AGAIN! WORM HIS WAY INTO MY OPERATION LIKE THE PARASITE HE IS AND-AND-AND-AAAARRRGGGHH!” Clutch howled like a wounded monster and hefted an oak chair over his head before heaving it through an office window where the glass shattered as the chair sailed through the air. It shattered on impact with the warehouse floor, throwing splinters everywhere. The employees flinched but did not look up, not daring to try and meet the eyes of the man with the cane.

Speaking of the cane, Clutch had dropped it in his rage fit and now bent over with a groan, his age catching up to his anger as he back ached. The possum managed to grab his cane and now used it for its intended purpose. He shuffled over to a chair and pushed away scraps of desk and ceramic off of it with the cane before flopping into it, his body slumped like he was melting. The possum breathed heavily, one hand gripped atop his gain the other pressed to his forehead.

Duo approached carefully, in full view of Clutch, not wanting to agitate the mob boss. He did his best to act calm, finding a non destroyed chair and righting it. He found that it was surprisingly easy to remain calm in the presence of someone else who’d lost all sanity, the world gaining a kind of larger perspective, like Clutch had taken all the crazy for one moment leaving Duo with purified sanity. Duo put the chair opposite Clutch, and gripping his knife as an anchor, sat in it.

“Sir…who is he?” Clutch raised his eyes, finally recognizing Duo again. He blinked a few times and took in a breath, body and spine straightening as Clutch came back into himself, wearing his body again anew. Clutch licked his lips a couple of times, finding the air not quite right. But with no other way to stall for time, he finally spoke.

“He can only be defined as a mistake.” Clutch gritted his teeth, his sharp canines biting through to his gums where they almost broke skin. “A moment of weakness on my part that broke the dam and brought an entire empire down.” Duo’s eyes flicked about before resting back onto Clutch.

“Are you…being dramatic?” The cat tittered nervously on his chair. When Clutch fixed his gaze onto Duo, the cat closed his mouth and desired to swallow his tongue.

“I thought he would be like clay. Moldable, naive, willing to do what I asked…and for a time…he was.” Clutch tilted his head up and his eyes gained a wistfulness, Duo would almost think he was reminiscing, leave for the twisting grin on his maw. “That one-year-old left to bake in the summer sun. Cooked like a sausage on a griddle.” Clutch laughed to himself lowly, a rasp scraping at the bottom of Duo’s ears. “Oh! But the potential I saw!” Clutch laughed louder, arms raised in a crescendo. “Whether or not it backfired, I was right.” Clutch slammed his fist into his palm, grin spread wide and Duo saw the being he was talking about get squished. “Imagine this Duo, my boy…” Clutch spread his hands wide. “A child…raised from the time he could put one and one together to engage in criminal activity. To rob, his acts. To sabotage, his purpose. To burn away the world before so that what would come…” Clutch put a hand to his chest. “Was his first coherent thought. What…what would a child like that be capable of?” Duo said nothing…his eyes wide and focused, his body leaned forward, Clutch hanging the question like the lure of an angler fish. “Hmm? Duo?” Duo’s mouth flapped similarly fish-like before shrugging.

“A-anything? Sir?” Clutch’s grin sent a true trill of fear down Duo’s spine.

“Too small child. Not anything...but everything.” Clutch waggled a finger at Duo, but it trailed off after a moment, lowering to the floor. “But perhaps everything was too much. I taught him what was right and what was wrong and how to accomplish said wrongs, but in doing so I went a step too far.” Duo didn’t dare think as Clutch brought a hand to his chin, stroking at his beard. “I taught him to think.” Clutch’s eyes flicked to Duo. “It had seemed necessary when he was doing my will with little supervision. If he was to survive, he would need to think on his feet, and by the time he was 12 I’d put in far too much time to not take the chance. It would’ve been a hassle to start again. Not to mention it wasn’t particularly likely that I’d luck out with another infant with no strings attached.” Clutch spread his arms on the back of the chair and groaned. A kind of parental tiredness coming over him.

“Sir…if I may ask…what did he do?” Clutch looked out over the factory for a moment longer, setting his jaw.

“He brought home a pet.” Clutch sighed again, head shaking. “He wasn’t ready for the responsibility of owning a puppy and yet I let him keep it.” Clutch’s eyes flicked to Duo’s and Duo stilled, feeling a predator’s eyes on him. “Don’t tell anyone, but while I may be a business genius, I can still play the fool.” Duo gave a nod and Clutch faced the factory again. “I let him feed it and sleep with him and he grew attached. I thought he was just playing with the little street rat, but…I wasn’t aware of what was really happening.” Clutch set his jaw, eyes narrowing. “My piece of clay was too moldable. I thought I was the sole influence, but that fucking puppy was molding him too. It depended on my clay and I was sure as soon as it was too much effort my clay would slice that puppy’s belly open and toss him to be roadkill. I didn’t think it was possible he would choose the puppy over me.” Clutch started to hyperventilate again, the rage forming in his eyes again. “The one who raised him. Fed him. Put a fucking roof over him and he chooses a lump of STREET FOX AS–”

“Fuck him.” Duo spoke. Clutch’s eyes widened and he turned to face Duo but there was no anger. Just…surprise. Clutch watched as Duo’s hand shifted in the sweatshirt pocket gripping the knife tighter as his face broke into a snarl. “How dare he. To disrespect you like that. To abandon you like that! You saved his fucking life! HE OWES YOU EVERYTHING!”

Clutch’s grin was as sharp as the tip of Duo’s knife.

“Yes…and I intend to take all he owes me…plus interest.” Duo gave a nod. “Shortly after he vanished with his stupid fucking puppy I was arrested. A mountain of evidence only gained from being on the inside of my operation.” Duo snarled again, his eyes alighting with hate. “I sought to plot my revenge but soon ran into an issue.” Clutch brought his hands together over his cane and leaned forward. “No one could find him. My clay and his puppy had gone to ground. And no matter how many times I sent the dregs of my organization to find him, nothing was found. They’d vanished off the planet.” Clutch gave a roll of his hand, smoke fluttering away.

“They were scared of you.” Duo nodded, but Clutch shook his head.

“No, boy, something much worse. They were simply tired of me. I was used, forgotten. They hid not out of fear, but because I had been reduced to a bother in their eyes.” It was Duo’s turn to hyperventilate, rage seeping into his bones, muscles twitching, ready to strike out. And then Clutch put a hand on the cat’s shoulder and he relaxed, finding the possum’s gaze. “That is why this time, we get things right. If we let the tiniest issue go–”

“Then a fucking puppy brings down an empire.” Clutch laughed and grinned.

“Then a fucking puppy brings down an empire.” Clutch then slapped his knees and stood, walking over to the window where he’d thrown a chair and observing his operation with placated interest. Meanwhile Duo was still in his chair, hand twisting over the knife in his pocket. Finding it didn’t sit as well in his palm as it had moments ago. “What is it boy? I can hear your thoughts from here.” Clutch tapped his cane at the floor, Duo’s head flicking up at the noise. The cat extricated himself from the chair and scrambled to Clutch, standing beside the tall possum as he looked over the factory.

“Sir…I…I have to wonder something.” Clutch just made a noise in the back of his throat. “When we first met…you asked me about my knife. Made me promise not to stab you in the back. The…clay…the one you molded. You…you took him in. Gave him your trust…are you…are you not–”

“You are not Sonic the Hedgehog.” Clutch didn’t look at Duo as he learned the name of the person that betrayed Clutch. “You sought me out. You wanted something from me. And I wanted something from you. We have mutual interests in a way the hedgehog and I did not. I can help you, and you can help me. We don’t own each other. It’s…admittedly…new to me. And I have not found it to be a hindrance. Do you?” Clutch finally looked at Duo and the cat quickly shook his head. “Good. So, for as long as we help each other, I trust you, Duo. You...will not take me for granted.” The cat’s eyebrows moved up, and he felt a quickening of his breath. Not like the rage earlier, but just as powerful. But it was still unformed and undefined. Duo swallowed and pushed it down. He stepped forward and put his hands on the windowsill looking out over the factory.

Duo swallowed again, feeling a lump in his throat. What they were making out there. It called to him. The fuzz in his brain, the floating away as the world fell into somewhere he could escape too. It beat at the back of his head, demanding to be let back in. Maybe…maybe he could get a little. No one…no one would have to know. It wouldn’t be a bother. He wouldn’t let it. Clutch trusted him he–

“Do you know where power comes from, Duo?” Duo flinched and straightened, looking back at the possum who watched him with a flat expression. But the cat knew he was carefully judging him from behind his eyes.

“Might? Sir?” The cat tried.

“Hmm…” Clutch smiled. “It’s a good guess. And many would agree with you, but I would regard might as a facet of the truth.” Clutch now took Duo’s position, hands on the sill as he rested the cane against it. “It’s control my boy.” Clutch leaned toward Duo, the words as faint as breath. “The ability to control the world around you. The ability to control the people around you–” Clutch tried to find Duo’s gaze, but the cat’s eyes remained fixated forward. On drugs packaged in so many different ways to avoid detection. Christmas presents with a knack for espionage. “–The ability to control yourself.” Duo’s head finally snapped around to face Clutch and he nodded. Head jerking up and down, shot around like a loose bobblehead. “So you understand?” Duo’s head stopped bobbing. “Duo?”

“Sir…” Duo’s hands closed around themselves, thumbs rubbing against skin, the textile feel allowing for the cat’s focus. “What if…what if I–you–someone can’t control themself?” Clutch watched Duo for a moment, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

“Then they get controlled.” Duo swallowed hard. “Or…they learn how.” Duo blinked slowly. “Would you care to learn how, my boy?” The cat’s eyes flicked to the warehouse floor again. But they managed to settle back onto Clutch.

“Yes sir, please sir.” Clutch’s gold tooth shown as he smiled.

“Good. Then follow me. I feel like stretching my legs.” Clutch turned away from the window and moved for the office door. “And maybe we teach you how to use that knife, hmm?” Duo nodded again, moving in the possum’s shadow. “But we’ll have to be quick about it…

I have a hedgehog to kill.”

…

“Boom and bam.” Sonic spoke as he placed one plate in front of his seat and the other in front of Surge. “I give you Sonic’s…world famous…” He spread his arms, a carnival barker showing off the bearded lady. “Chiiiiilliiiidogs!” The jazz hands were a touch over the top but Surge couldn’t help but smirk at her boyfriend as he put on that smile.

“World famous, huh?” Surge played along, her eyes half-lidded as she watched the hedgehog slide into the seat opposite her, the two of them having date night at her apartment.

“That’s what I said.” Sonic winked at her and Surge found that she was unsurprised by the warmth that settled within her at his wink. It used to scare her and now…it was welcome.

“Call me unconvinced.”

“Okay ‘unconvinced.’” Sonic grinned at her and Surge let out a snort. “I’ll have you know they’re recognized as such.”

“Mmm.” Surge threw up her eyebrows.

“I’ve got a certificate and everything.”

“For sure.” Surge examined her chili dog. It was as advertised. A tube of processed meat with additional meat and beans atop it, all contained within a bun that looked on the verge of collapsing from its load. A smattering of cheese and jalapenos added a touch of color to the brown ensemble. The smells wafting up from it were to be expected, but even Surge was surprised by the way her stomach told her eyes that it didn’t like the look of it. “What’s it say?” Sonic was already mid bite into his chili dog when his eyes went up to meet hers, his expression frozen in one of red handedness.

“Uhhh.” Sonic extricated the chili dog from his mouth. “Certified…Rating for Amazing…uh…Produce?”

“Produce?” Surge brought the chili dog to her mouth. “I didn’t know these were ranked as a vegetable.”

“Mmhmm!” Sonic chewed and swallowed a bite, grinning at Surge, flecks of meat in his teeth. Fuck he was dumb and cute. “They’ve got jalapenos on them.” Sonic gestured with his chili dog at the spicy peppers on Surge’s own dinner.

“So…” Surge gave the chili dog one last examination before biting into it. The texture was…interesting. The too soft breading, the way the tube gave way under her bite, the mushyness of the chili on top…Surge resisted a shiver down her spine. “Do they give out the C.R.A.P. to just anyone?” Surge recovered, fixing Sonic with a stare. The hedgehog’s eyes widened as he realized the anagram he’d created.

“Uhhh.” Sonic took another bite, using the time to figure out how to dig this hole deeper. “It’s a very prestigious club?” Sonic’s tone had the inflection of a question.

“I’m about to be rewarded a crap right now.” Surge put down her chili dog, her face screwing up at the smell. “Nope. Nuh uh.”

“You don’t like?” Sonic pouted.

“Not my thing hedgehog. Have you considered making it…better? Like with some avocado or something?” Surge gestured to the processed meat tube with a hand and Sonic’s eyes went wide, his hand smacking lightly at the table.

“I told Tai–” Sonic cut himself off so fast he sucked in a bit of chili dog, the meat smacking him in the back of the throat and causing him to choke.

“What was that?” Surge batted her eyelashes at him. Sonic continued to choke and cough, his eyes watering as the food went down hard. “Were you just about to talk about your partner in literal crime?” Sonic shook his head, resisting the urge to choke further.

“Nuh uh!” Sonic swallowed hard, the lump of meat and carbs finally going down his throat as he waggled a finger at Surge. “Date night is supposed to be free of any cop/robber talk.” Sonic stared over his plate at Surge, the tenrec leaning forward with a shit-eating grin.

“So you admit you’re a robber.”

“I am a liberator. I liberate money and expensive goods who have more than they will ever need and liberate people from financial burdens.” Sonic spoke with practiced repetition. Enough to shield himself from Surge’s arguments.

“And yet you couldn’t liberate me from this?” Surge gestured to her chili dog. “Just looking at it makes me queasy.” The tenrec stuck out her tongue and Sonic felt his insides bubble at the face she made. How could she be even more beautiful while making a face like she wanted to hurl?

“I was trying to liberate you from a life devoid of the world’s greatest food.” Sonic leaned back in his chair and Surge shook her head.

“Got an answer for–”

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gummy Bear!

Surge sat bolt upright as her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, the song playing as it always did, at max volume.

“Uhhh…” Surge’s eyes flicked from the phone to Sonic, who had for his part, made a face somewhere between bliss and a surprised ‘oh’ face.

