- Gadget -
I sighed softly as I twirled around a pencil that was left at the table. I was currently sitting down at the table to talk with the others about battle plans. However, I had no interest in such things, at least, not anymore. I keep asking myself what's wrong? Why don't I feel motivated to continue doing this cause? It's a good cause! We all vowed to defeat Dr.Eggman, Infinite, and their clone armies. Yet, something keeps pulling me back these days. Most likely cause I haven't found him yet. I haven't found my childhood best friend, Ira, yet. Where is he?

Is Ira safe? Is he alive or dead? Alive or dead?! Jeez, I hope he's alive! He can't be dead...he just can't be dead. I picked up the pencil as I put my hand against my face. I begin to make the pencil lightly tap against the table as the others continued to talk. Though I didn't care about whatever they were talking about, it just no longer mattered to me. I want Ira to be out there, he needs to be. I want him to be alive. He's disappeared once in my life, I don't want to learn that he's permanently disappeared from my life.

"So, what do you think, Gadget?" A person asked, though their voice was muffled so I couldn't tell who it was. I continued to ignore them as I looked at the pencil tapping against the table. Yet, someone immediately shook me out of my trance and I flinched in surprise at their action. "What? I'm here!" I exclaimed, loudly as I let go of the pencil. The room was dead silent for a moment, the only noise that was made was the pencil finally hitting the ground. Everyone gave me looks of concern, worry, and a little fear which was most likely due to my outburst.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What's going on right now?" I asked after I cleared my throat. "Uh, Rookie, you okay? You seemed jumpy there..." Knuckles questioned as his face turned more concerned by the second. "I'm okay, I promise. I was just lost in my thoughts, that's all. Now, what was the question again?" I explained, smiling nervously afterward. Sonic smiled softly and rolled his eyes at me once he heard that. "I just wanted to ask if you think this battle plan would work against defeating Infinite's clone army," Thomas explained as he passed the map toward me.

I sighed softly before grabbing the map and picking the pencil on the ground to see if any changes were needed. I looked through each detail of the map while occasionally asking Sonic about specific parts of the plan. "So? How did we do it? We spent so much time on the plan, proofreading and editing involved!" Sonic exclaimed as he looked at me intensely. "I noted..." I mumbled as I began to write my first sentence on the battle plan. I finally was done editing it and I handed the plan toward Sonic once again.

I heard Sonic dismiss the meeting and I sigh once again as I play with the pencil in my hand. I heard the Resistance members get up from their seats and leave the room. I sat up and I wave goodbye at them until I was the only one left in the room. "Oh, Ira...look what you did to me..." I mumbled, throwing the pencil on the other side of the room. Luckily everyone left and no one would hear my cries or the racket I was making.

I slide back down in my chair as I look up at the ceiling. I felt water prick my eyes, I just let the tears flow down my face and onto the ground. "Ira, look what you're making me feel..." I mumbled as I continued to stare upward. "You make me feel so weak and pathetic..." I reply to myself as I take off my glasses. I bite my bottom lip as I put my arm over my eyes in an attempt to stop the tears from flowing. Yet, it wasn't working, no surprise there, I guess.

I hear the door click open and my eyes widen as I sit back up. "Rookie?" Sonic questioned and I gasp softly. God, the hero I look up to is here, I must look like a mess to him. "Oh, hey, Sonic! I didn't hear you..." I respond, quickly rubbing away my tears with my hands. Yet, it only made me feel and possibly made me look worse as I felt my eyes burn slightly. "Rookie, what happened?" Sonic asked as he walked toward me. "Everything is okay! What makes you think that it isn't?" I reply, quickly. Okay, that was the dumbest thing I ever said.

He clearly saw me rubbing away my own tears away. "Rookie, tell me what's wrong, I promise to listen to you," Sonic spoke as he slightly brushed away any leftover tears on my face. I blush slightly but, nod anyway as I take a deep breath. "I was just remembering my childhood best friend, Ira. We hung out a lot growing up then, he ran away from his parents. I haven't heard from him since. And ever since this war started, I'm so scared that he got hurt...or worse...he died." I explain as new tears flowed down my face.

"I don't wanna lose him, Sonic! He's my best friend! He's like Tails, my best-est friend I ever had!" I yelled out. I quickly hug Sonic for some sort of comfort and Sonic immediately hugged me back. "I know how that must feel. Tails told me how scared he was when I was captured and tortured for six months. Yet, he never gave up trying to look for me. I never got the chance to return that favor, but now, I will. Rookie, listen, I promise to help you find your best friend, Ira." Sonic explained as he continued to hug me.

"Thank you, Sonic..." I mumbled back, smiling for once.

[Yes, it is indeed a three-part mini-series, enjoy Aleboy101 and everyone else]