AFTER THE METAREX: TAILS' STORY

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"A New Beginning?"

January 3:

Tails came home from a long, difficult battle with Eggman to find his family waiting for him. Not just his parents and brother. Uncle Merlin was there too. "Uh oh," he thought, "now what?"

"Miles," his father said, "sit down, son." Amadeus Prower was quiet, his voice soft. That was a bad sign.

Tails sat in his favorite chair, wondering what was wrong. His mother looked like she'd been crying. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"We never told you that you had a little sister," his father said. "She was born after we were separated. We lost her when we managed to escape our captors. We…we think we may have found her."

Tails didn't like the way he'd said that. "Simon told me about her," he said. "Is…is there something wrong, Dad? Mom? Is she…"

"No, no of course not, dear!" his mother assured him, "It's just that Nicole has informed us that she may have a lead on what happened to her. Your father and I want to try to find her, but we're worried about you."

"I'm sure Simon and I can take care of Miles until the two of you return," Uncle Merlin said. "And, of course, he has a lot of friends who will be looking in on him from time to time."

"You're…leaving?" Tails asked. It was sad to think they were leaving him again, even for a little while, but on the other hand, it would be a relief not to have to put up with some of their ideas on parenting.

"You should really come with us, baby," his mother said, putting her arms around him. Tails had an image of him following them around in those corduroys going zoo-zup-zoo-zup.

"I'm…sure Uncle Merlin and Simon can take care of me," Tails assured her. "I mean…you won't be gone long, right?"

"We'll be back as soon as we can, sweetie," Rosemary assured him. "You'll eat right, and get plenty of sleep, and no more crazy inventions?"

"No, no more crazy inventions," Tails promised. He had gone over his calculations dozens of times, and still couldn't figure out what had gone wrong with the time machine. He didn't dare risk making another attempt. He knew he couldn't handle watching Cosmo die yet again.

"We'd be going as soon as we finish packing," his father said. "You can still change your mind and come with us."
"I…I'd love to," Tails said, "but I have a lot that needs to be done. I'm helping Princess Sally build a new school. It's a big project." And, of course, he didn't want to leave Cosmo's plant, now that it seemed so close to the time when it would bloom.

When Tails' parents went to pack, his uncle asked him to step outside for a moment.

"Uncle Merlin?" Tails said, suddenly worried. "What's wrong? There's something they're not saying, isn't there?"

The old fox sighed. "Miles, the reports they received, describe a little fox girl your sister's age. Like you, she has two tails, so it probably is her, but…"

Tails sat down on a chair in his yard. "But what? Are you saying she's…"
Uncle Merlin leaned heavily on his staff. "She was seriously injured…and they say she's in a coma."

Tails rubbed his head. "So I finally get a little sister, but she's in a coma, and maybe…dead?"

"I think that's why they're not trying to force you to come with them," Merlin said. "They're worried about leaving you, but they're also afraid that finding your little sister dead will be too much of a shock for you."

"I see," Tails said. He bit his lower lip. "If I go, they'll worry about me. If I don't, and she dies, I'll never have a chance to see her. She's four years younger than me, right? I'm eleven now, so she's seven?"

"In March," Uncle Merlin said.

Tails looked into his uncle's eyes. They were old and tired, like Tails' eyes had been looking for months now. The difference, of course, was that Uncle Merlin was old. "So…what should I do, Uncle Merlin?"

"What do you wish to do, Miles?" the old wizard asked. "They've decided to leave it up to you. That's a great step forward for them, Nephew. They're starting to treat you like your own age."

"So I'd better not blow it, huh?" Tails said. He looked down at his feet. His shoes were dusty and badly scuffed. He looked at his gloves. The right index finger was torn. He looked back at Merlin. "I must really be a sight, huh?"

"I think they're beginning to understand that you aren't a baby, and you have a great responsibility to the world, Miles," Uncle Merlin said. "If you wish, I'll advice you, but I won't tell you what you should do."

Tails sighed. He really didn't want to leave Cosmo's plant alone so long, Cream would take care of it, of course. She was a great girl, almost as wonderful as Cosmo. But Tails didn't want to leave her with that sort of responsibility. That was exactly the sort of thing that might make her think she had a chance with him. And he would never forgive himself if something happened to the plant while he was away.

"I think I should stay," he decided at last, getting up. "I'll go and tell them that now. They should get to see her first. If…if she's really bad, I can use the X-Tornado to join them and…say good-bye."

Tails returned to the house to find his parents leaving.
"Are you coming, precious?" his mother asked.

