She wasn't stupid, of course she'd wondered about the boys unbelievable abilities. But the idea of putting him through years worth of training at his small age of five was out of the question. Yes, if she agreed, she and the young princess would be given a nearby place of stay- but it wasn't worth giving the boy up.

Thus, in the sternly awaiting Commander's office, Vanilla said no. She refused and he bargained. She denied and he compromised. She argued and he stood. Fear squeezed her lungs but she had two little children sleeping on her lap and one resting in her belly. She stayed polite, but was stern. He apologised but continued pressing the matter. Vanilla thanked him for saving them and took her leave. He asked what she'd do and she replied-

"I'll keep moving forward."

———

She wasn't lonely, of course because she had two wonderful little children at her side. But she wasn't immune to wondering about her wonderful Chocola and friends, Bernie and Jules, and her leaders, Maximilian and Alicia. Yes, she agonisingly missed them, but it wasn't worth crumbling in front of the children.

Thus, when the young princess had caught her crying in the cave throughout a stormy night, she wiped her tears away and brought the small chipmunk into a hug. Sally asked questions, Vanilla hopped around them. Sally offered what little comfort she could and Vanilla squeezed her tighter. Sally asked if she'd hurt how she did forever and Vanilla refused, saying memories aren't limited within the bounds of time.

Then the little boy stirred awake, looking like he hadn't slept at all, and slowly joined the two. He hadn't said a word since their evacuation and barely looked either if them in the eye. He wore a utterly tattered brown puffer vest and Vanilla offered to fix it. He examined his clothing, tears glossing over his eyes, and he obliged. He gave the vest over, hesitating to let go but did so with Sally taking his hand, and asked Vanilla why she'd been crying. Vanilla avoided the question and teased the boy, saying she thought he'd been sleeping. He didn't reply and kept watching with those wide, glassy green eyes.

She sighed and leaned forward, "It doesn't matter dear, we'll just keep moving forward."

———

Vanilla wasn't surprised. At least, she supposed she shouldn't be. It was bound to happen that the two children, who were born natural leaders, would want to stop hiding and fight. It was bound to happen that, in their safe little Knothole, the two would want to venture outwards. It was bound to happen. It was natural. It was obvious.

But Vanilla still felt scared and indescribably worried. They were nine and she had a tiny four year old girl. Of course, it was known mobians mentally grew a lot faster than humans. But she didn't care, they were babies. Her children. And, of course, they refused for her to join them. It was too dangerous. Too risky. She had a child to raise.

Well, they were wrong. Vanilla had children to raise. But Sally pushed against her, as usual, and reminded her they'd call weekly to let her know they were safe. They'd stay in Knothole so she knew where they'd be if needed. They wouldn't face Robotnik himself until older and prepared, but they'd traverse to his various camps and bring his empire down (if hardly) from there.

Then, of course, Olgilvie- no, Sonic joined in. He'd always been a quiet individual, only offering his voice when he deemed necessary. But he'd grown almost entirely mute. If it weren't for Sally there wasn't a doubt in Vanilla's mind that he wouldn't talk at all. She kept him alive, focused and occupied. In turn, Sonic kept Sally level headed. He made sure she slept, ate and laughed. It was undeniable that they needed each other, thus what better pair to trust to venture out on their own?

So, Vanilla hardly had any choice to agree (but with Sally's rules). Sonic joined her later that evening, after helping Sally fall asleep. He asked her where she'd like to go, and she said her home village in the Southern Baronies. He responded that they'd leave in the morning, and how her Cream was sleeping with Sally too. She thanked him but, of course, he dismissed it. She asked him what they were going to do and he faced her with new vigour in his eyes.

"We'll keep moving forward."

—————

Vanilla watched his bouncing leg. Vanilla watched his frazzled quills. Vanilla watched the hanging bags clinging to his eyes. Vanilla didn't watch him hand his shortbread to Tails, but observed Cream bring in a small blue creature. Amy was quick to introduce herself, and Knuckles followed (the small bunny responded in calling the blue creature "Cheese"). Cream caught her mothers eye and they watched each other for a moment prior to the bunny leading the three outside.

