Chapter 4: Fighting for you. The sacrifice of Tails.
Tails made its way through the thick forest. In spite of the late morning, it remained dark as if it was night. But Tails advanced. He was scared, to be sure, but he was advancing. His objective was more important, and he was more afraid of that. He was afraid that Eggman had spotted him, and that it was the end of Cosmo. But he didn't want to think about that. He was moving forward looking at his tracker.
He was approaching Eggman's position, but did not see any buildings.
Tails: "he must certainly be hiding underground, the coward".
He knelt down and began to scratch the earth. And he was right: under a thin layer of earth and humus, he found a metal partition. It was even a trap door.
Tails: "it's too easy..."
Indeed, Tails had seen Eggman move during his journey through the jungle. What if it was a trap? What if he knew he was there? This oe sée tetanized him. But we shouldn't have thought about it. He decided to try to find an air vent, so he could get in. He stood up to inspect the surroundings when he heard a noise coming from the jungle. He froze on the spot, lying in wait, hoping that it was just a hallucination. But unfortunately, no: a new, clearer sound was heard. He stepped forward, ready to attack, to try k everything for everything, when a voice was heard coming from the bush.
?: When we come out, we're in this together.
Tails recognized this voice. His pulse slowed down, but he was just as scared: they were visible, a badnik could follow them? But it was unlikely: Eggman must have spotted them a long time ago.
Tails: Get out of there, you're exposed.
The first to come out was Charly, who flew through the air at full speed, to get away from the bush to breathe.
Charmy: finally some air!
Vector: Well done! Do you know the definition of the words "spinning" and "discretion"?
Charmy: Oh, that's good! Anyway, it's easier to ask him?
Espio: True, he was shady, but he's our friend, not a dangerous criminal.
Vector: It's the same! As a detective, you have to treat everyone equally!
And they started arguing, taking turns believing they were on top. Tails was worried. With all the gossip they were making, they would soon be spotted. He ran at them, grabbed Vector and put his hand in front of his mouth:
Tails: Shut up at last! If you want to know, cosmo is alive!
The three detectives were stunned by the news:
Vector: IT'S NOT POSSIBLE...
This time, it was Spy who had closed the valve for him.
Charmy: And I'm the one who doesn't know the word "discretion"!
Espio: Tails wants us to talk low, he must have a reason. So keep your voice down.
Vector nodded that he would keep quiet. Espio let go of him Vector began to pout, probably upset by the fact that he had just been told to shut up.
Tails: thanks Espio. So I was saying that Cosmo was alive. Well, not quite...
Espio: What do you mean?
Tails: Well, it's in digital form.
The other three were flabbergasted. Charmy was the first to react.
Charmy: That's not funny Tails! You should be ashamed to make jokes about her. I thought you loved her.
The other two were shocked by the bee's words. Vector reacted first:
Vector: You have no shame! You really think that Tails would tell lies about Cosmo! You disappoint him!
Espio nodded in response, then turned to Tails, sorry.
Espio: I'm really sorry.
at him, strangely smiling.
Size: it doesn't matter. And no Charmy, they're not stories.
Vector :But that doesn't explain why you are here in the forest and why you employed us?
Tails then began to blush. He really hoped he would not have to answer this question. And now he had to face his actions.
Sizes: well ... How to say ...
Espio: Well, come on, spit it out!
Tails took a deep breath and then spoke again.
Tails: I used you as bait.
Espio and Charmy were shocked. Espio was even getting ready to leave.
Espio: Bravo! That's how you treat your friends! Well, come on, I'm out of here. You're coming.
Charmy followed him, but not Vector.
Vector: Wait, let him finish.
Espio: what!? But he used us!
Vector: Maybe, but he did it out of love. What wouldn't one do out of love.
Espio looked at Vector, and to have won.
Espio: Yes, that's right. Sorry Tails.
The fox felt embarrassed by their excuses:
Tails:but it's not up to you to apologize! It's mine. I am sorry.
