episode 2: A brief reunion

Tails cried with joy as he held his tablet in his hands. It was Cosmo, she was alive and well. He finally calmed down, seeing Cosmo's little laughs.

Tails: Sorry, I'm just so happy to see you again. Where are you? And how did you turn on the remote tablet?

Tails saw Cosmo's face decompose, as if she had something terrible to announce.

Tails: what? Are you in trouble? Are you being hurt?

Cosmo laughs when he hears these words.

Cosmo: It's sweet that you're worried, but I'm not being harmed and I'm not in danger.

Tails: so what, what's going on?

Cosmo: Well, the problem is that I'm nowhere.

Tails: how do you mean?

Cosmo: I'm not sure how, but I became digital after death.

Tails: what?!

Cosmo: I know, it's hard to believe. But that's what happened.

Tails was both surprised by this very surprising news, and disappointed that Cosmo did not come back fully alive. But he did not show it, for his joy outweighed his disappointment.

Tails: and how did you get back here?

Cosmo: By the Typhoon. I found myself in the Typhoon database, then, when I mastered my new shape, I downloaded it to your tablet.

Tails: I see. And the ability to communicate only came later.

Cosmo: That's right. I can talk since earlier, when you left for your party ... but before, I could hear everything too.

Tails was quite embarrassed that Cosmo could hear him, even though it had only been for a few days. She must have heard him crying at night and regretted his actions.

Tails: You know, I'm really sorry for what I did to you. I should have found another solution. I should have! I wanted so much not to lose you.

Cosmo: I know, and I didn't want us to be separated either. But we had to and you did the right thing. And now I'm here again.

Coslo had a beautiful smile, which Tails returned to him. He wanted to thank her, but all of a sudden the screen started to blur. But it wasn't just a display bug, because Cosmo was screaming too:

Cosmo: Tails! Help! I ...

At that moment, the screen turned off, and left the place to a very distinctive logo: the Eggman Army logo. Tails felt the anger rising in him. He rushed outside, knowing that Eggman was not far away.

Eggman: Oh! Oh! Oh! You are perceptive fox!

Tails: What did you do to Cosmo!

Eggman: Don't worry, she's not dead. At least for now.

He activated a system on his mobile egg which made a Cosmo hologram appear, made from its digital form.

Cosmo: Tails !

Tails saw Cosmo screaming in his direction. He was both relieved to see her alive and angry that Eggman had kidnapped her.

Tails: Cosmo !

Tails turned to Eggman, his eyes full of anger:

Tails: But why?!

Eggman: You won't know that. All I can tell you is that if you want to see her alive again, you'd better keep quiet, and so should your friends.

Tails: you are a Eggman monster!

Eggman: Big words right away! I just need something that she has.

Tails got angry and flew at full speed towards Eggman, whom he hit in the face.

Tails: I won't let you do Eggman!

Eggman got angry in turn. He grabbed a remote control that was in his mobile egg and put his finger over the button. He then looked at Tails, who began to panic, understanding what was happening:

Tails: No, don't do that! I'll do what you want, but don't erase it!

Eggman: Well, I prefer that.

He put away his remote control, and turned to Tails again.

Eggman: You won't tell your friends and nothing will be done to him, I'll contact you later.

Tails was resigned. He didn't want his friend to disappear again. So he complied with the doctor's demands, while he thought up a plan.

Tails: It's okay doctor, I will comply with your requirements. But you promise not to hurt him!

Eggman : Don't worry: if she's willing to collaborate, everything will be fine.

Tails was frightened by this eventuality. Indeed, he knew that Cosmo, no matter what the doctor asked him, would not give in. Cosmo seemed to sense what was bothering him because she answered as if he had spoken aloud.

Cosmo: Don't worry, Tails, I'll be fine.

He wanted to tell her that he would do anything to save her, that she would be free soon, but he couldn't take the risk that Eggman would go all the way. He never went that far, but who knows with him. So he decided to shake his head and answer, confident:

Tails: I know Cosmo.

Eggman: Oh, how touching! Well, no more tearful farewells, I have to go. But remember: you don't say anything to anyone.

Tails: No doctor, I keep my word and I hope you will keep yours!

Eggman: Tail! Don't offend me like that. I'm mean, but I'm not a liar.

It is true that the doctor may have been obnoxious and vicious, but certainly not a liar. Especially with him. In spite of their mutual hatred, he felt mutual respect, both of them being genius scientists. Tails, in any case, felt respect for Eggman, and he had seen several times that it was mutual.

Sizes: Okay.

Eggman: Well, I'm leaving now. Goodbye cursed fox.

