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Chapter Text

It’s been three months since Sonic the hedgehog, beloved world hero, had been defeated by the evil Doctor Eggman, and his new mysterious companion; a black jackal bearing a terrifying mask. Taken away to a fate unknown; three months since The Resistance had formed and did its best to aid those in need, or fight against the, now stronger-than-ever, forces of the Eggman empire…

The days were bleaker and darker than ever before, mobians and humans alike united, and fought together, against the hordes of robots, conjured by the phantom ruby’s power, but it was to no avail, no one could compete against this mysterious power. After months of struggle, even G.U.N. fell down to the empire. In the hearts of many, all hope was now lost.

Unbeknownst to anyone, things were about to take a wild turn, as the sun rose in the horizon of a ruined city, a strange wind blew across ruined buildings and metallic carcasses of robots and wispons, carrying leaves of green and yellow across a smoky battlefield, the calmness of the dawn was only broken by the sound of screams and weapons firing.

Infinite, the dreaded leader of the armies of the empire, stood mid-air, commanding the different hordes of robots to attack or inspect different buildings, as he took out the members of The Resistance which tried to defend the townsfolk, one-by-one. Laughing at how quickly trained warriors cowered in fear as Infinite showed them how even reality bent to his will.

—How foolish. No matter how much I try to reason with your superiors, The Resistance refuses to surrender. Usually, I leave one of you alive, to carry the message, but if they’re not going to listen… Why bother? —

Infinite spoke to a spotted hyena, holding a cube wispon. The jackal rose his hand, and the mobian couldn’t help but to drop their wispon as they were lifted into the air by the power of the ruby. Fear filled their eyes, which widened, as they looked at Infinite.

—Now, now, what should we break first?—

The mobian could feel pressure building up in different parts of their body, like if a force was pulling and twisting them as infinite spoke.

—Some fingers? An arm?... Perhaps a leg?--

A “SNAP!” sound was heard, interrupted immediately for the hyena; yelling as they felt their leg twist and break under an unknown force. The jackal laughed seeing the hyena look down to their hurt limb, going back and forth between that and looking directly at him, infinite took a deep breath as the mobian began to tear up.

—I love that sweet smell of fear. Every time any of you faces me, you all start to reek of it.—

The mobian was no longer paying attention to infinite, they were in so much pain, they held their leg and… stopped. Their leg was untouched, like if it was never broken, begs the question; had it been broken at all?

Before they could actually react, however, Infinite threw them against the ground at enormous speeds, with the move of a finger. The hyena coughed up blood, barely able to move, pain now covered their entire body, and they could barely even groan anymore. Infinite slowly descended, standing right in front of the mobian.

—I must admit, this has been fun, but it’s time to end this, don’t you think?--

Infinite had summoned buzz bombers, pointing their stingers at the mobian, ready to shoot, but a voice, along with a strangely familiar sensation, interrupted his fun.

—Halt!— The voice yelled at him, but the jackal did not even bother to look at the source of the noise.

—I’ll be with you soon enough... If you manage to survive this, of course--

Infinite waved his arm to summon several badniks towards the person who dared to interrupt him. But the voice yelled again, and this time… this time what it said forced infinite to look.

—Jackal Squad, move in for the kill!—

“It can’t be.” Thought Infinite, he was paralyzed, the buzz bombers he had summoned previously had dematerialized, as he watched the source of the voice. He who spoke, along five other mobians, jumped from the top of a building. Five jackals began to attack and destroy the badniks, but the leader of them ran directly towards Infinite.

It was a black jackal with white, muzzle, tail tip, hair, and ears. His eyes were golden and filled with rage, his hair was stylized on a mullet. He wore a red bandana and a light brown belt on which he carried several kunai knives.

Infinite realized this jackal looked like Un, a deceased member of the jackal squad... “But that couldn’t be possible” Infinite thought. He looked again and realized they all looked like his deceased squad comrades.

He was taken out of his thoughts by a loud sound, one of the kunai knives had hit his mask, leaving a “scar” on his new face.

The masked jackal immediately raised his hand, stopping some kunai knives in air, but missing several, having to dodge them as best as he could, but he was distracted and was wounded by a few, despite of his efforts to dodge.

—Not so tough now, are you? Heh. What’s wrong? I thought you were supposed to be a big threat.—

The jackal before Infinite said, teasing the other jackal, fidgeting with one of his knives in his hand. But Infinite didn’t answer, he couldn’t answer, he was once again submerged in his own thoughts. The other jackal kept talking but Infinite was no longer listening, a stream of different thoughts flowed through his mind, muffling the sounds around him.

—HEY! I’m talking to you!—

The jackal threw a kunai at infinite again, and it hit directly right between the eyes of Infinite’s mask. Infinite begins to float, looming over the jackal team before him, he raises his hand again as several laser turret cannons begin to construct around him, a red aura covered infinite.

—GGRHHAAAA!—

Infinite roars, and ruby energy emerges from him, surrounding him in crimson particles and light. The turrets began to charge, the jackals could do nothing but unite as a group, they had angered Infinite, and were about to pay the price of doing so. The badniks began to surround them, blocking any escape plan they could’ve tried to execute.

The turrets showered the jackal squad with a swarm of laser bullets. There was no way out, the six jackals grouped together, if they were going to die, they were dying united, as a team… but the bullets never came down, the team opened their eyes to see the bullets standing in the air, immobile.

Infinite held his head, he was mumbling something, but soon he started to speak more clearly, but he still spoke silently, as to not be heard by the other jackals.

—I-It can’t be them; I saw them--N-No! It can’t be! This must be some sort of wicked trick!—

The jackals stared at each other, confused, the badniks around them began to have a red “glitch” present itself over their surfaces. Something was not right.

—WHOEVER IS DOING THIS WILL PAY!—

Infinite yelled into the air. But there was no response, he continued to talk to himself, more frantic than before, his breathing was becoming irregular.

—I saw them die-I-HE SAW THEM DIE! It can’t be them, b-but if they are---.

Infinite pressed against his head harder, moving it left and right, as in denying the statements in his own mind. Everything created by Infinite began to destabilize, crumbling into red cubes of phantom ruby energy, and returning to the jackal, who kept pressing his hands on his head.

Infinite quickly became surrounded by a sphere of red energy, He roared one last time, before flickering out of view.

Without the control of the phantom Ruby, the energy collapsed on itself and exploded in the air, sending a shockwave that pushed everyone down to the ground, leaving nothing but red smoke made of light.

Two jackals ran to help the hyena mobian, meanwhile; the other jackals just stared towards the point in the sky infinite was in just a few seconds ago, as they stood up. One of them, wearing a green headband, spoke to the leader, with some hesitation in his voice.

—... Didn’t he... sound… kinda like--

—Zero...?—

—Yeah…—

The leader of the squad’s face turned sour and bitter, his hand formed into a fist around one of the knives. The leader threw the knife to the ground as hard as possible to relieve some sort of anger he had begun to feel in his heart.

. . .

Eggman was located somewhere else, terrorizing a different city with armies of egg robos and egg hammers. Mobians ran to hide as the robot army rushed to capture the scared city-folk.

The doctor laughed atop his eggmobile, as his army cornered civilians and members of the resistance alike. But he is interrupted by a familiar being standing in front of him, not a hedgehog, but a jackal.

—Ah! Infinite, what are you doing here?—

The doctor was confused of seeing the jackal here, but he wouldn’t have a lot of time to think. Infinite tapped his foot on the eggmobile, throwing both of them into the ground at a high speed.

—We. Need. To. Talk.—

The ruby in his chest glowed red, almost as if it shared Infinite’s anger. Suddenly all robots flickered, in a blink all of them seemed to be broken down in the ground, rusting as if they had always been like that.

—I will ask you one question. And you will answer it.—

The doctor was having none of this, he slammed his fist as he looked directly at the jackal, with annoyance in his face, he responded with a commanding voice.

—Infinite! I will not stand this kind of insubordination, not even from you--

But he was cut off from talking, Infinite had drawn out his scimitar, placing it on the neck of the scientist. Eggman’s demeanor quickly changed, Infinite seemed to be the one in control now.

—Why are they alive?—

—I don’t know what you’re talking about.—

The doctor answered with nervousness in his voice. A worried smile formed in his face, and sweat began to run down his head.

Infinite growled at the scientist’s response, before yelling at him.

—My squad! Why are they alive?!—

The doctor’s nervousness rose, but he kept on smiling.

—I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Infinite, we both know what happened to them that night. Do I need to remind you?—

—N-No. I remember that night to this day...—

The jackal quickly responded to the doctor’s question. His voice didn’t sound truly certain. He spoke again, not noticing that Eggman was now slowly moving his left arm towards Infinite.

—But that doesn’t undermine the fact I saw them. Just a few minutes ago.—

Infinite stood silent and suddenly his ears perked up. He removed his scimitar from the scientist’s neck as he fidgeted with his hands, walking flawlessly around the eggmobile’s edge.

—...You had the phantom ruby before we met...— Infinite’s grip on his scimitar grew. —You could’ve done something with the ruby... to fake the deaths of my squad.—

Infinite placed the edge of his scimitar against the doctor again. This time however he pressed it ever-so-slightly.

—But, why.—

The doctor slightly retracted his arm, before advancing again, he kept on smiling, trying to not show how truly nervous he was at the moment.

—Infinite, I-I'm sure there’s a logical explanation to all of this-- But he was cut off by Infinite’s voice.

—THEN WHAT IS IT?!—

He screamed at the doctor, there was a mix of confusion and rage in his voice. The doctor’s smile solidified, not a tinge of any real emotion under it, his arm drew closer to infinite, while he moved his right arm as he spoke to the jackal.

—Well. Since you insist... As you know the jewel you bear has abilities to manipulate reality by reshaping it, its abilities are strong enough to even affect the mind. You have seen this part of the ruby’s power before. Afterall, you used it to modify shadow’s memories during your first encounter.—

—It could be that, because of the high exposure of the ruby on your body and mind, it’s beginning to create hallucinations, reshaping your perception of reality...—

Infinite begins to ponder and go through all that he understands about the phantom ruby, trying to make sense of everything, the words of Eggman sounded so certain and they seemed to fit in with the rest of information, but something was not sitting right with Infinite.

And then, Infinite feels the fingertips of Eggman’s gloves touching the surface of the phantom ruby, bringing him back to reality. Infinite yells “NO!” before throwing the eggmobile against a wall with a swipe of his whole hand and arm. The jackal touches the ruby with his hands, while he stares directly at the direction he threw Eggman in.