“Oh that’s so much worse than Sir-Mix-a-Lot.”

Oh, I'm a yummy, chummy, funny, lucky, Gummy Bear
I'm a jelly bear
Yes, I'm a Gummy Be–

Surge scrambled from her dining table, the trained spy tripping and falling to the floor before scrambling across it like a wide stepping crocodile and climbing up her counter to yank the phone from its charger. She jabbed the answer button hard enough that the screen bent, threatening to crack.

“WHAT.” Surge stared daggers at Sonic as he used both hands to hold in his laughter…and failed.

“Surge!” Kit’s voice sounded perky from the line. But too much so. Like he’d mixed caffeine pills and espresso in a blender for a refreshing pick me up. “I found their next target! Come in and we can get a jump on the brief! It’s a follow up to their dock heist and–”

“Kit.” Surge looked over at Sonic as he stumbled his way over to her couch, looking like he was going to explode from trying to hold in his laughter. “NOT a good time.”

“What? Why? This is important.” Kit’s voice began to get more strained. Like he’d been forcing the happy attitude and his frustration was pushing through.

“Y-yeah, I know.” Sonic didn’t make it to the couch, collapsing in a fit of laughter. “But I’m…busy right now.”

“No you’re not.” Kit replied and Surge pulled the phone away from her face to do a double-take of it. “I know your calendar. You don’t have anything tonight. It’s not Soccer night. You already worked out thrice this week. Hmm…your schedule shows a day off. What are you doing?”

“Nothing! That’s the point of a day off!” Surge snapped at him.

“But…you hate doing nothing.” Surge looked skyward, frustrated that the person who was supposed to know her inside and out knew her inside and out. “Let me check the cameras in your apartment.” Every G.U.N. agent had cameras in their living space. It was for protection in case of intrusion or theft of G.U.N. property. Most of it was deleted as soon as it was recorded, but it would keep data of an unknown third party in her apartment for the last few hours.

Not to mention the whole live video thing.

“NO!” Surge shouted, which got Sonic’s attention, the hedgehog’s head snapping up after he’d collapse from his laughing fit. Surge could hear Kit’s breath on the line, waiting for a response. “I’m…naked! Yup! I let it all hangout when I get home!” Sonic exploded with laughter from the floor and a knife of pain shot through her skull.

“Ummm, ew?”

“Yup! But you wouldn’t want to see a girl naked, would you?” Surge’s voice gained a semblance of control, her training allowing her to believe the lie, but it was still higher pitched than she would’ve liked.

“Oh Chaos, certainly not you.” Surge decided to not take that as in insult. “Hey…did I hear laughter in the background? Wait…are you on a date?” Surge’s mouth dried.

“It’s the TV.”

“Surge…you don’t own a TV.” What was the point really? A bunch of fake shit, or a bunch of depressing documentaries about gruesome deaths or shrinking animal habitats. “And who would you date? No one’s worth you time. Well, I mean unless it was–” Surge hung up the phone.

Surge’s head turned ever so slowly. A predator identifying its prey. The serial killer-esque head turn found Sonic, the hedgehog’s eyes widened, hands over his mouth.

He laughed.

“Think that’s funny, huh?!” Surge shot after him the hedgehog scrambling to his feet and turning to run.

“Funny?! Gummy Bear, that shit’s hilarious!” Sonic laughed again, even as Surge tackled him to the ground, his face pushed against the floor as Surge grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back.

“Don’t you dare!” Surge heaved the hedgehog up onto his feet.

“Oh, don’t pout Gummy Bear! Sounds like your partner is worried about you!” Surge then spun Sonic around so he was facing her, his cheeks red with laughter. Surge just gave a snarl and picked him up, heaving him over her shoulder in a fireman carry. “Oop. Strong Gummy Bear.”

“What was that about keeping cop/robber life and home life separate?” Surge snapped up at his ear, the hedgehog still laughing even as Surge tossed him onto the couch, the hedgehog bouncing once before Surge landed atop him, her legs straddling his and her hands on his shoulders.

“Alright, alright. I’m no hypocrite.” Sonic relented as Surge began to lay kisses along his neck and cheek. “But I’m still gonna call you Gummy Bear.”

“Ugghhh.” Surge pressed her forehead into his shoulder “I can’t believe he did that.”

“Partners. Whatcha gonna do?” Sonic gave a shrug and Surge began to kiss at his cheek and neck again, moving closer to his lips. Sonic’s hand wrapped around her back, pulling her closer to him. Surge bent her knees so that she was sitting on him, the two pressed together like soft Tetris pieces. “Hey, at least yours is innocent.” Sonic began to press kisses at Surge’s collar, his hands sliding down her back. “What Tails did to mine…” Sonic’s hands moved lower, just over her hips. “I mean it makes me sound like–” Sonic’s hands crested the edge of Surge’s hips giving way to far softer flesh.

I. LIKE. BIG BUTTS AND I CANNOT LIE! YOU OTHER BROTHERS DON’T DENY–

“Chaos dammit.” Surge laughed as Sonic cursed, trying to fish through his pocket for his phone. “Get off me Gummy Bear.” Sonic pressed at Surge’s face, the tenrec snorting and laughing as she rolled off him, finally allowing Sonic better purchase at his phone.

–ROUND THING IN YOUR A ROUND THING IN YOUR FACE YOU GET SPRUNG, WANNA PULL UP TOUGH ‘CAUSE YOU NOTICE THAT BUTT WAS STUFF–

“Bad time pal!” Sonic hissed at the phone, clutching it to his face with the intensity of a man in an insane asylum.

“Why what’s wrong?” The voice was so pure that anyone who didn’t know Tails like the back of their hand would’ve assumed he was being genuine. Sonic was one of those people.

“What do you want?” Sonic’s voice groaned out the question. The little brother constantly knocking at the older brother’s door. Surge’s head tilted up from the couch and she looked over at Sonic.

“Ohhh…is there some tension between the ‘liberator’ and the hacker?” She leaned over to Sonic, but he held her at arm’s length.

“Hey, who was that?” Sonic wondered if the world had a particular interest in showing irony, or if it was just him.

“Uhhh…”

“Just kidding. I know it’s Surge.” Tails almost sounded perky.

“Uh! Pfff, huh? WhaAaaAaatttT?” Sonic pulled his face away from the phone as if it had magically transformed into a piece of modern art. He turned his head to Surge, the tenrec’s head cocked. “He knows I’m with you!” The hedgehog whispered and Surge did a double-take, sitting up straight and flapping her gums, fighting for words.

“We…we should be fighting then…right?” Surge finally whispered back. Sonic shook his head and mouthed ‘I dunno’ back at her, his face holding all the strength of a middle schooler asking out the prom queen. Sonic’s mouth faced the phone and he put on a strained voice as he placed the phone on speaker.

“Yeah!” Sonic grunted, unconvincingly. “She found me! I’m…I’m trying to lose her!”

“I’ll get you hedgehog…!” Surge cupped her hands around her mouth and whisper yelled it.

“No shot pig!” Surge’s lips frowned and she mouthed ‘pig?!’ back at him. Sonic gave her a half-hearted smile.

“Yeah we’ll see about that!” Surge whisper yelled again before flicking her head around for a moment before she found a pillow. The tenrec then slammed her fist into the pillow repeatedly, the sound making a poor imitation of fist on flesh.

“Ha! Take that Surge!” Surge’s mouth fell open and her snout curled in a sneer.

“No! I was punching you.” She told Sonic, getting closer to him, the hedgehog holding the phone away from her voice. Sonic threw up his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

“So what? I’m trying–”

“‘So what?’” Surge snapped. “I can’t be the one beating you?” Sonic gave a half laugh.

“Evidence shows otherwise.” Sonic smirked at her and Surge had it. She reached over him, trying to grab at his phone, Sonic trying to shove her away.

“Gimme.”

“Nuh uh!”

“Uhh, Sonic? You still there?” Surge was now on top of Sonic, reaching over him to grab at his phone, the hedgehog waggling it around to keep it out of her grip.

“Gimme or he’ll hear what a real punching sound is like.” Surge shoved her hand into Sonic’s face, the hedgehog’s head going sideways as it was shoved into the couch.

“He already knows what it sounds like.” Sonic’s speech was slurred as his mouth was filled with couch fabric. “You make threats like you catch hedgehogs.”

“Hello?” Tails’ voice carried through the phone.

“I’m so beating up Sonic right now!” Surge yelled into the phone. “He’s a total loser getting beat by a girl!” With an elbow, Sonic shoved Surge’s hand off his face, causing her to collapse atop him, face to face, breath on each other’s skin. Sonic smirked at her and she rolled his eyes before the hedgehog tilted his head back to call into the phone.

“Wow Surge! Don’t you think it’s a little misogynistic to insinuate that women can’t beat up men?!” Sonic flashed his eyelashes at her and Surge pushed up to try and grab at the phone again.

“Not when the beating–gimme!–is this bad!” Surge’s fingers brushed at the phone but Sonic managed to pull it away just in time. He wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her back toward him, the two chest to chest.

“Okay, uhh, Sonic what’s happening? I’m turning on the phone’s camera.” Surge and Sonic’s eyes both went wide and their heads snapped up to the phone.

“TAILS! WAIT!” A little light illuminated on the phone to indicate the phone’s camera…had turned on.

“MY EYES!” The phone wailed. “WHY?! Why as you’re calling me?! WHYYYYY?!”

“Hey! You called me, pal!” Sonic sat up, Surge sliding off him, the hedgehog jabbing an accusatory finger at the phone.

“Well, yeah! I wanted to catch you lying, not see you and Surge fucking!”

“We were not fucking.” Sonic rolled his eyes.

“Definitely not with his chili dog breath.” Surge shook her head and Sonic shot her a glare to which she grunted and shrugged.

“It was still more than your little brother should ever see!” Sonic flinched and his eyes locked with Surge to which she mouthed ‘Little brother?’ at him.

“Ha ha.” Sonic laughed nervously. “Okay acquaintance with which I have no close personal ties, what do you mean you wanted to catch me lying?”

“Ugh! Ahh…! Ugh! You know I track your phone right? I can see you’re in her apartment. And does she not know we’re brothers?” Tails questioned.

“He knows where I live?” Surge growled at Sonic, the hedgehog feeling like he was between a rock and a hard place.

“I was trying to keep our personal information, personal Tails!” Sonic spat at the phone and turned to Surge with a sympathetic expression. “I mean you are trying to arrest us, we had to find out where you lived.” Surge gave a snort and shook her head, arms crossed over her chest.

“I’m sorry bro–” The phone drawled, sounding anything but apologetic. “I don’t know what intel you’ve been giving out to the lady that wants us behind bars! Who also is the lady you’re smooching!”

“Oh we’re definitely not smooching tonight.” Surge snarled at Sonic.

“Great, now no one’s happy.” Sonic hung his head. “Why did you call Tails?” The hedgehog’s patience had worn thin. His girlfriend was mad at him, and his brother was intruding on his life. And he hadn’t even gotten to finish his chili dog!

“Oh…yeah, well…I um…I didn’t want to talk to you.” Sonic’s brows furrowed at the phone, and he took it off speaker, placing it to his ear. He blinked a few times, listening as Tails’ voice spoke through the speaker. Then, Sonic turned to Surge and…handed it to her. “It’s for you.” It was Surge’s turn to blink confusedly before taking the phone from him and carefully bringing it to her ear.

“Uhhh, hi Sonic’s hacker brother guy?”

“Yeah, hi. Look, I made Kit mad at me and I was wondering how I fix that?” Surge shot a look at Sonic who simply gave her a massive shrug, hoping that would help.

“Well…you did out hack him a few times, but…we are trying to catch you guys. So…I think there’s gonna be some hurt feelings?” Surge’s voice squeaked, unsure what the protocol was when trying to comfort the brother of your boyfriend who you’re trying to arrest and date at the same time while the brother continues to outmaneuver your own partner on the digital battlefield. It was…a tenuous situation.

“Oh…right…no…you…ooooo…” Came Tails’ voice over the line.

“Did…did that help?” Surge flashed Sonic another look and there was a second unhelpful shrug.

“Oh no…how do I explain this?”

“You tell me hacker guy.” Surge offered.

Sonic was on the outside of this part of the conversation, but as Surge’s eyes widened into saucers, he knew it was time to cover his ears.

“YOU’RE WHAT?!” The tenrec shrieked, rage boiling into her veins as she stared daggers at Sonic. “Did you know?!”

“It-it-it-it wasn’t mine to tell! Cop/Liberator thing aside, that was my brother’s buiz!” Sonic defended himself as Surge resisted the urge to rip out his throat.

“I have to tell Kit!” Surge spoke to the both of them, placing the phone back on speaker.

“No you can’t!” Tails begged from the line.

“I’m sorry, Miles.” Surge grit her teeth. “I’m not going to let you swindle more personal information on how to beat us from him.”

“No that’s not–!” Surge tossed the phone back to Sonic before getting up from the couch to go get her own phone. “He’ll dump me!”

Surge halted. Pivoted. Glared at the phone.

“What?”

“I…I’m in love with your partner.” There was a long, heavy pause before Surge spoke again. Her tone didn’t change, but Sonic could tell she was listening.

“Keep going.”

“At…at first I thought it was a coincidence.” Tails spoke, his voice strained and worn out. Sonic hadn’t heard his brother talk like this before. The fox was normally so focused on their missions…he didn’t think Tails could…would care for someone like this. “Two genius foxes on a dating app. I mean…what are the odds that we’d actually meet? But recently I started to wonder if it was inevitable. When…when you’re so different from the people around you, it’s…it’s like the world is alien, and if the world is alien, then you’re the one who doesn’t belong.” Sonic stared at the phone, his eyes widening. How long had Tails felt this alone? Was…was this that serious about Kit? “But now I…I found someone else. And I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what we can be and I’ve already tainted it.” Surge slowly moved back to the couch, sitting back down next to Sonic, but the hedgehog didn’t comfort her, his attention solely on the phone and the crackling voice coming from it. “We only found out recently he was your partner, but looking back now there’s no one else in the world who could keep up with me the same way he could. But…but I didn’t know how to tell him. Would he hate me? Turn me in?...leave me? So…so I kept the secret and now there’s a gap between us…and I don’t know what to do.” Surge looked at the phone for a while, just breathing. Sonic looked at her face carefully, noting the way her sharp features were carefully tensed. Considering. Thinking.

