Chapter 5
The explosion had expelled everyone for several meters. Everyone was slumped on the ground, given by the shock. Sonic was the first to get up, at first a pu KO, but woke up to see the cloud of smoke occupying the place and his friend. He hoped with all his heart to see Tails come out of the smoke, but it was not so. On the contrary, Sonic perceived a small noise, resembling crying. Cosmo's crying. His heart squeezed as he imagined the worst, and he rushed into the smoke. He progressed slowly, because of the lack of visibility, then arrived at the center, and froze. What he saw shocked him to the point that he could no longer find the words. The smoke ends up dissipating, letting see with all the awful spectacle: The hologram of Cosmo was with znoux, the head in the hands crying, Tikal has his sides, in front of the apparently lifeless body of Tails, lengthened on the belly. He was badly burned, and his two tails, of which he was proud, had been disintegrated by the explosion. But what was worse was that he seemed to have stopped breathing. Sonic leaned over and listened to his breathing, but nothing. He straightened up, resigned, and looked sorry at the others. He didn't need to say anything: Amy collapsed crying, just like Charmy whom Vector and Espio were trying to console, and Knuckles was getting angry:
Knuckles: Why?! Why him?! It's not fair!
He struck a large blow on the wall next to him, which attracted attention. But that did not make Sonic, who was crying with Tails in his arms, flinch:
Sonic: That's not possible, not you! You were so young! Don't leave me my buddy!
What would I become without you! It's all my fault, I acted without thinking again!
He continued to hold Tails' inert body tightly, absorbed by his grief. So much so that he could not see Eggman, who was slipping away:
Eggman: I'd better get out of here!
He went through the armored door of the room and ran away, but no one paid any attention to him. Everyone was absorbed in their grief. Sonic then took off from Tails, laid him down on the floor, and watched him determine. He superimposed his two hands and placed them on the fox's sternum, then squeezed it.
The others looked at him, astonished.
Amy: What are you doing?
Sonic: I can't leave him! We can still save him. Saying that, he continued to do his CPR.
Knuckles: but it's too late!
Sonic answeRouge him, without turning away from his objective.
Sonic: No, it's never too late.
He then began mouth-to-mouth. He then continued the cardiac massages and mouth-to-mouth, without success, under the anxious and sad eyes of his friends. Seeing the lack of results, he began to panic, having more and more difficulty maintaining a good rhythm and slowing down, overwhelmed by sadness:
Sonic: Come on! Wake up!
He pressed harder and harder, but still nothing. He was crying again now, about to stop, when he heard Tails cough: he was breathing again. Everyone was surprised and approached Sonic, who couldn't believe his eyes:
Sonic: Tails! How are you doing?
Tails opened his eyes, blinking a little, and looked around, lost, before looking at Sonic. His voice was weak:
Tails: What's going on?
Sonic: Remember, you were fighting against Metal to save Cosmo, and you were hit hard by his cannon while protecting her.
Tails then had a frantic look on his face, everything coming back to him:
Tails: Is Cosmo doing well?
Sonic was going to answer, but Cosmo took care of it, still in tears.
Cosmo: n ... no, I'm fine ... well don't diet!
Sonic moved aside to allow Tails to see Cosmo. Tails, now seated, smiled at Cosmo, who smiled back at him.
Tails: this time I managed to save you! And nothing will separate us anymore.
Cosmo: no, nothing more. But be careful in the future!
Tails had an embarrassing look on his face:
Tails: yes, sorry. If I had been dead, we wouldn't have been any further ahead!
Everyone laughed a lot.
He turned to Sonic, with an expression full of reproach for his irresponsibility, which everyone experiences, including Sonic. But his face calmed down when he saw Sonic on the verge of tears.
Sonic: Sorry Tails for ruining your plan, you could have died.
Tails swallowed his resentment, and smiled at Sonic, his voice still weak:
Tails: don't worry, you couldn't know.
Sonic was reassuRouge by these few words. But Tails' burns still hurt him horribly:
Tails: Ouch!
