In Knothole, the villagers were putting the finishing touches on Sonic's funeral. In their hut, Eric and Alura were getting ready for the service by putting on their respective uniforms. Eric's Vanguard uniform was midnight blue, the four bars on each epaulet signifying his rank of Commander. He left his bow on the bed, knowing he wouldn't need it for the service. The left sleeve stopped at mid-bicep while the right sleeve went to his wrist. The jacket and matching pants hung loosely off his body and his black combat boots reflected the afternoon sun off the freshly polished leather.
Alura's uniform was more form fitted than her husband's. Her shirt was jet-black that came down to her belly button and the sleeves stopped just after her shoulder. The pant legs ended at mid-calf and her shoes were more slipper than shoe. On her right shoulder were the embroidered letters "A.R.C.". The two finished dressing in silence before Eric spoke up.
"It's not like you to show up," he said towards a dark corner. A yellow hedgehog with matching eyes stepped out. He had only two rows of hair quills and a tuft of white under his chin.
"Things...have changed," he said in a halting voice. "Your son...safe."
"What do you mean, Arca?" Alura asked, pushing past her husband. "What do you mean that Sonic is safe?"
"With us," he explained. "Sylvanix brought him to the others until 'he' comes."
"What does that mean?" Eric asked but it was too late: the hedgehog was already gone. "Damn it, why is he never any help?"
"You can say that again," Alura said, shaking her head. "Seriously, I don't know why you ever listened to that whack-job." She started to walk towards the closet when she felt a familiar presence. "How long have you been here, Arias?"
"Long enough," the human said, stepping out of the bathroom. "I don't see how they can live in these huts. There's barely enough room to stand let alone live." He glanced over at Eric to see the hedgehog with a large arrow drawn and aimed at him. "It's good to see you again, old friend."
"Go to hell," Eric snarled.
"I wasn't talking to you, Commander." Arias gently touched the bow and the arrow dispersed much to Eric's shock. The symbol on the guard glowed happily before fading again. "Anyway, I was going to ask where Sonic is but I see that I'm too late. My condolences."
"For what they're worth, thank you," Eric said begrudgingly, lowering his bow. "Still, why are you looking for him?"
"After everything that's happened I was going to suggest that he come to Azosarria," the human said, leaning against the wall. "Of course, your orders were likely to bring him back to Xenodome after you spotted my brand on him." Eric and Alura's eyes widened. "Oh don't give me that. After hearing what I did to him you shouldn't have been surprised. Still, the choice of where to go should have been his." He turned to the door and waved as he vanished in a flash of yellow light.
"Yeah, like he's more helpful than Arca," Eric commented sarcastically, laying his bow back on the bed. "C'mon, we should get to the service." After letting the surprise of the human's visit wear off she nodded, following her husband to her own son's funeral.
"Ah, Arca is back," Sylvanix said as the yellow hedgehog reappeared. "Does Eric know?"
"Knows...Yes, the elder one knows," he said, sitting down in front of Rosemary who began to stroke his hair quills. Sonic cocked an eyebrow at Sylvanix who just shrugged.
"She's the only one who can keep him calm when he gets flustered," he explained. "It was like this when she was married, too. Even death can't change some things."
"Which reminds me," Sonic said, sitting by the fire with the others, "why am I here instead of in the afterlife?" The other Guardians stared at each other, trying to figure out what to say. "That Balthasar guy said that someone was coming to get me and I got the impression he didn't mean you guys."
"It seems one of the beings here has taken an interest in you," Rosemary told him. "I would be wary, Sonic. This creature does not interfere in our world without some kind of fee." Sonic nodded, only slightly understanding. Rosemary's tails flicked, sending wisps of mist around her. Looking around, Sonic noticed for the first time that all of them had multiple tails aside from Arca who had only three stumps and a large scar across his back. "Is something wrong?"
"Why is it that all of you guys have more than one tail?" Sonic asked. They stared at him, as if unable to believe what he had just said. "What? Is there something on my face?"
"You...don't know?" Aquira said, cocking an eyebrow. "How can you of all people not know?"
"I told you he was just a worthless one-tail," Volcarras scoffed. "He doesn't even know what makes Magans superior to Mobians."
"Wait, that's it? Just the tails?!"
"Of course it's the tails!" the mongoose roared, grabbing Sonic's jacket collar. "And it's far more than just a small anatomical difference. Our tails represent our power!"
