Gadget POV 3rd person 

...Infinite lost his footing on the side of the gear they stood upon and fell off. Panic rushed through Gadget as he tried to grab hold of the other before he could fall. But, his fingers just missed. The jackal fell a good amount before making a hard impact with the floor below; as they had been pretty high up.

The illusion disappeared. All the gears faded away and the machines returned to where they once were. Gadget fell from the ceiling but landed easily as it wasn’t as high up from that point. Worry traveled through him as he saw Infinite on the cracked floor from the weight of the fall; not moving.

No… NO!

As feet shuffled over to the limp body, the Resistance could now finally see and hear everything again. If anything had been said during that fight, none of it had been heard. They could see the normal building once more, and saw Infinite lying on the floor unmoving while a look of horror masked over the wolf’s face, before seeing him sprint to the Mobian.

“No! I-I didn’t want this! I just wanted to defeat you and end the war, not…”

Falling to his knees, Gadget had been about to lay Infinite on his back rather than his stomach so his could check his neck properly for a pulse, but red light flashed, and the wolf felt himself pushed back by the Phantom Ruby’s power. He flew across the room and painfully collided with one of the large metallic machines.

As that happened, Infinite sat up, and one thing not noticed yet by Gadget, but very clearly to the Resistance, was the mask was gone. It was a few feet away from the jackal and split in half. He stood up, and the secret audience could see his face for the first time.

“So that’s what he looks like without a mask?” Knuckles mused, wondering why he bothered to hide his face.

“Oh my… i-is that…?” Kytra stammered, seemingly at a loss for words.

“I-I think? It’s possible…”

Sonic’s eyes widened at the sight, but him along with Silver and Knuckles glanced at the siblings as they both looked like they saw a ghost.

“Are you two okay?” The blue hero asked, trying to keep calm himself as he remembered his dream where he saw a jackal with blue and yellow eyes, just like Infinite without his mask.

“Um, well…” Brian stuttered, trying to figure out what to say.

Digging into her pocket, the feline pulled out a picture. Eyes began to water a bit as she stared. “I made sure to grab this picture when the war first started, as it meant so much to Gadget, but I didn’t realize…”

Instead of giving more words, Kytra turned the picture so everyone in the room could see it. Being shocked wasn’t enough of a word to describe what filtered across all their muzzles. The picture she held in her hand was of a younger Gadget at an amusement park with a jackal; the two looking like the bestest of friends.

Sure, it could have been a different jackal, but heterochromia irises were extremely rare in many Mobian species, especially jackels. Jackals were known to usually just have yellow pupils, sometimes even a darker color, like maybe brown. But a mix of yellow and blue, very unlikely.

“Is that the Rookie?” The Commander inquired.

Nodding, Brian explained, “Yeah, he has a scar over one of his eyes. He wears special glasses that hide it now so most people don’t even realize he has it.”

“So Sonic, looks like you were spot on,” Silver replied, receiving puzzled expressions, “Sonic had wondered if maybe the two knew each other before the war.”

“Just a gut feeling I guess.” Sonic responded, though the memory of that strange dream still sat in corners of his mind. He then asked, “What’s his name? Like, I’m guessing it probably wasn’t Infinite back then. If he hid his face, he most likely changed his name too.”

“I don’t remember. This picture was back when he was still at the orphanage, so it was a long time ago. Plus, Gadget never talked about him much.”

Brian added to Kytra’s answer, “I know they were good friends, but that’s about all he ever told us.”

After that conversation, everyone’s full attention was back on the screen. Not much was missed as Infinite stood fully on his feet, and Gadget walked back over, though there was still plenty of space between them, with his Wispon in hand.

“I’m impressed that you managed to get a shot like that,” Infinite sneered at the wolf, “But even a fall from that height won’t destroy me.”

Guilt spread on Gadget’s face as his lips pinched downwards. “...I wasn’t trying to kill you.”

“Heh, I know. As I’ve told you before, you’re too nice and innocent for your own good.”