The eggmobile wasn’t heavily damaged, and the doctor only rubbed his head a few times as the Eggmobile began to rise into the air. The doctor looked at the jackal with anger. But then he smiled, his eerie grin giving Infinite a very bad feeling.

—It seems you’re no longer of use to me, Infinite.—

Eggman pressed a button on his eggmobile and the jackal fell immediately to the ground, he looked at eggman with confusion and fear, as the ruby began to dim it’s light.

—I... I can’t feel it anymore--What did you do?! —

—Consider yourself fired, mutt. I just cut you off from the phantom ruby’s energy source.—

Infinite’s eyes widened, he couldn’t lose everything just now, not again, not after everything, but Eggman repositioned the eggmobile and blasted away, while Infinite remained on the ground; not even being able to plea and beg to eggman. Infinite placed his hands on the floor.

In that moment he began to connect the pieces. Eggman had betrayed him, no, he was never even on his side. He had been manipulated by the hand of the doctor, not more than a puppet, a guinea pig to test the powers of the phantom ruby. His squad was alive, but now... Would they even accept him after all he’s done? No. They wouldn’t, he was sure of it.

He couldn’t even stand up; he kept wandering on his mind on the same three thoughts. “How did I not see this before,” “How was I such a fool,” “Why was I so stupid.” He had just lost everything, his squad most likely hated him, he didn’t have Eggman, nor the power of the ruby, he was worthless, hopeless, nothing but a zero, even less than that.

He barely could process anything that was happening around him, he barely could process any of this information, he couldn’t move on. But then he was forced out of his mindscape as he heard steps really close by. He looked up, just to see he was surrounded by resistance members.

Many of them backed away as they held up an assault-rifle-shaped wispon, pointing directly at Infinite, but he didn’t move. He just looked at them and extended his hands, showing his wrists at them.

—I won’t fight anymore. I give up.— The jackal said to them, his voice sounding monotonous.

He didn’t care about what would happen to him anymore, he didn’t have anything left to fight for, his life felt worthless, he might as well just give in, and stop everything now. He felt shameful, dishonored, like a disgrace. But most of all? He felt weak.

Chapter Text

Hesitantly, and fearful of a possible trick, the members of the Resistance placed cuffs on Infinite. They forced him to stand up and walk, having several weapons pointing at him made him feel rather nostalgic, of his time as the “Ultimate Mercenary.” Yet this time, he didn’t have the willpower to fight back his imprisonment, he was instead willing, feeling like he deserved nothing more.

 Shame had been the only thing the jackal could feel at all anymore, so much so that he didn’t even think he could feel more shameful, even as the Resistance members pushed gun-point him into a carrier ship, he could just barely feel more dreadful. It did help his mind wasn’t really aware of his surroundings, just trapped in a storm of emotions and thoughts.

Inside his own mind, the jackal laughed, musing on if there was anyone at all feeling just as hopeless and dreadful as he did just now, he was quick to assume there was no such person in the world who could understand how it felt to feel so weak and hopeless to your fate, he was entirely alone on feeling like this... or so he thought.

. . .

Sonic stood on a dark cell, barely able to move at all, unable to run, even if he didn't had cuffs attached to his wrists and ankles, his cell was so small he would not be able to even walk.

He wonders how long has it been since he was captured; one, possibly two months, it was hard to tell how much time happened at all. It felt like every second took an hour to pass, he wasn't even able to tell when a day had gone by, relying on his instincts to try to calculate said time.

He wasn’t even able to predict when he would be fed, sometimes it felt like not even a second had passed, since the last time he was fed, regardless of how hungry he felt—other times it felt like days would go by without being able to eat anything. The only thing he knew is that whenever a small window opened to shove a tray of food into his cell, he was able to see countless others trapped like him, he was not alone, and that wasn’t comforting at all.

He had lost.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see green grass, blooming flowers, and blue, open, skies, but these images were quickly asphyxiated by smog and machinery. He couldn't even think on nature without worrying for everything Eggman must be doing, he could only hope that his friends were alright below. He could barely sleep, which didn't help his mind at all, he was tired from trying to escape, yet he couldn’t ever get a rest.

Often he could swear he could hear Eggman whispering on his ear, laughing on how he had won over him, mocking and ridiculing the hedgehog (who really did not look at all like the hero of the world anymore). His spines were messy, his fur was overgrown and scruffy; and his eyes had bags under them; green eyes were dulled, emerald no more.

Yet, whenever he tried to look back and fight, he realized again that he was totally alone, was he going mad?

 At times, it felt like he could hear his friends, Amy, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow... All yelling his name, he tried to call for them, to tell them he was here, only to hear how they left him behind, he yelled for them, but his voice made no sound, "He must not be here" they said. Even if he tried to scream at the top of his lungs, not a single whisper would come out.

Other times he could hear them being taken down by robots just before they reached him. He winced just thinking on that, and hoped he really was just going crazy.

He didn't think he could be able to hold it together if something had happened to his friends, he even felt that it would be better if they just left him there, as long as it meant that they'd be safe, he'd rather keep being here than see his friends risk their lives for him. He wasn't even worth it after all, he had failed everyone, so why should he be saved?

The thought comforted him, and that made him sick. It wasn’t the first time he considered giving everything up if it meant his friends were alright. But was it right to think like this? To think that everything would just be better if he was abandoned forever in the hands of Eggman...? And a part of his mind, with minimal, hesitation thought… “Yes”.

Sonic shuddered, he tried to close his eyes, and think on something else, he thought on sleeping, even if he could only rest for what felt like only minutes… his mind began to drift away, and he felt some comfort. It was a rare occurrence to have good dreams, but he always welcomed them, it was the only freedom he could get from this nightmare.

Fully asleep, he was able to see a fuzzy vision of blue skies, and white clouds. Chill winds caressed his blue fur, and around him, among pine trees, there were sunflowers. Gently rubbing their petals along his arm. But before he was able to enjoy these flowers, his eyes opened, dread swallowing him from the inside out, he felt free, and yet here he was, still a prisoner.

Awake again, unrested, a thought hit Sonic: it has been way too long since he last saw a sunflower. And that just broke him. He tried his best to cover his face in shame, tears began to flow from his eyes, and his breathing became erratic.

He had not allowed himself to cry for too long, and now he couldn’t stop. His fur felt cold, the thoughts in his mind were beginning to scare him, his fur was damp from tears we was unable to hold back, his legs ached from being unable to move, his body was cramped, and we was unable to see anything in this pitch-black room. He could only wonder, after so long, what was Eggman planning to do to him?

Because, he had to be planning something, right? He had spent so much time in his grasp, yet he had not done anything with him. So he must be planning something, because, Eggman couldn’t have just forgotten about him, right? Or could he? Sonic was desperate, he’d rather have to fight badniks for the rest of his life than be here any second longer.

Almost like if someone was reading his mind, the doors of his prison opened. Blinding light coming from the door forced his eyes shut, when he was able to open his eyes he realized how truly small his prison was. It was just barely his width, composed of a small room with a seat, and a vent. There was just enough space between him and the door to fit the food tray he was given at unknown intervals.

The light was blocked again whilst the hedgehog examined the room, which startled Sonic, who feared he was being locked back in. He sighed in relief realizing it wasn’t the case, instead, in front of the hedgehog there was an Egg Hammer. Sonic couldn’t put into words how glad he was to see anything but the pitch black of his cell, even if it was just a badnik.

The chair Sonic was in shoved him against the robot, forcing him to stand up for the first time in, he didn’t even know how long. His legs trembled, no longer familiar with his own weight, and the cold floor just made the experience more unbearable. He had to put his arms on the wall to be able to stand correctly. He was in no condition to fight.

He didn’t have his kicks or gloves, let alone rings; which meant anything too harsh was going to make him bruise. Once again he was awoken from his thoughts, as the Egg Hammer grabbed the mobian with its hand. Taking the defeated hedgehog away, without issue at all. Sonic didn’t even feel with the energy to struggle, part of him had already given up a long time ago.

Sonic lowered his head, side glancing as the Egg Hammer walked him through the station, being able to hear the cries and pleas of different mobians, in just as inhumane conditions as he was. Adults and children alike, stuck in several cells. Extending their arms out from steel bars, pleading for mercy and help. It was just rubbing it in his face how he was unable to save every single one of them, not before, and even less now.

A part within himself began to awake, like a spark amongst the shadows; a burning rage. It was one thing to have him captive like this, to keep him prisoner, to hurt him as much as Eggman pleased; but it was a much different thing if he did it to someone else, to innocent people who had never done anything to the doctor.

He swore to Chaos and Gaia that he would find the way to rescue all of them, even if it meant he was going to be stuck in that room for longer, he’d rather be the sole thing Eggman focused on. Because that way, he’d be able to save everyone; His heart pleaded him to sacrifice, if only to save all the innocents imprisoned by Eggman, he had to, he couldn’t just let them trapped there.

When he came to his senses again, he realized they were already out of the cell area and going through a hallway with windows, connecting the space station directly with the Death Egg itself. The magnitude and size of the battle station made Sonic’s quills flare up. He gulped, as part of him really didn’t want to go to what must be his final destination.

Once again, he wondered, what was Eggman planning?

. . .

 The doctor flew his damaged eggmobile towards a warp zone in one of his bases, muttering insults under his teeth, complaining about his day, having nobody to hear him. After ordering a robot to activate the warp, the Doctor is sent directly into one of the foundations of his pride: The Death Egg. He walked through a hallway, while robot claws, from the walls, took the eggmobile away.

Eggman Scoffed as he entered a dark room, lit only by blue screens monitoring the whole satellite.

—That Dreaded Jackal.  Thinking he could just attack me like that? Who did he think he was?—

He muttered. While a red ball rolled to him, transforming into Orbot, who was followed by Cubot. The red robot tried to speak to Eggman, who kept walking, ignoring the presence of the two robots. With a bit of stuttering, but bravery, the red bot finally spoke.

—Sir, if I may--

Only to be interrupted by Eggman.

—Not now.—

—S-Sir, really--

The doctor groaned. Looking directly at Orbot, frustrated and tired. Orbot and Cubot always had a likeness for getting on his nerves every time they could. Or at least that’s what he thought, they really were just trying their best.

—It better be good.—

—We’re sure you’ll like it, boss! —

Added Cubot, shoving Orbot out of the way of Eggman’s path. Before Orbot spoke again, he really wished from within his motherboard that Cubot would just not interrupt him again.

