Gadget POV 3rd person 

“I’ll give you a five second head start. One…”

And just like that, the wolf bolted. Immediately leaping off the building, a wire exited his wrist as he then flew through the air; going from building to building. 

Those five seconds were gone in a flash, as he heard them whipping through the air at high speeds, catching up to him fast. Traveling by air may have been quick, but Gadget instantly realized that wouldn’t be fast enough. 

Taking his chances, feet dropped to the debris filled ground. Trying to think of all the times he ran with Sonic, his legs picked themselves up and off he went; down streets, alleys, and around skyscrapers. The shrouded figures were still keeping up with him, but he seemed to stand a better chance this way. He could only hope to run as fast as he can, for as long as he can, and hopefully make it out of the city.


-Sonic POV 3rd person-

Punch after punch, robot parts scattered around at his feet, while the replicas never left a trace at all. Sonic the hedgehog, the fastest thing alive, was even beginning to feel the effects of battling all day long.

“Phew,” he huffed out after he spin dashed another replica out of existence. “This is crazy. We can’t possibly keep this up for much longer.”

Since he had a spare moment, the blue blur pressed a button to give a call out.

“Yeah?”

“Vector, it’s Sonic. How's the civilian rescues going?”

“Lemme check with Espio. He’s been keeping better track a that then I have…. Yo Espio! Call Sonic!”

The line was cut. 

It wasn’t long before another call came through for Sonic.

“Espio?”

“Yes. Vector told me to contact you?”

“Yeah, how’s the civilian rescues coming along?”

“We’re getting the last of the found Mobians into the transports. Commander Knuckles is leading one last group through just to make sure no one was missed.”

“Good. We’ve been getting hammered pretty hard on the outskirts. I can’t even imagine how the city itself has been.”

“I went through once this morning. There were some enemies but I wouldn’t say we were ‘hammered’ as you put it.”

“Wait, are saying there aren’t as many enemies inside the city than on the outskirts?”

“I don’t know,” Espio replied, “I only did one run through and that was hours ago. I’ve mainly been making sure the civilians get on the transports safety and securely.”

“I see.”

“If you want to know how the last run through the city is doing, I would call the Commander.”

“Alright. Thanks!”

Hanging up, Sonic couldn’t help but wonder how strange that was. Shouldn’t there be more enemies located in the city? Where the civilians are? That would make more sense. Having some enemies on the edge of the city made sense for anyone trying to leave, but more than inside the actual heart of the city? Something wasn’t right.

He wouldn’t be able to figure it out now. Fingers pressed the call button as he reached out to Knuckles.

“Hello?”

“Knuckles?”

“Ah, Hey. What’s up? Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I was just calling to see how the last run through the city was goin’.”

“Talked to Espio huh? We actually just finished up and are heading back now. We didn’t find anyone else so hopefully that’s good news that we got everyone.”

“Awesome! You want me to start rounding up my group to the rendezvous point then?”

“That’d be great. Thanks Sonic… What the?!”

That yell was unexpected. “Knuckles?! What happened?”

“I just saw the weirdest thing. The Rookie. I saw him running really fast. It looked like a group of guys in black robes were chasing after him.”

“What!?” Now it was Sonic’s turn to be loud. “Any idea who they are?”

“None, but I don’t like this. Sonic, my group already has orders to head to the rendezvous point. I want you to order the same of your group and then come into the city. I’m going to check out what’s going on, but they’re all going really fast, so you might be of more help than myself.”

“On it.”

The line was disconnected.


-Gadget POV 3rd person-

This was ridiculous! He kept running as quickly as he possibly could, but couldn’t seem to shake his pursuers. At this rate, they’d catch him. The gap was closing more per minute, and Gadget could feel exhaustion trickling into his joints from not just the run, but from the day that had been filled with battles.

He couldn’t give up! They’d have to drag him away from his mission. His mission… Talking Zero into ending the war didn’t work out in his favor. Rather, he felt it made it worse as he currently ran for his freedom.