"I…I think you should see her first by yourselves," Tails said. "Here, I'll get you a special phone. You'll be able to get in touch with me from anywhere on Mobius." Tails ran into his room and opened a passage leading to the elevator that went to the hangar where the Blue Typhoon was kept. He stepped into the elevator, and went down to the hangar. He stopped. He hadn't been here since before he'd gone to the hospital. He went inside and opened a panel in the bridge. He'd left several phones there. He took two, then closed the panel. Briefly, he thought about Cosmo's room. Her scent would be completely gone by now. He sighed. Someday, he knew he'd have to go in there and air it out. But not now. Not anytime soon. He gasped as he suddenly remembered his parents were probably wondering what was keeping him, and raced for the elevator.

"Miles!" his mother cried when he returned. "You're out of breath!" She placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you ill, sweety?"

"Sorry," Tails said, holding up the phones. "Here. If you need to, you can use these to get in touch with me in an instant. Just press the green button." He cringed mentally. Would they think he was getting crazy again, talking about something green?

If they did, neither of them showed any sign. "You made this yourself, dear?" his mother asked, looking at it as if she were afraid it would start shooting at her.

"Of course, he's our boy!" his father said. He turned to Sanguine. "And what have you ever done, boy?"

"Uh…I drew a comic book," Sanguine said. "Would you like to see it?"

Amadeus rolled his eyes. "Try not to drive your little brother up the wall," he said.

Once Amadeus and Rosemary were gone, Uncle Merlin said, "Miles, are you quite certain you'll be all right? I know you enjoy privacy, and I don't want to get in your way."

"You wouldn't be getting in my way, Uncle Merlin," Tails assured the old wizard. "I'm doing a lot better, honest I am, but I'm also realizing I can't be a shut in. A hermit life is no way to live."

"Ouch," Uncle Merlin said. "I needed that, my boy!"

Tails gasped. "No, no, that's not what I meant! I, uh…"

"It's all right," the old fox said, patting Tails on the shoulder. "Perhaps it runs in the family."

"What does?" Sanguine asked. "Noses? Get it, noses run?"

Merlin rolled his eyes. "You should try to show more respect to your elders, Simon."

"Hey, I have a lot of respect for you, Unc," Sanguine said, going into the house. "I hope I look that good when I'm two hundred."

"Simon!" Tails cried.
"Oh, let him go," Merlin said. "I want to talk to you alone, anyway, Miles. Will you walk with me?"

"Sure, Uncle Merlin," Tails said, wondering what the old fox wanted.

They walked down Tails' driveway. He'd just used a device he'd invented to blow the snow onto his lawn, but from the looks of the sky, more snow would be coming soon. They passed Tails' mailbox. Except on the occasions when Sonic felt like delivering mail at three or four hundred miles an hour, none ever got delivered, and he hadn't been by that day, so Tails didn't bother to look. Besides, he never got anything but junk mail and an occasional magazine.

"Miles," Uncle Merlin said at last, "I didn't say anything to your parents, because I knew they needed to go and see if that poor little girl is your sister, but…"

"But what?" Tails asked, stepping around a pothole he'd just fallen into yesterday. Covered with snow, it was impossible to know it was there until it was too late if you weren't looking for it. He made a mental note to fix it later that day.

"Miles," Uncle Merlin said, "I have found some research that might tell us if it is possible for your friend to return to you, but I need to go out on the field for awhile to make certain."

"Then…you're leaving too?" Tails asked. He'd felt stifled for months, now he was starting to feel abandoned again.

"You could come with me," Merlin suggested. Tails realized suddenly the old fox was leaning heavily on his staff.

"I…could I have a little time to think about it, Uncle?" Tails asked, taking his hand to steady him.

"Do you still wish to know?" Merlin asked Tails, looking into his eyes. Tails had the odd feeling the old fox was looking right into his soul and reading his mind.

Tails looked away. "She…she's at peace, Uncle. She doesn't want to come back. And…and I don't, I won't try to force her!" He bit his lower lip hard. "I…I have to honor her wishes. I have to let her go. But…but I don't know if I can! If I'm strong enough!"

The old fox wrapped his arms around him. Tails realized then how thin, how fragile, he was. "He'll be leaving me too, some day," Tails said to himself. He forced that thought away.

"I still have the spell, to help you forget her," Uncle Merlin suggested softly.

"No!" Tails cried. A badger, pushing her baby in a stroller, stared at him, then quickly turned around and hurried off. "I'm sorry," Tails said. "No. I don't want to forget her. I want to move on, while still paying honor to her memory. But I don't know how!"

