Chapter 4

Tails and Vanilla watch as Sonic paces around the living room. With Claira back in her temporary room and Cream and Cheese remaining outside, they were using their time alone to best decide how to handle this new startling piece of information.

Claira is a Robotnik.

"Let's look over the facts again," Tails suggests, causing Sonic to slow a moment and nod a "go ahead" at his brother. "We found her inside Eggman's base, in a room with a lone pod. She says her last memory was being shoved into a pod headed for Earth, which we all know is now, well, gone."

The blue hero comes to a stand still by the couch. "She also didn't know she was Mobian. She thought she was human."

"She didn't give us all the details of what she remembers, though. She said she didn't want to, but I'm sure there's more to her story than just an attack on her family." The eight year old scratches at his chin, face scrunched in a look of deep thought. "Maybe Eggman does have family that we don't know about. Do you think he attacked them though? Or maybe he only has Claira left and she got hurt during an attack while he was there? That could explain the pod. If she got hurt bad enough then it may have been a machine to help speed up her healing and keep her stable."

"That sounds like a solid theory, pal, but how does that explain the whole thing about Earth and not knowing what a Mobian is?" The hedgehog pats the younger boy on the head. "But as for the pod itself, that might just explain the sorry state she was in when we found her."

"Hypnosis? But that doesn't serve a purpose for anything." Tails groans and furiously scratches at the top of his head. "Gah! This makes no sense. It's so confusing."

"I'd think the ARK, but GUN's cleaned everything up involving it since the Black Arms invasion. Then again, the tech looked like something from the ARK. You even mentioned that while we were still at the base, Tails."

Vanilla calmly holds onto a fresh cup of tea while watching the duo go back and forth with their theories and ideas. "Boys, if I may?" The pair look over. "I think that the most important thing right now is knowing whether or not she knows 'Eggman,'" the mother offers. "From what I saw earlier, I'm convinced she doesn't. She looked genuinely confused when he was brought up."

"But it still doesn't explain Earth," Tails grouses, crossing his arms. "It doesn't even explain the 'convinced she's a human' mystery."

"Maybe not. But remember that sometimes you won't always have all the answers to a problem. Not every mystery can be solved, so please don't stress yourself too much. The answers that are will come eventually."

As the trio continue on in discussion a hoarse string of coughs sounds from the hall. Claira, still inside Vanilla's bedroom, holds onto the cream colored wall for support.

"Should've drank the rest of that tea," she bemoans as her lungs and throat sting.

Without making eye contact with the full body mirror across from the bed, the crimson tabby meanders over to the desk. The flower crown from Cream still set on the wooden surface.

Claira picks it up with quivering hands.

"Come make daisy chains with us, Claira!"

Petals, both whole and crumpled, fall onto the desk and floor. The grieving woman heaves a sob with the crown tucked against her face. The remaining flower heads catch some of her tears before they disappear into her fur.

"I'm should have tried harder to protect you," she cries. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't keep my promise."

"Claira, dear?"

Vanilla stands at the door, glass of water clasped in her hand. The younger woman makes no move, having either not heard the door open or not caring. The rabbit tuts quietly to herself and lets herself in, closing the door behind her.

"You poor dear." Moving to place the drink on the desk, the mother guides her weepy guest to sit on the bed. "You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Claira lowers the damaged pile of flora with hitched breath. Vanilla offers a small smile when the two of them make brief eye contact. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"I'm alone again," the cat mutters.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm alone, right?" Green eye pierce into brown with accusation. "That's why the three of you sent me in here. It wasn't to rest more. You know I'm the last of my family and you don't know how to tell me."

Coughs push their way up out of Claira, causing her to hunch over with the force of them. She scrambles for the water she'd spotted on the desk, missing. Another hand grabs it instead, bringing it up to her lips where she can hold it and drink.

Vanilla rubs at her charge's back, taking the glass once again when emptied. "I want you to breathe a moment and listen, alright?" She's answered with a nod. "There are a lot of points to your story that we don't understand. The boys may be having a hard time trying to piece everything together, but I believe you. I believe you woke up in a strange world with no idea where you are or what you've become. We want to help you find your home, your family, but it's a bit difficult."

"How so?"

The older woman sighs, hand stilling from its comforting movement. "We know of a Robotnik." Claira moves to speak again, mouth opened and back straightening but she's stopped by a raised hand. "He's not a good man, Claira."

The silence is palpable.

"What?" Claira breathes. All hope looks to have drained from her face. "What is his name? Can I know?"

"They say his name is Ivo Robotnik."

"'Ivo Robotnik'."

"Do you recognize his name?"

The cat shakes her head, ears drooped as she gazes at the once pristine flower crown in her lap. "No. I've never heard of any Ivo."