Was there absolutely nothing he could do? Could anything be done to stop Infinite from destroying everything and everyone?... Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn’t things have turned out better, like in his dream, where neither one of them were taken from that town?

One foot caught on a rock and fell to the ground. Scrapes and cuts covered the wolf from the fall, as he’d been going at high speeds. Not giving up, he hastily hopped to his feet and sprinted once more, losing much of the gap that’d been there before.

“Rookie!” Turning his head, he suddenly saw a very familiar face. 

“Commander!”

“Nice to see I could join ya,” he huffed, barely keeping up, “Who are these guys and why’re you runnin away from them rather than beatin’ the snot out of em?”

“Uh, well...” He hadn’t even thought of that. With the game and rules, he had to make it out of the city and not be captured by them. Infinite never said he couldn’t beat them up.

“They are kinda freaky looking.” He made a disgruntled expression before replying, “Alright, I’m gonna kick some ass.”

Oh no. 

“Commander wait! Don’t!”

It was too late as the echidna reversed his body and ran straight for the hooded figures. Fist raised, a punch was aimed right for the closest enemy.

“Gah!!”

Out of nowhere, Infinite appeared and slugged the echidna far and through a skyscraper.

“COMMANDER!!!!”

“I think you should be more focused on yourself than him right now,” gaze glanced away from the new debris in the air as Gadget saw Infinite keeping up with him as he ran.

“You...why did you do that?!”

“I’m not about to let someone disrupt our little game. Continue on, the game isn’t over yet.”

And he disappeared. As that happened below, a grunt was let out as a large piece of rubble was pushed off of a Knuckles.

“Damn. So that’s Infinite.” He coughed out before dialing out in his headset.

“Yeah?”

*cough* “Sonic.”

“Knuckles! Are you okay!? What happened?”

“Be careful.”

“Huh?”

“The Rookie’s being chased down by some weird goons from Infinite.”

“You mean the guys you mentioned earlier?”

“Yeah. I tried to help and go for one of them, but Infinite came out of nowhere and punched me through a building.”

“Shit! Okay, what do you want me to do Knuckles?”

“Go find the Rookie. Something’s going on. I dunno what, but Infinite wants something with him. I have a bad feeling.”

“Me too Knuckles. What about you though?”

“I’m gonna head to the rendezvous point. He didn’t hurt me bad enough that I can’t make it, but I definitely won’t be of much help. I hate admitting that…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go check it out.”

“Be careful.”

“Will do.”


-Sonic POV 3rd person-

After the call ended, Sonic really felt worried now. He thought of the conversation last night and how Espio brought up the possibility that they may want the Rookie back for something. What did they even want with Gadget?

Was that what the he was planning to talk to Sonic about? Does he know some secret? Maybe something that will help stop the war? That was a stretch, but Gadget obviously had something they wanted, he just didn’t know what.

Suddenly, his ears heard something. Quick feet pounding along concrete. Gadget? 

No time to lose, he ran.


-Gadget 3rd person POV-

Continuing his quest, he saw ahead of himself the buildings beginning to open up. Looking towards the various signs, he realized he was close to exiting the city! Thank goodness! Feet felt on fire, but the new hope brightened his determination, and like lighting a flame, he sped up more, a smile on his face as he saw signs saying he was about to exit the city.

“Gadget?”

“Huh?”

Turning his head, deja vous was felt as he had a visitor running alongside him again, only this time, it was Sonic.

“Sonic.”

“Hey buddy.” He grinned, though green spheres glanced back slightly, “Have some nasty guys on your tail huh?”

“Yeah, but don’t attack them though!”

“I know. I got the scoop from Knucklehead. He’s okay, though Infinite gave him quite a punch I guess.”

Emerald gaze settled on the wolf momentarily to see his teeth clench. “This is my fault…”

“Don’t sweat it buddy,” Sonic argued, catching the other’s attention, “Stuff happens in war. The best we can do is be smart, be cautious, learn from our mistakes, and do the best we can.

