Chapter 12: Reunion, and a few dead friends
"Were is it?" Asked Sonic the hedgehog. "Where is his… er my grave?"
"Well Sonic," Uncle Chuck replied, "it's on the edge of town, near the dinner."
"Alright," called out Rotor, a little bit weary, "I think this meeting is adjourned."
Minutes later, Sonic raced through the town, wondering what he would find at his grave. His thoughts changed however, as he smashed into Hamlin.
"Watch were you are going, you incompetent fool." He sneered at Sonic.
"What is your problem Hamlin. You thought I was dead, and this is how you treat me when I return. How dare you…"
"How dare I not be happy when everything will fall apart because of you. You didn't realize it, but after we thought you were gone, we were able to make a deal with Eggman. As long as you weren't around, we would keep the peace. Things were going great…. That is, until you arrived."
"A deal with Eggman? And he hasn't double crossed you yet. That just doesn't add up. You know he's not really your ally…"
"Well he won't be," shouted Hamlin, "now that you're still alive. You were more help as a hero when you were dead." And with that Hamlin turned around and stormed away.
"That arrogant little…" But he was gone, and Sonic didn't feel like he was worth pursuing.
"Well, that's just one hogs opinion."
But Sonic soon realized that it wasn't. As he ran along the street, he heard whispering, people talking about him behind his back.
"…now war will surly break out." "It's a shame he's back." "Great, finally peace and he shows up."
After a while, the comments finally got to Sonic, and he stormed up to a local Mobian.
"You want to say something to my face?"
"No, nothing Sonic." He replied defensively, "just happy you're back."
"Right." Sonic said sarcastically. Then, a thought occurred to him. "Where is Sally and the rest of the freedom fighters?"
"They went out a couple of hours ago. I think they were going to see if Eggman wanted to come live here. Personally I think he takes up too much space."
Sonic walked away, more confused than ever.
"Eggman, an ally? People wishing I was dead? Man oh man, well at least I know two hedgehogs that still love me."
Sonic temporarily forgot about his grave, and rushed home to find his parents. When he entered the house, he was greeted with a warm, loving welcome.
"Sonic, we missed you so much." Cried out Bernadette.
"Mom, I'm glad you're here to see me, it seems that everyone else would rather have me still dead."
"Oh dear…" She laughed.
"I guess maybe I was jumping to conclusions."
"Well," Bernadette said wiping her tears away.
"Well what?" Sonic's eyes widened a bit.
"Well dear, I love you so much, but… if you hadn't come back, everything would have been better."
"Better? What are you saying mom? I thought that you of all people wouldn't be… how…."
"I'm sorry dear, you just need to get over yourself." Bernadette had a small frown on her face. Her tears had completely stopped flowing.
"I…" Sonic began to say, then rushed out of his house.
"Does everyone really think I'm better off dead? Sally doesn't think that. She couldn't... I really need to talk to her as soon as she gets back… I need... I need to see that grave."
As Sonic arrived at the edge of town, he slowed down as reached the entrance to the cemetery.
His gait began to slow to a stroll. His feet were very quiet, barely making an imprint as he wandered deeper into the cemetery. Some familiar names were seen: Sir Connery, Tommy, even Muttski.
"Muttski? When did you die." Sonic stepped closer towards the grave marker, and bend down. "Things change so fast, I'm sorry I wasn't there." Sonic put his hand along the tombstone, and gently brushed against the cold, icy bumps of the lettering. Finishing his thought, he rose slowly and continued his journey. The cemetery was not that large, it was only a couple hundred square feet length wise. The graves were all kept in rows of ten, each having several feet of spacing between them for the bodies. Each marker was shaped the exact same, except for two.
"Sonic and Tails, two brave heroes. Savoir of the world many times and true friends." Sonic read out loud the words inscribed on his tomb. The compliment gave Sonic the slightest bit of comfort, knowing someone still cared about him.
Sonic's grave was on the left side of the plaque, Tails' grave was on the right. The caskets were both above ground. They had a standard shade of black coating on the top and bottom, and along the edge ran a series of images that depicted Sonic and Tails in many of their adventures. Sonic decided to have a quick glance at his deceased buddy first. He slowly opened the casket as it made a creaking noise. He peered in, saw Tails, then immediately stepped back. He didn't know what he was going to expect, but it hadn't dawned on him that Tails body would be inside the casket. He quickly shut it closed and turned his head left.
"If Tails is here then…"
Sonic was worried about what he would find in his own casket. He gently placed his hand of the corner, and started to turn the hinge outward. With a quick inhale, Sonic peered into the casket…
