Chapter 3: Memories and a new fear

Tails

We came running through the hospital doors and I was still holding Sonics hand and following along side the stretcher. I felt so helpless as I followed them, I wanted to do something to help Sonic but I knew that they could do more then I could. All I could do was be with him, and I decided that was best right now.

I was suddenly stopped as a pair of hands gripped my shoulders and I felt Sonics hand slip away from mine slowly. I could only holler his name as he was wheeled through a set of doors and soon vanished from my sight when they closed. I turned quickly trying to get free of who was holding me but when I looked up I was met with light violet eyes that stared back at me gently. He slowly released me as I stepped back to find that it was Knuckles.

I just stared at him for a moment before he took a step forward and encircled me in his arms and I finally broke down and buried my head in his chest. My sobbing was soft and low but Knux knew I was crying. I could feel the tears streaking down my cheeks as I clinged to him gently. I didn't know what to think at the moment and I was to scared of what was happening to Sonic. I wanted to go to him but all I could do was wait for someone to tell me something; so that I could finally understand what was wrong with him.

I could feel Knuckles slowly lift me up a little and carry me to the waiting area where he sat me in a chair. I slowly looked up to him as he kneeled in front of me; his normal uncaring face showed much worry now. A thought crossed my mind that I just had to ask.

"How...did you know to come here?" I looked at him straight in the eyes awaiting his answer as he placed his gloved hand on my shoulder and managed a small smile as he spoke.

"The master emerald reacted and I sensed that something was wrong with Sonic." He answered quietly then looked to the doors a moment and sighed. He looked back to me again and gently ran his hand through my head fur. I managed a small smile in return but it quickly faded as I looked down again.

"Knux...whats happening to him...he....he started coughing...then...he starting to cough blood...he looked....so weak...I.." I was cut short as he slipped his arms around me again and hugged me close. "Shhhh its ok Tails...he's a fighter....he'll make it." He answered quietly and reassuringly as he held me.

I could only nod a little as I lifted my head and forced a small smile. "Y...your right Knux...but...I want to know...what is happening...what is causing him this pain.." He nodded in response and looked to the doors again. "Will know soon enough I hope.." I nodded again and quietly sat in the chair waiting patiently but all I wanted right now was to see Sonic again and know that everything would be ok.

Knuckles

I looked at him with sadness and sympathy in my eyes knowing well how he felt about Sonic. It was pretty obvious to me for a long time that Tails loved Sonic. But I still wanted to offer comfort for the little kitsune in case the worst happened.

"No can't think like that....Sonic will make it....he has to...for Tails' sake.."

I nodded to myself and quietly sat in a chair two over from Tails and waited patiently. Waiting was something I was best at but at this time it felt impossible for me to sit still. What was this feeling? And why did the master emerald react in such a way? Can it have something to do with Sonics sickness?

Questions kept running through my head but I had no answers to any of them since all this was so new to me. I could only think on the matter at hand now. Making sure Tails' was alright and that Sonic was being taken care of.

I sighed quietly then crossed my arms and closed my eyes as I waited now getting impatient about the situation. I looked over occasionally to Tails to see if he was ok but he hadn't moved since he sat down. I started to worry but when I saw his twin tails moving I knew he was still awake but just very worried.

Tails

I could feel my thoughts wonder slowly as memories of my past returned to me. The past when I was alone and fearing the world because my parents were dead. The past where I only knew fear. The past before Sonic.

I could remember everything like it was only yesterday. I could see it all. I felt like I was reliving it once more but only I was watching it this time. Watching younger self face those pains again.

I didn't want to see it again but something was urging me to watch. Something unknown was willing me on to watch my tormented past. Finally I felt I could watch, so I did.

flash back

I walked along through the busy streets trying to hide from those that would taunt and laugh at me because of what I was. This minor defection of having two tails was the means of all the jokes and pointing fingers. I didn't understand why it was such a big deal but everyone saw it as a big joke.

I looked down trying to block out the loud laughs and name calling from those that set eyes on me. But it was so hard to pretend you can't hear these things. I scared of this place, of this new place. But I was alone....who would help me? I didn't know what to do or think now but only accept that I was a clown to all of them. Just a joke.

But when I thought it couldn't get worse; it did. They started to tug on my twin bushy tails. And tugging on my ears. Why did they do this to me? What did I do to them!?

I started to whine and whimper as they kept pulling on my ears and tails and the fear kept getting stronger in me until I finally broke and started to cry. But they wouldn't stop, they didn't care that I was scared. They didn't care at all.

Then it all stopped; as if they were forced too, the laughing and tugging had stopped. But why did it stop? I could only lift my head a little to see a pair of red shoes before my eyes. I willed myself to look up more to see thin blue furred legs and far beyond it was a young handsome hedgehog.

It didn't seem possible. A hedgehog? Why didn't they tease and taunt him!? I couldn't figure out why but my thoughts were cut short when the hedgehogs thin arms encircled my little body and lifted me up in a gentle embrace. I felt I was about to melt in his arms. He was so comforting to me and as I looked up his eyes were set on all those around us with a mixture of anger and hatred within those emerald orbs.

I looked around slowly to see them all backing away slowly and some opened a path for him and soon he walked forward until we were safely out of the city and in a dark forest which was only illuminated by the moon itself.

For the first time since I found myself alone and without my parents to help me. I felt...safe and secure in this hedgehogs arms. This hedgehog had come to me and saved me from all those pointing fingers and loud scratching laughs. He saved me from all of it, but what was he going to do with me now?

I felt fear rise up again but it quickly melted away when my ears caught his soft gentle voice as he only said a few words. "Don't worry....your safe with me." he stated plainly but that was enough to put all my fears to rest.

I was safe with him. I had nothing to fear from this person. He was protecting me like my parents did. And when I thought about this, I finally fell asleep contently in his arms. I could feel him continue to walk on as I slept and I felt that this is where I belonged; right here with this hedgehog.

end flashback

I snapped out of my trance when I heard my name being called. I looked up to see Knux talking to the doctor who just came out. I immediately jumped to my feet and ran over to him trying to keep from crying again now fearing what he might say, but I some how managed to get out what I wanted to ask.

"Doctor....what's wrong with him!?" I pleaded as I looked up to him but he just looked at me with a confused look in his eyes. The kind of look where one doesn't have the answer and its hard to explain.

"I don't know....I have never seen something like this....this illness....I can't describe it...." he looked down and shook his head a little as he rubbed his tired eyes. I looked down as well then took a few steps back quietly not finding anything to say now.

"Wait!" I looked up to see Knux speaking now and it looked like he might have an answer. I waited as he thought on this and soon he finally spoke again.

"Could it have anything to do with Master Emerald.....maybe the Chaos Emeralds?" he looked at the doctor who looked pretty skeptical about that theory but then nodded as he put a pair of thin framed glasses on his eyes.

"I'm willing to believe anything right now.....if this is true....I'll look into finding results" he nodded to himself the knelt down to look at me with a slight smile. "Don't worry Tails....I'll do my best to help Sonic....I promise." he patted my head fur and I managed a small smile in return as I finally nodded, "Thank you sir.."

Chapter 4: Unknown Disease