Amy: Wait Tails, I'll fix you!
Amy was about to rush him with her first aid kit, but he interrupted her, about to get up.
Sizes: no need to run. I can move to the ...
He stopped dead in his tracks, understanding why she was doing it before she even got up. Something was missing. He felt something was wrong, but hoped he was wrong. He turned his head and started crying.
Tails: My ... my tails! I lost them!
Sonic took him in his arms to comfort him, while Amy bandaged him. Cosmo watched the scene and couldn't help but feel partly guilty. Cosmo felt awful for doing this to Tails.
Cosmo: Tails! Sorry for doing this to you!
Everyone turned to her, and Tails stopped crying. He turned to the plant and saw a deep uneasiness in his expression. Tails then realized that by doing this he was making her sad too, and that the most important thing is that she is alive. He then unleashed his tears:
Tails: no, don't worry! You didn't do anything, and I'm glad you're safe, and that's the most important thing.
Cosmo: Yes, but your tails?
Tails: It's true that they were important to me, but not as important as your life.
Cosmo: Oh, Tails!
The two hybrids looked at each other, as if lost in each other's gaze, and a long silence settled in. A heavy silence that the others did not dare to break, looking at each other instead to find out what to do. But not all of them were aware of it. Knuckles broke this silence after a while:
Knuckles: Okay, lovebirds, we should get moving now.
Cosmo and Tails broke eye contact, came back to reality, and realized the situation. They both blushed. Amy became angry:
Amy: ah bravo Knuckles! You don't know tact! You can mind your own business!
Knuckles : oh you plague, we didn't ask you anything. You're no better with Sonic.
Amy said to herself, and then looked at Knuckles with burning eyes. She took out her hammer, which she held firmly.
Amy: What did you just call me?
Amy's threatening voice didn't make Knuckles flinch, and Knuckles stayed put:
Knuckles: I said you were a pest!
This finished off Amy, who was about to rush to Knuckles, ready to fight too. But Sonic intervened.
Sonic: It's not over yet, you two! Tails is in bad shape now ! We must urgently bring him back to Green Hill! So stop your childish nonsense !
Amy and Knuckles calmed down, and watched all penot Tails:
Both: Sorry Tails!
Tails: it doesn't matter. Sonic exegerates! I'm going to ... ouch!
Tails had tried to get up and talk, but the pain was too great.
Cosmo: Tails!
Knuckles then rushed to Tails and took him in his arms.
Knuckles: quick! We have to reach the house of Cream and Vanilla as soon as possible! They will be able to help us!
Sonic: Yes, you're right, let's go!
The three friends left the base by the front door of the room, leaving behind a crumbling Sonic Metal.
Tails: Wait!
Everyone stopped and looked at him in surprise.
Amy: Who does Tails have?
Tails: could you take Metal Sonic please?
Cosmo: But he tried to kill me, and he tried to kill you too!
Tails: But I can reprogram it, or repair it and offer a better life. He deserves better than a life with Eggman.
Cosmo smiles, acknowledging the natural kindness of Tails. Sonic, who was wearing Cosmo, noticed him:
Sonic: And yes, that's how our little fox is. Always wanting to help others. Well, okay, I'll take him. Amy, can you take Cosmo?
Amy: Okay!
She took Cosmo and Sonic went to fetch Metal Sonic. Then they all left the room, followed by Chaotix.
Vector: Hey! Wait for us! We are coming too!
Charmy: Yeah! We'd like to see how Tails is doing when you've treated him better.
Tails: Thanks guys, that's very nice of you.
But he says this in a weak voice.
Sonic: he's getting weaker, it's an emergency!
The small band then found itself in front of a maze of galleries.
Sonic: Damn, I thought the exit would be easier to find.
Knuckles: but we have no choice! We can't hoist Tails in this matted state the trapdoor. But how can we do it?
Tikal: Remember what I taught you Knuckles. Clear your mind!
Knuckles: ah yes, that's right! If I clear my mind, I could visualize space and find a way out.