“Surge?” Tails said after a while, unsure if she’d hung up on him.

“What do you know about Kit’s family?” She finally said after a minute.

“Umm, not–not much. He doesn’t talk about them.”

“No…he wouldn’t.” Surge confirmed. “But let me guess. You’re a super smarty fox with near unlimited resources and a clear desire to right this wrong. So what did you dig up?” There was a long pause.

“I…may have done some deep diving.”

“Talk Miles.”

“Middle child born in Shamar to Kalam and Nai’ar. Lived there with his siblings till he was 8 where he skipped a few grades, keeping mostly to himself. He excelled in the sciences and was able to get a full ride to the Central City Institute of Technology. He studied computer science with a minor in criminology before being hired right out of school by G.U.N. After that the files get really classified and–”

“Yeah, I asked about his family, stalker.” Surge grunted.

“Oh…right…uhh. Mom and Dad are in the import/export business. Nothing nefarious or suspect there. Let’s see, he’s got a brother in marketing. A sister in modeling. Another brother in the family business. Another bro–He’s got a lot of siblings–”

“Six siblings to be precise. And Kit’s the middle of all of them.” Surge told Tails. “Not a lot of spare attention for the middle child there. Especially when you’re a gay kid who keeps to himself and hangs out with computers.” Tails did not respond to that. “And the attention he did receive was not well placed. Insults, derogatory statements, general ignorance and dismissal. Why do you think he was so eager to move across the world? Miles, the people that were supposed to love him treated him like a nuisance. They didn’t even have the energy to hate him. When…” Surge paused, trying to find the right words as she rubbed her temples. “The people that get close to Kit? Those are the ones he’s the most scared of. And it sounds like you already hurt him. Was it bad?”

“I…missed an opportunity. I think I scared him off.” Tails’ voice whimpered.

“He’s definitely scared. His only real interaction with love is rejection and distance. Just…just be there for him. And tell him the fucking truth. Cause if you don’t, I will.” Surge ended the call. “Think they’ll work it out?” Sonic responded after a full 2 minutes.

“I…don’t know. My general answer is no. But Miles’ never felt like he does about Kit. Has Kit ever felt like he has about Miles?” Surge shook his head. “Then who knows. Time will…time will tell I guess.” Surge found that answer infinitely unsatisfying, Sonic’s gaze drifting away from her face.

“But there’s one thing I still don’t get.” Sonic tilted his head. “Miles’ is so nice! And you’re so terrible.”

“Thanks Gummy Bear. Really appreciate it.” Sonic tilted his head back against the couch. Surge then slunk across the couch, curling up against Sonic’s side and breathing into his chest.

“I…I gotta be honest. I really hope they work it out. I like seeing Kit happy.” Surge buried her face in Sonic’s shoulder.

“Amen to that. But I think they’ll work it out. Trust me.”

Trust him? He…he knew about Tails being Miles. And it’s not like he’d been generous about who he really was.

He’s the most dangerous man alive.

“Yeah…trust you.” Sonic’s fur suddenly felt scratchy against Surge’s face.

…

Sonic awoke in the night, the room lit only by its edges. Moonlight seeping in and catching corners, just enough visibility to make out the shapes of the room. He was so warm. He…didn’t remember ever being this warm. Something that got down to his core. A coldness he’d held onto because if it was allowed to be warm–

Then it could just as easily freeze.

But he’d let it get warm again. Again? Or…or was this the first time? He supposed it did not particularly matter, only that he felt more comfortable then he had in living memory. His form holding no tension. Then, in the bed something shifted.

Her arms snaked tighter around him. Powerful muscle holding him to her. A part of his pride made a momentary occurrence at the thought of him being the little spoon, but it was quickly squashed at the feeling of being held.

Surge pulled Sonic closer once more and he had a sense of what ragdolls felt like as he was crushed to Surge, her form so so warm against his. Her fur like the softest velvet. Sonic felt her face move through his quills. Gentle and direct. Her nose blowing air through them and ruffling Sonic’s fur. A shiver ran through Sonic and he was surprised at how good it felt, his body reacting happily to everything Surge did.

Surge held Sonic tight, but he had enough movement to turn in her grasp, his nose bumping against hers. Sonic’s green eyes spotted only closed eyelids, Surge totally asleep as she held him against her. Her breath on his face and his breath on hers.

“Are you asleep?” Sonic breathed, not daring to risk waking her if she was asleep. Surge’s quiet breaths answered him. But there was a hold in it. Sonic’s body was completely loose, but Surge’s still held tension, something she was holding onto even asleep. “Why are you holding me? Am I just your little boy toy?” More quiet breaths as Sonic whispered to her. But the way Sonic found himself pulled once more to her body and soft curves felt like he had his answer. “So what’s up? Why are you holding me so tight?” Sonic told her, his voice carrying no further than her ears which flicked in the dark, the light catching just the tips and the metal studs within. Sonic’s voice held a low rasp, scraping low and resonating in the back of his throat. “Are you worried I’m going to go? That I’m going to leave you?”

Surge’s arms coiled tighter.

“Am…heh…am I going to leave you…?” A weird tiny laugh bubbled up from Sonic’s throat, but it felt like acid. “I…I…” Sonic’s eyes warmed and he felt them sting. “I don’t know what to do about you.” Surge let out a snort and her head twitched, her quills cascading in a beautiful wave. “I don’t…I don’t get attached you know.” Tears bloomed now in Sonic’s eyes, full and wet. They crested over his cheeks and worked down his face leaving evidence of their presence as tracks formed. “I can’t. Okay?” Surge’s lip quivered and she sniffed at the air, tasting his breath. Her nose wrinkled at the smell. “Heh…chili dog breath. I…I know you don’t like it.” Sonic ran a hand through her quills. Once. Twice. Three times.

“I can’t stay with you. I don’t know how.” Why didn’t the tears stop? When was the last time Sonic had ever cried like this. “I don’t want to mess it up. I don’t want to hurt you.” A shudder worked through Sonic’s body and he felt it break him apart, his body turned to glass. In her sleep, Surge frowned, her head pulling away from him. “I…care about you, okay? You happy now?” Sonic brought a hand up and wiped at his tears, but they didn’t stop, rolling down his cheeks in slow waves. Surge did not seem particularly happy. Her face pointed away from his.

“When I’m with you I don’t…” What had Tails said? Sonic’s eyes widening as he really took her in, his eyes giant pearls of glass as he looked at this sleeping other half of himself. “I don’t feel so alone…” Sonic squeezed his eyes shut and the tears just intensified. A sob shook his body and he felt Surge’s grip on him tighter.

“If…I don’t leave now…I never will.” Sonic brushed her long beautiful quills once more. “Because I won’t…I won’t know how to live without you.” A few more sobs shook his form. “Why…why won’t they stop? Why can’t I stop crying?” Surge had no answer for him, still not letting him go. Was she holding him for her…?

Or for him?

Sonic’s lip quivered and he looked up, trying to blink back a few more tears. “O–okay…okay I’ll stay. But you have to tell everyone it’s for you. Deal?” Sonic smiled, some humor managing to bubble in his chest. But as it continued to warm and spread through his limbs he got the feeling it was no longer just humor. “Come here.” Sonic spoke looked at her. Not at her still closed eyes. But at her cheeks and quivering nose…her slightly parted mouth with her soft lips. He knew it was probably not okay, but she looked so beautiful. Like an angel given mortal form.

He kissed her.

It wasn’t like their other kisses. All passion and fury, but instead quiet and soft. He just put his lips to hers and pressed. Her lips stayed still, leave for a single jerk of her jaw, leaving the exchange rather one sided. And yet…Surge’s arms released Sonic, their tightness unclenching as they simply lay around him, an extra blanket to keep him warm.

“I gotcha Surge.” Sonic told her…and put his arms around her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter Text

“I’m thinking sushi for dinner. What do you think?” Amy spoke over the communicator.

“Amelia, I’m not really up to discussing dinner plans right now.” Shadow whispered as he glanced around the corner, spotting the blue hedgehog strolling down the street like he owned it. Tote bag in one hand, jeans and leather jacket draped casually on his form.

“Yeah, yeah. I…get that.” Amy gave a nervous laugh. “The whole ‘we finally got a lead on Sonic’ thing is probably pretty distracting.”

“It requires a majority of my focus, yes.” Shadow moved around the corner and tailed Sonic, keeping a good few dozen feet back to ensure the hedgehog didn’t detect him.

“I know, I know. It’s just…we’ve been dating for a few months now and I wanted to do something special tonight.” Amy gave a whine over the earpiece. Shadow’s eyes kept on the hedgehog who strolled around, not a care in the world. How he repulsed Shadow. He acted without remorse and thought himself above others and the law.

“I could make you dinner.” Shadow spoke and followed Sonic down fourth avenue. A shopping district with innumerous people and a million and one places to turn into and disappear. Shadow would have to keep a close eye on Sonic or he’d lose him to the sea. Sonic paused at a women’s boutique, eyes glancing at some of the mannequins on display. Shadow paused too, pretending to scope out an ‘I Heart Station Square’ T-shirt with the word heart replaced by the icon. Shadow asked if they had it in an XL and tilted his head back, narrowing his eyes on Sonic.

“I’d love that. I really would…” Amy chewed at her nails from behind her computer. Her voice holding a cadence that told Shadow she wouldn’t quite love that.

“...or not?” Shadow offered.

“No I would, really! It’s just that I got this new dress and I really want to show it off.” Amy told him.

“You could show it off at my apartment. I’ll be more than happy to see it.” Shadow turned down the T-shirt and began to fake examine a spinning rack of novelty name license plates.

“Y-yeah…”

“Amelia.” Shadow straightened. “What’s wrong?”

“I want…to show it off. I know you don’t like to go out to clubs so I thought a dinner out would be fun.” Amy explained and Shadow narrowed his eyes as Sonic went into the boutique.

“Amelia, are there any back exits out of…Hot Honey’s Sweet Boutique?” Shadow tilted to read the sign.

“Oh! Uhh, gimme a second.”

“You can go clubbing if you want to. We don’t have to do everything together.” Amy let out a laugh. “What?”

“Shadow…has anyone told you you’re overly protective?” Shadow did not respond. “If I go out you’ll spend the whole night moping and calling me up every five minutes.”

“It’s a dangerous world.” Shadow defended himself.

“Well, sure. But every time we go out together you’re looking at everything but the pretty girl in front of you.”

“You are a woman, I will not demean you to ‘girl.’” Amy gave a groan.

“Remember our third date?”

“He had a sword.”

“He was sabering a champagne bottle!”

“The whole thing was ridiculous if you ask me.” Shadow crossed his arms and spoke freely into his earpiece now, confusing the shopkeep.

“Okay, how about that guy that hit on me?”

“I let you defend your own honor.” Shadow told her.

“And then you threatened him in the alley afterward.”

“...you saw that?”

“Mhmm.” Shadow saw the image of Amy crossing her arms in his mind clear as day. “You thought it was more important to threaten that guy then stay with your date. How’s that for irony?”

“It’s…not a good look.” Amy gave a sigh from her line of the connection and shifted gears.

“It’s fine. We’ll stay in tonight. Anyway, looking at the schematics, there is a back entrance. It’s part loading dock. Maybe he’s planning a pickup?”

“Maybe he’s into drag, who knows?” Shadow got an image in his head of Sonic in drag and his face screwed up in a sneer. “Or maybe he’s buying something for a girlfriend?” Shadow shook his head.

“No chance. Of all of our encounters, Sonic showed no interest in romantic relations with anyone. Besides, who would want to date him?” Shadow told her.

“I dunno…he’s kinda cute.” Shadow gritted his teeth. “Oh relax, you’ll chip a tooth.” How did she know…? “Honestly, you’re probably right. A guy like that can’t commit. I’ll stick with my drag queen theory.”

“Do you have any cameras on the loading dock? Maybe we can catch him coming out the back.” Shadow refocused.

“Oh, yeah…uh let’s see…nope. No sign of him yet. I’ll scrub back through the footage.” Shadow was starting to get impatient. Sonic could squirm out of any situation. It couldn’t be this easy to track him. Something was amiss.

“Any chance there’s another way out?”

“No, I don’t think so. The store’s not interconnected to other places in the building and I don’t see any way he could leave other than the front or back. Not even through something like the sewers. Blueprints show no pipes beneath that building.” Amy explained, sounding a little exasperated herself.

“Alright. I’m going in. I don’t like having eyes on him for this–” Shadow had started to approach the store when Sonic exited. The blue hedgehog’s head snapped up and for an instant Shadow thought he was made, but instead Sonic approached another figure. A small yellow fox. Shadow sidestepped into the next store over, a Thai place that was shoving menus in his face as he tried to focus on the newcomer. “Amelia, target has just made contact with someone. Male, fox, yellow and white fur. Green shirt and corduroy pants.”

“Got it.” Amy accessed the cameras outside the storefront and managed to get a side view of Sonic and the fox. “Any chance he’s just asking for directions?”

“All intel says Sonic’s a serious local, and their conversation seems personal.” Shadow told her and a quick look through the security cameras confirmed this for Amy. “Can you get any audio?” Amy’s fingers tapped at the keys and she managed to access the sound but all that came back was a feedback of static, shouts, and engine noise.

“No good. The street’s too busy. Can’t pick up anything about their conversation.” Shadow swore and tilted his ears to try and catch some of the duo’s discussion. Sonic said something…looked embarrassed, hand to the back of his quills. The fox laughed, pointing and mocking at Sonic.

“Did…did the fox just make fun of Sonic?” Amy asked.

“Sounds like he’s got a death wish.” Shadow grumbled.

“Or…he could be family. Anna and Avery rarely missed an opportunity to make fun of me.”

“Mmm.” Shadow grunted, his focus really shifting over the fox for the first time. He was clearly a good few years younger than Sonic, still retaining much of his youth. Early twenties maybe. They didn’t look related, but Shadow knew that those who group on the street together often had bonds stronger than any biological sibling. Perhaps…no, not perhaps. Amy knew what she was talking about.

