Sonic: Never Giving Up On You

Sonic.EXE AU

It's been 18 years. Long time, huh? It felt like only yesterday whenever they last saw Sonic's smirk. He would want them to keep on hoping. Even if HE was trapped in the darkness, doesn't mean they should too. But it's been hard to not. 18 years full of narrow escapes and near-death experiences, 18 years full of suffering and decreasing mental-health, 18 years full of loneliness.
Former Team Sonic were miserable. They were without a leader. They went all over the place. Amy went to Little Planet with Cream, Shadow and Rouge went to who-knows-where, Knuckles returned to his island, Silver and Blaze returned to Crisis City, and Tails has just lost it. When Tails has a not-so-happy reunion with his big brother, Sonic, he realizes Sonic is still in there, that there is still hope.
While everyone else, the Chaotix, Marine, Vanilla, etc., wanted to give up on Sonic, Former Team Sonic never did and never will. They never will give up on their friend. Their beacon of hope. Their leader.
Their brother.