DanceDream: Yes, this game is very hard to take seriously...that's part of why it was so hard to adapt, because the threat that was posed was taken so lightly! I'm so glad you enjoyed the boss fight though- I kinda thought there was a tad too much dialogue, but it seems to have gone over well. X) And that scene with the panic...I kid you not, I gave myself chills while writing it and it took some time to wear off. Woo. xD
Anyway, the wait is over! No more mean cliffhanger hanging over our heads. :D
. . .
Without further ado, here is the epilogue to Speak With Your Heart! Can't believe we're here already...still feels like I'm on hiatus back in Sweet Mountain. XD
One would think I wasn't meant to die.
Like, seriously.
As far back as I can remember (and it's not as far as you'd think), I've been at Death's doorstep and playing Ding Dong Ditch every chance I got.
I've fallen out of bases situated in space (on more than one occasion).
I nearly drowned in the wake of the flood left by the God of Destruction.
I've been jettisoned out of a space station in a capsule that was set to explode (and don't even get me started on the hijacked spaceship ride I'd taken just before then).
I'm pretty sure I really did die once, if those vague visions of me being impaled in the back were anything to believe…but even then, I refused to stay down! I came back kicking after that, literally!
Then there was last time…I'd been fighting the physical embodiment of darkness at the center of the planet; a feat that was far beyond me, but I succeeded in the end…and it would've cost my life had it not been for my dear friend Chip.
In fact, I don't think I would've gotten out of any of those experiences without my friends, in one way or another…
And now, I'd never get the chance to thank them.
I waited impatiently for that supposed light at the end of tunnel, because if the end was nigh, I wanted to get it over with. But it wasn't coming fast enough, and there was this annoying stabbing sensation in my side…can't I die in peace?
I felt like I was floating; like I was being carried away by several tiny angels toward the other side…which would have been much more pleasant had it not been for the pain in my side.
Said pain was enough to pull me out of my drift towards death, opening my eyes to glare at the source…only to find that I was, as a matter of fact, still alive, and it was Yacker who was poking me…enough to get me to come to.
My thoughts were mud at that moment, sluggishly trying to make sense of things after the rapid racing they'd experienced just minutes ago. I could definitely make sense of Yacker, along with the other aliens I'd saved during my boss fight with Eggman, but there were even more Wisps…ones that I hadn't seen in the park.
And they were all carrying me to safety.
There was a magenta one that was humming a lovely tune, a crimson one that had the face of an eagle, an indigo one that was round like a planet, an ivory one that sparked liked lightning, a gray one that quaked with every movement, and a black one that resembled a bomb…
Even aliens I didn't know…they were all helping me…
And I didn't even have to ask...
I couldn't even express my thanks to them as I slipped into unconsciousness once again, succumbing completely to their assistance as they dragged me out of the void.
Thousands of Wisps swirled around the area that had once been Eggman's Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park, their rainbow of colors giving off life and brightness against the black emptiness of space. The group that was helping me broke through the wall of aliens, shooting across the sky like a meteor and bringing me back down to the base of the planet.
. . .
The Wisps brought me back down to the field that Tails and I had been running through earlier; the same one where I'd made to decision to step in the elevator. A light breeze danced through the grass, as if welcoming me back, but I was so discombobulated when the Wisps set me down that it took a while for me to get a grip of myself.
Another feat to add to the résumé…
But really, I could barely believe I was standing right then…I mean, sure I survived nearly being crushed by a continent at the core of planet, but I don't know how I can top a potential death via black hole caused by an imploding amusement park…
It's days like these that I realize I am as far from normal as someone could possibly get.
The aliens hovered away from me to give me some space and room to catch my breath; I turned to them and gave them a weak thumbs up, but even that action caused me to rest my hands on my knees and pant.
"I guess…I ran really hard back there…"
But boy, do I have a story to tell the guys back home…!
Speaking of guys back home, I was pleasantly surprised to see Tails flying full speed at me, and at that moment, I couldn't tell who was more relieved to see the other in one piece!
"Sonic! Are you okay!?" Tails cried, hurrying over to me as fast as he possibly could. "Man, I can't believe you made it through that!"
I dusted myself off; although I agreed wholeheartedly with him, I managed a wink and a smirk. "Like you thought I wouldn't?"
"Well…sorta…" he mumbled before scratching the back of his head. "The only thing I was thinking about was getting pushed into an elevator!"
I scratched my nose. "A hedgehog's gotta do what a hedgehog's gotta do…"
Tails looked like he wanted to say more, but in the end, I held out my fist, and he beamed.
"Great job, Sonic," he said honestly, hitting me with a brofist.
"Thanks," I smiled, gesturing over my shoulder. "…but I had a little help during that last part."
All the Nega Wisps had their energy returned to them, now that Eggman wasn't hoarding it all for himself, and thanks to Yacker's guidance, the aliens all banded together and put a halt to the implosion of the amusement park, leaving only an elevator that led to nowhere…
"Eggman…" I murmured under my breath, only now realized what had happened with him. Tails heard my whisper and tugged on my glove cuff.
"Um, Sonic…?" he asked, and I knew what question was coming next. "You made it out, but what happened to Eggman…?"
I cringed, but even in the midst of my escape, I knew what had happened.
"…the implosion got him," I uttered, and Tails' eyes widened.
"R-really?!"
I could only recall that last scene of him, howling and pounding on the glass of his Egg Pod as he dragged into that purple expanse…just before I'd met that same fate, but only escape thanks to the Wisps.
