Sonic Chronicles: Hope
I remember that fateful day five years ago, but that day resounded in my memories like it all happened yesterday.
That fated day, Eggman won.
I remember he fired the Eclipse Cannon on each of the world capitals. Sonic couldn't stop him in time. I remember hearing that Sonic didn't escape from Eggman's base before it exploded with him in it. He managed to survive, but he was never the same after that.
People said, even to this day, Sonic wasn't as fast as he used to be. They said Sonic lost his drive. I couldn't blame him. I don't think there is a man or animal alive that would be normal after a near-death experience like that. We knew without doubt when Sonic was the first to try to defeat Eggman's forces, but he was defeated and captured. But for some reason, Eggman let Sonic go and Sonic was never heard from again. Eggman knew that Sonic wasn't a threat to him. That's when hope started to waver.
I remember G.U.N. organized an ill-fated counterattack. Eggman's forces easily decimated them. I remember there was a memorial of all the people involved. I remember there were hundreds that perished. I remember that Shadow was on that memorial. Shadow was someone I knew that didn't go down easy. I shudder at the thought of the pain Shadow and those men had to endure. That's when hope started to die.
I remember when Angel Island fell under Eggman's control. With the Master Emerald, Eggman would be unstoppable. Fear overcame the world and crippled nations. No one ever did find out what happened to Knuckles. Rumors spread that Knuckles died that day. Others say he served Eggman as a servant to harness the Master Emerald's power. No one really knew. That's when hope started to cry.
Tails was different however. He wanted to be like Sonic. He never gave up. Tails went underground and gathered anyone who wanted to resist. That day hope healed and got better.
But that medicine was short-lived and quickly became a poison.
The resistance was unable to gather itself before Eggman's attack. They resistance scattered without a single bullet fired. Without a single casualty reported. Hope cried again and grew sicker.
Tails, on the other hand, stood his ground and barely escaped with his life. He tried to hide, but those he thought were his allies easily gave him over to Eggman. Eggman made a spectacle of Tails by public torture. The last I saw of Tails he became mute and near lifeless. His beautiful orange fur was stained with dirt and dried blood. Wounds decorated his body ranging from simple cuts to bruised bones. The look in his eyes was depraved of any hope. That day hope was holding on by a thread.
One day, I said something I'd thought I'd never say: I will fight! The words left my lips filled with a determination and passion I've never experienced before. I looked to my faithful chao who shared my feelings. I found my weapon. Hope was given a second wind.
I found my down-trodden fox friend and picked him up. He looked into my eyes and his eyes returned to life. Tails spoke once again with renewed vigor. I wouldn't let him give up again! This was a spark that I knew would grow into a raging flame.
After days of searching, we found Sonic. Sonic had become weak and paranoid. The mere utterance of Eggman or even the suggestion of fighting would send him into a panic. It took time before I found the words to break Sonic free from this state. I felt a faint, but familiar wind blow once more. Sonic was back! Though he was not the Sonic he was before, it was better than having no Sonic. Hope started to heal again.
We gathered every man and woman willing to fight. Seeing their heros return galvanized the newly-formed resistance. Knuckles returned that day adding to the fire. That day hope stopped crying.
Eggman's forces started to crumble in the face of resolve. Momentum took back Angel Island. Strength won us battle after battle. Hope no longer wavered.
And before it was all over, Eggman too fell along with his empire. After a long two years, the world rejoiced as hope was no longer a phantom.
I remember that day when Sonic became Sonic again. I remember that day when Knuckles came back to protect Angel Island. I remember that day when Tails once again followed Sonic. That day hope was fully restored.
As for myself, I, Cream the Rabbit, returned to my house in the woods with my Cheese. I went home expecting to remain an unsung hero. I never raised a gun. I never threw a punch. I didn't need the attention of hero. I was content with this role; after all, it wasn't anything special.
I opened my door to see a banner in the dark. I didn't need the lights on to see what was written on it. I closed the door behind myself as a tear fell from my cheek.
Cream, The hope that would never die
Thank you
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles
6/11/14