—We have good news and better news, sir!—

—I bet you expected good and bad news!—

Cubot once again interrupts Orbot speaking. The latter pushes Cubot away with his hand before continuing, taking a remote and changing the screens of the room to display different data. Eggman glared at them, today was full of bad news, so they better not be wasting his time.

—The good news are that: not only most of South and West Side Islands have been claimed by the empire, but the United Federation has surrendered more territory to us! They couldn’t recover from the direct hit you gave at G.U.N.—

—And the “better” news are…?—

Eggman sat down on his chair, staring at the screens, reading the expansion data of the empire.

—of course sir. You are going to like this.—

Orbot smiled as much as his form allowed him to, changing the screens again with the remote, that he then handed to Eggman. They showed several prison cells, though Eggman focused on one in particular, they showed different kinds of data regarding biometrics, specifically data coming from different parts of the brain, and emotional reactions regarding different “impulses”.

—All of the minds of the prisoners have been severely degraded because of the constant effects from the phantom ruby’s residual energy radiation, most of them...—

Orbot tried to sigh, but he knew doing so would make Eggman punish him, so he kept his tiredness, over Eggman's obsession with a certain hedgehog over everything, inside himself.

—Including Sonic, have had their grip on reality drastically diminshed—

The doctor begins to smile, focusing on the one record in particular. their mind breaking being recorded and analyzed by a computer, compiling said information just for the doctor’s amusement.

—The self-esteem levels are low in every single prisoner, as well as their overall morale, and their minds are more and more open to suggestions from the phantom ruby! Which means--

Added Orbot before being interrupted by a shout from the doctor.

—I know what it means, you big sack of bolts!—

Eggman grinned before the computer, his iconic evil smile was reflected over the screen as he stood, he opened his arms as he continued.

—It means losing that jackal won’t stop our plans for long!—

—Cubot! Make yourself useful and retrieve Sonic from his enclosure! Send him directly to test room 23. Orbot! You take Metal out from his upgrade! Bring him to me! ...and... go prepare more test rooms after that, I guess.—

Orbot and Cubot stood before Eggman, unsure if leave now or if he was going to say something--

—WELL?! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO!—

Both robots hovered out of the room as fast as they could possibly go. Eggman moved to make popcorn, by the time they were ready, an Egg Hammer had taken Sonic out of his imprisonment. Eggman began to laugh seeing Sonic’s biometrics become erratic as he went down a little emotional rollercoaster through everything.

A few minutes lapsed before the Egg Hammer had taken Sonic out of the prison area and began to move towards the Death Egg. Eggman began the preparations of the test room, no longer for his badniks, but for Sonic, and the phantom ruby. Eggman’s smile never went away, this was going to be one of his greatest projects yet. Meanwhile, clanking steps could be heard entering the room.

—… —

—Ah, Metal Sonic, always on time, always silent, and obedient.—

Or at least for the most part, thought Eggman, spinning in his chair to face the robot.

—There’s no doubt you are my greatest invention up to date!—

The robot didn’t respond. Not like if it could, at all; it only could look directly at Eggman, who had stood up to walk towards the robot. Metal looked around the dark room, its optics fixated in the data from Sonic in the screens, but Eggman’s voice brought him back to his senses.

—I have a special job for you. I’m sure you’re going to like it.—

The screen changed once more, showing Metal Sonic’s structure on the left; and Sonic’s body on the right, made out of simple outlines. After data was written down in the smaller screens, describing features of both, the display changed to morph Metal’s outline into a nearly perfect replica of the outline for Sonic.

Eggman laughed again, while Metal’s optics began to examine every inch of the screens’ displays, the middle, large one, which had the silhouettes, bore a large title in the top “Project Trojan Hedgehog”. Somewhere deep within Metal’s processors a tinge of something similar to “excitement” began to arise.

. . .

Infinite had caged and cuffed inside the carrier ship. After being stuck in his thoughts for so long, his mind gave up and he fell asleep. Among fuzzy nightmares, on which he relived the night that changed his life, he was able to see... strange "visions" from the phantom ruby. Visages he would not recall once awake. Meanwhile, the carrier approached the headquarters of the Resistance.

The time of his reckoning approached.

Flying under rain, Silver the hedgehog was scouting the ship towards the docking zone. The warrior of the future did all he could to help his friends during the war. His semblance was serious as he flew alongside the ship through stormy skies, but truth be told; his mind was just as lost as Infinite's. Earlier that day, he could tell something was strangely different, even if he couldn't exactly put a finger on what it was.

Chapter Text

Infinite was awakened from his slumber by a guard yelling at him, the ship had landed. The guards pushed him with the cannon of their wispons, the jackal tried to move as fast as he could, but he had no more left on him.

Walking, he kept thinking “There is no point delaying the inevitable, this is it, my destiny to die as I lived, as nothing but a Zero.” Part of him wanted to break into tears, but even after everything he went through, after losing infinity in just a second… his ego would not let him shatter, not now.

Crestfallen, he walked out of the carrier. Slowing down his pace, his ears perking up to the sound of muttering and whispers from mobians in the ruined building they were now in. The news of his capture had spread out enough that it seemed they followed him just to force him to see how much more people knew of his defeat, of his worthlessness, of his weakness. He swallowed in a pitiful sigh of dread.

The cannon of a guard’s wispon forced him to keep moving. Looking around he realized he could vaguely recognize the architecture. They were in the very first city he had ravaged for the doctor, the one Sonic had been destroyed. “To this day they cling to his memory” He thought that was the reason they’d stablish a base in this place… He knew how that felt.

Everything in the building was packed with boxes and other storage units, or mobians grouping together and walking around, and yet, the place the guards were leading him was devoid of either. It took him a second to realize why it was like that, the mask he was wearing made it harder to see with his right eye.

But he came to realize what it was as soon as the floor started to lift upwards, it was a hidden entrance, to wherever the resistance was hiding… he… he had found them. He had found the place where their enemy had been hiding all this time, if only he could give this information to the Doctor, then maybe- maybe he’d be able to have his powers back!

Yes! He just had to get out of here and then once he had his powers back he’d be the leader of his squad again, and powerful, and rule the world, change it to his image with the powers of the ruby! “I just need to get rid of these guards, and then-” but the train of thought he was following came to a halt.

What was he thinking? There was no way the Doctor would just simply pardon him for his actions, his squad clearly would not side with him… after all, he had once lead them to perish, and even back then they didn’t think working with Ivo was a good idea. None of his thoughts

What was he thinking? There was no way his squad would just forgive him, let alone accept him as a leader. He had failed them. He led them to their deaths. And he didn’t listen when they warned him of the bad idea that was accepting the Doctor’s offer… And as for the Doctor… He had been the one to manipulate him, he turned him into a mere pawn.

And he betrayed him long before becoming Infinite, he was the reason he was now powerless.

And, he knew that, even if he handed all of the resistance to Robotnik in a golden plate, he’d be punished for his “betrayal” against the empire. Once he had discovered the truth there was simply no going back, he was a criminal in the face of the emperor. His hunger for power still lingered, the power of the ruby was simply addictive, even when it didn’t have energy he could feel it’s power calling.

He really had gone mad. Add that to the list of things he needed to resolve before his execution.

His thinking had been cut short by a guard pushing him again with the wispon, the jackal was barely able to stop himself from meeting the ground with his face, his cuffs made it difficult, but he stood up again. It seemed that, while he was lost in his thoughts again, he had been escorted down a tunnel. It was dark, but he could see that the other side bore their symbol.

The symbol of the resistance, a cracked egg within a winged ring.

It adorned a door opening before him at the end of the tunnel. To his surprise, they weren’t in the headquarters of their enemy, no, it was merely an abandoned subterranean station, taken over by the resistance. Modified train cars sat on the railways, they had been made to resemble more rollercoaster cars than from a metro train. As to maximize the amount of seats available in each one.

He was made to walk to the end of the small station. But his ears could pick up the sound of other mobians walking into it, as it seems, he’s heading to the same place everyone else is. It was strange, he didn’t want to have privilege over the whole station, but, usually prisoners aren’t sent to stay with the civilians…

Something else caught his attention, a small discussion between the guard escorting him and another member of the resistance, a red wolf. —Alright, rookie, it’s your turn to look over the prisoner, don’t you dare mess up.—

The wolf didn’t seem to respond. —That’s exactly why I said that. The boss, she wants to speak with him, so no “revenge” shenanigans, he has to stay alive, Understood?—

Once again, the wolf seemed to keep quiet. —Great.—

That seemed to explain everything, he was still not being sent to execution. He was going to be kept alive for information, that wolf though… where had he seen them before? Black glasses, tanned and red fur… It was familiar, but he couldn’t exactly place where they had encountered. Everything from before today feels hazy to remember.

He saw the other guard leave, and while the jackal was looking away from the wolf, he suddenly felt a wispon be placed on his back, it was warm, ready to attack, shoot through him. A voice spoke softly, but still audibly, it was the wolf’s voice, the one he couldn’t hear before. —move… now…—

The wolf guided him to the last car, and Infinite started to try to get in, he didn’t notice before, but they had placed shackles on his legs at some point, just long enough to walk, but clearly not made for him to do much else. This was the reason he noticed; as he tried to get into the car, the chain pulled on his other feet, and he fell into his face.

It really felt like the universe was conspiring to humiliate him as much as possible now, his ears picked up on the guards and civilians laughing at him. In other times, he’d be able to make them cower in fear for daring to look into his eyes, and just the snap of his fingers… now? That was just a memory, he was powerless before the mocking of everyone in the station, everyone except… the wolf, who helped him stand up.

Sitting down, he looked into the dark tunnels, not daring to look at anyone in the face, the fact he was wearing a mask didn’t made him less ashamed of the laughingstock that he became.

The car shook a little, and began to move into the darkness, catching speed quickly. They passed through other abandoned stations, and he could feel they were taking strange turns in the darkness of the tunnels, but the speed and lack of light didn’t let him grasp what motion they had taken. Left and right, it felt the same, and it made him nauseous.

This continued until the very last tunnel they entered, which… seemed to extend far longer than the others, at least he was relieved the nauseating feeling was over.

Their whole trip across several abandoned stations had lasted just a few minutes, always with darkness interrupted by the flickery lights, symbols of the resistance painted on walls or floors, and then darkness again… but this tunnel broke with this expectation, he was starting to doze off, this tunnel alone felt that it was taking longer than the first trip.

Until a bright light brought him back to his senses, once his eyes became used to the light again, he realized they were in a larger subterranean platform. That wasn’t the only difference, this one was better cared for, and its impressive architecture was pristine. There were digital signs signaling different information, and escalators were set in place to take them out into the rest of the station.