"Have you ever properly said good-bye to her?" Uncle Merlin asked him.

"You mean--a funeral?" Tails asked. He shook his head. "No, I could never deal with that before. I'm not sure I'm strong enough for it now. How do I…say good-bye?"

"You accept that what you had was special, and that you will always love her, but you go back to your life again," the old fox said. "Now, please, could you help me back? I'm afraid I'm just not as young as I used to be."

"Of course," Tails said, taking his uncle's arm. They walked on in silence for awhile. Finally, Tails asked, "What's it like…to grow old?"

The old fox laughed. "I wouldn't know," he said. "In my mind, I'm still young. It's only that my body keeps disagreeing with it!"

"And that…doesn't bother you?" Tails asked.
"What will be, will be," Merlin said, "we accept these things, because we must. But we don't have to let them control us."

When they reached Tails' home, the old wizard sat down at Tails' easy chair. "I'll be leaving in a few days," Merlin said. "You can give me your answer then, Nephew."
"Sure," Tails said. "Just take care of yourself, okay?"

"Don't worry about me," Merlin said. "I'm not dead yet!"

January 10:

"Hey, little buddy!" Sonic said, showing up suddenly on Tails' front door. "How 'bout going on a walk?" The ground was covered with snow, making running dangerous.

"Okay, sure," Tails said, "let me just check on Cosmo's plant and get my scarf and boots." Sonic smiled as Tails turned away. The look of pain in his eyes was softening. Tails seemed to actually be happy to walk with him.

"So," Sonic said, "what have you been up to lately?"
"Well, I've been working on a device that should tell me what sort of minerals are in the water," Tails said. "I'm also trying to develop a stun ray that won't damage its target's nervous system."

"Oh?" Sonic said. "Well, that sounds interesting!"

"Aw, come on, Sonic," Tails assured him, "you don't have to act like you want to know more. I'm just talking techno babble. I do that sometimes."

"Yeah," Sonic said to himself, "but you haven't been doing much of that since Cosmo died. Good to see a smile that doesn't looked forced for a change too." Out loud, he said, "I saw you teaching Cream skiing yesterday again. How's she doing?"

"Well, she's still on the bunny slope, ha ha," Tails said, "but she's improving. Of course, she wants to do everything that Amy does."

Sonic chuckled. "Yeah, Amy's just sure she can catch me on skis in the snow some day! You know, if you tell her, I'll deny it, but sometimes I really get a kick out of her antics!"

"Yeah," Tails said. "She can be funny when she's not being scary."

They came to the beach and walked along the sand. Sonic kept watching Tails' face while pretending he wasn't. The fox was no longer looking sad and pathetic. Thoughtful, yes. No doubt he was still thinking about Cosmo, but there were no tears in his eyes.

"I know what you're doing, Sonic," Tails said. "The pain's still there, but it's not taking over me like it was. It hurts, but I'm dealing with it. And I never thought I could."

"That's great to hear, little buddy," Sonic said. "So, you and me cool?"

Tails shook his head. "Sonic, you have to understand, I didn't know what I was doing back then. It was like I was trapped in a long, dark tunnel, and a train was bearing down on me. There was no way of escaping from it. The only way out was to let the train run over me. It did, and I've been picking up the pieces ever since. But I'm okay now, honest I am."

"I'm really glad to hear that, Tails," Sonic said. "Really glad."

"So…I've been thinking of taking training," Tails said. "Maybe learn some moves from Knuckles. I want to be more able to hold my own in a fight."

"You already contribute plenty with your brain, little buddy," Sonic assured him. "You don't have to outfight your opponents, you can outthink 'em!"

"Yeah, maybe, but I don't like just standing around making calculations while everybody else fights. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I do."

"Well, I can teach you some fighting techniques," Sonic said. "But I really don't think you need them."

"Maybe," Tails said. He didn't explain that he still felt unable to help others. Cosmo had died while he stared blankly at where he had last seen her alive, his brain refusing to work right. He couldn't have anyone else's death on his conscious. He couldn't help Cosmo, but if he could Sonic or Amy or Cream, then maybe the feeling of helplessness would go away.

"Tails? You with me, little buddy?" Sonic was staring at him, looking very concerned.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Sonic," Tails said. "I was just…"

"It's okay," Sonic said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

Tails sighed. "I…I just want to do right, big buddy. I want everybody to be proud of me. You, my parents, Uncle Merlin…and most of all Cosmo."

"We already are," Sonic assured him. "We already are."

