In the Grim, Nine walked and landed on the platform. He heaved a sigh, finding you sitting over the edge.

The fear he felt inside after not finding you inside for a moment disappearing. He didn’t know why you came up here. Maybe you needed some time? Then he should respect your wishes.

Before he could turn away he caught you glancing at him with a smile. He sweated a bit.

”Looking for something?” Your remark only helped him to finally find an answer.

”Yes actually.” He smirked. Changing his idea. “I was looking for you.”

”You missed me that much? Or something else happens?”

Nine shuttered at your bold comment, caught off guard, “Ah..”

”I’m just kidding. Come on.” You urge him to come closer.

Nine took a deep breath, trying to gain his posture back and sat down next to you.

“Is something bothering you, Y/n?”

He heard you sigh, “I’m just worried about our future.” Nine’s ear perked up at that and he glanced down at his hand which you were holding now. He look at you.

”Y/n.” His serious but soft voice made you look up at him. “Worrying things is my thing.” He joked a bit, he only did to see you smile again and it worked, his smile turned serious, “There you go. I will make sure we will be okay. I will make it okay. I promise.” He held your hand.

You looked down at him, “That’s not the only thing I'm worried about. I’m worried about you too. I saw what those prism shards are capable of. And now it’s nearly complete. It’s stronger than ever. And it will keep hurting you further the more you use it.”

Nine’s heart ached the moment you confessed you cared about his well being. His lips curved into a soft smile. He wanted to reassure you but stopped when you continued. And what you suggested next shocked him.

”Maybe you should…” you gently traced his metal tails, “… let me use it too.” You looked him in the eyes, and grabbed both of his hands, “We can use it in turns. What do you say?”

Nine frowned, “No.”

The way he didn’t even hesitate to refuse caught you off guard, you let out a little laugh, “You didn’t even think.”

You never saw him this serious before, and that says a lot, ”You asked what I said about this and I'm telling you No.”

”Nine, it’s too unstable—“ you started but he cut you off.

”We’re not discussing this.”

”At least listen to my reasoning!”

“I know what you are going to say and my answer is still a no.”

You two stared into each other's eyes without even blinking. Finally you raised your arms in defense, “Fine. But I’m not gonna just sit back and watch you get hurt if this gets worse.” You got up and stormed off, no emotion in your eyes.

Nine just watched you leave and sighed, his hands felt cold now. Maybe he should have just agreed… No, he did the right thing. He can’t watch you get hurt too. He is protecting you.

Nine looks outside with a frown. Crystal structures break up and float in the air.

He took a deep breath and got up, "We’re running out of time. Our world will never be completely safe without Sonic's energy.” He walked off and jumped inside.

He turns and looks at a monitor, showing his Shattercraft downed in a river at New Yoke City.

“Time to finish what we started."

He draws two of his mechanical tails and extracts energy from the Paradox Prism. He delivers the energy to Alpha Grim Birdie. In a bright green vapor cloud, Grim Birdies clone out of the Alpha.

"If Sonic wants to save those pirates, he'll have to come and get them. Grim Birdies, bring the pirates to me." Nine ordered.

The cloned Grim Birdies set off from the top of the citadel's tower.

Nine watches on the monitor, the shield encasing Yoke HQ, and the Kraken depart New Yoke City.

"Fools." Nine growled.

In No Place

Black Rose yelled as she tried to go over the big rock Nine made, “Hold steady.” But as they went over it the ship hit the rock. The shake caused Sonic to fall off.

He yelled as he fell towards the sea. Before he can dive in it you caught him with a smile.

”Heya, handsome!” You joked with a cheeriful smile, “What a surprise to see you here!”

”Y/n?!” He was indeed surprised.

”One and only.” You whinked.

”But… you… I…”

You rolled your eyes, “Will you gonna get going or want me to tug you in bed and give you a warm kiss too?”

Sonic quickly gets off of you activating his shoes. You both hover over the sea. “But how? I thought you were with Nine now?”

You raised a brow, “Who said that?”

Sonic, more confused than ever shook his head, “Anyway. We can talk about this later. I need a hand.”

”I was about to give you one, blue. Let’s go.”

You both ran off.

”Let’s split up! You distract Nine, I'll go for the pirates!” You yelled behind him. He gave you a thumbs up.

