The following afternoon, Team Sonic and Team Lilac are relaxing in Tails' workshop, all exhausted after helping Tails rebuild his plane. All except Tails and Milla: he's putting the final few touches in place on his plane, and she's successfully summoning Phantom Blocks to test her repaired bracelet.

"There!" Tails announces as he finishes the last adjustment. "She's more beautiful than ever!" he adds as he jumps out of the cockpit and lands a short distance away, turning back to admire the plane.

"She's a fine machine alright," Carol agrees.

"Who wants to join me on a test flight?" Tails asks.

"Maybe later," Sonic replies.

"Suit yourself!" Tails retorts buoyantly as he jogs towards the plane. Not noticing the pop of an appearing Portal, he bumps into the silver hedgehog emerging from it, landing on his tails.

Everyone jumps from their chairs and readies for a fight. Milla falls in with the group, shield raised.

"Woah, relax guys!" the silver hedgehog requests, holding his hands up. "I'm not here to fight."

"Who are you?" Carol demands.

"My name is Silver," the newcomer explains. "I've been travelling through these Genesis Portals, closing them as I go, to control and eventually reverse the damage being done to all dimensions."

"Tails, does that make any sense to you?" Sonic asks.

"Actually, yes," Tails explains. "As I was explaining to Carol a couple of days ago, something happened that rewrote the history of an entire dimension, and probably several others. It was caused by a repair operation gone horribly wrong: these Genesis Portals are symptoms of the damage caused."

"Then why did you open a new portal just now?" Lilac asks Silver.

"Because I'm also helping people that have accidentally travelled between dimensions get home to their correct dimension," Silver explains. "Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, Milla Basset, this Portal will take you home to Dragon Valley."

"We're not the only ones here," Lilac informs.

"I returned the other two home yesterday," Silver informs.

"Good," Lilac nods in relief.

"Do we have to go now?" Milla asks, holding back a few tears.

"Unfortunately, yes," Silver informs. "The longer you stay outside your own dimension, the harder it is to control the damage. If the damage gets too severe, it could be irreversible. However, there is thankfully time enough for a proper goodbye."

The eight friends group into their teams and prepare to say goodbye.

"It's been quite an adventure," Lilac observes. "It's a shame we can't have a few more days."

"It was a pleasure fighting Eggman with you," Sonic returns, offering a hand which Lilac shakes firmly.

"We could have built some amazing machines together," Tails remarks to Carol.

"Hey, you don't need me to make cool stuff!" Carol winks, ready for a fist bump. Tails bumps fists, choosing not to remark on the single tear rolling down Carol's cheek.

"I guess this means no more 'Fuzzy Puppies'," Milla sniffs as she and Amy hug.

"We'll always be 'Fuzzy Puppy Buddies'," Amy replies.

Lilac looks over to Amy and Milla hugging. With a quick gesture, everyone joins in to make it a group hug.

"Well, guess there's nothing left but to return home," Lilac comments as the hug breaks. "We'll miss you guys!" she adds as she, Carol, and Milla move in front of the Portal.

"We'll miss you too!" Sonic, Tails, and Amy chorus in return.

"Oh, and one last thing," Lilac adds as Carol and Milla disappear through the Portal. "Sonic, lose the scarf: it looks silly," she teases, disappearing through the Portal before Sonic can react.

Once Silver has followed Lilac through, the Portal disappears with a pop. Team Sonic stand for a moment, sad to see their new friends go, not sure what to do next.

"Flying always cheers me up," Tails eventually says to no‑one in particular.

"That does sound nice," Sticks adds. "Plus, it's a good distraction from the spanners reading my thoughts."

"Can I come too?" Knuckles asks.

"Sure," Tails agrees. "Sonic, Amy?"

"Sounds like a‑," Sonic starts, pausing when he realises Amy is holding his hand. "On second thoughts, maybe later," he finishes.

Tails shakes his head in amusement as he gets into his plane. Moments later, he taxis out of the workshop and takes off, Knuckles and Sticks riding on the wings.

"It's just us two now," Sonic comments softly.

Amy hugs Sonic tightly, Sonic returning the hug tenderly.

"I miss them so much already," Amy sobs.

"I know," Sonic reassures. "But you never know, we may see them again someday."

"I hope so," Amy replies. "Lilac has a point," she adds a moment later.

"Hm?"

"Your scarf does look silly."

Sonic sighs, unamused.

After thanking to Silver, Team Lilac retire to the den in their treehouse.

"It's good to be home!" Carol chimes.

"Agreed," Lilac replies. "Being under the Kingdom Vortex again is a good feeling. Still, would have liked to stay a few days more."

"Me too," Carol agrees.

"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Milla asks.

"I hope so," Lilac answers. "Sonic may be an arrogant, cocky, smug little… proverbial, but under that brash exterior, he's a real sweetheart."

"Sounds like someone has a little crush!" Carol teases.

"Oh, please!" Lilac scoffs humorously.

"You'd be so cute together though!" Milla adds cheekily.

"What am I going to do with you two?" Lilac sighs, smiling. "Besides, he's with Amy."

"Are you sure about that?" Carol asks.

"There's something going on between them, that much is obvious," Lilac confirms. "Anyway, why aren't we talking about your little crush on Tails?" she teases.

"You better take that back, Miss Heropants!" Carol retorts humorously.

"Make me!" Lilac challenges, poking her tongue out playfully, Milla giggling at her friends' playful banter.

The phone rings, interrupting the trio. After a brief wordless exchange, Carol answers it. "It's Mayor Zao," she informs Lilac a few moments later. "He wants us in Shang Mu for a photo‑op tonight."

"Oh, for a Portal to Bygone Island," Lilac sighs as she flops face down on the sofa.