They walked along in silence for awhile. Finally, Tails said, "Sonic? Do you remember how it was before? I mean, back when Nikki Parlouzer was just an ordinary kid who went to school and got chased by the girl down the street?"

"Sure," Sonic said. "The girl down the street is still chasing me! Only now she's got a big hammer!"

"I can't really remember my life before all this craziness started," Tails said. "My life started really when I met you and we started our adventures. Before that, it's so fuzzy. Maybe I just don't want to remember. My life was pretty bad before that." He looked up at Sonic. "Thank you."

"For what?" Sonic asked.

"For being my friend," Tails said. "I know this kind of talk embarrasses you, but I think I would have died long before we ever went to Earth if I hadn't met you."

"Tails…" Sonic said, looking worried.

"Sorry, but I lost out on the chance to tell Cosmo how I really felt about her," Tails said softly. "I don't want to leave anything I feel unsaid to anyone again. Cosmo was so full of life, and now she's gone. It could happen to anyone at anytime. Please don't be mad at me, but…" Tails suddenly put his arms around Sonic. "I love you, big brother!"

"Uh…you too, little brother," Sonic said, patting him on the back.

"Sorry!" Tails said, pulling away. "Let's just forget that, okay?"
"Deal," Sonic said.

It started to snow. "Looks like another storm is coming," Tails said.

"Worried about your parents?" Sonic asked as they started back. "Or your Uncle Merlin?"

"Not really," Tails told him. Uncle Merlin had just left yesterday. Now Tails was alone in his home except for his brother, who Tails had finally decided wasn't really that bad. "They're pretty tough. Not too many people mess with the Prowers!"
"Right on!" Sonic said. "So, wanna watch some tv?"
"Well, there's nothing much on right now," Tails said. "We could play video games, though. If you don't mind me beating you, that is!"

"In your dreams, buddy!" Sonic said. "Nobody has the reflexes of Sonic the Hedgehog!"

"Oh, a challenge!" Tails said. "You're on!"

January 16:

"Cream!" Amy yelled, ushering her best friend inside her house. "What are you doing here? It's snowing!"
"It hadn't started when I left home," Cream said, shaking off the snow. "I wanted to talk to you, Amy."

Amy unwound Cream's scarf for her, and hung it by the fire. "Is it about Tails?" she asked, grinning. "You really like him, don't you?"

"Yeah," Cream said, as Amy helped her out of her coat. "But I'm still stuck in the friend/little sister zone. He'll talk to me about things that are bothering him, but every time I hug him, he pushes me away. Not mean about, like Sonic sometimes pushes you, but…"

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Amy agreed as she pulled off Cream's snow boots. "How many sweaters are you wearing?"
"Three," Cream said, pulling one over her head. "I'm burning up in here! But it shows my mom cares about me, so I don't mind."
"If you've changed your mind about my helping you get Tails," Amy said, bringing Cream some hot cocoa, "I'll be glad to do whatever I can for you."

"No, I think I should just wait awhile," Cream said, helping Cheese out of his own three sweaters. "Tails is getting happier, so I think his heart is starting to mend. I don't want to scare him away, like…uh…"
Amy sighed and sat down on her couch. "I know what you mean. Some days Sonic just looks at me and starts running! I try and I try and I try, but he's just not coming around."

"Well, the princess doesn't seem to like him very much any more," Cream said, sitting on the other end of the couch and taking a sip of her cocoa. "I think he needs time to hear too, Amy."

"Wow," Amy said, "my baby sister giving me advice on men! You're more mature than I am, Cream!"

"I don't know about that," Cream said, taking another sip. "But Tails seems to be more mature than Mister Sonic. Of course, Tails is already smarter than any grown up. It's wonderful, but sometimes, it's a little scary. I mean, just how smart he is. He feels things more than most people too. Have you noticed, when he gets scared or confused, he has trouble thinking straight?"

"Yeah, when Cosmo merged with that monster, he just froze," Amy remembered. "Then he just asked us all to leave him alone."

"I think that was when I first realized how wonderful he was," Cream said, her eyes dreamy. "He wanted to say good-bye to her. That he loved her. The next time I saw him, Amy, he was so sad. I looked at his face, and I just wanted to hold him and…and kiss his tears away. But…but I feel like a traitor." She bowed her head.

Amy stared at her. "What? Why would you think that, Cream?"

Cream sighed. "Cosmo was my friend. And…and she was…d-dead. And…and I was thinking about…about kissing the boy she loved!" She started crying. "Am I turning into a bad person, Amy? For wanting to be with Tails now?"