Fingers gripped the Wispon tighter as a glow danced in on one of Infinite’s hands; creating a reddish sword. It had various curves, points, and shapes. Once completed, he directed the tip towards Gadget.

“Let’s see how well you can duel with a sword.”

Determined, Gadget shifted a few settings on his Wispon to now have an electric point sticking out; large enough that it could be used as a makeshift sword. Grasped in both hands, the Rookie was ready.

Smirk now visible without the mask, the jackal phased away from his spot. Seeing a shadow from behind, the rebel jumped to the side and blocked a hit that came for him after Infinite had landed. 

Infinite showed no mercy as he swung his sword to and fro. The hits were continuously evaded or blocked, same as what the battle on the floating gears had been. Only, the Resistance member had no means of landing any shots. Infinite was too quick and skilled that all he could focus on was dodging the sword by any means necessary.

Swinging just right, a hit landed as a small cut was on one side of Gadget’s muzzle. Hesitation filtered on Infinite’s face. Taking advantage of the pause, Gadget buckled a foot behind the jackal’s legs; causing him to trip and fall on his back.

The wolf then pounced as he landed on top of the enemy, straddling his hips, and using his weight to keep him down as he pointed his Wispon’s electric tip at Infinite’s face. Gadget panted from the battle, but he still was on guard, in case this wasn’t the end yet.

But, he wasn’t going to give Infinite the chance if he could help it. 

“I win Infinite.”

Even that sounded kind of weak as exhaustion was as clear as day on him. A wicked grin only grew from that comment as the pinned jackal spoke.

“Who says I’m finished yet?”

As if to prove his point, legs tangled with Gadget’s before the roles were reversed and Gadget now laid on his back; Wispon taken and thrown across the room. The sword was gone and he briefly wondered if the other male made it disappear, but he had no time to think as hands went towards him. His body might be pinned, but his hands weren’t, and Gadget blocked Infinite’s; almost looking like they were holding hands, but while Gadget fought to get him off, Infinite battled to keep him down.

Slowly losing, Gadget knew he didn’t stand much chance in this as Zero had always been stronger than him, and it was no different here. Still, he didn’t give up and pushed against the jackal’s hands. Try as he might, Infinite slammed Gadget’s hands and arms on the concrete below them. 

Before the crimson canine could even attempt to fight back, cubes suddenly appeared and formed bands around his wrists and ankles; keeping him completely immobilized. Although, he didn’t stop trying to squirm in case maybe the restraints were loose in any way, but it seemed to prove to no avail.

“Who wins now?”

Body still wiggled as he hoped there would be some way to escape, but, exhaustion was hitting him fast from the battle on the gears and the duel with their swords. It seemed unfruitful, but he couldn’t give up as he tried with all his might to escape. Infinite only sat on his abdomen as he waited for the wolf to tire himself out.

Eventually, Gadget could not keep moving; muscles screaming at him to stop. Head slumped back as he took in large gulps of air to catch his breath. He didn’t want to give up. Wasn’t there a way to get out somehow? There had to be. But, with the restraints holding down his arms and legs, and the jackal sitting on his abdomen, it seemed there were no options…

“You lose Gadget.” Yellow irises that reminded Zero of the sun stared up at him. The look given to him held hints of disappointment, hopelessness, but still a light of determination and will, “Despite losing, you continue to hold that expression of wanting to fight.”

“Is there really no way?” Gadget spoke out, sadness clear in his tone which made Infinite frown, “Is there really nothing that will convince you stop this war Zero?”

The two not knowing of the watching eyes on them, the Resistance caught what Gadget said, and Kytra snapped her fingers as she had an eureka moment.

“Zero! His name was Zero!”

Now it was Sonic’s turn as his expression fell. That letter in his glove pocket, it was from someone named Zero. The pieces, started to come together. What Gadget said, about how his ex-lover used to be kind, but now didn’t give any regard to anyone, and how he was trying to move past him because they were in different paths in their lives. That was not an exaggeration in any way at this point.

