a/n: Again.

"With as much of a slow grind and vicious burn as life can be, modern life, at least...it's always reassuring to know that hope springs eternal."

"But faith is hard."

"The most rewarding things are never easily obtained."

01. Traction

Downtown Station Square.

The office, purchased two years prior. Large, with windows overlooking the city. On the wooden front door was a sign.

"Chaotix Detective Agency, Vector speaking."

The crocodile had upgraded his gold chain to platinum, and obtained a pair of wireless headphones. He felt confident, chic. Some flash was always nice.

"Hello, Vector."

"Oh, Miss Vanilla! How ya doin'? Any trouble?"

"Nothing of the sort, I simply wanted to check up on you boys."

"Aw, shucks. That's real nice of ya. Esp is out getting us some grub, and Charmy's on assignment. Nothing major, he's still just a kid after all. How's the lil' miss?"

"Cream is doing fine. She's actually been volunteering at the flower shop a lot more."

"That's a responsible gal you got there, Vanilla. Ya did good raising her."

"Thank you, Vector. I'll let you go for now, it was lovely hearing your voice."

The croc grinned. "That's my line, ya know? Always brightens up my day hearing from ya, Vanilla. Take care, and don't hesitate to call any time there's trouble! I mean it!"

"Bless you, Vector. Please take...honey, I'm on the phone...what do you...you're serious..."

"Vanilla...?"

"Vector. Please...you have to turn on the news, if you can do so. AirSquare 13."

"They got a scoop?"

"It's..."

Vector turned on the television and flipped to the noted channel. The remote dropped out of his hands a moment later.

"You gotta be pullin' my leg..."

The door opened behind him, Espio bringing in two large paper bags. He set them on the crocodile's desk and looked at the television screen.

"Is this a hoax?" he asked.

"I have to make a call," Vanilla said from the other end of the phone.

"Same here. We'll chat later."

"Of course."

Vector hung up, only to have his phone ring a moment later. He picked it up.

"Chaotix Detective-"

"Hon, you got the TV on?"

"Step ahead of ya, Rouge. Espio's just waltzed in, too. The man friend watching?"

"On the couch beside me," she replied. "Ho-ly shit. She actually got it done."

"Ya mean the big boss?"

"She had the President by the balls. You should have seen her."

"I'd pay just to watch."

"...things won't go back to what they were," she said. "And maybe justice won't be done in the end, as much as we've tried. But this...this is something."

"Yeah."

"Gonna make a few calls. I'm sure news is spreading."

"Yeah, I figure. See ya later, Rouge."

"Yeah, later." She hung up and Vector set down the reciever. "Sheesh. Only took five years."

"He will not return the same way he went in," Espio noted. "Though even that is not a particularly hard observation to make."

"Yeah." Vector settled into his leather chair. "They're having another event. Same spot they had the massacre five years ago."

"Poetic. And sick."

"Can't blame ya for being bitter, Esp." Vector rooted around in one of the paper bags. "I'm gonna chow down."

"You'll have to eat alone for now, friend. I want to make a stop."

"Go for it. See you in a few."

Espio nodded and disappeared from the office.

"...I always forget to ask how he does that."

0y 0d 0h 35m

He heard the door to his cell open. It had to be a sliding door now because there wasn't enough room for a swinging one. The cell was narrow, definitely against any sort of regulations. Water pressure sucked. There was barely any light from outside, or from the small bulb on the ceiling.

He had been cooped up in this particular box for seven months.

Today, he gave his visitors a smug smile. Two men in full riot gear squeezed through the door, aiming their weapons at him as the guest of honour stepped forward.

"Warden! Fancy meeting you here. Ya know, that door's not too great in a firefight. I could have killed all of you before you squeezed in here! That's why you gotta follow regulations!"

"I want you out of my goddamn prison, hedgehog," the rotund man sneered. He reminded Sonic of a more cowardly, greasier Eggman. Several years in confinement had given him a sort of appreciation for the doctor's mad visions and tenacity. Politicians and government officials were so much worse.

"Ya can't just dump me into the free world. I gotta have a review, then ya decide whether or not to keep me another fifteen years."

