Sonic POV 3rd person 

The group hadn’t wanted Tails to stick around, but of course he did, and he had put them on mute so anything they tried to tell him, the fox wouldn’t hear. However, everyone could hear everything said in the warehouse along with seeing Gadget and Infinite face one another. Maybe this was a good opportunity, but Sonic felt scared for both Tails and Gadget, and he hated he couldn’t do anything until his location was found.

They weren’t sure what was missed, but Infinite spoke.

Infinite: “Well, if you say so. Now, let’s get to the matter at hand. Take off your clothes.”

Gadget visibly flinched in shock from the demand and everyone at the Resistance wasn’t sure what to say to that.

Gadget: “WHAT??!?!!” 

Infinite: “I need to check and make sure you’re not being tracked by the Resistance.”

After that answer, everyone held a deadpan expression, including Gadget himself. Regardless, he complied, and the next several minutes consisted of Infinite checking for any tracking devices or whatever else, before allowing Gadget to redress. After putting his clothes back on, the Rookie did something no one expected, and that was to hold out his weapon towards Infinite.

Gadget: “You said you wanted an exchange. I came so Tails could leave, that was agreed upon. However, I never said I would willingly go anywhere with you, or give you any information on the Resistance.”

Infinite: “I don’t need to get information on that stupid band of dimwits from you. If I want anything from them, I’ll get it myself.”

Infinite never planned on trying to get information out of Gadget? Why? That couldn’t be true, Sonic was sure that was a lie, but somehow, it didn’t feel like it.

Infinite: “Is this a challenge? If so, then let’s make it mean something.”

Gadget: “Mean something?”

Infinite: “Yes, there’s no point in fighting if there isn’t anything being fought for.”

Gadget: “What do you want?”

Infinite: “You know exactly what I want… But, what do you want? What are you fighting for?”

Sonic was glad that Gadget didn’t want to give in so easily, but, Infinite was a powerful opponent. He was not to be taken lightly. Then again, Gadget technically fought him in Metropolis and lost at the time as he had been captured. However, there weren’t a lot of options for him right now, and the hero only hoped they could find Tails’ signal soon, so he could go and stop that fight.

Gadget: “I want this war to end. I want life to be as it used to be. Not everything was perfect, I can’t deny that. However, not everything was bad either.”

Infinite: “Oh really now?”

Gadget: “Yeah, really. And there’s regrets I have; ones I hope to find a solution of some kind to.”

Infinite: “Such as?”

Gadget: “Like mending lost relationships.”

Lost relationships?

Infinite: “There’s no going backwards Gadget.”

Something seemed to spark in Sonic’s mind. An idea; a possibility. Lost relationships… The letter from this ‘Zero’ to Gadget suddenly weighed heavily in his glove as Sonic continued to observe. The two continued to banter back and forth until Gadget finally stated his terms.

Gadget: “I want you to stop fighting in this war.”

The room erupted in a shout, “What?!”

Gadget: “If we fight and I win, that’s what I want. I want you to stop fighting in this war, permanently.”

Silence stretched in anticipation as the room waited for what Infinite would exactly say. There was no way he would accept, right?

Infinite: “I will agree to your terms if you agree to give what I want if I win.”

“WHAT!!!!???!?!?” 

Everyone was even louder than the first time. Shock ran through Sonic as well. He never expected Infinite to accept. What in the world could he possibly want that he would risk losing the war over?

Gadget: “...Which you said I should know.”

Infinite: “I’m actually going to change it a bit. It’s not like I technically said what I wanted.”

Gadget: “Then, what are your terms?”

Infinite: “If I win our little duel, then you must stop fighting in this war. Permanently.”

Stunned, the Resistance didn’t yell out in surprise this time as of all things they expected Infinite to request, that was not one of them. No one was sure what to say to that. Even Gadget on the screen seemed unsure of what he meant by that or why he chose that as his prize.

Infinite suddenly appeared right in front of Gadget, and said something too quietly that it was missed by the audience. Whatever it was must have freaked the wolf out as he hastily jumped away from him. However, Gadget still uttered the words that Sonic wished he hadn’t.

Gadget: “Infinite. I accept your challenge.”

——-

Gadget/Infinite POV 3rd person 

“And I accept yours.” 

Infinite lifted up his hands before making red cubes fly all throughout the building. The scenery began to change as machines disappeared and turned into giant gears; ticking as if in a clock. Everything became much darker, but small floating red lights were all that allowed Gadget to see.