Also, the letter itself, it spoke of Zero attacking Gadget in Metropolis… it must have been Operation Big Wave, when Gadget went missing. Somehow, Zero figured out who Gadget was, even though he didn’t know at first. The picture showed Gadget with his scarred eye. Perhaps, the Rookie hadn’t had those special technology glasses yet in that photo. They do give the wolf a very different look when on.

It explained what Infinite wants with Gadget. He wants Gadget himself. Infinite was so obsessed with Gadget that he kidnapped him in Metropolis, chased him down in Rosen City, kidnapped Tails to make an exchange at where only Gadget knew, put a mark on Gadget’s neck to drive him in a corner so he couldn’t tell them anything, and even put the war on the line so he could beat Gadget in that battle. If he can’t partake in the war, then there’s not much stopping Infinite from taking him away; for good.

Sonic covered his mouth as dread overtook his whole body. 

“Zero and Gadget were friends before he got adopted from the orphanage.” Brian retold as this had been mentioned when the mask first came off only a few minutes prior.

Knuckles nodded, “So they were friends? Guess that explains a bit, but I don’t get why Infinite would go this extreme over a friendship.”

“Because they weren’t just friends.” Sonic spoke up, interrupting the conversation.

Silver instantly noticed Sonic not looking like himself, “What do you mean? And, are you okay?”

“No! I…” he huffed a breath, “Gadget gave me a hint before he left. I didn’t get it at first, but, I do now. Everything makes sense.”

“What does?” Kytra inquired.

“Infinite, or Zero at the time, and Gadget were not just friends… They were lovers.”

“WHAT!!!” The room erupted.

“N-no way,” Silver muttered.

“I mean,” Kytra began, “He never did seem interested in anyone romantically. I figured it was because he was shy and just hadn’t found the right person yet. I would say that’s pretty young to start a relationship, but I guess he was thirteen, almost fourteen, when he got adopted.”

The bird asked, “Are you sure Sonic?”

“Yeah. After what Gadget told me, it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

All eyes turned their gazes back to the monitor. Gadget had seemed to get his breathing evened out as Infinite sat in thought from his question. He seemed to honestly consider what the wolf asked of him, before letting out a sigh.

“Gadget, I would do about anything for you. If you asked for anything I could make, I’d make it for you in a heartbeat. If you asked me to do just about anything that I was capable of, I’d never tell you no… I know we spoke before in the city, but do you truly know why I want to continue this war?”

Quiet, he only shook his head. What were his true motives? Gadget very clearly remembered what Zero told him in Rosen City, but it felt deeper than that, or that maybe there was more than just hate. Was there was something else that he just didn’t know about, or did he only hope there was?

“You remember what I told you about your orphanage?”

“...Yes.”

“The reason it burned to the ground, was because of my relations with you?”

Kytra and Brian heard that. They were puzzled, “Wait, what?”

Gadget replied, “Because of me, that whole orphanage was boarded up...and everyone died.”

A single tear ran down a tanned cheek. It was whipped away by a gentle digit. “It’s not your fault. It’s the corrupt system of the jackals. They held power in the most unlikeliest of places, and could make complete disasters look like accidents, like your orphanage.”

“...” Gadget wasn’t sure what to say and only continued to listen.

“I thought you died that day, and I had to watch what I thought was your death. After that, I helped free a few other jackals like myself. We were all misfits in a way, and so we escaped the pack, and made a squad of our own.”

“A jackal squad?”

“Yes, we worked together. They were stupidly loyal to me. Those dumbasses…”

Wait, this sounded similar to the most recent dream that Gadget had. Zero had been friends with four other jackals, which he described the same way just now as he had in his dream. What?...

“We were mercenaries. We tried to raid Eggman’s base. That’s how I met him. The Phantom Ruby,” Zero taped the gem lightly, “Chose me. Basically, the Ruby is extremely powerful, but it will only work with one host. So, since the gem never chose the Doctor, but rather me, he offered my squad and I a job.”

“The Ruby chooses its host? And, where is your squad?”

“I don’t understand the Ruby much myself, just learned how to use it. Doctor Eggman hired my squad and I to protect a laboratory of his. I refused to use the Phantom Ruby at the time, as I felt my strength was enough. Oh how wrong I was.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was an intruder that came. He took out my entire squad and almost me as well.” Gadget’s eyes widened at that.

