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I can’t believe I’m saying this, but occasionally the Egghead actually manages to do something right. Not morally of course, but some of his inventions actually work out in my favor. And somehow… the one to cloak everything about who I am, the one that allowed me to break a half dozen rules, that’s the one I can’t get out of my head.
I don’t know how to describe it. A warped voice and a different outfit, and apparently next to no one had a clue. Everyone knows the face of the famous, or infamous depending on who you are, blue hedgehog. Everyone already expects so much of this hero. But no one could be disappointed so long as I was only a Phantom.
I think Amy and Tails could see the difference too. I hope that the way both of them paused meant the same thing that it did for me. Didn’t get to ask, though; I had a race to crash.
I already knew how everyone would react to the Eggman tech. To me using it. Fair’s fair, seeing as the entire Restoration worked their way into Clutch’s hands.
I could count on my best buddy to catch how I glanced at the crash-site. I know I didn’t actually do it for long, but maybe it was for longer than I realized. Another thing we can bond over; I could keep a running list of tech Tails practically drools over.
“I could try something similar,” he murmured. “If you want me to.”
Yes. No. Maybe. It might not be the same.
The door already scraped open behind us, so I signed a quick, I’ll let you know.
He smiled and tapped something into his tablet.
I spent the next couple of hours in silence, fighting the shiver along my quills and a twisted up stomach. Might as well have poked a live wire for how badly I jumped when the door opened again.
“Hi Tails!”
Amy. She looked in his direction first, I think to ask something about rebuilding. There’s always more to fix, after all. Plenty after the damage done by a massive fallen shuttle.
When she looks at me it’s as though she’s not the girl who’s chased after me for years. And I know she’s so much more than that, but I don’t like the shift all the same. Suddenly I was the one blushing. Blushing and hoping I’m not the one who changed in such a short time, hoping that nothing is going to change too much if I do the tiniest bit.
“Hello? Sonic?”
I blinked.
“You awake there?” she teased.
“‘Course. But after the week I’ve had, you couldn’t blame me for getting some shut eye.”
“Of course.”
We both stood there while Tails raised an eyebrow at me, vaguely gesturing with the Electric still in hand.
“Uh, speaking of which… you finally going to get a real break from keeping everyone and everything together?”
She shook her head slightly but smiled a real smile anyway. “Hey, I don’t get that much credit. Not when Jewel took over and I’ve had so much help… saving the day and all.”
“Right.”
“Anyway, I’m afraid the vacation won’t happen for a while, so long as people still need my help.”
Something. Either something she said pulled at my brain, or something in that deliberate tone.
I was too distracted by the exasperated noise my brother made. I caught the eye roll that followed and made a face right back.
Despite my whole occupation of saving the world from maniacs, beings of immense power, and actual natural disasters, I can't quite think of myself in those terms. Amy? No problem, she’ll take on anything from bashing badniks, to baking the best desserts the world has seen, to even leading the resistance turned restoration. Tails? Absolutely! I wouldn’t be me without him, and his inventions range far and wide in what they can do.
Amy beamed despite the circles under her eyes, chattering on.
“...and with the basic costs covered, we can focus more on restructuring while we go, so everything will run smoother and we won’t have to start from the beginning!”
“That sounds pretty great,” I attempted.
That sounded pathetic. Even my voice wavers now.
Ah… that distorted voice. Too deep and grating for mine. Now that was the part that felt the most wrong. Y’know, aside from infiltrating and crashing the race I was disqualified from, using tech made by my number one nemesis, who—
“Are you listening?”
Not really. I shook my head.
“...Are you thinking about the suit?”
I nodded even though it probably wasn't necessary.
A deep sigh followed. Not frustrated. Tired? Wishful? Uncertain?
“It felt completely different from the usual you,” she admitted.
It really is strange, learning how people see me, learning how I see me. How one or the other can make my heart drop or skip a beat. Not that I care all that much how anyone sees me. Usually.
“Speaking of which… Lanolin and I had a conversation earlier.” Amy twisted the hem of her dress, harshly. “She’s been super apologetic about some things, don’t get me wrong. But she’s worried about other future incidents.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
I don’t mean to sound callous, but the plain and simple truth is that there’s already a dozen “incidents” I could list off the top of my head. Tails nods seriously though, and I feel a touch less guilty.
“Another incident like the Phantom Rider.”
Prickles sparked along my back, and I shifted back to push down the more flared quills.
“Relax, Ames. I’m sure she and everyone else will cool down about it before you know it.” I kicked out my legs dramatically and leaned a tad closer to her. “Even if I cut a way past cool figure out there.”
“Maybe you should try to cut a cooler name,” a muffled voice suggested.
Amy actually laughed at his remark, loudly and freely. Good. Even if she won’t get a true break, at least she can let herself relax for a few moments.
I barely caught her return comment, pressed to her palm in a poor attempt at whispering… the Cliche Crusader?
“Hey!”
It would almost sting if it weren’t my two best friends making jokes at my expense.
The name is part that I get complete credit for. It rolled right off the tongue, not too specific but still a whole new character. Someone who can just—disappear. Even when I’m halfway across the globe, it’s status quo for someone to at least try to keep track of me, friend and foe alike. The Phantom lived up to that name. And until everything went south, I had a chance to perfect becoming invisible.
Not that I would change who I am for anything. It’s just a thought I can’t quite shake. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll get stuck teaming up with the rotten egg again eventually.
A gentle hand brushes my arm and drags me back to reality. Amy smiles lightly, then turns to address Tails as well.
“I’m going to see if there’s been news about the Restoration’s outposts. I’ll check back in on what you too are up to later, ‘kay?” She shrugged, already walking towards the door. On her way out, she murmured, “It really was like a whole other person, though.”
“Exactly,” I said to the slab of steel sliding shut. “And that’s why I want it so much.”
That’s why I need it.