Right. I am SO sorry once again for delaying this update for so long. Writing really isn't my thing as I feel I suck at it XD And, lack the motivation/good ideas to go ahead with it. After reading a couple of fan fictions recently and falling in love with them, it has inspired me to start writing again, so figured I would go back to this.

Hope you all enjoy!

...

Yet another morning arose. The last morning Sonic and Tails would spend in hospital. And boy, was Sonic glad.

Yesterday, Sonic had had an MRI scan, to hopefully get to the bottom of his mysterious illness. The results were now in the hands of Maisie, who was already present in the room, waiting to give out the diagnosis. The brothers were already up, munching on their chillidogs, on Sonic's hospital bed.

Sonic was in a great mood this morning, he hadn't stopped grinning since he woke, apparently feeling better regarding his illness, too. He had yet to feel any spasms of pain, however, he had not attempted to stand.

Tails, was just happy to see Sonic in a good mood, and the fact his symptoms had been better today, gave Tails positivity. They would prescribe Sonic with some medication, and go back to their everyday lives, fighting Eggman (who hadn't shown his face for a while now, no doubt he was busy plotting something big), going on every day runs, or simply chilling at home watching movies, playing video games or stuffing their faces with chillidogs. Yep, Tails knew everything would be just fine, that all this worry was for nothing.

He couldn't help though, but notice Sonic's hands shook more than usual this morning, the vibrant white hospital bed sheets were covered in tiny crumbs, and dripping sauce from Sonic's chillidog as his hands shook unsteadily. Tails decided to shrug it off, and took a final bite of his own chillidog.

Maisie was at her computer desk in the room. She had arrived an hour ago, as the previous nurse had departed from her night shift. Tails wondered just how many days Maisie did work. She wore an edgy expression, and kept peering over at the bed where Sonic and Tails both sat. Tails kept trying to read between the lines, but realised it was pointless making assumptions. Sonic on the other hand, seemed to be taking no notice and enjoyed his banter with Tails.

"Say, buddy. What do you think my diagnosis is gonna be? I keep thinking it over and over, but it beats me." Sonic asked, whilst speaking through a mouth full of food.

Tails simply shrugged his shoulders. "I'm as confused as you are, Sonic. Only Maisie holds the answers now. I may be a genius, but sadly I'm no doctor."

Sonic frowned slightly, looking over to Maisie at her computer desk and then rested his head in his hands, only turning his eyes to face Tails.

"I'm sure it's prolly just some kind of virus. I mean, I feel better today already! Although my legs still feel tingly a bit..." Sonic admitted, taking the last bite of his chillidog, licking the sauce off his gloves and then brushing his hands together.

"I'm sure they'll prescribe you with some kind of medication, and you'll feel better in no time. Like you said, you already feel better today, right?" Tails added, trying to keep Sonic's positive spirits up.

Sonic smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Although I have no clue why they went all out on MRI's yesterday."

"Doctors have to make sure, with all their patients. You had a big seizure, and with any kind of seizure they have to check up on it, that's all."

Maisie walked over to the two brother's beds, head down and a serious look. She held her usual clipboard.

"Hello boys" She greeted with a smile.

"Hey, Maisie."They both answered at the same time, returning the smile.

"Man. I'm really looking forward to be outta this room today! Although a little worried about how I'm gonna manage on my feet. Heh." Sonic admitted, with a sly grin.

"Sonic, do you mind if I just borrow Tails off you for a little while?" She questioned in a neutral tone.

"Sure. Go ahead." He responded, completely unphased. He just sat on the bed, head resting on his hands, legs crossed, taking a quick glance at the modern clock on the wall. It read 9:47am.

Tails, however, knew this WASN'T good. Wasn't good at all. His normal, orange facial fur turned pale and ghostly within seconds, heart pounding hard. How could Sonic stay so calm today? He stood off the bed without responding to neither Maisie nor Sonic, and followed her outside of the room and down the corridor. What was so bad that Sonic could not be there to hear?

"We'll go into the quiet office down here, which isn't in use today" Maisie informed.

"Ok" Tails simply responded. Being a private floor, there were no other patients around. He quickly followed Maisie down the long, modern hallway. Blue tiled floor glistening where it had not longer earlier been cleaned. Tails felt slightly dizzy with worry.

Finally, they had reached the small office and Maisie was unlocking the door.

"Come on inside." She gestured.