He then posed Tails, sat down, and concentrated, under the attentive gaze of all the others. After a few seconds, he got up:
Knuckles: it's okay, I found an exit!
Everyone was surprised by his new abilities, but delighted. They all started walking again, following Knuckles.
Amy: Wow, very impressive. Thank you Tikal!
Tikal : You're welcome
Knuckles: And I did all the work! You liar.
Amy: I won't let you! It's from Tikal that you get this power, isn't it?
Knuckles: Yes, but I just used it.
They continued to argue all the way to the main entrance, interesting people, not even Cosmo, who was getting to know his friends well. They finally arrived at the main entrance, a gigantic armoRouge door.
Amy: Damn! How are we going to get through?
Tails then mumbled something, pointing at the code finger.
Knuckles: oh no! He doesn't even have the strength to speak anymore.
Sonic: He must hurry up! Someone has an idea.
No one noticed that Tails kept mumbling as he pointed at the door. All except Cosmo, who understood.
Cosmo: Tails tried to make us understand that he can do it!
All turned to the little fox, who nodded with difficulty.
Sonic: Okay, we trust you. Knuckles, get him to the door.
Knuckles: but it is too weak!
Sonic: Don't argue! If he feels he can do it, then he can. Just keep him in your arms during the maneuver.
Knuckles approached Tails to the door, and he analyzed the keypad and typed a code. The metal door then opened.
Sonic: Very impressive little guy! We can go out now.
Everyone thanked Tails, who roaRouge despite his condition. Then he had a new cry of pain.
Sonic : quickly, you have to find the ...
They then found themselves in front of Tails' plane.
Sonic: ... tornado. And to think we were parked right in front of the entrance.
Amy: No time to talk, we're getting on board! Knuckles and I on the roof, Sonic at the helm and Tails in the back. The Chaotix will follow us through the sky.
Everybody: ok!
They all boarded on Amy's orders, and Sonic got the plane off the ground and headed for Green Hill. But in the shadow of the forest, a lurking shadow had listened to them.
?: Another one like me? I have to follow them. I have to warn her.
This being then flew away, following the group, but at a good distance.
Meanwhile, Eggman was at the command of his ship, with his three robots on the bridge.
Decoration: Doctor,. Now that we have lost Metal Sonic and Tikal, what are we going to do?
Eggman turned to the robot and smiled at him.
Eggman: Well it's simple, we'll wait.
Buckle: but it vinyl find before us if Tikal is with them?
Eggman: Precisely, dummy! And when they find it, we'll attack and take the secret. Anyway, they can't do anything without the 7 emeralds of Chaos, which I have all in my possession.
He then pressed a button, which opened the control capsule, revealing a platform, on which stood 7 stones of different colors and very bright. Eggman smiled even more when he saw them.
Eggman: Yes! Everything went even better than I thought it would.
He laughed out loud while heading back to his base, now abandoned by Sonic and his friends.
At the same time, in Green Hill, there was a great excitement in the house of
Vanilla the Rabbit. She was busy with the supplies, preparing all sorts of dishes for a party, her daughter's idea to comfort Tails.
Vanilla: "She's so kind and caring!"
She continued cooking, when she heard someone coming into the kitchen. It was her daughter Cream, who came into the kitchen with a dish, filled with a small cake ready to be put in the oven. She put it on the table and turned to her mother.
Cream: That's it! I finished that! Can I help with anything else?
Vanilla looked at her daughter tenderly and smiling, touched by so much care.
Vanilla: No, it's okay, you've already helped a lot and I'm almost done.
Cream had a big smile on its face.
Cream: Okay! Then I'll start looking for the others! I'll be back soon.
Vanilla: All right, take care!
Cream: Okay.
Cream then left the room, followed by his cheeslet, and left the house. Vanilla saw her running away, very happy to go and fetch the others. Vanilla smiled at the idea that her daughter was happy. But, suddenly, she saw her daughter turn around, visibly scaRouge and in a hurry. Vanilla left the kitchen and joined her daughter outside.