The fox’s posture changed, concern lacing his brows and Sonic lowered himself onto one knee, becoming eye to eye with the fox. Shadow’s ears strained to catch any part of the conversation, but got nothing. Then, the two shared a tight hug before splitting. Sonic continued forward and the fox…moved toward Shadow.

The dark hedgehog turned to hide his face, merging with part of the building, a dark stain on the wall as the yellow fox moved past. Shadow peeled himself away and turned to look at the fox, two tails swishing behind himself as he walked. The crowd started to meld around him, his smaller form starting to become submerged.

“Alright, Sonic’s just turned down fourth street. There’s less camera feeds so you better stick close, I don’t know if I can keep an eye on him.” Shadow said nothing. The crowds were intensifying, waves of people starting to drown the image of the fox. “Shadow?” Shadow’s eyes narrowed at the fox. “Shadow? You there?” Shadow slowly brought a finger to his earpiece.

“What if we changed tactics?” There was a pause on the other end of the line.

“You…changing tactics mid mission?” Another pause as Amy tapped at her chin. “That’s very…Surge and Kit-like.” Shadow gave a grunt.

“We’ve never had anyone with a connection to Sonic before. And he keeps showing his face. This fox might never again. I don’t think we can pass up this opportunity.” Shadow spoke, his feet already starting to move in the direction of the fox before the crowds could swallow him completely.

“I agree. Look at you acting all impulsive.” Amy teased from the earpiece and Shadow smirked.

“Just this once.”

“I won’t tell.” Shadow actually laughed at that.

Shadow followed the fox for several blocks and it became clear that whatever connection he had to Sonic it was not in the same set of skill sets. Sonic was cocky but even he checked corners and knew how to watch for a tail, the fox did not. He held a general nervousness but didn’t appear to have any real training, allowing Shadow to get closer to him without being detected.

The fox moved into midtown with Shadow as his ghost, the high-rises fading into more squat apartment structures. Was he going home? Perhaps a base of operations? If it was, Shadow would have to recon it for a few days before making a proper entry. Shadow ran through the procedure a few times in his head before Amy buzzed into his earpiece.

“Okay, this guy is definitely connected to Sonic. I’ve tried to run some facial scans from any camera he’s passed and…nothing. Not so much as a library card. No birth certificate, no criminal history, no fingerprints, and no sign of missing information from any database on earth. He’s like Sonic. It’s not that he was erased–”

“It’s like he was never even born.” Shadow narrowed his eyes as the fox reached the front door of an apartment building. Opening the front door, the fox moved into the atrium. Shadow was across the street, but there was a bus stop that blocked the fox’s view allowing Shadow to move across the street and press himself up against the wall of the apartment structure. The front doors were just to his left, the fox just out of sight beyond them.

“Hmmm.” Amy’s voice came again. “Don’t speak, he might hear you but…I can see him through a camera across the street. He pressed the intercom button. I don’t think this guy lives here…he’s meeting someone.”

A connection to the connection? Shadow wondered. Were they finally beginning to unravel the network that Sonic had built? This break was huge. But Shadow had to tread lightly. Any sign of him knowing and Sonic might bring the whole thing down. Go dark until it was safe to resurface.

There was a buzz and Shadow heard the click of the inner door opening. Then came the fox’s footsteps as he began to move into the building.

“Wait for him to leave, I can unlock the inner door.”

“No.” Shadow spoke and instantly moved into the atrium, crossing it in two steps and snagging the inner door before it closed. Shadow froze, the fox only a few dozen feet from him and Shadow was fully exposed. All he’d have to do is turn around and Shadow would be made.

Shadow held his breath, becoming stone as the fox continued forward. In the middle of the hall he stopped and Shadow waited for this all to end, but instead the fox turned and pushed a button…the elevator.

But Shadow didn’t dare exhale.

“Shadow…what’s going on? You’re just standing there. Hold on, I’ll see if there’s any cameras in the building.” Shadow’s eyes flared and he risked speaking.

“No.” His voice was soft, but firm. He felt Amy pause, unsure of what to do.

“Shadow…is everything okay? I can just see your back from the outside cameras. Tap your left foot twice if everything’s fine.” Shadow tapped his left foot softly on the carpet, eyes tracking the fox as he entered the elevator.

“If he’s meeting someone, they could be watching our digital moves. Stay out of the system. Copy?”

“...copy.”

“Going dark.” Shadow pulled out his earpiece and shut it off, pocketing it as he pulled open the inner door fully and shot for the stairwell. It was more than likely that there was a basement to this building, but a glance at the elevator before entering the stairwell told Shadow that it was going up.

He took the steps two at a time, trying to beat the elevator up. His eyes flicked to the tiny window on every floor, catching a snippet of the elevator’s lights. The indicator indicating it was still going up.

Third floor. Fourth Floor. Seventh Floor. Tenth.

Shadow’s legs felt like overcooked noodles and his lungs burned but on the twelfth floor he heard the ding of the elevator doors opening, the slightest glance of a pair of yellow fox tails.

Breathing hard, Shadow carefully pulled the door to the floor open, just swiveling his ears toward the yellow fox. He didn’t dare show more of his body. Then came the knock. A rapping of knuckles on a door.

“Hey…it’s me.” The fox’s voice sounded nervous and quiet. Perhaps guilt? What was this meeting? The door didn’t open for a while, perhaps a secret password or security protocol. But when it did open, no voice came out, or at least nothing Shadow could hear. A soft whisper maybe? It was slightly wounded, maybe accusatory.

With the speed of an elderly tortoise, Shadow pulled out his phone, pushing it just past the door to the floor and opened up the camera application. He took a few snapshots, hoping to get a glimpse at who the fox was talking to. And it was none too soon as he heard the fox’s footsteps and the closing of a door.

Closing the floor exit door softly, Shadow flicked through his photos, seeing who was next on this chain leading back to Sonic.

Shadow’s eyes bugged out of his head.

On the way back down, Shadow took the stairs three at a time, bursting out the front door and jamming his earpiece back into his ear.

“Amy. I’m back.” He told her, sprinting down the street, heading for the subway.

“Everything go okay? And uhhh, I looked into that building because something about it was familiar in our databases. It’s–”

“It’s where Kit lives.” Shadow spoke, his teeth gritting.

“Yeah! How’d you kno-oh…oh Chaos…” Amy sucked in a breath, her hand going over her mouth.

“Tell Blaze we need to talk. I’ll be there in 10.”

…

“Sir. I found him.” Duo whispered into his phone, watching the blue hedgehog cross the street, smile on his face as he waved to passerbys.

“Hmm, really?” Clutch’s voice held tiredness, more passive disbelief than anything.

“Absolutely. He reeks of arrogance, just as you said. Deep blue quills, green eyes, annoying grin.” Duo ducked around a corner, but kept his eyes on the hedgehog.

“Well that does describe him in a nutshell. And while I’m pleased at your progress my boy, I’m still surprised that you’ve found him so easily.” Duo gave a grunt and put his phone forward, changing the call to a video call.

“How about now, sir?” Clutch allowed the sarcasm. How could he be annoyed when the young man he hated so much now had only so much time left alive on this earth.

“Well, it seems everyone gets sloppy eventually.”

…

“Just… fine. Come in.” Kit stepped aside for Miles to come in, the yellow fox’s hands were at his side, fiddling with the strap of his shoulder bag. As he entered, Miles gave a quick scan of Kit’s apartment that he’d become increasingly familiar with in the last few months. The fennec had a specific kind of order he liked.

Paintings and curios and small houseplants were the three basic groups of items that lined the walls and surfaces of Kit’s apartment. Images of various landscapes moved up and down the walls with serpentine styling only broken up by the occasional photo or painting of a creature with a confusing biology. Tables and glass door cabinets held books and skulls of reptiles and tools from the 18th century that made strong conversational pieces. An army of houseplants, the largest of which was no bigger than a soda can watched Miles enter with tribunal-esque authority.

Kit’s multicolored couch of beiges and reds had three, no four blankets draped over itself with two backups sitting on standby in an adjoining chair. Various free standing lamps were positioned like pillars to hold up the apartment, each providing illumination into each darkened corner of the well decorated abode.

Despite the sheer quantity of items, every surface was meticulously clean, the air smelling of petrichor and some faint sweetly floral scent. Miles recalled fondly the many dates that had simply ended with Kit dusting the apartment, humming to himself as he’d just gone around, making his perfect little world cleaner. Miles had tried to help of course but he couldn’t: ‘do it right.’ The fennec insisting he could do it himself. Ultimately Miles had never minded it, his duties reduced to making the fennec tea and staring at his cute butt.

“So umm, what’s…what’s up?” Kit was clutching at his upper arms, his body language a locked steel vault as his eyes wouldn’t meet Miles’.

“I…wanted to see you. It’s been a couple of weeks and we haven’t really…really talked.” Miles offered.

“There’s nothing to–to talk about.” Kit gave a tight shrug, his shoulders jerking up and down. “I made a misstep, that’s all. You weren’t ready.”

“No that’s–”

“Look, it’s fine. We can just take a break and–”

“Kit–” Why couldn’t Kit just let him speak?

“I mean let’s just do something simple. Wanna watch a movie or–”

“Kit I–” Miles felt his irritation rising, Kit was just deflecting.

“I’m really not–”

“Let me explain, dammit!” Miles shot. His chest heaved and Kit recoiled, his large maroon eyes even larger as they widened with surprise and perhaps, a touch of fear. “I’m…I’m sorry, but please let me speak to my side…okay?...please?” Miles’ voice softened as he all but begged.

“...okay.” Kit finally said, running a hand through one of his ears, his bangs flopping over his face and hiding his expression.

“I don’t mean to yell but…but I care about you…and it hurts when you won’t let me try to show you.” A glimpse of Kit’s eyes from behind the veil of his bangs. There was the faintest tilt of his head. A subtle nod. “I…do feel that way about you. The way you feel…felt about me. I feel it for you.” Kit’s head tilted up, the slow opening of his mouth as he finally started to uncross his body, arms slipping toward his sides. “But I can’t say it.” Kit paused, his arms halfway down. Unsure, maybe even feeling betrayed. “Not yet. I–” Miles cut himself off as he gave a groan and collapsed onto Kit’s couch.

Kit moved over to sit on the couch but gave a full few feet of distance between them. His curiosity had taken over, eyes slightly narrowed on the yellow fox.>

“I’ve got…a secret. And I wanted to tell you for a while now. You made me want to share this part of myself with you. But I didn’t know how to tell it to you…” Miles pulled his shoulder bag in front of him and opened it, sliding out a laptop from it. He placed it on the coffee table in front of him and opened it. Then from there he pulled out a small flash drive from his computer, the head of it resembling a comical version of his own head. “So I thought I’d show you.” Miles inserted the flash drive into the computer and the computer automatically opened the drive to reveal video logs. Hundreds of video logs.

For a moment, Miles turned to look at Kit, but the fennec didn’t meet his gaze, eyes still on the laptop, brows curled in confusion at the countless video logs. Miles gave a sigh, his body deflating as it realized there was the before he hit play…and the after.

Here goes nothing.

Miles clicked on one of the video logs.

…

“I’m uhh…I’m all set up on my end Sonic. Firewalls are in place and cameras will go dark on your command.” Miles’ voice came through the image. Footage shown through various cameras along the docks of Station Square. A figure came into view. Sonic.

“Way to go buddy.” Sonic gave the camera a thumbs up. “Think we’ll see our ‘friends’ tonight?” The image of Sonic moved carefully around shipping containers, moving low as he crossed from one to the other.

“Mmmm, I wouldn’t put it past them. They’ve been awfully persistent. Whoever Surge has helping her is a way better hacker than Shadow’s backup.” Sonic moved toward the edge of the docks and the cameras shifted to show a few men milling about, wielding fully automatic machine guns and throwing shifty glances.

“Woah…looks like we’re interrupting some serious business. Any idea whose party we’re crashing?” The image of Sonic gave the camera a nod.

“Welp, they’re definitely not your average dock workers…uhh, facial scan shows a number of various felons. Murder, assault, and…ugh, the the charges against a lot of these guys only get more gross.” Miles’ voice gave a gag.

“So people deserving of a good butt kicking?” Even from the long distance of the camera, Miles could see Sonic’s smile.

“And then some. Hold on, I’ll create an opening, then you run in.” Another thumbs up from the blue hedgehog. From the audio, the sound of keys clacking was fast and focused, a symphony of tics and tacs. “Hold, hold, hold and–” Suddenly all at once, each man cried out in pain, clutching at their ears. “–Now!” Sonic ran in with a flying kick, bringing one man to the ground and not even pausing to throat chop another before flipping him onto his back and taking him out with a kick to the temple. From there Sonic continued to move like a deadly shadow, dangerous men with guns falling like wheat to the scythe. “But shouldn’t you be excited to see Surge?”

“Wha–a–at?” Sonic’s voice was strained. Mostly because a man twice his size was elbowing him in the ribs as he tried to choke him out. “N-oohh…” Sonic tumbled back and Miles’ voice over the video gave a groan before there was more clacking of keys and a spotlight that lit up the docks flashed rapidly, blinding the man and giving Sonic an opening to take him down.

“So have you taken her out on a date yet?”

“I don’t…ha…ha…know…ha…ha…what you’re talking…ha…about.” Sonic was on his hands and knees, the big man sprawled at his feet in front of him. “What…ha…about you? How’s…how’s it going with that boy you’re seeing? Kip?”

“Kit. You know his name. Don’t play coy with me Sonic, I will leave you there.” Miles’s voice disgruntled, the view of his crossed arms was clear in Kit’s mind as he watched.

“I’m not! I’m not! And I’ve gotten this far, I think I’ll be fine without big little brother.” A thumb jab at the cameras as Sonic walked to another shipping container. One that had been the center of the circle of men with guns.

“Oh please! You couldn’t find your way home without me!” Sonic laughed on camera.

“Yeah…you’re probably right. But seriously…how’s it going with Kit? You get all giggly and squeaky everytime you come home from a date with him.”

“I don’t! I just…okay maybe I’m a little…squeaky.” There was a sound from the video file now…a sigh of some kind, something that could be mistaken for a melting heart. “I just really really like him. He’s way smarter than he lets on, cute as a button and he just…is so interested in me…it’s hard to keep all this a secret from him.”