Vector: That's okay, guys.
The other two answered with a nod.
Vector: Good, go. Keep going. What were we used as bait for?
So Tails told the three detectives everything, and they were stunned.
Vector: we had to be warned right away! We would have helped you with pleasure!
Tails: That's nice, but if Eggman had known you were with me, he would have killed Cosmo. I had to act alone. By the way, did Eggman spot you?
Vector: Yes, don't worry. He sent a spy bot and left us alone. There is no risk.
Tails: so much the better! Now I have to look for a safe entrance. There is a trap door, but it's too conspicuous.
Vector :can you show it to us ?
Tails: ok!
He took them to the hatch. He was now standing on it.
Tails: you see, there it is. Well, now, let's look for another ...
He couldn't even finish his sentence when the trap door opened, and Tails fell in, in a deaf and terrified scream.
Charmy: Tails!
Vector was now angry. He looked at the others with a determined look on his face.
Vector: Let's go get the others. The secret is out anyway. We have to help him.
The other two followed him out of the clearing, abandoning him again to silence.
Tails makes a sudden but rapid drop. It soon smashed against a metal surface. He was stunned by the blow, everything became blurred and he fainted. He only woke up a few minutes later. He had an excruciating headache. He did, however, hear a familiar voice.
?: Welcome back!
Then the voice began to laugh. A deep, bad laugh that Tails could have recognized among a thousand. His sight became clearer and he was able to confirm his hypotheses: Eggman was standing in front of him and laughing, but there was no Cosmo with him. He sincerely hoped that he had not killed Cosmo. He looked for her in the room, discovering the large, semi-spherical hall into which he had fallen. He finally saw what he had hoped for: Cosmo's hologram, in a corner of the room, staring at him. It seemed to call him, but no sound came out. A mixture of relief, but also anger rose inside him. He turned to Eggman.
Eggman: Good Mute function, huh? I was tired of hearing it.
Tails then felt anger bubbling up inside him. He would have been ready to destroy a whole army alone.
Tails: let her go now, or you'll regret it!
Eggman: You know that if you do that, she will die!
Tails: No, I don't think so, otherwise you would have done it when you spotted me. After all, you said it yourself: you're a bad guy, but not a liar.
Eggman then sketched out a wide smile, showing all those enormous flat teeth.
Eggman: Good point! I need her. I didn't know you were such a good poker player. You bet big and won. She I need her. But you need her.
At that moment, something entered through the trap door and landed between Tails and Eggman. It was Mecha-Tails. Tails didn't know what he was doing here, but he was glad to get some help.
Eggman: ... I don't need you!
Tails was surprised that Eggman seemed satisfied with the arrival of his robot. But he quickly understood when the shell of his robot fell down and the robot started to transform. The parts turned around each other, and a night-blue shell appeared little by little. Very long thorns then grew on his head, and the rattling stopped. Tails couldn't believe his eyes. He had gone up ...
Eggman: Neo Metal Sonic! That's right! It was infiltrated into your home to be used to attack you when the time came from the inside. You were planning to make a Mecha-Tails, so it was easy to swap the two. Unfortunately, there was this thing with the Metarex, so I abandoned my plan and left it there. I had almost forgotten about it until today, when I discovered your "decoy".
Tails was at first shocked by his treatment of Metal Sonic. He was their enemy, but he also knew that he had a conscience of his own, and that he felt emotions. In fact, for a second, he swore he saw a glimmer of sadness in Neo Metal Sonic's eyes. But he was mostly focused on the present moment.
Tails: how do you mean? You discovered my decoy?
Eggman was surprised. He wondered how his friends had found out about it. But he didn't show anything, because this was a godsend. Tails didn't know that backup was on the way, and that backup didn't know where to find him. He could pit them against each other or eliminate Tails, either way he was a winner. He began to smile, thinking at first to destabilize him.