Amy set down her cup of cocoa on her coffee table, then took Cream's and set it down next to it. Then she put her arms around her best friend. "No, honey. You're not doing anything wrong. Cosmo wanted Tails to be happy more than anything. Please don't cry. It's gonna be okay!"

"I…I sure hope so, Amy!" Cream sobbed, leaning her head against the hedgehog's shoulder. "I sure hope so!"

January 20:

Tails put on his best suit. It was time for the opening of the Cosmo Memorial Garden, and the unveiling of Cosmo's statue. Sonic had made arrangements with the sculptor while Tails had been in the hospital. She had completed it two days ago, and Sonic, Knuckles and Mighty had set it up in the park. Tails hadn't looked at it yet.

There was a knock on the door. He opened it to find Cream in a blue dress. Cheese was wearing a little suit. Cream put her arms around him.

"Hi, Tails!" she said, beaming at him. "Ready to go?"

"Sure," Tails said. "Just let me check on Cosmo's plant."

Cream and Cheese followed Tails to the greenhouse.

"It's great to see so many flowers blooming this time of year!" Cream said. "It's so colorful and fragrant in here, and so cold and gray outside. I like winter, but it's kind of sad, huh?"

"There's good and bad in everything," Tails told her. They looked at Cosmo's plant.

"Wow, it's really big now!" Cream said. "It'll be ready to open soon, I'll bet!"

"Yeah, I think so too," Tails said. "So, how's your mother?"

"Oh, she's fine," Cream said. "She's even speaking to Mister Vector again."

"Oh? I'm surprised she forgave him after what he did to Amy and me."

"Yeah," Cream said as they left the greenhouse. "I…I think maybe she might…you know…like him."
Tails thought she sounded a little unhappy about that. "Does it bother you?" he asked as they started towards city hall. "Your mother liking Vector?"

"I don't know," she said. "I guess I…I guess I'm still hoping my daddy will come home some day." She sighed. She kicked a pebble. "I know I shouldn't, but…"
"Never give up hope, Cream," Tails told her. "You can never tell."

"No," Cream said, taking his arm. "I guess you never can!"

There was a large audience waiting. The last time Tails had been here, just after their return from space, he had been too depressed to think about people staring at him. Now he suddenly felt very embarrassed to realize he was being stared at. He'd always preferred to stay in Sonic's shadow. Sonic was the hero, and he enjoyed people making a big deal over him. Tails liked sitting in the background and not being noticed.

"Hi, Tails!" Amy said, hugging him.

"Hi, Amy," Tails said, looking around. Sonic was nowhere to be seen.

Amy made a face. "Can you believe the fastest thing alive is late?" she asked. "That man! Sometimes I wonder why I even bother!"

"So you're giving up on him?" Tails kidded.

"What?!?" Amy screeched. "No way! What are you, cra…" She gasped. "Oh. Oh ,Tails, I'm sorry!"

"No, it's okay," Tails said. "Maybe I was a little off, but I'm doing a lot better these days."

"Hey, Tails! How are you doing?" Tails looked up at Rotor.

"Okay," Tails said. "How are you, doing? Sorry if I was kind of rude when I got back from space."

"Don't worry about it, Tails," Rotor assured him. "Just so long as you're okay."

"Well," Tails admitted, "I've been better, but I've sure been a whole lot worse!"

There was a sudden breeze. "Oh, there he is!" Tails said. "Hi, Sonic!"

"Hi, guys!" Sonic said, giving them a thumbs-up. "Missed me?"

Amy glomped him. "Just me!" she sang. "But I didn't miss you this time! Hee hee hee hee hee!"

"Uh…creepy, insane laughter isn't the best way to win a guy over, Ames," Sonic muttered.

"What was that?!" Amy asked, her lips smiling but her eyes frowning.

"I don't know," Sonic told her quickly, taking a step back, "I wasn't listening!"

"That's more like it!" Amy said. "So, after we leave here, where are you taking me?"

"Well, I was planning to go jogging, actually," Sonic said. "You couldn't keep up."

"Not today, you two, please!" Tails said. "At least wait until after the ceremony."

"Sorry, buddy," Sonic said.

"Right, sorry, Tails," Amy said. She grinned at Sonic. "I'll see you later, cutie!"

"Then she wonders why I run from her," Sonic muttered. "Well, let's go, little buddy."

"I'm sorry the sculptor couldn't be here," Tails said.