“...Dang dude.” Sonic began to open the shipping crate, pulling the massive doors open. “I didn’t realize it was this serious. Maybe you should tell him.”

“What?! Ab-ab-about us?! This?! How can I do that?!” Sonic turned back to the camera one last time and gave a shrug.

“I ‘unno. You’re the smart one. I mean, you really like him, right?”

“I…I think I’m in love with him.” The image of Sonic fully stopped now, head tilting to look at the camera. His face was conciliatory, like he could see through the camera’s lens to the face of Miles recording it.

“Then tell him, lover fox. If he loves you back…then in some way…he’ll get it.” Sonic turned back to the shipping container, walking in deeper and out of sight.

“And if he doesn’t?”

“...then it wasn’t meant to be…”

…

Miles stopped the video at that point, turning to look at Kit, whose expression hadn’t changed from the start of the video to where Miles had paused it.

“There are…hours more worth of recording. Everything from the past few months. You should…should take a look at them.” Miles now sat back against the couch, hands wrapped around his wrists as he waited for Kit to respond.

“You’re…Tails.” Kit said after a full minute, his voice barely a whisper. There was not a hint of anger which scared Miles all the more. Why wasn’t he angry? He should be angry.

“Yes.” Miles admitted, pulling his two tails in front of himself, petting them for comfort.

“Was it…was it to gain insight into G.U.N.? Into Surge and myself? Is that why you pretended to date me?” Kit’s voice began to rasp, a front he’d tried to put up immediately beginning to crumble. Miles looked at Kit with sorrow and shame. He wanted to reach out, but feared his touch would be hated.

“No…no. I…I was just dating Kit, the cute boy who liked lattes from one really good coffee shop. I didn’t learn you were Kit, G.U.N. handler for Surge until a while later.” Miles told him. The fennec’s brows furrowed, and he shut his eyes, an uptake in his breathing as his chest tightened.

“We started dating right after Surge’s first encounter with Sonic. You–you realize that, right? How…how stupid do you think I am?!” Kit’s voice raised and Miles flinched. He wasn’t scared of the yelling, but he hated how right Kit was. The timing was painfully coincidental.

“I think you’re the smartest person I’ve–”

“Stop it.” Miles stopped talking. “How long?” Miles tried to find Kit’s eyes, but they wouldn’t connect, a connection corroded with secrets and false lives. “How long did you know who I really was?” Miles bit his lower lip.

“A month.” Kit yanked his head away like Miles had punched him. A shudder ran through him and he was instantly on his feet, unable to sit next to Miles anymore. Could barely stand to be in the same room as him.

“Hah…hah…hah…” Kit was panting, he could feel anger rising up in his throat. He wanted to yell and scream. He never did that. Never. But he’d never been this mad before. No one in the world had made him as mad as Miles had made him now. He didn’t even know he could be this furious.

“Kit you mean so much to me. Even before I knew who you were I wanted to tell you–”

“SHUT UP!” Kit screamed. His voice felt raw and Miles flinched and recoiled back. Kit didn’t even know what was happening to him anymore. He couldn’t stop it, the words burning up his throat like magma, searing him from the inside out. “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR YOU TALK ANYMORE! YOU LIED TO ME! YOU KEPT SECRETS FROM ME! YOU…YOU FOOLED ME!” Miles whimpered on the couch, shrinking up. He didn’t even try to fight back, but when the tears came he still tried to stop them. “I…I HATE YOU!” Kit screamed at him. “I HATE YOU!” Kit repeated, louder still. “GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOME!” Miles stumbled forward, off the couch, backing away from Kit, tears in his eyes. Kit’s throat was raw and he felt tears of his own spring to his eyes, but he just kept advancing on Miles. He didn’t know what he’d do when he got to him.

Miles reached the door of Kit’s apartment, fumbling with the handle, fighting to get away from the man he loved. Tears blurred his vision but he finally managed to grab hold of the doorknob and yank it open, stumbling out into the hall, tripping over his feet and falling to the floor. Miles turned one last time to see Kit in the doorway of his apartment, his face a mask of rage and disgust.

“Kit I–”

And the door slammed shut.

After a moment, Miles managed to sit upright. And then he sobbed. He sobbed until he couldn’t anymore. And then he got up and went home.

…

“Are you positive?” Blaze had her hand over her mouth. Partly in thought, partly trying to hide her expression from Shadow and Amy. The two hedgehogs exchanged a glance.

“Kit was seen communicating freely with a direct associate of Sonic, likely believed to be Tails.” Shadow told her. “Kit allowed the associate direct entry into his home with no sign of coercion.”

“That is…very concerning.” Blaze admitted, leaning back in her chair. She knew Surge and Kit were not your standard operatives, but who really was? And for them to work directly with an associate of the most dangerous man on the planet? Blaze wasn’t convinced. “Do you fully believe that Surge and Kit are operating directly alongside The Blue Blur and Tails?” Blaze steepled her fingers, searching the eyes of her top operators.

“Ma’am. We realized that Sonic and Tails share a great many similarities to Surge and Kit. So much so that when trying to locate them, we asked ourselves what Surge and Kit would do. Perhaps…there is a reason for that. Perhaps either Sonic and Tails got it from Surge and Kit or the other way around.” Shadow offered, his hands clasped tightly behind his back as he addressed the woman in charge.

“Not to mention that in years no one could get close to Sonic and Tails, and then all of a sudden Surge and Kit do?” Amy was wringing her hands, not quite meeting Blaze’s eyes. “I…I don’t want to believe they would do this, but the timing lines up.” Blaze groaned, closing her eyes. A headache was starting to form behind her eyes, and she gritted her teeth to dull it.

“Bring them in.” Blaze finally said, opening her eyes once more and goring Shadow with her gaze. “We will be getting to the bottom of this and if what you believe is correct then there will be severe consequences.” Shadow and Amy gave a nod and moved to leave but Blaze stopped them. “I hope you understand what this means, because if Surge and Kit are allied with Sonic then it won’t just be them getting fired and arrested. We will all be under investigation and likely fired, so you better hope this is just one big misunderstanding.” Blaze sighed and shook her head.

“Or else we’re all fucked.”

…

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gum–

“What’s up Kit?” Surge entered her apartment with a groan. She was so fucking tired and sore. From stakeouts to planning missions to trying to find time to just be with her boyfriend, Surge had never been so worn out as she had been as of late. She was seriously hoping he just was hoping to rant about their next mission so she could use his voice as a lullaby while she laid in bed.

“Come to my apartment. Now.” And then the phone hung up.

“Well that’s not ominous.” Surge grumbled and turned to head back out the door when she took a look at her bed. So inviting, so soft. So promising of a simple night where nothing crazy happened. It seemed to be calling her even more than normal. A tingle moved down her spine, one that told her if she walked back out that door…

Things would never be the same.

Surge double checked her deadbolt as she left.

…

Rapping her knuckles on Kit’s apartment door, Surge gave a yawn, some part of her still believing that this would be a quick endeavor. But as Kit opened the door and looked up at her, she saw the hollowness in his eyes, a darkness radiating within.

“Oh…” Surge grumbled. “Miles told you.” Kit gave a humorless laugh and sidestepped for Surge to enter.

“So you knew too. Typical.” The fennec shook his head and plopped himself on his couch, looking more like a grizzled steel worker than an early twenties-something with most of his life still ahead of him.

“Only by a couple of days. I urged him to tell you. Threatened to tell you if he didn’t.” Surge told him.

“Wow…” Kit’s voice was drenched in faux surprise. “My boyfriend had to be threatened to tell me the truth about himself.” Surge pursed her lips.

“He cares about you, y’know. Poured his heart out to me and Sonic.” Surge sat down next to Kit, pulling the fennec into a side hug. Kit scoffed and pushed Surge away.

“That doesn’t make it okay. And what’s with this ‘you and Sonic’ shit? What happened to it just being fun? Now you guys are what? Playing matchmaker? Spending nights in?” Kit accused Surge and she rolled her eyes, giving a shake of her head.

“We’re…together. Sometimes…sometimes we just like being together, it’s nothing serious!” Kit stared at her for a while.

“You bet your ass it’s not serious.” Surge blinked at him. “Cause I think you’re lying to yourself. I think you really like this idiot. This criminal idiot mind you. But for him? You’re the best idiot he’s ever conned.” Kit lurched forward and opened up a laptop which revealed a series of file documents. Kit began to scroll through them.

“Kit…Kit what are you talking about?” Kit hit play on one of them.

…

“So that was close.” Miles’ voice came clear through the laptop’s speakers and footage showed an alley in the dead of night. A figure ran through it, pausing in the middle of the alley and leaning up against the wall, hands on his thighs as he panted.

“Oh, come on, you had fun!” Sonic’s voice was laughing.

“Yeah, cause almost getting all of our files broken into and you almost getting arrested is the same as a trip to an amusement park.” Miles’ voice grumbled, the sound of a heavy sigh coming through the speakers.

“Please pal, they were never going to beat us. And they never will. They’re amateurs.” Surge’s teeth gritted as she watched the video.

“They’re highly trained G.U.N. agents. They’re not standard beat cops.” Miles told the figure of Sonic who waved off the camera.

“Doesn’t matter. They don’t have the dedication that we do.” Sonic spoke, his voice gaining a disgruntled take, his face scrunching up as stared at the camera.

“I don’t think it’s about dedication it’s–”

“Tails.” Sonic shut down the voice. “They’re nothing. They’re just there for the paycheck. They don’t understand that we have to do this, that if we don’t, things will only get worse. Don’t think for a second that they’re anything more than people in our way. We can only trust ourselves, right?” There was a long beat as Sonic stared down the camera.

“Right Sonic. Sorry, I–”

“Hey, it’s you and me pal. Anyone else is…a distraction.” Sonic said with a finality, before turning away and walking down the alley. There was no more dialogue of Miles on the clip, but a light fast breathing could still be heard.

…

Surge looked at the laptop for a moment, a heat forming in her chest. It was tight and burned at her throat, but she swallowed it down and spoke to Kit. “That was…months ago. He doesn’t–”

“Doesn’t what?!” Kit cut her off. “Let’s watch another one.”

“Kit I don’t want to–”

“Watch, Surge.” Kit’s voice was a deep growl, a fury radiating behind his eyes like nothing she’d seen before.

“K-Kit I–”

“Watch."

…

Sonic was dashing across a rooftop, footage showing him taking a running start before he leapt from one building to another, rolling across and coming to a stop against the far edge of the building, breathing heavily.

“How’d I do?” His head nodded at the camera, a smile on his face, the clear evidence of a runner’s high.

“Uhh…12.4 seconds. New record.” Miles’ voice on the audio had a note of pleasant surprise.

“Hell yeah, just call me the fastest thing alive.” Sonic gave the camera a thumbs up.

“Suuuure Sonic, whatever you say.” The eyeroll was audible.

“Hey, I gotta keep up my skills, Surge and Kit have been getting close to catching us.” Sonic raised his hands above his head in a long stretch, cooling down after his apparent workout.

“You’re telling me. I’ve only got so many tricks before Kit finally manages to get access to our files. We’ve got years of evidence, safe houses, bank accounts…they’d get it all.” Miles’ voice was more than worried.

“Then we get better, cause we have to. We can’t let those pigs win.” Sonic stretched out one leg, then the other. As she watched, Surge felt the heat in her face get painfully hot, pinpricks beginning to form in the corners of her eyes.

“Sonic, come on…that’s my boyfriend, and your girlfriend.” Sonic let out a single gross laugh.

“Tails…seriously, do you think he’ll be your boyfriend as soon as he finds out who you are? Really?” Miles did not respond to this. “We’re not…we’re not important to them. And they shouldn’t be important to us. Have fun, get a little naughty, but don’t think for a second, they actually care about us.” When Miles spoke again, his voice was scratchy.

"You…you really think that? Even…even with you and Surge?” Surge found herself leaning forward even as she prayed for her legs to take her away. She didn’t want to hear what he said next, didn’t want it ingrained on her brain. But she couldn’t stop. Couldn’t ask Kit to turn it off again. “She’s fun. And that’s it. I got no problems with besting her time and again. But I know who she is and she knows who I am. But the second it’s convenient for her she’ll toss me out, and I won’t hesitate to do the same.

We’re alike in that way.” A strangled cry worked its way out of Surge’s throat. “What she does in life is hurt people and calls it justice. And I can’t tell if she really thinks that or is lying to herself. One way is ignorance, the other way is selfishness.

I’m just waiting for the day I don’t have to fake liking her anymore.” Surge’s throat shuddered and she found that breathing was becoming hard. “When she finally gives up and realizes she will never be better than me. Then she’ll give up because we’re not worth it to her and the next G.U.N. agent will try a crack at us and so on and so on. Miles, bro–we’re nothing to them if it’s not worth it. And they feel the same. Trust me.

Surge is nothing to me.”

…

“This was a month ago.” Surge’s vision blurred and she heard Kit’s voice in the background like he was speaking underwater. “When Miles came over earlier to…to give this to me…I said some things about him. I think…” Kit’s voice changed, the anger breaking, his voice rasping and he let out a sob. “I think I proved Sonic right.” Surge’s lips shuddered and she shook her head.

“No…M…m…my father was right…”

And Surge ran.

…

She didn’t know where she was going. Just…away. Sonic wanted her gone. Fine. She could take a fucking hint. And he was right about one thing, she didn’t need him! He could take his self-righteousness and choke. How dare he! He didn’t know what she went through. Why she did what she did! She didn’t care…didn’t care what he thought of her…

Surge’s feet carried her. Her eyes stinging as her lungs rasped with the effort. How…how long had she been running for? The dark of the night had long since taken over and few people were on the street. No one to look at her…no one to help. Tears began to fill her eyes. Not yet cresting, but blinding her.

Surge ran till she couldn’t anymore, her lungs burning and her body heavy. Everything felt raw and fried. Like she’d been used as an electrical bulb filament and was finally burnt out. She tried to choke back a sob, but it came again and again and again. Then she was crying.

Why was she crying?

She knew it wasn’t serious. It was…just supposed to be fun. Someone that was…interesting. It was fun. It was fun. And now it was just…over.

Then why was she crying?

Tears filled her vision as she wailed in the street, the world moving around her. She couldn’t blame them. This was Station Square. If you only saw one person having a public breakdown then that was a slow day.

