Sonic Boom.EXE?!

Chapter 13: Reunions and Regrets.

"Damn it! Where is he?"

Silver sighed.

"Calm down. Sonic will be alright. Just don't overthink it, Silver." The white hedgehog tried to reassure himself.

===

Shadow reappeared in the village. He stared at the destruction and lifelessness that surrounded him.

"I wasn't in control physically or mentally! I thought you knew that! Emotions, especially strong ones, are really difficult to control! An insane demon takes over me and I have no control over him no matter what I do! HOW IS THAT MY FAULT?!"

"Idiotic Faker!"

"Your anger, it seems to get out of control these days. You need to keep that in check, Shadow."

"I can tell that he genuinely cares for you."

Shadow felt a pang in his heart.

"...Maria's right."

===

Tails was frantically running through the jungle, darting his head left and right, before stumbling over a burnt tree branch. He then used his twin tails to fly as he looked around the destroyed jungle. Tails spotted a cave in the distance, so he flew over there as quickly as his tails would carry him.

The fox landed just outside of the cave entrance as he peered inside. His heart nearly skipped a beat. At the end of the cave, he saw Sonic sitting against the wall with his hands around his knees as he rested his head on them.

Tails ran into the darkness of the cave, but stopped in his tracks as he began to hear quiet sobbing. Without a second thought, the fox sprinted over to Sonic and threw his arms around him. This caused the hedgehog to lift his head in surprise.

"T-T-Tails?"

"Oh, Sonic! I finally found you!" Tails yelled in relief while he tightly hugged his best friend.

"When you ran off, you had me worried sick!" He told the hedgehog.

"S-So you didn't leave m-me?" Sonic stuttered.

"Of course not! You're my best friend. You're practically my brother! I will never leave your side."

Sonic tightly wrapped his arms around Tails. The fox shed his own silent tears.

"I-I-I'm so s-sorry! I-It's - - all m-my - - fault!" Sonic began to sob uncontrollably into Tails' shoulder.

"Sonic, don't say that. It's not your fault at all. You couldn't control Exe and you couldn't help that. You didn't know what would happen, so don't beat yourself up for it." Tails reassured as he hugged his best friend tighter.

"T-Thanks, Tails." Sonic tried to wipe his tears, but more tears flowed as they soaked his gloves.

"It's okay, Sonic. You don't need to cry anymore. I'll always be with you, now and forever." Tails said with a soft and gentle tone.

"T-Thank you. I know I don't express this often, but...you don't know how much this means to me. You honestly don't know how grateful I am." Sonic responded during a more successful attempt to wipe his tears.

"I know. It goes without saying." Tails chuckled, making Sonic smile.

After wiping his own tears, Tails broke the embrace and held a hand out to Sonic.

"Come on, let's head back. I'm sure Silver would like to see you again." Tails smiled.

Sonic returned this smile as he took Tails' hand. The fox helped him to get back on his feet.