The car began to slow down, allowing the jackal to stare in awe at the station. He had never allowed himself to get lost in places such as this, no matter what he always had to move quick, to steal, to destroy, to take out a target, there was always a time constraint, but not this time. Perhaps he could allow himself just this small pleasure before continuing with his lament.

He looked on as both civilians and guards left the train cars, one by one they all emptied, and the platform became more crowded. Then, it was his turn. He and the wolf both stood up. The wolf got off easily, and looked back at the jackal, who was struggling, letting out a sigh before approaching. They held the jackal’s hands and guided him off the car, helping him keep his balance when the shackles pulled on his legs; not letting him fall again and be laughed at.

Maybe… not everything was bad in here. —…Thanks.—

The wolf didn’t respond, they simply looked away. Pulling Infinite along as they moved to talk to another guard, a Dalmatian. Infinite was able to listen to their conversation, this time, all of it. —Look, I gotta take these civils to their living quarters, why don’tcha take Him to the boss yourself?—

The wolf muttered something to himself, before answering to the dog, there was a smidge of frustration to his otherwise monotone manner of speaking. —…why should I do it…? You know what he did… to them…—

The other spoke with a cocky tone, and wore a smirk on his face. It more than was clear he was a much higher rank than the wolf, having a big say on what the wolf must or mustn’t do. —Look, everyone else is busy, plus, you’re handling him quite well, rookie--

The wolf clenched his fist, speaking in a higher volume than before, interrupting the dog. —I have a name.—

The Dalmatian rolled his eyes before continuing. —Right, right, “Fidget”, or whatever. Look, just do as you’re told by your superiors.—

His tone became harsher as he spoke. —Maybe if you do this one thing right you’ll go up ranks and have it easier, but as for now? Go do as you’re told.—

The wolf remained quiet, and scoffed once the dog left. He turned to glare at Infinite, and then began to guide him towards an escalator. The jackal felt… sorry for the poor wolf, he once had been in his place when he had just started his mercenary career. “He really should appreciate he’s not the one wearing cuffs, however.” He thought, as they went out of the station.

The wolf remained quiet for the rest of their trip, Infinite didn’t mind, nothing was worse than a chatty guard that never shut up when escorting their prisoners. Plus, it gave him more time to admire the entirety of the place he was now trapped in. Once they got off the escalator, it was all easier to behold.

They were in a massive building, its structure resembled a train station, but from the windows sunset gold light shone through, even though the jackal was sure they were nowhere near that time. “The windows must be fake then” he thought, since they were seemingly underground still. But that wasn’t the only thing he had noticed, in spite of everything… They were thriving.

Gardens had blooming vegetation, they were able to keep running shops and the like, mobians walked through the halls and buildings of the whole structure. They weren’t struggling. And yet… they kept fighting for what they had lost? They clearly have it much better in these facilities, but they still fight for a lost cause. Why?

Infinite couldn’t really grasp it, especially not with the wolf pulling on his arm, they weren’t walking significantly fast, but it was frantic enough to stop the jackal from dwelling too much in his own mind… that is… until he caught a glimpse on what appeared to be a--

The jackal’s eyes widened, he gripped onto his chest, and he could feel a burning pain brewing from his ruby outwards. He felt his flesh sizzle and burst. His legs gave up, forcing him to fall onto his knees. Tears flowed from his eyes due of the pain, eyes which were focused on a green light in the distance, and finally, he fell to the ground.

His senses were giving up, like fainting in slow motion. His sight was fading, and before it all faded to black, he was able to see the wolf look at him, panicking at the sight of the jackal. Then, he heard them call their name, before sounds fizzled out, becoming echoes, and then silence. Something about the way the wolf called him was… familiar.

—Infinite………—

—Infinite……—

—Infinite…—

—INFINITE!—

The jackal opened his eyes again, looking around, he wasn’t in the resistance headquarters anymore, but he wasn’t in an unfamiliar place either. He was hovering above the capital city, Eggman’s Metropolis, which was being raided by resistance troops, his ruby was back at full power. He was able to recognize the Doctor’s voice through the communicator in his mask.

—I-I’m here, sir.— The jackal shook his head as he came back to his senses.

The doctor barely acknowledged Infinite’s lack of response with a mumble, which Infinite could tell from miles was meant to be an insult to the jackal. Suddenly the communication line was interrupted by a different voice.

—All right! Time for operation: Big Wave!—

Infinite noticed a red wolf running nearby, and gave follow to the resistance trooper. It would be an easy target once the counterattack began. The strange voice continued to talk. —We’ll surge forward and sweep the enemy away!—

The doctor spoke again to mock the stranger. —How absurd! What can that rabble do with an all-out attack? I’ll smash them to smithereens!—

To Infinite’s surprise, the young wolf was able to outrun him the moment he got distracted. If it wasn’t for the time they took to deal with robots in their way, Infinite might’ve lost sight of them… Now, however, they were next to the other in mid-air. Locking eyes.

—Infinite! Activate the Phantom Ruby!— Yelled The Doctor.

He smirked under his mask. Things were about to become fun. He blasted forward with scarlet energy. Reaching his hand to the sky and calling upon the Ruby’s power. The gemstone roared as the light around them was bathed in red. The energy flowing through his body was addicting, and hypnotic was the way reality itself bent upon his will.

He summoned forth giant constructs shaped in his his image. And looking upon the rookie frozen in air… he decided to give the red wolf a special treat.

But before anything could happen—hands gripped onto his right arm, stretching from the shadows underneath the tall buildings of the city. They stood firm, and wouldn’t let him go, no matter how hard he pulled away from them, instead, more hands reached to pull down his left arm.

In his struggle, he came to a realization… they were the hands of his squad members, pulling Infinite down into the dark abyss below. No matter how much he tried to fly away, they were stronger than him. He tried to call for help, but his voice was swallowed by the void, not a single sound came from his mouth.

Even with the unlimited power of the Ruby, he was Weak. Infinite tried to teleport, but it only caused the hands to pull him deeper into the dark abyss below. He tried to resist, he tried to struggle, but their grip was greater. It was always just slightly stronger and greater than anything he tried to overcome them.

Eventually, he couldn’t keep fighting anymore. His whole body gave up, too tired from struggling against the forces, and the hands pulled him down. Deeper and deeper into the absolute darkness, he could see the buildings stretch upwards as he fell, until they too were drowned in the shadows.

And from the shadows arose a monster. Black fur, red eyes, and crimson stripes across its heinous body. Several arms stretched from the torso of the beast, it was its hands which were pulling onto the jackal. Infinite tried to scream again, from the sheer fear he could feel, but again, no sound was heard. Nobody would come to save him.

He tried to struggle, and fight again, but it didn’t work, his body wasn’t responding. He didn’t want to die, not here, not now. He cried, but no one could hear him. He pleaded, but no soul was listening. He yelled, but the monster couldn’t care any less about his demise.

And just before meeting his doom, only moments before the beast sunk it’s fangs onto the poor jackal’s flesh—

He woke up in a cold sweat, breathing erratically. He looked around hastily, using his hands to feel himself. “I’m fine, everything seems fine, I’m alive, it was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real”. He repeated in his mind, as a mantra to get rid of his panicked state.

The jackal’s breath began to slow down, and he was able to truly take notice of where he was. He was on a bed, in a dark “hospital-esque” room. There were other beds, but no one was with him at the moment. He let out a long sigh of relief, and brought his hands into his chest, the ruby was still there, still devoid of energy…

And only then he noticed that his mask was lying in a small table next to him.

He gave the whole room another quick glance, thankfully, he still was alone. He scurried for his mask to put it on once again. Letting out yet another sigh of relief he laid down on the bed again. He really hoped nobody saw him without it, but he couldn’t even remember how long he was out of it, there was a great chance he was seen without it.

The thought alone made him uneasy.

On the same small table there was only a small lamp, a book, and a digital clock. It marked it was only 2:34 AM, he had slept for nearly a day, and still, he was really tired. His nightmare didn’t let him rest, but he really didn’t want to test his luck with the possibility of a much worse one.

He picked up the book from the table, and turned on the small lamp, he didn’t bother to see the cover. He just needed something that could take his mind off everything that was happening. The jackal began to read quietly in the dimly lit room, until the only thing left on his mind was the light he saw before losing consciousness.

Not even the book was able to get it from off his mind. The light had been engraved into his mind, unable to be forgotten, of a deep radiant green… It bloomed from the heart of a massive stone, with a brilliant cut, like a diamond. The only thing he could think of that remotely came close to it was…

A Chaos Emerald.

Chapter Text

Infinite kept himself awake; his gaze fixed on the ceiling. Several, painfully slow, hours passed inside the dark room. He didn’t want to fall asleep again—but—even awake he couldn’t escape a torrent of different thoughts invading his mind. Though, if he had to choose, between looking back at every event these past days, and being trapped in yet another nightmare…  Staying awake was definitely much more manageable.

He had discovered a truth that still made him feel uneasy, forced to abandon his powers; and ridiculed after giving himself up as a prisoner. The jackal groaned while these thoughts flowed like a river through his brain. To think just days ago he had the ultimate power in his claws, the world bent to his will, everyone kneeled before him. Now he was pulled around by a wolf around the enemy’s headquarters.

One of his ears flickered on that thought.

The wolf… Something about the wolf felt so intriguing to the jackal. He wasn’t entirely sure, but he felt as if they had met before, and his subconscious seemed to agree on this. He could swear he had seen the wolf during his nightmare. Placing his hands on his chest, around the ruby, the jackal pondered on the wolf. The way they looked at the jackal was… different from everyone else’s gaze.

Ever since his capture, he could see the eyes of everyone looking down at him. Their gaze was always full of fear, grief, even hatred. But they all quickly turned to look away from him, all the same; cowards all of them… all but the wolf. Their eyes burned with resentment and fury, always focused on the jackal. The same way a wolf would look to a hare, eyes and fangs ready, urging, to strike.

“Like embers that are eager to ignite an explosion.” He thought. That brought a faint smile to his face. If only for just a second, a good memory shone through the torrent of dreadful gloom.

His own eyes became lost across the dark ceiling once again. Meanwhile, his mind began to drift across different trains of thought. Running through ‘What if’s, after ‘What if’s. Still, even now, the amount of regrets he was feeling over his current situation… amounted to nothing, compared to how he felt that fatidic night. The night he forwent his old face, name, and life. The night he became ‘Infinite’.

These feelings, these memories, they unconsciously made him clench his fists, but there was no one else to blame here, no one to be angry at, not even the mirage of a reflection to scream his own mistakes at.