Their secret audience wasn’t able to see a thing. It was just too dark for the camera to catch. Even the mic could hardly catch anything as the changed atmosphere of the building made it much harder to hear. They could only hope for the best as they cheered the brave wolf on. Kytra balled her hands up, fear for her brother clear on her face, and then feeling a hug from her other brother.

“Brian…”

“We have to trust that Gadget can do this. I don’t know why this is happening, or why it had to be him, but it is what it is. We can’t do anything but believe in him.”

Nodding, she sniffled as she buried her face into the bird’s chest, resulting in a tighter hug. It was a good reminder for Sonic as he needs to believe in Gadget too. He was resourceful, and quick on his feet. During the times Sonic had gone out on missions with Gadget, he never once worried about whether the other would be alright or not, and the Rookie always managed to even keep up with him on those missions. In all honesty, Sonic truly thought Gadget could win that battle; it just wouldn’t be easy. It also depended on how much Infinite wanted to win. What was he really after?

As the Resistance watched, or more tried to listen, as it was hard to see and hear, the battlefield was prepared. Various gears of many shapes and sizes floated along the very much expanded dark space. There was the ground of course, but it seemed the fight would take place more in the air.

No hesitation, the rebel leaped up from gear to gear until being high off the ground. It was amazing how much the Phantom Ruby could change things, including making a building that was enclosed and smaller grow greatly in size, and give it a completely different atmosphere.

Red was caught in the corner of his eye before jumping onto a different gear to avoid a cube that had been thrown at him. Infinite was not far and a few other cubes like it swirled around his fingers.

“Don’t get distracted already. The battle has just begun. Unless, you truly want to lose.”

“Pft, you wish,” Gadget retorted, readying his Wispon.

“No, I prefer a challenge actually.”

“Then let me give you one!”

Jumping from his spot, Gadget struck down where Infinite was. But he phased away at the last second. Eyes widened, but heard a familiar noise; knowing Infinite was near, he hopped out of the way before he could be hit by one of those cubes.

The jackal flew threw the air at quick speeds as he started shooting his cubes towards the Rookie. Gadget could tell his reflexes improved as he miraculously dodged every single square that was thrown at him. 

Deciding to take his chance, he took aim with his Wispon on Lightning mode, and hit a cube meant for him right back to its owner. Not expecting it, Infinite had no time to evade as he was hit right in the abdomen.

“Gah!”

Still, despite being thrown back some, he seemed hardly affected at all as he only gave a deep chuckle afterwards and sent red tiny needles at him. Wispon on Lightning mode, Gadget whipped the bolt around, causing all pins that headed straight for him to vanish.

This went on for several minutes; some type of ammo was aimed at the wolf, and he either evaded the shots, blocked them, or sent them right back towards Infinite. Only a small percentage of what was being given back actually landed on the jackal, and those hits seemed to be doing minimal damage. This could be bad if he didn’t find a solution soon, as he could feel himself beginning to wear down.

That was probably what Infinite wanted.

“Getting tired already?”

...Damn it.

Glaring, Gadget only continued to hit what was aimed at him, before lunging at the levitating jackal. Hands gripped the other’s shoulders and sent them flying; landing roughly on one of the metal gears. Infinite grunted out as Gadget hastily got to his feet and put some distance between them on that large platform.

Not able to see the smirk beneath the mask, he disappeared. Alarm flashed on the rebel’s muzzle as his sight scanned everywhere; not finding a trace of him. Uh oh.

“What’s wrong? Looking for me?”

The voice was behind him. He tried to react quickly, but wasn’t fast enough as his upper arms were held in a vice sharp grip; causing him to wince from the slight pain. That was until he shivered in pleasure from the tongue that slid along his ear; causing him to gasp. 

When had Infinite lifted his mask up just enough to where he could do that?

He whispered, “Just give in to me Gadget.”

“Uh, ah…” Another teasing lick.

“Don’t resist.”

Gentle nibbles were placed on the back of Gadget’s neck. Squirming only seemed to tighten the hold on him and made the wolf flinch from the increased pressure on his arms. 

Softly, Infinite coaxed, “Don’t fight me Gadget.”

“...” 

Teeth clenched as Gadget tried to focus. It was getting harder to do as the light brushes of the other’s fangs on him felt wonderful. No, he can’t do this. He can’t! His friends, his siblings, all the innocents…Sonic!

Gadget harshly stomped on one of Infinite’s feet. That caused the enemy to flinch and loosen his grip just enough so Gadget could roughly elbow him in the abdomen. A few steps were taken back from the impact, but Gadget didn’t stop as he spun around and slugged Infinite across his masked face; hard.

The punch held enough force to make Infinite lose his footing on the side of the gear they stood upon and fall 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.