Eggman: Yes, your friends came to your house to find out if you were there. They only saw your decoy, which they thought was mine, destroyed my spybot, and are on their way to look for you. But apparently they don't know where. I almost killed Cosmo at that moment, but that's when I figured you must be closer than I thought. So I decided to make you, not her, pay for your thoughtless action.
Tails didn't believe it: Sonic, who usually helped him, almost caused Cosmo's death. He didn't know, of course, but his usual lack of discretion almost killed Cosmo. He had again rushed into the heap without thinking. Tails felt anger rising inside him, against Eggman, but also against Sonic, who was irresponsible one too many times. Eggman saw him and seemed satisfied.
Eggman: Okay, enough of this chatting. Any last wishes?
Tails, who now had the eyes of a rabid man, turned to Eggman and smiled at him:
Tails: Kill you!
Eggman was surprised by this crude and direct, but also radical answer. Cosmo, without being heard, shouted at Tails, probably to tell him not to do this.
Eggman: What?!
He had no time to do anything, so Tails jumped over Neo, flew to Eggman, and was about to strike a blow from both of them that would probably have been fatal if Neo hadn't gotten in the way, pushing Tails violently backwards. Tails smashed against the ground and then stood up again. Between him and Eggman now stood Neo, who was ready to fight. Then he disappeared for a split second. Tails guessed it was to attack him from behind, and he swerved to the left, dodging the blow, before sending the robot into the air to crash into the wall opposite. He didn't have time to disengage from the wall as Tails arrived, and gave Neo many blows with his fist and tail, which was increasingly dented. Cosmo, in his corner, could not believe his eyes. She shouted at Tails to stop, knowing that he could not hear her. Tails struck with all the force of his rage, which surprised Eggman, who was still shocked because he had come so close to death. He had come to the point where what mattered to him was to normalize the situation, seeing that Neo was going to lose.
Eggman: Tails! Calm down! I'll give you back Cosmo if you want!
Tails then turned around, his eyes full of fury. Neo was almost out of order, and Tails was now heading towards Eggman.
Tails: No! That's enough, you've done enough harm!
He then began to levitate, and a black halo appeared around him. His coat turns gray at night, and his eyes become luminous.
Tails: it's time to get it over with!
He then rushed towards Eggman, ready to strike a fatal blow, and Eggman tried to flee. But suddenly a voice was heard:
?: Stop Tails!
Tails calmed down, and turned to the sound, which came from a dark corner of the room. He discerned in the darkness a figure he knew: that of an echidna, which was trapped in a glass sphere. Tails was shocked by this vision, shocked enough to become normal again and move towards the sphere, shocked and sad at the same time.
Tails : Tikal! but what did he do to you?
Tikal: He imprisoned my spirit here to get a secret, the one that only I hold.
Eggman: Yes, the location of Hidden Palace
He had calmed down, seeing that Tails was also calmed down, and had also moved towards the sphere. He was now standing beside Tails.
Tails: but what does Cosmo have to do with it?
Eggman: she knows a secret that would make this echidnate talk. If I digitize it, I could threaten to erase it ...
Tikal: ... And Chaos would be out of control !
Eggman: Precisely!
Cosmo: I would never tell you anything!
Cosmo didn't even realize that you could hear it, which surprised her a lot.
Eggman: I know. The only way to make you talk is Tails.
Suddenly, he understood everything: that's why he hadn't really killed him, because he was his means of pressure. Everything got mixed up in him: manipulation, Cosmi, Tikal, the Hidden Palace. And the anger came back into him. He turned gray again and turned to Eggman, terrified.
Tikal : No, you're not like that ! restrain him !
Tails then turned to Tikal, begging, and then to Cosmo, who was afraid. He realized what he was doing, what he was becoming, and he was frightened by his actions. He stepped back, looked at Cosmo:
Tails: Sorry Cosmo, I didn't mean to scare you.
But she was still a little scared, even if she was still a little reassured. Tails then turned to Tikal:
Tails: Sorry. I must not let my emotions overwhelm me. I'm going to get you out of here and we'll get out of here in a hurry.