Vanilla : what's up ?
Cream: it's Mr Sonic and the others, they run home with Mr Tails in Sonic's arms. He doesn't look good.
Vanilla was about to run to join them, but she saw them arrive, and they were within earshot:
Vanilla: Sonic! What's going on?
Sonic: It's Tails! He fought against Eggman and is in a very bad shape! He wanted to save Cosmo!
Vanilla: Cosmo? The alien who was supposed to be dead?
Amy: Yes, but she is alive and had been captuRouge by Eggman.
Cream e Vanilla did not believe their ears, but saw well The hologram of Cosmo.
Cream: But why is she like that?
Amy: We don't know! But the urgency of the moment is to save Tails! He's unconscious.
Vanilla: All right! Bring him to the room, we'll take care of him!
They all went up to the room, where Tails was put down. Vanilla.x began to examine him.
Vanilla: he has his tails cut off?!
Sonic: Yes, Metal Sonic attacked him and defended Cosme by interposing himself.
Vanilla: I see! He is extremely brave, he must frankly love you miss.
Cosmo blushes then, enjoying the compliment and the hint.
Vanilla: Fortunately, the explosion created and rated the wound at the same time. It this state must be just due to fatigue and these burns. They are quite severe, and can become infected, thus explaining the weakening. Cream, bring me paumade, bandages and antibiotics. I will take care of him.
Cream: Okay, Mom!
The young rabbit ran to the bathroom, and brought back everything she was asked for. Vanilla treated the wounds, bandaged them and gave Tails antibiotics, all under the worried gaze of the others.
Vanilla: here it is! That's all I can do! He just needs to rest now. He'll be better tomorrow.
Sonic: Good for you! We were really scaRouge. Thanks to you, madam!
Vanilla: You're welcome, I just did my duty.
Amy: Don't be so modest.
Vanilla: Well, we should leave it. He needs rest. It's getting late.
Indeed, the sun was setting.
Vanilla: Cream and I cooked for you tonight, to cheer you up in Tails. We're not going to waste all this food!
Sonic: I'm in!
Amy: Ah! Men! Always thinking about their stomachs!
Everyone laughed at Amy's remark as she left the room, leaving Tails alone, all but
Cosmo, who insisted on ret'ster at his bedside. They all went down to the dining room, where Cream and Vanilla served a good meal. They all settled down and began to eat and talk about everything and nothing. This continued until late in the evening.
Vanilla: Good going young lady! It's high time to go to sleep!
Cream: But I would like to stay with you for a while.
Cheese: yes, with you!
Vanilla: But everyone is going to leave.
Knuckles: Yes, I have to go back and watch the mother emerald.
Sonic, Amy and the Chaotix acquiRouge in their turn, the latter taking their leave afterwards. Cream then obeyed his mother and went to bed. Soon there were only Vanilla, Amy, Sonic and Knuckles left.
All four went up to see Tails. Cosmo was still looking at him unconscious.
Sonic: So?
Cosmo was surprised, as if drawn from his daydreams.
Cosmo: ah, it's you! Nothing more to report, he's still sleeping.
Amy: Poor Tails! Metal Sonic didn't miss it!
Sonic: It must be said that Eggman has greatly improved it. I still don't understand the ins and outs of this.
Amy: Yes, that's right! How did you come back, why this form, why this abduction?
Cosmo then reads to them what she had told Tails before and everything that had happened to her, up to Eggman's plan.
Knuckles: So he's looking for Hidden Palace ...
Sonic: Do you know what it is?
Knuckles: Yes, it is simply the ancient temple of the master emerald. Tikal told me that it was used in their time to hide her and the Chaos emeralds, as well as many other secrets. It would be somewhere on Angel Iceland, and only Tikal would have the secret of access to it today.
Cosmo: hence his interrogation.
Knuckles: exactly.
Amy: And she didn't tell you where he was?
Knuckles: Unfortunately, no. She doesn't think I'm ready yet.
Sonic: Too bad. He should be asked directly, so as to protect the place and its secrets.
