Chapter 15

Cream stood outside the main hall and watched the skies. She had been holding her vigil for almost four hours (not counting the occasional rush inside for snacks). Cheese rested on her head, his little head propped against her long loping ears. The gentle snores of the Chao were Cream's only comfort, in her day of terrible anxiety.

It had nearly broken her when Tails and Sonic left her behind to go charge into Eggman's base. Not because she was so desperate to go into battle, but because she could not deny that she was immensely relieved that she did not have to face deadly robots. The part of her that wished to be brave, the part of herself that Cream was most proud of, scorned her childish caution.

This is our village, our river. Cream had thought to herself as the Tornado vanished over the horizon. It wasn't right that strangers should put themselves at risk, but what could the villagers really do? All their warriors had already tried to assault the base and had not returned. Only women, the elderly and the young remained. Who will protect us when Sonic and Tails go back to their homes?

Cream wanted to answer with her name, but how could she when her fear was so paralyzing she had allowed herself to be left behind? Though she argued and made a show about wanting to go, in her heart, she knew the truth.

Shame had washed over and therefore Cream resolved that she would not rest or take comfort until Sonic and Tails returned. Yet even that proved too daunting a task, as Cream could not put off the discomfort of hunger for long. Among the other villagers, she was the only one who appeared troubled by their reliance on Sonic.

"That's what he does." One elder commented. "The human world unleashes their terrible machines and Sonic arrives to stem the tide."

"Bolts and wires can't replicate the fire that burns in his heart." A matriarch proposed as Cream was passing through the hall searching for a pastry. Cream took these words to heart, but they did not ease her conscience. Surely it wasn't fair to Sonic for everyone to lay their troubles at his feet?

I can at least wait up for them. Cream had requested that a banquet be prepared in Tails and Sonic's honor, but Cream herself would share their burden with her vigil. The sun was just starting to set, and Cream was again feeling the rumble in her stomach. In the plaza, a table laden with food had been set up. The fair did not compare to the village's usual feasts, but with the river tainted and water in short supply, their crops had suffered. All they had to eat now were the vegetables that endured rough times such as potatoes.

Cream was starting to doubt herself, lamenting how unhelpful her waiting really was when she saw a glint of blue in the sky. She jolted and leapt into the air, unfurling her ears and allowing them to catch a wind draft which bore her upward. Her sudden movement woke Cheese, who toppled off her head and just managed to catch itself with its wings. Irritated, Cheese followed after Cream.

Cream soard upward until she saw it clearly. The Tornado was gliding easily towards the village. She could see Tails in the pilot seat, but there was no sign of Sonic. Cream's heart dropped into her stomach, but when he got closer, Cream saw that Tails was smiling. She followed the plane as it made its descent just past the village gates.

After landing, Tails hopped out and removed his goggles and helmet. Cream waited as he rummaged through his supplies and dug out a heavy, complicated looking machine. "Can you help me with this?" He groaned as the weight nearly made him topple over.

Cream, eager to help, raced forward and took a side. The weight was intense, but she scrunched up her face and endured the pain in her back. Cheese even went underneath to lend support. Though Cream had many questions, the effort of moving the machine kept her silent. Tails had her bring it to the main plaza of the village. The sight of the yellow fox brought out all the villagers and they were quickly encircled.

Cream's mother hurried over and helped the duo put the machine down. "You're back!" She exclaimed. "What happened at the base? What is this thing you've brought?"

For the next half hour, Tails recounted his adventure. Cream sat in stunned silence with the rest of the crowd, half jealous, half relieved she had not been there for the intense battles. He then went on to explain how his water treatment device worked and instructed the elders along with Cream's mother on how to use it.

"This is a Chaos Emerald." Tails announced, as he opened a hatch to reveal a sparkling yellow gem within a glass case. "It is extremely dangerous and rare. I'm lending it to your village for the time being but be very careful with it and make sure not to tell anyone outside of the village that it's here." When he was all done, Tails sat at the head of the banquet table.

He kept a brave face as the village elders paraded him with gifts of gratitude, but Cream thought she noted a hint of worry in the fox's expression. Whenever there was a lull in the conversation or he thought no one was looking at him, his smile would fade and he fidgeted as if he was desperate to get going.

The chief elder of the village, Strider, a large dusty gray hare, announced the start of the feast by proclaiming Tails an honorary member of the village. Cream was granted a seat a few chairs away from the honored guest but she found that now that she could break her fast, her appattie was not as strong.