"The President has given you a full pardon. You leave today."

Sonic raised a brow. "The new Prez? He's only been in there a year, yeah? Martellus Kane. Like the cut of his jib. Got me a pardon?"

"Congress agreed upon it unanimously."

"Huh. Congress agreein' on somethin'. It's a miracle! Alright, so I'm a free hog...sounds weird to say."

"On your feet. Get out of here."

"Yessir. This is one room I won't miss." He yawned and rose to his feet. "Bed's a lot better than the other ones, though. Thanks, Warden. You're a stand-up guy. Just barely. Hahaha!"

Sonic whistled as he was escorted from the cell and through the prison.

"Ey, Sonic! Warden's got it out for ya!"

"No need to worry, fellas! I'm blowing the joint in a hot second!" he replied.

"Shit, they weren't lying!"

"Got a pardon from the President! God damn!"

"Told you not to trust the pigs! Those fuckers plant evidence all the time!"

"Don't say nothin' to me. I seen the video, he did the right thing."

"Wonder how that girl's doing. The one that almost got snatched?"

"She's going to a private school now, I think."

"Nice. Hated how they grilled her on the stand..."

"I know, right? I couldn't see anything else but my little girl up there."

Sonic smiled. He had ended up studying and exercising with a lot of the guys at the White Base, when he was allowed out of his cell, anyways. Prison wasn't at all what he thought it would be. In some ways, it was typical. But for the first time in a while, he felt like he was spending time with genuine human beings. Some were vulgar, or sick, or violent...but that wasn't all there was to them.

But he had the feeling that he wouldn't be able to explain it properly to the world. Maybe...it was something that normal people couldn't understand.

"Hopefully I'll see some of ya when ya get out. Take care in the meantime," he said as he passed the last row of cells.

"Ay, you bet! Sonic! Can I get an autograph?" a man with a thick beard asked.

Sonic looked at the warden, who grumbled before pulling out a marker. The hedgehog took it and signed the tag on the teddy bear nearby. "For your daughter?"

"Yeah. My old lady's pregnant. IVF, worked like a charm."

"Solid. When ya leaving?"

"Three days."

"You know the guy who hangs in the library? Near the choral books."

"Guy who sits with the Father at lunch?"

"There's that guy, then that other guy."

"Oh, yeah yeah. I know him."

"Tell him I sent you tomorrow morning. He'll hook you up until you get out."

"Thanks, man."

"Ey, just looking out. Take care, brother." Sonic handed the warden his marker back and whistled as he was escorted further. They brought him to a secure room and undid the cuffs around his wrists and ankles.

"Mind if I keep the suit? Feels snug."

The warden stared at him for a moment before nodding.

"Thanks, amigo. See ya never!"

The guards walked him towards the front gate, as he had no more papers to process or effects to collect. As they stepped outside of the White Base, Sonic was aware of GUN agents gathered ahead. He was effectively handed off to them, seeing that there was an armoured limousine in the distance. Shrugging, he decided to roll with it and not cause any trouble.

Life hadn't been too harsh on the hedgehog's physical appearance. His quills were slightly longer, and his fur while a bit rougher looking than before was still neat enough. That trademark smile featured sharper teeth than before. Otherwise, he hadn't changed much at all. Maybe grown half an inch...

There was still a bounce and shine to his sneakers, which he had taken good care of during his stay. The gold buckles needed a bit of polish but were fine otherwise. The sunlight felt good and filled him with energy.

He saw the back door of the limo open and slid inside, facing a woman with fluffy blonde hair and green eyes. She was dressed in formal military attire, her badges on full display and sparkling in the low light of the vehicle. Her face was not stern, but not so soft either.

"Congratulations on your release, Sonic the Hedgehog." Her voice was gentle, but clear. "On behalf of the Guardian Units of Nations, I would like to apologize for the trouble you have been caused."

Her head was tilted downwards as she spoke. Sonic leaned back and put his feet up on the table in front of him as the limo started to move.

0y 0d 0h 0m -19s

"Ain't much to apologize for. What's done is done, ma'am."

"I see. I simply wanted to...convey that message."

