Fleetway's Torment

Solace

(Nobody Pov:) 3 days later

Fleet begins to awaken. The moment he opens his eyes, he shoots up in a panic before looking around and realizing he's in Scourge's home, lying on a bed in the guest room. The last time he was here was 6 months ago yet the room felt so familiar to him.

Fleetway gets up from the bed and slowly opens the door and notices Manic, Scourge and Sunky (who is eating cereal) sitting at a table. Scourge is the first to notice him, a smile on his face.

'Hey bro you ok?' Scourge asked. Fleetway felt like he needed to show his gratitude to Scourge for saving him. Scourge's search for him was the only reason that he manged to leave Exe. So a thanks was in order.

Fleet would run to Scourge and hug him tight, starting to cry but not tears of sadness. He was far from sad. Scourge would hug back.

'Where's this come from?'
'Thank you.. for everything Scourge-'
'Oh stop it. You'd do the same if it were me.'  Scourge's comment made Fleet smile and soon they both laughed and broke the hug.

Manic would walk over to the pair, Sunky remaining at the table.
'You doin ok Fleet? Not feeling handy today are you?'
'Hey!' Fleet recognised Manic was referring to when Fleet had almost killed him but Manic just laughed it off.
'I'm joking! Lighten up! Come on man you're free!' Manic would nudge Fleet's shoulder.
'Yeah..thanks to everyone. Are they all safe? How long was I asleep?'

'3 days...' There's a pause as Scourge says it, a small frown on his face. 'After the first two, X worried that you wouldn't wake up but I always knew ya would!' Fleet would think for a minute about what Scourge said. 3 days of the others not knowing if he'll wake. 3 days of the others possibly thinking he was dead.

'I gotta go!' Fleet would rush to the door.
'Alright but just remember you've always got a place here bro!' Fleet would turn back to look at Scourge and smile. 'And when ya get back..maybe introduce yaself to your Nephew!'

Nephew? The word flashed through Fleet's head. How was he an uncle? It wasn't untill he saw Sunky that he realized what it meant.
'Oh alright.' Sunky would turn to look at Fleet and wave so Fleet did the same before leaving. 

(Fleetway Pov:) First stop, Mephy and Silv's!

With a burst of speed into the air, I've almost already gotten to their home. I can see it from here!  But I can also see the hospital... the fire has been extinguished but its still in an awful state. Though the rubble is being moved away so..its a start.

Moving to my old thought process, I look back at Mephiles and Silver's home and dash towards it, when close enough I decide to stop flying and instead spin into a ball and land perfectly at their front door.

I knock their door and hear voices come closer.
'I wonder if its Scourge with news.'
'Silver...'

The two of them open the door. The moment it opens up, I hug them both as tight as I can. I smile and I see Silver's shocked expression turn to one of happiness as he and Mephiles hug me. We hold the hug for 20 seconds before pulling back.

'You two ok?'
'Now that you're up, yes! We were both so concerned, you should've seen Mephiles!' Silver says with a smirk as he looks at Mephiles. I look at Mephiles and he averts his gaze from me to the floor, confirming what Silver said. I pat his back.

'I'm sorry for being out so long but I promise i'll never do it again.'
'Shut up.' Mephiles says with a hint of a laugh in his voice, I start to laugh and he does the same and soon Silver joins us.

'Thank you both though... for being there when I needed you. I know I haven't been the best friend lately but...thanks for being there for me. For talking to me when I was a mess. A wreck. An idiot'

'You're welcome Fleet.' Silver says as he offers a fistbump which I accept and we fistbump.
'It was the right thing to do, Fleetway...' Mephiles says.
'But uh..what will you be doing now Fleet?'
'Oh.'

The question makes me think of who else I can thank. Infinite and X. First, Infinite.

'I'm gonna go to Infinite and thank him for helping us defeat Exe.'
'Mephiles and I already have-'
'I wanna do it personally... and I should apologize.'
'For what?'
'A mistake.'

I drift backwards out the open door and give them both a little salute before flying towards Infinite's home. When I arrive, I see him talking to the red wolf but they look just like they had before Mephiles killed them.

There's a smile on Infinite's face, one I've never seen on his face before as he looks at the wolf. Part of me thinks of knocking but the moment I see them kiss, I move my hand away and fly up into the sky.

They're happy. I don't wanna disturb that and knowing how the wolf had died before, I won't risk making them lose precious time. They deserve their happiness. I can apologize another time.

One final talk.

I fly down to the outside of Scourge's home and take a deep breath.

'X, can we-' I can't even finish my question as I see a bright flash infront of me. I smile at X and he smiles back at me and pulls me into a hug which I reciprocate.

'I'm glad you are awake.'
'So am I.' The two of us share a short laugh.
'What did you wish to ask?'
'I was going to ask if I could thank you.'
'For what?'
'Being there for all of us. We don't thank you enough for basically being our only way to and from Exe's dimension. If it weren't for you, i'd still be trapped there with him and he'd be alive.'

He stays silent for a few moments before breaking the hug and just looking at me.
'Fleetway, i've grown to..admire your heart.'
'Huh?!'

My mind drifts to imagining X ripping out my heart the same way i'd done with tails but he laughs and I return to reality.

'I meant as in your emotions. You care so much more than others. I am not saying that the others do not care...but you are so..genuine.'
'T-thanks X.'
'No, thank you Fleetway. For being who you are. A caring, strong, protective hedgehog.' Part of me feels like i'll laugh but I can manage not to.

'You're welcome...' I get an idea, grabbing onto X's arm lightly and walking up to Scourge's door.

'Fleetway, what are you doing?'
'Inviting you to the family!'

I knock the door and Scourge opens it.
'Hey X.'
'H-hello Scourge.' X's voice is shaky, I can tell he is nervous but Scourge smiles at him.
'You alright?'
'Yes...Fleetway just said he was... "Inviting me to the family" but I don't know what-' I hear Scourge starting to laugh and he gives me a thumbs up.
'Good idea Fleet!'
'Thanks bro!'

I smile joyfully, reminiscing for the last time about everything before I walk in and shut the door.

End

Well its the end. Its been a lot of fun to write. Its been an emotional ride for me as much as all of you. Its been fun to read all of your comments and see what you think will happen. I'm glad to finally be at this point. And I hope you've enjoyed this story.