He sighed. Of all the many regrets he was feeling now, most could be tied to that night. This made his tail thump annoyed against the bed. He would not be here if things had gone differently. He could be with them right now if fate had allowed… could he? Did he ever stand any chance to do things any other way? To change?

He certainly didn’t think so. The old ‘him’ was too weak—no.

He still is too weak—too weak to hold his own fate in his own hands. For every time he thought he did, he had been proven wrong. First when he lost his title, his honor, to that hedgehog. Then, he had been turned into a pawn for Eggman. Now… now he—

“Grrroowwl…”

Suddenly, he was pulled back into reality by a feeling of painful emptiness in his lower torso, his stomach growled again. An urging pain broke through every single one of his senses, overwhelmingly forcing his body to contract and curl, pressing against his stomach. “What the-” Infinite couldn’t understand, why was he feeling this pain now? Another growl interrupted his thoughts. It was getting harder to think, and his mouth salivated.

When was the last time he ate anything?!

 “One… Two… S-six…?” He tried to count the time on his head, though; the sudden impact of overwhelming emptiness, and mental haze, was making it difficult. It had been roughly five months since he last ate anything. These past months the ruby, fused to his body, had sustained him to the point he didn’t need to eat, or sleep. But of course, with the ruby fully powered down… nothing was keeping him from starving anymore.

Just that thought crossing his mind caused a second burst of pain to spread across his innards. He tried to curl and press down harder, do anything to stop the pain for just a second—but he found it impossible. When he tried to move his legs up, something pulled back down. He was chained down, ankle to bedframe. Another growl escaped his body, this time originating from his mouth.

Too many things were happening at once, he was feeling ravenous, his train of thought had entirely derailed and crashed, memories and regrets poured and washed across his mind. It’s all growing too much to bear. If only he could just stop all of these feelings and focus, then he’d be able to figure out some way to fix all these issues one by one. But his time was running out, he set himself up for execution, he’d never be able to fix anything.

That very last thought was the last straw his body could take. It moved through his mind, crashing and piling up against everything else. All those sensations, pain, feelings, and thoughts. Infinite’s whole body suddenly became overly aware of its surroundings… and it was painful. It was like if all his senses were being over-excited by everything around him. It hurt.

His panicked short breaths, the edges of his mask, its weight, and the temperature and moisture inside. His hair, the bedsheets, the bed covers, and his fur. The cold room, the warm bed, the cuff around his ankle, the rigidness of his body, the pain on his stomach, the thoughts on his mind, the tears running down from his eyes.

It all. Felt. Too. Much.

He held the bed covers in his hands, gripping them like his life depended on it, and pulling from them. Every sensation was too much, he tried to pull up his legs, trying to budge open the cuffs, but he ended up just hurting himself. He let out a sharp whine, before kicking repeatedly against the bed. His tail thumped aggressively.

Everything. Felt. Too. Much.

He couldn’t take it anymore, he brought his hands to his head and pulled off his mask, immediately throwing it across the room. His breathing kept accelerating. His own hair and fur began to feel too much, itchy, hot, everywhere. It was too much. He couldn’t take it anymore, He closed his eyes, pulling at his leg with his hands.

A ghostly red glow awoke from within the Phantom Ruby, creeping and spreading through the room.

He wanted—He NEEDED to get away from all these sensations, he needed to shake off all these feelings from his body, he needed to get everything out. The pain of his senses reached its climax when he could feel an unbearable warmth on his chest. Infinite cried at the new sensation—and a sound similar to a suppressed gunshot was heard on the empty room, causing Infinite to open his eyes.

The red glow had vanished, Infinite couldn’t even get a glimpse of it.

He looked around the room, holding his breath, before letting out a sigh, realizing he was still alone. His breath slowed down again, his heart was no longer racing. Looking around for the source of the sound made him realize… something had broken open the cuff on his ankle.

Infinite sat upright on the bed, tracing the line left behind the cuff on his fur. He suddenly became aware, after all this time, he was not wearing his gloves, or shoes. Or… mask. Infinite realized what he had done, he scrambled out of bed and ran towards the mask.

He sat upright, and traced the marking left behind by the cuff with his hand… he suddenly realized something. He didn’t have his gloves, or shoes on anymore. Of course, just one more thing to add to his humiliation. Though he felt slightly more embarrassed by the fact he didn’t realize this beforehand.

Though in his defense… he had too much on his mind before. Unlike his mask, his clothes were nowhere to be seen.

His mask… Infinite became aware of his own actions. He groaned, and brought himself out of bed. His legs felt weak, shaky, and the floor was too cold. These sensations were familiar to him. He remembered the days on which the professor started to experiment on him, the cold floors, dark rooms, and an unavoidable feeling of dread.

He shook these thoughts off him, and did his best to walk towards the mask, in spite of the protests his body was making. He had no energy, and no strength to push himself forward. But he couldn’t just leave his face exposed. Every step felt like a test of will power, he was forced to drag his legs forward as he became used to walking again. How long did he spend unconscious?

…How long was he so dependent on the ruby for?

Finally, he was right in front of the mask. The jackal’s ears flopped downwards as he held it before his eyes, his face was looking right back at him. One of the ears was dented, and the area around his right eye was cracked. He sighed, and took a long deep breath, trying to keep his composure. But ultimately, his frustration took over his attempts at calming down.

He switched to hold the mask with his left arm. —RRAAAH! — The jackal screamed, clenching his right hand in a fist and punching the wall with all his might. Pain traveled from his knuckles all the way through his arms, his impulses nearly forced him to hit the wall again to rid himself of the pain, but his illogical action was stopped as his ears caught a sound in the room.

Golden light leaked through a now-open door, and right in front of it the wolf stood. The shine of the light reflected on their glasses, making their expression impossible to read. But they were looking directly at Infinite’s direction. They were holding what appeared to be a plate, or rather, a tray, Infinite couldn’t exactly make out what it contained, but it smelled delicious.

The wolf looked tall, imposing an intimidating aura, something that reminded Infinite of past friends, enemies, and faces. Compared to the wolf, Infinite looked nothing like the so-called “Ultimate Mercenary”. He was standing awkwardly, with one fist centimeters off the wall, and the other arm wrapped around his mask. His mask. Infinite’s ears jerked upwards. His eyes contracted, and his expression showed immense growing dread and fear.

Infinite quickly covered his face with a hand. —DON’T LOOK AT ME! — He yelled. The wolf looked as if they were about to say something, opening their mouth, taking a step forward, but it was immediately interrupted by the jackal’s falling motion. Infinite, in response to the wolf’s step, took a single step back, pressing his foot against his own thrashing tail, forcing him downwards, into the cold surface below.

Their eyes locked for a second as Infinite fell, and he was able to see the wolf almost reaching to help him, but hesitating as soon as they had started to move their arm. That was the last thing infinite was able to see before his head hit the ground. It hurt, but still, in reflex, Infinite forced himself to sit upright again, the quick motion causing his hair to hide away his face.

Still, he could feel the gaze of the wolf on him, those piercing eyes, that pressuring presence. Even when they had taken a few steps back as the jackal stood up, Infinite could still feel those two golden rings focused on him, he knew the wolf must’ve been looking at him with hatred, disgust, or perhaps holding back laugher from how pathetic he must look right now.

He had made a fool of himself.

A sudden metallic sound startled him. Thinking the wolf had drawn out their wispon, the jackal looked up.  At the very least he hoped to have the dignity to see his executioner do the job—but what he found instead surprised him. The wolf had simply left the tray with maybe-food on a counter, and was now walking towards the jackal.

Infinite could feel all his body stiffen, his ears pin back to his head. The wolf crouched just slightly to be at Infinite’s face level. Their expression at first unreadable, but after a soft sigh, they looked at the jackal with some form of… worry in their eyes. He had never seen this side of the wolf, or any other side that wasn’t that unyielding hatred. This made Infinite feel at unease.

It made him remember all those times when anyone put up a friendly façade just to get close to one of his squad members, with clear ulterior motives, sometimes he allowed this to happen. “That’ll teach them”, is what he used to think. “Now they know not to trust so easily”, he thought he was making them stronger. “This way they’ll toughen up.” How foolish.

The wolf turned their head slightly, as if trying to see what Infinite was thinking, then they did something Infinite couldn’t really understand.

First, they pointed at the jackal. Then they brought their hands in front of themselves, folding their fingers, but not closing their palms, moving both their arms downward in a straight line. After that, they put their pinky and thumb together on one hand, using the back of their three remaining fingers to tap their chin, before moving their hand downward in a curved line. Finally, with their other hand, closing the ring and pinky fingers while putting their thumb between the index and middle finger, they moved their hand in small circular motions towards infinite.

If it wasn’t because his hair is covering most of his face, he’d be able to see his dumbfounded expression reflected in the glasses of the wolf. Both mobians stared at each other for an awkward amount of seconds, until the wolf decided to interrupt the suffocating silence. They sighed and stood upright, moving their glasses up the bridge of their snout. Once again the wolf felt almost… towering, before the jackal.

With a soft whisper, the wolf spoke. —Are you okay? —

Their voice was... silent, but stern, definitely asking out of pure obligation. The jackal simply nodded to answer the wolf. It was a lie. He wasn’t okay. Nothing was okay. Nothing would ever be… for him. His ears flop down forwards, and he shrinks a bit more under the towering presence of the wolf. Looking down at both of their feet, focusing on the floor… or rather, not focusing on anything at all.

The wolf spoke again. —Are you… hungry? — They asked.

The jackal looked at them, still concealing his face with his hair. —Why do you care? Just get this all over with. — He replied with a voice as equally quiet. With a harrowed and somewhat annoyed tone.

The wolf didn’t look happy with Infinite’s response. They turned their back to the jackal, placing their hands in their waist and taking a deep breath. They then turned towards him again, a glare hidden behind their glasses. But their body language didn’t suggest much of any emotion. Or maybe Infinite had just gotten too used to relying on the Phantom Ruby with that as well. Whatever was the case in this moment, the wolf interrupted Infinite’s thoughts.

—I don’t. — They spoke, coldly, quietly, sternly. —But it would be impolite not to ask, don’t you think? — And suddenly, their voice had become… softer, in a way Infinite couldn’t really put into words. The wolf didn’t expect an answer, and Infinite didn’t respond either, so they continued. Still with a strange softness amongst the cold.

—I brought food. So, I’ll ask again. Are you hungry? —

The jackal shook his head—however, his stomach protested with another painful growl. Infinite pressed against his stomach, and unbeknownst to him, the wolf once again showed a glimpse of worry, the imposing and grim aura of the wolf faded away. Infinite, bashfully, nodded, there was no use on lying. There was no use for anything.