You smirked and ran off.

While he distracted Nine and the flying bots you were easily able to find the boat. You manage to climb in and glance around. The moment your eyes landed on Sails, Catfish and Batten your smile widened. The first to notice you was Sails. His eyes shined, “Y/n!”

You ran towards him, he helped you up to his place and quickly hugged you. “I’m glad you’re safe!”

”Me too, bud.” You patted his back. He smiled and glanced at you up and down.

”Huh, I like your new clothes.”

You dusted your uniform, “You did? Thanks. I made it.”

Sails smiled, “Really? Good to know we both make things. We have something in common then.” He smirked.

You raised a brow jokingly until Batten yelled, “Hit the deck!” Before you can process what is happening. Sails’ eyes widened. He quickly grabbed you and pulled you to the ground with him. Flying bots pass over you.

He laughed nervously, “Maybe we should stay down a bit?”

You raised a brow, “Really?”

”Is it a good time to tell ya that I lost your sword?” He grinned nervously. You just stared at him unimpressed.

”How about I kick your ass after we finish here?”

”Good idea. And I can do something in return for an apology?”

”Deal.” You both shake hands on it.

You get up and stand in position glancing caution towards the bots. Sails followed you, “Will ya be okay without a sword?”

”I’ll be fine.” You cracked your knuckles, “You worry about yourself.”

”Right.” He was hoping maybe you both could fight back to back again but nothing came out of it as he watched you jump off from the ship and land on one of the birds and ride it while he heard his hopes crash in the distance. “Okay then…”

Sails jumped in place when a bird landed near him. He gasped and turned back. It was powering up about to explode him and Catfish until you jumped off causing the bird you were riding to crash with it while both of them fell from the ship with the force. Sails and Catfish were able to jump aside at the last moment to save themselves.

Sails pouted and got up while you laughed and jumped into another bird, “Hey! Be more careful will you?! You were nearly killing us!”

“Woops! My baad!” You yelled jokingly.

You saw Sonic finally able to get on the ship, his luck didn't seem like it was with him today because another bird pushed him off and another one landed on him over the end of the deck. Not letting him move while slowly charging up. You glanced around. No one was there to help him out. You growled under your breath and led the bird towards him and jumped off, barely able to hold over the edge over the ship while the bird collided with each other, thankfully saving the blue blur.

Sonic saw what you did and smiled. He was about to help you up only for you to make a farewell motion with your hand and jumped off. He quickly looked down towards the ocean but couldn’t find you. A lot of not neat thoughts raced in his mind but he sighed with a smile when he noticed you were riding another bot. You waved at him.

He shook his head. You were something special weren't you?

Sails chuckled next to him. “I’m glad she finally get over his fear.”

Sonic raised a brow, “What fear?”

He glanced at him, “You know… height. She is riding that thing right now. It’s really cool of her.”

That surprised Sonic.

Sails gasped pointing somewhere, “Look! The Kracken is here!” Sails with his metal hand waved at Rusty Rose who is over the gun. She waves back and quickly gets back to firing at the metal birds.

Seeing the Kracken positioning itself over the ship means they are finally ready to take them away. You were able to get ride ofe two birds with one move and landed on the ship. Everyone was over the crow’s nest. You start to climb over the ropes to get to them. Sails noticed you and smiled, you looked up when you saw a metal hand over you. You smiled and take his hand. He helped you up.

“This time you didn’t flinch.”

”I learned my lesson. I’m not keen to fall off in the middle of a sinking ship… and metal birds.”

Sails helped you to get inside with others. Catfish seemed hesitant so Batten flied back to help him but a laser went past him causing her to back off. She flied off escaping from a bird.

You and Sonic leaned over the edge, “Come on Catfish, jump!”

You smiled at him, “You can do this!”

He was about to but the bird flying past him were nearly causing him to lose his balance so he held back tight.

His frog tapped him and jumped inside, urging him to do the same.

”You got this catfish, come on!”

Sonic growled when he see a bird flying right to us. He spindash at him, saving us. Catfish finally manage to jump in.

”Good job.” You whispered and held out a hand with a smile. He held it and you helped him up.

“Thanks.” He smiled.

You pat his hand, “Don’t mention it.” And let it go, urging him to follow you. “Come on. Let’s get inside before more birds decide to attack us. He quickly followed you in. Behind you Thron Rose and Sonic come in with their bird.