Tails seemed equally disinterested in food. He made a few polite gestures at sipping his potato soup, but his plate remained full. "Tails?" Cream asked, sticking her head forward so as to be concealed by the larger bodies around her. Somehow, the fox caught her voice amongst the choirs of conversations. "What happened to Mr. Sonic? Did he not want to eat?"

"He had to get going," Tails said evasively. "To tell you the truth, I shouldn't have stayed so long either." He slunk in his chair, seemingly trapped by his polite willingness to celebrate with the villagers.

"I think I can help!" Cream said, stimulated by a call to action.

Tails did not look so confident. "Uh…well…what were you thinking?" He glanced nervously at the larger, much older rabbits sitting at either side of him.

"Cheese will cause a distraction and you can slip away to your plane. I'll explain to everyone once you're gone." The Chao flew out of the pocket in Cream's dress and voiced its willingness by pumping its little fist.

"Alright." Tails agreed.

Cream looked up and down the table. It warmed her heart to see the villagers enjoying a night of peace and fun. The previous months of sickness and heartbreak had worn even Cream's usually positive outlook. "Alright Cheese, are you ready?" She whispered under breath. The Chao narrowed its eyes in determination and gave a little squeak. "Go for it."

"Chao!" Cheese zoomed forward towards the center of the table. It splashed into the center pot that was full of the potato soup. Hot broth spilled everywhere causing those closest to fall backwards out of their chairs. Cries of dismay and loud raucous laughter championed the frenzy followed shortly by Vanilla jumping out of her chair and roaring. "Cheese, what are you doing!"

No one noticed Cream and Tails slip quietly away and rush towards the village gates. When they reached the plane, the fox leapt into his cockpit and strapped on his goggles and helmet. "Thanks Cream. Sorry to barge out, but Sonic and I have some business to take care of."

"O…I hope it isn't anything too dangerous."

Tails did not try to reassure her with a lie. "I'm not sure yet. But you take care of yourself, okay? Your village may need you."

Cream folded her hands together. "I will." She promised.

He gave her a final soft smile before turning on the engine of his plane. Seconds later, he was taking off and propelling out into the night sky, out of sight. Cream stood still, unsure of why her heart felt so heavy.

When she finally returned to the banquet, the spilled soup had been cleaned away. Those that had fallen were reprimanding those that had laughed at them, and Vanilla had taken Cheese inside. Strider noticed Cream walking by herself and limped over. Though he was large and had extremely strong legs, Strider limped because of an injury. The white scar ran down the length of his left leg.

"Did he leave?" Strider asked. The village elder had a warm voice and soft, wise eyes.

"Yes, he had to go, he is sorry to slip away like that."

"Not to worry," Strider said, putting a hand on his rotund belly. "He is a strange one, that is for sure. Not lacking in courage, ready to face a hoard of evil robots yet too shy to tell us he needed to go." The old rabbit laughed to himself. "Nearly the opposite of my boy. Always so quick to voice his mind, but there wasn't a shadow he wasn't weary of." The elder's countenance fell and he looked suddenly stricken.

"Barny was very brave," Cream insisted. "Just in his own way."

Her words caused the old hare to smile. Barny had been a part of the hunting party that had been sent to Hot Crater. Though he was still young, he had insisted on being included and had been rewarded for his bravery by not returning.

"Cream, honey." Cream turned around to see her mother walking towards her. Vanilla put her hands on her daughter's shoulders and beamed down at her. Tails's medicine had worked wonders, rescuing Vanilla from the brink and revitalizing her to her former energy. "You did it honey. You've saved the village."

"But I didn't-"

"You are the one you went searching for Tails. He never would have come here if it wasn't for you. You are my little hero."

Cream felt instantly warm. A heavy hand patted her on the head. "Indeed, this hero's feast is no less yours than it was for Sonic and Tails," Strider told her.

"Come on. We have a surprise for you." Vanilla took Cream by the hand and took her back to the banquet table. Everyone was gathered around it, and a white sheet of cloth covered something in the center. Cream blushed terribly as her mother insisted she stand on the table so everyone could see her. Her nerves were so bad she had to cover her face.

"These past few months have been the most desperate times in our village's history," Vanilla started,

"Not since the great winter of Elder Koroyen, when the water's iced over and the wolves invaded, have we ever suffered so much," Offered Strider as a way of agreement. The older rabbits all nodded solemnly and the youngest clutched at the legs of their parents.