He had already resigned for death. Even as his instincts warned him of possibly poisoned food, there was no use on fighting, he had already given up, even if his body hadn’t yet. This was his current struggle, force all of him to accept his fate, imminent and inescapable, his days were counted.

So he might as well allow himself this one nice thing, right? He doesn’t deserve it, he doesn’t think he does, but the pain is too much to bear. Even as he slowly comes to terms with fully giving up, a part of him wants the right—the dignity to die… painless.

Infinite looked up again, seeing the wolf move back to the counter. Unraveling two sandwiches from a sheet of shiny plastic. Infinite’s nose picked up their scent almost immediately, the cold and dead air of the room had welcomed in this warm mouth-watering smell. He could smell toasted bread, and at least two different types of cheese. Infinite licked his lips instinctively.

He didn’t move an inch, however, instead, he watched the wolf pick up a grilled cheese sandwich, crumby toasty bread enveloping a gooey white-and-yellow mixture. Carefully, the wolf picked the second, and approached Infinite, extending their arm to him like one would to a friend. Their face however, wasn’t entirely friendly. The jackal hesitated for a second—but gave in not too long after, taking the sandwich from the wolf.

—Glad we’re finally getting along. — The wolf said, with a hint of sarcasm in their soft voice.

Infinite paid no attention to the wolf’s sarcasm. He only cared for the now-lukewarm sandwich between his claws. He hadn’t noticed how cold the room was until he felt this warmth spread across his palms. This small sandwich’s scent filling his nostrils as he took a deep breath in, letting his world be lost within the scent and flavor in the air.

Gently, he brought the sandwich towards his mouth, opening his jaw and taking a small bite from it. His tail wagged with increasing strength behind him.

Immediately, Infinite became enveloped by the taste. The flavors of two kinds of cheeses melted across his tongue, and the bread, fully toasted, crunched so deliciously against his fangs. He could notice the wolf doing something out of view, but he didn’t care about anything besides this sandwich. For a few moments… things didn’t seem as bleak as they did before.

Infinite kept sinking into this singular, ephemeral, moment. Likewise, his fangs kept sinking onto the golden surface of the bread, the cheesy gooey interior leaking through with each bite. His tongue flooded his brain with signals of tastes, flavors, textures. The world began to disappear little by little, all that infinite could feel was the delicious taste of the sandwich. It was just him and it.

He closed his eyes hoping to burn and etch this flavor into his memory, with no other sense interfering.

It was the best meal he’s had in too long. Just as it came to be, however, it was gone. His tongue ran through his lips, and he brought his fingers to his mouth, trying to savor whatever was left of that blissful flavor. Soon, the warmth faded again, the rush of joy in his body started to diminish, and everything felt dark again, as he fell from cloud nine.

He closed his eyes again and took a deep breath, the room still smelt like cheese and bread. Instinctively, he licked his lips one last time, taking in that scent. He focused, reaching into the memory of these past moments in his mind, holding onto that small moment of genuine joy, that faint golden star amongst pitch-black darkness and scarlet shards.

But it was time to go back to reality. Bringing one of his hands to his face, he brushed his hair back in front of it. It had been instinctively moved out of the way when he was eating, hopefully… the wolf didn’t see it.

He turned his head towards the wolf, he didn’t notice they were now sitting at opposite ends of the bed Infinite had woken up in. A small flash of blue light extinguished in his eyes, as the wolf had turned off a device hidden under their glove. They turned their head to look at Infinite, the fiery gaze of the wolf locked once again against his own eyes.

The wolf spoke, as softly as before. —Get up. It’s time to go, Jackal. —

Infinite sighed, and stood up, looking back at the clock on the nightstand. 5:58 AM changed into 5:59 AM in front of his eyes. That just made him feel tired. The weight of pulling an all-nighter started to dawn upon him. But a cold feeling shook him back to his senses once again, a cuff had been placed around one of his wrists.

Looking up, he met the eyes of the wolf, they were unblinking. Their expression was a mix of caution, determination, and frustration.

—Let’s go. — The wolf whispered.

Infinite nodded. Walking behind the wolf when they started moving towards the door.

He scrunched his face, and closed his eyes, when the light of the open door hit his face. When the jackal opened his eyes again, he was met with the view of the area right outside that cold room.

The hallway was lit up by golden lights on the ceiling. There were other rooms in the hallway, though none had an open door. On one end of the hallway, he was able to see a group of mobians carefully cleaning the floors and walls. It was somewhat jarring to see that. He had become used to people running away from him, or glaring at the mere sight of his presence.

The hallway’s floors were carpeted with a blue soft material, but the walls remained a monochrome white, with only a blue stripe serving as decoration. Walking down the hallways, of what he assumed was the medical wing of their Headquarters, felt odd to him. The building gave him a liminal sensation of being stuck between the final stages of construction. Painting, cleaning, and placing down furniture still.

But there was no way for them to build this whole thing, not in three months alone, especially not during war.

If they really were able to build facilities as these in such short notice, then why did they even fight against Eggman’s world domination? They could just stay hidden here, Eggman wouldn’t really notice a few hundreds missing from over eight billion people under his control. Especially among millions worth of casualties during his conquest.

While he was thinking, the wolf turned back to see if Infinite was keeping up the pace, occasionally tugging at the cuffs as a signal for the jackal to walk faster.

Infinite kept thinking. Sure, they wouldn’t be able to save everyone, but they’d be safe themselves, and they had managed to build a good living down here. Why were they so hellbent on fighting for a lost cause? Didn’t they know how stupid it was to fight forces far stronger than they could imagine? He knew how that felt from first hand.

He knew how it felt to lose everything you had, to lose yourself, because you decided to fight a senseless battle. There are things which cannot be fought for.

A cold darkness, consumed by a sudden golden sunset light that washed upon his whole body, signaled Infinite that they had left the medical wing of the headquarters. They were back at the mall-focused main hall of the whole structure. It was booming with mobians, many simply trying to live a nice moment after so much strife; while others carried equipment and boxes around to the different tunnels in each end of the main hall.

They all looked cheery and determined, the golden light being reflected in all of their eyes, that same light that Infinite loved to snuff out with fear… now it only made him feel uneasy. Uncomfortable. He turned his head down, focusing only on his step and the stepping of the wolf.

Why did it make him so uncomfortable? He didn’t know, or didn’t want to know. He had made too much introspection already, and he could feel it was starting to get to him. But it made him reminisce his squad. Why now? Of all times. He had never made the association before, but now it was impossible to ignore.

The light he loved to steal from others, during his time in the jackal squad, and especially during his time as Infinite… was the same light he saw in them, wasn’t it.

Infinite shook his head. He shouldn’t be thinking like this. It wasn’t the same.

They moved up an escalator, and a familiar green light shook Infinite from his train of thought, at least he wouldn’t have to unpack all of that immediately. This time, however, nothing happened to his body, he didn’t collapse into the ground.

This time, he was able to see the source of the light.

A massive green gemstone posed itself as centerpiece in the main hall, covered and hidden from direct view by plants and palm trees. Carefully placed cables made their way from around the greenery and connected to a base that kept the gemstone in place. That was from the glow came from. The sharp green light cut through the golden ambience and penetrated deep into Infinite’s eyes.

He had once heard of a legend, about a mystical place full of treasures like none found on this earth, a floating island full of mysteries, one of which was a powerful gemstone of infinite power, unlike any seen before, greater than the power of the chaos emeralds. A power able to crush down entire nations, and which supposedly once erased an entire mobian race off the face of the planet.

The ‘Master Emerald’.

A power so massive that it could let anyone turn the tide, shift the outcome of an entire war, no matter how dreadful the situation was, put infinity at the hands of anyone that’s willing to take in the power. No, it couldn’t be the so-called Master Emerald. If the resistance truly had such a massive power in their hands, they wouldn’t simply leave it to gather dust. Infinite looked down at the Phantom Ruby, still sitting on his chest, its colors dulled down and darkened, without even the slightest sparks of life.

Either that, or, perhaps the Master Emerald was also a lie.

As they walked across another set of escalators, Infinite began to ponder, bringing his hand towards his chest, absentmindedly rubbing his fingers across the surface of the ruby. Even now in its depowered state, he could feel his own fingers on it, as if it were his skin. And in a way, it was, the ruby had become a part of him, so deeply rooted into his body it might as well be just another organ.

He let the world vanish around him, moving instinctively behind the wolf. Letting his mind trail off as he focused on the sensation on the ruby. He started a conversation in his mind.

“Why did you lie to me? You promised me all my dreams right within finger’s reach, but now… now I lost Them. And now I have less than before. Now I’m nothing. How was I so naïve?” He paused, there was a silence in his mind.

“You promised me a world fit for me and my squad, a world where we would’ve been on top. I knew there’d be a price to pay for this power- but I paid the price, and you gave me nothing in return!” Nobody answered.

—I paid the price, I paid the price, and I keep paying it, but you— Suddenly, Infinite feels something tugging from his hair. Forcing him to stop in his track.

When the jackal turned around, he was met with the wolf’s obscured face, his glasses shining, making their expression harder to read, as they reflected the light around them. —We’re here— They said, opening a door right in front of them, guiding the jackal inside.

The room was dark, only vaguely illuminated by the exterior’s light. All that Infinite could see was a gray table, as well as a turned-off lamp, hanging from the ceiling; but everything else was still surrounded in darkness. Infinite took a few uncertain steps forward, only for the door to slam behind him, almost getting his tail stuck between the doorframe.

The wolf didn’t seem to have entered the room with him, and now he was alone in absolute pitch-black darkness. He tried to look around while his eyes started to become accustomed to the dark, though as he started to make out details, the lamp in the middle of the room turned on, blinding Infinite, and forcing him to shut both of his eyes.

He opened his eyes, and he was finally able to make out the room. It was a small square room, with gray walls, and blue carpeted floors. Under a hanging lamp, there was a table of a lighter shade of gray than the walls. Two potted plants rested at each corner facing the door, and a large mirror was placed on the wall facing directly at the doorway.

It was obviously a one-way window, and this was clearly an interrogation room… But Infinite’s thoughts focused currently only on his reflection. He stared directly at the jackal in the mirror, his messy white hair covering his face save for his snout, and a blackened-red crystal sprouted from his chest. His black fur looked matted and un-groomed, and his posture slumped forwards.

