Chapter 4:

Recapitulation

A/N: A year since update??? Well, I couldn't stand the guilt, so here's the continuation. In your review, state a good day you'd like to see this story updated, or else I'll pick one myself.

Tails twisted in his sleep, a strange dreaming taking him…

A blue hedgehog's face was cast down at the ground, but the fox instantly recognized him. "Sonic!" Tails said, confused, and hesitant to approach. But then a chill went to his spine.

"The soul diamond…" He began with a cold edge in his voice. "The cursed object that started everything… that twisted my Soul that brought your true love back from the heavens, and resulted in thousands killed, harmed, and losing loved ones, and began our terrible war…

"Sonic, look, we can sort this out."

"I believe in you Tails…" A softer voice said, but suddenly a harsh change of tone took place. "This will end in your death."

Tails gasped as the hedgehog faced him, half of his face twisted, an eye glaring at him, flashing razor sharp teeth in a most sinister grin, while the other half seemed contorted with pain, a soft, almost pleading look in its eye.

"Deep down, I'm me, Tails." The good half of Sonic reminded him. "I so admire your bravery…"

"But it is a pity it will be all for naught." The other half cut in, moving toward him slowly. "When you're dead, no one will challenge my rule. Morale will plummet. But, perhaps I shall let you live a bit, lie about your death, so you can see everything crumble, as I destroy your rebel friends, and of course, execute your love in front of your own eyes."

"Sonic, you don't know what you are saying!" Tails cried at him.

"You must hurry." The good half of Sonic pleaded. "The Dread Lord is making the corrupt power of the soul diamond take me over. You must stop me… by destroying me."

"No, there's another way." Tails insisted.

Sonic's good half rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "No, there isn't." Both sides said simultaneously, their two tones mixing as their half of their mouth twisted in the same pattern. The evil half let out a dark laugh, as he wound up his own arm, preparing to launch it straight into Tails' heart…

"Tails… Tails!" A voice shouted. Tails snapped opened his eyes, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon as he slowly relaxed. It was Shadow.

"Get up. We're leaving now."

"Now? But we haven't even…"

"Change of plans." Shadow told him plainly. "It's just a small group. You, Cosmo, myself, and Cream."

"What?" Tails asked, confused. "What about the army? What about Zoran?"

"Zoran thought about your plan, and thought a small, powerful force would do best. Each of us has an ability to offer. You built Sonic's palace, so of course you'll be useful… Cosmo for her ability with plants I guess, I for my unparallel power (Tails was too tired to roll his eyes)… and I don't know why he insisted on Cream going with us. She wasn't happy with it, though."

Tails decided he'd learn nothing just listening to Shadow, so he quickly packed his things and went outside, to see a tired but smiling Cosmo, a teary-eyed Cream, and an expressionless Zoran addressing them.

"You must be careful not to be discovered." Zoran warned them, and then turned to Tails. "Good. You're up. You all need to leave immediately.

"I know Zoran… but just us? Without the army?"

"You're a genius, you can do this." Zoran said, flashing a grin. "I'll be with them, conducting an attack elsewhere, keeping them occupied." He then turned to Cream, who was still crying. He held her shoulder with hand, gazing at her intently.

"Zoran, let me stay with you." The rabbit begged, but the fox shook his head.

"No, no one can talk sense into Amy but you. If there's any chance of a nonviolent confrontation, you're our answer."

He walked up to Shadow, and the two shook hands. "Don't do anything irrational, Shadow." He warned the hedgehog. "If you yourself kill Sonic, you could make things worse, not better. It could be seen as another power struggle between two powerful men."

"Don't tell me what to do." The hedgehog snarled, letting go of his hand. Zoran did not let down his glare however, but slowly turned to Cosmo.

"Good luck Cosmo." Zoran said to the plant. Cosmo smiled at him.

"Get some sleep, Zoran." The plant asked of him. He gave her a weary smile, but it held no promise.

When he approached Cream, the rabbit cried, embracing him as if it was the last time they would embrace. Zoran had on his stony mask, but deep down, Tails knew this just as tough on him as it was on Cream.

He then turned to Tails. "Don't take too long." He told his brother. "We can't hold out forever on the offensive. We'll be obliterated."

"I'll have Sonic back in a fortnight." Tails swore. Zoran gave him an disbelieving look, but didn't comment. He then walked away from them, alongside one of the other captains.

"Rouse up the soldiers." Zoran commanded. "It's about time we head out too."

They waited until he was out of distant before turning the other direction, into the forest, back into the city, and then into Sonic's palace, where the hedgehog would be waiting…

Is a team of four enough to stop Sonic and the Dread Lord? Can they act quickly enough, or will Zoran and the Rebel Army be swarmed? Find out next chapter!

(Sonic is not necessarily evil, by the way. He was at first a tragic hero, then a tragic villain. You will see that he is truly a blend of both in this story.)