A bird was about to get to them from the open doors, you ran infornt of them and raised two fingers, shocking it causing it to explode.

”Alright, Y/n!” Sonic cheered.

You bend while posing, “Thank you, thank you.”

You two fist bump and go inside.

All of you stand on the deck side by side seeing more birds coming your way.

Sonic sighed in worry, “What’s that old saying? Out of the frying pan…”

Batten finished it on her own, “And into your gullet.”

You raised a brow at that.

”Arr, pirates have their own sayings.”

Seeing the birds diving down towards them, Sonic yells, “Hang on!”

Another ship firis at the metal birds, blowing them up, saving us. Wait, is that?

”The Council?” You muttered.

Sonic laughed, “Yeah, still getting used to it myself.”

Done-it yells, “Told you I wasn’t going to twiddle my thumbs. If the blue bother goes down, we all go down.”

Deep yells, “Here, here!”

You scoffed at that.

You guys all go on your own ways to fight off all the birds.

Black Rose yelled the moment you jumped on the ship, “Hold fast!”

”Wait, what—“ She punched a red button and the ship went even faster causing all of you to not be able to hold on and fall back.

You find yourself falling between Sonic and Sails. You blink your eyes open and see a hologram in the sky. Nine was looking over at you. It was only momentarily as his focus went back on to Sonic.

Sails, hold your shoulder, “You okay?”

You nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine. How about you?” You both were able to get up.

”I’m glad you asked.” He smirked, “I just remember that you keep ditching me. So, I think we might be equal.” He dusted his jacket.

You laughed and poke his chest, “You can’t escape from an ass whooping boi.”

He scoffed, and crossed his arms, “Yeah. What do you get for ditching me three times?”

You thought about it, “I don’t know about that but how about I lend you a kiss every time I ditched you for an apology?”

He paused and cleared his throat, his blush disappearing quickly, after ‘seemingly’ thinking about it, he smirked, “I don’t know… I suddenly got really confused…”

You raised a brow, “About what exactly, genius?” You glanced around. Everyone around you was fighting and running away from metal birds while you two were hanging on the sidelines flirting. This will be worth it. You smirked.

”How many times exactly have you ditched me? Four? Five?”

You rolled your eyes, “NO definitely ten.”

”Maybe you are right.” He grinned.

You scoffed, “Sails.” You warned.

”Okay, okay. Seven is enough.”

”Five.”

He pouted at that.

”One is a bonus, you ass. What else do you want?”

“How about four and I choose the place you gonna kiss?” He grinned.

You glance at him and sighed, “Four is too much for that.”

”Less than three and I’m out.”

You huffed, “Fine, deal.”

“Yes!” He fist bumps the air. He knew how to make deals arlight

You two gasp and lose your balance the moment a lightning strikes the ship, causing it to lose a booster.

You cursed under your breath. You both get up using the railing and look at each other worriedly. You both rush off to see the damage.

”This looks bad.”

Your balance get even worse when you guys lose another booster.

Sonic yelled, “If I didn’t hate water, this would make a great amusement park ride!”

”I should agree.” You chuckled nervously.

Black Rose tried to make them work but nothing happened, “We are going down!”

You braced yourself to dive in water, Sails held your hand causing you to look up at him. He was worried but he still managed to smile. You couldn’t help but respond to his reassurance.

You guys felt a little shake but that’s all. Looking down you saw the Council’s ship and smiled. They saved you guys.

Done-it scolded, “What are you waiting for? Get moving!”

“Youths these days.” He pouted.

Black Rose quşckly started the ship, now on full power.

The ship flew up once again.

Sonic jumped in front of it, “We are almost home free!” He cheered.

Suddenly another lightning struck the ship and caused Sonic to drop down. He managed to hold on at the last moment.

”Oh no.” You ran at the edge to look down. “Hold on Sonic!” Sails gasped in worry the moment you jumped down without a heads up, he freaked out and quickly jumped over the edge to cough you. He grabbed you but couldn’t hold his ground. Before he could fall Catfish grabbed him also.

He mewled out, “Watch out for the tails, Catfish!”

”Sorry.” He apologized, embarrassed.

You were able to grab Sonic before his hand could slip and fall. You grinned at him, “Heya, handsome. Howzit hanging?”