Knuckles: Yes, and here's another problem: haven't you noticed that it's disappeaRouge again?
Everyone looked around, but saw nothing.
Sonic: Oh yes, she must not have followed us when we brought Tails here.
Knuckles: it must be next to the mother emerald. I have to go there right now.
Sonic: Okay, if you don't mind, I'm going to stay here and keep an eye out for possible developments in Tails' situation.
Amy: Me too.
Vanilla: ok! There is a guest room, you just have to take it.
Sonic: Thank you ma'am
Cosmo: I'm going to stay with Tails. As long as I have energy, I'll last all night. I'll let you know if anything improves.
Amy: Okay.
Knuckles then left, and Vanilla went to bed, as did Sonic and Amy.
But Sonic looked morose, sitting on his bed. Amy noticed this, and sat down next to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
Amy: It's going to be okay, you'll see. He's going to be okay. Tails is solid.
Sonic turned, and displayed a smile of gratitude.
Sonic: That's nice. You know, Tails is very important to me. I've never had anyone, and yes, he was alone when we met. We've known each other for a long time, and he's like my family, my little brother.
Amy: I know. Don't worry, Vanilla took good care of him. He's putting him to sleep now.
Sonic: You're right.
He then lay down, as did Amy, who went back to her bed. He turned off the light, and tried to fall asleep, thinking about Tails' condition.
On his side, Tails was asleep, guarded by Cosmo who never took his eyes off him.
Cosmo: "he's so cute when he sleeps."
She continued to watch him sleep, hoping it would get better tomorrow. But she could not guess that Tails' sleep would be tormented. Indeed Tails was having a dream. In fact, it wasn't really a dream, it was too real. He was floating in the void, seeing different moments of his life: his meeting with Sonic, his adventures, his meeting with Cosmo, his death, their reunion. He was floating in a stream of many years of memories. Then, all of a sudden, there was a flash of light. Then he saw his friends, and other people he didn't know, all looking at him in a big field. Cosmo was getting closer to him, who had become brilliant, with Cops flying around him. He felt a deep sense of euphoria in him. Then the sky took on different hues and images appeaRouge in the sky, stones, the emeralds of Chaos among others. The images merged to make room for a frightening and dark creature. His friends were now retreating, running away from him. He looked at himself and saw that he had turned gray, and his eyes had turned black. He looked again at his friends, who were all disappearing one by one, shouting for help and he could do nothing. Then, he saw Sonic, having taken the form of Dark, who then also disappeaRouge into the darkness. The creature melted on him, and everything became black. The last images he saw were of a temple with a crystal-clear wall and then the garden of a large temple in a ravine. Finally, he simply saw the image of Cosmo, imploring him not to let it die a second time. She called him by his real name.
Tails then woke up with a start, at least in his mind, because his body had hardly moved, being still weak. He saw that he was in a room, and that Cosmo was standing next to him, and noticed that he had woken up.
Cosmo: Tails! Oh my God! Are you okay?
Tails: I feel a little weak, but it's getting better. I'm at Cream and Vanilla?
Cosmo: Yes, you were taken there quickly, considering your condition. Vanilla took good care of you.
Tails: That's nice of him. I'll have to thank her.
Cosmo: I will wake up the others
Cosmo was going to call them, but Tails felt that he was still weak, and that he would probably go back to sleep soon, and that he had only woken up with this vision. He felt that he didn't have time to tell it, but he had to say one thing anyway.
Tails: No, it's not worth it, I'll put him back to sleep soon. But I have something to tell you. A secret that I've never revealed. My real name
Cosmo: Tails is not your name?
Tails: no. My real name is Miles Power.
Tails expected an embarrassing reaction, so he blushes, but Cosmo smiles at him:
Cosmo: it's a nice name. But why did you hide it?
Tails: I found it a bit ridiculous and I was ashamed of it. I preferRouge to find a nickname for myself. Even Sonic doesn't know it.
Cosmo: Then why did you tell me?