"She doesn't do well with crowds," Sonic said. "In fact, she hid when I went to get the statue, and called to me from the next room to take it."
"That's so sad," Tails said. "What's she like?"
"Really short, blonde, has this weird guy that keeps asking her to pose as some kind of elf creature under a big leaf so he can take her picture," Sonic said.
"You're…kidding!" Tails said.

Tails and Sonic went on to talk to Knuckles, Vanilla, and the Chaotix. Sonic's parents hadn't made it, but his sister was there.

"Hey, Tails," Anita said. "still inventing things?"

"Sure," Tails said, "still playing keyboards?"

"Only every day," Anita said. She was an expert piano player.

"We jam sometimes," Sonic said. "But I can't play the guitar as much as I used to. Too much Eggman and other nonsense."
"I'd join you guys," Tails said, "but I can't find my tuba."

The hedgehog siblings looked at each other. Tails was horrible on the tuba, but no one had ever had the heart to tell him. Sonic had thrown it away one day while Tails was out.

"Uh…have you ever thought about trying another instrument?" Anita suggested. "Maybe a flute or harmonica?"

"No," Tails said. "Should I?"

"Uh…aren't you busy enough already with your work?" Sonic asked.

"Oh, I can always find time to do something new," Tails said. "I get bored easily, and my mind rambles, and I don't really need that."

The ceremony began. This time, Tails was able to get a grip on himself and step up to the microphone. He felt his eyes grow misty, but he blinked back the tears, and cleared his voice.

"Good morning, everyone," he said into the mike. "As soon of you already know, my name is Miles Prower, and I'm here to dedicate this new me-memorial garden." He bit his lip. "Last year, Mobius was attacked by a menace far worse than the madman, Doctor Eggman. The Metarex." A hologram of Dark Oak appeared. Tails forced himself not to look at it. His anger and hatred towards the Metarex emperor was still burning bright and hot, and he didn't want to lose it in front of so many people. "Despite all of our best efforts, the combined power of Knuckles, the guardian of the Master Emerald of Angel Island, and our national hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, Dark Oak would have destroyed our world and our galaxy, perhaps more, if not for the heroic sacrifice of…of someone who should never have been forced to fight in the first place." The hologram of Dark Oak was replaced with one of Cosmo. Again, Tails forced himself not to look. Seeing her standing there like that would remind him of the days when he imagined he saw her, and he never wanted to go back to that horrible period in his life.

"Cosmo of Planet Greengate lost her family and friends to the Metarex. She alone survived to continue the fight against Dark Oak. Crashing onto our world during a meteor shower, Cosmo begged me and my friends to take her to the legendary hero who could control the light. This, of course, was my best friend, Sonic the Hedgehog!" The crowd applauded as Sonic stepped up to the mike. Tails returned to his seat. He realized it hadn't been as painful as he'd feared.

"How can I add to that?" Sonic asked. "Could I have saved the day without Cosmo's noble sacrifice? Maybe. But then she'd be standing here today speaking about my memorial. The power of the chaos emeralds may increase my strength and speed ten thousand times, but there's always the possibility that the energies will consume my body. I'm sure Tails could tell you exactly what the chance of my dying from becoming Super Sonic is, but I'd really rather not know. Sometimes I think I can only do the heroic but dangerous things I do every day by not understanding exactly how dangerous they are!"

Knuckles laughed. Amy hit him with her elbow. "Quiet!" she hissed. "This is a serious and sacred event! Show a little class or I'll beat some into you!"

Sonic called Amy, then Knuckles, and finally Cream to say a few things about Cosmo. Tails noticed Rouge wasn't there. Was it that she didn't want to have any trouble with him, or did she just not care?

At last the moment came for Tails to unveil the statue. He was very nervous. If it didn't look that much like Cosmo, he was afraid he might make a scene. But if it looked too much like her…He sighed as he approached the mike again.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Tails said, softly. He cleared his throat. "Excuse me! Ladies and gentlemen…I give you…our hero!" Tails pulled off the sheet. And stared.

It was Cosmo. Exactly as she had looked in life. Perfect in every detail. Tails felt his eyes get misty. If the statue had been painted realistically, it probably would have broken his heart. He looked at Sonic, motioned that he couldn't talk any more, then went to sit down. Cream reached out and patted him on the arm. "It's okay," she said over the sound of the applause. "You're gonna be okay, Tails!"

Tails squeezed her hand, looking at Cream because looking at the statue was painful. "Thank you, Cream," he said. "Thank you for being there for me."

"Always," Cream promised. "I will always be there for you, Tails!"