Cosmo was a little surprised at the cooperation from Tails. She knew he would do everything to keep her out of danger, hence her agreement, but she also knew it should affect him more than that. But just as Eggman was about to leave, she saw Tails winking at him, probably to make him understand that he had a plan in mind. She smiled back at him.

Then the egg-mobile took off into the air, in the direction of the potential base of Eggman. It then recorded the frequency of the ship, so that it could locate the base of Eggman. For he had not given up. He wanted to save Cosmo and he would do it, no matter what. He would locate his base and go there.

He returned to prepare to attack, taking the necessary equipment.
Tails: "Well, I have everything I need. »

Suddenly he heard a beep from his locator. Eggman's vehicle had stopped somewhere in the forest ... of Angel Island ?!

Tails: "How did he get in without Knuckles seeing him? Anyway, that complicates my case. I'm going to have to fly out there, in the open, without being spotted. How do I do that? »

He began to think, retiring to his room to be more comfortable.

Outside, two hybrids arrived in the vicinity of Tails' house and began to observe. They saw the light on, and heard noise inside. This worried Amy with a stench:

Amy: Oh no, he's not sleeping. I knew he wasn't well, let's go...

She was beginning to head towards Tails' house, but the second hybrid suddenly held her back.

Sonic: No!

Amy: Why?! He needs our help.

Sonic: I know you mean well, but I'm sorry, I know him better and I've known him longer than you have. We have to leave him. If he's really hurting, the only way he can decompress is to tinker. Let's leave him.

Amy: But he needs our...

She saw Sonic looking at him, with a look that meant "trust me". Amy thought about all that Sonic and Tails had gone through. All the adventures they had had without her, during which they had grown closer. In the end, it's true, she's only known them for a short time. Sonic was more apt to know what to do. She lowered her resigned head, but still nodded.

Amy: I guess you're right. Let's leave it.

Sonic: Good decision Amy, I'm taking you home.

Amy was surprised by Sonic's sudden goodwill. Usually, he would have run away as quickly as possible so as not to spend time alone with her.

Amy: Well, what's the matter, Mr. Sonic, you're getting chivalrous.

Sonic: Maybe you are a good influence on me. As long as I don't get your bad temper, I'm fine.

Amy felt a touch of irony in that last sentence. She decided to play along. He had said she had a bad temper, she would react with bad temper. She took out her hammer, smiling slyly but also amused.

Amy: What did you just say?

Sonic sensed that Amy had taken the bait, and he took a panicky look, getting up and starting to move away from Amy.

Sonic: No, Amy, calm down!

Then he started to run, and Amy followed him. But he wasn't arguing, as the frantic and angry airs gave way to laughter and smiles of provocation. They ran in the night towards Amy's house.

In his lab, Tails had been attracted by a noise coming from outside. He had gone outside and pretended to be tinkering so as not to look suspicious. He then recognized the voices of Sonic and Amy. He was touched that they were worried about him. He thought for a moment about going to look for them, to let them see that they had been discovered, but he had a lot of preparation to do and little time. Anyway, he heard them walking away laughing. He must have reassured them. So he went back to thinking about it.

Tails: "I know: I'm going to approach Angel Island until I detect the radio frequency of the radar at Eggman's base. If I do it right, I should only be visible for a few seconds between the moment I enter the radar area and the moment I send a reverse wave, canceling my signal. I can build such a machine in an hour, child's play. But the problem is that a few seconds of visibility is already too much. It could be that Decoe or Bocoe is watching the radar while Eggman is taking care of Cosmo. We have to find something..."

He thinks a few more minutes to find a solution. In fact, he already had one, but he didn't want to go that far. Unfortunately, he didn't have much choice.

Tails: "I have to find a bait, people who would go a little bit before me, and who would distract Eggman and his henchmen, so that no one would be watching the radar, even for a few seconds. He would activate the alarm, and he would switch from the radar to the camera. When they realize it's just these people, they'd go back to the radar. But who could play that role? They must be insignificant to Eggman, but cunning enough not to be spotted too soon. Let's see ... I know! the Chaotix. I have no choice. I call them and ask them to leave tomorrow at dawn. I would follow them on the radar, and when they tell me that they have activated the alarm, I would pass in the radar field and scramble it. »

He took his voice modifier, an invention he had created during his sleepless nights, and headed for the telephone. But he heard a noise. It sounded like a fly flying. He went to look out the window and saw some kind of giant metallic insect, which was looking at his house. He was only watching outside, as the Tails lab had smoked glass, precisely to prevent espionage. Fortunately, these windows were tinted in only one direction, allowing him to see the scene.