Sonic wasn't blind. He noticed her examination of him. How he bit his lip, how he observed his tea, how he glanced at pictures on the wall and how he picked at the worn down puffer vest. He shifted in his cushiony seat, nose twitching as a new wave of freshly baked goods from the kitchen flooded into the living room once more. She sighed and he gulped.

"How have you been dear, really?"

"Fine."

Another sigh. "You look tired."

"Just been busy."

"Explains the lack of calls from you, then."

Her voice wasn't cold or cruel or even harsh. No, the issue was how calm it sounded. Sonic met her gaze where an eye ridge of hers was arched and he squeezed the tea cups handle. Then, she smiled.

"I was worried, was all. You've said hello in passing and Sally's given me small updates. But then you vanished two years ago and I was greeted by all of her new friends. They're lovely, of course, but I didn't see you. Didn't hear from you. Neither did she." Her expression became stern. "She tells me every week how she should've went with you. But my question is, why didn't you stay with her?"

Sonic squirmed. "I needed to get out."

"Out?"

The lights in the room seemed brighter and their insufferable whirring overwhelmed his ears. "I had to leave."

"And she couldn't come with?"

"It was-...." His bones felt like they were squeezing his heart and lungs.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, head lowering. "I dunno what I was thinkin'."

"Well, that's what Sally's there to do."

He chuckled. "Yeah. I'm sorry for not talking to you more. It was just...hard."

"To get the words out?"

"To get any out." He said it before thinking and internally cringed upon Vanilla's face twisting into a mix of concern and sympathy.

"H-how's Cream?"

"She's-...she's alright. She's growing up into a very kind, caring young lady."

"Well yeah, look who raised her."

Vanilla laughed and watched the boy with a calmer motive. Immediately she could see how much he looked like his father, despite the more disgruntled appearance. His brown puffer vest and blue spines dangling over his forehead definitely aided in the similar appearance. But his smile, his grin, were his mothers. Even the small one he cracked then mirrored Bernadette almost perfectly. His eyes? They were his own. They carried oceans of hope, skies of inspiration and armies of determination. It was only a matter of time until all of Mobius began learning that as well.

Which reminded her, "You've become quite the celebrity."

Sonic both laughed and sweat dropped at the remark, waving dismissively. "I've become a bit messy, you mean."

"Perhaps it's good the world learns who's taking the fight to Robotnik."

"But if he knows, he could come after you. Or Sally."

Vanilla always noticed the way his face changed just by uttering the princess's name. How his fur seemed lighter, how the blacks of his eyes grew and the softening of his quills and shoulders.

"Then perhaps you'd better let us come with you."

He was tense again. "But the dangers gonna be with me."

"Then you can control it. If we're not with you- well, you can't be in two places at once."

Sonic turned to the side and mumbled, "I'm fast enough to be."

Vanilla stood and crouched in front of the boy. "I mean, you don't need to be. Stretch yourself so thin and you'll find you can't help anyone, not even yourself."

A pause. "What about this place?"

"This isn't my home. It's with my family."

Sonic's ears flickered and he squirmed, his sight blurring over the wobbling cup in his hands. Vanilla felt oh so very far and he felt oh so very odd. His fingers tingled but were soft in a way that didn't make sense. His leg bounced, he could hear it, but he hardly felt the function.

'She lies.'

It was gone as fast as it whispered. The lights whirred once more. His leg stalled, his fingers squeezed the cup and made it tremble against it's dainty saucer. His focus was sharp and his eyes darted around the room. He felt heavy and Vanilla set his cup down before holding his hands within her own.

"Dear?"

Didn't she hear it? Didn't she feel it? The suffocating coldness. The loneliness that begun to swallow him whole. The stillness. The silence. The inability to speak-

He gulped. Letters zoomed by, but he wasn't quick enough to grasp any. Words fumbled around and dropped like rain, but he had no bucket to catch them with. But Sally always was prepared. She had a cup. She always had what he needed.

