Infinite Sadness

Chaos Energy

Later, at Eggman's lair, Zero finds a spot outside to stare at the sun set.

"I miss being able to fly," he says to himself.

Tikal fades into the picture, behind him. He senses her presence and turns around.

"Huh? You again?" he asks.

"Hello, friend. I didn't properly introduce myself last time. My name is Tikal."

Zero scoffs.

"Unless you're here to reunite me with my pack, I have no interest in knowing you," he tells her bitterly.

"You have a Chaos Emerald in your chest. You can Chaos Control, breathe in space, your blood stream will never be the same."

Zero walks right through her, disinterested.

"Listen child, it's because of your interfering that I lost that war."

He heads to the entrance of the lair. Tikal sighs somberly and uses her powers to cause Zero walk into Null Space. Appearing in front of him, the transparent image of his departed squad. A vision of them, playing together when they were little. The only one absent from the group... him. Instantly, he's overwhelmed with heartache. So much so that he grabs his chest, grabs the emerald, as if he's been stabbed. As he watches them chase each other blissfully, he falls to his knees in pain. One little jackal pauses and faces him, worried.

"Hey you guys, knock it off," he calls out to the other three. "The boss is watching!"

Another one pauses.

"Hey boss, we'll stop playing now, we promise."

"No more goofing around, we swear," says a third.

They line up, just children but ready to follow their leader to the end.

"We're sorry," says the forth.

"Don't be sorry," Zero gasps. "It's okay, you can play."

"You took care of them the best way you knew how," Tikal replies softly. "They were orphans... and so were you. Not just a squad but your blood-relatives, your family."

The little jackals disappear with the setting sun.

"Wait! Take me with you!" Zero begs, but it does nothing to stop them from fading away.

He covers his face, grief-stricken.

"I'm going mad!"

Tikal gets on her knees and hugs him as night begins to fall.

"No friend, you already went mad. It's alright, I'm here. You're not alone anymore."

When was the last time Zero was hugged? Seems like never. And why is it happening in Null Space, of all places?

The lair door slides open causing Null Space to blow away. Zero frantically scurries and hides. Like he really wants Eggman to see him sobbing like a five year old. No way! He takes cover behind a boulder. Tikal appears beside him. They eavesdrop together.

"Arg, that jackal's getting on my nerves. Those auditions were subpar at best. I expected he'd form an army of true evil-doers. On what planet is Dave the Intern a threat, huh?"

"If you're so disappointed in him, why are you housing him here at the lair, sir?" asks Orbot.

"He needs his own pad," Cubot suggests.

"Why? Because I've got Shadow breathing down my neck, that's why! The whole my son died in my arms because of you, Doctor Eggman didn't exactly score me any points with the Edgehog. Turning on his jackal-buddy could send Shadow over the moon. Dah! He's out to get me, I just know it! Orbot, Cubot, take one of my new Egg Pods and go make sure Shadow's not plotting to murder me."

"Sir, perhaps you're being a bit paranoid," Orbot suggests. "Another version of Silver came and took the dead one's place. If Shadow really wanted to destroy you, surely he would have already..."

"I bet he wants to shoot me! Make sure he's not polishing his gun collection!" Eggman cries then scampers back inside. The two robots shrug then swerve around the lair.

"Let's go!" Tikal whispers, following them.

Zero nods and runs ahead of her. He sneaks closely and catches the sight of the bots leaving in one of three parked Egg Pods.

"You can escape this place using one of these small ships," Tikal provokes.

Caught short by her mischievousness, Zero giggles playfully.

"The priss wants me to jack a pod?"

Tikal nods. His eyes light up.

"With pleasure!"

He sprints inside another pod. Tikal joins him. Normally there wouldn't be enough space for two they're size, but being that she can manifest transparently, there's more than enough room. He ineffectively presses a bunch of buttons, trying to ignite the engine.

"How do you start this damn thing?" he grunts.

"Relax, my friend," she says gently. "Put your hands on the wheel and trust me with all your heart."

He complies. She sticks her hand through his back and activates the Chaos Emerald. The ship powers on. He feels himself able to wield the pod, the same way he wielded illusions with the Phantom Ruby. As if the wheel is merely a joy stick, his chaos abilities command the ship to take off, allowing him to pilot with ease.