"Suits told you to?"

"It was of my own volition."

Sonic scanned the bars and badges on her chest. There were...familiarities. "They didn't send Honest Abe out here to greet me? I would think he'd be the first to shake my hand."

"He retired five years ago. Shortly after they announced your sentence."

"That so?" He looked at her. "I know what's eating at me."

"I feel that I do as well. Forgive my late introduction," she said with a hand over her heart. "My name is Wilhelmina Lewis, Supreme Commander of the Guardian Units of Nations."

"Heh, figures. So you're the boss lady. Makes sense. Nice to meet ya, then." He extended a hand towards her. She blinked, not expecting the gesture, but quickly took his hand in return. It was warm, like she imagined it to be.

"Likewise. I am honoured to finally meet you in the flesh, Sonic."

"Fan?"

"Admirer," she said with a soft smile. "I have been for a long while. You are a warrior without peer, and a gentle soul. To be truthful, I modeled myself after you."

"Wow, that's cool. Glad you thought of me that way. So you didn't think..."

"I did not think you were wrong. A sort of penalty would have been fine, but...all of this. It was too far for anyone, especially you."

"I got a bit of a grudge against GUN now."

"I expected nothing less."

"Buuut...I can get along with you just fine, 'Mina," he said with a wink.

"Ah." She found herself blushing. "You really are charming."

"Heh, ain't I?"

Wilhelmina coughed and composed herself. "We will have you stay at GUN HQ in Station Square for the time being. The facilities I imagine will be far better than what you experienced at White Base."

"Hard to top what they had going on there. Leaky faucets, food nuked to nothing, cubes for rooms...man, it was wild. They tried everything to make me simmer down." He flashed a malicious grin. "Too bad. I was piping hot from start to finish."

"I read the reports."

"Did ya? Guessing you don't approve."

She looked out the window. "Some people need to know their place."

Sonic smiled, his sharp teeth shining in the light. "That so? I think we're gonna get along great, 'Mina."

"Hm." She allowed herself a smile of her own. "Likewise, Hero of Earth."

"I saw the news earlier."

A young woman tended to flowers, outside of a certain shop. It blended flower orders and a selection of sweet treats, becoming one of Station Square's most attractive places to visit. The small shop known as the Secret Garden was run by Amy Rose and Vanilla Rabbit, and had been doing business for the past four years. Cream helped out after school, tending to the roses and fixing sweet treats with Cheese's help.

"Amy! I took another order!" she called from the entrance. Her soft features hadn't change, but she was taller than before, almost matching the height of her big sister.

"That's good, Cream. Did you write it down?"

"All of the details. It's Mrs. Webster again."

"Ah, okay. I'll take care of it. Thank you."

The rabbit girl winked and adjusted her apron before going back inside. Amy gave her attention to Vanilla again.

"Are you alright?" the older woman asked.

"I don't quite know how to feel at this point. He's coming home, I'm sure...but I don't know how long he will stay. Or how I'll react. I know that I still love him and yearn for him. I always will."

"You said that...what he did five years ago saved your life?"

"Yes. I would have wasted away to nothing waiting for him." Amy emptied her watering can and walked back inside. "He knew. Even as much as it would hurt, I would live. That was his final gift to me, as violent as it was."

"Amy..."

"You wonder if I sound too sage in these times. Maybe. But...this is life as it is now, Vanilla. I'm grateful for it. Even the pain."

Vanilla smiled. "You really are amazing, Amy."

"Am I? I might just be brilliantly ordinary." She looked through the store front and felt the warmth of the sun.

The girl from yesteryear had changed, with only faint dark lines beneath her green eyes. They would never be as bright as they used to be, but light had crept back in over the last year or so. Her body had matured along with her, and she shelved that favourite bright red dress in favour of working clothes while tending to her flowers. The layered quills from her youth had become longer and rougher as she let them grow, cascading down her back in a wave as she styled them to her liking.

"What will you do?"

Vanilla's question snapped her out of her reverie. "About what?"

"There's going to be a ceremony. I believe they mean to...make it up to Sonic."