"…yes. Really." I finally said after an uncomfortable silence. Tails was having some trouble processing this, which was totally understandable.
"Wait…does that mean…?!"
"…that he's gone?" I finished, biting my lip. "…probably. We might not see him for a long time…if ever again."
"Whoa," Tails breathed, almost blanching. "I never thought it'd happen like that…"
"Especially since in the end, he did it to himself," I added, staring into the sky. "…at least we won't have to worry about him anymore…"
The realization that Eggman was no more was actually pretty heavy for the both of us, but more for me, and I truly didn't even know why. After eight years of trying to clear him out and standing against his oppression…it was just weird that I didn't have that constant worry in the back of my head anymore.
In that way, I guess I was free.
Before things could get heavier, Yacker floated down to us, looking extra exuberant. His happiness was contagious, and I found myself smiling again. I knew what he was conveying, but before I could explain to Tails, he had whipped out the Miles Electric and started fiddling with it again.
"Uh, he said 'Thank you for saving us'."
Grinning, I turned to Yacker and performed a bow. "You're welcome! Thank YOU for saving US!"
Yacker waved a tentacle in front of his face, which Tails translated as "You are welcome!"
"That thing's translating pretty well!" I realized, and Tails nodded.
"Yeah, I finally got all the kinks out! We can talk to them perfectly now!"
Yacker chirped again, whirling around and pointing up at the herd of aliens in the sky. I frowned at that, knowing what it meant.
"…oh, great. He says 'goodbye my friends. I have to go…'" Tails announced, sighing at his machine. "Just when I got this thing working…"
"Better late than never, buddy!" I assured. Yacker flew up to me and held up his arm; Tails looked confused but I knew what he wanted. "Right on!"
I leapt into the air with my arm extended, and we smacked a high five, with Tails jumping up and giving one to Yacker too. It was then that Yacker spiraled around us and reunited with his friends, swooping back down and flying along the ground of the planet, trying to make the best of their sendoff.
I didn't want the fun to end just yet either, so I started running alongside them as they flew away, and Tails decided to do the same. It was nice that we could hang out with each other, even if just for a little while, without something coming to interrupt the peace…
And maybe from this moment on, nothing would ever again!
I just wanted one last run with my new friends, one last opportunity to feel their colors all around me, but they all suddenly ricocheted forward, and I assumed that they really had to hurry home…
…but not before drawing out my name with every color in the sky.
Tails laughed, clearly impressed, while I beamed at the notion. Yacker swooped back and waved at us one last time, before guiding his friends back to their home. Tails and I stopped running eventually, halting in place and waving our friends off.
With all the planets returned to their place in space, the Wisps able to return home and restore it to its former glory, and with my world free of Eggman…things were finally looking up for everyone!
"I only wish….they could've stuck around just bit longer," Tails sighed, turning off his translator.
"Well, if they stayed any longer, their planet probably would've left without them!" I pointed out.
"Yeah, but I was finally able to make out what they were saying! I had so many questions to ask…"
I folded my arms behind my head, feeling contemplative as I always did after saving the day, but this time, I told Tails what I really thought.
"Tails…just speak with your heart, m'kay?"
He blinked, unprepared for my advice and immense wisdom, but before he could ask any questions I had already started jogging off, gesturing him to follow me.
"Come on; let's go tell everyone that Eggman's gone! They're not gonna believe this story!"
Tails looked on for a moment, but he broke out into his trademark grin and sprinted after me, eventually gaining enough speed to start hovering over the ground and by my side.
"Ooh, can we take the Tornado?"
"I think I'd like that," I said, smirking. "Whatever you want, buddy! After outrunning a black hole, I'm going to need a nap…"
"On the wing of my plane?" Tails asked incredulously, and I shrugged.
"Heh, wouldn't be the first time."
"Oh, Sonic…" Tails trailed, shaking his head but hardly exasperated. I just laughed and threw my head back, welcoming the sun's warmth, the wind's breeze, and happily embracing life itself. I came really close to losing that today, but today, I also truly realized how many important things life gave to me. My freedom, my friends…many things that shouldn't be taken for granted.
I wouldn't be who I am today without the influence of all the friends I made, no matter how old or new, and no matter how many times I met them…even a single meeting with someone could change your life forever.
I glanced at Tails, knowing that he had been an important factor in my life so many years ago…I felt the bracelet tucked securely under my glove, remembering how much Chip's unexpected words of wisdom and pure friendship had helped me get through some hard times…and even Yacker today- spending a few moments with him was more than enough to give me the confidence to save his whole planet…and all my other friends, who may not have been there physically, but were always with me in spirit, giving me strength when I needed it…
And I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all of them, really.
I turned to Tails and gave him a nod; he knew what that meant immediately and returned the gesture. We stared straight ahead, both of us sporting wide grins.
Thus, we latched arms, and I took off at the speed of sound, with the bright lights and colors of the world all around…running wild, living fast and free…
And still no regrets inside of me!
I wasn't going to look back, or let go, or ever give up…!
I'll keep on running…and reach for the stars the whole way through.
...and so, this is it. Thank you all so much for reading this and sticking with me the whole way through. There was a point in time that this story wouldn't have even seen the light, but thanks to friends of my own, I finally managed to push through it all and get it done, and I am eternally grateful for their support (they know who they are ;D).
And with that, we've reached the end...