Tails: "Gee, he won't see me getting ready, but he can see me going out tomorrow morning. I have to find a subterfuge. I know! »

He went to his storeroom and searched. There was a ton of unfinished or unsuccessful inventions. But he was looking for something in particular.

Tails: "Bingo! I've got it! »

An old robot carcass came out of the storage room. He didn't have a body yet, but you could already see that he was shaped like a fox, and not just any fox: he was a copy of Tails.

Tails: "I started this robot after we returned from Earth to become my assistant. I did well to do it in my own image. All it needs now is a body and a basic program and it will be a perfect one for them. Well, let's get to work".

His plan was in motion, all that was left to do was to put the pawns on the chessboard. He set to work on his workbench, while night reigned over the small town of Green Hill.

Two other groups were still awake. First, there was Sonic and Amy, who was arriving near Amy's house. They were both out of breath. Amy didn't understand why Sonic was like her.

Amy: I can understand that I'm tired, but you? why? You're making fun of me, aren't you?

Sonic: No, Amy, it's just that for me, running as slowly as you do is a lot of effort.

Sonic started laughing. Amy pulled out her hammer again, and hit Sonic before he could react. Then she looked at him and smiled.

Amy: And now I'm still slow?

Sonic rubbed his head and turned towards Amy.

Sonic: Okay, you win.

The two hedgehogs laughed out loud. They calmed down after a few seconds.

Amy: It feels good to be able to laugh like that again.

Sonic: What do you mean?

Amy: Well, with the whole metarex thing, we've been at each other's throats for months.

Sonic: Yes, we're doing better. But the same can't be said for Tails.

Sonic and Amy became deep and quiet. They looked down, pensive. They were thinking about the lively little guy Tail was before this trauma. He was always smiling, optimistic. He was a brave little guy, who never said no to a challenge and an adventure. Now all he has left of all this is his genius. And he's closing in on himself.

Amy: We need to help her get through this.

Sonic: The only solution would be to bring Cosmo back into this world.

Amy: But that's impossible! She's ...

Amy could not finish her sentence. She was starting to cry.

Sonic : ... dead, I know. But maybe there's someone who could help us. Someone who knows the spirit world like the back of his hand.

Amy: Tikal!

Sonic: Yes. Emeralds have an extraordinary power. They kept Tikal in semi-life. Perhaps she could help us use them to bring Cosmo back, or find another solution.

Amy: Knuckles could help us find her!

Sonic: Yeah, we're going right now.

Amy: You're kidding! Of course I'm coming! I wouldn't be able to sleep after that!

Sonic: Okay, let's go!

The two hedgehogs ran away towards Emerald Hill, the nearest access point to Angel Island. There, our guardian was sleeping, not knowing what was going to fall on him in an hour. There, holed up in his base, Dr. Eggman's machiavellian plan was also being fomented.

This one stood in the middle of a large room, in front of Cosmo's hologram. He was always on board his eggmobile, having just arrived. He turned towards his robots:

Eggman: Decoe! is going to watch the camera of our drone: I don't want some snoop to stick his nose in here.

Decoe : OK boss !

He began to move away to the control room, when the doctor interrupted him again, another idea having crossed his mind.

Eggman: Ah yes! and also watch the radar! in case he comes!

Decoe: But why? if our cameras don't detect him leaving his house?

Eggman: I told you to do it, so do it and shut up!

Decoe: Okay boss.

The Robot then rushed to the control room, so as not to offend his boss once again.

Eggman: "Since he met this girl, Tails has become much more unpredictable, I have to expect everything from him.

He then turned to the hologram, displaying a big smile.

Eggman: Well, now it's up to the two of us! Tell me what I want to know!

Cosmo: I don't know what you mean!

Eggman: Oh yes, you do! You're going to tell me how you did to digitize your mind!

Cosmo: But I don't know! I found myself like that without knowing how!

Eggman: You're lying to me! But I'm sure that when you know what's at stake, you'll become more reasonable.

Cosmo: What do you mean? What have you done!

Eggman: Me, nothing! But if you're not more reasonable, she's going to pay!

Saying this, he turned to the back of the room, which was dark, and turned on the light. He then unveiled a sort of glass sphere, in which the spirit of an echidna was imprisoned. Cosmo did not know it, and turned to Eggman, still angry despite everything:

Cosmo: Who is it? What are you going to do to him?

Eggman was instantly taken aback by the question. He stared at her in disbelief. But he changed his expression quickly, when he remembered. He then sneered, before turning back to her:

Eggman: So your friends didn't tell you about Tikal, guardian of the emeralds of chaos!