"Let go of him, Volcarras," Sylvanix said, placing a hand on the Flame Guardian's forearm. "I will only warn you once." Reluctantly he let go of Sonic before wandering off to the far side of the fire ring. "You'll have to forgive Volcarras," the hedgehog continued as he turned to Sonic, "but he is right in a sense. Our tails allow us to absorb, understand, and then expel excess energy. That's why we don't become ochita. Mobians, on the other hand, can only absorb and understand, not expel."
"Because they have only one tail," Sonic finished and Sylvanix nodded. "Isn't there some way around that? Am I stuck worrying about transforming the rest of my life?!" Sylvanix's expression turned to one of surprise before reverting.
"I would have thought you would realize by now, Sonic," Sylvanix said. "But it's not my place to tell you. I would like to ask you something, though." He looked at his fellow Guardians. "I want them to see the power you used against Kinos. I want them to see the reason why I entreated the being coming for you. Then I think they will fully understand just how strong you really are." It took Sonic a moment but he eventually nodded and drew the kodachi strapped across his lower back.
"Fuzen (Incomplete)," Sonic commanded. "Kaiyō Mujō!" Immediately the sword glowed with blue light, the blade and tsuka extending. The back of the blade had three missing sections where the inside of the blade was visible. The light faded and left the Magans to stare at Sonic in awe.
"He's...one of them," Shada said, his hands trembling. "He's one of the Kurōkami."
"That's not the extent of it though, is it, Syl?" Volcarras asked and the hedgehog shook his head. "Well? Let's see the rest of it then."
"That power is still too unpredictable," Sylvanix explained. "Besides, I doubt that Sonic can fully control him yet."
"You're talking about Kuroc, right?" Sonic asked as Kaiyō Mujō returned to her sealed state. "I don't know. He helped against Kinos but bringing him out just to show off isn't really his style. Not mine either but who's counting?"
"Not only Kurōkami but hoshoku-sha as well?" Arca wondered as he stood up and inspected Sonic. The yellow Magan was only a hair's breadth from Sonic, much to the latter's discomfort. "Agree with Sylvanix, cannot allow to die."
"What's up with you, old man?" Sonic asked bluntly. "You talk like you're some kinda mad scientist."
"Mad? Oh yes, quite mad!" Arca said with a laugh and returned to his spot by Rosemary.
"During one of our battles with Xiaxos Arca lost all of his tails," Terras explained. "Combine that with all the time he spent in the Somes Arcanum and, yeah, he went a bit mad. Still managed to keep his Guardian abilities through the whole thing though so that's something."
"So who are you two exactly?" Sonic asked, turning to Rosemary. "Everyone else here has introduced themselves except you two."
"Where are my manners?" Rosemary asked as she stood. "This is Arca Volsace of the Somei tribe." She gave a small curtsy. "And I am Rosemary Tirkala-Prower of the In'ei."
"Did you say 'Prower'?" Sonic asked. "It's the craziest thing. There's this kid in Knothole-"
Before Sonic could continue a warm burst of air blew through the camp. Sylvanix turned to see a cloaked figure standing just outside their circle. "Already?" he asked. "Well then, it seems your friends are moving much faster than I expected." He turned to Sonic, a sad smile across his face. "It was good to meet you at last Sonic. Just promise me that you won't be back until Xiaxos is defeated once and for all?" Sonic smiled and bumped fists with the Wind Guardian.
"So who's this guy?" he asked, motioning towards the figure. "This is the guy you asked to save me?"
"Yes," Sylvanix said nervously. "He is the only being in all of existence that cannot die. He's the one that will take you back."
"We must hurry," the figure interrupted. "The timing of the spell must be perfect." Before Sonic could say goodbye he vanished alongside the figure. The Magans stared where he had been, shaking their heads.
"I have to ask," Shada asked, sitting up, "just how did you convince Phoenix to take Sonic back? The kid was right in that should have been stuck here like us."
"I offered him something that he couldn't refuse," Sylvanix said. "In addition to his regular fee he will make Sonic into his agent so that he might walk Mobius once more. Sonic will need the extra strength Phoenix can provide for what's coming." He smiled again, sorrow in his eyes. "Besides, he doesn't need the help of an old soldier like me anymore. My soul for his seems like a good exchange."