The two share a moment of silence together. One in silent mourning of her hope for a misplaced family. The other being a steady presence for comfort.

Tails eventually comes looking for them, popping his head in to make sure the women are alright. He's met with a nod and shooed off by older of the pair.

Claira, in the end, takes a deep breath to steady herself. She smiles a little at the victory of not having another coughing fit. "If it's alright, I think I'd like to go outside for awhile?"

"Of course, dear." Vanilla stands with her, still holding onto the empty glass, and gets the door.

They make their way back into the living room. Tails gives Claira a small wave from the kitchen table that she returns. Sonic carefully eyes the pair from where he's leaning on the wall beside the door leading outside. He would've looked perfectly at ease if not for the slight stiffening of his quills when he makes eye contact with the crimson feline.

"Heading somewhere?" the teen inquires.

Claira refuses to meet his eyes again. "Just outside for a while. It's getting kind of stuffy."

"Really? Hey how about I join you? I was thinking about stretching my legs a bit."

"Uh." She can feel his green eyes on her and shifts. "Sure. I don't mind."

"Sweet! Let's go!"

Sonic holds the door open for her and she cautiously steps outside, squinting at the harsh sunlight that had been muted by the thick curtains from inside.

Everything is so colorful. The grass and trees give off beautiful greens. The sky itself is an ocean of blue filled with clouds so fluffy they look like sheep swimming in its vastness. It takes Claira's breath away.

Vanilla's garden is what makes her believe she'll never be able to breathe again. It seems as though the well kept flower beds are filled to the brim with every color imaginable. Reds, yellows, blues, purples, pinks. It takes everything in her not to break again.

"Liking the view?"

Claira makes note of Sonic stepping into her line of sight. "It's incredible. I've never seen any place like this before in my life."

She steps further in, following the small pathways of white stones throughout the beds, ducking under archways and struggling to keep her tail from ending up in any bushes. Sonic follows along, keeping watch, observing as she's taking it all in with misty eyes.

"How far does it go?"

"Let's see. The whole garden is about 5 acres. Cream's mom has it sectioned for different stuff too. Cream likes to called this little path 'Rainbow Road' because of all the colors."

"It's fitting."

Some distance away a small voice is humming, catching Claira and Sonic's attention. The former heads in the direction, not caring if she's still followed or not. She's focused as she moves down the path more, to the left this time instead of straight. Coming into view is the small rabbit she'd seen before when she first woke up in this strange place.

Tiny hands work at pile of those colorful flowers collected in Cream's lap. She hums to herself as she intertwines stems together. Cheese sits beside her, resting her blue head on her best friend's back and soaking up the late afternoon sun. The rustling of a nearby bush breaks their concentration. The little girl looks over to make eye contact with the woman she gifted a crown to that morning.

"Oh, hello, Miss!" she greets.

"Hello to you too." Claira returns Cream's smile and makes her way over, kneeling down by her, leaving enough room so she didn't make Vanilla's daughter uncomfortable with her presence. She points to the pile of rainbow petals. "Can I ask what you're working on?"

It must have been the right thing to ask. Cream's eyes dazzle like a gem and her long ears perk. "A flower crown!" she exclaims in pride. The newcomer is presented with the beginnings of her current masterpiece.

"Wow! It looks like you're holding a sunset, huh?" Claira marvels. "You're very talented."

"Thank you. I try to make them all different and special." The young rabbit goes back to braiding stems together, still keeping her ears focused on the woman beside her. "I left one in your room this morning, did you like it?"

"I loved it, thank you. That was very considerate and kind. Did your mother teach you?"

"Oh yes! If you think my crowns are pretty, you should see my mother's! I think they're more beautiful than any real crown!"

"Really? Then maybe she should make them for royalty. A pretty, hand woven flower crown would be much prettier than any piece of metal. Don't you think so?"*

"I do! You have to wear the same crown everyday when it's gold, but if it's made of flowers then you have to get new ones with new flowers! That's what makes them so special!"

"I think the different shapes and sizes of the flowers gives each chain its own personality. Unfortunately, the fact they're flowers means they don't last very long once they're plucked, but I think that makes them more precious than any gem. Don't you think so, Claira?"

"I agree." The woman takes a moment to clear her throat. "My name is Claira."

The six year old moves the flora off her lap and rises to her feet, gathering Cheese into her arms. "I'm Cream," she says with a little bow. "And this is my best friend Cheese."

The Chao raises her little paw in greeting. "Chao chao!"

"Well, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you, Cream and Cheese."

"A pleasure to meet you too, Miss Claira." The young girl shuffles her feet. "Um. Would you like to make some crowns with me for a while? You don't have to if you're busy or if you're still tired."

"I heard someone say before that every chain you make helps to lead to an even better new beginning in the future."

"I'd love to."