Amy brushed back a strand of hair lazily. "I probably should go, but I know I won't have the energy. And I don't want to become a spectacle again if I can help it."

"They'll probably be expecting you."

"They're allowed their expectations. I'm not obligated to fulfill them."

"A harsh approach, no?"

"I could do worse."

Vanilla giggled. "You certainly could. Well, I'll be off. Are you coming in tomorrow?"

"No. I want to take the day for myself, as planned. I might have some wine with Rouge again."

"She doesn't have work?"

"She's always on the clock. Not that it matters with her."

Vanilla laughed as she headed off. "She lives a mysterious life, doesn't she?"

Amy smiled before heading into the shop's kitchen. "That she does."

A grumbling came from the bed. It wasn't quite morning in Soleanna's New City.

Tails still got up and placed his feet on the ground. He took a shower, put on his accessories, and trudged into the kitchen of his home. He looked at his reflection in the coffee pot and concluded that he needed a trim at some point. The taller, stronger looking young man mused to himself about his projects as he grabbed a mug and felt at the pot.

"It's already hot..."

"A good wife doesn't let her husband suffer through making breakfast. Especially not one as prestigious as you...Doctor Miles Prower."

He grumbled as he poured his cup of coffee. A pair of slender arms wrapped themselves around his neck, and he felt something soft press into his back. Two somethings, familiar enough to him.

"Go. Away."

"So mean!"

"First of all, it's too early for this crap. Secondly," he said as he tore himself away from the older woman, "don't go calling yourself my wife."

"Aw."

The woman in question was a copper-furred vixen, only twelve years his senior. Her amber eyes sparkled behind designer glasses with thin rims - these ones a birthday present from her special someone. She playfully used her tail to tickle his cheek, much to his annoyance.

"It never ends with you."

"And why would it?"

She had earned her doctorate, like him, at the Royal University of Soleanna. And like him, she was working on a secret program under orders from the Queen. He valued her ability and expertise. In many ways...he valued her for a lot of things. Even if she was this obnoxious.

His - as reluctantly as he admitted her to be - partner in a lot of things, Mildred A. Graham, PhD. To him and everyone else, she was Milly.

"Why are you up this early, anyways?" he asked her as he finished making his coffee. "I know why I'm here."

"...something you need to see, love. I got a message from the Queen herself."

"From Queen Elise...what was it?"

"You should see for yourself." Milly flicked on the television as Tails sat down. He looked at the screen as she flipped channels before stopping on the news.

"A breaking report from America, where the President of the United Federation has just issued a full pardon to the world hero, Sonic the Hedgehog..."

"Huh."

Tails set down his mug after the flat remark. He stared at the screen but wasn't looking at it in any sense.

"Miles, love. Are you alright?"

"Fine. I'm...okay, Milly." He placed his hand on hers, seeing her concern. "Just...it's...I dunno."

"You should call her."

"...Amy. No, I'll wait a bit. I mean, what do I say? Actually, first thing's first-"

"The Queen has already placed you on leave."

"Hm. I...see." He blinked. "What about you?"

"Huh?"

"I'm not leaving you behind, you dummy."

She blushed and looked downwards. "I didn't think..."

He sighed and got up from his seat. "I'm gonna pack. Let's try and leave tonight. And I know how you women are with supplies."

Her head shot up. "Hey! I pack quite lightly!"

"Yeah, I guess four elephants worth of stuff is light by your standards."

"You really are horrible, Miles."

"Yeah, always," he said as he walked off.

Milly looked at the images on the screen, thinking. Something inside of her...wanted to make sure that the blue hedgehog approved of her. For Miles' sake. She would have to be on her best behaviour.

"..."

She sighed as she realized that wasn't saying much.

A few hours passed. Elise opened her eyes to the starry cosmos, floating freely within it.

On the other side was a familiar face.

"Please die," she said tonelessly.

"Nah."

She closed her eyes as the blue hedgehog gave her a smile.

"You make these things far too difficult."

"I know. It's in my job description."

"Very well. Let us begin a more...civil...discussion."

Sonic put his hands behind his head as he floated. "Ready when you are, boss lady."

Justice belongs to the victor.

The Junkyard Dog