Cosmo: Guardian! But it's not Knuckles!

Eggman: What? This miserable porcupine doesn't need anything! He can't even keep himself. No, Knuckles is the physical guardian of the emeralds! Since his death, Tikal has been the true spiritual guardian of them, and as such, she knows all their secrets, even the most buried ones.

Tikal: I've already told you, doctor, I won't tell you anything. You can keep me prisoner as long as you want, I won't say anything.

The other two people standing in the room turned towards the sphere and saw Tikal meditating, perfectly calm. The doctor began to laugh.

Eggman: Oh, I know! And that's why Cosmo is here.

Tikal came out of his trance and looked at the doctor, his eyes full of anger:

Tikal : What do you mean? What are you going to do to him?

The doctor sneered again and addressed the young echidna:

Eggman: Don't worry, I'm not like that! I wouldn't do anything to him! As you know, I want to extort the secret of digitization from him, but it's not to harm him.

He pointed at Tikal, and smiled at him:

Eggman: You're the one who will suffer!

Tikal and Cosmo looked at the doctor, then looked at each other, terrified. Then Cosmo turned to the doctor:

Cosmo: What do you mean, what are you going to do to him?

Eggman: You still can't see! You're pathetic. If you give me this secret, I could digitize it and erase it if she refuses to talk!

The two women were appalled by what they had just heard. Even Tikal was beginning to be afraid, but obviously not for herself:

Tikal: No! You can't do that! I control Chaos, and if I'm no longer there, it will be unleashed again! And this time nothing will be able to stop it.

He looked at the echidna and smiled, looking satisfied:

Eggman: Precisely! And that's why, when I digitize you, you'll talk!

He then turned to Cosmo, who shot him in the eye. Cosmo didn't know what to do. If she spoke, Tikal would be free, but she would risk death and the destruction of the world. If she did not speak, Tikal would never be set free, but the world would be saved. She had already faced this dilemma, for herself, when she had faced Dark Oak. And she had sacrificed herself without hesitation. Reluctantly, she turned her head to Tikal to ask for his approval. Tikal did not need a word. She already knew everything and knew Cosmo's choice. She nodded, as a sign of approval.

Cosmo: you can do or say whatever you want, it won't change anything, I won't say anything.

Eggman was a little surprised by Cosmo's reaction, which he had anticipated quite differently.

Eggman: I expected you to be more reasonable than the others, but it looks like you've been spending too much time with Tails and his other friends. You've become someone who needs a little more motivation, which I'm going to give you.

Cosmo was concerned by this remark. At that moment, Eggman turned on the screen at the back of the room: it showed the images of Tails' house, taken live by the drone.

Cosmo: You're not going to take it out on Tails!

Eggman: If you don't become more reasonable, you will.

Cosmo panicked at the thought of losing Tails if she didn't say anything, but she couldn't speak. Eggman saw him well and gave him his final instructions.

Eggman: I'll give you until tomorrow morning to decide. After that, it's an answer or Tails will die.

This reassured Cosmo, who thought it would allow Tails to put a strategy in place. Because she knew he wouldn't leave her here. She had confidence in him.

Eggman left the room, to go to his quarters, reading all the doors, making this gigantic room a prison. Eggman had just left the light of the prison of Tikal and the screen open. This screen was still showing the images of Tails' house, whose lights were still on. He was surely working out a strategy to save her. She knew it deep down inside. He had to do it. It would be too cruel if they were separated from him again after such a short time. This thought made her begin to cry. A little of this, but enough for Tikal to hear it.

Tikal: I can see that Tails matters to you, doesn't it?

Cosmo: Yes, I love her very much, I don't want us to be separated again forever.

Tikal: I understand that perfectly well. But think about what Tails would want.

Cosmo thinks about his sacrifice in front of dark Oak, and what Tails had done: he had shot, putting the survival of all before his own interest. As she had done at that time too. She began to cry:

Cosmo: he would like me to keep quiet. But I can't bring him to his death.

She calmed down after a few seconds when she saw the screen again.

Cosmo: Anyway, I trust Tails, he will have released us before Eggman is even up.

Tikal also looked at the screen, then turned to Cosmo.

Tikal: Maybe you're right, it looks like he's getting ready to come. But you also have to be prepared to act if Eggman is one step ahead or finds out what Tails is doing.

Cosmo tried to fall asleep on this idea: if she had seen that Tails was getting ready, Eggman would surely have seen it too: would Tails have time to act. She kept her faith, knowing that her friend had fooled the doctor more than once, and fell asleep on this positive thought and the image of the fox in her head.