“Now,” The hero gave his signature grin, and said, “Let’s lose these losers!”

Nodding, a huge smile came upon Gadget’s lips. A fist was made present, ready for the wolf to pound, and almost did, but…

“I can’t.”

Frowning slightly, Sonic inquired, “Why not?”

“If I try to, you’ll probably get hit by Infinite too.”

“Hm? Really?” The hedgehog mused. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Gadget promised before looking back briefly, “I need to get away from these guys first. If I get outside the city, they should stop chasing me.”

“Well, we’re almost there!” Was said as he pointed towards a sign saying they were now leaving the city.

Again, relief fell upon the Rookie’s features, “Thank goodness.”

That was short lived as the duo hit the outskirts and saw a wide array of villains, as if they were waiting just for them. Determination was on the speedster’s face, while horror fell on Gadget’s.

“So, if you get outside the city, the cloaked goons behind us will stop chasing you, correct?”

“Um, they should, yes.”

“But if anyone interferes with them chasing you, Infinite shows up?”

“Yeah, that’s what it seems like.” Gadget answered.

“What about if I work on taking out the robots and fakes in front of us then?”

“I don’t think anything will happen. That wasn’t mentioned for the chase.”

“Mentioned for the chase?” A brow quirked in question, “Man, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”

“I know,” Sonic caught sight of guilt and disheartenment on the wolf. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m guessing this was what we were supposed to talk about this morning huh?”

“...Yeah.”

“Don’t worry buddy,” the hero gave a thumbs up, “I’ll get these guys. You just keep running.”

And continuing to run, he did. A flash of blue was seen as what almost seemed like bursts of blue lights, robot parts, and replicas disappearing whooshed along Gadget’s sight, but he didn’t pay too much attention to the details as he more just followed the path the hero setup for him.

The chase continued, but thanks to Sonic’s assistance and quick action, the Rookie finally made it out of the city; passing a sign saying he officially was out of city limits. Once he exited the city, the pursuers disappeared into thin air, similarly to the replicas Infinite always made. 

Gasping, feet slowly came to a halt before he bent over, hands on his knees, and lips taking in gallons of oxygen; hoping to catch his breath.

Steps tredded by Gadget. Looking up, he saw a triumphant expression on the hedgehog’s face.

“Nice work partner.” 

An offered fist was held out once more, and this time, Gadget did return the fist pump. This was short lived as both caught something in the corner of their eyes. The duo turned around to see Infinite not far from them. As if a knight protecting someone in danger, Sonic moved in front of Gadget, blocking the enemy’s sight of the Rookie.

“Back off Infinite.”

Ignoring the hedgehog, Infinite appeared to the other side, now having Gadget in his line of view. “So, you won.”

A glare was directed at the jackal, though Gadget couldn’t fully put himself into that look. He felt conflicted, confused, and hurt.

Sonic stepped in again. “You lost, so leave.”

“You’re right. I may have lost the battle, but I’m far from losing the war.”

In his hand, a device suddenly appeared. A fat yellow button was on top, and was then pressed. 

The ground began to shake violently. Both Resistance members almost fell from the earthquake but kept their balance long enough to see many of the buildings and skyscrapers collapse from the ground moving, and from bombs and explosions that went off throughout the city.    

“W-what?” Gadget slightly whimpered at the events unfolding before him. Turning to face Infinite, he snarled out, “Why the hell did you do that?! WHY!!??”

“Because there’s a consequence for everything,” Infinite simply answered. Elaborating, he continued, “You won, but at what cost?”

Yellow eyes saw nothing but red as a pure rage overtook him. Anger making him tremble, he ran towards the jackal, fist raised, and a punch flew in his direction, but it was only met with air.

“Huh?”

Infinite had disappeared, and now reappeared on the other side of the wolf. Whispering, quiet enough for Sonic not to hear, but close enough for Gadget to, he said, “You might be free today, but this isn’t over. I will have you, my dear Gadget.”

Backing away, the jackal gave a dark chuckle before disappearing into thin air.
