...I’m not sure what happened or where it began, but I definitely know when it ended. Sometimes I remember, and other times forget. It bothers me in the late night hours, when I’m alone in my bed. It’s during those times I wonder, what did I do wrong. No, I know what I did…

... I see it in dreams, when the war began, but, I still hope that perhaps, just maybe, the promise never broke. Do I even remember it all? Is it even worth remembering? Even though it was broken so long ago, I still wish, that it isn’t…

... I ran away in the city in hopes of survival. What would the resistance think of me if they knew? What would my friends and family think? What would…

Slamming the book shut, a few small, quiet, barely controlled pants escaped him as his thoughts began to muddle. Those words strung out truths of his past, slowly wrenching apart things he’d rather keep hidden; never knowing, never remembering, and yet, never truly forgetting. No, it was more like he couldn’t forget, even though he wanted to. It was a worthless hope, just as the current war that rang outside these walls.

Slipping the journal back into its normal home in the bottom drawer of his desk, a sigh sounds as he stood. Walking to the mirror on the opposite wall by the closet, dark bags clearly showed under his golden eyes, and bright red fur looked a bit disheveled. Pointed teeth stuck out from his top lip, but that was a normal trait among wolves. Glasses settled on his face for better vision, but always earned him nerd jokes. 

Normally, he’d have some gear on, but it currently rested in the closet during his ‘off’ hours, not that time off really existed during war, but everyone slept when the chance arose, including him.

Wide awake now, the red wolf, by various nicknames, but real name being Gadget, walked to the closet; opening the rusty door before grabbing his gear and ‘dressing’ for whatever next adventure awaited him.

No matter what the words from his journal said, he was determined to give a smile and try his level best. After all, being apart of the Resistance wasn’t about him, it was about saving others, and the world. Determination showed in his yellow orbs as he exited his room and headed to the main quarters for today’s mission.

————

Typing madly on a keyboard was caught in the wolf’s ears as he entered the control room. Amy and Knuckles seemed preoccupied as a visual of Rouge was on the main screen. 

He noted right then that Silver and Sonic were sitting in chairs while receiving medical attention. Gadget rushed over to check on them. Noticing his arrival, emerald eyes sparkled along with a matching grin.

“Hey buddy. Worried about us?”

Of course Gadget nodded profusely which caused the blue hedgehog to chuckle.

“Don’t worry. We’re all good.”

“Barely,” Silver butted in, clearly upset, “We barely escaped the guy.”

“Yeah. I don’t know what the source of his power is or how he does it, but I’ve got to find out.” Again, Gadget nodded in agreement to Sonic’s words. “But how?”

“... I just picked up energy readings from where Sonic and Silver just came back from; life energy readings.”

Rouge had been talking with the others about some strange readings at one of Dr. Eggman’s old labs. The two injured hedgehogs had just come from there, so it was odd that more life readings were detected. Though Gadget hadn’t heard all the details since he’d been checking up on the two hedgehogs.

“Hey Rookie?”

Knuckles called out, quickly nabbing his attention. Looking at Sonic, he received a smile along with a small wink. Smiling back, Gadget left Sonic’s side to go stand by Knuckles and hear his next words.

“I’m sorry to ask this, and this might be a big ask, but could you go check out that facility and find the source of those life readings.”

A grin formed while also giving the echidna a thumbs up. 

“Alright, get going then.”

There was no need to be told twice as he was out the door a second later.

—————-

The night breeze felt exhilarating as he ran and swung to and fro with his wire. Following the coordinates according to his watch, it took no time at all to reach the abandoned lab. Sun-like spheres gazed all around but saw no life forms at all, or nothing of interest really.

Hold on.

Something sparkled on the ground not far from him. One step, two, more were taken until he reached what looked like a jewel on the ground. As Gadget picked it up and studied it in his hand, it gave a faint glow before disappearing just as quickly as it came. Not sure what to make of it, he placed the rock in his bag that settled on his waist.

“Who are you?”

A voice that sent a shiver down Gadget’s spine was heard. He felt… Fear. Words that rang deep and dark from the owner’s throat whispered in his ear. Despite how scared the wolf felt, he turned around only to see…

Nothing.

Huh?

“Hey!”

A new voice. Turning to the new voice, he saw a short yellow fox, and an even shorter, Sonic?

“Do I know you? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

Shaking his head, Gadget confirmed that they hadn’t met before. This was the start of how Tails and a different generation Sonic joined the Resistance. The red wolf couldn’t help but feel paranoid from the voice and felt as if someone was watching them the whole time.