…He couldn’t believe that was him. His eyes couldn’t look away from his reflection, he knew there was someone else in the room with him, and he could hear their voice calling out for him, ordering him to do something, but his body couldn’t react. It hadn’t yet entirely downed upon him that he really was done-for. He hadn’t seen his own reflection in so long, at least not without the mask on.

Who was he? He wasn’t Infinite anymore, and couldn’t accept being Zero, he was no one.

No one at all. Nothing at all. And then something began to pull at his limbs, making him feel a vertigo-inducing sensation. The force lifted him upwards and sat the jackal down in a chair, and only then did Infinite notice the other people in the room with him.

Two hedgehogs sat across the table.

To Infinite’s Left was a female hedgehog, her fur was pink, and her quills were stylized into a bob-cut. She wore a sleeveless red dress, and her gloves were adorned with golden bracelets, they reminded Infinite of Shadow’s inhibitor rings, though clearly different. Her eyes were a deep emerald green, and they stared directly at Infinite’s own, her expression didn’t let much emotion be reflected on her.

His eyes turned to the right.

The other hedgehog had a gray fur, with some dark gray markings across it. His quills were pointed upwards and almost resembled a star of some kind. White fur covered his neck and chest, but didn’t wear anything besides gloves and some strange golden cuffs. A slit in the cuffs, as well as his eyes, glowed with a mysterious deep cyan color; He stared at Infinite with anger.

A gaze so determined to end him that it reminded him of the wolf. He had not asked them their name yet. He wondered if he’d see them again before his demise.

He recognized both of them, both from their reputation as heroes, as well as Eggman’s databases that once were at his grasp. Amy Rose, leader of the resistance, he remembered she had the unnatural ability to summon giant toy hammer, and carry exponential strength with each hit she delivered.

The other was Silver the hedgehog, psychokinetic time traveler, claiming to be from two hundred years on the future. A real nuisance against the forces of the empire, almost as much as Shadow or Sonic, but susceptible to the sensory-altering effects of the Phantom Ruby. His determination and will could only go so far.

—Silver, let him go. — Amy spoke, a little “But” came from Silver’s mouth, but Amy stopped him from going further. —I don’t think he can do anything in this state. If he could, he would’ve tried to do so already. — She was right.

He could feel the pressure of the force pressed against his body lessen. A soft gasp escaped his mouth once he felt it fade away.

—Now. — The pink hedgehog started. —We have some questions we want to ask you, Infinite. — He could feel her gaze move from his hair-covered face down to the crystal embedded into his chest. Infinite looked down, and considered, he knew what they were going to ask him about, but was he really about to filter such confidential information?

Yes. Of course he was.

He looked back on the trust he had placed on the doctor after being promised ultimate power, and a world for him and his squad to rule over, even if it were under the rule of Eggman, no one would ever stand in their way again, everyone would bow to them all. But all of that was a lie, everything was lies. Surrounded by so many lies that he didn’t notice when strings were attached to his body, turning him into a mere puppet.

He heard the words of ‘Amy’. —We need you to tell us what you know about the Phantom Ruby. — And heard Silver add —And you better tell us everything. And don’t even think about lying. — Infinite smirked under all his hair. No, he wouldn’t lie. That human destroyed his life, took everything from him, trampled all over his dreams and threw him out like trash.

—Everything… Very well. — His voice was groggy and quiet, very unlike the demeanor he showed as the leader of The Doctor’s conquest, which brought forwards some uncertainty into the minds of the two hedgehogs.

Infinite brings one of his hands to his chest, his claw tapping against the surface of the gemstone. Silver focused his eyes on him. —This, as you may already know… is the Phantom Ruby. — The gaze of the gray hedgehog alone could burn a hole right through the jackal, silently indicating Infinite to go to the point.

—Its function was not told to me outright… no. The doctor wished me to experience it first hand, to prove to him I was worthy, that I could endure the pain it took to wield its power. — An image flashes through Infinite’s mind, gone as quickly as it came; The burning pain of the ruby activating within his body for the first time.

His body had an immediate reaction to this phantom pain, something that deeply embarrassed him, but he supposes there’s no more shame that can be brought upon him in this state.

He took a deep breath. —Though through toil and trial I believe I have a firm grasp on how it’s supposed to work. — His eyes gazed through his hair and into the eyes of the hedgehogs in front of him, the gray one seemed indifferent to his words… but ‘Amy’… there was something in her eyes, was it… pity? It was hard to tell. Whatever it was, she hid it under a mask of her own.

Silver spoke. —Well? go on! we don’t have all eternity to- Amy interrupted him, placing her hand on his chest, signaling him to calm down and hold back. She looked at the jackal and added —Please, continue. — Something about that… ‘light’ in her eyes, it made the jackal uncomfortable, it was hidden behind a serious façade, what was she hiding.

Was he really so disgusting he couldn’t even afford to be pitied?

He cleared his throat. —Right. I believe the Phantom Ruby has the power to manifest your … how should I put it? ‘Dreams’ into reality. — Infinite crossed his arms, not in the same way some wanna-be-tough-guy would do it, but rather, in the same manner one embraces themself when cold.

—I don’t know how, but it felt like second nature, it was like moving your arm. You don’t consciously think on moving it, but… — Infinite paused. —When you realize, your body moved long before your thought of moving it formed. — The gray hedgehog raised his eyebrows; his face was now that of curiosity, even if he tried to still put up a grim, serious face.

—It simply knows what you desire and projects it. You can put your conscious mind into it, the same way you can actively move your limbs, or blink on your own. — Infinite rubs one of his hands against the arm its covering. —But the mental link it has with me is as strong, and runs as deeply, as the link between my brain and my spine. —

He ponders. — It makes several of the ‘illusions’ I created almost instantaneous… but it also made the ruby volatile to my emotions. — He’s done with his explanation.

Silver blinks a few times. —But that practically tells us nothing! — Silver slams his hands against the table and leans forward towards the jackal —I don’t care if it’s got some weird emotional bond with you! We need to know how to stop it! How to destroy it! —

The light in his cuffs glowed dimly. He paused with a snarl.

—If Eggman let you go off practically scot-free then he surely still has something up in his arsenal! Something that will doom the world permanently if I can’t fix it! — The jackal responded by snarling back at the hedgehog.

But Infinite knows he’s no longer in a place of protest, nor one in which he can allow himself such a demeanor. Immediately taking a deep breath before continuing, something he had used once to control The Phantom Ruby still served him to keep his emotions further in check. Though it probably wouldn’t be of much use for a dead jackal.

Having shut down his more volatile emotions, Infinite spoke. —I simply would give up then, if I were you, that is. — The jackal responded, not bothering to even check their reactions before continuing. —If you’re correct on your assumption that the doctor truly has something else, another card up his sleeve… well. I don’t see a point in fighting a lost war. — Infinite formed a smile on his muzzle.

A part of him couldn’t help but smile at the despair of others, it was simply fair. Yet, the rest of him forced himself to wipe that smile off his face, he had lost any rights to earn such joy. He had tarnished his honor as the leader of the jackal squad, he didn’t deserve to earn any form of bliss, especially not this one.

His very sense of justice and morality was at odds with itself. Why couldn’t he stop these contradictions…

—You don’t know that! — Amy protested. Infinite wasn’t allowed to dwell on these thoughts for more than one second. —But I do. — Infinite interrupted. —With the power of my Phantom Ruby I was able to bring the entirety of G.U.N. in less than three months. — And just like that, the jackal’s smile returned, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at those actions.

Infinite leaned forward on the table. —If the doctor has anything like me, or something even more powerful, in his arsenal, then your Resistance won’t stand a chance. — Infinite paused to see the concern in Amy’s eyes, and the burning rage in Silver’s. —None of us will stand a chance. — He leaned back again.

Silver was about to snap at the jackal, he could see it, but Amy’s hand moved to hold Silver down, pressing onto the hedgehog’s hands each time the jackal spoke as to remind him to keep things down. But this time she took a more active role in stopping the psychokinetic hedgehog from blasting Infinite through the walls.

—We won’t get anything out of him today, Silver. Let’s just call it a day and continue the preparations, there’s still too much work to do if we want to prepare for the future. — She spoke, with her usual kind voice, yet her intonation made it clear this was an order. Silver tried to protest, but Amy gave him a soft gaze.

A silent “just let it go” that made the gray hedgehog stand from his chair and walk towards the door.

—Now. — Amy turned to look directly at him. —we need to discuss your… ‘imprisonment’. — She said, the jackal couldn’t help but tilt his head at this. —You will be living here, in the resistance headquarters. Serving the community like the rest of us here, every weekend you will come here with me and Silver, both for an evaluation, and an interrogation. —

Something finally clicked on Infinite’s head, he really wasn’t going to be executed… that is, not for any time soon. He was going to be kept alive, even if by force, as long as he still had useful information in him. He was going to be forced to live with his shame and breathe through every painful second of it.

 —While we do have a prison installment, I want to try something else. If you wouldn’t mind. Since you’ll be serving your sentence by helping all of us here, I want you to see how it feels to live like one of us. —

Infinite was barely processing any of this, his mind was starting to doze off into a flux of thoughts, he didn’t want to keep living with this shame. He wanted everything to end once and for all, to finally give the world what it wanted and return his body to the earth, to fade into obscurity and wash away his guilt.

The jackal kept sinking into this stream of the mind, why wouldn’t they simply get rid of him like everyone else had done before? Why did they want him to suffer this shame for longer?

He could hear her amongst his thoughts, but he was barely paying attention to her voice. She spoke into her watch and requested someone to come into this room. The jackal was surprised to see the red-furred wolf once more, and yet the thoughts consumed him, he couldn’t stop them, it was like a firestorm in his brain.

Slowly it burned away at everything, details blurred out in the background, voices faded down into incoherences, colors muted down into a sludge of dreadful decay. He felt his heart beating faster with every thought wishing for his punishment, he could feel his lungs trying to breathe in more and more air every passing second, the feeling in his claws as he tried to dig into the chair he was sitting in.

And then a sudden stabbing pain surged into him, through the wound that held the ruby into his chest. And a red spark flowed into his eyes for a fraction of a second, before he felt something press against his shoulder.

—…Are you okay? —

In front of him was the pink hedgehog, staring at him through his hair, Infinite’s breaths steadied, and he managed to sputter out between his breathing. —Yes. N-no. Yes. Yes. I am all right. — Infinite took a final deep breath to calm down every last nerve across his body. He didn’t want to think about any of this anymore.

Surely, this could not get any worse, right?

—Well… As I was saying… — Amy took a pause —You’ll be living with us, specifically, with a rookie named Gadget. I’m sure you two will get along just fine… hopefully. — She added that “hopefully” with a strain in her voice, as if she didn’t believe her own positivity—Or rather, because she really didn’t.