"I'm fine." And he smiled, but found his energy for communication only filling about half of the glass.

"You know, if we were with you we could help."

"I don't need it."

Vanilla sighed. Jules and Bernadette were both very stubborn individuals. Of course their son acquired about a planets amount of it. But she knew better than to argue.

"Fine. May I admit something?"

"Sure." She perched back on her opposing seat.

"The truth is, I've missed Sally. I've missed you. And to know you're alive...." She watched her teacup, sighing. "Well I suppose I wanted to stay with you to ensure it'd stay that way." She glanced up discreetly to see the boys' eyes widen.

Although she wasn't entirely proud of her methods, she found ease in knowing she was speaking from the truth. In any other scenario, she wouldn't admit such a selfish thing as that. She wouldn't want to hinder his adventures. She still didn't intend to, but seeing his condition urged her to watch from a much more closer distance.

"Ya know, I was already considerin' returning to Sally. This adventure isn't half as fun without her. I bet she'd love to see you and Cream again."

Vanilla lifted her head to see his warm smile he saved for his kinder moments. His sincerity always poured through his voice and the way his quills weren't as weaponised. His leg bouncing had seized and the tea cup sat as still as it could on it's saucer.

"If it wouldn't be too much to ask."

"Can I admit somethin'?"

"Always my dear."

"I'd like you to come back too."

For a moment it was silent, peacefully and happily so. But Sonic's mind seemed to remind him of something and he jolted into his next question.

"What about here? You guys clearly were attacked."

Vanilla's expression became something unfamiliar. She was uncomfortable, tense and nervous. She didn't meet his eyes and slowly, almost cautiously, set her teacup on the coffee table.

"It wasn't him." She practically whispered.

"Then who?"

Her gaze lifted to him, but he almost wished it hadn't. Brown eyes were glassy and dark and would've lacked any sparkle if it weren't for the still tears.

"His nephew." She rasped.

Sonic's heart stopped. If he didn't have the reflexes he did, then his teacup would've crashed to the floor. Instead, he clumsily placed it on the table as his quills raised. His ears were flooded by his beating heart and a storm raged deep in his belly.

"What?"

"It was Snively."

"Then, I'm thankful, but how are you all here still?"

"He wasn't looking for us." Vanilla straightened and observed him almost sadly. Most definitely she watched in worry and oh- oh no.

Snively was after him. Presumably, so was Robotnik too. They knew who he affiliated with. How on Mobius could he let them come with him now? How could he let his new found friends, his brother, stay at his side?

"Did he say what he wanted?" Despite his efforts, he could only croak.

"He said you knew something, or at the very least had something of theirs. Sonic, what did you take?"

"I didn't-." And then he found the Tails Electric peaking out of the brown backpack sitting beside his leg.

His eyes narrowed as he brought the device out. That list. Was it the list? If so, what was on it that was so important Snively was after him? Or, perhaps, what wasn't on it that Snively thought he found? He had listened to those names more times than he knew was considered healthy, but didn't find anything that leaped out to him. Of course, there was Amy's father, but he knew Robotnik wouldn't view that any differently than the rest.

Sonic's eyes met Vanilla's. "I need to tell you something."

He proceeded to turn the Tails Electric on and brought up the list, letting it call out the names in a feminine tone. Occasionally, some would be skipped and the device would freeze or the names wouldn't be read in the correct order. As it spoke, Sonic turned the device to face a confused Vanilla.

"Me, Tails and Knucks were at his base and-."

"You were what?"

He gulped. "Er, it wasn't exactly...planned. Long story but he ambushed us and we ended up there. We found this list there too."

Vanilla watched his fidgety behaviour as he explained. "What else happened there?"

"Um. Well...er...Robotnik's been um...developing his Roboticiser." He watched his reflection on the device, but for a moment he swore his eyes were red and fur was shiny.

"What did he do to you?" Her tone was smooth, but chilling.

Tears threatened his exposure and he inhaled. "Are you sure it was me Snively was after?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just...did he clarify? Or did he say Metal Sonic or-?"