“Oh Chaos!” Surge wailed and wiped at her tears, her mascara smearing, like dark ink it covered her hands, a blackness starting to swallow her whole.

The things he’d said. The way he talked about her. About what she wanted? Was that how he saw her? Why else would Sonic say that? Did it benefit him? Tails? And above all, why was she letting it get to her?

Why was she still crying?

He’d used her. Like a play toy. And maybe…Surge sniffed, the tears finally starting to slow. She’d used him. To feel something. To not be alone. To just have one person hold you when the world wanted to tear you apart.

It…it didn’t matter now. It was over now. He thought she was nothing and she hated him for that. Hated him.

Tilting her head up, Surge blinked away the last of her tears. Her vision slowly cleared to reveal the pale neon glow of a convenience store sign. She brought her eyes to its windows. Saw her own reflection, the tear tracks down her face, darkened with mascara. The hollow look in her eyes, the hunch in her spine like she’d been broken.

Heartbroken by that stupid chili dog loving hedgehog.

Ugh…chili dogs. Surge’s stomach turned and she felt ready to throw up. Then she looked through the windows at the bottles of whiskey. That should help settle her stomach.

…

Sonic was smiling. A grin that stretched from ear to ear. He felt…good. Like, really good. A kind of good that seemed to come from inside and reach out, moving through his veins to warm every part of himself.

He wasn’t sure he’d felt that before. He was kind of worried it would leave him.

Even the night seemed to mimic his mood, awfully warm for this time of year, a breeze that still carried the scent of summer blowing through the tall buildings. And how could he not be smiling? Things were going great!

Corruption was down with Sonic and Tails’ messages either reaching the ears or scaring the big wigs, Tails was reaching out to his super smarty boyfriend and Sonic hoped that all worked out well for them. Sonic really did hope they could come to an accord…

Miles needed someone like Kit.

And Surge? Wow…just what a woman. Sonic had never met anyone like her and figured with decent confirmation he never would again. Strong, smart, action-oriented, and a total knockout? Sonic could be dumb, but he wasn’t stupid. He…liked her a lot.

He should tell her that more.

But on the topic of being dumb but not stupid. A stupid person would never have noticed the man sneaking up behind them, but a dumb one wouldn’t notice till the last minute.

The glint of the knife is what caught Sonic’s attention. A lone streetlight allowed for enough lighting for the steel of the knife to reflect off a passing window. The blade twisted through the air, a hand launching it forward.

With lightning quick reflexes, Sonic shot sideways, the knife and arm it was attached to flying past. Hands moving in a blur, Sonic grabbed the arm and yanked it to his side, pinning it there. Palm striking the back of his attacker’s hand, he forced the knife to be freed, flying from the attacker’s hand and launching a few feet away.

Without missing a step, Sonic elbowed the attacker in the ribs, hear a young male grunt. Sonic then reached back with his other hand, over the attacker’s shirt, yanking him up while also bending his knees. The attacker went end over end, slamming onto his back in front of Sonic with a loud groan.

“Who the fuck are you?” Sonic gestured broadly at what appeared to be a young purple cat. Dull fur coloring and loose clothing suggested druggie, but there was a sense of dedication behind the strike. He’d been trained, if briefly. The cat continued to groan, clutching at the back of his head and whining. “Someone who’s clearly never been in a fight before. That’s obvious.” Sonic set his hands on his hips and shrugged.

“Someone…someone…” The cat tried to get out his one liner but was apparently in too much pain to finish it. “Someone who was sent to capture you.”

“Well you’re doing a real bang up job. Now, who sent you? Was it the Acorn Group? Some foreign government?...are you a G.U.N. rookie?” Sonic waggled a finger at the cat who was now rolling onto his stomach. “Did they reassign Surge?” Hey! Maybe that meant we could be…more together. The thought of moving in with Surge was starting to clatter around Sonic’s mind.

“C-Clutch wants to see you.” The cat grabbed at his knife and Sonic stomped on his hand.

“What did you say?” Sonic’s voice reached an icy cold. A dark fury that threatened to consume. The cat groaned in pain, but managed to look up at Sonic, his own glare meeting the hedgehog’s.

“I said Clutch wants to meet you. He said to make you come with me. And to stab you if you don’t come willing.” The cat spat at Sonic who curled his lips downward.

“Well let me tell you something about your boss. He’s done. In prison. And he tricked you if you thought for even a second you’d be able to stab me.” The cat growled at Sonic and made a reach with his free arm at the hedgehog’s leg. Sonic rolled his eyes and stepped backward, his eyes on the cat the whole time.

Which is why he didn’t see the two other goons that immediately grabbed him from behind. They held his arms and kicked out his knees, sending Sonic painfully down onto them. Sonic struggled in their grasp but whoever they were was some serious meatheads. Sonic not able to even get an inch as the cat moved back up onto his feet.

“Heh…heh…hah…ahah.” The cat chuckled, flexing his fingers, satisfied that Sonic hadn’t broken them. And then he gripped his knife tighter. “Now let me tell you something about my boss. He’s only getting started, and no, he’s not in prison. And–”

“And what? One look at you kid and I know you’re no killer. You’ve probably never even used that knife. Clutch has done what he’s always done. Take someone down on their luck and filled their head with misalig–”

And that’s when Duo sank the knife into Sonic’s shoulder.

Sonic looked at the blade, just below his left clavicle, probably no greater than a couple inches from his heart. He sucked air…found it hard to breathe. The pain then came, slow and mounting, eating at his skin like a violent corruption, filling his cells with it.

“Maybe you shouldn’t assume what people are capable of.” The cat snapped and looked at the two goons as Sonic went slack in their arms. “Take him.” And then a bag was put over Sonic’s head and the world went dark.

Chapter Text

Surge was panting over her sink, hands gripping the edge ready to vomit, when her phone rang. She managed to look at the screen, even as her vision swam, not able to fully focus.

Miles.

No. She didn’t want to hear from him. She wanted that part of her life to be over. Shadow could have them. She wouldn’t. Couldn’t.

She did.

“What do you want, Miles?” Surge was surprised by how strained and ragged her voice was. Parchment paper crackling and snapping with age. “Cause…cause I’m kinda busy right now.” Surge’s voice broke and another wave of tears threatened to spill over.

“It’s Sonic!” Of course it was. It was always Sonic. Surge felt like her life now revolved forever more around that stupid hedgehog and she wanted off the carousel.

“I’m not interested.” Surge reached for the phone’s hang up button.

“Please! He’s in danger!” The tenrec paused. Hang up the phone. Hang up the phone! Hang up the fucking phone!

“What do you mean?” Surge found herself saying when she just should’ve chucked the phone in the bathroom trashcan.

“He was abducted! Some men grabbed him and threw a hood over his head. I saw it through traffic cams and–”

“You get him out. He’s Sonic the fucking hedgehog. He doesn’t need anyone. I’m nothing to him.” Surge could hear the pause on the other end of the phone. She’d begun to cry again. She wiped at her face. She shouldn’t be crying, he didn’t deserve it.

“You…saw the videos. Guess both relationships are over?”

“You’re damn fucking right they are! Call the local PD, then you and Sonic can finish jerking each other off over how the rest of us aren’t worth your time. And lose my number.” Now Surge really reached for the hang up button.

“Sonic’s been stabbed.” Surge’s finger was positioned millimeters from the button.

“What?” Surge’s voice was so tiny, her eyes widening. Her stomach dropped and she felt herself begin to hyperventilate. No. NO! I don’t care about him! I don’t! Surge squeezed her eyes shut and tried to block it out, block Miles out and just be alone.

“I know he said terrible things. That I let him. I know you think he doesn’t care about you, but…but I really think he does. He’s just the worst person in the world at showing it. And beyond all that…please…he’s my brother. And aren’t you supposed to help people in need?”

No…she really wasn’t. She was supposed to operate in counter-terrorism mission. To stop global disaster, not rescue kidnapped brothers. Asshole terrible, no-good, shitty boyfriend brothers. This was…technically…by all accounts…below her paygrade. So she had no idea why she did what she did next.

“Text me his last known location.”

…

Kit was asleep when the knock came at his door. He managed to get up and out of bed and throw on a robe before the door was kicked in.

The figure’s face was hidden in darkness as they were backlit by the light of the hall. But even then, Kit could tell the figure’s eyes were directly locked onto him.

“Who–” Was all Kit managed to get out before the figure crossed the room in two long strides and picked Kit up by the collar of his robe. “S-Shadow?!” The fennec squeaked as Shadow’s eyes narrowed on him.

“Where is Surge?” The hedgehog snapped and Kit flinched, feeling like Shadow wanted to bite his face off.

“I don’t know?! Her apartment?!” Kit squeaked and put his hands up to his face. What was going on?! Why was Shadow interrogating him?

“She’s not there! You’re her handler, you’re supposed to know where she is!” Shadow had gone to her apartment? Why? Kit wanted to ask further questions but the look in Shadow’s eye told him that things would only get worse if he asked that.

“S-Surge doesn’t always tell me where she goes! She’s impulsive!” Kit defended, gripping at Shadow’s hands and trying to pull them away with less than no success. Shadow grumbled, clearly unsatisfied with that answer. He dropped Kit and spun him around, shoving him against the wall.

“You’re under arrest for criminal conspiracy, conspiring with a wanted fugitive, and obstruction of justice.” The clink of cuffs was heard and Kit winced as they quickly tightened around his wrists.

“Wait, WHAT?! I have no idea what–”

“We know you’re in contact with Sonic and Tails.” Kit’s heart sank. He knew it. He fucking knew it. This was all Surge’s fault! All Mi–Tails’ fault! He should’ve realized they would’ve gotten him arrested. “You’re coming with me to face Blaze and your punishment.” Yanking him once more by the collar, Shadow steered Kit out into the hall, Kit’s heels digging into the carpet just outside his apartment.

“Wai–wai–wai–wait!” Kit squirmed against Shadow. “Stop!” Shadow paused, but only long enough for Kit to speak. “What if I could give you the headquarters of Sonic and Tails? Could that reduce my sentence?” Shadow grumbled, leaning into the fennec’s ear.

“You’ll do that either way. Your information has and has always been G.U.N. property.” Kit whimpered. Shadow was about to shove Kit forward again when he paused, ears perked. His mouth opened once, then shut and he grumbled. “...but your cooperation could be factored in later…” The dark hedgehog’s eyes were half-lidded with discontent.

“Amy?” Kit whispered.

“Amy.” Shadow confirmed. “Now talk.”

“Th-the laptop in the living room!” Kit jerked his head back at his apartment. “It’s Tails’! He gave it to me and I was able to backtrace its recent connections to his apartment. I can give you that fuck’s home address!” Kit spat. Shadow narrowed his eyes down at the fennec.

“‘That fuck?’ I was under the impression that you were aligned with Sonic and Tails.” Kit growled at that.

“Not anymore.” Kit told him. “Miles broke my heart.” Shadow gave an eye roll.

“I don’t have time to dissect this. Can you give me the address now?” Shadow shoved Kit back into his apartment, sitting him down on the couch in front of the laptop.

“You let me see him in cuffs and I’ll tell you what he ordered for dinner from Uber Eats.”

…

“Surge…” Miles’ other monitor gave an errant beeping noise, a flashing warning light. “Did you uhh…tell G.U.N. where I lived?” The monitor showed the dark figure moving up the stairs, cloaked in the dark edges of the stairwell, taking them two at a time while still moving like he was gliding.

“What?! No. What are you talking about? Now what floor is Sonic on? I don’t want to be here any longer than I–”

“Surge. I gotta go. He’s here. Please save my brother. Good luck.” Miles cut the call as Shadow, now more visible as he burst out onto Miles’ floor, moved toward his home. Miles’ fingers danced across the keys as he set his computers to back up all data to the remote hidden server and set his computers to self-wipe. Shadow would not have access to anything they’d acquired in the last few years.

With the data moving to wipe, Miles scrambled to his bedroom, ducking below the bed and snatching his go bag. And that’s when the furious pounding started.

“JUST A MINUTE!” Miles screamed before heading back to his office to see the upload was almost complete. But the purge would take longer. Miles did not have longer.

“TAILS YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!” The hedgehog yelled back. Miles wondered what he was under arrest for, but he figured the list was just too damn long. A foot then pounded at the front door and Miles smirked. The door had a few hidden plates of steel with a water filled middle to resist forced entry by battering rams. He wished Shadow good luck with kicking it down.

Still, Miles didn’t want to see if he could. The upload finished and the purge began, but Tails decided it wasn’t worth the wait. He dashed into his kitchen, pulling out a bottle of vegetable oil and a lighter before running back to his set up.

The kicking at his front door was not a welcome background noise as he doused his computer set up with oil, the system shorting out. Flicking on the lighter Miles brought it to the oil and it went up like dry tinder, fire racing across and beginning to melt the plastic of his cpu.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered to his precious set up before whipping out his phone and calling 911. He quickly reported fire at his apartment before running into his bedroom and yanking open the window which led to the building’s fire escape. Rather practical at this exact juncture.

Miles scrambled down the steps, practically tripping over his feet in order to get down as quick as possible. His lungs were wheezing and he wondered why he hadn’t taken up Sonic’s offer to exercise time and again. Struggling for breath, Miles descended the ladder to the ground level at the bottom of the fire escape. His hands slipped on the last few rungs and he fell the final two feet landing painfully on his back. The fox gave a groan before rolling onto his side, managing to get his feet under himself and running from the scene.

He managed to turn the corner before Shadow clotheslined him.

Miles flew through the air like a cartoon character before once more landing on his back, letting out a louder groan than last time.

“Thought…you’d…hah…keep…trying to…hah…break down the…hah…dooOAH!” Miles’ voice pitched into a yelp as he was flipped onto his stomach by Shadow and his go bag was ripped off his back. Then his arms were forced behind his back and the cuffs were clicked on, brought tight against his wrists.

In one motion, Shadow lifted Miles onto his feet, hand tight at the fox’s shoulder, pinching the nerve, forcing the fox to hunch. In the other hand, Shadow held his go bag as he steered both bag and fox to a black SUV.