There was a knock at the door before it opened, The Red Wolf was back. Amy smiled and signaled him to come inside. —Gadget, right? You’re just in time! I was just discussing about you with Infinite! — Amy’s positivity sounded a lot more genuine when speaking to the wolf… To Gadget. Infinite at least found enjoyment on knowing their name.

Gadget tilted their head and proceeded to use their hands to signal, just like they had done with Infinite before, though the pink hedgehog didn’t seem to lack the knowledge to understand them.

They furrowed their brows and signaled, they brushed the palm of their right hand with the dorsum of their left fist, directing the fist then to their stomach, and raising their right hand to their face, closing all fingers but the index, and moving it from left to right. All in a swift motion.

They pointed their index to her and him, and then crossed their index and ring fingers, doing circular motions in front of their mouth. Then they raised their arm and swung it back next to their head, with the palm extended. Following that motion with putting their right fist in front of them and hitting it with the palm of their right hand quickly.

Ending their signing with poking their chest a few times with their open palm.

Once they stopped signing. Amy responded. —Oh, did your superior not inform you yet? You have been assigned to take care of Infinite during his stay- But Gadget stomped the floor to call her attention to them, and started singing again, a bit tad faster than before, Infinite couldn’t catch much of the signs, as the wolf had moved to face away from him.

—All right, calm down a little, I know this is a lot to ask for, but we all got to do our part. —

Gadget raised their arms up to their torso… but lowered them back in defeat, it seems they didn’t want to argue against her. Or simply were too mad to even come up with any argument with the haze of anger in their mind.

—Glad to see you understand. Look, I know its difficult to ask this, out of you, but it would be difficult to ask anyone, we’ve all suffered because of this war, but with him by our side, we could turn things around! —

Amy had a determination in her eyes that seemed to be contagious for the wolf, whose tail swung gently from left to right. They sighed and turned back to look at Infinite. Furrowing their brows again. They squinted at him, trying to read through the jackal.

—Now… I’m quite behind on some reports I need to do, so, if you could please show Infinite your sleeping quarters, that would be great! —

Gadget nodded and signaled for Infinite to follow them. Infinite simply stood up and offered his cuffed hands for Gadget to pull from the chain. This caused the wolf to roll their eyes in frustration. But they didn’t protest over pulling Infinite around. As they left, Infinite was able to hear Amy whisper something. “Good luck.”

He wondered… who was that “good luck” for. Was it for Gadget or… him? No, certainly it was for the wolf.

Infinite walked right behind Gadget, going down different flights of stairs than the ones from earlier. Walking across a different section of the central ‘plaza’ area. The constant golden light felt different this time around, knowing he was going to see it more than just this once made the jackal uneasy.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever come around to getting used to these underground planters basking in golden light, with several different mobians living their lives, judging his own. At least once they dry him out of all information he has, it’s all going to be over. But to have to wait a whole week just for that… This must be a form of torment.

He’d at least be more willing to spend a week surrounded by all these unknown faces laughing behind his back if he had his face back. But in a fit of rage, he destroyed it, like the foolish jackal he is. He deserves everything that’s going to happen to him. Or at least that’s what he thinks, this is the only thing on his mind right now, to wallow on his own misery.

His stomach rumbled… already? They couldn’t have been in that office for more than ten minutes. And yet, his stomach craved for more food.

Just when he believed things couldn’t get worse, his ears perked upwards at a sudden source of noise. Some mobian running by to yell a definitely non-elaborate insult at the jackal. Just as soon as Infinite turned around to snarl through his hair, he felt a cup of cold and sticky soda clash against his head and pour all over his fur.

Infinite could barely even begin to process all this. The sounds of laughter fading away into the background, the feeling of cold damp fur all through his body, the vague scent of sugar. It was too much all of a sudden. He could only freeze in an attempt to give himself enough time to understand what just had happened.

His eyes darted to Gadget. The wolf was looking behind the jackal, and then turned his gaze down to him. If it wasn’t for his dripping hair, their eyes could’ve met. Infinite felt even more pathetic than before today, or any other day thus far. This just was too much. He wanted this punishment to end.

But it’s what he deserved.

Gadget pulled at the chains and forced the jackal to move. His walking pace was greater than before, and the occasional huff made Infinite immediately cue in that the wolf was not amused by the mess the jackal had became in such a short moment. A part of infinite hated the idea of having to become someone’s personal burden this way. He’d rather not have anyone clean up after him.

He tried not to think too much on the way to wherever Gadget was taking him. They walked down to the railways. Rode a car through the tunnels and emerged in another train station. Infinite’s fur became sticky as the sugar-scented liquid dried on it, it made him feel much worse.

When they left this station, they were in a much smaller underground building. The walls were all white, and the only lighting was misty and grayed out lamps hanging from above. It looked like a warehouse, with several tunnels connected to it.

Gadget took a few moments looking around. Making sure they were currently alone. And Pushed Infinite to move down one of the many tunnels, all lit up with similar artificial cold lights. The tunnels were full of doors, significatively spaced out one from each other. Both walls at their sides had these.

Infinite was able to count 3 doors before Gadget stopped him. The third door to their left, white like the walls, and marked with “3-05”. Gadget took a keychain out of their pockets, and ran through a series of about five keys before finding the correct one to open the door.

They took one final glance from one end to the hallway, rather than tunnel, and to the other, before pushing Infinite inside and forcing the door shut with a loud slam. No words were needed for infinite to understand not only that he wasn’t welcome, but that Gadget didn’t want to be seen with him.

—You. Wait. —

Gadget pointed down at the floor as he said that, as if it was an order given to a dog. And… Infinite couldn’t think on a reason not to comply. He just nodded a single time, and looked down at his own hands and paws, both his arms and legs still cuffed and chained together.

Gadget rushing him through the hallway made the chains pull painfully at his ankles. But he bit his tongue, he didn’t want to make the wolf more annoyed at his presence.

Gadget had left. So, Infinite decided to take a look at wherever they were now. This place was dark, illuminated by another nostalgic golden-orange sunset lighting. Infinite was in a small hall before a living room; The walls around him contained each a closet door. The wolf had left his boots next to one of them.

Right beside the door, there was a small table with a potted plant, and to Infinite’s left, there were many hooks for keys, or maybe even hats. But there was nothing hanging from them. From his current position Infinite didn’t have the best look of the living room.

But he was still able to make out some details.

The sunset light came from it, from lights stylized to look like a window at the opposite wall from the door. Blocking his view of most of it was a small couch, casting a shadow down onto a carpeted floor. There were two furniture pieces right to the edges of the walls of the hall, barely distinguishable, but maybe… bookshelves.

Infinite’s ears twitched, focusing on the sounds of running water from a nearby room. Cold water at first, then warmer water flowing down somewhere. After about five minutes of waiting, Gadget came back, standing against the golden light, their shadow was cast against Infinite. Never before had they stood so imposing before the jackal.

Even like this, their golden eyes shone through and burned through the cold pathetic mess that Infinite was. Once more, they spoke with a whisper. —Come. —

Infinite walked to them, and they guided Infinite across the living room and into a bathroom. There was a bathtub brimming with water, the room smelt like lavender a bit, and it was certainly much warmer than the living room. Infinite turned to look at Gadget.

—Wash yourself. I’ll unlock your chains. Try anything funny and you’re done for. —

Before Infinite could even protest, the wolf took their keychain out again, and unlocked the cuffs in Infinite’s arms, then his legs. It felt nice not having anything heavy attached to your limbs. Infinite was about to mutter something; a bunch of questions and statements flooded into his head.

But Gadget closed the door before the jackal could.

“I guess I’ve got no options here.” He thought. He walked towards the bathtub and sank one of his fingers into the water. It was just right. He turned around to make sure he was alone, a force of habit—and went into the tub, taking time and care to delicately wash the grime in his fur.

The warm water was soothing to his aching body, a body he had neglected all this time, it made him feel guilty; he was a prisoner, he didn’t deserve any of this, but he also didn’t want to deny himself of a good warm bath, it made all the fog in his mind dissipate, even if for just a while. It made everything feel right.

It didn’t matter who he was, or what he was, all that mattered was the nice smell of the soapy water and the warmth of this room, and that was all right.

About twenty minutes passed, the jackal was lost in the blissful waters, before the passage of time struck him out of his zone-out. He quickly stood out, and reached back down to drain the tub. Looking around he noticed a few white towels to dry his fur with.

He tried his best to rush drying himself, but being covered in fur made it hard to dry after a bath, though, he’d rather not know what having no fur felt like, he figured non-mammal mobians, and humans, had rough times whenever having fur was convenient, like being in cold places.

He’d be grateful if it didn’t take him this long to dry though.

At last, he was ready to come out, he hadn’t noticed how much his vibrant black fur had lost its spark until now. When he opened the door, he was met with a single chair facing the bathroom door. It had a black shirt hanging from it, and on the seat, there were two black fingerless gloves, and two pink and white socks. As well as a note.

“The door is locked, so don’t bother trying to escape. These are the only things I had spare to have you wear. Your room is left to the living room, from the entrance. Amy said you should rest for today, while they look for what jobs you’ll be working in tomorrow. I’ll be back by 2 PM”

—Ah. — Infinite decided to put on the gloves, and the shirt. It was oversized and had “CHAO IN SPACE 2: BATTLE!” printed in red and blue text with a running-neutral and running-dark chao posing in the middle. Infinite hesitated but gave into putting on the socks. They were comfortable, surprisingly.

Infinite made his way through an empty living room, which lights now simulated a moonlit night and entered his room. It was dark, but Infinite was able to make out two large beds, as well as a drawer, an empty bookshelf, and a table stand with a night lamp, and a digital clock.

The room smelt nice, there were a few of those cheese sandwiches from way earlier today, laying on a tray on top of one of the beds. Infinite closed the door behind him and didn’t hesitate before taking one and eating it. It could be poisoned for all he cared; he needed to eat.

And there he was, in bed, eating from a tray of sandwiches. He turned to look at the clock, it was only 11:05 AM. He decided he’ll take a nap after he was done eating, tomorrow would be another day, and he’d rather be ready for the humiliating endeavors he’d be forced to act out.

Maybe he’d look around for a replacement for his mask around here. He was not going out again with this face. But for now, he didn’t want to disturb these moments of quietness. For the first time in a long-long time, he felt like he was able to let his guard down, and knowing he was alone, he did.

Taking a deep breath, and letting his body relax on its own.