"Future generations will talk about the infection of Elder Strider. When our river was polluted and it seemed our homes and way of life was coming to an end. But as has been the case throughout our history, a hero emerges to save us. Today that hero," Vanilla, turned to face her daughter, "Is you Cream."

"Three cheers for Cream!" Strider shouted. Cream couldn't bear it any longer. She buried herself into a ball as her neighbors and friends paraded her with cheers. The moment seemed to drag on and on and it wasn't until her mother pulled her from the table, was Cream able to compose herself. Her cheeks were on fire as Vanilla pulled back the cloth. "Carrot cake, your favorite."

Cream's heart felt like it might split from rapid expansion. She felt Cheese land on her right ear and again, the village applauded her. Mercifully, Cream's time in the spotlight came to an end. She was given a piece of the cake and allowed to go sit in silent enjoyment. Though her mother often rewarded her with carrot cake, Cream did not taste the satisfaction this time. She could not escape the feeling that something felt unfinished and all the celebrations were premature.

As the night's festivities dimmed down, Cream joined her mother in the main hall. Vanilla's recovery allowed her to take charge as the chief doctor for those who were still suffering from the ill effects of the tainted water. Though there were less sick beds now than there were before, almost a dozen villagers still needed attention.

Strider sat by the bed of his wife. Her affliction had kept her unconscious for days, but now she was at least able to sit upright and talk softly with her husband. Cream made her way over to her to congratulate her recovery. BANG!

The doors to the main hall burst open. Cream screamed in surprise as a rabbit limped into the hall and collapsed. His left side was painted red and Cream had to cover her eyes to not stare at the grizzly half of torn ear. Vanilla charged forward and caught the young man around the chest. "Help!"

Her mother's voice drowned out Cream's shock and she hurried forward. Together they lifted the rabbit and deposited him into one of the beds. "Hop's bones…" Strider gasped as he limped over. "That's Peter."

He was so badly wounded and deformed by blood, Cream had not noticed. Peter pushed Vanilla's hands away from his injuries and sat upright. "Peter what happened? Where are the others?" Strider demanded.

Peter could not speak. He kept taking short rapid breaths without getting any air. Vanilla shielded him away from the others. "Leave me alone! He needs medical attention right now!"

"No!" Peter managed, his voice strained by his constructed air pipe. Cream felt a cold shudder run over her. Beneath the blood, she could see a deep imprint of compression over the skin of his neck. "I…I escaped, we were ambushed on the passes. Metal beings, white armor, our weapons were useless."

The terror in Peter's eyes stunned his listeners. Cream had none Peter before. He had been one of the strongest and bravest men in the village. "A voice…that voice…" Peter wept. His tears mixed with the blood coated in his fur. "She had the survivors taken. We were marched out of the mountains. But she couldn't seem to decide one way or another what to do. Some days we were captives to be imprisoned other days…Jeff did nothing wrong…he was compliant and they…"

Strider pushed forward. "Barny? What happened to my son, does he still?"

"Barny is alive. He was with the others when I managed to make my escape."

"Where are the robots taking them?" Vanilla asked.

Peter shook his head. "Not sure, I heard many things. Something about a fifth Zone, near Red Mountain."

Cream lost track of their conversation after that. A seed seemed to have sprouted in her spirit, a plant of purpose that was rapidly taking root within her, bearing fruits of desire and courage. She was thinking clearly, weighing the risks and the dangers but for some reason she was not afraid. Cream took hold of the feeling, and clutched it tightly within her heart.

It took some hours for the elders to wrangle out Peter's entire story. By then the night had deepened and Cream had been sent to bed. She waited beneath her sheets, more awake and full of energy than she remembered being in her entire life. At last, the final candle had been extinguished, Peter was allowed to rest and all the adults went to bed.

In the darkness, Cream got up. She did not stop to say goodbye, only to pack a meager bag of supplies for her journey. In less than an hour, Cream was equipped and watching the perimeter fences. Guards had been stationed, but they were elderly and a few looked asleep. The night was dense and a light fog shrouded the star and moonlight.

Cream flew silently over the tops of the fences and did not land again until the village was out of sight. Only then did she stop to look back. She felt guilty for not telling her mother, but not afraid. We can't rely on others forever. Cream would go to Red Mountain herself and liberate her captured neighbors. Like Sonic and Tails, she had the will and courage to face the dangers ahead.Cheese escaped from Cream's pocket and landed on her shoulder. Together they turned away from their home and safety and towards an uncertain future.

AN: I will be taking a short break. Posting will resume on 3/23. There is also an insta for the story, sonic_therealmlord