“Please, Shadow, my–my brother! He’s in trouble. I just need to save him and–” Miles cut himself off when he realized the hedgehog wasn’t listening, his gaze directly forward. “It’s Sonic! You know! The guy you want to catch! I know his last location if you’d just–” Once more Miles was cut off as Shadow slammed him into the side of the SUV, Miles bouncing off like a wayward bouncy ball.

Shadow let the fox fall to his butt, disoriented as he opened the SUV’s trunk and tossed Miles’ go bag inside. Then he hefted the fox up once more and opened the rear door of the car, tossing Miles inside, face first onto its pleather seats. The door was slammed behind him and Miles’ face slowly lifted up to see the person he least wanted to see in the world.

“Cuffs look good on you.” Kit sneered at him. Miles managed to shove himself up into a seated position even with his hands cuffed behind his back. He growled at the fennec.

“I did always wear accessories better. You’ve got fat wrists.” Kit gasped and lifted a foot, launching it awkwardly from his own cuffed position at Miles. Miles dodged as the foot kicked around wildly.

“Stop.” Shadow muttered as he got into the driver’s seat, lattice metal wiring separating the back from the front. “I’m taking you both to Division Headquarters and you can spill all the secrets you want about each other there. Especially…” Shadow paused, his heat dipping from one fox to the other, a predator examining trapped prey. “...about where Sonic and Surge are.”

…

Sonic’s face was slick with sweat as the bag was yanked off his head.

“Y’know…” Sonic’s voice was raspier than he intended, but that tended to happen when you had a knife lodged in your shoulder. “...you could stand to wash that thing out now and then.” Sonic’s face spasmed as pain reasserted itself in his shoulder, driving a cold spike through his being. Then there was a kissing of teeth, and he came into view and someone the cold spike turned Antarctic.

“Always with the quips.” Clutch sauntered forward, dragging a finger along the arm of the chair Sonic was tied to. “I always thought they were a means to frustrate me. But now I just wonder if they’re a defense technique.” Clutch rounded the edge of the chair, his snarling face getting up in Sonic’s. “For when you know you’ve lost.”

“I haven’t lost.” Sonic leaned back in the chair, Clutch’s stinking breath making his nose singe. “I’m just…weighing my escape options. Figuring out how best to make you look the fool.” Clutch looked at him with boredom before letting out a derisive snort, shaking his head.

“Clearly, you don’t realize where you are, boy.” Clutch spread his arms, and they emerged from the shadows. Sonic was at the bottom in the center of a multi-level parking garage, dozens of people appearing from the shadows at each level. All manner of what Sonic could only presume to be goons, thugs, druggies, murders and all-around violent men. Three people appeared at Clutch’s side too.

The first was the purple cat, his face a scowl. He was the rattiest of the four people in front of Sonic, but there was an air of wildness in him. Desperation. Like he knew it all too well and knew how to wield it to his advantage. He seemed especially upset with lacking his knife, considering it was still lodged in Sonic’s shoulder. The cat just kept his head down, hands stuffed in his sweatshirt pocket, constantly looking around. At Sonic, at Clutch, at the two others beside them, at the knife. What was with this kid and this knife? Sonic would be glad to be rid of it.

The two others Sonic recognized if only briefly. Fiona and Scourge. Co-leaders of the Suppression Squad. A large scale gang that had taken some major territory as of late. Tails had made sure Sonic was aware of them, but the how exactly of their expansion Sonic was only beginning to understand. Fiona for her part, looked mostly uninterested. Arms crossed over her chest, suspicious glances thrown at Sonic and occasionally at Clutch and the cat. Fiona was supposedly the smarter of the power couple, taking the business front while Scourge commanded the fear mongering and intimidation.

The green hedgehog was putting on a show of fury, his lips peeled back in a snarl and his eyes glowering at anything and everything, but most of all his anger appeared to be directed more at Clutch than even Sonic.

And then of course there was the possum in question. His size always shocked Sonic more than anything. He stood a good head taller than anyone around him, even if he would sometimes slink and slouch to appear less threatening. The height gave him an intimidation factor that wasn’t easily replicated by someone like Scourge. The outfit Clutch wore was similarly close to the ones of old. White pinstriped hat, purple cloak with fluffy edges, white pinstripe suit that was so crisp Sonic could cut himself on its edges. The only thing that really seemed different about him was the cane.

Before he’d had one that was…perhaps regal was the right word? Respectable maybe. But this one? It was simple and mocking. A curve of plastic with a rubber end, flame decal licking the end of it. It was a representation of the real Clutch. Simple, cheaply made, something that burned. But unfortunately, it was no less threatening.

“Eh. Doesn’t really matter.” Sonic shrugged and instantly regretted it, the serrated knife working through his flesh. “I’ll be out of here before you can blink.” Sonic managed a smile even as the pain of the knife worked through him.

Clutch raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, my boy you always were good at escape. But that’s when the odds were in your favor. But now? You are tied to a chair with a brutal knife wound in your shoulder. Lest cutting off your legs I can’t see how this could get worse for you.” Clutch waved his hand, his eyes taking on a dreamy quality as if imagining it.

“Why stand here blabbin’ about it rather than just doing it?!” Scourge’s raspy voice echoed off the walls of the parking structure and he stepped forward toward Sonic, his glare not really meant for the blue hedgehog.

“Well don’t just waste this opportunity, Scourge–” Clutch offered but the green hedgehog wasn’t having it, reaching Sonic and grabbing at the knife’s hilt.

“Hey wait what–” Sonic’s scream caused every ear in the building to fold back in pain. Sonic slumped over, whimpering weakly.

“What was that about slicing his legs off?” Scourge lowered himself to be even with Sonic’s knees, the glint of the knife now tinged with red.

“That’s my knife.” Duo snarled at Scourge and the green hedgehog popped up, spinning around to face Duo, knife pointed at the cat.

“I’m sorry? What was that? Cause this is my gang, therefore my knife.” Duo’s fists clenched at the green hedgehog’s sneer.

“That’s mine. It was my father’s and now it’s mine.” Scourge just laughed.

“Awww, does the kitty miss his pops? Well don’t worry, I’ll be happy to give you his knife back…”

“Now, now boys. Let’s all calm down. We’re here for Sonic.” Clutch tried to intervene, Fiona eyeing the possum. But Scourge wasn’t listening to Clutch.

“How about I introduce you to its cute little pointy end. Then you and daddy can–”

The gunshot was followed by a groan. Not Scourge’s groan as his hand moved weakly up to the hole in his neck where blood gushed like a dark waterfall, but Clutch’s groan. The possum letting out a noise of annoyance, the gun in his hand pointed at Scourge, the tip still steaming.

Scourge staggered once on his feet, his facial features trying to form anger, then confusion, then anger again. Clutch figured it would attempt confusion once more, but at that point the last of the hedgehog’s strength gave out and his legs went out from under him, Duo’s knife clattering from his grasp. It bounced a few times before coming to a stop but a foot from the cat’s feet.

“SCOURGE!” Fiona screamed, rushing for her boyfriend, dropping to his side. The fox clutched at the hedgehog’s neck, whispering false words as the life drained from his body and she clutched him to her body.

“T-trou…ble in p-parad…dise?” Sonic’s eyes managed to find Scourge on the ground, then traced up to Clutch. The possum merely shrugged,

“How dare you!” Fiona wheeled on Clutch, Scourge’s blood soaking her hands as she turned them into fists. “We let you in! We saved you from nothingness! I’ll kill you! Men! Kill him!” Fiona screeched, her attention turning on the endless goons surrounding them all.

A few men shuffled, but no one made any aggressive moves toward Clutch.

“Wh–what?” Fiona squeaked, suddenly looking quite small. Clutch noted the shifting of loyalties and smiled.

“Oh Fiona, you’re a smart girl. But you’ve got nothing on my reputation…and my forethought. What did you think I was doing with your men this whole time? Training them…for you?” Clutch laughed a little, like the humor was so funny he couldn’t stop himself. “No, no I offered them money, power, drugs. More of what they already have and as you well know…I can back it up.” Fiona snarled at Clutch, taking a step toward him. “Please dear girl, have some sense. As I said, you’re smart and I still have great use for you. Don’t make me kill you as well, it’d be…such a waste.” Clutch sighed, a breath of disappointment leaving his lungs. Fiona turned her head away from Scourge, closing her eyes as her whole body tightened and–

Released.

The fox hung her head and returned to Clutch’s side, her fury now focused fully on him, even as he beamed.

“Now that’s a good girl.” Clutch put his gun away and turned back to Sonic, his head lolling as glanced at the wound in his shoulder, blood oozing down and staining his blue fur red. “Now what is it you were saying? You were going to get out of here? Frankly, I’d be interested in how. Is the fox going to come in here blasting? His skinny little legs carrying him as he wields an assault rifle?” Sonic glowered at Clutch, his vision diluting from pain. “No, I think not. So who else is there?” Clutch paused, waiting for Sonic’s response. “Any friends? Allies? A side piece perhaps?” Sonic’s jaw clenched. “No…not you. Always alone. You like it better that way, don’t you?” Clutch shook his head and let out a sigh. “I always told you to make friends, Sonic. After all, who would you use as a stepping stool to get ahead.” Clutch gestured with his cane at the now corpse of Scourge. “You must’ve been quite lonely all these years, nothing but a technobabble fox to listen to. And now you’re here at the end. With nothing and no one.”

The sound of fists hitting flesh filled the space above.

Clutch licked his lips and turned his head upwards. Sonic followed his gaze to the second level of the parking garage where a goon stumbled backwards before collapsing out of sight. A few moments later, along with some expletives and a second man was tossed over the side of the garage, screaming. He crashed into the ground; painfully, if the crunching sound in his legs was to be believed as a figure appeared from where he’d been thrown.

“Give me back my hedgehog.” Surge stood at the edge overlooking the center, her teeth bared in a snarl. For a moment, Clutch considered the intruder, an eyebrow slowly raising in confusion. He took in the situation. His two downed men, the hundred more in waiting. The bleeding hedgehog in the chair and the one dead at his feet.

“Umm…kill her.” Clutch gave a shrug and weapons were pointed at Surge.

“Fuckin’ bitch.” And Surge threw herself off the edge. Gunfire exploded where she’d just been standing as she hit the ground floor in a tuck and roll, popping up onto her feet before Clutch’s goons could even realize she’d moved. The tenrec made long strides toward Clutch, the possum’s brows going up in surprise. The purple cat’s eyes went wide too and he practically leapt for the floor, going for his knife. Surge shoulder checked him, sending him sprawling before grabbing at Clutch’s cloak, bringing him into her grasp and whipping out her service weapon, pressing the muzzle to the possum’s temple. “Nobody better fucking move.” The gunfire paused, weapons still attempt to train onto Surge’s head.

“A standoff, really?” Clutch sighed. “And could you lighten your grip, I’m old, I bruise easy.”

“CLUTCH!” The purple cat squeaked and Clutch raised his hands in a calming gesture.

“Relax yourself Duo, I’ll be fine. This fine young woman just hasn’t realized the predicament she’s in.”

“Surge?! What are you doing here?!” Sonic leapt in his chair, adrenaline starting to flow through his veins, drowning out the pain in his shoulder.

“Ahh, and we have a name to the scowling face. May I ask what your association to my former ward is?” Surge snarled and starting to move backward, turning her face toward Sonic.

“You worked for Clutch? Clutch the notorious gangster?” Sonic snorted.

“It was more like indentured servitude!” Sonic defended himself with a snap and Clutch simply rolled his eyes before turning them back onto Surge.

“You know, I never really got my question answer about who–”

“Surge the Tenrec. G.U.N. Agent. And you are all under arrest.” At that, Clutch was interested. He gave a little chuckle then attempted to look once more back at Sonic.

“Oh hedgehog. That’s what getting older looks like. Desperation. But I never imagined you getting in bed with G.U.N. of all things.” There was a slight pause in the air and Clutch could taste it. He looked up at Surge, noted the silence from Sonic. And then he laughed. “Perhaps my word choice was a bit too accurate, eh hedgehog?” Clutch laughed some more.

“Shut up Clutch!” Sonic yelled at him as he and Surge moved close enough to Sonic that the hedgehog could kick at the possum.

“You know, I’ve only known you for a few moments and I can tell that you can get a better boyfriend than him.” Clutch tilted his head down at Sonic.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Surge told Clutch, pressing the gun further into his temple.

“Yeah! She’s–wait, what?!”

“I’m breaking up with him.”

“HUH?!” Clutch laughed some more, rust flying free from his throat in the form of spittle.

“Trouble in paradise?” Clutch repeated back and Sonic just sat there dumbfounded. “Alright men, move in. We’re dealing with a G.U.N. agent, she won’t kill me.” The men above started to move down, a few keeping their weapons on Surge and Clutch while the others descended the levels of the parking garage toward them. The cat, Duo, reclaimed his knife and began to advance toward them. “Honestly Sonic, this really just speaks to who you are.” Clutch checked his nails. “You can’t even hold onto someone for an entire conversation.”

“I–” Sonic tried to speak but couldn’t find the words, looking between Surge’s scowl and Clutch’s smug grin. And things were going so well.

“Stop talking.” Surge spat at Clutch. “I’m really angry right now and you’re very shootable!” Clutch just gave another half-hearted shrug.

“Well, sure. But the object of your rage is right there. Why shoot me when we all know Sonic is so much more shootable. Look, I’ll make you a deal. I’m a businessman, I love deals. You’re a G.U.N. agent you guys love deals too.” Clutch’s hands flapped about with complete and total nonchalance. “Kill Sonic and I’ll let you go. We both get to see him suffer and isn’t that what you really want? And I’m serious about that whole letting you go thing, I get no value out of killing non-issues. And I mean, you’d be solving a problem here and–”

“Enough! I’m arresting you and–”

“Ugh.” Clutch slammed his cane into Surge’s foot, the tenrec crying out and allowing Clutch enough space to elbow her in the ribs. Surge’s grip loosened and Clutch shoved himself free while spinning, smashing his cane against the side of Surge’s head. The impact sent her to the ground and her gun spinning off into the darkness of the parking garage.

Clutch dipped a hand into his cloak, and found his pistol. But by the time he brought it out, Surge was back on her feet. She grabbed Sonic’s chair and dragged it, running behind a pillar of concrete as Clutch’s gun sent bullets ricocheting off the walls.