It was a small box room, with 1 window and a table in the middle of the room, seats directly opposite each other. There were grey lockers and brown oak shelves containing files and books. Lastly, there was a desk at the back overlooking the window, with an Apple MacBook Pro on top the desk. Both mobians seated themselves, wearing anxious expressions.

"What's wrong with Sonic? Please tell me!" Tails begged, his eyes wide with fear, legs banging with anxiety.

Maisie didn't know where to start, and could barely make herself look at the poor fox even though her job was to hand over news to patients and their families on a daily basis, whether it be good or bad. It still never got any easier.

"The MRI results were clear, and gave out all the information we needed regarding Sonic's condition." She started.

"Condition?" Tails gasped, eyes still widened. He was fiddling with a pen top he had found on the desk.

"I regret to say, it's not good news..," Maisie informed, tone low, giving a sympithisized look over to the child.

There and then, Tails' life felt like it had ended, shattered there and then. His eyes instantly filled with tears and he gripped the pen top with almighty strength.

"W-what do you mean i-it's not good news?" He whispered, closing his eyes and holding his head in one hand. This couldn't be happening... Sonic always recovered, he never got ill!

"Sonic has a genetic hedgehog condition called "Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome" It's a progressive, non-contagious condition of a hedgehog's nervous system where slowly, their system shuts down, which eventually causes complete paralysis."

"Y-you mean there's no... cure?" Tails asked, completely dumbfounded with shock at what he was hearing. That such a condition exists.

"I'm afraid so. I'm very sorry Mr Prower. However, there is medication I can prescribe to help ease the symptoms of your brother's muscle pain, and his seizures."

That was it. He didn't want to hear any more. Tails buried his head in his folded arms, and sobbed heavily there on the table. How could this happen? Sonic was only going to get worse! And there was absolutely nothing anyone could do.

Maisie walked over and simply placed a hand on the fox's shoulder, as his shoulders shook rapidly. He wailed and cried his heart out without a care in the world.

After what seemed like hours, Tails arose from his own little world hidden within his arms. The initial shock disappeared.

"ii-s Sonic gonna... d-die?" Tails choked.

"There is nothing we can do in progressed stages of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. I wish there was something we could do, but it is such a rare illness, and only affects 1 species, a cure is a long way in the future. I'm so very sorry."

There was a couple of minutes silence, with only the sound of Tails' tears filling the room. Maisie felt she had to continue.

"Your friend will be facing paralysis. It starts with the symptoms he has already shown, but, it will progress. Sonic cannot stand because his leg muscles aren't receiving the right signals from his brain. His condition is neurological and his brain is ignoring important signals regarding movement. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome first strikes in the hedgehog's legs, and eventually they will become completely paralysed. His arms will soon follow and eventually, in progressed Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome it will affect his speech, vision and he may well develop dementia. Sonic will also experience regular seizures, but, I will prescribe some medication to control them. Nearing the end, he will also need to be tube fed because his facial muscles will no longer work. I hate to have to sit and tell you such dreadful news, but, it is vital."

Tails watched on in a daze, his eyes focused on the far wall. He didn't feel like he was alive, he refused to believe this was REAL. But he listened. He listened on in stunned silence at what the nurse was telling him.

He was going to lose his best friend. His BROTHER. His only family. This can't be real. Sonic promised he would always be there for him... Tails let out light tears.

"Sonic promised he w-would always be there for m-me.. He's my only f-family!" Tails admitted, sobbing heavier.

Maisie looked on with a sad smile. She really did feel sorry for the poor guy. How would he manage and cope? Sonic would have to go into a care home, and Tails a foster family. She started to wonder whether he realised the severity of Sonic's worsening condition. Sonic may seem ok now... but later...

"Sonic still has plenty of life left in him yet! It's said it can last 6 months to a year. Try not to think about the worst just yet. Sonic will need you to stay positive, for him." Maisie instructed.

"Why does this condition only affect Hedgehog's?" Tails questioned, now back to fiddling with his pen. A light breeze entered the room through the cracked window, it made Tails shiver just slightly.

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. It is still unknown why it happens, and why it only affects hedgehogs."

"I don't know if I can d-do this.. Sonic thinks he's ok, he's h-happy today because he feels better..." Tails informed, tears becoming heavy again. He had never felt so sick, and so helpless in all his life.

"I need to ask you Tails. But, Sonic is going to have to be informed about his condition. Who do you think would be best to inform him of his condition, yourself or I?" She kindly questioned.