"Metal Sonic?"

The boy took a deep breath, leg beginning to bounce once more. "I was Roboticised, Vanilla. Kinda. At least, Tails guesses, my DNA was copied and imprinted on a pile of scrap to create a robot version of myself. And he's angry, i-it's all he can 'feel' I guess. He's after me too, so maybe Snively wants him?"

There wasn't a response, and Sonic dreaded meeting the mothers eyes. But he did, and swallowed upon seeing Vanilla had covered her mouth with her hands as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

"I'm sorry-."

"You have nothing to be sorry for my dear." And she stood and brought the boy tightly into her arms.

He stiffened, but not from discomfort. He was worried he'd said too much but couldn't help but rest against her, allowing his shoulders to lower. She squeezed, the baked goods wafted in again, his friends could be heard outside and his eyes closed (partly to keep the tears at bay).

"I'm sorry you went through that."

"It's okay, I wasn't alone."

"And are you alright with it now?"

"Better. We haven't seen him in a while."

She squeezed again and he shook his head just enough for his quills to miss her. Thus, he separated himself from the mother and handed over the Tails Electric. He fiddled with the silver and green bracelet around his wrist as she went to sit down, eyes trained on the screen before her.

"I'm assuming you three got this from his base?"

"Yeah. Easier than expected. There was only a password to get to it."

"Which was?"

Sonic shrugged. "Knuckles found this old picture of Robotnik and a girl. On the back it said she was Maria. Her name was the password."

"Any idea where the picture was taken from?"

"Dunno. It was pretty basic for a background, but it looked like...black glass? Maybe a window, could've been night time."

Vanilla hummed. It didn't appear as though the boy knew much else about the unfamiliar girl, thus Snively couldn't have been after information of that nature. But this list, there must be something on it that he sought after.

"Why are you showing this to me, dear?"

"I've listened to that darn thing more times than I can count." Sonic pinched his nose. "All it's done is made Amy upset and drive me up the wall. It doesn't-."

"Did it have his name?"

Chaos.

"Yeah. But it doesn't have his...erm...current 'role' on there."

"I suppose it wouldn't, would it?" Vanilla's eyes were glossy.

"I uh.... I-it skips his name too. Every time."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, it has the same glitches every time I listen."

"And how many is that?"

Sonic cringed. "Honestly is more than I can count."

"Are...are you parents on it? Siblings? Your uncle? Sally's-?"

"No."

Vanilla shifted, watching his fingers curl into fists. They rested on his knees and his foot drummed against the floor. "So-?"

"That's why I'm showing it to you. It...it doesn't make any sense."

"Does Tails know?"

"Huh?"

"I'm assuming this invention, with the name, belongs to him? For his age, I'm also guessing around Cream's, that's quite an incredible task. So again, does he know?"

Sonic squirmed.

"Are Amy and Knuckles aware why you've been listening to this so much?"

His heart pounded and he felt indescribably ill.

"Sonic, do they know what happened in Mobo-?"

"Don't." His voice was low and cold and harsh and the faintest of black mists whirled around his ankles.

Vanilla's eye ridges lifted, noticing the dark cloud. "Dear, perhaps they should."

"They know what they need to know."

"Then Sally should know about this. She's much better with technology than I am, although I do think you're right."

Sonic's form soothed and he met her gaze, the coal toned haze vanishing. "You do?"

"Same glitches every time you listen. Names skipped. Your's and Sally's families not being there. It's odd at the very least, and at the most it's been tampered with."

"I...I guess if I am right it'd be best for her to know."

"Yes. If Robotnik can tamper with his technology at unlimited distances away, then who knows what other technologies he can reach."

And then Sonic sallowed, almost gagging as he felt incredibly sick.

"Dear?"

About two years ago, a friend of his vanished in mid air, their systems briefly crashing with them. His view spun.

About two years ago, that same friend spoke of an alienated source hacking into their systems. Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Cream and Cheese entered the house.

About two years ago, N-I-C-O-L-E disappeared after Robotnik himself breached their computer systems.