“You hit?” Surge asked as she lowered herself behind Sonic’s chair, looking at the knot holding him there and beginning to work at it.

“Thanks for stopping me from being cut into two Sonics.” Sonic rubbed his wrists as Surge undid the knots of the chair, the hedgehog popping out of it.

“Oh, Chaos.” Surge groaned, stretching out her shoulders, her whole body aching. “I couldn’t imagine two of you.”

“Tails and I did a blood test once. Twins run in my family.” Sonic smirked at her and Surge rolled her eyes.

“Don’t even joke about that.” Surge then peeked behind the pillar before Sonic yanked her back, Clutch’s gun firing off another shot. The bullet whizzed by, close enough that Surge could feel the wind of it on her cheek.

“Hey so what’s this thing about you breaking up with me?” Sonic poked at her shoulder and she glared at him, not understanding how he could be so dense.

“Can we not die first?!” Surge pressed herself against the back of the pillar, breathing in hard, her mind blurring on how to get out of here other than in a body bag.

“Yeah…that’s uhh…gonna be a little tricky.” Sonic clenched at his shoulder, blood rivuletting between his fingers staining them a gorey red. His eyes shook and Surge could see that he was starting to have to fight for consciousness. Whatever adrenaline burst he’d gotten it was short lived.

“Shit. Okay, fuck don’t die idiot.” Surge reached down and tore off the cuff of her right pant leg.

“Oh…good idea, I was thinking of not doing that.” Sonic managed a smile and Surge tried to not look at his face while she tightened the scrap of fabric around his shoulder. He gave a cry of pain in her ear but she just flinched and made it tighter. He could do with a little pain. “Ow…” He muttered which from the way he was wobbling on his feet might’ve been an understatement.

“Alright. We gotta make a run for it while he’s reloading. I can get you back to G.U.N. headquarters. You’ll be safe there.” Surge peaked around the corner once more, Clutch’s voice carrying a slew of swears and insults.

“Nuh-uh…” Sonic shook his head. “They’ll arrest me.”

“Really?! If we don’t get you somewhere safe you’ll die? Is that better?” Sonic’s brows furrowed and he didn’t answer. “Seriously?! You’re unbelievable.” Surge then grabbed Sonic’s hand. She knew the weapon Clutch was wielding. One more shot and he’d be out. “You no longer get a vote.”

“...ooohkay…” Sonic mumbled as the last shot rang out and Surge bolted, holding Sonic’s hand tightly as they shot for the exit, their presence noted by the gunmen above who opened fire, the ground behind them sparking with gunfire. “Hey…you’re holding my hand.”

“Yup.” Surge just let him talk himself out. The two of them got past the open area and into the lowest level which meant they were safe from the immediate threat of Clutch and his gunmen. Unfortunately, this was where the other batch of bad guys were coming to which meant as they ran, they were immediately greeted with more gunfire.

Yanking Sonic into the parking garage office, Surge pulled his head low as she looked around. There had to be–yes! Keys!

A small corkboard with pins held two sets of remaining keys. Probably people that forgot their cars overnight, but now they were Surge’s escape plan. A giggling alerted her and Surge noted Sonic still holding her hand tightly, looking at it with a stupid smirk on his face. He slumped down, his eyes drifting shut. She smacked at his face and he groaned, eyes fighting to stay awake.

“Okay, we gotta get some blood in you. Do you know what your typing is?” Surge reached for the corkboard and almost got her hand shot off as the glass of the office exploded, gunfire peppering the inner walls. Surge shot her hand down and leaned over Sonic as broken glass rained down.

“Rarest blood type!” Sonic popped the ‘p.’ “AB+. Probably not good when you’re trying to get blood…” Sonic groaned, the pain starting to reassert itself.

“Actually, the rarest blood type is called RHnull. You’re actually the universal recipient. You’re a taker and can only give to other people with AB+.” Surge reached up and snatched both sets of keys that remained, hoping they could make it to one of them.

“Oh…how’d you know that?” Sonic’s brows furrowed at her as she started to peer over the edge of the office, trying to get a peek for where the cars might be.

“Because I’m AB+.” Surge told him. “Which means that I can actually donate to you…lucky me.” Surge glanced down at the keys in her hand. Two fairly common car manufacturers, but one of them was more known for…Surge peeked her head above the walls and–yes!

A big honking SUV. A mini tank they could ride out of here. Not to mention it was only a good dozen feet from the office. They could make a run for it…maybe. The other car was an older, more rundown sedan. Less conspicuous, but Surge wanted survival, not stealth.

Surge ducked down as another hailfire of bullets flooded the office, shredding the corkboard and the office’s walls. Surge grabbed Sonic’s head and lifted him into a sitting position.

“Okay, there’s a car right there. When they go to reload, we make a run for it, okay? You can run, right?” Surge watched as Sonic clutched his wound with a hand, her pant leg around it already stained a deep crimson. Sonic waggled his free hand back and forth. Surge swallowed. “Good enough.” Surge shot up for an instant, the men closing in. They’d have a window after this round. “Alright, ready and–”

BOOM!

Surge and Sonic were thrown against the opposite wall of the office as the shockwave of an explosion rolled through the parking structure. Surge’s ears rang, but she managed to look up and see a ball of fire…right where the SUV had been. Those idiots hit the gas tank… Surge’s thoughts muddled.

With her equilibrium askew, Surge only managed a stumbling stance, trying to lift Sonic up, but he’d gone boneless on her, his eyes rolling into the back of his head.

“Shit…SHIT!” Surge roared before yanking Sonic’s other arm and lifting him over her shoulder in a fireman’s carry, stumbling out of the office. The one good thing about a giant exploding car? The other guys were disoriented too.

Keeping her focus solely on running, Surge shot for the other vehicle. The sedan was over a hundred feet from the office. When dealing with men with submachine guns? That was the same as a hundred miles. Surge heard their shouts and the guns started up again, but they were wild and unfocused, not able to actually track Surge through the smoke, sound and heat.

By some miracle, Surge reached the sedan and unlocked it, shoving Sonic into the passenger side before running around the hood and jumping into the driver’s seat. Surge shoved the key into the ignition and turned.

The car stalled.

Surge had forgotten to ask the question…exactly how long had these cars been sitting here? Long enough for the battery to die?

“COME ON!” Surge roared at the car and with a second go at it, the engine coughed to life. “YES!” The back window of the car exploded with gunfire, Surge and Sonic ducking their heads. “NO!” Surge cursed. She threw the car into reverse and slammed on the gas. There was a shout and a double bump that Surge chose not to think about before she threw the car into drive and sped off, the car squealing as she turned through the exit to the parking garage and took off. She glanced in the rearview mirror as she did so.

Clutch was smiling.

…

Clutch set his cane down on the asphalt as he watched with a smile as the car drove off, peeling right out of the parking garage and flying down the street.

“Shit! Shit!” Duo came up behind Clutch, as did Fiona, the two wearing drastically different expressions. Duo, one of panic. Fiona of anger and fury, pointed of course, at Clutch. The girl really needed to get over herself.

“Relax boy.” Clutch patted his shoulder. “We found them before, we’ll find them again. They’re alone and we have patience. Everything will be–”

Clutch’s phone rang.

The possum paused for a moment, feeling a change in the air. For an instant he wondered if he’d manifested something or if what was about to happen was simply inevitable. Reaching into his coat pocket, Clutch retrieved the mobile phone he’d gotten, technology was so weird to him these days, and read the caller ID.

Blocked Number. Clutch’s stomach began to swirl. But he steadied himself and answered the phone.

“Hello? I’m kind of bus–”

“Vermin.” All it took was that one word. One word to send him back decades. To a younger and more inexperienced Clutch. One who didn’t know the ways of the world. Who didn’t know how much larger it was than his little city…And the man that had shown him.

“...Doctor…” Clutch whispered aloud, his fear tasted on his breath and felt in his heart. A dark chill consuming him. Clutch found he couldn’t breath, his chest locked down. Some unseen part of himself noticed a change in Fiona, the girl hearing his word. She took a step away from him. She too knew who was on the other end of the line.

“Do not announce my presence. What are you doing?”

“I–I apologize! I–”

“Hush.” Clutch’s jaw clamped shut. “I meant what are you doing in Station Square?” The voice was impatient, Clutch knew that he couldn’t deflect the answer, he’d be called out and well…killed.

“I’m…restarting my empire.” Clutch shrugged nervously, a chuckle shaking through his throat, causing him to shiver. “It’s been quite successful! I’m more than happy to share my–”

“Stop.” Clutch did. “I can’t recall. When did I give you permission to restart your little punk-filled boyband?” Another shuddering breath from Clutch.

“You…you didn’t but–”

“AH! I see. So, then my question is…WHAT GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO DO SO?! YOU OVERSTEPPED YOUR PLACE, YOU SEWER DWELLING RAT! GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN’T PAINT MY WALLS WITH YOUR BLOOD AND USE YOUR HIDE AS A MAT TO WIPE MY SHOES?!” Clutch shuddered and shook, clutching onto the phone with both hands, it had become as heavy as tungsten in his hands.

“S-s-sir I-I-I thought since you had given me Station Square the first time that it was mine to take again!” Clutch bargained, his voice rushed and reedy. He felt Duo’s and Fiona’s eyes on him as he spoke into the phone. Duo’s confusion was especially painful.

“...Floor mat it is then.” No…NO! Not when Clutch was so close to having everything back again! He wouldn’t, couldn’t go out like this. He needed something the man on the phone would want! What had the man desired? What could Clutch give him!

Give him…oh…but of course. The very thing the man had wanted so long ago. The investment!

“The hedgehog! I have the hedgehog! He’s ready! Just like you wanted!” Clutch squealed into the phone, his voice more than desperate. It was begging. Pleading. The man on the call didn’t answer for a long time.

“...I was led to believe you’d lost the boy.” He finally spoke. The anger not quite gone, but greatly reduced. Replaced by a leading curiosity.

“No no! I have him, I swear!” Clutch nodded furiously, his knuckles white as he held onto the phone with a death grip.

“...Alright vermin. I’ll be in Station Square by dawn. The boy’d better be ready. See you soon vermin.” And with that the call disconnected, the dial tone of the phone ringing in Clutch’s ears. Clutch lowered the phone from his ear, his grip on it so tight the screen cracked.

“Clutch…sir?” Duo approached, careful. But not carefully enough and Clutch exploded on him.

“QUIET YOU INSUFFERABLE FELINE! GO HUNT DOWN SONIC! FIND HIM! BRING HIM TO ME ALIVE!” Duo collapsed to the floor, crawling away from the screaming possum. “AND IF YOU FAIL YOU’LL WISH YOU’D NEVER GOTTEN THAT KNIFE CAUSE I’LL SLICE YOUR SKIN OFF LAYER BY LAYER WITH IT!”

“S-si-sir?!” Duo squeaked.

“WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?! YOU’RE USELESS, AREN’T YOU?! I NEVER SHOULD’VE LET YOU IN, GET OUT OF HERE! AND DON’T COME BACK UNLESS YOU’VE GOT SONIC IN CHAINS AND SURGE’S HEAD ON A PIKE! GO!” Clutch swung his cane, cracking Duo in the side with it. The cat’s eyes were so large and terrified. The hurt scented on the air. He stumbled trying to get away and Clutch hit him with the cane again. The cat cried out and managed to get out of reach. He ran for the exit and for a few moments Clutch chased the cat. He wanted him hurt. Wanted him to realize what suffering was for just a few moments.

But Clutch’s age caught up to him and he stopped, bent over leaning on the cane…the cane he’d just hit Duo with. The cane Duo had gotten him. The possum let out a groan. Pain of many types asserting himself within it.

“Trouble in paradise?” Fiona mocked, the words coming back around once more. “You never talked to him after coming back, did you?” Fiona’s voice carried across the parking garage. Clutch turned slowly to scowl at her, his lips peeled back in a sneer. But he was hunched, weak. Upon seeing his face, Fiona smiled. Not one of joy, but malice. The sinister nature so ripe and fresh, like cut skin oozing with warm blood.

“Shut your mouth.” Clutch commanded her. “Or I’ll kill you.” Fiona shrugged.

“I have little to live for now. But I do want to live long enough to see you die.” Fiona smirked and Clutch growled at her.

“Find Sonic. Get the word out. A million dollars to anyone that brings me back that hedgehog breathing. I want every crook, gang member and lowlife in the city looking for that brat. I will not die this day.” Fiona gave another shrug.

“If you think he’ll let you live after taking without asking then you’ve gone senile in your old age. But as you wish…vermin.” The word sent a shiver through Clutch’s soul. Apparently, Fiona had heard that turn of phrase too. “May I ask what you’re up to? Because surely you won’t just sit around waiting for death.” Clutch straightened and tried to reclaim some of his dignity. Clutch ignored the fox and turned to some of the men that had descended from the upper levels.

“Gather your crew. We know where the hedgehog and tenrec are going. Let’s make sure we’re their welcome wagon.”

…

Surge swiveled in her car seat a half dozen times, making sure no one was following them. After a full mile, Surge was only slightly satisfied, but it would have to do. She glanced at Sonic in the passenger seat, the hedgehog groaning and holding his shoulder, blood still leaking from the wound.

“Okay. Clinic, then G.U.N. HQ.” Sonic tried to shake his head but Surge wasn’t having it. She hated his guts right now but she wasn’t gonna let him die. He needed to live so she could beat the stuffing out of him.

Oh, I'm a Gummy Bear! Yes!
I'm a Gummy Bear!

Great timing! Kit could guide them to safety. Surge answered her phone, throwing it up on the car’s dash.

“KIT! I’ve got Sonic and–”

“Surge.” That…that was not Kit’s voice. It was Blaze’s.

“B-Blaze I need–”

“I know that you’ve been working with Sonic. You will come in. You will accept your punishment. I am not asking.” Blaze’s voice had a cold rage unlike anything Surge had heard her say before. This was not a woman who was dealing with Surge’s antics anymore. Surge was to be fired and arrested. And at this point, Surge really couldn’t fault her.

Surge hung up the phone and turned to Sonic, his head lolling to look at her.

“Looks like we’re on our own.” Sonic smiled weakly at her.

“Welcome to my world.”