"I want you to. I-I just can't tell him he's dying. I just can't." He sobbed.

"Very well. I will inform him when we return to the ward. Although there's a few things I must discuss..." Maisie admitted, there was a slightly nervous tone to her voice which Tails picked up on.

"What's that?"

Maisie swallowed heavily before starting. "Sonic is going to need to be looked after properly. He will need support workers to help assist him doing every day tasks. I strongly recommend we arrange for Sonic to go into a care home for young adults suffering severe illness and disabilities-"

Tails slammed his fist down on the desk, standing up promptly from his seat in anger.

"Sonic's not going into a care home! I can care for him just fine!" Tails yelled, anger strong in his face. If only looks could kill.

Maisie looked on in shock at the little fox's sudden fit of rage.

"Sonic will not be able to do the things he was once able to on his own. He cannot walk without assistance, and soon, his nervous system will continue to deteriorate. He will need the care of support workers. You are still young and whilst I know you have a close bonding to your friend, he will be looked after well under the care of others."

"NO! Sonic is coming home with me. I may only be 8 years old, but I am perfectly capable of looking after my brother! If Sonic's only got so long to live, I want him to live it to the full, with me. At home. He's not going into some care home!" Tails insisted, now sat down, fists clenched in anger. He looked her right in the eye.

"Mr Prower. I understand you're upset by this, but Sonic is gravely ill. And I will have to inquire about fostering, as Sonic will not be able to look after you like he once was able to-"

"LOOK. YOU ARE -NOT- PUTTING ME, NOR SONIC INTO CARE. END OF! I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER HIM, AND I WILL BE THERE FOR HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. YOU JUST WATCH ME, AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA STOP US!" Tails screamed at the top of his lungs. He was leaning forward over the table, almost as if he was ready to lunge at the poor nurse. However Maisie, remained calm and collective. She sighed.

"The only other thing I can suggest, is having a support worker come to the house on a daily basis, to help Sonic with his needs, in his progressed stages of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome."

"I'm fine with that just please, just let me and Sonic go home together. I promise, I can care for him fine. Honestly." Tails pleaded, a serious look meeting the eyes of Maisie.

"We can work something out around this. Although I must discuss Sonic's needs. Before you depart, I will supply you with Hemadol to help control his muscle discomfort, pain and twitches, and Epifen for his seizures. Sonic is going to need crutches and splints to help him get around, as he seems to refuse to use the wheelchair. However, in progressed Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, Sonic will need a power chair to get around, as he will eventually be unable to use his legs, and his arms/hands will progressively become paralysed too and he will be unable to propell himself using a regular wheelchair.

The house will need to be modified to fit his needs. You will have to convert one of the downstairs rooms into a bedroom as he will be unable to successfully climb the stairs, and also a downstairs toilet and bathroom. We can help you sort out the funds for this.

"But Sonic's coming home today. How is he going to manage the stairs to his bedroom and bathroom until the work is done?" Tails pointed out.

"You will need to help assist Sonic up and down the stairs as carefully as possible, in the mean time. This is why we strongly recommend Sonic to go into care so he would have around the clock support"

"And that is not gonna happen. I already told you." Tails glared, pointing a gloved finger at her. Fresh tears stung in his eyes again.

"I understand. Tails, I'm going to head off for a bit, to give you some time on your own, to soak in the news as I know it will be a huge shock. I will return shortly and we will both be there to inform Sonic of his condition. I'm very sorry for everything." Maisie soothed.

"You're only doing your job." Tails said, bluntfully.

"I will see you in a bit." Maisie arose from her chair, and tucked it under the table neatly. She then exited the door, closing it silently.

Tails was now sat on his own in the small, confined room. New tears leaked from his eyes in a oblivion of tears. He covered his head in the folds of his arms and his body shook, the table wobbled with the force.

How could this be happening? And to Sonic... why Sonic. He's done nothing to deserve such a thing... Tails silently thought.

He sat in the alone room, for an age. Just sat there, letting it all out into his arms. He knew Sonic would be impatient now, awaiting his return. Waiting to go home, and everything to be back to normal. He would know something dreadful's happened just by Tails walking into the room with tear-filled eyes.

Watching Sonic hear the devastating news, he knew, would be utterly heartbreaking. He didn't know whether he could take it without breaking down. He just wanted to hide away from everything. But, he knew he couldn't. He had to stay strong for Sonic, help him all the way through, until the end...

It was going to be hard, but Tails had to stay strong.