*Present time

Sonic 3rd person POV

It’s been a few days since Operation Big Wave was a bust. However, the Resistance just succeeded in shutting off the power supply for the Phantom Ruby, and now a blue blur ran at top speeds through Metropolis in hopes of finding Eggman and Infinite, and putting a stop to their plans.

Shoes clicked on rooftops and rails as Sonic raced through the city. No sign of his targets yet, but Egghead’s robots were everywhere, so he knew they had to be close.

Another jump, then two, and a hint of what he hoped to find was seen barely in his emerald sight, but he knew it was them. The small flying vehicle the Doctor always drove, and the glowing gem, were hard to miss, despite how far away they were.

A smirk played on determined lips, “It’s payback time.”

Feet glidded swiftly to a railway, sparks flying through the air as the hedgehog quickly approached his destination. Not a minute later, he planted himself confidently in front of his arch nemesis, ready for a battle.

Eggman grinned as he greeted the short male, “Welcome, Sonic. Glad you could make it to your funeral!”

As this was said, Tails floated down to be standing not far from his friend while also listening in. Infinite also made an appearance shortly after.

“Infinite, do it.”

On cue, the jackal held up a palm while responding, “Take this!”

A black sphere appeared and rapidly grew in size. Though feeling slightly nervous, Sonic’s tone showed none of it as he inquired. “What is that?”

“Har-har. That, my spiky little frenemy, is null space.”

“Null space?” Sonic questioned, glancing back at Tails only to see him shrug; feeling just as confused as the hedgehog. He then signaled the fox to back away as Eggman once more spoke.

“It’s a little something the Phantom Ruby cooked up, a closed off space where absolutely nothing exists!” The villain then ecstatically waved, “Good-bye Sonic, my soon to be eradicated nemesis. Enjoy all the nothing!”

Infinite flew higher before throwing a red square into the black sphere, causing a chain reaction as it grew largely in size. Tails exclaimed in surprise from the sudden force while Sonic found himself to be immediately sucked in. As soon as the hedgehog was inside, the vortex disappeared.

“B-But we destroyed the Phantom Ruby’s power source!” Tails stuttered out in shock.

“Tsk tsk. Since you ALWAYS destroy the power source to my weapons. I decided to learn from my mistakes,” the doctor grinned wickedly, “I had a backup power source created under Metropolis.”

The little fox was still shook up about the whole thing, not even imagining Eggman to ever have a backup in place. 

Just then, he noticed a slightly odd exchange between the doctor and Infinite. The jackal’s arms were crossed but his fingers seemed to grip his arms tightly.

Eggman noticing this, said, “You can go check if you want.”

“...It’s fine.”

And Tails couldn’t help but to wonder what they meant.


*Gadget 3rd person POV 

Flowers grew along the grassy plains as the warm sun shined happily above. Pearly white teeth sparkled as his feet carried him through the fresh outdoors. It was all so perfect. Well, perhaps one thing was missing…

As if to answer that thought, the wolf felt himself tackled to the ground. It was a gentle fall as the guilty party hadn’t wanted to hurt him. Golden orbs faced up to the love of his life smiling at him sweetly as they lay on the ground, still slightly tangled from the push earlier.

Gadget reached a hand to the other male’s muzzle, affection clear in the his eyes. “Zero, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

A kiss of adoration was felt on the wolf’s forehead, causing him to smile all the more. “I missed you. Now you’re safe with me. While you stay here, I’ll slaughter every living thing on this planet.”

Amber eyes grew like saucers. “W-What?”

“You didn’t really think the war would end because I found you right? It’s only just beginning.”

“Noooo!!!”

Body swinging upright, Gadget felt sweat coating his fur as he woke up and his eyes adjusted to the scene before him. That’s right. He was in that bedroom, the one Infinite, or Zero, brought him to several days ago.

Taking long breaths, the wolf took a minute or two before finally calming down. Though the dream had been a bit disturbing near the end, it wasn’t far from what his subconscious was thinking. He was so happy that Zero was alive, he felt like his heart could soar, but in the same breath, they were on opposite sides in the war. Zero was working with Eggman to enslave everyone while Gadget had been fighting for freedom. What was going to happen now?

Well, he couldn’t do much while stuck in this room. He sighed.

A difference was then noticed on the desk. Getting to his feet, he left the bed as he saw flowers in a vase along with a note. The flowers were an array of colors and kinds. It made his heart beat faster as he felt touched by the gesture. Picking up the note, he silently began to read it.

“My dear Gadget,

I’m sorry I couldn’t be there when you woke up. Another day, another task. I’m unsure when I will return but I think tonight would be the latest. I do not see the events of today lasting long, but I’ve been wrong before.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to find you that day in Metropolis. I apologize for all the times I attacked you. I didn’t know it was you, though I did think you looked like Gadget, but I believed it to be impossible after what I thought was an inevitable death for you all those years ago.