Tails: because I feel more comfortable with you than with anyone else. And I feel deep down inside that it's important, that I had to tell you.
Cosmo: What do you mean?
Tails was weak, and barely had time to respond before fainting again.
Tails: I had a vision of the future, and in it you called me Miles.
Tails had fainted again, but Cosmo was smiling. In view of what he had just said, he didn't give his name to just anyone, and a vision had set the scene by naming him Miles. A bright future lay before them.
Meanwhile, Knuckles arrived in Angel Island. He was walking through the dark jungle. He couldn't see, but he didn't mind at all. He knew the route by heart, and Tikal's teachings helped him to spot the dangers.
He thus advanced without difficulty to the clearing of the mother emerald. He climbed up to the temple, but did not see Tikal. This worried Knuckles. Anxiety that caused Knuckles to be accustomed to detecting a presence through his sixth sense. He stood on guard, ready to react. He saw a shape approaching while flying, and was afraid to attack, but he finally recognized it, and calmed down, but still became irritated by the nature of the visitor.
Knuckles: What's up? Batgirl has insomnia.
The Bat landed, and approached Knuckles with a smile on his lips.
Rouge: What, you don't know that bats are nocturnal animals?
Knuckles: maybe on Earth, but not here. What do you want?
Rouge: Nothing. I had seen that it was worthless, so I had come to get my emeralds. But as there are people, I would come back later.
Knuckles: what?! You know very well that neither the mother emerald nor any of the seven emeralds of Chaos are yours! Besides, you won't be able to steal them from me anymore!
Rouge suddenly appeaRouge surprised and interested.
Rouge: how?
Knuckles was pleased to have aroused his curiosity, showing that one was one lap ahead. He gave up all suspicion, and smiled proudly at him.
Knuckles: I may soon be able to hide it in a secret palace whose location you won't know.
Rouge was upset by this:
Rouge: oh no! And our little game?
Knuckles: what?! You think this is a game? But it's very serious, I'm the guardian of the emeralds of Chaos.
Rouge: and you can't say it's a job you can do Knuckie.
Knuckles: What did you just say, you thief?
Rouge: I don't allow you .
They then threw themselves on top of each other and surrendeRouge one after the other. They did not see the arrival of Tikal, who appeaRouge above the mother emerald. She hoped to see Knuckles at work, but she said she was offended by what she saw.
Tikal: Knuckles!
He stopped and turned toward the temple, as did Rouge. He froze when he recognized Tikal. He released Rouge, letting her fall, and stood before Tikal.
Knuckles: Tikal! Didn't see you there! I'm sorry for the mess, but she had come to steal the emerald.
Tikal turned towards Rouge, who in turn selblagged.
Rouge: I was about to leave, but he provoked me.
Knuckles: what?! Wait a bit for ...
He was going to hit her, but Rouge pointed at Tikal, who was obviously angry. He calmed down.
Knuckles: Sorry.
Tikal: It doesn't matter. There are other more urgent problems. I showed Tails what he had to see, and now it's your turn.
Knuckles: how do you mean?
Tikal seemed surprised.
Tikal: He didn't tell you? He inherited a great power which I instructed him with, and now I must complete your instructions as well.
Knuckles: it's about Hidden Palace.
Tikal: I see that he has already informed you. It is true that Eggman has beat him here, but you still need to know his location and secrets. Do you feel ready?
Knuckles: yes!
Tikal: Fine, I'll take you there.
Tikal headed towards the forest, and Knuckles followed her, turning one last time towards the Bat.
Knuckles: the emeralds of Chaos will be safe now. You won't know where they are.
Tikal: Yes, since she is coming with us.
Knuckles was speechless, and Riuge's sense of anguish was transformed into deep satisfaction, which turned into laughter.
Knuckles: What?! But it will put them in danger!
Tikal: Don't worry, it is not a serious danger for the emeralds. And this will allow you to reconcile.
This time it was Knuckles who laughed, and Rouge who pouted when she joined them. The trio then went deep into the forest.