Tails flew over the sphere, to deactivate the globe. But Eggman had had time to flee to safety, and his voice echoed through the loudspeakers:
Eggman: That's what you think Tails.
At that moment, Neo arrived, having repaired himself during the battle, and struck Tails in mid-air. It crashed to the ground.
Cosmo: Tails !
Tails got up, and turned to Cosmo and Tikal, signalling to them that he was well. Tikal was worried.
Tikal: "Tails seems to have this power, but he doesn't control it. He must not use it. But he doesn't stand a chance..." (to Tails) Tails, be careful! Don't use your power and try to dodge as much as possible, I'm calling the others.
Tails: Okay... Wait, but what power?!
Tikal: I'll explain later. In the meantime ... Careful!
Tails then turned, and Neo screw loaded. He dodged the first time, but he was too fast: he took the second shot, sent almost instantly. He crashed against the wall again. It was beginning to feel that he was weakening. Cosmo was worried sick.
Eggman: All right, that's enough. Tails is just as he wants, we'll show him. Neo, destroy her! She's useless.
Neo then went to Cosmo, to destroy it. Tails saw him advance. She was going to die because of him, again. No! He wouldn't allow it. He took his last ounce of strength and rushed at Neo, pinning him to the wall.
Tikal and Cosmo: Tails!
Thick smoke fills the room. And unfortunately, no sound was audible. A few seconds passed, and then Tails hobbled out of the smoke. The two girls were reassured. But Cosmo suddenly started screaming:
Cosmo: Tails! Beware!
He turned around, and dodged Neo again, who could not regain his momentum for a second shot. Tails was now flying, at a good distance from Neo, but visibly exhausted.
Cosmo: You can't fight anymore! He will kill you! Run away!
Tails turned to Cosmo, and smiled at him:
Tails: never again!
He then rushed towards Neo, and the real battle began, with successive kicks, punches, and tails.
At the same time, Sonic's group was flying over the sea towards Angel Island. Sonic was piloting the Tornado, while Amy was sitting on the roof and Knuckles was lying there.
Amy: Are you sure we'll find information there?
Knuckles looked at her, then turned his head and smiled.
Knuckles: Of course! If we ask the Master Emerald, we'll know and we'll find Tails quickly, well done!
Sonic was worried at the control of the plane.
Sonic: I hope so!
Knuckles: but yes, don't worry, I'm sure that ... AHHHH!
Amy turned around in surprise and the plane even staggered a little due to a false maneuver by Sonic as a result of the surprise.
Amy: Are you okay?
Knuckles didn't respond, and continued to wring in pain.
Amy: Sonic! Knuckles isn't doing well, we need to land urgently!
Sonic: We're coming anyway, I'm just landing on the ledge.
Sonic directed the plane to a small airstrip on the edge of Angel Island, at the edge of the forest. However, Sonic hadn't flown, including landing, for years. There was a lot of jerking that almost ejected Amy and Knuckles out of the plane.
Amy: Be careful!
Sonic stopped the plane, and descended.
Sonic: I'll see you there. Knuckles is getting better.
Amy: no, unfortunately n...
But at that moment, Knuckles stops moaning. Amy and Sonic turned to him, worried.
Knuckles stood up, holding his head.
Knuckles: don't worry! I just got a message from the Master emerald.
Sonic and Amy looked at each other, sharing the same air of surprise.
Sonic and Amy: the Emerald Master!
Knuckles: Yes, I know, it's rare, so it's hard to cash in.
Sonic: And what did the message say?
Knuckles looked worried at Amy and Sonic.
Knuckles: this is a message from Tikal. She says that Tails is in danger in a Eggman base here on Angel Island.
Amy: But what does he want?
Knuckles: That's the strange thing: according to her, Robitnik doesn't blame Tails.
Sonic: So why kidnap him?