To be wrong in this case, I cannot express how glad I was to be wrong,” Gadget giggled a bit at that, knowing Zero’s hard-headedness. “I left a few sandwiches, snacks, and drinks by the flowers if you hadn’t yet seen those.”

“I’m sorry to be away for so long. I promise, when this is over, I more than plan to make up all the days I missed with you. Stay safe my love. I’ll return to you soon.”

“Love, Zero”

Fingers lightly gripped the sheet in his hand. When this was over? Did he mean the war? What would happen when the war ended? Uncertainty crept through the canine at all the thoughts he’d been trying to avoid, before they disrupted his dreams, and this note.

No matter how much he thought of it now, there was no way currently for him to escape. Sighing, he walked to the closet and picked out an outfit for the day. After putting clothes on, he stuffed the note into a side zip up pocket so there’d be minimal chances of losing it.  

Deciding not to think of it further, he sat down and opened a package before enjoying a mix of peanut butter and jelly.


*A few hours later

Lying on the bed, Gadget read through the book he’d been working on the previous day, hoping to realize if the patient would live or not, and what happened to get him in that state. The pages gave fascination, though deep in the corners of his mind was the mental war. 

If he had to choose, would he stay with Zero and betray the Resistance, or go to the Resistance and betray Zero, Infinite? Not that he had much choice at the moment, and he wasn’t sure if he ever would, but if he did, what would he do?

In his heart, he wants so bad to just stay with Zero, and forget about everything else, but in his mind, his conscience, letting innocents die and Eggman ruling everything is wrong. It goes against his morals and what he believes in.

What would he…?

The next moment, what happened is something he never would have expected as a sound that seemed similar to an explosion rung out before seeing two giant holes appeared on opposite walls; one hole for entering, one for exiting. 

What in the world?!

A familiar head popped in from the ‘exit’. Seeing who it was caused the wolf to drop his book in surprise. The same disbelief could be read on the very familiar blue hedgehog’s face.

“Gadget?!”

He remembered his name? Wait, before that, Gadget felt himself lifted up in a hug, arms tight around his torso.  

“Gah!” The wolf sputtered, “C-can’t breath.”

“Oh! Sorry…” He was gently let down, though Sonic’s hands never leaving his sides. A sigh of relief escaped both, but for completely different reasons as air filled the wolf’s lungs. Giving an apologetic smile, Sonic gave, “Sorry about that. I thought you died in Metropolis from Operation Big Wave. What happened?”

“Uh, um…” 

How the hell was he supposed to answer that?! Saying he got kidnapped only to realize the Resistance’s arch enemy was Gadget’s long lost best friend and lover. Oh, and don’t forget the amazing make-out session they had. Shit...

“Whoa,” The hedgehog breathed as he suddenly looked at the room they were standing in. “They kidnapped you and put you in a room in Null Space?”

“Null Space?” He questioned, both to get away from the topic at hand, and because he had no idea what Null Space was.

“Never mind that,” Sonic waved off, “That’s not important. We need to get out of here.”

“Get out of here?” Gadget voiced, suddenly aware he could leave, he could walk out of the prison he’d been kept in; away from Infinite….

“Let’s go!” 

Grinning wide, the hedgehog took one of the wolf’s hands in his own and led them through the exit Sonic made. The male in glasses was speechless. He didn’t know what to say, or what to do. What could he say?

There wasn’t any excuse he could say to go back to the room, not even to get his things. Before finding out Infinite was Zero, Gadget most times had his stuff on and ready in case he ever saw a chance to escape. This morning after getting dressed and then having breakfast, without thinking, he’d once again prepared himself. His glasses, gloves, shoes, and side bag were all in order so nothing had been left behind, except...for Zero.

But, he couldn’t go back. If he did, how many innocent lives would he be turning his back on? The wolf wasn’t sure why Zero was doing this, and if they ever had to fight each other, Gadget wasn’t sure if he’d be able to give his best… 

But he had to try, try to make a better future for everyone, including Zero and himself. He wasn’t sure if it was the rush of wind blowing past as Sonic led them at fast speeds, or perhaps seeing that confident smirk and stride the speedster always held. 

Something about Sonic always made Gadget feel more courageous, and really feel like he could do anything. It was probably an effect he had on all Mobians as everyone adored the hero. He was quite a fan himself, and being able to work alongside Sonic was like a dream come true. He couldn’t help but admire Sonic’s confidence and heroism, hoping Gadget himself could be more like that one day.

Upturn in lips, the wolf picked up the pace so he was running alongside Sonic rather than being dragged from behind. Noticing this, the hedgehog gave an answering grin.

“You ready?”

Giving a nod, you both jumped, hands meeting, doing an ultimate fist bump; double boost!

Before they both knew it, the dark encompasses of Null Space dissolved as the bright sunshine of Metropolis came into view. It had been so long since Gadget had been outside, and he couldn’t have felt happier.