After the ceremony, Cream walked Tails home. They were quiet most of the way. Finally, Cream said softly, "Tails? Are you going to be all right?" She placed her hand in his.

Tails didn't answer at first. Then he smiled sadly at her. "I think so," he said, squeezing her hand. "Thank you, Cream."

Cream's heart sang. "You're very welcome, Tails!"

January 28:

Tails found himself once again in the grassy meadow. He walked past flowers of every color. Then he saw a Seedrian girl, not Cosmo, or Galaxina. This one had purple hair in two pony tails and bangs that covered her eyes.

"Hello, furry animal boy!" she said, grinning. "Are you here to see my little sister? Maybe you can talk to her, she won't listen to me!"

"Uh…hi," Tails said. "Um…okay?" He wondered what she was talking about. That grin of hers looked like trouble. A practical joker? What was it Cosmo had told him about her sisters? Galaxina was the oldest and most responsible, Sunflower was a big lovable teddy bear, Starla, her sister-in-law was serious, and…Nova. Yes, Nova used to talk her into doing things that got them both in trouble. Why had she suddenly appeared to him? He'd never seen her before. Of course, he'd only seen Galaxina once.

"Are you two going to hug and kiss?" Nova asked.

Tails sputtered. "Wha…huh?"

Nova giggled. "I'm guessing she likes you because you make her laugh!" she said. "Well, here she comes, bye bye!" Nova walked away.

Cosmo came over to Tails. "Tails? I've been waiting for you by the bridge." She turned and noticed her sister. "Why was Nova here?" She looked back at Tails. "What did she say to you?!?"

"Uh…just that you won't listen to her," Tails admitted. "What was she telling you?"

"Um…nothing," Cosmo said quickly. "I'm so happy to see you again, Tails!" She put her arms around him. Tails knew that this was only a dream, but he was sure that he could feel and smell her. He'd never had such realistic dreams before.

"I'm really glad to see you too," Tails said. "I've missed you."

"I've been watching you," Cosmo said, as they started walking. "You've become very close to Cream."

Tails gasped. "Cosmo! I…Cream is just my friend. I love you!"

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "But Cream can be with you all the time," Cosmo said sadly.

"I…I wish I could find a way to bring us together!" Tails said. "These visits are so nice, but…but I want you by my side all of the time."

"I am," Cosmo promised him. "I will always be by your side, Tails. Now come, let's not dwell on…on the future. Let's concentrate on the present."

They reached the bridge, and started to cross it. Halfway across, Cosmo said, "Tails? When you were on Chris' world, you had troubles, didn't you?"
"Well, Eggman's trouble on any world," Tails said.

"I mean…some of the people on Chris' planet…they stared at you?" Cosmo insisted. "Made you feel strange? At least, that's what Amy told me."
Tails brushed her hair out of her eyes. "Cosmo…we've talked about this before. I don't care if anyone has trouble with you being…different. Sonic, Amy, Cream, Knuckles, Miss Vanilla, they all accepted you." He held her close. "I'm sorry. Some people can be cruel. But you can't worry that people will treat you badly because you're not just like them. Look at me. I have two tails. Some people don't like that, but I don't care." He didn't mention Debbie or Heather. They had been tormented until they had developed mental problems. He didn't want her to ever know that sort of thing could happen.

"I'm not worried about myself," Cosmo said. "But what about…"
"What about what?" Tails asked. He looked at her face. Was she blushing?

"Nothing," Cosmo said quickly, turning away from him. "Just…thinking out loud." They reached the end of the bridge. There was a huge tree, stretching up higher than Tails could see. There was a swing hanging from a branch.

"Would you like me to push you on that swing?" Tails asked.

"I'd love it!" Cosmo said. She started to sit down on the swing, but Tails lifted her off her feet and set her down gently on it. "Thank you! You're such a gentleman!" She flashed him a smile that made him feel like dancing. He stepped behind her and gave her a gentle push. She rose up a little, then came back down.

"Anything for you, my lady," Tails said, pushing her again.

"You honor me, good sir!" Cosmo said. "Could you push a little harder, please?"

"Of course," Tails said. Since he was behind her, he couldn't see her face, but her mannerisms told him she was enjoying herself. "This is all I ever wanted in life," he said to himself. "Who decided it was too much?"

"Higher, Tails!" Cosmo cried, giggling. "Higher!" Tails watched her sail over his head then return to him. "Look, Tails! I'm flying! Wee!"

Tails laughed with her. She was so graceful. And so seemingly full of life, it was difficult to accept that she was dead.

"Higher!" Cosmo cried. "Higher!"