"You're a damn fool, Syl," Volcarras said, flicking a wisp of flame into the fire. "No soul is equal to another. After all we've been through you should know that."
"Something you should know," Arca said, looking up at Rosemary. "Your son...made it to their time. Safe...until Ragnarök. Good friend of Sonic's."
"Thank you, Arca," Rosemary replied. "That must have been what Sonic was trying to say. I am happy to know that my husband's sacrifice was not in vain. Still, I was hoping that he would have made it to a time in which Xiaxos was beaten forever."
"The bastard is stubborn, I'll give him that," Shada said with a shudder. "I feel sorry for Shinigami, being trapped in his own mind while that thing runs the show."
"There was one last favor I was hoping you could do for me, Rosemary," Sylvanix said and the fox's ears twitched. "I'd like to leave a message for someone but astral projection has never been one of my strong suits."
"You'll have to be brief," she informed him as she stood. "I will only be able to keep her here for a few minutes at best." The hedgehog nodded as the fox began prepping the spell.
"You'd better be right about this kid, Sylvanix," Volcarras said as the mist began to encircle Rosemary. "Even after you're gone and the kid is alive again the rest of us will still be stuck here. And I don't mean just the six of us."
"I know, Volcarras. I know," Sylvanix said as Rosemary vanished. The voices of thousands echoed around him and he silently promised his fallen comrades that they would soon be free.
Sally looked at herself in the mirror in her black outfit. She'd found a pair of black dress slacks as well as black versions of her vest and boots. Nicole was running a diagnostic so she'd get left behind. Sally looked down at her left hand and the ring sitting on her finger. Reluctantly she removed it and set it next to Nicole, tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
Right now I don't know what the truth is, she told herself as she rubbed her naked ring finger. Until I know for certain what Sonic's intentions were I don't feel right wearing it.
She barely acknowledged a presence behind her until a hand fell onto her shoulder. "Forgive the intrusion, Princess," a soft voice said, "but there is someone who would like to speak with you." She turned to face the intruder and was greeted with a seven foot tall dragon with pure white feathers covering her wings. Sally was about to cry out when the dragon placed a claw on her face and she fell onto the bed.
When she came to she heard soft mutterings and the crackle of a campfire. She looked up to see an unusual ensemble of animals. "Thank you again, Rosemary," a green hedgehog with a large sword on his back said.
"Please hurry, Sylvanix," Rosemary said. Sally turned to the dragon only to see a beautiful fox in her place. Something about her seemed eerily familiar but she couldn't place it.
"I know you have many questions, Princess Sally," Sylvanix said before Sally could ask what was going on. "Unfortunately we don't have time to answer them. I would like you to pass along a message for me when you wake up."
"Where am I? Am I dreaming?" she asked. "Tell me that and I'll pass any message for you."
The hedgehog muttered under his breath but nodded all the same. He explained about Limbo briefly and its location and, though extremely surprised and confused, Sally nodded her satisfaction in the answer. "When you next see Sonic I'd like you to tell him that it was an honor knowing him and guiding him," he said. "Unfortunately we must part ways long before I wanted. He has been like a brother to me this last year."
"I'm sorry but Sonic is dead," Sally told him and she felt her heart sink. It was the first time she'd actually said it out loud and it hurt as much as she'd expected. "And who are you anyway? How do you know him?"
"My name is Sylvanix Aeras and I'm the one that Sonic sought wisdom and guidance from when he became a Guardian." Sally's eyes widened as the name struck several chords in her memory.
"But Sonic said you were a dragon," she said.
"We do not have time for this," Sylvanix told her as Rosemary struggled to keep the spell active. "Please just give him the message when you see him. I know that seems impossible but you must trust me that he is..." Sally vanished as Rosemary collapsed onto the ground panting. Sylvanix and Arca helped her up and the green hedgehog hugged her tightly. "I know how difficult that was and I thank you that much more," he told her.
"We'll all miss you, Sylvanix," she replied as a tear ran down her cheek. "What you're doing is beyond brave or selfless." The other Magans repeated her sentiments, forcing Sylvanix to wipe his own tears away.
"Goodbye, my friends," he said with a smile, still crying. "Watch out for that idiot apprentice of mine, okay? He's going to need all the help he can get." They all nodded, even Volcarras, as the campfire began to intensify. "Well, here goes nothing."