Sails grinned playfully, “Been good, Y/n"

Sonic shook his head laughing at you both and smiled. Happy that all of you are finally together. But before you guys could pull him a metal bird came up and caught his feet. Sonic frowned and kicked it off, “Hey, watch out for the kicks!”

The bird starts to get ready to fire. But Batten threw a knife at its open mouth causing it to drop and explode.

You guys pulled him back to the ship.

Black Rose laughed, “Fair thee well, sweet salty seas of yesteryear.” And two ships went inside the red portal.

Nine growls seeing all of you gone.

”No!” He falls to his knees in despair, exhausted. His limbs feeling heavy, his exhaustion and frustration turns into fury as with a heavy heart he slam his fist to the ground. He clawed the ground, with heavy breath. He opened his eyes and looked up at the prism with clenched teeth.

In New Yoke

The Kraken and the Yolkomotive enter New Yoke City; the shield disappears allowing them to enter the mothership before re-closing it. Inside Yoke HQ, the crew pass through the doorway. You heaved a sigh, finally you are here. Sonic shakes off some water in his quills, which splashes two Council members.

"Hey!" Dr. Done-It scolded.

"Watch it! This is my last pressed jacket." Dr. Deep whined.

"Sorry. Nice moves back there. You know, for an evil egg-o-maniac. I guess thanks are in order." Sonic said.

Done-it and Deep stare at him.

Rebel scolded Sonic. "What are you, buddies now?"

"What do you want me to say? They helped us." Sonic said truthfully.

"We did more than help. If it weren't for us, you'd be six fathoms under by now." Dr. Deep pointed out.

"Do not forget who piloted the getaway vehicle." Rusty Rose reminded.

"You mean the one you almost sunk?" Dr. Done-It scowled.

"Awful quick to brag about a bad idea, ain't ya?" Knucks bragged.

"Easy for you to say, coward." Dr. Deep glared.

"Come say that to my face, Egghead."

They stare at each other, Dr. Deep chuckling while Knucks grunts. Sonic breaks them up again, forcing them apart.

"Guys, please. This was a win for all of us."  He scolded them.

"Was it? Your little friends are safe, but at what cost? The fox can conjure up more minions with the snap of his fingers." Mr. Dr. Eggman questioned.

"Says the guy who built Eggforcers by the dozens." Rebel reminded.

”Dr. Eggman is right.” You wrapped your arms over your chest.

Everyone looked at you. “What? Yeah, it hurts to say but it’s true.”

"Whereas our fleet is damaged, our troops are spent, and we're almost out of time! Should have let them go down with their ship and their world." Mr. Dr. Eggman said.

"Sorry, but losing anyone is not an option," Sonic said firmly.

He then walks away and looks out the window; he sees tops of buildings disintegrate into purple rocks which float upward.

You walked next to him, "Nine is the only one who can stop this.”

Sonic looked down, agreeing with you, “The only way he'll do that is if I give myself up." Sonic sighed.

Everyone gasps at what he just said.

"How about instead of letting Blue take the fall, we take the fight to Nine?" Knucks suggested, not risking Sonic’s life.

The denizens cheer at that.

"I'll say this much. In the Fox's position, we'd double cross you without a second thought." Dr. Deep said.

"Nine isn't like you." Sonic said.

"There are only two kinds of folks in this world, those who've got power, and those who want it. Face it. Your fox has changed." Dr. Done-It said.

"First, the shards, then Shadow, now this. I gotta admit, this whole losing thing is not my cup of chili. How do you do it?" Sonic sighed.

Dr. Deep and Dr. Done-It look at each other.

"Ha. We never lose." Dr. Done-It scoffed.

"We learn from our setbacks." Dr. Deep added.

"We make tweaks." Dr. Done-It added

Dr. Babble speaks gibberish.

"Then take the next step towards our inevitable victory." Mr. Dr. Eggman finished.

"Real inspirational stuff coming from the likes of them." Knucks deadpanned.

Rebel nods in agreement.

"Actually, it kind of is. Say what you will about these guys, but they never quit. I've had my share of setbacks." Sonic said, and the Rebels turned to him.

"I've made some tweaks, and I think I'm ready to take that next step. This is my mess, and I'm going to fix it. Whatever happens, it's