"Uh…I think you're going high enough," Tails said. She was rising more than twice his height in the air.

"Higher!" Cosmo insisted. "Throw me up in the air! Like they did on planet Zecco! I didn't like it then, but now…yay!"

Tails pushed her a little higher. To his shock, she leaped from the swing. "Catch me, Tails!" she called, still laughing. Tails threw himself over the swing and caught her.

"What are you trying to do, hurt yourself?" Tails cried. Then he realized what he'd just said. He buried his face in her hair. "I…I'm sorry!"

"No, I'm sorry," Cosmo said, kissing his cheek. "I should have reminded you that it's impossible to get hurt here. The swing hit you on the head, but you didn't even notice, did you?"

"Huh?" Tails said, rubbing his head as he looked back at the still moving swing. "No. I didn't!"

"I'm so sorry I worried you!" Cosmo said, snuggling up to him. "I'm so used to being here, I forgot the living wouldn't understand."
Tails felt his heart grow cold. She had called him "the living." Already, he'd forgotten once again that she wasn't. But she was happy here. It didn't bother her that she was dead. He held her close and kissed her forehead. "I'm being so selfish," he said to himself. "I keep calling her back, when she wants to move forward. I guess…I guess I need to do that too."

"Cosmo…" he said softly. "Am I bothering you by coming here?"

Cosmo gasped. "No, Tails!" She laid her head against his chest. "You could never cause me any bother! Please don't ever think that! I enjoy seeing you as much as you enjoy seeing me. It's just…"

Tails waited for her to finish her sentence. When she didn't he asked, "It's just what?"

"I…I don't want to hurt you," she said softly. "I don't want to make you cry ever again."

"How could you do that?" Tails asked her, gently stroking her hair. "Please, Cosmo, don't shut me out. Let me know what's upsetting you and I'll try to fix it the best I can."

Cosmo was silent for awhile. Then she rubbed her face against his chest hair. "You're so fuzzy," she said softly, changing the subject. Tails decided not to press her to answer him. He saw so little of her, he didn't want to waste a moment thinking of anything but the beautiful girl in his arms.

All too soon, Cosmo pulled away from him. "You need to go back now, Tails," she said. "I'll see you again soon. But…"

"But…but what?" Tails asked her, suddenly afraid he knew what she was going to say.

"I can't keep coming to you, Tails," she said sadly. "There are rules. I…I think we'll have to stop meeting this way very soon now. I'm so sorry!"

Tails' heart ached. So she was leaving him again, even here, even in this way. "You're…you're not going to come back anyway?" he asked fearfully.

"I'll do the best I possibly can," she promised him. "But never doubt my feelings." She kissed him, then moved away. Tails saw her begin to fade.

"Cosmo!" Tails cried. "I love you! I'll love you until I die!"

"I love you as well, Tails!" Cosmo called, no longer visible. "But don't say until you die! Because love is stronger than death, and I know that I'll love you far beyond death! Forever!"

Then she was gone. Tails looked around his darkened room, sighed, then tried to go back to sleep.

"Soon she'll leave me!" Tails thought. "And I'll have lost her again! For good!" It was a long, sleepless night. But Tails found himself still able to face the next day. After all, wasn't that what she wanted for him?

January 31:

"Well," Tails said to himself, "the first month of this year is over. It sure went fast! I wonder what February will bring?"

Tails had no idea how hectic the next month would be.

"So are we agreed?" Fiona demanded, leaning on her table.

"Sure," Ginger said, leaning back on the fox's chair. "The next time dear sweet Miles goes for a little walk on the beach, he won't be alone."

"It's such a pity, isn't it?" Fiona asked, drinking her coffee. "He's such a nice boy, after all."

"Yes, he is," Ginger said, finishing her own coffee. "Such a shame, don't you think, what's in his near future?" She held out her cup.

Fiona grinned, and poured the monkey some more coffee. "Yes, it is. But I'm afraid that poor Tails is going to have a bad accident," the vixen said, refilling her own cup. "A very bad accident!"

They looked at each other, and laughed.

Cosmo?

Yes, Mother?
I'm sorry, but…the next time you see your boy must be the last.

You mean…I'll only be able to see him one more time? But…how sad!

There is another way, Cosmo…

Yes, I know, onee-sama, but…but…

But what, little sister?

I don't know! I just don't know!

Two more chapters Next time, Cosmo's funeral, Fiona and Ginger make their move, and Tails' last ghostly visit from Cosmo. Please let me know if there's anything you'd like changed about this chapter. Thank you.