“Who…?”

“He called himself Shadow the Hedgehog.”

Wait, Gadget heard that name. He’d never personally met him or anything, but he knew Shadow worked on obtaining information for the Resistance, and never came to the base unless it was necessary. 

Still, even if Zero and his friends, or partners, worked with Eggman, was killing them really necessary? Couldn’t he have just knocked them out or even tied them up or something?

“I would say watch out for him, considering if he ever learned about our past, I could see him trying to use that to his advantage,” Gadget gulped, suddenly feeling tense, “But you won’t have to worry because you’re not going back out there.”

Golden orbs widened. That’s right, Gadget lost. He couldn’t fight in this war anymore. He didn’t mind accepting those terms since that was what they agreed upon, but…

“I lost, so I won’t fight in the war.” Zero grinned, pleased he admitted to his loss while the Resistance felt uneasy by it. “But I can still go back out there. I can still do something to make the world better, like maybe build technology that can make life easier in this hard time.”

Eyes narrowed at Gadget as Zero replied, “Who said I’d let you leave?”

“You said I couldn’t fight in the war anymore. That was our agreement, and I’m accepting those terms.”

“And do you remember what I said before we started fighting for why those were my terms?”

…

“I do, but just because that’s what you want to happen, doesn’t mean I’ll just let you willingly. I agreed to the actual terms, but that doesn’t mean I have to agree with what you want. It wasn’t in the deal after all.”

“Heh.” 

Laughter rang loudly, confusing Gadget and making him worried. A bad feeling was felt in the pit of his stomach. Hands then slammed down on each side of the wolf’s face, making him jolt in surprise. A deadly serious stare was looking down at him.

“The reason I want this war, as I’ve said before, is because I hate this world, so so much. I want to destroy every single last bit of it. Make all of them scream their lungs out and suffer as they all deserve!”

A barely noticeable quiver ran up Gadget’s spine. Zero… He was freaking him out right now. One of the jackal’s fingers lightly brushed Gadget’s muzzle.

“That was all it was at first. The world took everything away from me, so I wanted to take everything away from everyone else.”

“But…?” The rebel asked, knowing there was something else.

“But then I found you.”

“...What?”

“I found you,” Zero repeated, “And I realized I hadn’t lost everything. The most important thing to me, that I thought I lost all those years ago, was still alive and breathing. But, I knew that if I just left you out there, especially in this war, you’d eventually die. Or, if anyone found out about you, then who knows what they’d do. So, I decided in Metropolis to stuff you in a room while I finished out the war. Even with the war over, you’d still be a target because of me, so I locked you away. Until that hedgehog broke you out.”

“And the mark on my neck…” Gadget voiced, putting some pieces together in his mind.

“Was to keep you quiet. I knew they’d ask you and you’d try to say something. I put that there so you physically couldn’t. To keep you safe.”

“Keep me safe?! How the hell does that work exactly!?”

“Do you really think they’d just ‘be your friends’ after you told them?! Don’t be stupid. The moment they found out I had a weakness, they’d use it, and I refuse to have you be a part of that. I lost you once dammit! I won’t again!!!”

Losing his breath, Gadget laid unmoving as he processed what was said. The outburst left him stunned, but more so, was what he admitted to. Zero was afraid to have him out there, even if not fighting, but in general. Granted, it’s not exactly the safest world right now, but he can’t rot away inside while everyone else was doing their part.

“I can’t just stay shut up somewhere Zero. It might not be safe, but I don’t care. I’m going to help others somehow. If not fighting in the war, I’ll do something else. Even if this makes us enemies, I refuse to sit back and watch Mobians die.”

Zero’s expression changed. Earlier, he just seemed mad. Now, something was definitely off. 

“So you think you still have a choice?”

“...”

“You can’t even get out of my binds on you. Even if you could find a way out now, no matter where you go, no matter what you do, I will find you.”

“Z-Zero.” This was not good.