Knuckles: he wasn't kidnapped, he came to save someone.
Amy: Saving someone? But why did Eggman plant a decoy?
Sonic became serious when he saw the ideas to implement in his head.
Sonic: Think about it, why would I have a decoy watching a house.
Amy's face will say when she understands.
Amy: Oh no, you don't mean that...
Knuckles seemed to understand in turn.
Knuckles: Yes, that's right. It's a Tails decoy, to make it look like he was still at home.
Sonic: And we compromised his plan. It's our fault he's in danger.
Saying this, Sonic looked at the ground, awfully guilty.
Sonic: What did I do? Why did I destroy this spybot?
Amy took him by the shoulder, and looked at him tenderly:
Amy: It's not your fault. No one could guess. And it's not too late for the
save.
Sonic looked at Amy, who smiled confidently at him. She always tended to cheer him up. He smiled back at her.
Sonic: You're right. Let's go.
He then looked at Knuckles.
Sonic: Do you know where they are?
Knuckles: Well, actually, no. She stopped the contact before she told me.
Amy was about to propose an idea, when the Chaotix came running out of the forest. But they digested themselves on the spot when they saw the group. Both looked surprised to see the other group. Knuckles was the first to break the silence.
Knuckles: What the hell are you doing here?
Vector: we're here to warn you, it's about Tails. It ...
Sonic: ... is in trouble, we know.
Espio: how do you get that?
Knuckles: I just received a message from Tikal.
Amy: Tikal! but you said it was from the Master Emerald!
Knuckles: Oh, that's okay, I kind of left that out, sorry!
Sonic turned to the Chaotix:
Sonic where are they?
Vector: Tails fell into a trap door not far from here, we'll take you there!
Sonic: ok! we're following you!
The small group then entered the deep forest. A small forest with a calm pace, but where a fierce battle was being played out.
Indeed, the battle in Neo and Tails continued to rage. They struck blow after blow, seemingly unable to emerge victorious over the other. Tikal and Cosmo watched the scene, both worried, while Eggman exulted from his cockpit in safety. Indeed, this status quo was only an illusion, as Tails was getting weaker and weaker by the minute. He wouldn't last another minute. Cosmo screamed for what seemed to him the hundredth time, begging:
Cosmo: Please, Tails! Stop it, you're going to die!
Tails (weakened): Don't worry, I'll hold out. I'll get you out of there.
As he was saying this, Neo ran right into him. He dodged him this time, and sent him to the generator of the globe in one well-calculated move. The globe of energy began to disappear, and Tikal was free.
Eggman: Nooooo!
Tails was satisfied: he had succeeded. He went to Cosmo to get it back, and got out of here, but there was a thunderous noise:
Eggman: Neo! Get rid of her!
and Neo came out of the smoking rubble of the sphere's generator, damaged but still in good condition, to Tails' surprise. Apparently, his propellant did not work any more, but his cannon did. He was getting ready to fire. Tails didn't have time to reach Cosmo in time, he would have already fired. It was all over, but Tails rushed towards Cosmo, in a desperate impulse...
Tails: Cosmo ! no !
But, suddenly, a noise was heard. The ceiling hatch opened, and Sonic, Amy and the others jumped to land on the floor. This interrupted Neo's momentum, who stopped and looked at Sonic as well.
Eggman: What?!
Sonic: A little help from Tails!
Tails was delighted: finally some real reinforcements.
Tails : Yes, I want to ...
But as he answered, he heard Neo start looking for his cannon again. Sonic and the others had seen him too, but could not act. Tails was closest and he knew it. He ran towards Cosmo. The shot went off, and he was only a meter away from Cosmo. There was no time to retrieve it. So he stood between the shot and her, with his back arched and his tail together as a shield, ready to cushion the blow. And he hit him hard. The pain was running through Tails' body, an unbearable pain. But he didn't scream. Before he fainted from the shock, only one thought crossed his mind: she was alive: he had managed to save her this time.
