Dust settled across the interior of the Spectre assault craft, coating the unused co-pilot's seat and controls and the myriad objects of technology all over the floor. The fold-out beds in the back had been stowed for months without use. The only occupant of the ship slept in the pilot's seat, snoring lightly and dreaming a strange scene.

Behind him he saw a small building barely disguised as a grassy hill. On top of it sat his friends. A brown-furred Squirrel named Sally who had always been kind and loving towards him; Antoine and Bunnie, a strange couple of Coyote and Rabbit who were married, proving that love can prevail anywhere; a large purple Walrus named Rotor, who he had always looked up to as a senior mechanic; a young pink Hedgehog who he knew to be full of energy and caring to a fault; a yellow Mongoose named Mina whose singing voice was as clear and beautiful as she herself was; and finally Sonic, the blue Hedgehog, whose super speed had saved the world many times over. He looked up to them all, but Sonic was his hero. He was everyone's hero.

He smiled back at all of them and they waved at him, smiling and encouraging. Then he heard a shout from in front. Turning to see who was calling him, he saw a young Vixen in a white wedding dress. She had her back turned to him so he couldn't see her face, but he knew only one person she could be. It was Fiona. It had to be. Her tail swished with a slow, suggestive flick. He called her name, reaching out to her. She turned around and smiled at him, her black hair falling in front of her violet eyes. She spoke.

"Look up."

He did as he was bid, lookin up. There was nothing alarming at first, but then the shadow fell across him. Floating in the sky above him was a colossal battle station called the Death Egg... and it was falling towards him.

Tails woke with a start, lurching forward and hitting his head on the ship's control console. He clutched at his head and sat up straight, swearing. He checked his hand briefly, making sure he wasn't bleeding. He looked around, reassuring himself that he was alone, then leaned back and pondered the dream. He didn't know much about how to interpret dreams, but he sorted through what he could remember.

The Death Egg, yes, that was still in the sky over Mobius. Eggman seemed content to just let it float there for now, along with his massive fleet. It's appearance probably indicated that Eggman was going to make his move soon.

He was sure he had forgotten something about the Freedom Fighters... they were together. Was Sonic standing apart from them? He couldn't remember. But they were happy. He was happy. She was happy.

Fiona... but... not? Violet eyes and black hair? She seemed familiar, but Tails couldn't think of any other Vixens he knew. Maybe a long time ago, when he was a child? A friend of his parents? Then he recognized the face. It was Li Moon. He had met her years ago when in the Dragon Kingdom with Sonic. Her grandfather was a village elder and had let them stay there for the night.

He thought about Li Moon. He had almost forgotten about her completely. Where was she? Was she okay? Was she even still alive? The Freedom Fighters hadn't had any contact with their Dragon Kingdom allies for years. She had probably grown since he last saw her. He briefly imagined her naked, knocking the thought out of his head immediately. For all he knew, she was still a minor.

His thoughts were cut off as the boarding ramp opened up and someone walked up. He spun in his chair, not sure who to expect. Maybe Fiona had come back. Maybe Sonic and the Freedom Fighters had caught him. Maybe it was Li Moon. That would explain why she was in his dream... to a degree. His hand wrapped around a gun he had stowed beside the pilot's seat, making sure his finger was in the trigger. The face that met his gaze was, welcome yes, but the last one he expected.

"Heya Tails! I gotta package for ya!" Happy buzzing filled the air as Charmy Bee flew in past the hulking form of Vector and dropped down right in front of him. "Here ya go! Don't eat it all in one place!"

Vector rolled his eyes. "Charmy, you're not supposed to let him know what it is. It's a surprise!"

Just as Tails was about to take the box from Charmy, the hapless Bee turned around to face Vector. "Yeah, well, I bet he was surprised when we showed up!" Vector was about to shoot a comeback at him, but Tails cut him off.

"Sure was surprised. How'd you find me?"

Vector opened his mouth to explain, but Charmy cut him off. "Espio's a ninja, dummy!"

Espio appeared out of thin air right beside Tails, but it failed to startle the Kitsune. Espio thought nothing of the lack of shock, and spoke plainly. "And the Chaotix have been keeping tabs on you since you ran off."

Vector pitched in. "One of us has been within eye-shot of you at all times."

Tails huffed. It figured. "Sally put you up to this? Sonic hire you?"

Vector looked to Charmy. "Uh... no. We just decided to watch your back. Jump in if you ever needed us. You know, what friends do."

"I see. And where's the rest of the team?"

Vector crossed his arms. "Eh, you mean Julie-su, Mighty, and Ray?"

Tails nodded. "And Saffron."

"Hmm? Who's Saffron?" Charmy glared up at Vector, spurring the Croc to recheck his memory. "Oh, yes, Saffron! Yeah, her too." Charmy seemed placated by this.

Tails leaned back in his chair, letting the gun drop back into it's holster. "Yeah, so where are they?"

Charmy shrugged. "Mighty said he was gonna take Ray to show him the... what did he say, Vector?" Tails' ears perked up at this.

Vector sighed. "The joys of coffee. Frankly, I don't think Ray needs it. He's jumpy enough as it is. Julie-su's visiting Knux, and Saffron went and quit the Chaotix about three months ago. Only Charmy keeps in contact with her."

"She apparently decided to get a real job."

Vector glared at Espio. "Right... a real job. Cause being a waitress is far more respectable than being a detective."

Charmy jumped up, laughing. "Oh Vector, you're just jealous."

"Yeah, that's what it is..."

Tails interrupted. "So... do I get to see what's in the package?"

Charmy turned around and held the box out for him. "Sure! It's yummy!"

Tails took it, wondering how many flowers he could eat before he cracked up. He opened the box, smiling up at Charmy. Looking in, he saw a stack of small cookies. "Oh, gee, guys. I don't know what to say."

"How about thanks?"

Tails looked to the entrance, to the biggest surprise of them all. Rouge stood there, sporting a new outfit that emphasized hearts even more than all those that came before. She had let her hair grow a bit, falling around her shoulders. It looked good, but Tails wasn't used to it.

"What are you doing here?"

Rouge leaned against the hull. "I'm with them. The reason we all came here was to warn you."

Tails closed the box and set it aside. "Warn me?"

Rouge's face grew darker. "The Babylon Rogues are in town. They're hunting you."