“You can’t run away from me forever. But, maybe I need to break your remaining resolve; prove to you just how powerful I am and how there is no escaping me.”

Adrenaline rushed through Gadget as he panicked and fought against the restraints on him once more. Dark chuckles left the jackal as he seemed to come to a decision. Hands were still on either side of Gadget’s face from earlier, but now moved as a hand gripped his shoulder while the other grabbed his jaw; forcing Gadget to look right at him.

A shaky inhale and exhale left the Rookie. Zero spoke, “Do not resist.”

Lips slanted over Gadget’s; eyes widening as the intense kiss took the breath right out of him. As the kiss began, Infinite snapped his fingers; making the clothes once settling on the wolf’s body disappear before placing his hand on the now bare chest below.

Gadget froze as the temptation to give into that passionate liplock grew considerably, but still, he had the will to fight. Despite his heart and body telling him to just give in, his mind and morals could not. However, there was not much fighting he could do, as his whole body was pretty much restrained, including his face as his jaw was in Zero’s grip.

The Resistance that secretly watched stood in disbelief at what just happened. Sonic felt an unexpected amount of rage pumping through his veins as the thought of going over there and beating the shit out of Infinite increased.

“Damn!” Brian yelled with his hands clenched. “That son of bitch!”

“I swear, the moment we get that signal, I’m going over there to kick some ass,” knuckles cracked as Kytra looked ready to murder.

“Knuckles!” Sonic got his attention, as he’d been so shocked by what just occurred, “Do you have Tails’ signal yet?”

“No I don’t. I have it up so it should beep loudly once we get it. But so far, we haven’t had any luck.”

“Shit...”

“The signal is already boosted to the max, but let me double check and make sure it’s still tracking at its max capacity.”

As Knuckles did that, the only thing the rest of them could do was watch as Zero continued to kiss Gadget before forcing his tongue against unwilling lips; causing a surprised noise to escape the trapped wolf. Everyone could tell Gadget was trying to move, but was too restrained to do much.

The kiss ended as Zero gazed down at Gadget with a hint of anger, but mostly lust.

“Stop fighting.”

A tongue darted out and traveled leisurely against his throat. Gadget tried to hold it in, he really did, but a groan left his mouth as Zero gave another lick along his neck line. It felt dangerously good, and Gadget hated himself for it. Yet, he couldn’t deny that he was still madly in love with Zero, and that every time he fought and struggled against him was heartbreaking.

“Mmmm.” 

Zero hummed along his fur as he gave gentle nips on his neck and chest. Gadget couldn’t help the quiet moan that sounded, ringing delightfully to the jackal’s ears. Smirking, Zero then gripped Gadget’s upper arms. 

Confusion was felt through the haze as Gadget wondered what the other was doing. Moving near the collarbone, Zero’s mouth kissed up to one of the wolf’s shoulders before giving a nice long lick.

“You belong to me.”

“...Huh?”

Fangs gleamed in the sunlight filtering into the room before biting down hard on Gadget’s shoulder. Eyes shot open as a pained scream came from his lungs. It was excruciating, and that was sure to bleed. That wasn’t anything like the bite he received when they made out in Nullspace. This was so painful.

“Gah!!! S-Stop! It hurts!”

His shoulder was suddenly released. Looking at the jackal’s face as he backed away from where he bit at, blood was smeared on his lips. Gadget visibly paled.

“I’ve marked you, so no one can take you away from me.”

“That’s not a thing!”

However, Zero gave no fucks as he showered pecks along his neck, chest, and even around the bite; as if apologizing for wounding him. 

As the kisses traveled along his upper body, Zero’s hands squeezed and groped at his waist and hips; exploring every inch. The moans and groans were constant as the pain subsided, and Gadget couldn’t help losing himself in the sensations. Though extremely embarrassed, everything felt so good. It didn’t help that he couldn’t move so he was forced to take this torture; this sensually, wonderful feeling torture that kept clouding his mind of what he’d been thinking or doing before. 

“See,” Zero’s lips brushed the wolf’s stomach, “Give into me. I will take care of everything.”

“Mmm, ah,” Gadget hushed out as arousal continued to overtake him more and more.

The kisses stopped briefly, leaving the wolf puzzled before those said lips covered his once more. Yellow eyes were half lidded before automatically closing; giving in to Infinite, just as he wanted. As they both secretly wanted, for Gadget hated fighting Zero. His morals lost this battle as Gadget hummed into the kiss the two shared.

As they continued to share sweet liplocks, a sudden strange sensation was felt. A bit of a confused grunt escaped, but Zero paid no mind as he kissed him again. The uncomfortable feeling continued, until it turned into pain. It was…

Eyes shot opened as Gadget caught on. His tail hole; Infinite was pressing a finger around the entrance before going inside. Only some of his digit was in, but Gadget could feel it moving around. Stretching him.

No…. Nonononono!!!

Another grunt came out before Gadget bit down on Zero’s bottom lip; hard. Pulling back, the jackal held a stunned expression at the wolf’s actions.

“Stop it! Now!!”

Smirking as his finger drove in more, he remarked, “Stop what?”

“I swear to Möbius. Take that fucking finger out of me. NOW!”

The index digit was shoved all the way inside, and it felt really weird.

“Gah!”

“I’m showing you that you have no choice.”

Horror ran through the wolf’s body. Once more, he struggled against the binds keeping him there. He knew there was no way out, but…

“Don’t do this! Please!!!”

“Maybe next time, you should not resist me then.”

Is he serious?

Another finger started to enter with the first one.

Shit, he was serious.

“Dammit Zero! STOP!!!!!!”

Lips covered his again as the second intruder continued to enter and stretch him. Disbelief and dread filled Gadget at the thought of what was about to happen. Sure, he wanted sex with Zero, but not like this! Not under these circumstances!

“Ero! Oop! Guh!”

All the noises were muffled by Zero’s lips as he continued to stretch him. It hurt, but the pain started to fade a bit over time, though still not feeling pleasant. Tears dripped down his muzzle. As this all happened, the Resistance watched as they all felt sick to their stomachs.

“Knuckles!!!” Sonic hastily said, “Is there nothing we can do?!”

“I-I’m trying! Since I can’t seem to get Tails’ signal or anything from the Rookie, who knows where they are. You could try running around, but the world is too large. There’s no way you’d be able to find them in time. Even before this all started, I don’t know if you would’ve had enough time to find their location.”

As the Resistance discussed what to do, Tails had to cease watching a long time ago, though could hear everything, including Gadget’s muffled cries. Water droplets silently fell down his face as he felt so helpless since he couldn’t even help his friend.

Just then, a hand covered his mouth. Before the fox freaked out, he saw it was the other Generation Sonic, who held a single finger to his lips. That Sonic then grabbed the camera cord and waved to the Resistance. 

“The other Sonic!” Knuckles cheered.

A signal appeared abruptly on the monitor. It was the other Generation Sonic’s signal. The present Sonic held a determined look as he popped his fingers after quickly getting the location in his tracker watch.

“I’m going to kick some ass.”

“Sonic wait!” The Commander tried to stop him, but he was already gone. Sighing, he looked at the two siblings, “Grab one of the larger shuttles from the bay and get over there pronto.”

“Yes sir!”

Not knowing any of what was happening behind the scenes, two fingers had fully entered the wolf below him. Licking his neck, Zero mumbled into his fur, “Mmm, delicious.”

Just as the two digits were released, a third about to go in, Zero was unexpectedly pushed off of Gadget and flew through one of the walls. The restraints disappeared as Gadget gave out a shaky exhale.

Feet approached him and crouched down. Yellow fur? 

“Tails?” He croaked out, immediately upset that he sounded so weak.

“I’m so sorry,” the kid apologized as he began to check the wound on his shoulder, “I didn’t know what to do.”

“Who’s…?” He inquired, feeling a bit lightheaded all of a sudden.

“Sonic. Well, the other generation Sonic.”

Amber eyes glanced over to see Infinite return and that a battle was about to begin.